Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.stapfam
09-20-08, 02:41 PM
Got the ride in early and realised that a couple of minor problems came in on the bikes whilst out.
So it was out with the toolbox and check a few things. But that was after the bikes had got a cleanup. Washed the chains and while I was at it got the Mountain bike out and The Tandem---Well Ross did as the Kona was at the back of the shed and that is going to get a run shortly. Washed The MTB's chain out and adjusted the Front deraillers on the road bikes. Then it was down to cleaning 3 bikes.
But that left the Tandem. Still covered in trail dirt from its last ride but before I cleaned it down- Time for a ride. Only a couple of miles to see if it still worked and Ross was there so an instant Stoker. What a difference that bike is. Heavy- sways a round a lot and the steering still doesn't work. Much to Ross's relief- the brakes do. So a couple of miles just to see how it feels. It's different and thanks to me and Ross not having ridden together for about 2 years- The team was not there either. Within a mile we were getting there and decided to see how it goes. Luckily we did not have to stop at the roundabout or the traffic lights so just had a chance to push it along. Surprising how little effort it takes to get it to 25mph and hold it. But uphill is a struggle. Kept going down on the gears at the slightest slope and it was not long before we were sounding like a twin cylinder Steam engine. All that huffing and puffing and we did not need the horn to warn pedestrians we were coming. Wasn't too long before we got together though and that tandem does get a move on. Even up the short slope 1/2 mile from home and we stayed in a sensible gear at long last.
So two miles on a dirty Tandem that needs a clean and it was fantastic. But it is now at the back of the shed- waiting for me and Ross to get a bit fitter before we take it out for a thrash round Friston Forest. That is going to be a hard ride but it is going to be fun.
So it was out with the toolbox and check a few things. But that was after the bikes had got a cleanup. Washed the chains and while I was at it got the Mountain bike out and The Tandem---Well Ross did as the Kona was at the back of the shed and that is going to get a run shortly. Washed The MTB's chain out and adjusted the Front deraillers on the road bikes. Then it was down to cleaning 3 bikes.
But that left the Tandem. Still covered in trail dirt from its last ride but before I cleaned it down- Time for a ride. Only a couple of miles to see if it still worked and Ross was there so an instant Stoker. What a difference that bike is. Heavy- sways a round a lot and the steering still doesn't work. Much to Ross's relief- the brakes do. So a couple of miles just to see how it feels. It's different and thanks to me and Ross not having ridden together for about 2 years- The team was not there either. Within a mile we were getting there and decided to see how it goes. Luckily we did not have to stop at the roundabout or the traffic lights so just had a chance to push it along. Surprising how little effort it takes to get it to 25mph and hold it. But uphill is a struggle. Kept going down on the gears at the slightest slope and it was not long before we were sounding like a twin cylinder Steam engine. All that huffing and puffing and we did not need the horn to warn pedestrians we were coming. Wasn't too long before we got together though and that tandem does get a move on. Even up the short slope 1/2 mile from home and we stayed in a sensible gear at long last.
So two miles on a dirty Tandem that needs a clean and it was fantastic. But it is now at the back of the shed- waiting for me and Ross to get a bit fitter before we take it out for a thrash round Friston Forest. That is going to be a hard ride but it is going to be fun.