Search found 241 matches

by gordy
14 Jan 2014, 10:19am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Not enough women on the forum
Replies: 344
Views: 26215

Re: Not enough women on the forum

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.
by gordy
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
by gordy
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.
by gordy
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.
by gordy
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. :D
by gordy
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
by gordy
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.
by gordy
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.
by gordy
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.
by gordy
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!
by gordy
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.
by gordy
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!
by gordy
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. :oops:
by gordy
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.
by gordy
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. :D