Search found 1226 matches

by Nutsey
27 Oct 2011, 1:51pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: e-petition - Road Tax!
Replies: 36
Views: 3869

Re: e-petition - Road Tax!

I wouldn't dismiss it just cos of the spelling.

The first one to reach 100,000 was the "rioters should loose their benefits" one.
by Nutsey
27 Oct 2011, 1:35pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Targeted red light jumping
Replies: 43
Views: 4029

Re: Targeted red light jumping

I jump some reds.

It doesn't really speed up the journey. I just jump if I know its about to go green for a safe head start.

Interestingly the Germans and Dutch (iirc) realise the importance of getting away from junctions before cars, and have a special green light for bikes that lets them do this.


i wouldn't do it unless I knew the lights/junction well.
by Nutsey
27 Oct 2011, 1:11pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: New commute questions
Replies: 4
Views: 567

Re: New commute questions

Ayesha wrote:My usual commute is 14 miles. Most of it is no streetlighting. I use a P7 lenser torch as a headlamp and two LED rear lamps and a big reflector.

Try not to use off road tracks in the dark ( or the light for that matter ). There are lots of puncture causing objects on rough tracks.

I ride a hardtail MTB with disc brakes, full mudguards and road slicks. The discs give good stopping power in the rain. The full mudguards are worth their weight in gold with a front splash flap fitted that goes to 5mm from the road surface when forks are compressed.
It has bar-ends for a nice comfy hand position.

The P7 lenser takes Maplins rechargeables and they get charged in a Tesco 'smart charger' in two hours. Life in use is about 90 minutes on full beam.

13 miles will become too short next summer.


Ah hadn't considered rehcargeable batteries. Noted.
by Nutsey
27 Oct 2011, 1:09pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: New commute questions
Replies: 4
Views: 567

Re: New commute questions

PW wrote:Schmidt hub & IQ Cyo. Your investments should pay for it. :twisted:


Gotta cash 'em in first. Just opened a short on the FTSE as it happens. if i get stopped out I might make this purchase.
by Nutsey
27 Oct 2011, 1:00pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Lowering Brompton gearing
Replies: 11
Views: 5002

Re: Lowering Brompton gearing

Just change the fron ring/chain thing. The thing around the pedal. Costs about 25 quid iirc, and makes pedalling about 20% easier ... but lower top speed i think.

I considered doing this change on mine but then I just got fit and forgot about it.
by Nutsey
27 Oct 2011, 12:58pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Lidl Lights...
Replies: 18
Views: 3366

Re: Lidl Lights...

Lidl also has super-warm skiing mittens at the moment. Bit OTT for autumn but won't have frozen fingers this winter :D
by Nutsey
27 Oct 2011, 12:51pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: New commute questions
Replies: 4
Views: 567

New commute questions

Greetings

For my new job I will have to travel 13 miles rather than 5 each way, and maybe change bikes, or bits of bike. I just thought some of you might have some tips.

Current commute is 5 miles through busy city, on a 3 speed Brompton. Its great. No problems. Battery lights.

New commute is 13 miles, rural, dark, bit hilly, even offroad possibly.


I have a steel frame tourer that I will use as it'll be way faster, but will require reliable lighting, and maybe other mods to make it more clean/maintainable.

- What are the alternatives to battery lights? Lights powered at night from my house electric socket? Dynamo-powered but presumably expensive modification? Just buying loads of batteries?

- Tips on cleaning and minimising cost/effort of maintaining a touring bike with clunky gears for commuting 30 miles a day. Bike shop said converting to hub would cost loads, and it can't fit a chain guard.

- Anyone have knowledge of the 'Middlewood Way' (old railway line, no cars) from Macclesfield to Marple? Too muddy/unrideable?

- Is 13 miles each way a lot? Personally I think about 8 would be ideal. 13 might be stretching it a bit? Certainly gunna be a sweat-fest. I'm fit though, just don't wanna end up feeling like its a chore every day.

- 1 pannier or 2? 2 seems overkill, 1 feels wrong...

- How much 'breaking in' do studded shwalbe marathons require before its actually icey?

- How do I retire my Brompton without crying? I feel like I'm dumping a girlfriend :oops:
by Nutsey
13 Oct 2011, 4:06pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why don't families cycle together?
Replies: 61
Views: 5936

Re: Why don't families cycle together?

Did anybody watch the film "The Road" and think "that family wouldn't struggle so much if they just cycled" ?
by Nutsey
13 Oct 2011, 3:34pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Beware after friday...
Replies: 14
Views: 1453

Re: Beware after friday...

eileithyia wrote:
Nutsey wrote:Is my tea room on Chorley Old Rd no longer safe? :|


Which tea room, curley's?


The wooden one by the fishing pond.
by Nutsey
13 Oct 2011, 3:18pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bikeability
Replies: 11
Views: 1448

Re: Bikeability

iirc the cash set aside for bikeability is bigger than ever. i suspect how it is spent is down to your LA, and restricted as they please. a bunch of other central transport grants were scrapped though, so militant LAs may use kids as pawns in their political protests against the alleged cuts.
by Nutsey
13 Oct 2011, 3:06pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Two abreast - what can be done about it?
Replies: 148
Views: 12360

Re: Two abreast - what can be done about it?

karlt wrote:Argh - I'm letting your drivel draw me back in again...


I have this alluring effect on people. Works well on the females.
by Nutsey
13 Oct 2011, 2:47pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Two abreast - what can be done about it?
Replies: 148
Views: 12360

Re: Two abreast - what can be done about it?

Eat less, says obesity strategy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15289625

:mrgreen:

"The message formed a central theme of the new obesity strategy for England as part of an attempt to stress the importance of personal responsibility.

Ministers said the state would support people to make the right choices, but ruled out legislation to force change - to the disappointment of campaigners"

See? This is what I was getting at above. The campaigners want forced change in eating habits, but the governemtn isn't quite willing to enforce change .... yet.
by Nutsey
13 Oct 2011, 2:42pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Two abreast - what can be done about it?
Replies: 148
Views: 12360

Re: Two abreast - what can be done about it?

Edwards wrote:Jonty remember the Mental Health thread. I am so very sorry to be the one to tell you this but you have a very serious problem. It showed in that and now it is right up there of those needing help.


I'm no epidemiologist, but I'm pretty sure you can't spread this desease over the internet.

I'm very passionate about mental health.

nutsey
by Nutsey
13 Oct 2011, 2:40pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Two abreast - what can be done about it?
Replies: 148
Views: 12360

Re: Two abreast - what can be done about it?

Did you not get the memo, jonty? We need to 'understand' these victims better, give them a hug etc. A hug from behind, lifting under the ribs, just after their double pie and chips.

Sort of like a Heimlich alternative to the citizens arrest, as part of the Big Society zeitgeist.

nutsey
by Nutsey
13 Oct 2011, 1:48pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Dating a Dawes Galaxy
Replies: 19
Views: 4560

Re: Dating a Dawes Galaxy

I once dated a Pashley but she turned out to be a Surly Trucker.