Cycling UK Forum

There is a difference between going through a red light on a bike at pedestrian like speed, being aware of surroundings and offering no danger to others - and hurtling through a junction at breakneck speed, with no regard for pedestrians or other road users.

Just wanted to raise this point as a lot of the debates and opinions - particulary a Cycling Plus columnist this month - seem to forget that, apart from the very rare incidence of a cyclist causing death / injury, in which case the perpetrators are better described as loonies than cyclists - cyclists are really comparable to pedestrians in terms of the danger they pose.

It seems to me that all this internecine hatred is really giving fuel to the motorists and boy racers who think cyclists are fair game for bad driving and abuse.

Thanks John, I will check it out - I had a look a while back and got some great info re accommadation, but will have another look later
Been checking the weather - hopeful!

Well I'm doing the C2C this coming Saturday to Monday, the conventional way, starting in Whitehaven Saturday morning and finishing Monday evening in Sunderland.

Hoping for good weather - I'll be on a green Dawes Galaxy stopping off in Penrith and Rookhope, so if any of you fellow(esses) are around be sure to say Hello and I will do the same

Street parking is likely to be highly restricted - you're best off googling something like 'car parks Earls Court', there are bound to be a few to deal with all the concert goers. As you come in on the main road from Hammersmith, there is a big Tesco with a car park on the left. Again this is likely to be restricted but might be worth a look.

Have to say Wiggle are excellent in terms of delivery times and cutomer service - ordered some Wellgo pedals (amongst other things) and they came the next day - this is without priority delivery.

Decided they were a bit heavy so sent them back and they refunded my card as soon as they got them.

Kept me informed and very easy to use website / returns policy.

Just as I'd hoped and thought - many informed opinions.

Since I posted this topic, I've continued riding fixed and really am beginning to feel more comfortable with it - and enjoy it.

I'm getting fitter. I'm going to switch the pedals to some SPD one side, flat the other as I do use it as a town bike and need to cater for trainers sometimes.

I take the points about stopping and re-starting in London traffic - I would dearly love just to ride and ride with it, with no stoppages, but I guess I feel like that riding any bikes in the city. When I have managed to stretch it out I love the ryhthmic feeling you get in the legs.

As I had to fix a few punctures (I've replaced the crappy Kenda tyres) thus allowing me to play around with the chain tension, I've got it just off maximum tension which seems to give my legs and back a little respite. I think the ratio is 42 / 16, but I'm not too learned in these elements.

So thanks for all the advice. It is definitely going to be a pleasant change riding my Galaxy out of town for the first time in a while on Sunday - but then it will be nice to get back on the fixed on Monday...

The thread concerning the types of urban cyclist is connected to this - Cameron is behaving in the same way as most of the cyclists I see in London, including myself do, eg type 2.

He is not riding dangerously or in any way as a hindrance to anyone else so I don't see a big problem. If he was whizzing through children on a zebra crossing then I could see the problem.

There are degrees of the law - The letter killeth but the spirit giveth life.

Considering what cyclists have to put up with in terms of life threatening pieces of metal whizzing by them, I don't think it is abig deal.

Thanks for everyone' views - very informative (and balanced). I'm concentrating at the moment on braking slowly by back pedalling, instead of caning the front brake. definitely going to persevere for a while, but will always take the Galaxy for out of towners...

Saw a report on BBC London news last night which (again) gave a somewhat distorted view of riding fixed, suggesting from its report that there are no brakes involved........

From my commuting experiences in London, I reckon there are 3 types of urban cyclist, of which I belong to the second group.

1 - Those who don't give a toss, will speed through pedestrian / zebra crossings, red lights, and blatantly cut up whoever or whatever gets in their way.

2 - Those who are pretty considerate, will ride safely but might nip across a junction / red light if it is blatantly safe to do so; eg they aren't going to obey the law just because it might attract a driver's opprobrium if one doesn't.
I would say this is the largest group - those who obey the spirit of the law

3 - Those who will obey the letter of the law regardless

Be interested to hear anyone else's views

Holloway Cycles is in N London but not too far, whenever I've bought stuff / asked advice they've been very helpful, although not had any maintenance done - might be worth giving them a call - imagine they'd be good

Condor on Grays Inn Road I imagine would be very good....Evans Waterloo Cut specialise in touring bikes..bought my Galaxy from there and v helpful...but are a chain...

I know this has been discussed before and on many other forums, but it would be nice to get a balanced view from the many wise heads on here, rather than the trendies that inhabit some other forums...

I've recently been giving fixed gear a try having flipped the hub on my single speed bike and while I'm getting more confident and enjoying it more, there are a few things I'm still wary of:

- Slowing down when going fast - still finding it difficult to apply decent amounts of back pedal pressure to complement the front brake

- Going down hills - pretty terrifying to spin the legs so fast!! Not feeling confident at any great speeds either

- Getting feet into toe clips was at first tricky as 25 years of cycling expects the pedal to rotate backwards, however I think this one is just practice. Not sure whether to get those cleat / flat dual pedals.

- Track stands - any idea how to do them comfortably and not look a complete fool - would certainly help with all the traffic lights in London

- Any other advice greatly appreciated - BTW it does feel very rhythmic to pedal and my fitness has greatly improved so its not all bad...

This is a timely discussion as I've been trying to work out what causes my neck / across the shoulder aching when riding. I ride a Galaxy on long rides and a single speeder around town.

I've shortened the stem on my single speed and am going to incrementally raise the bars. The Galaxy I haven't touched as I've got the diagonal stem and am not sure where to get an equivalent shorter one???

But thanks for all the other advice as I, like all people who want to stay healthy was a bit worried it might lead to long term damage etc

I have a sneaking feeling both top tubes are slightly too long (they are generic, after all) and until I can afford a custom build I'll have to make do.

I also commute from Holloway Rd to Chancery Lane and while its not exactly a stretch it is enough to keep a bit of fitness up.

I like the canals, Grand Union from the industrial estates of Wembley all the way down through Camden to Limehouse Basin and beyond into Docklands, through the Greenwich foot tunnel and up the hill the other side is one of my favourites...

Also recommend Central London CTC when you fancy getting out for a bit of fresh air

There are definitely big (and in my mind some of the best) advantages to cycling in London, as you say the traffic speed is usually slow and sites like the Houses of Parliament, St Pauls, Hampstead Heath, Thames Path, Greenwich are all within a half hour or so cycle from each other.

Once people get over the so called fear factor and realise that there is no better way to get around, they're usually hooked.

From The Dorset Evening Echo

Police appeal after paperboy knocked from bike

A PAPERBOY was followed and knocked off his bike after he accidentally cut across the path of a car in Dorchester, police said.

Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses after the 16-year-old was knocked off his bike on Friday January 25 at 5pm in South Court Avenue, Dorchester.

PC Georgina Guyett of Dorchester police said: "The teenager accidentally cut across the path of the silver BMW when he was crossing Grosvenor Road.

advertisement"The car then caught up with him in South Court Avenue where the driver then clipped the back of his bike.

"The young man was knocked off his bike and luckily was not seriously injured but the bike was damaged.

"The pair then had a verbal altercation and the driver drove off.

"I am asking for the driver of the BMW or anyone in the area to contact me."

The driver was described as being in his late 20s or early 30s with short dark hair and a beard and he was wearing a suit.

Anyone with any information should contact 01305 222222.