The More I Cycle...

[Python]

The more I love it

Having been suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms over the last couple of days due to very stormy weather - high winds, thunder and lightning (which I love) and lashing rain, on top of that one of my cats has gone missing I haven't been a happy bunny over the past few days.

Anyway, I made up laminated posters to put up round the area but discovered the plastic ties I have are too small. Took the bike and rode to our shopping centre. There's cycle paths virtually all the way there. Great ride going - flat or downhill all the way. Not so good coming back. Still, nothing ventured nothing gained, so off I went. Got what I wanted and then popped into ASDA Walmart for a few groceries. I've got a really good backpack which folds into quite a tiny package (use it for my motorbike - which I'm going to be selling shortly) so I had a bit of weight to carry back with me.

The only incident that occurred which is a common one, was when I was cutting across the carpark. It's all laid out with stop and give-way signs and this stupid car driver, is sitting at one of the little junctions, looking straight at me - and pulls right out in front of me Duh!!! Now being a Scotswoman, despite my small size, like most Scotswomen, I can have a really loud voice, so yelled at him "Think Bike". He looked totally blank

I'm really getting the hang of the gears now and not wobbling so much when I change up and down. Hand signals are getting better too. I'm not suffering so much from jelly legs now so I'm just going to carry on at a steady pace and increase my distance gradually.

One thing I need to get is a good set of lights for my bike. What would you ladies recommend? I want to see and be seen. At the end of this month it will be dark before 6pm. Less than another 6 weeks and it will be dark at 3.30pm (I hate winter) but I will be carrying on cycling throughout the winter.

I hope to be able to take the bike into town over the next few weeks (or sooner)

[Mimosa]

Last winter I got myself a NightBeam by BBB Parts. Though it is still not the best solution, at least the light is very bright white which mean you can be seen and second it does give some light on the road due to the 5 seperate beams. And it's not that expesive ...