Design your own bikes

For those who are thinking of taking up cycling, there are so many designs out there. However, most of the bikes are uninspiring and frankly quite boring. It would be great if we could design our own bikes, the components and choose the colours. Well, now we can.

Mango Bikes, a company started by two University mates are offering customers the chance to design their own bespoke bicycles - well almost.  You can choose from several bright, high quality colour combinations - from the frame to the chains. They are really well designed - with simple and clean lines, and they weigh only about 10 Kg. The comments from their customers speak for themselves.

This is not really a new business concept and there are already a few companies out there which offers you the choice of designing your own bespoke bike. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that the cost of the bikes start from only £269. I was expecting them to cost £500 and above.

Check out some of the possible design combinations. I am seriously tempted to buy one for myself.

Which one do you like?

Work starts on Cycle Coventry Project

Work on the £6.9m Cycle Coventry project has finally started. In the first phase, they are working on the route 3 which links the City centre to Longford via Henley College and University Hospital. This is a well established cycle route and I wish they had instead started on Route 1, the City Centre to Ricoh Arena, with links to Radford instead.

Sorry. The map is not very sharp

You might think that it is for selfish reasons but No! Right now  there is no proper cycling route and is quite dangerous with fast vehicles on the road with a quite steep uphill climb (or downhill depending on the direction) - some of the few reasons I am still not cycling to work.

While trying to look at some alternative routes, I recently found Coventry CycleStreets page where I can plan my cycling journeys in Coventry. The new route is off the main road and relatively safer, passing by some places I have never been to in Coventry - should be interesting.

Related links: Cycle Coventry page on the City Council site

Trip to the highlands 2013 - 1: Coventry to South Laggan

Trip with my sis-in-law's family to the Scottish Highlands during the Easter break.

We really did not have an itinerary but our plan was to stay for a night at Preston. Have lunch at Glasgow and buy supplies


Glasgow

Had lunch at the Nandos there.

The journey was really long with some of the most amazing scenery I have seen in my life. It was still very cold and there was snow everywhere even though this was "Easter" - supposed to be in the middle of Spring.

And finally, Great Glen Water Park at South Laggan.



The trip: Almost 440 Miles.

Get Out of the Dark Ages and Let Light Shine In

I just realised that windows on the ground floor of most of the houses in our neighbourhood, including ours, do not open at all. One of our neighbours told me that most of the houses in our row are quite old (pre war) while the ones in the front are modern. Most have changed to the modern double glazed windows.

Windows let in the light of the sun's rays and at the same time, they are some of the best interior decorating features of the home. Many people choose bow or bay windows. These outward curving windows usually have a place for a little alcove where a shelf or bench is built. On the bench window seat cushions or potted plants enhance the window's attraction.

New homes can have large windows installed at the time of building, but older homes can also have more spacious windows installed. Bay or bow windows are popular for dining rooms, bedrooms and living rooms. A casement window gives the old-world look. Some older homes have lead-glass casement-styled windows, but newer windows with a similar appearance and style are available. Window installation or replacement is a worthwhile home improvement, and letting more light into rooms can transform the interior ambience and mood.



In case you are wondering, Casement windows are those with hinges on the outer sides of the panes. A crank opens, closes and locks the window firmly in any position. Many old European-style homes have the casement window style. Modern casement windows are made with the latest in glass and design technology, but they keep the essence of the endearing style.

If a room or home is gloomy, a larger window fixture opens up a wall and lets the happy and healing rays of the sun into the room. Homeowners can choose from among numerous styles such as bay or bow window styles. Fixing or replacing old windows like bow or casement windows with the same style but with quality-made and modern innovations is a job professionals should handle.

Bounce coffee

I love coffee and  was delighted when Andy Grelak from Aromo coffee sent me some samples of their 'Bounce' coffee. Andy has been in the coffee business for over 20 years and apparently this is their best selling coffee.

Ground or beans

Brewing the coffee

My cappuccino

Made from 100 x 100% Arabica Aromo ESE coffee Pods, it has a really nice aroma. I am not an expert but according to their site, the Bounce coffee is a mix of Brazilian Daterra Bourbon and Sumatran Mahandeling coffee varieties.

As for the taste, it is slightly milder than the Lavazza Qualita Rossa which we normally use in our house and perfect after meals. 

We had friends over one day. They were leaving the UK for Malaysia and they loved the coffee so much. I passed the beans to my friend who was delighted. He emailed me a fews back asking me to get some more of the same coffee when I visit them next time. 

Thanks Andy.

Vintage Falcon bike restoration project update 2013

I started the Vintage Falcon bike restoration project way back in September 2011. At that time, the bike was a pile of rusty metal destined for the tip until I happened to cast my eyes on it. This is how it looked then:

It sure has come a long way and now that the snow is gone and the sun is finally out, I thought it's time to start some cycling. I decided to make a few more updates to the bike. For practical reasons, I bought a pair of metal mudguards on eBay for £16 (I do not want mud or worse all over me when |I am cycling).

I also decided to bring back the old pannier rack instead of buying a new one - all it needed was a thorough cleaning with wire brush followed by sandpaper and finished off with black Hammerite direct to rusted metal Paint.

The round red rear reflector on the new mudguard is also from the original mudguards. I am delighted that I decided to keep it a well, though it took me a couple of hours to polish it to the final shining finished product. You will agree that it looks fantastic and I saved myself about £20.

Now I am all set to start cycling to work