“Hey” and welcome to Chain Suck – a new cycling blog that’s about as much fun as an infected saddle sore on a summer’s day – and, you might like to note, one that’s pretentious enough to name it’s first post “Prologue”.

Enjoy.

Tell Us About Yourself. We Insist.

OK, but only since you insist.

I’ve been cycling since I was 14. Not non-stop, obviously. That would be ridiculous. No, ever since I was 14 I’ve occasionally got on my bike, ridden a certain distance – mostly in a loop, sometimes in an out-and-back – then got off my bike and done something else until the next time.

Look, here’s a picture of me doing some “bike riding”:

Those ears cost me at least 2 seconds over a 10. At least.

In the 16 years since I first started doing that, I’ve been a member of various clubs. Starting out with the Thanet Road Club as a teenager – doing club runs and 10 mile TT’s. When I left Kent for University, I joined the Coventry Road Club – although it could have been the Coventry Cycling Club, they’re easily confused. And finally when I moved from Coventry to Birmingham I rode with the group setting out from Birmingham City Cycles – get this – on a Saturday morning!

Since then I’ve had some time away from riding – well over 4 years now. And by “time away” I don’t mean prison but the far less glamourous but equally restrictive on your free time world of “having a family”.

But the kids are growing up, leaving me more free time. And I figured if, after all he’s been through, Lance can make a come back then, you bally well know what, so can I. Currently my come back has lasted 2 weeks but I’m confident that I can make it to at least a full month.

Why Bore Us With the Blog?

Well, in a way, for the same reason the Fat Cyclist started his blog. Not because I’m fat – I’m not, if anything I’m thin – but to keep track of my “come back” (that’ll be fun for you, then) and to keep myself motivated with riding.

If you’re a cyclist, I’m sure you know what it’s like on those cold, dark winter nights when the last thing you want to do is get yourself out on the bike. So you sit, watching TV on the settee instead and before you know it, 4 years have passed.

But I promise not to bore you too much with BMI stats and readings from my array of electronic timing devices even though it is an obsession of mine.

Just to prove it, here’s me having fallen off my bike. Ha ha ha. Good times.

Not tiredness, just incompetance

One Last Thing, Chain Suck?

According to a popular interweb based reference, chain suck is:

The tendency of a chain to stick to chain rings and be sucked up into the bike instead of coming off the chainring. Primarily caused by worn chainrings and rust on small chain rings, under high loads, and in dirty conditions.

In short it’s a mechanical problem that’s mostly caused by poor maintenance meaning you can’t shift gears/fall off your bike. Not best.

And, although it’s quite a negative name, I think it pretty much sums up my relationship with cycling. I most certainly do suck at it – Paul Kimmaage (huck-puh!) once said

When God created bike riders, he created thoroughbreds and donkeys.

Well I know which I am – and an asthmatic one, at that. I find cycling endless difficult, extremely frustrating and quite often like banging my head against a brick wall on wheels. But I’m hooked, so what can I do?