Cycling

(27-04-2012 00:00 )cmiller Wrote:  has anyone ever used an anti-pollution mask? i fancy trying one and looking like a proper maniac!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categ...&x=12&y=13

I haven't used one, but was cycling in rush hour a couple of weeks back and I did notice how disguisting the car fumes were. Obviously breathing heavy in a build up of traffic would have that result, but it was over whelming and I did feel a bit sick after a while. I think these would certainly be a good buy if you cycle in built up areas at rush hour times.

Thought I'd plug this special offer. Ideal for anyone looking for a decent puncture repair kit and some extra tools to go with it. In a nice zip up bag as well. £6.99 Bargain!!

http://www.play.com/Sports-Outdoors/Spor...fer=search

(27-04-2012 23:27 )Money_Shot Wrote:  

(27-04-2012 00:00 )cmiller Wrote:  has anyone ever used an anti-pollution mask? i fancy trying one and looking like a proper maniac!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categ...&x=12&y=13

I haven't used one, but was cycling in rush hour a couple of weeks back and I did notice how disguisting the car fumes were. Obviously breathing heavy in a build up of traffic would have that result, but it was over whelming and I did feel a bit sick after a while. I think these would certainly be a good buy if you cycle in built up areas at rush hour times.

Thought I'd plug this special offer. Ideal for anyone looking for a decent puncture repair kit and some extra tools to go with it. In a nice zip up bag as well. £6.99 Bargain!!

http://www.play.com/Sports-Outdoors/Spor...fer=search

Those puncture repair kits seem fairly cheap here in Ireland too, I found one for 4 euros

The great thing with that one is it has the tool kit with it as well. Plus other spares, seems a steal at that price!

(27-04-2012 00:00 )cmiller Wrote:  has anyone ever used an anti-pollution mask? i fancy trying one and looking like a proper maniac!

I haven't used one like those, I don't really feel the need where I cycle, although I go through traffic part of the way, it isn't too bad fumes-wise.
I do have a lighter-weight option, an Outlaw mask from Airwear (don't think they do them anymore). It's basically a triangle of material you tie over your face like a cowboy about to rob a bank There's a pouch sewn in where you pop in a filter to keep the fumes at bay. To be honest, I mainly used it keep my face warmer in winter.

I'll give a plug for one of my favourite bits of kit, a Buff :

http://www.buffwear.com

This is a very versatile bit of kit, not just for biking. It's a tubular bit of material, kind of like those snood things that were popular a while back. It's very compact, it'll scrunch into a pocket, taking no more room than a handkerchief, and can be worn in a variety of ways. I use it mainly just as a neck scarf, I have an aversion to getting a cold neck. The material is really thin, meaning you can wear it in summer without getting too hot, but it still manages to keep you warm in the winter. It can be pulled up over your face to keep your face warm on cold days, or to help filter some of the fumes out.
On tuesday I had to go to work in the torrential rain. I wore a normal scarf and my Endura Skullcap under my helmet (a thin hat designed to go under the bike helmet) for the ride in. For the return, I wore my buff, pulled up hoodie style, so it acted as scarf, face-mask, and skullcap, all in one
I love it so much, I just bought another so I can have a dry one for both journeys next time.


I'll also give a plug for my other favourite bit if kit, my Topfire lights :

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/busc...ry=topfire

Four red led lights on wires, you feed them through the vents on your helmet, and attach the battery pack/switch to the neck piece. Pop in a battery and switch on, and you have four flashing leds on your helmet.
Your highest point on a bike is your head/helmet, and it is therefore very visible. Having lights on the helmet makes you very visible to other motorists, which is always a bonus, and so long as you have your helmet, you have these lights with you. I'm riding in the daytime, so don't need to carry my lights with me, but sometimes it can still be dark and gloomy during the day (like tuesday in the downpour), so it's nice to have these to fall back on.

munch, you just reminded me - i must get a helmet! that will be my last piece of kit

i never considered getting an anti-pollution mask before, but when you come into contact with buses and get a lungful of exhaust fumes, they suddenly seem like a good idea (abit like when your head gets crushed by a bus and helmets suddenly seem like a good idea)

cmiller - A helmet is essential my friend. My motto is, I'd rather look a helmet in a helmet then be dead or a veg.

Munch - sound advice and a good post yet again. Those buff things are pretty handy. I notice they're sold in $. Do they dispatch to the U.K or is there a U.K seller you know of ?

(27-04-2012 23:27 )Money_Shot Wrote:  Thought I'd plug this special offer. Ideal for anyone looking for a decent puncture repair kit and some extra tools to go with it. In a nice zip up bag as well. £6.99 Bargain!!

http://www.play.com/Sports-Outdoors/Spor...fer=search

they're 2 for £15. Bargain!!

I never use a helmet

(28-04-2012 10:01 )cmiller Wrote:  munch, you just reminded me - i must get a helmet! that will be my last piece of kit

I rode for years without one, but eventually decided my head was too fragile to risk it any longer
My helmet is also a 'gadget', I have a Reevu. I'm not sure if they are still available, but it has a rear-view mirror built-in to the helmet. There is a mirror in the underside of the peak, so a quick glance upwards, and you get a view of the traffic approaching from behind, really handy
I still glance round, but mainly to let the cars know I am aware of them rather than to see anything.

(28-04-2012 10:05 )Money_Shot Wrote:  Munch - sound advice and a good post yet again. Those buff things are pretty handy. I notice they're sold in $. Do they dispatch to the U.K or is there a U.K seller you know of ?

Sorry, change it to .co.uk for the UK site

http://www.evanscycles.com/search?query=buff&x=0&y=0
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buff-Original-Sc...d_sim_sg_4

and here's a slightly cheaper version :
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-buff/

Or check ebay, but be wary of fakes. They all seem to sell around the same price, so if you see a super cheap one, it's probably fake, and may not be as good.


Am I being thick about those tool kits on play, 6.99 each, 2 for 15, but 2 at 6.99 is only 13.98!!
Guess the 2 for 15 offer is from when they were at full price still

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17881865