Search found 1379 matches

by Ron
18 Mar 2024, 8:42pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Limiting e bike speeds
Replies: 0
Views: 58

Limiting e bike speeds

Interesting proposals being discussed to limit e bike speeds in Amsterdam for reasons of safety.
https://www.themayor.eu/en/a/view/amste ... ices-12408
by Ron
11 Mar 2024, 1:30am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Fill that hole
Replies: 60
Views: 3757

Re: Fill that hole

I don't use a smartphone and find Fix My Street https://www.fixmystreet.com/ does the job for me, it looks similar to the CUK site and my Council doesn't need photos. The big problem is getting my local council or the Trunk Road Authority to take any notice of complaints submitted, I have about 40 reports in the system awaiting action at present. Fly tipped items can take a year or more to get lifted, and signs reported as having badly rusted posts seem not to be dealt with until they fall over.
I enter positions from my GPS in Ord Survey Grid Ref or latitude and longitude format. Had a note from the council saying they would prefer the Three Word code method as they could not find the things that I had reported. I tried the 3 word method but found it laborious and will not use it again.
by Ron
2 Mar 2024, 3:38am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Brittany May 2024
Replies: 31
Views: 1866

Re: Brittany May 2024

Lazybird wrote: 2 Feb 2024, 1:58pmHave booked a ferry Plymouth to Roscoff for me and my bike in early May..
It would be worth checking in advance that any camp sites you might want to use in northern France are open in May/June. They seemed to take a long winter hibernation when I was there a few years ago.
by Ron
26 Feb 2024, 12:47pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: The last leg...
Replies: 11
Views: 1560

Re: The last leg...

rareposter wrote: 26 Feb 2024, 10:49am
Freeweel wrote: 21 Feb 2024, 2:32pm Thoughts from anyone on the a9 cyclepath welcomed...
It's been removed from the Sustrans map,
You would need to be more specific in your request, there has never been an "A9 cyclepath"!
The A9 runs for over 270 miles between near Stirling and Scrabster.
There is a parallel joint user path for much of the way between Inverness and Perth with the remainder on low traffic public roads. North of Inverness there is a shared use path across the Kessock bridge and a few miles on low traffic road to the Tore roundabout. After that there are parallel routes which cyclists may or may not choose to use depending on their levels of tolerance of motorised traffic.
by Ron
21 Feb 2024, 11:45am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: The last leg...
Replies: 11
Views: 1560

Re: The last leg...

I think the only reason for avoiding the A99 would be the higher volume of motor traffic that you have to share the road with, compared with inland routes.
If you felt uncomfortable on the A99 you could break off a short distance north of Lybster and take the Camster road towards Watten and then via Lyth to join the A836 near Huna, not far from JOG. There would be little difference in mileage compared with going via Wick.
by Ron
17 Feb 2024, 1:00pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Should electric bikes go faster
Replies: 96
Views: 5625

Re: Should electric bikes go faster

No support from me for faster e bikes.
To suggest we might wish to copy the cycle scene in USA, Canada, NZ and Brazil is rather baffling.
by Ron
15 Feb 2024, 1:49pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Compact workstand?
Replies: 36
Views: 1966

Re: Compact workstand?

Does it have to be a stand?
Google........ bike workshop pulley system...no floor space required for storage.
I've been using one for years and have found it satisfactory for nearly all jobs on the bike. Of course it does not hold the bike rigidly, but that is seldom necessary.
I've noticed on visits to pro bike workshops in mainland Europe that this type of "lift" is widely used with the luxury of hydraulic assistance and push button control, although that would be a bit over the top for most amateur mechanics.
by Ron
15 Feb 2024, 1:28pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mileage declining !
Replies: 23
Views: 2033

Re: Mileage declining !

There's more to life than cycling, try something new. :)
by Ron
14 Feb 2024, 8:03am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Island Cycling
Replies: 7
Views: 725

Re: Island Cycling

If you Google 'Island Cycling' it's there!,
https://www.calmac.co.uk/things-to-do/i ... -adventure
by Ron
13 Feb 2024, 9:09am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Will I get on the train?
Replies: 51
Views: 3149

Re: Will I get on the train?

Lazybird wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 8:18am I know which carriage I’m in.
That's a good start!
It would be worth asking station staff where you should stand on the platform so that you will be at the right door when the train comes to rest. A few seconds can be gained with that information.
When using some German trains I discovered there were numbers on my travel ticket which tallied with numbered indicator boards onthe station platform which guided me to the right location on the platform. I have not seen such a system on UK trains but am happy to be corrected.
by Ron
12 Feb 2024, 1:55pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cheap oil.
Replies: 82
Views: 4662

Re: Cheap oil.

Sweep wrote: 12 Feb 2024, 1:27pmyou are nanette newman and I claim my squeezy bottle.
I think it would not be unreasonable of me to ask for an explanation of your post, speaking for the under 60s in the audience :) .
by Ron
9 Feb 2024, 9:14pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: LEJOG 2024
Replies: 26
Views: 9176

Re: LEJOG 2024

LollyKat wrote: 2 Feb 2024, 12:54pm Anyone remember Barbara Moore, an eccentric who in 1960 walked JoGLE eating only nuts, honey, raw fruit and vegetables?
Yes, I cycled out to watch, she was one of the leading group and had passed before I got there. Although I saw many of the mottley followers, ill prepared in the main for walking on the snow and slush covered roads. I remember one man in particular reduced to wearing carpet slippers for comfort and it was only the second day.
by Ron
8 Feb 2024, 3:42pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?
Replies: 75
Views: 3791

Re: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?

Debs wrote: 7 Feb 2024, 8:33pm To me the sports period was like extra play time and something to enjoy, but to others it was hell, obviously.
I was in the latter category.
I blame the syllabus used for teaching physical education for the general unwillingness to engage in physical activity in adult life. It was all so competitive. The importance of taking part was never mentioned, you had to be a winner or you were nothing.
by Ron
18 Jan 2024, 1:54pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Travel Attitudes study
Replies: 60
Views: 3080

Travel Attitudes study

The latest ‘National** Travel Attitudes Study’ on cycling, surveyed 2011 people.

• 70% say they never ride a bicycle

• 61% said safer roads would encourage more cycling

• 39% of people aged 16 and over own a bicycle, or have regular access to one.

For more detailed information see ... https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... -9-cycling

** on reading over, "National" means England only in this case. :roll: .
by Ron
9 Jan 2024, 2:34pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Flight-Free Holidays
Replies: 62
Views: 2738

Re: Flight-Free Holidays

jgurney wrote: 7 Jan 2024, 10:42amIt is certainly possible to get all over Europe without flying..
Possible, but very time consuming!
Direct ferry services from the UK to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Faeroes and Iceland have all ceased since my first foreign cycIe tour.