Commuting conundrum

[lemmy]

bear in mind also your age means you've got a foothold in that media industry and name, brand and track record behind you! its now near impossible for new entrant - you "need" degrees as well as contacts in the incestuous industry.

I guess you've learnt over the years the art of discretion, and I can also see how the Kahlkoff (or any other ebike) would make a good getaway vehicle

With my council house/ grammar school background I wouldn't have a hope now. My nephew spent a a year at a journalistic training college and a year trying to get work. He has a 2.1 degree in French and is a real hard worker. Basically, he found himself working for nothing. Radio Norwich would pay him £90 for a last minute shift - the rail far from London was £60! He'd given up a good job to pursue it but is back at the regular job now.

In truth, I haven't needed a getaway bike, I do everything bold as brass as if I have every right to photograph people and things in public places. Which, of course, I do. Somehow, if you behave as if you own the place, people believe you do. I learnt that off an old Etonian reporter I used work with in my early days! It was about all he'd learnt but it was all he needed, really.

 

[richardmu]

Wisper 806 folder for commuting

I've recently bought an 806fe folder and although it is a lovely bike I would definitely not want to use it if I had to lug it onto public transport.

A bit of a struggle to get it into the back of the Golf and out again without doing my back in, but no way would I recommend it for the sort of commuting you're talking about. Too heavy and unmanageable.

It's great for what I want to use it for. Put it in the boot, drive to somewhere nice, take it out and cycle around for awhile, put it back in the car and drive home. Bliss!

Retirement is wonderful!!

 

[flecc]

I've recently bought an 806fe folder and although it is a lovely bike I would definitely not want to use it if I had to lug it onto public transport.

A bit of a struggle to get it into the back of the Golf and out again without doing my back in, but no way would I recommend it for the sort of commuting you're talking about. Too heavy and unmanageable.

It's great for what I want to use it for. Put it in the boot, drive to somewhere nice, take it out and cycle around for awhile, put it back in the car and drive home. Bliss!

Retirement is wonderful!!

I find exactly the same with my Quando based folder and I think it's largely true of all e-folders. Whether 18 kilos or 20, it's still a lot of weight to lug.

However, having met Nick I know he's a younger and strong, well built man so he would find it a lot easier than us retirees.
.

 

[themutiny]

I'm still looking forward to retirement though

Actually only another 8 years now providing no-one changes the rules and swaps my defined benefit pensions to defined contribution (or increases the minimum early retirement age)

I guess what gets me the most about all this is the fact that on my Synapse I know I could do it - in all weathers, saving money, being green, etc etc.

I used to do 24 miles a day - for two years - using the train and that curious artefact "the guard's van".

I cannot for the life of me work out why these are now defunct. Perhaps I am naive, but surely rolling stock with little or no furnishings that would allow commuters like me to use train/normal bike combinations must make some economic sense to the train companies? It's another depressing example of the way we are exhorted to consider the environment, but when we try to, find ourselves thwarted at every turn.

That's enough spleen vented for a Sunday. The sun is shining, and I've got a recently serviced Synapse just asking to be ridden

 

[flecc]

I used to do 24 miles a day - for two years - using the train and that curious artefact "the guard's van".

Yes, the guards van was such a useful part of train travel facilities, ideal for anything awkward like a bike, large trunk or livestock, like racing pigeons for release elsewhere.

The railways have tried all manner of oddities instead in trying to improve. Anyone remember the car trains, passenger trains with flatbed wagons attached, on which to carry your car to the next city!

Introduced as motorways were spreading, they were a crazy idea.
.

 

[eTim]

I cannot for the life of me work out why these are now defunct. Perhaps I am naive, but surely rolling stock with little or no furnishings that would allow commuters like me to use train/normal bike combinations must make some economic sense to the train companies? It's another depressing example of the way we are exhorted to consider the environment, but when we try to, find ourselves thwarted at every turn.

Too true, but I'm sure they have been concentrating on increasing the passenger carriages because of the increase number of commuters not using their cars because the roads are blocked.

You could consider the purchase of an additional used Cytronex and have one at each end? But with that comes the problem of securing the remote bike. Quick release saddle and bike locked with an Almax Series III chain, long enough for both wheels, you would need two, one for each end. No one is going to attempt to crack that chain, especially not on a train platform. The only way they could get the bike would be by cutting the frame or wrecking the wheels, both unfeasable for your average bike thief scrote. Also note these chains are not portable (weighing 6kg) so would need to be locked to platform furniture when not in use.

Used Cytronex = £800 ??
2 x chains = £270 (including decent locks)

PS there is also the Series IV, but at 19mm might be a bit overkill

 

[themutiny]

Too true, but I'm sure they have been concentrating on increasing the passenger carriages because of the increase number of commuters not using their cars because the roads are blocked.

You could consider the purchase of an additional used Cytronex and have one at each end? But with that comes the problem of securing the remote bike. Quick release saddle and bike locked with an Almax Series III chain, long enough for both wheels, you would need two, one for each end. No one is going to attempt to crack that chain, especially not on a train platform. The only way they could get the bike would be by cutting the frame or wrecking the wheels, both unfeasable for your average bike thief scrote. Also note these chains are not portable (weighing 6kg) so would need to be locked to platform furniture when not in use.

Used Cytronex = £800 ??
2 x chains = £270 (including decent locks)

PS there is also the Series IV, but at 19mm might be a bit overkill

Now there's a thought worth pursuing. Since my original post a friend of my wife has offered to allow me to store my bike at her house (right next to the station this end), so , as you say, a used Cytronex at the other end if properly secured might be the answer.

I have one of these on my lock-up where I store my PA gear. Expensive, but the peace of mind is worth it.

ROTALOK - High Security CEN Grade 5 & 6 Padlocks from Insight Security

So - I need to investigate the facilities at Redhill station. Definitely better than a folder IMHO

 

[Miznomer]

This is like that "how do you get the fox, the chicken and the grain across the river" riddle.

How about 2 not so valuable hand bikes and an easily removable conversion kit. When i was looking for such a kit, i came across this company Electric Bike Conversion Kits | Clean Republic | Battery Powered Bikes, i thought it might be of interest.

You could keep the bikes at either end and change out the front wheels (bikes don't look very attractive to steal if they're already missing a wheel!) . Or to avoid changing the wheel, buy two motorized wheels, and just change out the battery, switch and controller at either end.

There are probably numberous variations on this as you've already got a battery, a bike and a storage area.

You could probably sell the kit easily enough if you decide to go back to car commuting.

good luck!

 

[themutiny]

Great idea. It's got me thinking. I already have a spare Tongxin equipped wheel, and a cheap but reliable Racer. It might be possible to rig up an ecrazyman controller and battery ina rucksack type arrangement. Might be a problem with the spacing on the forks, but probably not insurmountable. Can anyone advise further?

Regards,

Nick