Bicycles

[essexmirage]

I've actually got a mad idea in my head to adapt a trailer mount and fashion an extension piece to attach to the frame of my rucksack so that i could walk tow it with some luggage and my youngest child who's 3 and would not be able to walk far or be carried for long distances, just thinking beyond the having to dump the bike idea.............maybe add a fold up lightweight handlebar arrangement to add to the rear of the trailer too to make it a push n pull design to equal out the load and help with off road type terrain etc ??

Sound Good ??

[DeltaSierra]

That's not a bad idea at all as it would reduce stress and strain if you did have to leave the bike for any reason. Redundancies are something we need to cover for sure.

I'm thinking of buying/making a trailer for my bike as it would come in handy when picking up large items from the shop or post office

[wolfspider]

I recommend the 'BOB yak' trailer.strong,light and more than capable of handling rough terrain if needs must,but at around £270 it's not cheap

I second that !

Many moons ago I cycled around northern scotland with mountain bike + BOB with all my camping gear and food - not bad off road either!

I rarely cycle these days, but we keep our bikes and spares up to date, just in case. We did without a car for a whole year once (due to lack of funds) and did all the shopping and transporting of kids with bikes and trailers - brilliant fun and everything is easy to fix and maintain if you have a few tools and spares.

[jansman]

I have a bob yak. Brilliant kit. Designed by Canadian loggers for cutting fire roads. I frequently use mine off road for foraging firewood. There are many purpose built trailers out there. Remember, they have to be safe- by law. They need the CE mark. Home made may seem cheaper, but not if it injures you. I have seen some home brew trailersand they always look "Clunky" and inefficient.

[Lucky Jim]

Aargh sorry, I just started a thread called 'On yer bike' before i spotted this one, maybe the mods could move it here?
Meanwhile here's a pic of people getting outta town..

[The Ace of Spades]

I have owned several bicycles over the course of time, but hadn't had one for years. That is until I bought myself a mountain bike about 5 months ago. It's a Diamondback Overdrive, with 21 gears and has front suspension only. I don't drive a car or ride a motorbike, so public transport, walking, or scrounging a lift is how I used to get about. I now use it as often as possible to get me from A to B, (as you do) and I figure I have saved a fair amount of cash over the time I've had it by not having to use buses, etc, and my fitness has improved a fair bit too. If the SHTF, getting fuel for cars and motorbikes is an obvious problem, a bicycle is an obvious solution. I'm glad I have mine now, and as long as I maintain it and keep the necessary spares on hand, it should last a very long time.

I don't know if it's just me, or if I really am seeing a lot more people about on bicycles these days. Perhaps people are realising that it's a cheap and reliable way of getting around, and maybe more will follow suit in due course.

Long live the bicycle!

Ace.

[jansman]

Anecdotally, more folks are riding bikes. I am seeing more riders on my work route( during good weather certainly!).I got back to bikes 17 years ago when hard times came knocking at Chez Jansman. My cycling for work, errands and foraging mean we run only one car. And we could do without that truth be told.
Anyone wants to consider a bike for day to day transport IMO, needs lights, a luggage rack and panniers, and a lock. Do this and you have the ultimate urban( and not so urban) transport. The bike , with a rack, can carry a lot of cargo if done properly.

[The Ace of Spades]

I have the lights and the lock, no panniers or rack yet. I use a daypack to carry any extra items with me on my journeys at the moment. I need to invest in a good set of waterproofs and a helmet too.

So, my eyes weren't decieving me, more and more people are riding bicycles! Makes sense to me.

Ace.

[daylen]

I think a bike should be classed as an essential item and knowing how to maintain it an essential skill.

I would suggest that the more simple, the better. Less to go wrong and easier to maintain. So that generally means a rigid frame and few gears. I'm not sure I'd do away with gears altogether as they are incredibly useful.

One thing I've not heard mention of is puncture resistant tyres. If you've not got them already then these are a most. Nothing is puncture-proof but a good puncture resistant tyre will massively reduce the likelihood of getting one. You certainly don't need a flat tyre while trying to escape the zombie hoards!

[The Ace of Spades]

I think a bike should be classed as an essential item and knowing how to maintain it an essential skill.

I would suggest that the more simple, the better. Less to go wrong and easier to maintain. So that generally means a rigid frame and few gears. I'm not sure I'd do away with gears altogether as they are incredibly useful.

One thing I've not heard mention of is puncture resistant tyres. If you've not got them already then these are a most. Nothing is puncture-proof but a good puncture resistant tyre will massively reduce the likelihood of getting one. You certainly don't need a flat tyre while trying to escape the zombie hoards!

I'm pretty good with maintenance of bicycles, had to be when I was younger as I was into BMXing - plenty of punctures, broken brake cables, worn out brake blocks and wheel bearings, broken chains, etc. Carrying a good tool kit is essential too.

I know what you mean about simpler being easier to maintain, but I need 21 gears and I use them all. You soon learn just how many hills are about as a cyclist and having just the right gear for them makes for an easier ride. Front suspension is a must for me as I don't always stick to the roads. Never been into full suspension on a bike though, tried them a few times and didn't like the feel. Each to their own, I suppose.

I like the sound of puncture resistant tires, might just have to look into those. Zombies are faster than they used to be so I might not be able to outrun them on foot. On a bike, yes!

Ace.