Search found 146 matches

by MickTheCyclist
13 Oct 2016, 10:55pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Flat bar touring bikes (particularly the LHT)
Replies: 75
Views: 8741

Re: Flat bar touring bikes (particularly the LHT)

I've never understood the drop bar v flat bar thing. I swapped my drop bars for flats on my galaxy. The cross bar is in exactly the same position as on the drop bars and the bull horns are in exactly the same position as the hoods on the drop bars. Why would the handling change? I can't see or feel any differences except I have a wider and more comfortable position.
by MickTheCyclist
13 Oct 2016, 10:48pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: School Run - Normal is as normal does
Replies: 6
Views: 1251

Re: School Run - Normal is as normal does

2 questions
1) how's the saddle
2) how many school runs to reach Southern Africa
by MickTheCyclist
7 Oct 2016, 9:37pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Irish overtaking video
Replies: 9
Views: 1361

Re: Irish overtaking video

Pyranha wrote:I was on Aran a couple of weeks ago - nice hills! The TV in the hotel was tuned into UTV rather than Scottish (I suspect that's becaus we were on the west side of the island), and showed road safety films fairly frequently - the mobile phone ones point out that there's not much so urgent that it's worth your or someone else's life, and what can happen in the time it takes you to look.

Possibly worth searching for. I do think it's a shame neither English or Scottish TV seem to have the guts for such.


Search for the DOE Roadsafety channel in YouTube. Hard to watch. Gets the message across.
by MickTheCyclist
9 May 2016, 6:57am
Forum: Cycling UK Topics and Discussions
Topic: 2016 AGM
Replies: 40
Views: 16392

Re: 2016 AGM

Thanks Chris. I was thinking about not renewing my membership in July due to all the changes. Your post has convinced me. I first joined CTC in 1982. The CTC has left me.
by MickTheCyclist
23 Apr 2016, 10:19am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Losing weight
Replies: 45
Views: 2787

Re: Losing weight

Mark1978 wrote:
NATURAL ANKLING wrote:Hi,
Mark1978 wrote:You've been eating too much. Sounds blunt but that's the physics of the situation.

Oh and good luck btw. I've lost 11kg this year with 11kg to go to my goal.


That's quite a bit in that time.
Hope its nothing silly, It took me two years to lose that much, I was afraid of losing any muscle.


Nah works out to about 1.5lb per week which is pretty normal. Just by cutting down nothing more really.


I agree with that. I've lost exactly the same since Jan 1st. Just cut out alcohol, chocolate and snacks between meals.
by MickTheCyclist
11 Mar 2016, 8:11pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bike Hire in Passau recommendations?
Replies: 5
Views: 1388

Re: Bike Hire in Passau recommendations?

Many thanks for all the suggestions. The links reminded me I should have tried google first and so I just found http://fahrradklinik-passau.de/ which MuirSR just mentioned. The Sat close will be the problem as they arrive about 3pm on a Sat.
I should have remembered that shop as I sat outside it at the bar next door a few years ago. Just at the bridge if I remember. Must have been the beer :)
But looks like there are a number of options. Thanks again all.
by MickTheCyclist
9 Mar 2016, 9:19pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bike Hire in Passau recommendations?
Replies: 5
Views: 1388

Bike Hire in Passau recommendations?

Anyone recommend a bike hire shop in Passau? My daughter and her boyfriend looking to hire in Passau and return the bikes in Vienna. They could return to Passau by train with the bikes but finishing in Vienna would be better.
Basic touring bikes with panniers for the Daube path.
Thanks
by MickTheCyclist
5 Mar 2016, 7:33pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Ergon PC2 Pedals
Replies: 2
Views: 473

Re: Ergon PC2 Pedals

I've had them on my Galaxy for 3 years. I'm very happy with the comfort and grip. I use them with normal trainers in winter and sandals in summer. I'm sure Brucey is right about efficiency but I didn't notice any difference when I switched from SPDs.
by MickTheCyclist
22 Jun 2015, 6:51pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: (not) road rage in Belfast
Replies: 4
Views: 795

(not) road rage in Belfast

Just thought I'd share the following 'incident' from my commute this morning.
I'm sitting at red traffic lights in the ASL waiting to turn right.
Taxi pulls up right beside me completely in the ASL. His window is fully down.

Me 'Hello, you know shouldn't enter the cycle box when the light is red'
Him, 'Yes, I know, I'm sorry about that.
Me (as the lights change), 'OK, have a nice day'
Him, 'You too'
by MickTheCyclist
11 Jun 2015, 1:01am
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: What would you do.....
Replies: 62
Views: 2650

Re: What would you do.....

thirdcrank wrote:
MickTheCyclist wrote: ... Following the Highway Code is often given as a reason why you should wear one. But the HC says you 'should' wear one; it doesn't say 'must'. The 'should' makes it a recommendation not a compulsion. So by exercising your choice not to wear one, you are following the HC perfectly. Helmet compulsion contradicts the HC.


I think that's a misunderstanding of the force of the HC. Read the HC forward for an explanation of how its advice may be used in court proceedings.


I wasn't thinking of court proceedings. Just pointing out the HC wording doesn't mean compulsion.
by MickTheCyclist
11 Jun 2015, 12:58am
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: What would you do.....
Replies: 62
Views: 2650

Re: What would you do.....

Steady rider wrote:
Exclusion from this event due to my desire to ride without helmet is effectively discrimation under current NI legislation.


How would a case proceed and costs and would you have support from the CTC to bring a case?



The issue can be referred to the Equality Commission who might have an interest in pursuing it but I suspect not.
No I would only use the possibility to see if I could change the organisers position.
by MickTheCyclist
10 Jun 2015, 1:11am
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: What would you do.....
Replies: 62
Views: 2650

Re: What would you do.....

Vorpal wrote:IMO, the only valid reason to require a helmet is that the Highway Code recommends them. But then, it should be sifficient to include a statement that participants are responsible to follow the Highway Code.


Following the Highway Code is often given as a reason why you should wear one. But the HC says you 'should' wear one; it doesn't say 'must'. The 'should' makes it a recommendation not a compulsion. So by exercising your choice not to wear one, you are following the HC perfectly. Helmet compulsion contradicts the HC.
by MickTheCyclist
10 Jun 2015, 1:02am
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: What would you do.....
Replies: 62
Views: 2650

Re: What would you do.....

Anyway here's my thoughts on a possible approach. Anyone think it's worth a try.....

Northern Ireland has very comprehensive equality legislation, which basically says organisations must treat everyone equally regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation or political views.
Helmet wearing is clearly a political issue because:
1) A helmet compulsion law was proposed and debated in the assembly
2) I actively participated in that by correspondence with my MLA during the debate and indirectly through my support and membership of CTC who gave evidence to the assembly.

So I can establish that my view on helmet compulsion is a valid political view and can demonstrate I have a history of active engagement with that view. Exclusion from this event due to my desire to ride without helmet is effectively discrimation under current NI legislation.

Thoughts?
by MickTheCyclist
10 Jun 2015, 12:46am
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: What would you do.....
Replies: 62
Views: 2650

Re: What would you do.....

On the whole Health and Safety topic. I don't have much knowledge here but doesn't H&S legislation apply only to the workplace to make it safer for employees and customers/visitors. What H&S legislation applies to a public event on a public road? Or is 'Health and Safety' simply shorthand for 'we might be sued'.
Also if H&S is a real issue then the organiser needs to enforce a much wider set of possibilities covering brakes, steering, hairline cracks in carbon frames; all of these affect the a ferry of participants.
by MickTheCyclist
7 Jun 2015, 8:35pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Benefits of cycling very slowly
Replies: 35
Views: 2835

Re: Benefits of cycling very slowly

beardy wrote:
allows me to change foot position regularly on a long tour day.


Do you like to do that? I like my foot to stay in exactly the same position.


Yes, that's why I said it :)
I've never understood why the ability to have different hand positions is a good thing, e.g. when discussing handlebars. But changing foot position is not.