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...
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
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.
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.
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
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
Friday, 4 September 2009
Friday 04/09
Well I just about escaped the rain yesterday eve, but it caught up with me this morning as I was walking to and from the station. Got thoroughly soaked in fact. Just about every symbol on the weather chart today except snow so expect another drenching on the way home.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Thursday 03/09
A rain-free ride in, but it looks like I'm in for a bit of a shower this evening. The weather forecast is becoming frustratingly unreliable.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Wednesday 02/09
About the only upside of travelling on public transport is that you bump into colleagues (the ones that you're happy to bump into that is) That is what happened to me this morning, so train ride and walk in seemed to go much quicker than normal. Fortunately as it is a wednesday, the public transport network was not quite as busy as on the other weekdays.
Tuesday 01/09
Nothing if not eventful this morning.
RER E as far as Magenta where, for entirely mysterious reasons, it's journey terminated. As at least 2/3 of the passnegers seemed to be waiting for the next one to come along to take them to Haussmann (and bearing in mind that this train would already be pretty full) I immediatly went to street level and took a Velib down to St. Lazare.
I took a direct train to Asnieres - the one that heads towards Bois-Colombes afterwards - and changed on to the line that goes to Bécon. All was going well until the heavens opened just after I'd left the station of Les Vallées to walk in. There was no point even trying to remain dry (I didn't have an umbrella or raincoat anyway). But was glad of full set of dry clothes waiting for me in my locker at work.
RER E as far as Magenta where, for entirely mysterious reasons, it's journey terminated. As at least 2/3 of the passnegers seemed to be waiting for the next one to come along to take them to Haussmann (and bearing in mind that this train would already be pretty full) I immediatly went to street level and took a Velib down to St. Lazare.
I took a direct train to Asnieres - the one that heads towards Bois-Colombes afterwards - and changed on to the line that goes to Bécon. All was going well until the heavens opened just after I'd left the station of Les Vallées to walk in. There was no point even trying to remain dry (I didn't have an umbrella or raincoat anyway). But was glad of full set of dry clothes waiting for me in my locker at work.
Monday, 31 August 2009
Monday 31/08
Last day of August,but the good weather is holding out. Lovely ride in this morning despite the continuing nuisance of the tram route construction.
Friday, 28 August 2009
Friday 28/08
Probably the most enjoyable journey type this morning. Pleasant chat and traffic free ride with my neighbour (who picks me up from literally my front gate) to Levallois, followed by brisk walk over the Pont de Levallois and into Bois Colombes.
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Thursday 27/08
Public transport today as I need to conserve some energy for a tennis match this evening. The trains are still half empty, but all the commuting Parisians will be back next week.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Wednesday 26/08
Cooler today, but still a lovely morning for a ride in.
A word about the construction work in progress to build the T3 tram route around Paris
While this may (or may not) be a good idea, the work is being carried out with no regard whatsoever for the urban cyclist. Minimal or incorrect roadsigns, cycle lanes which are no longer accessible or usable, cycle tracks which end in a set of stairs ! ridiculous diverted routes..these are just some of the nuisances we have to put up with for the tram rider of tomorrow.
And finally an article from the Parisian which dispels some of the myths about cycling and safety.
A word about the construction work in progress to build the T3 tram route around Paris
While this may (or may not) be a good idea, the work is being carried out with no regard whatsoever for the urban cyclist. Minimal or incorrect roadsigns, cycle lanes which are no longer accessible or usable, cycle tracks which end in a set of stairs ! ridiculous diverted routes..these are just some of the nuisances we have to put up with for the tram rider of tomorrow.
And finally an article from the Parisian which dispels some of the myths about cycling and safety.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Tuesday 25/08
just about beat the rain yesterday evening, but was not brave enough to take my chances with the weather this morning. First day back on public transport less depressing than usual as many Parisians are still away. Hope to be back on the bike tomorrow and the rest of the week.
Monday, 24 August 2009
Monday 24/08
Yes, dear readers, I'm back.
Can't commute when you're not working so this blog has been on hold for the past 4 weeks.
Had a pleasant ride in this morning on the still empty roads of greater Paris. Hoping to avoid the storms which are forecast for this afternoon. Pleased to report that both the bike and the body are functioning well.
Can't commute when you're not working so this blog has been on hold for the past 4 weeks.
Had a pleasant ride in this morning on the still empty roads of greater Paris. Hoping to avoid the storms which are forecast for this afternoon. Pleased to report that both the bike and the body are functioning well.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Friday 24/07
Hmm. Looks like the previous post here was precisely 65 days ago, so some explanations are called for.
In a nutshell. I was experiencing severe pain down my right leg which was diagnosed as sciatica caused by a herniated lumbar disc. This made cycling hard and walking harder. In fact for around a month I could do neither without considerable pain.
I struggled into work as best I could – generally by hobbling around on public transport.
I suspended entries to this blog fearing that it would become a medical update blog, which was never the intention.
I have my last session of physiotherapy this evening and, for the past month or so, have been pain free. Either the treatment (rest/NSAIDs and physiotherapy) has worked or it is time performing its best trick.
Anyway, this week, as last, I have cycled in twice, suffered the vagaries of the public transport system on the other days and resolve to keep these pages better informed in the future.
4 weeks of holiday as from today. Back 24/08.
In a nutshell. I was experiencing severe pain down my right leg which was diagnosed as sciatica caused by a herniated lumbar disc. This made cycling hard and walking harder. In fact for around a month I could do neither without considerable pain.
I struggled into work as best I could – generally by hobbling around on public transport.
I suspended entries to this blog fearing that it would become a medical update blog, which was never the intention.
I have my last session of physiotherapy this evening and, for the past month or so, have been pain free. Either the treatment (rest/NSAIDs and physiotherapy) has worked or it is time performing its best trick.
Anyway, this week, as last, I have cycled in twice, suffered the vagaries of the public transport system on the other days and resolve to keep these pages better informed in the future.
4 weeks of holiday as from today. Back 24/08.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Monday 18/05
Cycled in on a cool but bright morning, despite being somewhat below par physically due to an unwelcome bout of sciatica. Funnily enough, cycling is a good deal easier than public transport as body weight is supported.
THe forecast is good for the next few days, but will have to listen to what my GP has to say about the situation..
THe forecast is good for the next few days, but will have to listen to what my GP has to say about the situation..
Friday, 15 May 2009
Friday 15/05
It has been a bit of a bleak week all round in commuting terms. showers and storms have ruled out the road bike as a realistic possibility and the overground train services out of St. Lazare have been running as usual, i.e. badly.
For some variation, I have been experimenting with a novel route which, after just 2 days, I have now perfected.
I can get a lift to Porte de Champeret (I would never drive in that kind of traffic myself other than in an emergency). From there, it is now possible to cross Levallois by Vélib, which I did this morning. ONce at the Levallois side of the bridge it is only around a 20 minute walk to the office.
For some variation, I have been experimenting with a novel route which, after just 2 days, I have now perfected.
I can get a lift to Porte de Champeret (I would never drive in that kind of traffic myself other than in an emergency). From there, it is now possible to cross Levallois by Vélib, which I did this morning. ONce at the Levallois side of the bridge it is only around a 20 minute walk to the office.
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