Names and faces to bikes

Me, my bike and 2 friends (I guess I don't need to point out which is me) decided to cycle to the top of a mountain in Belfast, got to the top, really fecking windy and -5degC.

Yes, that's my fantastic bike horn pointing directly at the camera, looking back at that pic, i'm amazed my water bottle didn't come out and hit me.

Is that a fluffy cloud in the foreground because of the altitude 'n that?

Is that a fluffy cloud in the foreground because of the altitude 'n that?

I'd love to say that it was, but it was just the flash on the rock that i'd put the camera on, but you can pretend it's a cloud if you prefer.

I'd love to say that it was, but it was just the flash on the rock that i'd put the camera on, but you can pretend it's a cloud if you prefer.

I do prefer. I shall.

Me, my bike and 2 friends (I guess I don't need to point out which is me) decided to cycle to the top of a mountain in Belfast, got to the top, really fecking windy and -5degC.

Michael, you're the only forum member who needs to soften TFU and protect your fecking knees. It's cold and constantly exposing your knees to wind chill in conditions like this is simply. not. a good. move.

I sound like Dr Bob Davis but there you go. ;)

Michael, you're the only forum member who needs to soften TFU and protect your fecking knees. It's cold and constantly exposing your knees to wind chill in conditions like this is simply. not. a good. move.

I sound like Dr Bob Davis but there you go. ;)

Yeah i'm definitely getting a pair of knee warmers when I get back, just don't want to get them now because I know it'll be the one time Wiggle's delivery buggers up and they'll arrive here when i'm back in London.

I think cold knees are the least of his problems, being up a moutain in freezing weather when it's getting dark on a fixed bike (unless its SS). And I can't see any lights. Must have been a fun ride down

Michael, you're the only forum member who needs to soften TFU and protect your fecking knees. It's cold and constantly exposing your knees to wind chill in conditions like this is simply. not. a good. move.

I sound like Dr Bob Davis but there you go. ;)

Is that why my knee hurts today?

Went out in shorts last night at 2am for an hour and a half ride.

I think cold knees are the least of his problems, being up a moutain in freezing weather when it's getting dark on a fixed bike (unless its SS). And I can't see any lights. Must have been a fun ride down

There are lights, one on the seat post, one on the handlebars next to the stem. The ride down wasn't as much fun as going up, we were delayed quite a bit so it was darker than planned so we had to take our time coming down as it was mostly gravel, plus because I was riding fixed I couldn't go flat out down the one big stretch of downhill tarmac, shame, though the climb was fantastic, i've improved quite a bit over the last 3 months.

Pretty pathetic lights tho. I remember having a light on my MTB that was like a car headlight on full, plus a helmet light

Full respect tho, very impressive, although for fun's sake (fuck souplesse) I vote flip-flop hubs for mountains

Pretty pathetic lights tho. I remember having a light on my MTB that was like a car headlight on full, plus a helmet light

Full respect tho, very impressive, although for fun's sake (fuck souplesse) I vote flip-flop hubs for mountains

They're to be seen with, not to see with (though they do a great job of blinding people when I show them off, fun past-time of mine) I know my way up and down that route very well and was staying at the back, I do have a flip-flop, but if you think you're getting me to flip my wheel in those conditions you've got another thing coming =P

Time you did some sportives, mate to sap up your energy. Suggestions - L'etape, the Ventoux the Dragon Ride.

Me, my bike and 2 friends (I guess I don't need to point out which is me) decided to cycle to the top of a mountain in Belfast, got to the top, really fecking windy and -5degC.

Yes, that's my fantastic bike horn pointing directly at the camera, looking back at that pic, i'm amazed my water bottle didn't come out and hit me.

You make me want to ride up mountains and take silly photos of my bike up in the air. :-D

mmccarthy - dude!

FFS...santa should have bought you a decent jacket and some winter bibs.

Current rides:

LHT tourer, only been to brighton and back a few times so far, still further than most hipsters.
ed

I always fancied one of these but I need a 52 or 54 frame and can't be bothered with 26" wheels. What size frame is yours?

You make me want to ride up mountains and take silly photos of my bike up in the air. :-D

Then that makes it all worthwhile =D

If you're being sarcastic, you're an arse and I wasted my time doing it =P

^^ Mines a 56cm, smallest size that'll take 700c comfortably. Its got monster 38mm tyres and full size fenders but theres still plenty of room for even bigger shit.
It's a lovely frame for the money, feels very really sturdy and smooth when you're bombing down the hill into brighton at night with full panniers.

I've been told that if you're using skinny tyres and no mudguards you can just about get away with 700c in a 54cm frame. Kinda defeats the object of getting a LHT tho really.

^^ Mines a 56cm, smallest size that'll take 700c comfortably. Its got monster 38mm tyres and full size fenders but theres still plenty of room for even bigger shit.
It's a lovely frame for the money, feels very really sturdy and smooth when you're bombing down the hill into brighton at night with full panniers.

I've been told that if you're using skinny tyres and no mudguards you can just about get away with 700c in a 54cm frame. Kinda defeats the object of getting a LHT tho really.

Agreed. I'm still tempted, though.

Is that why my knee hurts today?

Went out in shorts last night at 2am for an hour and a half ride.

No idea--just be careful with riding in the cold. You can still wear a T-shirt or go out in your underwear, but just make sure you cover your knees.

If your knee hurts quite a lot, get it checked out by a physio. It may not be anything serious yet, but it may become serious later unless you take preventative action.

Platform shoes. And a zero reach stem. Then you'll be able to rock which ever frame you wish. I'm fairly sure Thorn do a very similar frame to the LHT which takes 700c in the smaller sizes. Check the CTC forum, those dudes are mad for tiny touring frames with big wheels. Think you get Thorn kit through sjscycles.co.uk
To be honest I thought I was gonna need a 54cm frame but went for the 56cm just so i could have full size rims and the jump wasn't too bad. Standover height is spot on for me (I'm 5'10 with fairly short legs) I reckon it'd sit at least an inch or so lower if it didn't have the huge tyres. Depends what you're gonna use it for i guess...

100% make-over...

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wow you are mini... 48cm frame?

Then that makes it all worthwhile =D

If you're being sarcastic, you're an arse and I wasted my time doing it =P

No, not sarcastic - just over-enthusiastic! Anyone (with a camera) fancy an assault on Ditchling Beacon over the next few days? Or maybe it's about time I HTFUed and had a go at Box Hill.

I'm now envisaging one of those niche-interest websites (like this, or this - or this, for that matter), with nothing but photos of people brandishing their bicycles on top of hills. Am I getting a little carried away...?

Michael, you're the only forum member who needs to soften TFU and protect your fecking knees. It's cold and constantly exposing your knees to wind chill in conditions like this is simply. not. a good. move.

I sound like Dr Bob Davis but there you go. ;)

Man did the night ride in a t shirt, he feels no cold!

No, not sarcastic - just over-enthusiastic! Anyone (with a camera) fancy an assault on Ditchling Beacon over the next few days? Or maybe it's about time I HTFUed and had a go at Box Hill.

I'm now envisaging one of those niche-interest websites (like this, or this - or this, for that matter), with nothing but photos of people brandishing their bicycles on top of hills. Am I getting a little carried away...?

That sounds like an awesome idea! Count me in, I won't be back in London until the 11th though.