I’m afraid that I think triathlons are probably beyond me, even if in a moment of weakness I end up getting a bike and taking to the roads. which I can use when the one I’m riding fails and can be gaily thrown into a ditch, is enormously appealing but unrealistic. I was saddened when Tina Dickinson left our club to join Leeds and Bradford Tri, having decided that after years of battling injuries from running, competing in triathlons was the way forward. The reason, as before: pressure of work and continued bad weather resulting in a serious lack of inspiration. Another example would be Julia Day who turned to cycling after knee problems that would have defeated a lesser mortal (ask her about Bev Elliot’s hen weekend!

On a more technical level, a couple of months ago I fitted some Shimano, single-sided SPD pedals to my Brompton on account of my feet constantly slipping off the original pedals. For finer adjustment, you can have your fingers tight or loose – that’ll give an additional range of a quarter to a third of a finger width. As it happens, it did help in that way, but I think I’m going to change back, the next time I need to replace the chain and sprockets. If you have the bike and can swim decently – I’m afraid that while I represented my house at ‘big school’ in breast stroke as a kid, I now swim with all the grace and proficiency of a house brick – then you have a great chance of mounting a challenge to the great and good who you might not get near if it was solely down to a foot race.Fortunately the book was not damaged but in my opinion the envelope used wasn't fit for purpose and appeared to be the cheapest one they could get away with using. The author nicely balances his personal experience and challenges with a good knowledge of the routes he follows and the sights he passes on this journey, and it makes his book eminently readable. I even went on a most enjoyable cycling holiday in France by bike (not my own, I hasten to add), which I managed perfectly well, but can’t remember too many details about, because, part of the time at least, much like Rowley Birkin QC, I’m afraid I was very, very drunk.

And, being a runner to start with will give you an advantage over those approaching triathlons from the other direction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and knowing the author simply made his achievement (in writing a book and, indeed, in getting on a bike) that much more impressive. Two attractive body-positive women, Latino and Caucasian, doing a workout on the exercise bike in the gym under the supervision of the coach, the senior 55-years-old Cuban Hispanic man Two attractive body-positive women, Latino and Caucasian, doing a workout on the exercise bike in the gym under the supervision of the coach, the senior 55-years-old Cuban Hispanic man. I needed a step through frame due to a knee problem so now have a Cube Touring Hybrid pro with the same Bosch motor and love it. It’s a sad indictment of modern society that it is thought necessary to warn people they should not hold this handle whilst riding the bike.Just as is the case behind the concept of the outboard BB, which may be flawed, but for other reasons.

Those who are interested in taking on the Tri challenge should get in touch with Steve Raby, who’ll be organising some Triathlon specific training, bike rides, ‘bricks’, maybe open water swims etc. A couple of posts ago, I mentioned that I’d bought a turbo trainer so as not to lose my cycling-legs during the extended periods of poor weather we’d been having here in the UK. Alas, I have yet to find a way of attaching it to my Brompton, but at least I’ve been able to make use of my much-neglected, entry-level, near-vintage hybrid, and maintain my cycling-legs, without getting frozen, drenched or bedraggled.I haven’t tried the cord idea but I suspect that there would be problems with it trailing and getting snagged on things when the seat is dropped, and wrapping it up each time would probably become a bit of an annoyance after a while. Dealing with the simplest problem first, the Cycleops trainer is supplied with a special skewer that is meant to replace the existing one. Most of the time, that’s not a problem, but when it’s been cold and wet, it has slipped from my hands. I found the very thought of cycling up those hills after a days work to be too demoralising, so I gave up. I’ve tried the first one but no parts of my body are at an appropriate height to measure the saddle height from (without the use of a ruler)!

Wider tyres will make it more comfy, as well as more upright bars and stem as you're heavier so putting more weight on your wrists; the head down, racerish position is awful for nearly everyone, I'm sure it's only social conditioning that makes most people want to ride bikes with the handlebars 4 inches lower than the saddle. Sadly, these are currently only available to Spanish residents (one needs a Spanish bank account to register) but they are incredibly good value for money and apparently good to ride, despite their weight and robust build. This includes the wheel nut and its respective washer, both of which have to be removed then replaced. Because the rear mudguard (on the L model) doubles as a third-wheel-support, for ease of dragging the Brompton along whilst it is parked or folded, as one might expect it is particularly well secured. Once fitted to the trainer, a Brompton ends up being a lot higher off the ground than a regular bike would be.

But I do love the Mediterranean climate in autumn, especially when combined with the history, vibrancy and culture of a great city like BCN. Normally, the cable is protected by the mudguard, so once this has been removed, you need to find some other way of protecting the cable. But if the aim is to enjoy cycling as a hobby then there are people here who are far better placed to suggest a new bike than me and if the other person consdiers this the reward then there is the answer.