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		CSIT RTW Bulletin #6: Tue Nov 5 1999
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*****    please send it to me by email by the end of the month 	   *****


Did I say something last time about spring being one of the 'finest
seasons'? I must have been talking about the fine (or not so fine)
droplets of rain that we seen over the last 2 months.  But with
daylight savings, things are now definitely getting brighter for cycling :). 


WET WEATHER RIDING:

Not only is waterproof clothing important, but it makes quite a difference
for your bike too to be suitably equipped for all weather riding.

Something I've re-appreciated over the last two months, due to their
sudden absence, is MUDGUARDS. 

(I had my bike of the last 7 years in for frame repairs - the thread on
the bottom bracket had worn out, so it could no longer hold the crank
shaft housing in.  The only alternative would have been to throw the
bike away.  Even though the frame builder himself was prompt and
skilful, getting the job done proved to be a lengthy ordeal.  If ever
you're contemplating frame repairs, please ask me about it, so you
needn't have the same hassles / delay as I did.

In the meantime, I bought a old 2nd hand road bike for $100, lacking,
among other things, mudguards...) 
 
Firstly, front & rear mudguards will keep your feet a lot drier -
remember when riding your feet are precisely positioned to get the full
spray from both wheels.  With, for example, waterproofed leather shoes,
I find they make the difference between being getting soaked in heavy
rain and remaining almost dry. 

Secondly, if you ride in the clothes you work in, as I do, they protect
your clothes from fine spatters of mud.  It need not be actually raining
- just the path / road has to be wet.  And indeed the bike paths are
generally worse in this respect: not being guarded by gutters, mud
easily washes onto the path (or mud is often brought there by motor
vehicles).  On one of the underpasses I use, it also accumulates and
stays wet for long after the rain has gone - this got me one day last
month when wearing my good clothes for an interview :(. 

The second item, important for safety, is at least one ALLOY WHEEL.  I
dont know how well the hybrid bikes brake, but the road bikes with steel
rims simply dont cut it when it comes to emergency braking in the wet. 
Last autumn, I decided not to take chances any longer, and got an alloy
front wheel installed - its enough to ensure reliable braking in any
conditions. 
 

UPCOMING PEDAL POWER EVENTS:

I've put November's calendar up on our NoticeBoard.  Note that the ACT
Bike Week has many and various events from 6th -- 14th Nov, with indeed
events going the whole month, culminating in the infamous Fitz's
Challenge on the 28th. 
 

Well thats it for the time being. Happy cycling! -Peter.

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    RTW: sponsored by Pedal Power, HealthPact & (ACT) Heart Foundation
	 new sponsor! Mont Adventure Equipment, Queanbeyan
		 oooooooo Be Active for Life ! oooooooo
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