"I am thinking of buying a bike
They are everywhere
Tamara got one on Wednesday and said that it is really good
She gets to ride to work through Hyde Park
It will be cheaper
And the weather is nice and it is light until 9.00pm at the moment
and it will stay that way all through the summer
And the traffic is fine and you don't have to wear I helmet but I would
My route to work would be the track beside the Thames from Hammersmith to Putney
You can take them on trains so I can take it if I go away at weekends
Cool hey?
Think that I will do it"
Saturday 5th June 2004
"Just saying 'hi'
I am waiting at the 'net cafe' for Amanda
and we are going to Piccadilly Circus to have a look at Lillywhites sportstore
I brought a bike today!!
It cost £40
It is second-hand
and I spent another £55ish on locks, mudguards and lights, helmet
And flouro stuff to wear on my ankles so you can see me
although I don't think I will be missed on my hot pink bike!
We are going to town to buy a backpack
because I haven't got one to use when I am riding
I think about £100 for a bike ready-to-go is fine
Gonna give it a test run tomorrow morning
and see how long it takes me to get to work"
Tuesday 8th June 2004
"I cycled to work today and obviously arrived safely
It was a lovely ride down the river
The path is wide but it is dirt and very shady and cool
There was heaps of people riding and walking and running and dawdling along
It got a bit hectic when I got to Putney Bridge though
...that is where I have to turn off the river to Putney High Street
I had found a few backroads so I miss the high street traffic
I walked out the front door at 8.00am this morning
I had to go round the back to get my bike and when I got to work
I put it in the shed and stepped out of the lift on the fifth floor at 8.24am
So fast and so much nicer than the hot stinky tube!!
That is going to be so bad in summer but I have my bike to ride now
It was lovely and I feel quite awake
which is a change from being asleep at my desk in the morning
It takes me a little while to warm up!!
This was a great idea!"
Thursday 10th June 2004
"Had a stack on the way home last night!
Was trying to go up a gutter sideways but my wheel skidded and I fell over
Nothing really hurt
Think I pulled a muscle trying to stay standing but it didn't work
A nice man asked if I was okay but I just wanted to get out of there asap!!
Was slightly embarrassed!!
He he...
Went the whole way today without stopping
Sometimes I have gotten off and crossed the road
but this time I was in with all all the traffic in the right lanes and turning
Was very proud of myself!!"
Tanya's fluro riding gear
and click here for more - "Riding to work - in the snow"
Monday 11th October 2004
"Very bright!
You should see me now in my bright yellow riding jacket
- windproof and water proof and I definately won't be missed in it
I also got waterproof and windproof gloves
and a head band to wear under my helmet to keep my ears warm!
I was toasty this morning!
I will say that the gear cost more than my bike but it was definately worth it
- and if I want to keep riding through winter I need the right gear, right?"
Tuesday 12th October 2004
"Got up and rode to work - it was drizzling rain
I told you on the weekend I splashed out and purchased winter riding gear
Don't have proper pants yet but they can wait
My new coat has a pully thing an the neck so I can tighten it
and the wind and rain doesn't get in - it is really warm actually
I wear my helmet on my head
and my new nike headband to keep my ears warm...it is really good!
My work clothes do get carried in a backpack
but they are folded and it is cold so I always have my coat on anyway
I leave my boots at work so I don't have to carry them back and forth"
Thursday 14th October 2004
"Will send a photo of me in
my fluro yellow coat on
my fluro pink bike with
my fluro yellow reflective ankle straps and
my funky Nike earwarmer headband!!"
Thursday 3rd March 2005
"All I have to say is that today is -2 degrees with a windchill to -12 degrees!!
How tough am I!!
I did think I was going to get blown off my bike tho!
There are heaps and heaps of people riding bikes
I didn't really notice until I rode myself
We gang up and take over entire lanes while riding with ten of us in a bunch
- I really enjoy it and miss it if I miss a day
Some of the bike couriers are a bit rude tho - swerving in and out and cutting in
I just peddle along and try to get a bit of window shopping in while I am at it
- and I think about travel plans and all that sort of thing too!"
Thursday 14th April 2005
"I hit two pedestrians on the way to work this morning - hard!!
I hit one hard and another one a little bit
Silly ladies but it wasn't really anyones fault
- more theirs than mine anyway but we will blame the van driver
I was on Oxford Street coming up to an intersection with a green light for me
The traffic was stopped because it was busy and it couldn't get through
I came up slowly but I could go through because I was on the bike and it would fit
Just as I got to the front of the van stopped at the lights about five people came out
- all crossing against the light
I just clipped one lady and slammed into another one
I didn't fall off but I got a real fright
They were both saying sorry, sorry, sorry
I asked if the lady I hit hard was okay and she said that she was and then she left
The other lady stayed for a bit
She said that the van driver had waved the people across in front of him
because he couldn't go anywhere
- forgetting about the poor cyclists who come up the inside
The other lady said that she was okay and kept asking how I was
I got a bit upset and teary because it really scared me
And now I have a sore leg and wrists but I'll live!!
Oh...and my bike is okay!!
My ankle hurts a bit now too - maybe I am imagining it
Stupid pedestrians and more stupid van driver!!"
Tuesday 10th May 2005
"First ride in to work from Acton today
It didn't take to long at all - through Shepherds Bush which is not such a nice area
(it's not pretty at all) but then through Holland Park and Notting Hill
and then through the top of Kengsington Gardens and Hyde Park instead of the bottom
Once I got to Park Lane the route I took was exactly the same as I have been doing
It was nice to be back on the bike and it was lovely and sunny"