Nothing has surprised me more than the power of
pedalling. My New Year's Resolution to
cycle 10 miles a day has led to so much fun, fantastic vistas, great friends
and stunning scenery. All on my very own
doorstep.
Trips in all four directions at all sorts of different hours of the day have allowed me to see sunrises and sunsets that have taken my breath away. Cycling through Kensington Palace Gardens at 6am is a wonder in itself. (Actually being up at 6am is a bit of a wonder!)
Cycling in London gives the city such a different dimension.
Like a river of flowing moments that catch the eye - people going about their lives, some
laughing some stressing, in their hustling
and bustling. The pieces of architecture, the skylines, the ability to slow
down and do some real window-shopping-without-stopping - all completely missed on foot or in a car.
And the power of pedalling is nothing in comparison to the power of n+1. No matter how many bikes you have there always seems to be a desire for another one.
To stop this from being an issue, some months ago I started
looking at finding a bike for life. A bike that could be adapted for all the
various possibilities - from fixed gear to
Rohloff; from a chain to a carbon belt
drive; a light but sturdy frame that would last forever. As I started looking into the various options
- carbon, titanium, steel, I couldn't
stop thinking about the Fridays rider who after a night ride from York to Hull
two years ago let me - someone he had never met before - ride his brand new
bicycle. A Woodrup Chimera.
Not only was it amazing that he would let a complete
stranger ride his bicycle but it was also an amazing bicycle. I had never heard of Woodrup. I now know they are based in Leeds and were
started in the 70s by a husband and wife
team who loved cycling. They loved cycling so much (without quoting Victor
Kiam) that they set up the company!
Woodrup is a bike shop that sells a range of bicycles some ready-made
but also bespoke and it is now run by their son. Their
bike builder, Kevin Sayles, has been there for 35 years. A great
cycling history that really appealed to me.
I know that frame
fabric is down to choice. Some love
steel, some loathe it. For others
Titanium is the thing. I don't care who
rides what, as long as the bicycles are safe (ie in good condition). If
they are on a bike they will be having fun.
Living in London and buying a bicycle made in Leeds seemed
rather impractical but a year later, in New Cavendish Street I found that Fitzrovia Bicycles are Woodrup stockists - the only dealer in London.
It was too good to be true! With helpful advice from several friends I
chose a frame and placed the order.
Then, for the sake of a cheap day
return I spent a day in Leeds being measured for my bike by the very man
that is building it.
Decisions in terms of a new bicycle happen in waves. Once the frame has been chosen, along with the wheel size,
options for mudguards, water bottles and
disc brakes then things go quiet for a while. The
next round of questions included paint colour.
That was tricky! Eventually both
Fitzrovia Bicycles and I realised that the only person with a real idea of what
the bike would look like was the bike builder.
Given that he has been doing this for so long we left the decision with
him!
The next step were the wheels. A bike for life with handmade wheels. Another run around for different quotes and
eventually I settled with Fitzrovia Bicycles - they have been building wheels
for at least eight years which means that although they havent been building
them for 30 years they have been building them for long enough to know how to
do it well. This also means that nearly
all the bike comes from them them. (I have bought the saddle from Velorution in
Great Portland Street - a Brooks Cambium ).
It has all been a massive learning curve. Listening to the experts - that's not a new
thing for me - but understanding components.
I have chosen a Royce hub for the back wheel. I have learned that they only make a noise if they need
greasing. The thought of riding a bicycle
in the middle of nowhere on a bicycle that makes more noise than a scooter did
not appeal so keeping the hub greased
means it will stay silent. The front
wheel is having the Son de luxe dynamo hub that I have on my road bike. Fit and
Forget sums it up perfectly. The light
is going to be the Edelux II which
is really pretty (and bright).
But how things can change! Since placing the order - I fell
into an (n+1) +1 as a bicycle with a
single speed, fixed wheel (flip flop)
hub owned by a friend came my way. Apparently it had been in a shed for too long
and it needed a new home. I managed to increase the price to a cap from LMNH
and wayhayyy - job done - the bike is mine!
On the inaugural ride
home I rode straight round to Fitztrovia Bikes to add lights, locks and dare I
say luggage. (Sorry about the luggage
but I'm wanting to carry shopping and stuff on it)! It's a lovely bike! Three days later and although I needed to be
measured as the handlebars needed raising - I was and am loving the challenge
of the single speed.
In preparation for riding it fixed, I find myself studying
traffic light timings to see if I can keep my pedalling in a controlled,
co-ordinated-with-green-lights kind of thing.
(On the other hand I might be wearing out the brake pads a little!)
Since then I have been all over London on it! To Herne Hill several times, up to Archway
(although not higher than that - Swaines Lane will have to wait) and I
certainly don't intend to ride around Richmond Park on it any day soon. I have
no idea what the gearing is, all I can say is that when haring along the
Embankment I find that I have a rather high cadence! But I understand that it's
great for the knees and the heart rate - and the person who gave it to me is a
serious, serious cyclist so the gearing is going to be perfect for London.
If I was brand new to cycling, particularly in London, I am
not sure it would be a good bicycle to start on. It can be hard work, pulling away at the
lights, finding instant acceleration when needed. For me at the moment tho - I am absolutely
loving it!
And my running total for 2013 is 4,850 cycled miles. Wowser!!
