Search found 128 matches

by Snakes
11 Jan 2011, 1:41pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Newspaper delivery persons.
Replies: 99
Views: 6574

Re: Newspaper delivery persons.

All I can add is that when I was doing my paper round, between 1984 - 1988/89 my employer at the time was very good at ensuring all his paper boys/girls where well equiped (perhaps I was lucky...) If you didn't have lights on your bike, he'd lend you a set, and all paper boys/girls where also given a flourecent band (the over the shoulder type). To top it all, if you woke one morning to find you had a puncture, but no time to fix it, you could go to the shop and Tony (the Newsagent) would lend you his Butchers bike with the big iron basket on the front, how cool was that!!! I confess, I once purposely turned up without my bike, just so I could ride Tonys! ; ) Shhh

Yes to some degree the responsibility should fall to the newsagent, in the sense that he/she is running a business and employing those under the age of 16 to deliver newspapers, on the other hand, those under 16 often don't think about sensible things such as lights, but do think of the money they can earn... I for one know that should my son wish to undertake a paper round, the least I can do as a parent is to equip him with adequote lighting, and of course an all round working bike!

Snakes
by Snakes
1 Dec 2010, 3:09pm
Forum: CTC Charity Debate
Topic: Incorrect Ballot Papers
Replies: 86
Views: 174634

Re: Incorrect Ballot Papers

Any questions or problems associated with voting forms should be referred to me as Returning Officer at CTC National Office (peter.jackson@ctc.org.uk). All errors will be investigated. Replacement voting forms will be issued if necessary or appropriate.

Peter Jackson
Operations Director / Returning Officer


PLEASE NOTE: THIS POST HAS BEEN PLACED BY CTC STAFF ON BEHALF OF PETER. ANY ISSUES IN RELATION TO THE BALLOT PAPERS SHOULD BE SENT DIRECTLY TO PETER AS PER HIS REQUEST.
by Snakes
26 Nov 2010, 3:04pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Christmas wishlist
Replies: 35
Views: 1877

Re: Christmas wishlist

Well I think... I've been a good lad. So..

Dear Santa,

I'd be very pleased to recieve a nice shiny new hardtail (Orange R8 pro, please), a lovely new racing bike (to replace my lovely old Raliegh Pursuit which died sometime back), and if you think i've been really really good, I'd be more than happy to recieve a new tourer (not sure which, but I'll let you know) just for good measure!!!

Ok, perhaps the above's very greedy!! So how about a nice pair of gloves as it's bitter outside today!!!

Thanks very much Santa, keep warm!

Snakes
by Snakes
19 Nov 2010, 9:55am
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Beginner's Bike
Replies: 2
Views: 1058

Re: Beginner's Bike

Hi Alfredm,

Your question really depends upon many things... If the riding you'll be doing for the majority of time is a mix of road/leisurely trails (and with leisurely trails I'm asuming the likes of towpaths, disused railway paths etc), then perhaps a hybrid's worth considering... If a Mountain bike's (MTB) more your cup of tea, then they'll be no need for a full suspension bike, a hard tail (i.e. with front suspension only) will do the job. If an MTB is what you're looking for, then given the type of riding you'd be doing you'd possibly want to change the tyres from large nobbles, to semi slick tyres as these designed for mixed riding, i.e. road/light off-road.

The best thing to do really of course is to go to a few local bike shops (if a few's an option), and test a number of bikes. The most important thing for you to consider is how comfortable you are on those you select. I do appreciate that it's a bit daunting if you're new to cycling as there's a pretty broad choice out there.

I hope the above's of some help! :)

Snakes
by Snakes
2 Nov 2010, 10:34am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Route advice - SW to Horsham area
Replies: 2
Views: 443

Re: Route advice - SW to Horsham area

Hi Andrew,

Are you a CTC member...? If so we have a route from Lands' End to Dover that may well do the trick, or I could create a route using our Byways routes....
Both of these route options are in written text format on a day by day basis. The Byways routes come in sections varying in length from approx 45 - 65 miles, they where originally written between 1980 - 1982 so are a few years old, but they generally offer a pleasent and more scenic route!

If you are a member and the above's of interest, please send me a PM.

All the best

Snakes aka Andy
by Snakes
1 Nov 2010, 8:13am
Forum: Cycling UK Member Groups and Affiliates
Topic: Membership
Replies: 2
Views: 6451

Re: Membership

Hi Bannockburn,

Unwaged means someone who's currently receiving income support. So yes, it could mean someone who's currently unemployed, or perhaps somebody that's receiving incapacity benefit. Reduced rates of membership are also applied to those under the age of 18, and those under the age of 26 who are registered as full time students. A reduced rate also applies to those over the age of 65.

I hope the above answers your question. If you'd like to obtain further details of CTC membership, please feel free to contact our membership department directly on - 0844 736 8451.

All the best

Snakes
by Snakes
22 Sep 2010, 10:09am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Travelling by air with a bike
Replies: 2
Views: 328

Re: Travelling by air with a bike

If you fly that route regularly with a bike, you may wish to consider investing in a rigid plastic case, Samsonite type case if you know what I mean. I say invest as they're not cheap, but for a regualr traveller who wants to truly protect his bike, that's probably the best bet.

The above's fine so long as you're travelling with a standard sized cycle, i.e. you've not got a rack attached etc. The other point is that you'll need to be sure to protect the frame with copper pipe insulation (sponge variety's popular), or loads of bubble wrap or anything else you can find that'll protect the tubing. You don't want the bike to rattle around in the case, not even a millimetre!!! Baring in mind that if you're bike can't be seen by bagage handlers, it wont be treated as well as one that's unwrapped, but sadly these days that's not an option.

Snakes
by Snakes
17 Sep 2010, 10:11am
Forum: On the road
Topic: 'I am very sorry, I haven't got a bell'
Replies: 45
Views: 3727

'I am very sorry, I haven't got a bell'

Now generally speaking I cycle to work, normally using a mix of road, cycle path and towpath. As this morning in our neck of the woods was so beautiful, I decided to walk from home to the office via the river, 6.5 miles in total.

Walking along the towpath on the latter part of my journey, a could hear a cyclist approaching me from behind (and you don't often hear a cyclist approaching until the last minute). That said, I'm a cyclist, so when walking I'm mindful of cyclists, and curtious. Anyway, I'd stepped to one side to allow the cyclist to pass, and as she did so at slow speed she said 'I am very sorry, but I haven't got a bell'. I simply replied telling her not to worry as I'd heard her coming.

The reason I write this, isn't because I beleive all cyclists should have a bell, they're useful it's true, but not compulsory other than at the point of sale of a new cycle. No, I write this as I was surprised at how pleasent this lady was, and that IMO, it was also some what unusual to recieve such communication.

I do have bells on 2 of my bikes (although one them barely works) but not on the others. I find being polite and saying 'excuse me'/smiling tends to work well, so long as you've given enough notice.

Snakes
by Snakes
15 Sep 2010, 9:40am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Good music to listen to whilst cycling
Replies: 26
Views: 2152

Re: Good music to listen to whilst cycling

the the, All About Eve, stereophonics and.... well, whatever I'm in the mood for at the time :)
by Snakes
14 Sep 2010, 9:37am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: LoJOG
Replies: 2
Views: 1139

Re: LoJOG

Hi Luc,

Are you a CTC member...? If so we do have a route from Dover to Durness (the opposite diagonal) available to members. That'll certainly do you for 85% plus of the journey, then I'm sure you'd find your way for the latter part as there really aren't that many roads to choose from, i.e. it'd be fairly difficult to get lost for the last part! : )


Snakes
by Snakes
14 Sep 2010, 9:08am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Should I report it?
Replies: 11
Views: 1078

Re: Should I report it?

Report it!!! You may not have got the registration number, but you know exactly where you where, time etc. Apart from knowing it was a Ford Ka, you may also know it's colour/year of registration.

The thing is, if you don't report it and it's not logged, then should a similar incident occur they'll be no previous history. I'm not implying that the Police are likely to find the driver/passengers of the vehicle, as I'd suspect that's highly unlikely. But at least if you've logged it, it's on record and should something comparable to that happen to anyone else, then it maybe that further action can be taken due to the evidence you provided on this occasion...
by Snakes
17 Aug 2010, 11:15am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Old Triumph, identification required for selling...
Replies: 5
Views: 697

Re: Old Triumph, identification required for selling...

Well so much for selling it! I couldn't, so today she completed her first journey to work! : )

I'd ridden her a couple of times before the above, but no more than about 1/2 a mile, just to be sure she was in reasonable nick etc, and she is!

A few tweaks to the gears and she rides beautifully!! Now she's in for some TLC over the next few days and I'll send a pic here when done!

Snakes
by Snakes
15 Jul 2010, 11:58am
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: FOCUS MTB's - your views...
Replies: 10
Views: 3243

FOCUS MTB's - your views...

Hi All,

Just pondering on another new bike, and wondered what the opinion was on FOCUS bikes? I know they're German designed, and I've got a bit of thing for German engineering. I'm pondering on the Black Forest Pro, it's a hardtail and cross country's definately my thing! : )

Any views/experiences with your own would be really appreciated!

Thanks in advance, Snakes
by Snakes
13 Jul 2010, 12:46pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: A30 closed between 'Avers and Tolvaddon'
Replies: 3
Views: 708

A30 closed between 'Avers and Tolvaddon'

The Highways Agency wish to advise that cycling on the A30 between Avers and Tolvaddon junctions near Camborne in Cornwall is prohibited for the duration of the roadworks which are expected to last until October 2010.

The police are monitoring the situation and may prosecute any cyclists who ignore the temporary traffic order.

Cyclists are advised to use the old A30 now designated as the A3047 to bypass the roadworks. The Highways Agency would also recommend against the use of high speed roads for cycling.

Further enquiries should be directed to the Highways Agency: http://www.highways.gov.uk/
by Snakes
1 Jun 2010, 12:09pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: LEJOG on a Raleigh Chopper
Replies: 152
Views: 14313

Re: LEJOG on a Raleigh Chopper

Mick!!

You are truly a LEGEND!!!!!!! And rightly so!!!!! : ). Well done that Man!!!!!!!

Sadly I didn't take a picture of me raising a glass to you and your triumphant effort on Friday eve, however I certainly did raise a glass to you along with a number of my friends, most of whome are not cyclists' at all. Thing is and as I'd mentioned, Choppers are fantastic (all be it somewhat uncomfortable) machines, and all of the lads are in there late 30's/early 40's so whilst they're not cyclists, they all have fond memories of early bikes etc.

When they heard the tale of Mick F and his crazy ride, they where indeed all highly complimentry, so the glasses chinked, and we all toasted you!!!!!

I'll check that blog of your out now!

Snakes