Emma - Globe Experience

We have forgotten how to run...

2011-03-28T10:44:00.000+01:00

I have stumbled across this amazing eBook about running technique (with some beautiful illustrations too). I've never really gotten on well with running-but have always wanted to. I'm feeling pretty inspired to give it a go now!

bone-shaker

2010-05-28T14:59:00.002+01:00

At the store we are stocking bone-shaker magazine. It's a publication put together by a couple of the guys at Bristol Bike Project. Stunning photography, illustrations and bike related articles. This is issue #1, set to be quite an exciting project I think. They are available to buy at various stockists in Bristol and London, but if you cant track one down they are also available to buy on their website.

There's a quote on the back cover from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that reads: "When the spirts are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking."

new peddles

2010-05-27T19:31:00.000+01:00

So I've been rather lame of late...not blogging.
Getting caught up in lots of random goings on...

went snowboarding in France
been to a few gigs
working on my accessories company
working in the shop
got mumps...or rather mump
went to a friends hindu/civil wedding
...and (when I was back to full health after the mump) I've been riding

At the weekend I bought some new peddles. My previous ones were a little bit small, I lost my footing every now and again. So I got these Shimanos from 14 Bike Co. Way more stable under foot, I kind of have a bit more umph to my stride!

Also the old peddles had a metal spike on them that kept catching on my trousers. I know it is a design feature, but me and my trousers weren't getting on with it at all.
Hopefully I have now darned my last peddle inflicted hole!

10 things I learnt last week

2010-04-27T12:22:00.003+01:00

1    When your feeling tired and you want to have a break...keep going, it will soon pass.
2    London's road ways can be very confusing to begin with!
3    It's a lot easier to indicate if you're sat back in your seat.
4    Wear underwear that wont bunch up, because that can be annoy-ing I tell you!
5    Nobody thinks they look good in a helmet, so just get on with it and wear one.
6    Cycling is thirsty work, drink lots of water (do not substitute for beer!)
7    Going up hill on a single speed is totally do-able.
8    I'm feeling like a kook, but that's ok because I'm still learning.
9    This is a big one...cycling in the city, it's really not that scary.
10 And finally...blue jeans and a white bike seat do not mix! (check out exhibit A)

in my own time

2010-04-23T13:39:00.000+01:00

So I got this bike with a view to commuting to work on it. I've been riding it lots...just not in central London. That's been something I had to psych myself up for. And it wasn't just the intimidation of London traffic, there were also the snowstorms which swept the nation. But now the weather has perked up massively, and I've been getting more road savvy so I decided it was time to ride into the West End to work. Yesterday I had a day off, so I decided that it was a good time to do a dry run from home to work (so there was no pressure of needing to get in at a set time).
I checked out my maps and figured out a route that didn't look too bewildering. Admittedly I got lost a couple of times along the way, on account of one way streets, but I made it! And I tell you...I don't know why I had been putting it off for so long! Granted it took me double the time it should have, but so what. Now I know the route in there should be no stopping me.
I left my bike at work so tonight I can ride it home...just need to decipher the maps again, because it's going to have to be a completely different route on account of one way streets.
I heard a rumour that cyclist may soon legally be able to cycle down one way streets the wrong way...I hope so because it would make plotting A to B a lot less confusing!

riding in luxembourg

2010-03-30T11:43:00.001+01:00

spring has sprung

2010-03-29T18:55:00.000+01:00

I haven't written in a while...the weather here has been fickle...and so too have I!
I have been out for a little raz here and there when the weather has been kind, but nothing note worthy.
Still loving the bike, although it's forcing me to see how unfit I have gotten over the winter months! Now that spring has sprung I am going to start riding in to work and back (soon), which will be a round trip of about 2 hours a day. A little daunting...but I am stoked about it. I started out as very anxious cycling the streets of London, but gradually I have gotten more and more relaxed. Riding out of the saddle, indicating, reading the roads better, are becoming more natural than...well 5 months ago. Let me be clear, I am by no means cocky about my abilities!

Anyways, last week me and my dad drove to Luxembourg for a short trip. I grew up there for a few years, and my parents still have a house there. They've decided to sell up, and they recently found a buyer. So I went over to say my good byes to the house, the village, the country (I don't know if I will ever return)...but most importantly while I was there I needed to sort through all my old belongings, and pack up what I wanted to keep. There was a lot to sort through- and I ended up clearing out 2 full car loads worth of recycling!!

I managed to persuade my dad to let me bring my bike away with us. So when all the boxes were sorted through we went down to the river front and I had a ride around. It was a beautiful 19 degrees over there, the hottest day yet this year (not scorching but I whapped my shorts on never the less)!

I did take some photos...and I will post them up as soon as my computer stops playing up.

So I'm back blogging, and am really looking forward to Spring :)

impressed

2010-01-31T21:39:00.001Z

So I've been going through the cycle maps, and I've started checking out some of the marked roads. I figured the only difference with the marked routes would be that the roads are quieter. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that generally the roads are flatter, in better condition and are covered in cyclist stencils so drivers cannot help but be aware that we are around...more exploring next week I think :)

The government are currently investing £17.5 million into improving our roads for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. There is a lot of upheaval at the moment with road works, but it's really going to pay off.
There is also a massive project from the TfL taking place, to create 12 cycle superhighways connecting cyclists from the outskirts of London into the city centre. Very impressive!

taking the lead

2010-01-27T21:39:00.002Z

A few days ago my sister came up to London from Brighton to visit me. The main objective while she was here was to go clothes shopping as the January sales are on. Now I love London, but to most who don't live here they find it way too hectic. And my sister Fiona is certainly not the exception to that rule. It is very hard to convince her to come up here for a visit, so I usually cave and end up going down to Brighton.
So while she was here, on this occassion I wanted to show her the more chilled out side to the city. This started out as a morning bike ride around where I live and the local park.

This was a big deal for me because it was my first time leading someone else around the roads, but I felt confident enough to do it. It was really good fun, I don't think we've riden together for about 10 years! She said she felt really happy having me leading, although I didn't look back to check where she was behind me enough-woops.

I really shouldn't have worn a dress to ride in- not compatable!

When we got to the park we bombed it about and I showed her the allotments for the local farmers market and the deer, rabbits and chickens that are kept there.
Then of course it was time to get on with shopping, but it was a great way to start the day off for her! I think this is the start of her coming to visit more- yey :)

critical mass

2010-01-24T21:42:00.001Z

So I've been psyching myself up to doing an organised bike ride around London for a while now. A few months back I heard about Critical Mass. It was an idea spawned in San Francisco in th early 90s, and a few years later one was formed in London. They meet at 6pm on the last Friday of every month by the National Film Theatre on the Southbank, with no set route or intent for each event, it forms its own agenda. This month it is this coming Friday (the 29th), and as luck would have it I cannot get out of work. In November I was in India, December it was Christmas Day, (there was no way I wanted to do it then!) so February 26th I'm in...

Photo courtesy of bbc.co.uk

mappin' it

2010-01-22T01:34:00.005Z

So I received the free London cycle maps in the post last week. I've been looking over them and attempting to memorise the routes (I don't want to look like a tourist by pulling over and getting out my massive maps- it's a faux pas!)

Routes are clearly mapped out by colour. Yellow is for quieter roads recommended for cyclists. Blue is routes signed for cyclists that may be on busier roads. Brown indicates there are provisions for cyclists adjacent to busy roads. Light green is routes through parks. Dark green is for canal paths.

I think the main thing is to remember visual landmarks, so I've been making mental notes for these at each turning.

But the most genius thing on these maps (which appeals to my sense of humour) is the Mayor's introduction...

"Cycling is a splendid way to discover London, which is a beautiful and diverse city with a wealth of both iconic sights and unique hidden gems.

More and more people are becoming switched on to the joys of cycling, and this guide will help you to join them- exploring some of the thousands of short cuts and little known routes that open up new and exciting sides of the city.

As a keen cyclist myself I know that London can provide some trully stunning biking experiences. I hope this guide helps you enjoy cycling as much as I do."

Too true Boris...too true!

i put a tiger in my bike

2010-01-16T20:54:00.002Z

On Friday, after going out for a morning spin (which FYI was very good fun- dispite the roads being very wet!), I descided to head down to a bike art exhibition in Shoreditch- J'ai Mis un Tigre dans mon Velo (loosely translated as...I put a Tiger in my Bike). With photography from Cedric Viollet, illustrations from Guillaume Jolly and paintings by Jerome Romain.

The show is sponsored by RVCA clothing, who have an Artist Network Programme set up.

From what I can gather, the exhibition has been touring around various different galleries around the world. If you hear about it coming to a town near you, then you should definately go and check it out!

fill in the blank

2010-01-14T16:05:00.001Z

I ____ snow...
The word there used to be love, but this winter my feelings have changed. It comes down to the fact that I am now a cyclist.
Yesterday morning I opened my front door to that very magical sight of fresh snow... but I was sulking all day long. I thought the residual snow from this last weeks fall had melted away enough that I could get out for a ride soon. But then the heavens opened and brought us this dump. (ok so it doesn't look deep, but trust me, there was plenty!)

Thankfully due to an amazing fluctuation in temperature, it is starting to melt away already today. This has caused warnings nationwide of flash floods- lets hope it doesn't get too out of hand!

But I'm happy to say that this means I can go for a ride tomorrow on my day off. I cant wait!!!

And although I am now a cyclist, I am also a snowboarder...so I can't use the word hate. I need to get out to the moutains soon to bring back the feelings of love for the snow!

lazy sunday

2010-01-10T23:52:00.000Z

all the more reason

2010-01-07T15:03:00.002Z

Ok so I'm a wuss, I haven't been riding into work. I know the temperatures in London aren't all that cold (it's hovering around 0 degrees), but all the snow keeps melting and freezing all day long so it's leading to sheet ice. I've already done the splits a few times just walking on the pavement! So at the moment I'm only getting my bike out when I feel safe. So I'm commuting in on the bus and tube. Hell if the bus driver is only going 10mph then what luck would I have on the roads!

For 2010 the TfL have increaded the charges on all journeys. Single journeys on the bus have risen from £1 to £1.20 and journeys on the tube from £1.60 to £1.80. That really does add up over the course of a week.
So the economic motivation for commuting in on a bike is now even more...motivating. Bring on some warmer weather!
Also a guy who works at head office of my shop (howies), posted this video on our website blog this morning. In London we are all trying to steal a minute of time where we can...a need for speed!

Bike vs London Underground from Andreas Kambanis on Vimeo.

out with the parents

2010-01-03T23:47:00.003Z

Last summer I went on bike rides along the canals with my dad...but only when my mum would let me hijack her bike. Since I got my Roll we've been talking about the 3 of us going for a ride together. Well it's a new year and I'm trying to stop just talking about doing things and well...do them. So today I managed to convince my parents to brave the cold, wrap up warm and get on their bikes.

They moved to London a few years ago and are living along the river front on the north bank of the Thames. There are some really great bike rides along Wapping waterfront, Limehouse Marina and through to Victoria Park (not that we rode that far today though).

I was looking to forward to showing off my bike, as they hadn't seen it yet. They were quite impressed with how light weight and agile it is. And lets face it- it's so much faster than their bikes! ha ha

Our family has always had mountain bikes in the past because we lived near some beautiful forest trails. A couple of years ago my mum bought an urban hybrid, which she's been enjoying riding around town. My dad's bike is getting on a bit now, and he's considering buying a new one. I let him have a little ride on the Roll, and I think he's strongly considering a single speed now...oh yes, a convert!

We turned back home when the night crept in, but we got a beautiful backdrop of Canary Wharf all lit up.

Loving this bike!!!

presents

2009-12-29T15:05:00.001Z

Well I hope everyone had a great Christmas!?
I myself did what I set out to do (drank, ate and slept)...and feel very relaxed from it.
Got some pretty great presents; including a tool pouch for my bike tools. It even matches my bike- score! (I pasted this photo of it from their website, but man I really do wish I owned those shoes!!!)

I still don't know how to fix a puncture or adjust my brakes. All the gear and no idea as it were! Thankfully I haven't had a puncture as yet (touch wood).
I just found out about a website- London Cycling Campaign, set up to promote cycling, and to support it's members. They give some pretty good step by step guides on bike maintenance, that I'm going to study.
It also has a link for the TfL (Transport for London) free cycle guides. I had heard that you can get these maps, but totally forgot about it. I have started to find my own routes to ride, but there may well be some better ones to try. So I've ordered myself a couple. Looking forward to finding canal paths and ways through the parks :)

Also I decided to buy myself a Christmas present, a helmet...and about time too. I know I should have bought one straight away. I wear a helmet when I snowboard, so it definately makes sense to when I'm riding on tarmac.

Well I'm going to brave the cold and get out on my bike a least a couple of days this week for a ride...got to work off all the Christmas snacking!

Merry Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T15:11:00.000Z

Christmas Eve and I'm at work in the shop... only one hour left to go and then I can start the Christmas celebrations- lots of food/drink and cheesy movies. Already got on it last night actually, watched Little Women; an absolute classic!
It has actually been quite funny at work today- last minute Christmas shoppers are cr-azy!
But yes, cant wait to get over to my parents place :)

embrace the snow!

2009-12-21T14:41:00.002Z

I found this video today of a fixie rider in New York who's embracing the recent snowfall. Fair play!

Turning Tricks - Episode 18 from KrEEEstowfUr on Vimeo.

riding in the snow

2009-12-20T19:45:00.000Z

So this week saw the first snowfall in the UK this winter, and extreme snowstorms over Europe. It has caused massive disruption to travel everywhere. It's full on!

Weirdly central London hasn't been too badly effected. The snow just hasn't seemed to settle all that much, so at the moment we just have icy puddles dotted about. Not too bad on foot...but when it was snowing on Thursday night I decided to go for a ride...
I was really quite anxious about visibility, it was fine though. There weren't too many drivers on the roads, and I'm really liking taking the back roads. They may not be the quickest way to get about but they certainly are more scenic.
I stayed focused on keeping my wheel straight as I rode over ice. And with that in mind it wasn't too intimidating.
I hadn't thought about how blustery the wind would be. When I was faced into it I could have probably walked faster! This did piss off a few drivers, but there wasn't much I could do...but just keep pedaling.
I'll get out again next week...just got to psych myself up :)

the first snow...

2009-12-17T01:12:00.003Z

Today I was out Christmas shopping...much like a lot of people...

At about 10.30am it started snowing and it did not stop. It was magical I tell you.

Alas it did not settle but,
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

give me a hand

2009-12-14T11:36:00.001Z

So I'm having a few problems when riding, that I'm hoping someone out there might have a pointer or two to help me out. It all comes down to balance I think...???

The first one is, that when I'm indicating to turn, I lose my balance and veer in the other direction. At the moment I'm having to do a blinker motion with my hand- which isn't very obvious. Drivers probably think I've just got cramp in my hand or something! So a bit of a safety issue this one.

The other problem I'm having is that when I'm really peddaling my heart out my upper body and arms are moving, and so in turn the handle bars, so I do a slight zig zag up the road.

Any suggestions are welcome...

down by the river

2009-12-10T22:12:00.001Z

Had a really nice ride along the Southbank the other day. There's always so much going on down there in the summer time, but this time of year it's a lot quieter so you can switch off a bit and take in the views. I didn't have my camera out with me, so please excuse the phone photo...but the sky is still quite stunning I think.

fair weather cycling...

2009-12-08T00:19:00.001Z

Each morning lately, that I've intended to cycle to work it's been called off on account of rain. I have given it a go, but it doesn't fill you with confidence when you can't feel traction! So I'm still just riding around my end of the city in the evening...when it's dry of course. I have been really enjoying it, as the roads are a lot less busy! At times I have the road to myself- which is a rarety in London I tell you! It's a great way to wind down at the end of a day at work. I am working full time in a clothes shop (10am to 7pm) and I've also just had another order placed for my accessories brand (I'm crocheting every spare moment I get)...it's hard to find free time to go out riding, but each time I get home after a cycle I am buzzing. I'm getting the bug :)

trains, planes and automobiles...

2009-12-03T21:50:00.005Z

I got back from India a couple of days ago. It was an amazing trip...we explored the west coast of Kerala and Goa- on tuck-tucks, Ambassador taxis, a house boat, a canoe, trains and planes. I totally fell in love with the country, the people were so friendly, the colours so amazingly vibrant...I will definitely be returning there at some point!

The biggest culture shock for me when we first arrived in Kochi was the road systems...I would say, or lack there of...but everyone does abide by some key rules.

-There is a hierarchy on the roads, the bigger your vehicle the more right of way you have. (this means buses and trucks never want to use their brakes, so over the course of the trip I saw a fair few drivers run off the road!)

- Drive with the horn, and overtake where possible. As a driver approaches a pedestrian, cyclist, other vehicle, cow or what have you, they are to honk their horn until they have overtaken that obstacle. It's pretty much a symphony of horns.

- In Goa I noticed that there were speed restrictions depending on what mode of transport you are driving. For example, if you are on a scooter you are restricted to drive at 40km/h, but if you're driving a truck it's 60km/h on the very same road!

I did get used to it after a short while...but I really don't think I would have liked to be a cyclist in those conditions; being bottom of the food chain and all!

So now I'm back in the UK, and we are having a freezing cold winter by our standards (5 degrees Celsius! Does that make me a wimp?!), with lots and lots of rain. It's hard to motivate yourself to go and ride. This weekend I'm going to do the full cycle into work...and now I have typed it that means I have to do it! It's good to have this incentive.

Reading the blogs of other people on this experience with Globe, some are having their summer at the moment. Oh how I envy you- in Hawaii and California!

The thermals and gloves are out- wahoo :)

a short hiatus

2009-11-19T23:17:00.002Z

Tomorrow I am off to India, on a much needed holiday. To be honest I cannot wait to get away from what has been a manic 6 months. I am going to be travelling around Kerala and Goa with two of my friends, Katy and Jessie. It's a 10 day trip, so I'll be back in London at the end of the month. My bags are packed, and I'm raring to go...shame I can't take my bike with me :(I will be taking lots of photos while I'm out there. I've got two really old plastic cameras- one Holga, and one Lomo 4 lens camera. I did a Photography degree years ago, and I'm hoping this trip will re-ignite my passion for it!

Wish me luck :)

cadence...

2009-11-16T23:46:00.002Z

The word cadence is defined as balanced, rhythmic flow.

Other bikes I've riden, I've not felt the presence of this. You pedal a bit...coast a bit...and
repeat. Having just one gear presents a
new challenge in this way. As I ride now
I need to consiously ride differently
...to get in flow. And once you have it,
you feel like your gliding around the roads. Learning to ride a single speed bike is tiring

...but it really does have its rewards.

night riding

2009-11-13T00:00:00.008Z

I'm not confident to do the commute to work in the morning and back in the evening on the bike yet, as it's about 50 minutes each way. That's at my current rate...in time I should be able to get it down to 35 minutes...or that's my aim anyway.

So for now I feel like I'm in training.

After work I get the bus home (usually have a nap on the way), eat some dinner and go for a ride.

As it's winter it gets dark by about 4.30pm, so it's pretty dark out when I'm out riding. I've got my lights on obviously, but at night you do feel a need to be a lot more vidulant out and about. It's good training.

So for now I am a night rider.

the day after

2009-11-09T14:36:00.008Z

So I got up on my day off, to head in to the west end to collect my bike from work. To bring her(I'm still deciding if I want to name my bike) home! Taz met me there, to guide me through the streets of London. I twinged a little when I looked upon the plastic bike seat again. I knew I would not love this bike until I got a new comfy seat. So after lowering my bike seat a little, off we headed to Brick Lane Bikes, in the east end.

For some reason I felt less daunted riding than the day before. And cycling through the back streets of Soho I had a big smile on my face. It got a little scarier as we rode on the main roads, and stop starting at traffic lights. But sure enough, whenever I felt I wanted to stop for a breather, there was a cycle path to hop onto.

When we got to Brick Lane I found the sort of seat I was after...lots of padding!

I feel far more comfortable riding now :)

So after a long coffee break, we continued the journey back to my house. There was a hill or two we encoutered. As we approached the first one my face dropped. In my head I was thinking "I'm riding a single speed, I can't do this!" But it was the route we had to take, so screw it. I got some momentum behind me first, but it was fine. Sure I had to catch my breath for a few minutes afterward...but it was fine.

And although I was immensly exhausted (we ended up cycling around for 2 hours in all!) I had this amazing release of energy when I got home, and I couldn't stop smiling.

a "what a day" week

2009-11-05T22:17:00.011Z

I declair this week to be a what a day week!

This week...
I've been given a job promotion to Assistant Manager, my accessories brand got launched on the web and I was this close (gesturing with thumb and forefinger) to being evicted from my home. Clearly that was the massive low point!
So I was really excited yesterday morning when Condor bike shop got in touch with me to let me know my bike was built and ready to collect. I chose that bike shop because a friend of mine, Tom works there. I thought it would be great to collect it from someone I know, and buy my bike accessories.

My eyes shon when I saw my Roll, it's beautiful!!!

Tom took me through the ins and outs of the bike, adjusted it for me and everything. I could not stop smiling!
My friend Taz met me there, to escort me to work and show me the route to take.

Now then I would love to say we rode off, I took to the bike right away, traffic didn't phase me and I felt in my element. I shall never need to take public transport again!

But that would be a lie.

The thing I hadn't taken in to consideration, when choosing where I wanted to collect my bike from, was what the roads are like around the shop. Condor, as it happens, is on a rather busy main road in central London, Grey's Inn Road. The route from there to my work in morning traffic was pretty full on for a novice! As I said in my last blog, I have never riden a road bike. The posture of it is completely new to me (being hunched over the handle bars), and so I felt a little uneasy. After cycling for about 10 minutes I needed a break. Not from physical exhaustion, it was just quite draining. We alternated between walking with the bikes part way, and riding part way. I was relieved to get to work, have a cuppa and chill out! Also I was feeling a little sore from the bike seat :(

As you might have assumed already, I did not ride home last night. I reluctantly left my bike at work and took the bus.

I need to aquaint myself with the bike first- slowly slowly. So today I have the day off, I am going to collect my bike, and ride around London's east end. Taz and I are going to ride the backstreets and parks. Well that's the plan...we'll see how it goes. I want to build a great bond with this bike, and I'm sure I will...you just cant rush these things.

an introduction for beginners

2009-11-01T22:58:00.007Z

So then... I've taken on this project with Globe Bikes, to write a blog about my experiences on the Roll for the next 3 months.

I live and work in London- which can have a tendancy to be overwhelming in itself. I take the bus and the tube to and from work. Not surprisingly it has been grating on me for some time now. The thought of getting a bike is something I had been toying with for a while, but the thing that always put me off was...well...cycling in London! I haven't properly ridden a bike since I was about 9 years old, riding my moutain bike at the weekends. Road cycling is a thing apart!

My bike should be ready to collect within the next few days. Yes I am feeling quite anxious, but mainly just excited. I think getting the bike was the biggest battle; now all I have to do is ride :) And I feel at ease, as one of my friends is going to ride with me for the first week.

People say having a bike in London opens up a whole new side to it. I can't wait!