Tag Archives: Equipment

There has been just as much action in Reading and Caversham today with me making great leaps forward in my preparations for July 18th as there has been in SW19, South Africa and Rotterdam combined (Wimbledon, The World Cup & the Tour de France respectively). So as Germany put another one past Argentina to make it 4-nil, here is the pile of purchases I have just poured from my bag on returning home.

It started well this morning; bought the ferry ticket – Dover to Boulogne – and the travel insurance. I then made it as far as Luxembourg with the detailed planning although in slightly less detail than I had originally planned (see below). I then set out into town and bought some Velcro straps to secure the map case on the handlebars, a couple of t-shirts, and some shorts before heading north to AW Cycles to pick up the bike from being serviced. I had to wait so used the time to buy a second pair of cycling shorts (identical to the ones I bought in there a couple of weeks ago), a cable to help secure the bike, some spare brake pads (which are now fitted to the bike and the original ones are my spares), some oil and…. I think that’s it!

Whilst in Reading I also went into Altimus, the local supplier of the Spot messenging system. They were out of stock so I still have to make a decision on that particular purchase.

Phew! Spending money is hot work

It was late night opening at A.W. Cylces yesterday so I took a slight detour on my way home last night to see what they had on offer in the cycling shorts direction. One of the familiar faces greeted me and after a few pleasantries, he said he had just the thing for my trip to Italy. It was beautifully shiny with a “golf ball” style padded seat to minimise the area of contact. It was also an over-your-shoulder job rather than just a pair of shorts. I was impressed until my eye looked towards the box and saw the price: £163 (the box! I should have seen it coming as items of clothing that come in boxes are not cheap…). I congratulated the assistant on his sales pitch (worthy of the Apprentice) but explained that I was looking to spend rather less than £163; more likely around £50. Another whole body job was next to be shown along with some shorts. He said both were good products and good value and that I should try them on. I tested the shorts first and they were perfect so didn’t bother with the whole body item and I now have and indeed am wearing as I type having just arrived at work some very comfortable Lycra cycling shorts with padding that makes my old cycling shorts (and insert padding) feel like sandpaper. It my long cycling journey I think I have passed the rubicon; I will now be wearing Lycra below the waist. And for around £35 they were a bargain to boot!