CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[ekjdm14]

I often use that sort of line worker system here as some of my work is rather dangerous. It works well as long as you set an alarm. Otherwise it's to easy to get absorbed in work and forget. That usually leads to a panicked phone call from the office with a rollicking.

Why not have them ring you in the first place, then there's only any need to panic if you fail to answer the phone (of course either mobile that comes with you, or notify them before going for a "comfort break"!)

[elma]

Everyone in the office outranks me so I get the side of the deal that needs effort. I'm planning on skipping a few ranks and going straight to director which will level things up.

I've nearly got my year of taking crap at the bottom out if the way. It's unavoidable if you join this company as a mate. A good way of doing it too I think, weeds out the slackers and freeloaders.

[Hell Razor5543]

I wish I had been properly on the ball yesterday. If I had I would have said "I didn't mean to lead you up the garden path with 'Up the Garden Path', Jim".

[CitroJim]

I wish I had been properly on the ball yesterday. If I had I would have said "I didn't mean to lead you up the garden path with 'Up the Garden Path', Jim".

Now that's a good one James Love it!

Speaking for presents from forum members... I received this in the post today... I was handed a big. cold polystyrene box...

It contained these:

Own Work

Thanks Davie, really appreciated They are absolutely delicious and already one whole one has been consumed to fuel a 32 mile bike ride!

[Zelandeth]

Slightly jealous...

[Stickyfinger]

ummm.....something is slightly fishy about this ....ummmm

[daviemck2006]

Its 15 years since I was a fisherman, these could be ever so slightly past their use by date! He thinks they are smoked but really they ma well be rotten

[Stickyfinger]

Swedish main meal then

[CitroJim]

He thinks they are smoked but really they ma well be rotten

I don't care if they are, all I know is they really are delicious

Yesterday whilst out on my cycle ride I got flagged down by a fellow cyclist in the usual way - he was holding a wheel...

Turns out his female riding companion had a puncture and they had no repair kit...

I did and fixed the puncture That was my good deed for the day done...

I always carry a pump/CO2 inflater and puncture repair kit. More often than not I also carry a spare tube too...

[RichardW]

Tube change by the side of the road always easier than faffing about with patches!

[CitroJim]

Tube change by the side of the road always easier than faffing about with patches!

Absolutely agreed Richard but yesterday was one of those rare occasions on which I did not carry a spare tube Won't happen again

[Zelandeth]

Still staggers me how resilient to punctures the modern tyres available for bikes can be. Probably making a gallows for my own neck here, but have yet to have a puncture on the C5 since the Schwalbe City Jet tyres were fitted. It's a heavy old brute of a thing compared to a bike too.

I've rescued a few people who have been stranded by punctures as well - and they're usually riding Halfords own brand bikes still wearing their original cheaper than cheap tyres. Reminds me, I need to get a new CO2 cartridge...

[Stickyfinger]

Why do you need Co2 cartridges Jim ? .......... you eat flap-jacks !

[CitroJim]

Still staggers me how resilient to punctures the modern tyres available for bikes can be. .

Indeed they are... I've only so far had punctures in OE (very thin) tyres and touch-wood my replacements that incorporate a kevlar anti-puncture layer have been immune.

Yesterday though it was a Conti Gatorskin - my favourite and very puncture-resistant - that appeared to let the unfortunate rider down... It was not the tyre or any impaling object but rather a failed tube. I found a little weakness on a moulded seam and it had gone there...

It fixed OK with a patch and I hope it got her home but I'd chuck that tube ASAP. Again, I only use good, quality tubes such as Contis... Although, having said that, the cheap BTwin tubes from Decathlon seem OK...

Why do you need Co2 cartridges Jim ? .......... you eat flap-jacks !

CO2 cartridges (just like the ones used in Sodastream machines) and a purpose-designed head is a great way of inflating a bike tyre without the need to carry a pump Alasdair... The only snag is the little cartridges get dangerously icy-cold in use so I carry a little insulating sleeve to slip over them...

If I ate a lot of beans before a ride I may not need to carry CO2 cartridges perhaps

[Zelandeth]

Same as the City Jets then, they've got a layer on the tread surface which offers protection, and the profile is such that sidewall damage is highly unlikely to ever be an issue.

Tube wear though is more luck of the draw I guess as demonstrated here. I really should grab a spare tube (well...two as the front wheel is a different size) and stick it in the boot in case I ever need them...