Book Review: LOST LANES by Jack Thurston

I've just received a copy of Jack Thurston's new book, "Lost Lanes", available online here. This is a collection of "36 glorious bike rides in southern England".

Some of you will know Jack from his UK radio show The Bike Show (available round the world by podcast). Funny thing but I've never actually listened to Jack's show! I know him personally from group rides based in and around London, usually organised by Southwark Cyclists.  From conversations with him, I know he is enthusiastic about the joys of cycling for pleasure and also about the English countryside. His new book bring those two passions together... along with to-die-for photography and an insider's knowledge of where to find the best country pubs!

This is by no means the first "cycle route" book to be published here in the UK in the past few years. In fact, I was given a copy of one very popular one for my birthday year before last. Have I tried any of the routes in it?  No.  Why?  Because all the start and finish points are predicated on the need for a car. (Hello?!)

Jack's routes on the other hand are all easily accessible from London for all of us who are car-free, because the start and finish points are train stations! This means I'm actually likely to try out some of Jack's routes and can't wait to do so. The photographs have me salivating already... the countryside in Kent looks particularly appealing....

30 Days of Biking: Day 13

Finally! Normal shoes, normal gloves and my favourite three-season softshell.  Winter, be gone!
(Temp 15C, can you see that?!)

Review: TRAKKE BAIRN messenger bag

I recently purchased the Trakke Bairn messenger bag (referenced at the bottom of my 2 February 2013 post).

Trakke is a small company in Glasgow that hand-makes messenger bags and backpacks aimed at cyclists primarily but also walkers/hikers/outdoor adventurers!  The man at the helm is Alec Farmer and the man at the (sewing machine) wheel is a former sail maker. Their philosophy and aesthetics focus on producing bags that are robust and functional, with a nod to local heritage -- most conspicuously displayed in the use of Harris Tweed. (I love the blog entry written by one of the weavers!)

So after a few weeks, here are my thoughts and impressions on the Bairn messenger bag.

Preview: CARRADICE STOCKPORT CITY FOLDER - new luggage option for Brompton S type!

Carradice have at long last designed a front bag for the Brompton S type folding bicycle.

As Brompton owners will know, the S type has a shorter stem and thus lower-positioned handlebar than any of the other Brompton "types". This means bags made for those other types are too tall for best function, with some safety concerns.

30 Days of Biking: Day 8

Today's a busy study day but I did need to pop to the Post Office. There I discovered the One and Only cycle parking stand in the whole of the village of Caddington. 

CYCLING LOG: 1-7 April 2013

Sat, 6 Apr 2013
20.82 km in 01:19:18 hours at 15.75 km/h on Surly Pacer. Out in the sunshine! Rode toward Harpenden via usual route then cut left up Cooters End Road. Back to Luton via the cycle path. Up Cutenhoe Road without walking! Through Stockwood Park to top of Farley Hill then home via Luton Road with some wandering round through back streets of Caddington. Lots of stopping to take photos. Rode from 3.30 - 5pm. Temp upwards of 10. Wore headband and normal L/F gloves, but not hat or buff.. or COAT! L/S baselayer, L/S Smartwool jersey and Pearl Izumi gillet on top; Ibex 3/4 knicks, long socks and mini skirt on bottom. Nothing felt too cold. Feet got too hot! Time to put away the cycling boots? end odo 2100.7
Fri, 5 Apr 2013
20.07 km in 01:10:30 hours at 17.08 km/h on Surly Pacer. 7am ride to Harpenden for physio and back by usual route. Temps still barely above freezing. Weak broken sunshine. Snow still lying under hedgerows. Didn't notice wind going down - other than some front quarter gusts while crossing the M1 - but really felt the headwind on the main road section coming back! end odo 2079.9

30 Days of Biking: Day 6

What a difference a day makes!

30 Days of Biking: Day 5

Today was the first day back on a bike after my fall last Sunday. My physiotherapist has worked the kink out of my neck and the bruises are starting to fade.  Meanwhile, the date may be 5 April, but it's still winter here. I went out on the Pacer and remembered all over again why it's my favourite bike to ride.

30 Days of Biking: Day 1.

Well, I have fallen at the first hurdle, so to speak. I am so sore from my fall yesterday that it is very doubtful that I will get on a bike at all today.  The fact the temperature is still barely above freezing, with a strong cold northeasterly wind, isn't helping.

I could wheel the Brompton out into the front drive and pose for a photo.....

But that'd be cheating. 

CYCLING LOG: 25-31 March 2013 or, Pride Goeth Before A Fall

Sun, 31 Mar 2013
32.00 km on Puch Princess mixte. To Luton; from St Pancras station to Hyde Park Corner via Euston Road and Marylebone. CycleChat Sunday London ride: with Mice, Crock of Gold, TimO, jurek and topcat1, from HPC to Greenwich for lunch (Meantime brewery), via Buck Palace, Parliament Square and Westminster bridge then mainly on the Thames Path. Came off the bike when Adam drifted in front of me and I failed to react in time to avoid hitting his rear wheel. Both of us being a bit doozy! Cut & bruised but no lasting harm done.
Tue, 26 Mar 2013
10.00 km in 00:35:00 hours at 17.14 km/h on Puch Princess mixte. To Harpenden. Temp just about freezing; moderate N/NE winds. Traffic so heavy and slow on the A1081 that we took the central reservation and cycled all the way into Harpenden overtaking all the motorized vehicles on their right. I'm sure there were a few disgruntled drivers but hey, I'm not the chump in the car! [still no computer]