Search found 274 matches

by pga
21 Feb 2023, 7:04pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Debate on 15 minute cities on Radio 4 now.
Replies: 229
Views: 33871

Re: Debate on 15 minute cities on Radio 4 now.

What next for the conspiracists? I have lived in a 15 minute city since 1976 and have not been forced out of a car - quite the opposite. Milton Keynes was designed that every housing estate within the grid roads to have a primary school, shops, health centre, meeting place, open space and playing fields within 15 minutes walk. Pubs, churches and the like were never far away.

At the same time, however, the grid roads provide free and easy movement for cars which is a growing problem with a populace that has become car dependent. Obesity is high among all age groups. The Council is frightened stiff of the car lobby. Hence, we see local planning decisions rejecting underpasses and bridges crossings of grid roads and other main roads including the M1.

Climate change seems a long way from sunny Milton Keynes.
by pga
13 Oct 2022, 11:47pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Active Travel England - Boardman
Replies: 252
Views: 33921

Re: Active Travel England - Boardman

We are at a critical stage with Active Travel England and the very positive government initiatives to encourage cycling and walking. But the change in government leadership is going to be disastrous I feel. Andrew Gilligan, Boris's cycling czar at the GLC and later at the DfT has been sacked. Gilligan was behind the government's support for cycling and walking, I have met him on several occasions and he also impressed me as someone who was really up to the job.

More freedom to developers is on the cards. It is bad enough now as we find negotiating for better walking and cycling routes on car dependent major development areas. Cycle use dropped about 20% from 2020 to 2021 and we know the reason - the motorists are forcing cyclists off the roads, not just when they drive but when they utter anti cycling sentiments to all and sundry.

ATE has put a good team together and in theory have the tools but our politicians, national and local, and the highway engineers, again national and local, are a hard bunch to take on.
by pga
13 Oct 2022, 11:26pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: British Cycling partners with Shell
Replies: 94
Views: 7269

Re: British Cycling partners with Shell

I joined British Cycling Federation in 1959 when the NCU amalgamated with the BLRC. I was a BLRC member - up the League. I was a club coach and organised road races at all levels from professionals to women, 3td cats and juniors. I am still a member.

I am both appalled at the Shell sponsorship itself and the way is was done - no membership vote. Greenwashing is growing in all sports and the countries and firms with the most unacceptable human rights and environmental records are in it full time. Luck at the top pro teams and the Newcastle United's in football.

As the years go by we see sport devoted more and more to the top performers and less to the non competitors. Cycling UK helps the latter and BC does as well. But I do want to be associated with an outfit taking cash from a major polluter claiming that they are the solution to Climate Change and not the problem.

I am tearing my BC membership card in half and sending it back to them. I would urge all BC members to do the same.
by pga
15 May 2022, 12:11am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT
Replies: 32
Views: 3561

Re: PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT

Tganks once again form your comments. I am now at a crossroads. I had a second meeting with the cancer doctor taking along my wife and daughter. Pressed about the radiotherapy the doctor did say that the option remained open but that there was a 1 to 9 per cent of a more or less bladder failure and that if I wanted to go ahead with radiotherapy I would need to make a decision asap. My next appointment is on 14 June. He also agreed to me having a second opinion but I await the appointment.

I have also arranged to have counselling. Since the injection I am finding cycling much harder and my moods swing up and down.
by pga
18 Apr 2022, 5:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: HANDLEBAR BAGS
Replies: 8
Views: 770

HANDLEBAR BAGS

HANDLEBAR BAGS

I have just fitted a dropper post on my XS Giant gravel bike. The frame being small makes fitting a rear rack difficult. With a dropper post a under the saddle pack is again a difficult job. A front handlebar bag, as used in 1970s Audax and similar rides, might be the solution. I am looking for recommendations. YouTube offers some solutions but none are perfect. I find the Rapha bag attracts dirt. Others have poor zips or are not waterproof. I need a bag about 24cm wide and capacity to take a front light. My cables are hidden so the bag can sit close to the bars but I like to use the bits of handlebar next to the stem.

This is yet another example with the market being flooded with options, none of which seem to do the job.
by pga
25 Mar 2022, 5:04pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT
Replies: 32
Views: 3561

Re: PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT

Thanks once again for all who have commented.

I have asked for a second opinion through my Macmillan nurse. I intend to see my doctor, with my wife, when the cancer doctor's letter has emerged. This will go to my doctor and is copied to myself and gives details of his recommendations.

Many thanks once again. I value your comments.
by pga
20 Mar 2022, 10:52pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT
Replies: 32
Views: 3561

Re: PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT

Many thanks for those thoughtful responses. My Gleason reading is 4+ 5 = 9. Yes, I have an allocated Macmillan Oncology Nurse. My wife and daughter are on the case. The thing I find hard to accept was to be told that radiotherapy was out when I was at the hospital on my own when I had had no previous indication of the change of plans. I would have taken a Covid free friend with me instead of my wife if I had some pre-warning.
by pga
18 Mar 2022, 8:59pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT
Replies: 32
Views: 3561

PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT

PROSTATE CANCER

I am 85 years old and have just been I have prostate cancer. The cancer is in one prostate only and I have no cancer in the other one and none in my bones. However the cancer in the one prostate is more of the high risk variety which apparently only occurs in about a third of cases. Initially I was promised radiotherapy together with Bicalutamide, Contiflo and Zoladex medication. However, when I saw the Cancer doctor this week I was told that I was to have no radiotherapy and that I should continue with the current medication. With luck, I would live for 5 to 7 years I was told.

There are two points I have difficulty in dealing with. The way I was told and the reason for the change. In the first case I was forced to attend the hospital on my own. All three members of my family have Covid. Luckily, I live on my own. However, I was quite unprepared for the news I got at the hospital, especially as the nurse had phone me up a few days before with the good news that the the MRI scan had shown no cancer in my bones and had given no warning of the change of direction.


I cycle three or four times a week, usually about 25 miles a trip and I resent being treated as an average 85 year old. This was the attitude of the doctor. He did not like to be told this.

I very much appreciate any comments from those of you who have similar experience. I do want to take on a hard pressed NHS as I need their support but I do feel cheated and wish to have my views fully taken into account. Am I being unreasonable? Perhaps the medication side effects are affecting my attitude.
by pga
22 Jan 2022, 6:24pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Active Travel England - Boardman
Replies: 252
Views: 33921

Re: Boardman to be Active Travel Commissioner

What has happened to Gear Change under Dame Sarah Storey? I thought that is was to do the things that Active Travel is now to do, eg consult on major developments.

The lack of decent funding is a another example of a government all talk and nothing else to back it up. Cycling and walking need about £20 to £25 per head of population to match our most pro cycling European neighbours such as the Netherlands. That is a lot of money. Considering the disasters of Crossrail and HS2, where the return per pound invested must be well below a pound. As the National Audit Office pointed out a while ago, cycling and walking schemes are very cost effective, producing returns of up to eight pounds per pound invested.

I wish Chris Boardman the best of luck. He will need more than that alas.
.
by pga
16 Jan 2022, 4:41pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cyclist-hater refuses to move and says its illegal to cycle on this path??? (PICS INSIDE)
Replies: 167
Views: 9275

Re: Cyclist-hater refuses to move and says its illegal to cycle on this path??? (PICS INSIDE)

The answer would be for the local authority to make the route a shared cycle/footway and sign both ends accordingly. It looks wide enough to be shared use and it is an important link. These links are often crucial in avoiding busy roads.

Cyclists receive far too much abuse from other road users, whether motorists or pedestrians. It would be great if national and local government, car insurance companies, driving schools, police and the like mounted strong public awareness campaigns to go along with the introduction of the new Highway Code which promises more protection for cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
by pga
28 Dec 2021, 4:01pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Post-Brexit - buying bike parts abroad . . (incl. Rose/DutchBikeParts)
Replies: 657
Views: 47263

Re: Post-Brexit - buying bike parts abroad . . (incl. Rose/DutchBikeParts)

I ordered am item a few weeks ago from Bikester without being aware is was German. Luckily,it came ok although I was warned that customs could add 3 to 5 days on the delivery time. What does the new year hold?

I did not vote for Brexit.
by pga
24 Oct 2021, 7:38pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: anti-cycling rants
Replies: 29
Views: 3281

Re: anti-cycling rants

Of course few motorists, and sadly few cyclists, realise that is was invention of the safety bicycle and the pneumatic tyre that led to the early cyclists campaigning successfully for the paved roads that all road users enjoy today. They also invented the motor car and the aeroplane.
by pga
18 Oct 2021, 7:46pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: anti-cycling rants
Replies: 29
Views: 3281

Re: anti-cycling rants

These anti-cycling ranters empower motorists to show little or no respect for cyclists on the roads. These are the same mindless folk who seek to create divisions in society and leads eventually to not only MPs being killed but endless less eminent numbers as well.
by pga
14 Oct 2021, 8:55pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Footpump recommendations please
Replies: 27
Views: 1342

Re: Footpump recommendations please

Aldi today had pumps, both upright and floor models, at £6.99. Push on connections.
I prefer the screw on connections - fiddly but no loss of air when pumping.
by pga
2 Oct 2021, 6:22pm
Forum: Racing, Olympics, TdF, Competitive cycling
Topic: Paris Roubaix
Replies: 64
Views: 7021

Re: Paris Roubaix

Great ride from Lizzie. Attacking so far out and holding off Vos at the end was a wonderful effort. Winning the Tour of Britain looks on the cards.