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Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Friday, 12th October 2012
Calling cyclists and anyone needing encouragement to get the old bike out of the shed.
We are a mixture of ages and types. Some are interested in competitive cycling, some are off-roaders, some potter to the shops.
The Olympics really galvanised our Council when the races came through and they realised the pent-up interest in getting back on 2 wheels.
Will post a link shortly to an interesting collaboration with the Dutch.
A new autumn/winter thread and today I've just been changing the tyres on my mountain bike for the winter, off with the slicks and on with the knobbly tyres to get a better grip on wet and muddy surfaces. Does anyone else change tyres for the winter?
Haven't done that Poorgrass. I suspect you are a more adventurous cyclist than aged Sagethyme but am increasing my distances.
A news item from the London Cycling Campaign. Website link may not work for non-members so have cut&pasted the gist.
Dunno why we have waited so long to seek Dutch advice, but hopefully do not need to reinvent the wheel....
"Next week's Love London, Go Dutch conference will see Transport for London planners and Dutch infrastructure experts team up at a workshop to redesign a central London junction for what we think might be the first time ever.
The Go Dutch workshop takes place on Wednesday 17 October, the day before the conference, with the results presented to the conference audience on Thursday 18 October.
The conference, organised with generous support from the Dutch Embassy and RoyalHaskoningDHV, brings together the best brains in London and from the Netherlands to share ideas on how to make the capital a better cycling city.
The workshop involves a group of infrastructure experts exchanging views over the course of a whole day:
Dutch Cycling Embassy street planners
Transport for London infrastructure experts
Officers from Westminster and Lambeth councils
London Cycling Campaign staff and borough representatives
Living Streets, representing pedestrians"
, in reply to message 3.
Posted by Campbell in Farewell Clogs (U14226916) on Friday, 12th October 2012
Ooh, I suspect there'll be a lot of tooth sucking from the London infrastructure folk when the cloggies start explaining what has to be done...
Sounds like a sensible initiative though. I do feel sorry for people trying to cycle in the UK. I used to regularly cycle from Fife to Edinburgh on the main roads in the early 80s but find the thought of doing so with the amount of traffic on the roads now actually quite frightening.
Fabulous ride into work today, a cool quiet autumn day with the low sun lighting up the reds and yellows of the foliage, riding along the leaf covered cycle track.
I'm always a bit wary of leaf covered tracks. Not only can they be unpredictably slippery, but also you can't see what horrors (thorns, brambles) are lurking beneath. I tend to use puncture resistant tyres these days and negotiate tracks covered in leaves very carefully.
Biggest hazard is the squirrels!
Biggest hazard early this morning was pheasants. Stupid things running aimlessly along the road in front of me, worryingly unpredictable as to which way they're likely to go. A few weeks back I had a bit of a fright from a muntjac deer - they have a habit of appearing from nowhere right in front of you. I think the deer got a bigger fright.
One puncture this morning and two very near misses with nut-crazed squirrels.
Very strange accident. I would have thought a gray squirrel would have crunched nicely under a mountain bike tyre. He says the offending rodent got stuck in the brakes - perhaps that might be an argument in favor of using disc brakes instead of rim ones.
Interesting idea from the US - a laser that shines on the road to create your own "bike lane".
Personally it looks to me as if the lane is a bit narrow, and drivers would probably take no notice anyway.
It reminds me a bit of the fashion in the 1970/80s for reflector flags that attached to the rear seat post and stood out about a foot and a bit on the offside to encourage drivers to take a wider berth. You could probably make a modern equivalent with a piece of wooden or plastic strip and a red LED light on the end of it.
I remember those flags, Poorgrass. My Dad had one on his last bike. Must ask him whther he thought it helped. I googled and found they are still for sale, under £3, but couldn't find relevant evidence one way or the other.
Speaking as an occasional and reluctant motorist, I wish cyclists would make themselves more visible in clothing or anything. Believe me I look out for the 2-wheeled folk, but last weekend a black-clad bloke on a black bike in the drizzle made me tread on the brakes sharpish.
, in reply to message 12.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Tuesday, 23rd October 2012
Speaking as an occasional and reluctant motorist, I wish cyclists would make themselves more visible in clothing or anything. Believe me I look out for the 2-wheeled folk, but last weekend a black-clad bloke on a black bike in the drizzle made me tread on the brakes sharpish.Â
Very valid point. The highway code advises cyclists to wear bright clothes, yet many will go around in tarmac camouflage and berate motorists for ignoring highway code advise/instructions.
, in reply to message 13.
Posted by Fausto etc (U15476812) on Thursday, 25th October 2012
Just had to re invent myself (again) due to beeb absurdity, so just tagging thread.
, in reply to message 14.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Wednesday, 31st October 2012
Now, could Tesburys and others follow this initiative .
, in reply to message 15.
Posted by Poorgrass (U12099742) on Wednesday, 31st October 2012
In fairness the cycle facilities at my nearest (out of town) Tesco and Waitrose are pretty good, with proper covered racks to park your bike and strong frames to chain them to. Our Asda is not so good, despite being adjacent to a cycle "greenway" - last time I went there on the bike I had to chain the bike to a pillar in the car park. Nearby Co-oP is similarly rubbish.
They all could help by sponsoring the development of safe cycle routes leading to their stores.
, in reply to message 16.
Posted by pigsrlovely (U14715579) on Thursday, 1st November 2012
I have just realised I have been listening to a trailer on 5live all week promoting a new magazine programme for cyclists - its called Bespoke -
Its hosted by Colin Murray - I struggle to understand what he is saying at the best of times and although I like him and his enthusiasm wonder what the content of the programme will be.
Perhaps Ill tune it - more likely I wont. i just wanted to let you know in case anyone may be interested.
, in reply to message 17.
Posted by pigsrlovely (U14715579) on Thursday, 1st November 2012
Forgot - its on 5 live - 9 pm on Fridays
, in reply to message 18.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Sunday, 4th November 2012
Ventured out this morning. Now searching on ebay for a seconhand pedalo.
I went for a cross-country ride yesterday on one of my favorite routes and could have done with a pedalo. I rode through several floods, but gave up and turned back when the water was getting close to the bottom bracket - having already got my feet wet. I have heard that it's not a good idea to get water in the bearings. With the ground being so saturated already, it looks like it's going to be a frequent hazard this winter.
, in reply to message 20.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Tuesday, 6th November 2012
Modern hubs are better protected than in the days when you relyed on keeping them jam packed with heavy grease, but by the same token are more problematic to renew/repair when/if water does get inside.
Best to err on the side of wisdom.
I have heard several reports of bearing wreckage caused by folks who thought it a good idea to use a pressure washer on a mucky bike.
, in reply to message 21.
Posted by pigsrlovely (U14715579) on Wednesday, 7th November 2012
Bradley Wiggins was knocked off his bike this evening and it is believed he has several broken bones.
I hope you heal quickly Bradley.
, in reply to message 22.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Thursday, 8th November 2012
I dont know the circumstances of Wiggins accident, but this makes interesting reading on cyclist visability
Yes, only common sense. Out on a ride yesterday afternoon I had hi vis jacket on and 600 candlepower front lamp in flashing mode. It seems to work although even then you have to be careful of idiot drivers that see you and then pull out anyway.
One possible growing threat to us is the use of LED daytime driving lamps on new cars - the EU is pushing this in the interests of "safety" but in this case it seems to be compromising our safety as cyclists by making it harder for us to stand out. I think the only answer is to take advantage of the fact that we're allowed to use flashing lights and drivers are not, and go for the maximum candlepower we can afford - even if it means paying £50 or so on a mega-bright front lamp.
The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú report on Bradley Wiggins.
That driver will be the most unpopular person in the county.
, in reply to message 25.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Thursday, 8th November 2012
I know from my own experience that as long as there are no complications like lung punctures, ribs heal OK, but the sensitivety especially in the first few days is awfull. Sneezing, coughing and laughing will send you through the roof.
Mine are still sensitive some three months after the break.
, in reply to message 26.
Posted by Poorgrass (U12099742) on Saturday, 10th November 2012
Looks like the van driver has been reported for summons for driving without due care and attention.
I hope that will be a warning to other careless motorists.
Unfortunately this evening just after sunset I was coming back from a ride and passed someone on a road bike - he had all the gear and a flash bike, but he was dressed in nonreflective Lycra and with no lights. Some people do let the side down.
, in reply to message 27.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Saturday, 10th November 2012
The dept for transport, have a proposal to increase lorry speeds on single carriageway roads. As most of our cycling is done on such roads, this needs firmly resisting. The proposal is at on the same page you will find a link to the consultation proccess.
Please make your voice heard.
And pass this on to any cycling friends you have.
, in reply to message 28.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Thursday, 22nd November 2012
A cyclists traffic jam, and some amazing videos .
In addition to the amount of cyclists shown, what is very revealing is that almost without exception they are all pedalling efficiently because they have their bikes set up correctly re saddle height.
I do wonder how many UK cyclists only give it one try because they set the bike so that they pedal with their knees coming up around their ears!
, in reply to message 29.
Posted by Poorgrass (U12099742) on Thursday, 22nd November 2012
I suspect that the bicycle manufacturers and also some bicycle shops are at least partly to blame. Most bikes these days seem to come with Ahead head sets - which are great, robust and very simple except that they have a very limited height adjustment. They also usually come with long (100mm+) stems that have no lift. So the problem is that many people, even if they tried to adjust the saddle to the correct height, then find that they are bent over much too far for their comfort in order to reach the handlebars. So rather than thinking about it any further, they drop the saddle height - resulting in all the problems you mention.
Both bikes I've bought recently, I've had to purchase shorter, high rise angle stems to get a comfortable riding position. It does seem to be a bit of a performance, that having spent £400 or so on a new bike you have to then fork out another £20 or so for another stem to make it comfortable.
, in reply to message 30.
Posted by R E Turner olim Theatrical Flouncer (U15494060) on Thursday, 22nd November 2012
I sometimes find that flipping the stem over helos - I generally do it the other way preferring a less sit up and beg/morning glory stem
, in reply to message 31.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Thursday, 22nd November 2012
I was very sceptical about ahead sets, but now acknowledge they are far superior to the older head sets which without the patience of job in setting up were either too loose or too tight.
I havent encountered the need for additional stems as the last bike I built I had to cut circa 5cm from the steerer tube to avoid having a load of spacers above the stem. (THey are not stems anymore and should be retitled as handlebar branches).
There are gizmos that can be attatched to steerer tubes to raise the height of bars should it be required. I agree that if a new bike of the correct frame size requires the bars lifted beyond the range of the steerer tube, it should either be done frr or at minimal cost at time of purchase. Our local bike shop is very good at making changes FOC on new bikes as well as usually giving a discount if requested ie 10% for a CTC member.
Going back to the link I posted, it is revealing that some Dutch citys are now regarding the bike as the primary means of transport in transport planning.
, in reply to message 32.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Friday, 23rd November 2012
Very worthwhile on listen again will be the first 15 mins of todays wimmins hour.
, in reply to message 33.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Thursday, 29th November 2012
Is this saying it like it is?
, in reply to message 34.
Posted by Poorgrass (U12099742) on Thursday, 29th November 2012
I'm afraid I think it's pretty much right. The DoT still seems to be run by Range Rover, Audi and BMW driving, climate change denying unfit individuals that regard pedestrians and cyclists at best as an inconvenience to be gotten out of the way of their speedy journey. Maybe that's unfair, but the pitiful amount given to cycling speaks volumes.
Looks like something nasty on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú1 next Wednesday. The preview on this article does not look very good at all, but no one can see the rest of it yet. I do hope the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú pulls it as it seems to be very irresponsible, but I don't know what cyclists can do to influence them. Any ideas?
, in reply to message 36.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Sunday, 2nd December 2012
It doesnt look as if it is going to be helpfull at all, seems very much as if it is to be a clarckson production. This is the beebs take on things .
I shall be in Cologne on the day, where in the general bikes and other traffic coexist well, so it will be setting up the recorder to see later.
, in reply to message 29.
Posted by Campbell in Farewell Clogs (U14226916) on Sunday, 2nd December 2012
>>>A cyclists traffic jam, and some amazing videos bicycledutch.wordpre... .
<<<
In the Utrecht one that's my main route into town. I got fined 60€ once for cycling across the junction there when the light wasn't green (the polis were waiting behind the theatre on the other side to catch everyone who jumped the light) so I always wait properly now...
The main routes between the centre and the university campus do get very busy at rush hour but it's still easier to get into the city centre by bike than by car. Mr Clogs and I had to go to sign something on the other side of town recently and he had to transfer some stuff there in the car whilst I had to go off somewhere else afterwards so went on the bike. We both arrived at exactly the same time, as I could take the shorter directer route.
, in reply to message 38.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd December 2012
Coo, €60 is a real incentive to behave yourself.
Traffic policeing in the UK is very much left to speed cameras, and just about everything else has degenerated into a sort of anarchy.
Self preservation means that the majority play by the rules, but too much stuff goes on unregulated that gives rise to the sort of TV ptogramme we are anticipating this Wednesday.
, in reply to message 39.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd December 2012
Simply priceless shame it is Australian as the message hold good for the UK as well.
A good antidote to what is expected to be an anti cyclist bias on a couple of beeb TV progs this week.
, in reply to message 40.
Posted by Campbell in Farewell Clogs (U14226916) on Monday, 3rd December 2012
brilliant! 'Grown men with shaved legs!' ; - )
, in reply to message 39.
Posted by Campbell in Farewell Clogs (U14226916) on Monday, 3rd December 2012
>>>Coo, €60 is a real incentive to behave yourself.<<<
to be fair on the polis, it IS a busy junction with buslanes and traffic but the waiting times are long and any responsible adult can judge when it's safe to cross on a bike when the lights are still red. But it is indeed a bad example to set to kids (and I never jump a light if there's a child waiting at it). There is a lot more light discipline there since the fining incident - I suspect lots of regular cyclists across this particular junction have been caught there.
Forgot to say yesterday. I think another reason why bike traffic jams have been happening more in recent years is the growing popularity of bikes with wide 'kiddiecars' on the front. These are slow and bulky and difficult to pass on bike paths. I see more and more young parents with infants in these wee wagon things instead of on the bike seats that used to be more the norm.
, in reply to message 42.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd December 2012
Forgot to say yesterday. I think another reason why bike traffic jams have been happening more in recent years is the growing popularity of bikes with wide 'kiddiecars' on the front. These are slow and bulky and difficult to pass on bike paths. I see more and more young parents with infants in these wee wagon things instead of on the bike seats that used to be more the norm.Â
When I first started to see pictures of these, I did wonder if they could clog up cycle paths. Quite a lot of UK cycle paths (not that we have a lot of cycle paths!) have various obstructions to keep motorbikes off them. Unfortunately this makes it difficult for anyone using a tandem or an adult trike to use the path.
Re the kinder car on the front. I would have thought them a poor alternative to using a trailer.
Many years since I lived in Holland but my little lad used the kiddie seat behind me for many miles once he had got the ability to sit up. (he also slept for many miles behind me).
When he was three I bought a kiddie bike dirt cheap at the Braderie. I assembled it and decided not to fit the stabiliser wheels. He sat on it and I doubt if I went for more than 4 paces holding him up by the saddle when I let go. Off he rode. I think all the miles getting used to the motion of a bike behind me had given him the innate skill to cycle.
I finally got around to watching the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú one program The War on Our Streets this morning and I found it was as bad as everyone feared. Nothing really positive about cycling, just emphasizing the danger from vehicles. Selectively taking extremely bad behavior both by a few drivers and cyclists as "entertainment", no useful advice for either motorists or cyclists. For the first time ever I formally complained to the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú about the program, it's a shame it was ever aired. And it certainly fell well short of the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's usual standards. I hope they got the message loud and clear.
, in reply to message 44.
Posted by Cliff Hanger (U14309141) on Friday, 7th December 2012
Father in law was round for dinner, and the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú4 programme on the history of Rome looked more worthwhile so I recorded that.
Meanwhile back at the office, our director gave me an ear bashing this morning about bringing inside the building. A new carpet is on order, after which she'll ban bikes from the building, pointing to the wet mark left by my tyres.
Conversation then went something like this...
Me: So we need secure outdoor storage.
Director: We don't have any money.
Me: It's crazy that bike storage isn't funded centrally, and the cycling group has lobbied for this to change, but that's how it is. There are two other people in the office who've just bought £1000 bikes under the cycle to work scheme and are not prepared to leave them in the existing racks.
Director: They should have bought cheap bikes for commuting.
Me: They didn't buy bikes solely for getting to work.
Director: The university has no obligation to provide secure bike storage and has no money to spare.
I pointed out the ludicrous conflict with the "Sustainable University" aspiration and the target of increasing the percentage of staff cycling to work.
This was met with disbelief when related to the rest of the office, several of whom intended to start or resume cycling to work in the spring and will now be reconsidering whether to continue driving in. Someone asked me if wheelchairs would be banned if bike tyres were a problem, unfortunately I didn't think of that response at the time.
This is a university library by the way, I'm not expecting students to start bringing slippers to change into.
I watched a documentary on ancient Rome and thought it was great. I caught the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú one program later on i-player. The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú at its very best and very worst in that order IMO.
As for your work problem, oh dear! The obvious answer is secure outdoor storage which could be very cheap but it looks like it's lost on your director. Funny how they can always afford the new carpet which I'm willing to bet cost a pretty penny. I suppose you could always bring all your cars to work and make a point of getting in early - with luck there will be no room left in the car park by the time your director gets there!
, in reply to message 46.
Posted by Cliff Hanger (U14309141) on Friday, 7th December 2012
That's another silly aspect as the car park is oversubscribed and latecomers have to drive to an alternative car park at the other end of town and walk back.
Update on that dreadful documentary on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú1 - some of it was even more faked than originally though.
Haven't heard any apology from the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú yet, despite all the complaints.
On a lighter note, Yorkshire gets the "grand depart" to the 2014 TdeF!
, in reply to message 48.
Posted by Sixties Relic SAVE ML (U13777237) on Friday, 14th December 2012
Hooray hooray!
I am planning to move to Leeds (as soon as I can get my house sold) so I'm giving you all early notice of very expensive B & B accommodation for anyone wanting to come and spend a night ot two chez moi in 2014.
Bring it on!
, in reply to message 48.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Friday, 14th December 2012
Update on that dreadful documentary on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú1 - some of it was even more faked than originally though.Â
Apparently 5 live had an equally bad programme last night which was very cycling negative. Narrated/compered by James Cracknell whos main interest seemed to be in reccomending cycle helmest.
Cracknell is sponsored by a helmet marketting company so not exactly unbiased presentation.
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