Search found 196 matches

by NickWi
29 Sep 2023, 1:39pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Sun in their eyes
Replies: 12
Views: 4729

Sun in their eyes

Another motorist with the 'Sun in Eyes' excuse, this time though he failed to see a car.
https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/loc ... uest-told/
by NickWi
14 Aug 2023, 11:04pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Cycling UK Insurance
Replies: 2
Views: 3475

Cycling UK Insurance

Okay, so we all know that being a member comes with benefits, one of which is insurance. However question 3 of the FAQs section says that bicycles "Where the main source of propulsion is electrical, the cycle would not be covered" AND "only has electric assistance then it would be covered". This implies that ebikes bought before 2016 (when throttles were legal) would not be covered by CUK's insurance as arguable that if an ebike had a throttle the main source of propulsion would be electrical and it certainly doesn't have "only' electrical assistance.

Could someone who knows the ins & outs of the insurance clarify this point please.
https://www.cyclinguk.org/sites/default ... 2023_1.pdf
by NickWi
19 Jun 2023, 2:58pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Dehydrated meal suggestions required
Replies: 25
Views: 5536

Re: Dehydrated meal suggestions required

My take on dehydrated or other camp meals is they taste pretty rubbish when you test them out in the kitchen, but having spent 8 or 10 hours walking or cycling, when you've got your tent pitch on the ridge, watching the sun go down with maybe with a wee dram out of the hip flask, they taste bloody brilliant. Hunkered down inside your tent because it's p*ssing down and the only view you've got is of your flysheet, they still taste rubbish though!

It's also worthwhile looking at the contents of a military 24hr ration pack. Obvious the food is designed to give a good calorific content, but some of the other things they put into them, like some sweets, flavoured drinks powder and a few treats make an other functional meal pack, into something you enjoy eating. Remember food is for the soul as well as the body.
by NickWi
18 Jun 2023, 2:27pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: King Alfred’s Way Solstice restrictions past Stonehenge?
Replies: 12
Views: 887

Re: King Alfred’s Way Solstice restrictions past Stonehenge?

In the UK, bicycles are considered vehicles under the Road Traffic Act of 1988 and as the link you've provided says 'Wiltshire Council has made orders to temporarily close to all vehicles, . . . . etc:' by definition this therefore includes bicycles. So yes, you are very likely to be stopped. However, I think I'd be more concerned about the who am I sharing the roads with. After all the hippies have partied since dawn & then during the day and into the night, image what wrecks you're likely to encounter the next morning. IF you stick to the byways I doubt you'll meet any. On the road with all those ancient camper vans. I'd give those roads on a miss thank you
by NickWi
16 Jun 2023, 7:23pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Ebike warranty advice pls - should chain off cause catastrophic damage?
Replies: 21
Views: 1478

Re: Ebike warranty advice pls - should chain off cause catastrophic damage?

I think you're going to be pushing your luck with this one. Six months since it's seen a mechanic is way too long for any company to accept responsibility for a 'mechanical'. They don't know how the bikes been ridden, stored, had what leaned against it or how it's been treated. The exception to that is if the mechanical has caused by a product failure. You got a stone stuck in the rear derailleur and everything jammed up, your problem. The jockey wheel collapsed and everything jammed up, their problem. I don't see that you've got much choice but to make the trip and let them examine it. You might not like what they say, but it ain't going to get sorted by sending them photos.

As for them forgetting to remind you that an initial inspection was due and they didn't. Well, the bottom line is, it's your responsibility to call them to get the bike booked in, not theirs to call you. Or maybe as the dealer was 1.5hrs away and everything was running fine, you thought I'll not bother. That's not a personal dig at you, we've all thought, sod it, it'll be okay and 99.9% of the time it is, but whatever reason that made you not have the inspected was yours and you can't hold the dealer responsible for that.
by NickWi
16 Jun 2023, 3:54pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Steam Engine damaging roads in Shropshire
Replies: 21
Views: 3790

Re: Steam Engine damaging roads in Shropshire

Bonefishblues wrote: 16 Jun 2023, 3:36pm
You say that, but I can show you places where the unwary cyclist who hasn't used a road before can be funnelled into a diminishing gap between the crevasses :(
Erm, we all ride road we don't know and isn't that all part of what's called roadcraft. You know, looking ahead, reading the road and acting accordingly. If you can't do that you shouldn't be riding on the road.
by NickWi
16 Jun 2023, 1:52pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Steam Engine damaging roads in Shropshire
Replies: 21
Views: 3790

Re: Steam Engine damaging roads in Shropshire

Just as campaigners say that the bicycle predates the car and therefore have greater rights, the steam road traction engine predates the bicycle so you could perfectly argue the same. And yes, they are perfectly legal.
by NickWi
16 Jun 2023, 12:01pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike security
Replies: 54
Views: 2690

Re: Bike locks ?

Pinhead wrote: 11 Jun 2023, 1:18pm Thanks then ordered this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JXVKGF4? ... ct_details
Don't trust the cable for anything valuable. The lock itself looks to be good, but the cable, in fact any cable that's small enough in diameter to be transportable can be cut through in seconds. Don't get me wrong, it's still a visible deterrent, but your U Lock is your security.
by NickWi
8 Jun 2023, 2:12pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: The National Trust: one small step for man, one giant car park for mankind.
Replies: 88
Views: 11368

Re: The National Trust: one small step for man, one giant car park for mankind.

What you have to remember is the NT is now a Charity, and like all big charities nowadays, that means it run as a business. Yes, it still does get money from the Government, but it's on a grant for a project basis rather than the old here's the cash, spend it as you see fit basis. They also own over 250,000 hectares of farmland, pubs, coastline and cottages, as well as all those stately homes, a lot of which need constant and expensive repairs, and they can't sell off bits to pay for those repairs. Hence they run the honey pots as businesses. As many punters through the door as they can and extract the minimum amount of money from them when they're there. Arkwright would be proud.

Which brings us back to the OP's original point, a new & big car park with no or few facilities for cyclists. This clearly demonstrates we (cyclists), just don't feature in their business model. It's nothing personal, just a business model that equates car/coach based punters as it's main revenue stream. If cyclists turned up in their hundred or thousands at venues across the country every weekend, they'd sharp change their facilities, they don't and demographic age of the average NT member means they never will, so why should they.
by NickWi
17 May 2023, 9:49am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: E bikemotion charging
Replies: 7
Views: 1281

Re: E bikemotion charging

My Gain was five years old last month and still runs just fine and whilst I've washed, cleaned and maintained the bike myself it's never been near a dealer, it's running whatever software it came with and the battery is original.

As a general rule post ride I wash, clean and lube my bikes and keep them in good condition, and since getting the Gain, tend to plug it in to charge it after I've done that in readiness for the the next ride. About two years ago and due to an illness I had about a year of not riding at all (and both the bike & ranger extender were fully charged) and no harm seems to have been done. The OEM batter is 5years old now and as you'd expect with any Li battery has lost a small amount of capacity, but it's not a worry. I have a range extender and If I know I'm going out for a rider of 30miles+ I take that with me. Bottom line, to me anyway. Life's to short to worry about the intricate technicalities of battery storage & charging and even if storing incorrectly has degraded the battery slightly, it's by such a small amount I don't notice it. I still ride my Gain as a electrically assisted bike, not an electric bike. The main drive comes from me and I appreciate the assistants on the hills and headwinds rather than needing it on the flat.

Changing the subject, looking back at 5yrs worth of Gain ownership. My Gain started life as an Aluminium framed D20 with a Sram 1x11 Gravel set up and obviously things have changed on newer models, but in no particular order a few thoughts.

1. The first thing I did was dump the OEM tyres. It was like riding through treacle. I thought I'd appreciate the softer ride of the larger gravel tyres. NO. Putting on some decent road tyres and they made a world of difference to both the ride and range.
2. Paintwork is sh*t. It chips way too easily. Catch the frame with a lock, lean it against one of the other bikes, you name it it chips, not scratches, chips.
3. Rest of the kit is really good though. In my case it's Sram Rival 1x11 with disc brakes. Apart from having to replace the chain everything else has just works and continues to do so. After this length of time/miles, I've never even had to tweak a spoke!
4. The first Range Extender went back under warranty as it was causing the pink/purple error message. The replacement didn't and three years on and counting later is fine.
5. I've added a rack & mudguards to mine and to all intent & purpose looks like your ubiquitous tourer, albeit bright Orange. That suits me fine and to this day I still get people asking me 'is that an e-bike?'.
6. Going back to the main point of this thread, as mentioned above I haven't been particularly caring with battery power percentage / storage ratio, and you know what, it doesn't seemed to have mattered.
by NickWi
9 May 2023, 5:03pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Illegal to carry a bike lock & arrestable offence if locking your bike up impedes others
Replies: 141
Views: 12538

Re: Illegal to carry a bike lock & arrestable offence if locking your bike up impedes others

Psamathe wrote: 9 May 2023, 4:29pm Ian Tomlinson?

Ian
Thanks Jdsk'; and okay, Mr Tomlinson was caught up in a demonstration and the police office should not have struck him, pushed him to the ground and all the other stuff they failed to do. What's that got to do with it? We're talking about carrying a bicycle lock in a bag, either innocently or with intent.
by NickWi
9 May 2023, 4:22pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Illegal to carry a bike lock & arrestable offence if locking your bike up impedes others
Replies: 141
Views: 12538

Re: Illegal to carry a bike lock & arrestable offence if locking your bike up impedes others

Stevek76 wrote: 9 May 2023, 3:26pm But what if the 'average Joe' happens to have an JSO or any other protest movement t-shirt on but is otherwise going from A to B. Most of them sell merchandise, not uncommon that people wear it just to support a cause.
I notice you deliberately chose to miss out the part where I said "on route to a demonstration". That makes all the difference due to the 'intent' part of the law. You have read the Public Order Acr 2023, Chaper 23, Part 1, Paragraph 2, Subsection 1 haven't you.
Stevek76 wrote: 9 May 2023, 3:26pm As for better things to do, tell that to the westminster council night safety scheme volunteers arrested and detained for hours friday night/saturday morning for doing what they do every friday night/saturday morning.
I trust you are privy to the full circumstances of the arrests. As with all these things, there's what he said, what she said and what actually happened. So far we have press reports around the circumstances and not what actually happened.
by NickWi
9 May 2023, 3:02pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Illegal to carry a bike lock & arrestable offence if locking your bike up impedes others
Replies: 141
Views: 12538

Re: Illegal to carry a bike lock & arrestable offence if locking your bike up impedes others

Biospace wrote: 9 May 2023, 2:23pm
One problem I can foresee is that should you happen to be within half a mile of a protest with a lock in your bag there could well be a problem.
How are the police going to know if you've got a lock in your bag whilst you are cycling along? Now, if you're wearing a 'Not My King' or 'Just Stop Oil' Tee Shirt with a banner bungeed to the side of your bike on route to a demonstration, yeah, that's probably grounds for stopping someone. Stopping the average Joe that cycling responsibly down the road just because his rucksack looks a bit heavy, no, they've got better things to do.
by NickWi
9 May 2023, 12:28pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Illegal to carry a bike lock & arrestable offence if locking your bike up impedes others
Replies: 141
Views: 12538

Re: Illegal to carry a bike lock & arrestable offence if locking your bike up impedes others

It is worth reading the actual Act as it somewhat disagrees with many of the ideas batted around the forum:-
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/15/enacted
My bold & interpretation, but I read it as.

Part 1
1. Offence of locking on
(1)A person commits an offence if—
(a)they—
(i)attach themselves to another person, to an object or to land,
(ii)attach a person to another person, to an object or to land, or
(iii)attach an object to another object or to land,

(b)that act causes, or is capable of causing, serious disruption to—
(i)two or more individuals, or
(ii)an organisation,
in a place other than a dwelling,and
(c)they intend that act to have a consequence mentioned in paragraph (b) or are reckless as to whether it will have such a consequence.

(2)It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that they had a reasonable excuse for the act mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection.

(3)A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum term for summary offences, to a fine or to both.

(4)In subsection (3), “the maximum term for summary offences” means—
(a)if the offence is committed before the time when section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (alteration of penalties for certain summary offences: England and Wales) comes into force, six months;
(b)if the offence is committed after that time, 51 weeks.

(5)In this section “dwelling” means—
(a)a building or structure which is used as a dwelling, or
(b)a part of a building or structure, if the part is used as a dwelling,
and includes any yard, garden, grounds, garage or outhouse belonging to and used with a dwelling.


2. Offence of being equipped for locking on
(1)A person commits an offence if they have an object with them in a place other than a dwelling with the intention that it may be used in the course of or in connection with the commission by any person of an offence under secti,on 1(1) (offence of locking on).
(2)A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine.
(3)In this section “dwelling” has the same meaning as in section 1.


As I read this if you choose to lock your bike to either something inappropriate or in a stupid way, and it causes serious disruption and they can prove you did it deliberately or you just didn't care that by locking it up where & how you did it cause disruption, then you have committed an offence, and frankly, quite rightly so. Just as we complain about cars parking in cycling lanes, pedestrian have the right to complain about bikes locked in stupid places, narrowing the pavement and causing problems for users, particularly those with prams, wheelchairs etc.

The law provides a defence of having 'a reasonable excuse' for locking your bike up how you did, and one bike locked parallel to some railings next to the shop you're in sounds reasonable to me, parked at 90deg to the railings it doesn't. Only case law will decide what is or isn't a reasonable excuse. As for just carry a lock, the law states to commit the offence you must have the intention that it may be used in the course of or in connection with...... It's the similar sort of offence of having a baseball bat in your car. Show the officer the rest of your sports kit, or in our case that you're commuting to work & back, and they haven't got a leg to stand on. If however the same officer finds something like cannabis in your car, then having that baseball bat with you becomes a carrying an offence weapon wrap.

In the grand scheme of things, provided you've locked your bike up sensibly, you aren't blocking anyone and you're carrying a lock because it's necessary, (not because if you think if the police did your job properly I would have to, though I wouldn't actually say that face to face with a confrontational officer), I don't see how this will really affect day to day cyclist.