The first ride on my new bike

[Lemans Party]

I decided to get this Cube touring bike, which arrived yesterday...

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...


The more I thought about it, the more I wanted it.

My first ride took me on a 7 mile loop on road and gravel road through open fields. It was exhilarating! I never knew I could get great views just a few miles up the road, combined with open fields and wayward sheep.
The bike is fantastic, it exceeds my expectations.
It is so much easier to push than my old MTB.

I was itching to try out the lights after dark, so I did another few miles in the darkness, the road ahead clearly illumimated enough for me to be comfortable with any speed.
The lights also have a stand light function which keeps the front and rear illuminated for a good few minutes after I stop. The standlight illuminates again with the slightest movement of the bike.

I can't wait to get out on the road again today, I never thought I'd be so excited!

[BOR]

Nice post.

Did you go for the Delhi or the Tonopath ?

[Lemans Party]

I went for the Delhi disc.
The brakes are fantastic, they really instill confidence. Like Mars, I wanted discs mainly because they are a different/newer technology. Having hydraulic discs is even better from an engineer's point of view

I got some other items yesterday including Specialized BG Sonoma Shoes, New York Lock, couple of saddle bags and a cool digital tyre pressure gauge.

Still to come is my FC845 Wireless Computer and (comfortable looking) Easton carbon bar ends.

I wish I'd bought this bike months ago. The whole idea is to get fit for my holiday later this year (which will involve trekking through national parks in America).

[Mars]

A man with similar tastes.

I really like that. It's everything a bike should be in my eyes. My own Whyte now has mudguards (a set of SKS hybrid ones, which I have mounted very close to the wheels so they don't look too geeky ) but having towed my daughter in a trailer for the best part of a year now, I think I would prefer a BOB Ibex if I were touring on mine rather than panniers. It's horses-for-course though. Panniers raise your centre of gravity but are undoubtedly easier to live with if you're parking up over night and securing the bike. A trailer is arguably harder to pull uphill but on the flat your bike doesn't feel heavy as it does with panniers.

I do not have any electricity generation on mine as I don't use it for touring (maybe one day - I have a lifestyle change idea I'm looking into) but it's yet another engineering challenge I appreciate. I currently have a set of Knog lights but they are more about being seen, than seeing in the dark. For distances I would certainly look into a generator hub.

I don't have any bar-ends on mine but I would certainly consider them if I were touring. I've just bought a simple round mirror which fixes onto the end of the RHS bar though - primarily so I can see my daughter in the trailer but it's a very clear mirror which I think is perfect for road use generally.

My dearly departed dad (DDD) used to tour all over the UK in his youth (mid/late 1950s) and it's something I would like to have a go at before I'm too old/unfit to even think about it. Good luck with it and post more pics/write-ups.

[Mars]

P.S. The Specialized Sonomas... what an amazing pair of shoes..!! They're not waterproof (be aware) but in fair-weathers they are fantastic and when you're off the bike you are hardly aware of the cleats. They do click a little as they're not fully surrounded by the soles but they're extremely useable to walk around in.

I have some thick "walking boot" type socks for use when it's cold and some Tesco "trainer liners" for something like a £5 for weather like we're having at the mo.

If I were to go out during the cold/wet months again, I would probably buy some of those neoprene cover shoes I think. One of the guys I used to cycle with used them and reckoned they kept his feet warm as well as dry.

[Lemans Party]

Thanks for the comments Mars,

Mars said:

I do not have any electricity generation on mine as I don't use it for touring (maybe one day - I have a lifestyle change idea I'm looking into) but it's yet another engineering challenge I appreciate.

Hmmm, this sounds interesting! Any more details?
As a side note related to the hub dynamo, I found the E-WERK "hub dynamo-powered charger and universal power supply" on the Busch & Muller website. It's for charging phones, GPS receivers etc. I am sure I could find a use for it.

Mars said:

I don't have any bar-ends on mine but I would certainly consider them if I were touring. I've just bought a simple round mirror which fixes onto the end of the RHS bar though - primarily so I can see my daughter in the trailer but it's a very clear mirror which I think is perfect for road use generally.

I will probably try a mirror if I do much cycling in town, it would certainly be easier than shoulder checking but I will stick to the quiet roads and trails until I get more fit.

Mars said:

My dearly departed dad (DDD) used to tour all over the UK in his youth (mid/late 1950s) and it's something I would like to have a go at before I'm too old/unfit to even think about it. Good luck with it and post more pics/write-ups.

I had a sudden realisation that I need to experience what it is like to be fit while I am still young. I don't want to get into my forties and break into a sweat at the mere thought of strenuous exercise (like I do at the moment). Last year I joined a gym, but that was the most boring thing I have ever done, I could not get motivated and sitting on an exercise bike watching TV (paying for the privilege) has to be one of the most mind-numbing wastes of time ever.

Yesterday's cycle ride felt like freedom on two wheels, fresh air and open countryside waiting to be explored.
I did another 5 miles this morning, short distances I know, but I will have more time at the weekend. Here's hoping for dry weather, but who cares! I have mudguards

[Mars]

Lemans Party said:

Thanks for the comments Mars,

Mars said:

I do not have any electricity generation on mine as I don't use it for touring (maybe one day - I have a lifestyle change idea I'm looking into) but it's yet another engineering challenge I appreciate.

Hmmm, this sounds interesting! Any more details?

Not yet but it involves leaving behind a life of IT management for something self-employed and in low-volume manufacturing. Plans still forming - I need to create a few prototypes before I give too much info away.

Lemans Party said:

As a side note related to the hub dynamo, I found the E-WERK "hub dynamo-powered charger and universal power supply" on the Busch & Muller website. It's for charging phones, GPS receivers etc. I am sure I could find a use for it.

Yes, this is exactly I would make use of. I use a Blackberry for Endomondo GPS route logging, and although the BB battery is good for a couple of days, if I were touring I would certainly need a way of recharging it.

Lemans Party said:

Mars said:

My dearly departed dad (DDD) used to tour all over the UK in his youth (mid/late 1950s) and it's something I would like to have a go at before I'm too old/unfit to even think about it. Good luck with it and post more pics/write-ups.

I had a sudden realisation that I need to experience what it is like to be fit while I am still young. I don't want to get into my forties and break into a sweat at the mere thought of strenuous exercise (like I do at the moment).

Yes, that was me before I started cycling again last year.

Lemans Party said:

Last year I joined a gym, but that was the most boring thing I have ever done, I could not get motivated and sitting on an exercise bike watching TV (paying for the privilege) has to be one of the most mind-numbing wastes of time ever.

I hate gyms. Mind-numbingly boring. And such a waste of money when you can do most of it outside.

Lemans Party said:

Yesterday's cycle ride felt like freedom on two wheels, fresh air and open countryside waiting to be explored.

Exactly my sentiments. Why watch TV in a gym when you could be out riding around the countryside?

Lemans Party said:

I did another 5 miles this morning, short distances I know, but I will have more time at the weekend. Here's hoping for dry weather, but who cares! I have mudguards

Yes indeed. Properly equipped, a cyclist should be able to reconnect with the world outside of TV-land without any discomfort. Having said that, I gave up when it got really cold over the winter. That's the time of the year when I need to migrate to Spain.