Dave On Dahon

Part 2: New Royal Mail Centre – Strood, Kent (Aerial Shot)

Dave — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:49:10 +0000

I had forgotten to post the photo below having posted back in July about the new Royal Mail Centre in Strood, Kent.

I took this photograph whilst out for a birthday flight over Kent back in October. This shows progress on the site as of the 2nd of October 2011. Click the image for a larger photo.

Bicycle Storage Ideas

Dave — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:37:16 +0000

Image from 'Apartment Therapy'

Looking for some ideas about how and where to store your bike, but you’re in a smaller house or apartment? Head over to Apartment Therapy and have a look at some of the methods they’ve found. Turn your bike into a wall-mounted masterpiece!

Link: Apartment Therapy

Happy New Year – 2012

Dave — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:33:41 +0000

Well, it’s New Year’s Eve, the 31st of December 2011. It’s 1730 and the countdown to the new year is under way with countries in the eastern hemisphere having already marked the occasion.

Hopefully 2012 will be a great year for everyone reading this post and that it brings all you want/need/desire. I’m going to get back out cycling and enjoy the open roads a bit more in the new year. I hope you all have a great cycling year ahead.

Happy New Year everyone!

Christmas: all done…

Dave — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:10:20 +0000

Well, that’s Christmas over with for another year. A little heavier after all the food, I’m now looking at the Dahon and thinking that 2012 has to be a more active cycling year!

I’ve got my eye on a new cycle rack for the car – a Thule roof-mounted system – so that should help. The ‘future-wife’ (!) is keen to break her bike free from the shed too so having the rack on the car will give us more options to explore other parts of the country on the bikes.

The Dahon was running well before Christmas but today still has the puncture which it got on my last ride. That’s going to be repaired this week whilst I’m off work for the Christmas/New Year period. I still enjoy the Dahon and riding it makes me smile even when the stress and pressures of work are getting me down.

Merry Christmas!

Dave — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:56:10 +0000

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Early New Year’s Resolution?

Dave — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 13:27:37 +0000

I’ve got a New Year’s resolution already: get out on the bikes more in 2012! This year has been VERY quiet on the cycling front for me and I feel very guilty that the bikes haven’t really been out much at all. This has to change next year.

Work and other things have limited my cycling this year, but I have to not let that happen in 2012.

I’m stating this resolution now so that I have a month to get it into my little head before January 1st and the resolution comes into force!

Help!: Spot Satellite Messenger

Dave — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:38:01 +0000

This is Spot. I found this little gadget online having received a (paper) catalogue from a shop I’ve recently bought from.

Spending a lot of my leisure time outside, either cycling, walking or taking photographs, this device appeals to me. It’s an emergency location and SOS device.

If you’re in the middle of nowhere and you’re injured, simply press the SOS button and your location (GPS) and SOS are sent via satellite to the GEOS rescue centre who coordinate your rescue with local emergency services. As it’s based on satellite communication, it will work even when you can’t get a mobile/cell signal on your phone!

It’s £144 on Amazon and there’s an annual fee, but can you really put a price on safety? I wish I’d had this when I cycled across the UK – it can even report your location so your friends and family can track your progress.

If you’re always outdoors or planning an epic cycle ride, consider getting one of these. It’s on my ‘wishlist’!

Spot: website

Cyclists

Dave — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:28:37 +0000

Okay, so I am a cyclist. I enjoy cycling. However, some cyclists just don’t help themselves nor the cycling community.

Lights: They’re not expensive. They benefit you (and only you!). Buy some! Buy some good ones!

The number of cyclists I pass (as a car driver) with inadequate, or no lighting at all(!), still continues to surprise me. As a vulnerable road user, why wouldn’t you do as much as possible to make yourself visible after dark?!

Many of these ‘unlit’ riders appear to have spent many hundreds of pounds on the lightest, fastest bikes and the most high-tech of lycra clothing but either fail to buy any lights or spend a token amount on pathetic small and dim lighting. Reflective and/or high-vis clothing also appears to be avoided by these people!

Fellow cyclists, buy yourself some quality lights. Buy quality front and rear lights. Make sure that you’re visible to other traffic!

Be safe on the roads. Keep cycling!

Dahon Puncture!

Dave — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:26:05 +0000

Took the Dahon out today as I was spending the morning out and didn’t want (or need) to take the car. The trusty bike was a great ride as always and the 3.5 mile round trip was very nice on a cold autumn morning.

Back home and the Dahon was placed in the hallway and left whilst I had a coffee. Shortly after, the rear tyre was completely flat and the bike leaning to one side. Hmm, a damn puncture. Will need to take a look at that, but not today…

25th August 2011 – Freedom!

Dave — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:52:00 +0000

It’s Thursday the 25th of April and the Dahon broke free from the confines of the house and ventured out!

Yes, it’s true, it’s the end of August and this is the first time this year that I have been out on my bikes. Crazy, huh?! I had a day off last Thursday and gave the Dahon a clean and oiled the chain. I checked the bolts were tight, the handlebar was straight and made sure the tyres were pumped up. It was ready to go.

Tonight I went out for dinner and the Dahon was the transport. It was really great to be out there on the bike – I had forgotten how much fun it is to ride the little folder. With my NiteRider fully charged, the ride home in the dark was even more fun: I was weaving along from side to side on a country lane (not used by cars) like we used to do when we were kids.

Ahh, I’ve missed cycling.