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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?

Bike theft

Very nice piece of writing by Andrew Gimson whose bike was nicked.  I share his feeling although what I experienced was nothing compared to his.

I do believe now that a bike is not just a bike. For most of us a bike is like a faithful friend. It is with us come shine or rain, day in day out.

So when 'your faithful friend' is no longer there, it seems like half of yourself has gone. No? Just ask Andrew...

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.

b'Twin folding bike: a rather comprehensive review

I posted my initial impression of the b'Twin folding bike I have been riding in the last month or so.

Now I want to share with you my overall opinion.

First of all, the bike has seven speed with 20 inch tyre. Having 20 inch means I don't have problems after riding a road bike.

The bike feels normal just like any other bikes. Two other people who tried the bike drew the same conclusion.

It is solid, comfortable and can handle any type of roads with ease.

I like the flat handlebar which makes the bike feels more sporty.

I have to say the ride quality is spot on. In fact I do not expect to be that good.

As I said before you need a little bit of practice to fold the bike. It takes about a minute to fold so not that good compared to Bromptons where you can fold them in less than 20 seconds.

It is also quite large once you fold it. Again, do not compare with the Bromptons.

As you can see from the picture, the folded bike still occupy almost the whole part of the boot.

At about 14.7 kg it is also relatively heavy. I am not sure whether it is practical to fold, carry, and unfold it for your journey in daily basis.

If you don't need to fold and unfold the bike that often, it is obviously a sensible choice. At £200 it is absolutely a good value for money.

Note: my green b'Twin folding bike is unfortunately no longer on sale. Decathlon now offers almost the same specs at £400. The different is the new model has better handle bars and seat.

The best Christmas gifts for cyclists - in pictures

Some Christmas best-buys for your cycling-mad friend, brother, sister, dad or mum, selected by The Guardian. It covers gifts for budget concious people (like me) or for people who think money is not the issue.


Click here to read further...

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...