I'm with Claireysmurf.
Why? because of all those innocent, dismissive... "What's the problem?" and "What's your problem?" posts in this thread.
Too many clueless dinosaurs on here.
Goodbye CTC forum; hello 21st century cycling communities.
Search found 241 matches
- 14 Jan 2014, 10:19am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Not enough women on the forum
- Replies: 344
- Views: 26215
- 10 Jan 2014, 3:30pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Not enough women on the forum
- Replies: 344
- Views: 26215
Re: Not enough women on the forum
The tone of this forum, IMHO, is unrelentingly pessimistic and negative, and I think that it puts people off, especially women.
If you browse American fora such as the Adventure Cycling Association or Bike Journal you'll see a difference. There are very few people banging their drums.
If you have a look at a popular with women forum such as Mumsnet in the UK you'll see that major issues can be discussed without slagging off other posters.
So, if this forum wants more women to contribute, here are my tips for individual members:
1) Don't choose a forum name that identifies you as old.
2) Don't choose a forum name that identifies you as grumpy.
3) Don't include the fact that you've cycled for 20/30/40/50/60 years in every post.
4) Don't automatically slag off the youth of today.
5) Don't be instantly cynical if someone mentions Sustrans/Halfords/Boris/Snow/Councils/Highways/the YHA/BMX/ten-speed/sportives
6) Don't be instantly critical of anything that the CTC does or that the CTC publishes.
7) Occasionally offer some support to the work that the CTC is doing with disadvantaged and disabled groups.
8 ) This is the 21st century... carbon fibre and marketing departments exist. Get over it.
Watch this video clip. See if you can spot anyone, ANYONE who would find anything useful in the threads on this forum.
http://vimeo.com/70667749
If you browse American fora such as the Adventure Cycling Association or Bike Journal you'll see a difference. There are very few people banging their drums.
If you have a look at a popular with women forum such as Mumsnet in the UK you'll see that major issues can be discussed without slagging off other posters.
So, if this forum wants more women to contribute, here are my tips for individual members:
1) Don't choose a forum name that identifies you as old.
2) Don't choose a forum name that identifies you as grumpy.
3) Don't include the fact that you've cycled for 20/30/40/50/60 years in every post.
4) Don't automatically slag off the youth of today.
5) Don't be instantly cynical if someone mentions Sustrans/Halfords/Boris/Snow/Councils/Highways/the YHA/BMX/ten-speed/sportives
6) Don't be instantly critical of anything that the CTC does or that the CTC publishes.
7) Occasionally offer some support to the work that the CTC is doing with disadvantaged and disabled groups.
8 ) This is the 21st century... carbon fibre and marketing departments exist. Get over it.
Watch this video clip. See if you can spot anyone, ANYONE who would find anything useful in the threads on this forum.
http://vimeo.com/70667749
- 22 Dec 2013, 11:27am
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Northern Ireland cycling on the rise
- Replies: 5
- Views: 10365
Re: Northern Ireland cycling on the rise
Good news! Brilliant work by many, I expect.
- 20 Dec 2013, 7:26pm
- Forum: Cycling UK Topics and Discussions
- Topic: Ten thousand new members in 2013 - congratulations!
- Replies: 22
- Views: 120268
Ten thousand new members in 2013 - congratulations!
Well done to the CTC team.
Keep up the good work.
Here's to an even better 2014.
Keep up the good work.
Here's to an even better 2014.
- 20 Dec 2013, 7:25pm
- Forum: Cycling UK Topics and Discussions
- Topic: Grand Draw 2013
- Replies: 8
- Views: 121850
Re: Grand Draw 2013
Fifty six thousand tickets sold! That's amazing.
Well done to the team.
I bought my tickets and wish the lucky winners well.
Well done to the team.
I bought my tickets and wish the lucky winners well.
- 7 Dec 2013, 8:35pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Living in the past?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 3732
Re: Living in the past?
Hmm. I recall endemic racism and sexism. The fifties and early sixties were ok if you were a white bloke in a job, but grim for many other people. Remember all those smart, smart women destined to be secretaries or nurses? The world (and specifically the UK) is a much better place than it was then.
The British are generally richer and healthier than any group of people in the entire history of the human race... and still the moaners and doom-mongers exist at every turn. Give me (and especially my daughters) the 21st century any time.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24835822
The British are generally richer and healthier than any group of people in the entire history of the human race... and still the moaners and doom-mongers exist at every turn. Give me (and especially my daughters) the 21st century any time.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24835822
- 4 Dec 2013, 5:22am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Ryanair Cycle Carriage fees
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3475
Re: Ryanair Cycle Carriage fees
Ryanair are very good with bikes, IME. You book a bike at the same time as you choose luggage options and it's easy. They take 20 or more on some flights.
- 2 Dec 2013, 10:22pm
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Next cycling fatality / serious injury
- Replies: 24
- Views: 7510
Re: Next cycling fatality / serious injury
I'm not really fussed about what other cyclists wear or whether they have lights. It's none of my business.
- 1 Dec 2013, 1:08pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Crossing europe - need some tips
- Replies: 35
- Views: 61294
Re: Crossing europe - need some tips
Internet access is everywhere. I was touring in Poland/Ukraine/Kaliningrad earlier this year and the easiest access was in McDonalds restaurants.
- 19 Nov 2013, 8:29pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Magura Hydraulic Rim Brakes
- Replies: 48
- Views: 7747
Re: Magura Hydraulic Rim Brakes
I have toured with Magura hydraulic rim brakes for several years. Compared to my previous V brakes, I'd describe the stopping power as sensational.
They are OK to set up, IMHO, but you need to refit a wheel whilst the tyre is deflated and pump it up afterwards. The are not complicated and can be adjusted for worn pads easily. Some of the doom and gloom comments above (from non-users) make me laugh.
Fabulous, fabulous brakes!
They are OK to set up, IMHO, but you need to refit a wheel whilst the tyre is deflated and pump it up afterwards. The are not complicated and can be adjusted for worn pads easily. Some of the doom and gloom comments above (from non-users) make me laugh.
Fabulous, fabulous brakes!
- 11 Nov 2013, 8:56pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Pannier questions
- Replies: 44
- Views: 31212
Re: Pannier questions
In my first few years as a long-distance tourer, I wasted money on Vaude, Karrimore and Altura panniers.... and mucked about with leaks, raincovers and broken clips.
Then I bought Ortlieb.
Then I bought Ortlieb.
- 11 Nov 2013, 7:26pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Commuter – Bicycle Light - University survey
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2788
Re: Commuter – Bicycle Light - University survey
Two things; As above, I am not convinced that safety is either a problem or a huge concern. However, peddling "safety" to the cycling community is a good way to sell accessories and new products. Ho hum.
As with your other surveys, could I suggest you have a quick look at the cities and countries just over the Channel/North Sea where cycle-commuting is ten times more popular than in the UK. Regular, all-year, all-weather commuters ride bikes with dynamos. Their front and rear lights are bolted on to the fork crown and a plate fixed to the rear rack respectively. Neither dynamos or lights are "accessories".. they come already fitted.
You have omitted those options from your survey completely, although that's how most bike lights in the world are powered and fixed.
Good luck!
As with your other surveys, could I suggest you have a quick look at the cities and countries just over the Channel/North Sea where cycle-commuting is ten times more popular than in the UK. Regular, all-year, all-weather commuters ride bikes with dynamos. Their front and rear lights are bolted on to the fork crown and a plate fixed to the rear rack respectively. Neither dynamos or lights are "accessories".. they come already fitted.
You have omitted those options from your survey completely, although that's how most bike lights in the world are powered and fixed.
Good luck!
- 4 Nov 2013, 9:20pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Who has the right of way?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3563
Re: Who has the right of way?
andymiller wrote:geomannie wrote: and I am genuinely unclear about how to use it, other than to do the sensible thing and give way to pedestrians.
You knew the answer all along.
Agreed! But some cyclists would reach for the Airzound, unfortunately.
- 4 Nov 2013, 5:48pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Who has the right of way?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3563
Re: Who has the right of way?
There's a sentence in the current Highway Code (P34 IIRC) that states clearly "you do not have right of way in any circumstance." That applies to drivers, cyclists and horseriders. Pedestrians already on the carriageway do have right of way, as I understand it. But it is all ignored due to our historical and cultural obsession with hierarchy, IMHO.
I noticed in Berlin city centre, this summer, that bus passengers get off the bus and stand on a raised platform. They then look left and right and cross the cyclepath when it is clear.
I noticed in Berlin city centre, this summer, that bus passengers get off the bus and stand on a raised platform. They then look left and right and cross the cyclepath when it is clear.
- 2 Nov 2013, 12:31pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: An average day in the life of a touring biker?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 72771
Re: An average day in the life of a touring biker?
My preferred day on the road is from dawn 'til dusk. Or from dawn 'til I'm too tired to go further.
A thousand miles in ten days is satisfying, although more recently my speed has dropped to a thousand miles in twelve or thirteen days.
By riding alone, it is easier to go further, IMHO. I hate the faffing around that goes with group touring.
Eat, sleep, ride all day.
A thousand miles in ten days is satisfying, although more recently my speed has dropped to a thousand miles in twelve or thirteen days.
By riding alone, it is easier to go further, IMHO. I hate the faffing around that goes with group touring.
Eat, sleep, ride all day.