Wind and rain - could be a rerun of 1951 which I was privileged to watch on TV.
It's a sad state of affairs - although the lower Thames was pretty well dead at the time there was a massive improvement until someone came up with the bright idea that privatisation would solve all ills.
Search found 2933 matches
- 29 Mar 2024, 10:55am
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Sweage Releases Into Rivers
- Replies: 5
- Views: 170
- 29 Mar 2024, 10:39am
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: New funding for Kent cycling routes
- Replies: 6
- Views: 401
Re: New funding for Kent cycling routes
I could make a remark about Birmingham being in the North - but I lived in Scotland for some years so I don't think of it as being "Northern"
I must say the "improved" towpath will do little to compensate for the loss of HS2 - I assume the funding comes from the money left over from scrapping HS2 - basically what's left is a Birmingham to nowhere line.
Sorry for the thread drift.
- 29 Mar 2024, 10:26am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: GPX devices...Garmin alternative
- Replies: 34
- Views: 1240
Re: GPX devices...Garmin alternative
The loss of accuracy is temporary - I've occasionally lost signal under those conditions - but it will be restored as far as location is concerned as soon as the signal returns - usually doesn't take long so it isn't bound to be inaccurate.tim-b wrote: ↑29 Mar 2024, 7:19amThat's the nature of GPS unfortunately. It's bound to be less accurate for a variety of reasons including the accuracy of the satellite signal being bounced around on its journey from orbit, loss of signal due to buildings and woodland, etc....a speedo that's less accurate than a knotted rope...snip
I have one one occasion had a bounced signal which caused my etrex 30 to show that I had travelled further than I had - that's all it still reverted to giving me my correct location - looking at the route plot it showed that I had travelled several miles off route and back instantaneously - I didn't notice at the time.
It's a very rare event and isn't a problem except that if I were using my etrex in a time trial ( not that I have time trialled for decades) it would be a nuisance (as one well known time triallist found to her chagrin. )
If I want a definite mileage record - something I like to do when touring - I have a basic wired cycle computer.
I don't like the idea of a chargeable GPS device - I prefer replaceable batteries - only a couple of minutes to swap for a fresh pair of AA when the power goes.
- 27 Mar 2024, 11:46am
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: New funding for Kent cycling routes
- Replies: 6
- Views: 401
Re: New funding for Kent cycling routes
When I've ridden it - some years past - the river banks seemed to be very popular with anglers - sometimes it was difficult to get past.gaz wrote: ↑26 Mar 2024, 8:21pmSeems that the money will go on rebuilding the Medway tow path route between Aylesford and Allington that has been closed for about four years.
In my view,
Pros: Certainly needs fixing, not likely to attract opposition.
Cons: It's a primarily leisure focused route with a host of unresolvable issues that will prevent if from ever being more than that.
Inevitably there are meandering pedestrians - not great for cycling - probably ticks a box or two.
- 26 Mar 2024, 9:53am
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Air Pollution - Will They Act Now?
- Replies: 151
- Views: 8956
Re: Air Pollution - Will They Act Now?
I note that there is a row of parked cars in the background all partly on the pavement - presumably she isn't against that.reohn2 wrote: ↑25 Mar 2024, 1:01pmShe's an idiot like the rest of the Tories who've ruined this country!Pebble wrote: ↑25 Mar 2024, 12:34pm ........This is quite funny (sorry twitter link) Tory Mayoral Candidate for Manchester is campaigning against clean air...
https://twitter.com/LauraEvansTeam/stat ... 2362319110
pledges "we will not have any of these clean air zones in manchester"
I wonder if her car is among them?
- 25 Mar 2024, 2:57pm
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: New funding for Kent cycling routes
- Replies: 6
- Views: 401
Re: New funding for Kent cycling routes
I assume it will be the usual disjointed system.
There will be shared use infrastructure put in where it is convenient to do so - often providing extra parking space for motorists.
I have a decently laid path near me which when not blocked by HGV's gives me the opportunity of visiting the Amazon warehouse.
There will be shared use infrastructure put in where it is convenient to do so - often providing extra parking space for motorists.
I have a decently laid path near me which when not blocked by HGV's gives me the opportunity of visiting the Amazon warehouse.
- 25 Mar 2024, 10:05am
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?
- Replies: 103
- Views: 2949
Re: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?
Not a particularly informative piece.Psamathe wrote: ↑25 Mar 2024, 9:52amA disappointing article in that whilst I can't dispute the claims it makes, the article really doesn't support its claims either. Normally such articles would have some tables listing a wide rnge of similar western countries so you can see how UK compares rather than "less than <couple of selected named countries>".reohn2 wrote: ↑25 Mar 2024, 8:50am UK has the oldest housing stock the least floor space per person in Europe and pays the most for it according to an article in Sky news:- https://news.sky.com/story/uk-spends-mo ... o-13099925
My personal view is it's poor reporting.
Ian
We have other problems in this country like homelessness and insecurity of tenure.
We are desperately short of social housing - little has been done about this since the council house sell off in the eighties.
It's also exacerbated by the large amount of immigration adding to the demand.
- 25 Mar 2024, 9:52am
- Forum: Health and fitness
- Topic: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?
- Replies: 97
- Views: 5063
Re: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?
A couple of weeks ago I had a dental checkup.
My dentist remarked that I didn't look my age and asked me what medication I took.
I don't take any medication and I explained that I cycle and walk plus lift weights a couple of times a week.
He told me that his father and uncle never took any exercise and spent a lot of their later years sitting in armchairs - both living into their nineties.
We agreed that long life was probably mainly due to genetics.
Who was it that said "whenever I feel like taking exercise I lie down until I feel better"
My dentist remarked that I didn't look my age and asked me what medication I took.
I don't take any medication and I explained that I cycle and walk plus lift weights a couple of times a week.
He told me that his father and uncle never took any exercise and spent a lot of their later years sitting in armchairs - both living into their nineties.
We agreed that long life was probably mainly due to genetics.
Who was it that said "whenever I feel like taking exercise I lie down until I feel better"
- 25 Mar 2024, 9:34am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1041
Re: Best tyres for touring
I like continental gator skins on my road bikes . No plans for tubeless .
[/quote]
I wonder what qualities you're looking for that Gatorskins don't offer?
I use them for my kind of touring (short trips mostly), in fact I just have them on all my bikes for simplicity's sake.
[/quote]
I think gatorskins are a very good all round tyre. I've used them for touring in the past - IME they are as puncture resistant as the heavy Marathon + but don't have the weight or the harsh ride.
I will concede that they are not as good at road holding in slippery conditions and I use 4 seasons in winter and for touring - better road holding but the tread seems softer and more susceptible to minor cuts.
- 23 Mar 2024, 9:33am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Brompton case / luggage storage at Schiphol
- Replies: 5
- Views: 265
Re: Brompton case / luggage storage at Schiphol
Yes I do much the same - dismantle bike- put it in bag with padding - dispose of padding at other end - carry bag as luggage - doesn't add much.simonhill wrote: ↑23 Mar 2024, 12:29am Hotel or disposable is usually cheaper for any more than a few days.
€9 isn't too bad, it's £12 to15 a day at London airports. (£1.70 for full size bike in Bangkok airport).
If leaving at hotel not feasible then another option would be a bag. I bought one for my Brompton, about £20 online. It was for COVID but plans weren't possible. I do use a bag for full size bike - sides padded with bits of cardboard, almost makes it into a bike box. Bits of cardboard easier to source than a whole box. Then carry bag on tour.
Find padding on return - not too hard.
I carry such tools as I need to dismantle bike in order to be able to reassemble - that makes a fairly minimal tool kit.
- 23 Mar 2024, 9:24am
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: M2 Medway viaduct foot/cycletrack closed 19Jun 2023 - 21 March 2024
- Replies: 3
- Views: 560
Re: M2 Medway viaduct foot/cycletrack closed 19Jun 2023 - 21 March 2024
Thanks for the info gaz.
Although if minor works are continuing I'll be looking out for construction lorries and materials piled in the path.
- 20 Mar 2024, 9:18am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Fitting Shimano Cues U 4010 40/ 26 Chainset
- Replies: 14
- Views: 731
Re: Fitting Shimano Cues U 4010 40/ 29 Chainset
I converted a triple chainset to an alpine double - something like 42/24.
My main difficulty was finding a suitable front derailleur.
I found an old dura ace mech which worked - some chain rub on small/small but I didn't need that combination.
It was ok when I got used to it but I find a triple set up works better for my needs.
My main difficulty was finding a suitable front derailleur.
I found an old dura ace mech which worked - some chain rub on small/small but I didn't need that combination.
It was ok when I got used to it but I find a triple set up works better for my needs.
- 19 Mar 2024, 10:01am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Would it be unreasonable … ?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 1694
Re: Would it be unreasonable … ?
Perhaps you are driving too close?cycle tramp wrote: ↑19 Mar 2024, 9:05am
...I will say during those times when I and driving, I am alot more patient behind bike riders who aren't trying to damage my eyesight with a bloody stoooopid bright red flashing light...
- 19 Mar 2024, 9:46am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Something to bear in mind when choosing a ferry company...
- Replies: 1
- Views: 303
Re: Something to bear in mind when choosing a ferry company...
I usually use DFDS on that account - but I think P&O are the only ferry company on the Dover/Calais route taking foot passengers - the only choice we found when we wanted to do a train trip around France ( Eurostar was having problems ).
Did anyone seriously think that this government was going to do anything to upset it's chums?
Did anyone seriously think that this government was going to do anything to upset it's chums?
- 19 Mar 2024, 8:52am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Would it be unreasonable … ?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 1694
Re: Would it be unreasonable … ?
+1 - My front "flasher" is tilted downwards but is bright enough to be seen.Nearholmer wrote: ↑19 Mar 2024, 8:45amLike the vast majority of other cyclists I see out on rural roads, I use a pretty ordinary “flasher” front and rear during the daytime. I also choose a top/jacket that is a good bright colour (I favour bright orange). And, I wear a helmet, having chosen a white one, because I’ve noticed that they seem to show up quite well too.If you have a dazzling flashing front light, please don't use it on the road either.
Now, doubtless at least some, possibly all, of those measures that I take to be seen will bring the wrath, opprobrium, or whatever, of some part of this forum down on me for some supposed sin against the interests of cyclists. That won’t alter my choices.
I often encounter other cyclists similarly equipped - I can't recall being dazzled.