New Stuff August...

OK - a smart phone holder, some cycling shorts, a chain checker and another rear rack basket for the right side - bit of a spending spree...but still only totalling £50.

I've sprayed the weeds...must remember to pick that coat hanger up...

I got this from Cellapod - on Ebay for £13.95 and am very pleased with it - nifty, nifty...Much better than sticking your phone in your pocket, you can see and hear if someone's ringing you. Comes with cushioning that protects the phone and has a water resistant clear plastic zip-up cover as you can see. Also looks great...I think...:D

I thought it was best mounted on the handlebars, the actual case can be unclipped from the mount when you park the bike. The mount is ball mounted so you can position to suit. The unit can be attached without tools. Which also means someone else can take it off without tools, so be wary when leaving the bike unattended...

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My workhorse is even more useful...

Bought another basket from Clas Ohlson for the drive (right hand) side of the rear rack, as I've said before, from experience one of the most useful accessories you can add to a pushbike, but also the uncoolest - UK-side at least. Doubles my carrying capacity volume without luggage straps or bungees. I think that a bike should work for me, not the other way round.

Also bought a Park Tool Chain Checker, £9.99 from Evans. A simple must have tool for good bike maintenance. As some of you will know, the chain doesn't stretch through use, but because of dirt particles getting into the links. If the chain stretches a small amount, it needs replacing before it stretches even more. Should it stretch even more, there is the danger that the chain will damage the sprocket and chainring - a potentially very expensive situation because you should have but didn't replace a £10 part...I'm speaking from experience...

Chain checker from Park Tool who are 2nd to none with regard to bike tools - reflected in the price...2nd PT product I've bought...feeling a bit posh...

2 measurements to indicate whether just to change the chain or everything else damaged by a chain that should have been replaced before it damaged everything else.

The 0.5 will not insert into the links so the chain's OK (as it should be given it's new). If it did go in, the chain would need to be replaced; if the 0.75 side fit, then the chain, sprocket and chainring would need replacing, I understand as the stretched chain will have damaged them. Bit blurry - still working on my photography...

Occasionally I like to ride to a town about 15 miles away from where I live; I've noticed that it can get a bit hard on the posterior so I bought these Muddy Fox cycling shorts from Sports Soccer for £9.99. RRP is over £20. Typically cycling shorts are over £40, but I think these are more than adequate for occasional use. They are not lycra, but polyester and something called elastane (will look it up out of interest):

Some might be pleased
Some won't be pleased
That on this occasion
I 'ain't modelling these...