Quoted message said:1. Be safe. Good lights, brakes and reflectors aid confidence. Riding at night/in the dark is
magical -- but you need to be able to see where you are going and to be seen.
The above is absolutely essential. One key - remember to take spare batteries with you if you are
using battery powered lights and not a dynamo system. I like the Christmas tree principle - I have
two British Standard lights at front with one flashing LED. I have a static white single LED mounted
on my helmet too. At the back of my bike I have two bright red lights - one standard BS one and one
that is a mass of bright red LEDs (static beam) and I can have flashing red LEDs too. I also have
reflectives on bike & on self from head to toe, back, front & side)
Good source of el cheapo but effective fluorescent/reflective gear is shopcreator.comtopicmenuOpen ↗
1.stm
Quoted message said:2. Be warm. Fingers & toes are particularly vulnerable. Good gloves & overshoes are vital.
Another definite - but whereas I *always* nned gloves on, I don't always require overshoes, as thick
warm socks can often suffice for me - but if it is peeing down, I do wear the overshoes too.
Quoted message said:3. Stay cool. Overheating is a pain. Layers & zips allow for basic heat regulation -- a bar or
rack bag allows a greater range of options. Personally, I cycle in shorts unless it is really
cold -- but I'm weird!! Most prefer roubaix tights. If, like me, you are folicly challenged
then a decent hat of buff is good. Something to keep the ears warm is good.
The layering principle is a must. It is true - T is weird ;-) I use a base layer of a thermal vest
thinggie (longsleeved), over which I put a longsleeved cycling jersey, windproof sleeveless gilet,
and I also carry/wear a waterproof jacket. Layers mean it is easy, if you cool, to add more/do up
zips to keep warm. You can also undo zips/remove layers if you start to get too warm, without
becoming nekkid and frightening the neighbours ;-)
Quoted message said:4. Stay dry. Cycling in the rain CAN also be magical -- though it can also be a PIA :~(
Something to keep the rain out while remaining breathable is good.
Definite agreement. Cycling in the rain does not mean you have to get wet! One other essential is, I
think, a pair of shades. All year round I wear either my normal specs (photochromatic lenses) or if
wearing my contact lenses, I will wear shades as appropriate (dark lenses to shield from sun or
yellow lenses for low light/poor visibility clear lenses are good for night wear) as the lenses keep
the wind, rain, grit, flies out of your eyes.
Quoted message said:5. Stay off the ice. If its icy go for a walk instead. Lethal stuff. Avoid.
Good idea
Quoted message said:6. Have fun.
The most important one. Cycling is fun, even for me, a fatbirdonabike. When I first got back on a
bike after years away, I couldn't go five miles without having to get off a few times and retrieve
my lungs from the tarmac and I certainly couldn't go up the hill the lies between my village and the
next at the back of my house. To be honest that wasn't fun at that time. BUT, the great thing about
cycling is that you see a noticeable improvement in fitness and stamina over a relatively short
space of time. Now, whilst I don't whizz up said hill, I can get up it without having to use my
granny ring :-) The key was, for me, to start of at short distances and *gradually* work up to
improving over those distances and then extending the distances gradually.
Cheers, helen s
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