Off Topic Thread 3.0

awec

Emilee Bitter Ginseng wrote: »

I have a hurricane-proof golf jacket, probably isn't that warm but can put something on under. Also have thermal tops and leggings from a past life so no problem sticking them on under shorts.

Cheers for all the help folks. Dublin bikes are great and all but finally will be able to cycle all the way to my house.





Didn't think of that, cheers, I would imagine they wouldn't have a huge issue with that.

Buy cycling gloves, long fingered for winter.

You will need them in the winter if you value your fingers and don't want to have tears of pain running down your cheeks as you cycle along.

Emilee Bitter Ginseng

Emilee Bitter Ginseng wrote: »

I have a hurricane-proof golf jacket, probably isn't that warm but can put something on under. Also have thermal tops and leggings from a past life so no problem sticking them on under shorts.

Cheers for all the help folks. Dublin bikes are great and all but finally will be able to cycle all the way to my house.





Didn't think of that, cheers, I would imagine they wouldn't have a huge issue with that.

My cycle is 8 miles each way and I bring a full change of clothes (actually just leave all my suits in the office).

For gear its shorts and t-shirts during the summer with a light training jacket for colder days. Winter it's leggings and a long sleeve tshirt under same training jacket(s).

As has been said, if your bike is visible from the street, someone will try and steel it without a shadow of a doubt. If it's not visible then someone would need to be going looking and this is less common. If you are leaving it outside, get a cover for it in a bike store or woodies. Something waterproof with a string or elastic that can be tightened (think of a BBQ cover).

Also - get lubricant and keep the moving parts of the bike well oiled from the get go. I find lubing the saddle leads to a more enjoyable bike ride also.


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Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

My cycle is 8 miles each way and I bring a full change of clothes (actually just leave all my suits in the office).

For gear its shorts and t-shirts during the summer with a light training jacket for colder days. Winter it's leggings and a long sleeve tshirt under same training jacket(s).

As has been said, if your bike is visible from the street, someone will try and steel it without a shadow of a doubt. If it's not visible then someone would need to be going looking and this is less common. If you are leaving it outside, get a cover for it in a bike store or woodies. Something waterproof with a string or elastic that can be tightened (think of a BBQ cover).

Also - get lubricant and keep the moving parts of the bike well oiled from the get go. I find lubing the saddle leads to a more enjoyable bike ride also.


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Yeah fair enough I'll get the thing installed round the back then. And then I'll bring it in at night.

And yeah I'll find out about basic maintenance, do as much of it as I can. Thanks again.

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

fwiw, if there are showers at work, I used to just cycle in shorts and t shirt rain hail or snow. Less to get wet. You'll toughen up quick.

Yeah, dunno what these pansies are on about.

I will wear shorts and tshirt down to about -2/-3. The cycling itself will keep you fairly warm - the last thing you want is to be too hot and sweating.

Zzippy

awec wrote: »

A tougher man than me emmett. I'd have the leggings on from October time and about 3 layers on top.

awec wrote: »

Buy cycling gloves, long fingered for winter.

You will need them in the winter if you value your fingers and don't want to have tears of pain running down your cheeks as you cycle along.

Man, you're some pu$$y!

awec

Zzippy wrote: »

Man, you're some pu$$y!

I'm just not a maniac, going out in winter in shorts. Could end up with hypothermia!

molloyjh

awec wrote: »

I'm just not a maniac, going out in winter in shorts. Could end up with hypothermia!

Sure you'd catch yer death. :pac:

awec

molloyjh wrote: »

Sure you'd catch yer death. :pac:

You have to make sure you tuck your vest into your underwear to avoid getting a chill in your kidneys.

Teferi

There are a few ways to hang the bike indoors - could you do that instead? Much safer than having it out all the time tbh and hanging it gives you a bit of space back.

Loads of people say to get two different types of locks but if you look at the tests the most effective are always d-locks so just get two of them. If you end up having to leave it outside your house I'd get 3 or 4 locks for it, essentially what you're trying to do is make a bike thief believe it would take too long to steal your bike because a dedicated thief will get through any lock. I cycle with one d-lock but have another d-lock and two chain locks waiting in work for me.

b.gud

http://www.thejournal.ie/michael-healy-rae-speed-cameras-kerry-2989988-Sep2016/

https://twitter.com/CiaraMPSI/status/727973455115784192

Podge_irl

Your bike components will last longer kept indoors too.

awec

It would be really hipster to hang your bike above the fireplace.

b.gud

awec wrote: »

It would be really hipster to hang your bike above the fireplace.

Only if this is your bike

awec

b.gud wrote: »

Only if this is your bike

That looks like molloyjh on his way to the RDS.

errlloyd

I used to hang my fixie about the fireplace, but I kept leaving the organic avocado and fresh coconut water in the basket, and they'd be all warm and disgusting by the time I remembered. It caused way too much negative energy. So I bought a cast iron stove instead.

Alternatively.

http://www.asgardsss.co.uk/bike-cycle-storage/insurance-approved-metal-bike-shed

Passed a house with one of them out the front before. Definitely wouldn't be cost effective for one person, but between 3 is a decent investment imo!

They're basically tanks. Doubles as a blast bunker if **** goes down once Trump wins

swiwi_

Emilee Bitter Ginseng wrote: »

I'm sure there's a few cyclists on here, I'm going to get a bike with the B2W scheme which I will hopefully use to commute (about 8km each way), can anyone recommend what type of bike to go for? Looking at a hybrid or a road bike but veering towards a hybrid. Any accessories that are essential? Is there such a thing as a lock that will stop the bike from getting stolen from my front garden if chained to a gate?

Not sure if anyone mentioned it IO but if you are going to wear a back-pack, get a waterproof fluorescent rain-cover: it keeps the bag dry when it rains (always a risk in Ireland...) and the fluorescent component also serves as a form of warning to cars that there is a cyclist ahead (eg http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/bike-bags/proviz-waterproof-rucksack-cover)

Also, even if they might be considered a bit "grand-dad-ish", mudguards are really worth it.

Edit: alternatively, if you don't want to buy a fluorescent bag cover, the Leinster jersey from last weekend will do fine.

sullivlo

My commute is 7km.

A few things:
- if you can stretch to it, use the full €1000 on the bike to work - buy locks, helmet, mudguards, pump etc etc
- if you think you're going to enjoy cycling and might become a MAMIL, save yourself the heartache and go for a road bike now
- oil everything and then oil it again
- get a saddle bag and spare tubes and learn how to change them
- lights can never be too bright. I use see sense ones but there are plenty of decent ones online (I use chain reaction cycles for things I don't need to try on)
- backpack covers are essential for the rain
- your feet will get cold and wet. Bring spare socks and think about ways to waterproof your feet

Rothar do a basic bike maintenance course that covers punctures etc

Gear wise. Summer I cycle in shorts (padded, commando as they're designed for that) and a jersey. On a cold day I'll wear arm warmers. I have a light raincoat that I keep in my bag for unexpected showers and I have a summer weight raincoat for when it's properly raining. I have showers in work so a backpack is grand.

Winter is padded tights, thermal baselayer and either a jacket or a thermal jersey.

And if you can hold out for a week, Aldi have their bike gear coming on the 29th and they will likely have most things. I find the quality to be fine for commuting.

Podge_irl

sullivlo wrote: »

And if you can hold out for a week, Aldi have their bike gear coming on the 29th and they will likely have most things. I find the quality to be fine for commuting.

It sells out quite quickly though.

What you wear in winter is really a matter of preference. I get quite warm when I exercise so try to avoid wearing too much. Any kind of cycling/running in winter up to 30 min I'm fine with but beyond that I do tend to wear the full tights etc.

sullivlo

Podge_irl wrote: »

It sells out quite quickly though.

What you wear in winter is really a matter of preference. I get quite warm when I exercise so try to avoid wearing too much. Any kind of cycling/running in winter up to 30 min I'm fine with but beyond that I do tend to wear the full tights etc.

Yeah it does sell out sometimes, but I think that they've reached saturation point in the market currently. The past few cycling events still had plenty of gear left that evening/the following weekend. Some of it is still on sale (half price) in my local aldi.

I'll still go early on Thursday though if there is something I need.

pickarooney

Id love to be given a free grand to buy a bike. What's the catch?

If spend most of it on apart tubes though. I got a flatbar road bike in June and hat to give up on it after six punctures in five weeks.

pickarooney

pickarooney wrote: »

Id love to be given a free grand to buy a bike. What's the catch?

If spend most of it on apart tubes though. I got a flatbar road bike in June and hat to give up on it after six punctures in five weeks.

Wha? It isn't free. But it's deducted from your salary before tax is applied.

pickarooney

Ah, OK, that makes more sense.

I saw a chainless bike in IKEA the other day. Had anyone tried one out?

Felix Jones is God

pickarooney wrote: »

Ah, OK, that makes more sense.

I saw a chainless bike in IKEA the other day. Had anyone tried one out?

That's a wheelbarrow

awec

It's also deducted in installments, not all in one go. It's up to your work to decide how many installments though, some let it go over a year but mine said I had to pay the balance in my next 3 pays.

Podge_irl

Siege of Jadotville looks quite interesting. I knew nothing about the event until very recently. Surely it must be the largest post-civil war engagement the Irish army was ever in and I knew absolutely nothing about it. Bit crazy.

molloyjh

Podge_irl wrote: »

Siege of Jadotville looks quite interesting. I knew nothing about the event until very recently. Surely it must be the largest post-civil war engagement the Irish army was ever in and I knew absolutely nothing about it. Bit crazy.

What I want to know is if they ever got their whiskey!? :pac:

The besieged Irish radioed to their headquarters: "We will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could do with some whiskey".

Legends.

molloyjh

Podge_irl wrote: »

Siege of Jadotville looks quite interesting. I knew nothing about the event until very recently. Surely it must be the largest post-civil war engagement the Irish army was ever in and I knew absolutely nothing about it. Bit crazy.

Bloody hell, these guys held out against a better armed and larger force until they ran out of food and ammo and had almost no water left. And yet because they surrendered, because the UN couldn't get a relief force to them, it was brushed under the carpet and the whole thing was actually viewed as an embarrassment!? That's pretty shameful in fairness.

Podge_irl

molloyjh wrote: »

Bloody hell, these guys held out against a better armed and larger force until they ran out of food and ammo and had almost no water left. And yet because they surrendered, because the UN couldn't get a relief force to them, it was brushed under the carpet and the whole thing was actually viewed as an embarrassment!? That's pretty shameful in fairness.

It's incredibly shameful. Product of Ireland not really being sure of itself as a country and it's first real international engagement of note ending in "failure" I guess. Wouldn't exactly have been hard to spin it as a valiant effort and blame everything on the Swedes...

molloyjh

Podge_irl wrote: »

It's incredibly shameful. Product of Ireland not really being sure of itself as a country and it's first real international engagement of note ending in "failure" I guess. Wouldn't exactly have been hard to spin it as a valiant effort and blame everything on the Swedes...

Even leaving the blame out of it, from the sounds of it these guys did a really good job. They did such damage to the attacking force that they forced a ceasefire despite being outnumbered about 20:1, despite the attackers having a jet and despite the UN sending them water in petrol tanks (making it undrinkable). Only 5 of them were wounded and none killed. It's an amazing story.