Tuesday 6 October 2009

Monday 05/10

On the bike today it quite a heavy downpour this morning. But all is not well. The front dereailer is constantly refusing to move the chain although I had it professionally adjusted at the weekend. I think all the bumps and holes in the road are taking their toll on my fine machine.
I'm using the bike less and less as I am finding it less reliable and therefore not as much fun.
Could be time to invest in more of a 'hybrid' or 'urban' type machine...

Thursday 24 September 2009

Thursday 24/09

Proof today that public transport is often not my quickest commuting option. 10 minute wait for a very crowded train at Noisy le Sec (yes, a train was mysteriously cancelled – perhaps they figured it wasn’t required at 7.30 am).
Then all hell at St. Lazare, for reasons I’m not sure about. I managed to get a train going out towards Argenteuil (line J, I believe) then walked from Asnières.

Monday 21 September 2009

Monday 21/09

Well some real action at last! Having experienced a flat-free run of well over 2 years, I finally had a rear wheel puncture on the way home on Friday.

Fortunately I was not on a very busy stretch of road at the time and it was not hard to get to a safe, quiet place for the repair.

It didn”t take me long to find a tiny shard of glass embedded in the tyre.

Back up and running within 20 minutes.

I used to panic quite a bit when these incidents happen, but now I sort of enjoy it as I know that I have the tools and know-how to fix the problem!

With fine late summer weather promised for much of this week I will try and keep on the bike as much as possible. Nice ride in this morning, although the congestion was just ridiculous in places, notably at the n. end of the Pont de Clichy. It took me at least 6 minutes to turn left on exiting the bridge as the bus and car drivers consider it bad form to let bicycles (or even pedestrians) through the gridlock they create.

Friday 18 September 2009

Friday 18/09/2009

I've settled in to a routine of cycling in 2 or 3 times a week, which is not too bad. Have already had to dig out the lights as they are needed in the morning now.

Wednesday 9 September 2009

Wednesday 09/09

So did I take the 09: 09 train on 09/09/09?
Well actually no. Managed to avoid public transport altogether this morning by catching my neighbour on his way to work at Levallois. Walked into the office from there.
Fortunately the temperatures have dropped somewhat so the RER won't be quite as unpleasant this evening as it was earlier in the week

Tuesday 08/09

Thought that the cycling shorts had been put away until next year, but they were needed today with temperatures going up to the high 20s

Monday 07/09

Not a bad commute today, all things told, by public transport