2303.27 N PLUS ONE

Everyone who knows me knows I love cycling. Ok I'm not the fastest, not the strongest but I am a long time bike rider. So before I start let me explain the meaning of the title; 'N+1'. Most people in cycling know that the optimal number of bicycles a person should own is represented by the formula N+1 where N is the number of bikes you currently own.

1902.08 ICE

I don't like winter, I've gradually grown tired of the season as I've gotten older. The cold is uncomfortable and unpredictable, it disrupts and causes chaos.

1806.21 HOW DO YOU CARRY YOURS?

Most people who commute by bike have to carry some sort of luggage with them. Be it a change of clothes, a uniform, sandwiches or even tools and equipment there's always 'stuff' that needs to come with you.

1605.28 THE HEAVY BIKE PROS

Everyone in the cycling world seems to go on about how light a bike must be. Carbon fibre seems to be pretty much the norm on a Sunday club run. But what if I said there was something in having a heavy bike, usually made of steel? Maybe vintage? I'm not suggesting ditching the carbon bike by any means. What about that commute to work though?

I, like a lot of people, commute to work by bike. I don't use my favourite carbon machine or even the aluminium one I save for those bad weather rides. I have a heavy steel framed Raleigh which was built in the late 1980s. It has a rack over the back wheel with pannier bags for all my gear, the machine weighs about the same as a Nissan Micra(!).

So what's the benefit in the heavy weight? My commute isn't that far so to get the best out of the journey and for it to contribute to my training the weight provides some good resistance training, by making the going a little harder I get maximum benefit from the journey.

If you're in the market for a commuter machine and your journey isn't too taxing then consider a heavier bike. Don't go straight for the feather light or listen to the sales pitch about how a lighter bike is always better.

1603.19 BRIGHT LIGHTS

As everyone knows I commute to a from work regularly. Over the years I've come across others who have either been in collision with me or a 'near miss'. The usual excuse is "sorry I did't see you". To counter this I have spent a bit of money upgrading my lights over the last year. Last night I had a little 'run in' with a motorist who objected to the brightness of my front light. I captured the encounter on my helmet cam...

I've never had an issue like this before so it took me by surprise. Did his grievance give him the right to reverse at me like he did? I'm not about to tone down my lighting, I think it keeps me safe.