Night riding

There's always been something alluring about the night, whether it's the feeling of being out of sight or maybe just the idea of what could be lurking in the shadows, it's kind of exciting.  Don't worry I'm not going to regale you with escapades of a stalking nature; no, in fact this is about riding in the dark.

When I was younger I used to go out with a few friends on our mountain bikes, we'd have a great time belting about town getting told off by the police and generally being teenagers.  With the encompassing veil of winter drawing the nights in ever closer the only way to get any riding done is to go out at night.  Night riding has its advantages and its obvious disadvantages.  The obvious problems with going out in the dark is making sure you're visible so I have 2 very bright LED lights on the front, 2 bright ones for the back, some frame mounted LEDs and 4 very bright LED strap lights on my back.

Car drivers seem to see you better in the dark, which seems somewhat contradictory but I suppose it's due to the fact that you're somewhat more alert when in the dark.  A good 40 mile ride in the dark results in not one single bloody idiot, yet if I do a ride during the day I can almost gaurantee I'm buzzed by a retard in a Corsa, usually egged on by his brain dead, knuckle dragging friends in the back seat. 

The last ride took in Bury, Ramsbottom, back into Bury, swinging around towards Farnworth and back into Bolton.  Have to avoid the unlit roads, they're deadly at this time of the year, and with frost appearing now the leaves on the side of the roads can make it quite unsettling at speed.  If you're out in the dark, whther it's training or just commuting to and from work, please make sure you're visible.

Ride safe.

Topeak Pocket Rocket Masterblaster

Having a good pump, if you pardon the expression, is vital for any cyclist going further than 'walking distance'.  There's a huge plethora of pumps out there, all claiming to be great and all vying for your attention but a very small few actually do what they claim with much efficiancy.  This Topeak Pocket Rocket Masterblaster is not one such pump.

The pump comes with the usual frame mounting and the fastening to the clamp is pretty strong if a little fiddly.  The pump itself is around  8 and a half inches in length and fits happly into your backpack or cycle jersey.  The alloy tubing prevents it from getting hot whilst pumping and lets you continue to keep at it (sexual innuendo is fun!) untl you get the desired hardeness...  The problem with this pump is you will be stood by the side of the road for a good 10 minutes getting your tyre/s back up to an acceptable pressure.  Yes it does its job, and yes it will get you home but I would suggest finding something a little larger and more suited to road tyres than this.


The old frame mounted cycle pumps are still the choice unless you carry a compressed air device, this is adequate and for the price worth picking up for a backup pump but don't rely fully on its ability to get that pressure right up!

Excel Gym Closes!

Bolton Council's own run Gym has been closed down!  Why?  Too build yet more bloody housing!  Basic fact is the council want more money and the Excel Centre isn't giving them any.  The entire site has been closed and will be demolished to be marketed off to developers.  The thing is I used the Excel Centre as a way to keep fit; sure I have my bike but the gym had equipment I didn't have access to at home. What makes me laugh is the way the council want people to be healthy yet they close down the only free public gym in Bolton, putting thousands out of the chance to improve their health.  Bolton is now having to wait another 2 years before a similar venture is launched at the new Bolton One.

The council claims they contacted members, and given them help to find another place to go, I, however, never received any warning and found out from a friend 2 weeks after I had last visited!  Thanks Bolton!  Sooner I move out of this shithole the better!  I used to love this town but it's gone to the dogs, or should I say scrotes?

Finally the cold weather has moved in and I'm now having to wear my winter gear!  Good God I look terrible, I look like a flourescent dildo!  I still don't wear a helmet but at night I really should - problem I have and it's a shit excuse, is that I look terrible in every helmet I try on, only the obsurdly expensive helmets look okay on me and I am not paying £150 for one!  I know the way it looks shouldn't matter but I am obsessive about the way I look, and if it doesn't look right I won't wear it - it is that simple.  When I'm out I have a very bright jacket, some very powerful lights both front and rear, along with a backpack which has flashing LEDs all over it - I am impossible to miss, literally.

Drivers seem more cautious at night giving me plenty of room but I do see a lot of cyclists using cheap, tiny LEDS as their main lights - they are not very visible at all.  I would advise anyone not to buy your lighting from places like the pounds shops - yes they are okay at maybe twilight but in winter darkness they do not show up enough.  This is a neat little segway into the lights I'm using so I will do my first ever cycle parts review!  YAY!

RSP Night Burst Front, Rear LED Set and Computer - Bought from Great Universal.

I bought this set just on the off chance that it'd be some use and it's going to get a very mixed review.  The front light is exceptionally bright offering a really good way to be seen, and it also lights up completely dark road really well.  The mounting bracket is firm, should fit most handle bar types and very easy to fit.  The rear light, again is bright, however the mounting bracket is crap.  It's flimsy, and the light itself wouldn't take much of a knock.  The metal screw in the rear mounting works loose over time causing it to rattle and eventually fall off.  The computer, well, I can't review it since it didn't, and still doesn't, work.  It's set up correctly yet there's no reading. 

Overall - for the £30 I spent on this set I could have got a better set elsewhere.  The front is fine and very well made but you can find similar products for £15.  With both the rear and the computer being a bit crap I essentially paid out £30 on a front light.

Proper Webspace?

I've been thinking about it for a while and since I have a whole 4 followers I thought it may be worth shelling out some pennies.  I have plenty of webspace at my ISP so it's just the domain name.  The only problem I may have is I will have to update it more often. 

I haven't been riding as much lately mostly due to a relapse of the mind (few weeks into that at the moment), and the fact that I'm worrying relentlessly about money, as usual.  It's been hard to even get up but since I have the commitment of the charity shop and I have to feed my own cat I force myself up and take my medication.  Personally I'd rather just die but hohum it's never that simple.