Cycling UK Forum

You've obviously not heard that the rules have been changed. When we learnt to drive a red light meant stop but now it means "Hurry up, you've just got time to squeeze through, never mind the pedestrians/cyclists/cars which have precedence" I'm very surprised that you all don't know this.

The Highway Code will be amended in due course

This might be of interest ...

http://gizmodo.com/5520164/this-is-apples-next-iphone

Mick F wrote:An update:

I've been experimenting with Courses, and right enough, from BikeHike you don't get turn-by-turn directions.

However, I've recently started using http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx and when I download a course from there as a TCX, I get the directions! great stuff too! I see there's a set of check-boxes on the right that you can select your preferences, but the default system is perfect for me.

It's accurate, and the map shows the turns as well as having a list of distances and times to turn. This is just like a route, but far better as you get the info of how far to go and Goal Time etc.

From now on, it's BRT and courses! I'm a happy bunny!

Agreed - that's my experience too. You probably know this but don't forget to zoom right in when in built up areas so that you can actually see the lay of the land because when directions come thick and fast it's easy to miss one

The guard is aware of where you are getting off and usually has the door open waiting for you but it's worth walking down the length of the train to be at the right end rather than walking the length of the platform

Sounds like the sort of question DCI Gene Hunt may ask!

I think that the issue of cycling under power lines is over-stated.

Electric shocks whilst using escalators in department stores is the real issue.

Why isn't the Government doing something about it. I find that going from the first floor to the second floor in John Lewis and from the ground floor to the first floor in Debenhams particularly bad. It can't simply be the change in altitude as I have not noticed the same phenomenon when I use the lift




.... can't quite believe I've written this rubbish; oh well, others do, why not me

frank9755 wrote:Another factor is that it can be quite hard / expensive to experiment with some aspects of bike fit.

While it is easy to put your seat up or angle your cleats, it is a bit more expensive and time consuming to try a couple of different stem lengths, crank lengths or shape of handlebars. These adjustments are, presumably, easy for bike fitters to achieve on their testing equipment.

Good point. Obviously there are those who disagree with the idea of spending money on a fitting but it is only one of the options which exist for riders who cannot sort themselves

reohn2 wrote:Goatwarden
According to some folk on here you would have been better to let things take there natural course,let the reversing sensors do their job and been tolerable of madmen in two ton weapons,without saying a word!

I think the point of the other thread is whether it is wise to seek to point out to erring motorists what they have done wrong by cutting in front of cyclists, passing too close etc. The point here is that a warning was imperative to avoid a flattened tandem crew. In the context of the car horn, remember it is an audible warning instrument not a teaching aid - the cyclists 'bellow' should be viewed in a similar manner

Good idea - do you know if there is such a thing as a list of locations?

Advice on cycling with a baby? Don't do it - use the bike to get some 'you time' and a little peace and quiet!

Being serious, I worry about the BNP. Their 'policies' seem to have the ring of truth about them even though they are in fact the worst drivel. It concerns me that the readers of the red tops may be taken in by the veneer of respectability that Griffin et al have attempted to portray. Just because you can't see the skinheads, bovver boots and tattoos doesn't mean they are just under the surface waiting to jump out and kick your head in


edit - Goatwarden you just beat me to it but I didn't feel happy being quite as explicit

I cannot believe that the situation ever arises where there is no space for bikes on a car ferry. I know they squeeze the vehicles in pretty tightly but whenever I've used the ferries there's always space between and around the vehicles

Let him who is without sin ...... many cyclists (no specific group singled out here however if you make a living delivering letters in cities ..) do nothing to enhance our reputation and their antics of nipping between vehicles, squashing to the front of queues, hopping on and off the footpath, riding across pedestrian crossings etc. will help to foster a 'them and us' mentality in the minds of motorists.

It's ludicrous to suggest that as a group drivers consider cyclists to be a lower form of life or that they wish all cyclists harm (as some of you seem to think) but obviously a minority do have a selfish 'to hell with anyone else' attitude. I believe that bad behaviour only encourages further bad behaviour and that two wrongs don't make a right. I'd suggest restraint in dealing with another road user as a heated exchange is unlikely to ever convince a motorist that he/she is in the wrong. Video evidence may be the way forward but it can be a double edged sword - be prepared to be videoed yourself

fritz17 wrote:I too appreciate the scones etc at Capheaton , only a shame its not open one day through the week. But please don't all head there or there won't be any room for me. It could be described as an oasis in the desert but that would be a grave injustice to our beautiful Northumberland countryside.
There are fabulous sandy deserts in northumberland of course but they have cold water down one side ,some are even protected by castles. The lengths we go to to keep out the visitors and ensure we can get a seat in the cafe.

I believe the cafe has tried to open through the week in the past but there simply wasn't enough trade to make it worthwhile. Now if all the retired cyclists in the area were to go out on the same day and go to the same venue for refreshments ........... Looking at the CTC groups in the North East, there doesn't seem to be that much activity which leads me to think that either there are CTC members but they prefer to ride with other groups or there aren't many CTC members

goatwarden wrote:

mw3230 wrote:

goatwarden wrote:We have B17s on our tandem; I consider them to be set up as well as is possible. My wife (rear seat) sometimes has problems with sliding forwards (probably more of a problem on the back as you have much more freedom to take one, or both, hand(s) off the bars) sometimes. When she is just wearing cycle shorts she is fine, but tends to slide if wearing a pair of Ron Hill tight over shorts in cold weather. I think the coefficient of friction between the leather and different textiles varies considerably and is not necessarily obvious by looking at the cloth.

The slipperiness is, in some ways, one of the advantages of Brooks saddles. I find the fact that my shorts will slide over the leather far more comfortable than them dragging on a rubber saddle and thus pulling all the hairs in tender places. Over a few days touring the aforementioned hair pulling can lead to severe discomfort.

Isn't it one of the stoker's duties to massage cream into those tender places? At the end of the journey of course

That duty I don't mind, it's the front rider's duty (so I am assured) to warm the stoker's hands using his kidneys that I'm not so keen on!