Bicycle by Helen Pidd

I do want to have a bike but I do not know which one is best for me, you may ask.

Well, no worries. Helen Pidd answers all of your questions in a single marvellous book entitled Bicycle.

You should buy this book before you purchase your first bike.

However, it is absolutely OK even if you already have one, just like me, who bought the book a couple of week after getting my road bike.

Pidd cleverly layouts from the basic aspects of choosing a bike to important issues while you are out and about with your bike.

For example, is it legal to cycle on the pavement. Or is it OK to jump the red light. You probably raise the question as you notice that more and more cyclists do that.

Generally speaking the book ticks all the right boxes so I would recommend this one. Happy reading, folks.

Relocation, relocation, relocation

Office jobs and other commitments made February a very busy month. Please forgive me for not posting any updates.

Well, no news is good news, as the saying goes. Talking about news, my office is in the process of relocating to another site, which is further west.

It means I have to cycle further as I live in the southeast. I reckon it will take about at least 1.45 door to door from my house to the new site in Oxford Circus.

I still want to cycle however the distance is killing me.

So, I come up with this plan: cycle to Abbey Wood, catch a train to Charing Cross and then cycle again to Oxford Circus.

The flaw with this plan is I can not get my road bike into the train during the rush hour. Southeast Train does not allow me to do so. Folding bike is OK but not road bike, it says.

I do have a folding bike. However, it is still relatively big even when it is folded.

So, shall I get a Brompton?

Warm winter

Yes, I am still alive. Sorry for not posting in the last couple of weeks. I was rather busy with office stuff during the festive period. Oh, happy new year by the way. Hope you all have a more prosperous year.

Probably you notice, and I believe you do, that this winter is warm. Very warm indeed. We have double digits temperature at the end December and at the first half of January. I am not complaining though as it is good time for cycling. Yes, it is cold in the morning but not as cold as I thought.

Just don't forget to wrap up yourself. Happy winter cycling...

Roundabout

For the second time in the last two days I have faced with drivers who seem to ignore the golden rule that they must give priority to traffic from their immediate right.

They sped up and went into the roundabout despite the fact that I had the priority.

Needles to say, we as cyclists, must stay alert and expect those kind of motorists, especially at the roundabout.

More cyclists in town?

When the weather is not that friendly I sometimes leave my bike at home or just cycle to the station and catch a train central London. I noticed the other day I couldn't find a parking spot for my bike. It was still 06.40 in the morning however all the spots were taken. I wonder if more people in my area now prefer pedalling to driving to the station. And it is winter. It could be much more difficult to find parking spot in spring or summer...

Neck warmer, do you really need one?

Winter is on the air and the temperature is getting colder. If you decide to continue cycling, one of the thing that you will notice is the chill wind (especially in the morning) getting into your neck. To cover your neck with a scarf is obviously a sensible solution.

So, while wandering in a Decathlon store in Surrey Quays on a Saturday morning I can't resist myself not to buy and try a neck warmer.

There are a couple of models and I choose the cheapest one: a warmer made of fleece which set you back £3.99.

The next morning, when the day is wet and cold (which is perfect for a try out) I give it a go. Surprisingly, the little warmer is comfortable and covers my neck nicely.

I bet this little warmer will be my best friend until the winter is over...

Cycling to work, how to get started

You might have planned it. You probably already have a bike in the landing, but then you do not know how to start pedalling all the way to the office.

What I would do if I were you is to start cycling a couple of miles for a start. Let's say from your home to the nearest station, then go further until you manage to get to the office entirely by bike.

That was what I did. I cycled about three miles on Monday, six miles, nine miles and by Friday morning, to my surprise I ended up doing 18 miles from Southeast London to Holborn.

I could not believe I finally did it...

Cycle in London for the first time

It was Friday afternoon, about 5 pm in August. I know it was not a perfect time to cycle for the first time in busy London roads. It rained heavily as well.

However, that was the agreed time that I had to collect my road bike.

So, when the rain eased I went out from a Halfords store and braced myself with the unknown ahead. It was the first time for me to cycle on roads after so many years.

I cycled slowly. The cars that passing me seemed went very quick. Suddenly the road went downhill and the bike picked up speed.