Cycling UK Forum

We're thinking of using Breton Bikes for a holiday next year with our kids to save the trouble of carting all the kit across. Maybe they've got something that would be suitable? I've not used them before but have heard good things about them.

I'm not sure it's clear from your post what you're trying to communicate. I think it would benefit from editing and perhaps a summary.

As a relative of a serving police officer I can say from experience that 99% of the front line officers are worth every penny they are paid and more. As with any profession you get the useless and idle, but that is a very small minority of what are very dedicated and often very brave people.

I've lost count of the number of messy deaths my relative has attended; telling parents that their only children have died; being bitten by prisoners, dealing with mad people, finding infected needles in pockets put there deliberately to injure during a search; fights; nursing the dying, horrendous injuries in car accidents, domestic disputes where the children have to be taken away; searching dead bodies. They often police hundreds of square miles on their own with no backup to help them closer than 30 minutes away. The paperwork is crippling and they're put under pressure to meet performance targets which will be used against them if they're not met. They'll then be called liars in court and see people who should be locked up back out on the streets with nothing more than a paltry fine.

The glimpses you see into their world don't give a true picture of what policing is really like. You need to be there, do it for real to really understand their worth. They aren't perfect, they're human and like anyone they can make mistakes; but the rank and file officers deserve the support of the public because they serve them well.

Bivvi bags come in various guises. They range from the hooped type that give a "tent for the head" to what are essentially waterproof sleeping bag covers.

Condensation can be a problem, particularly if you cover your face, which is necessary if you don't want rain to get in. There is nowhere to cook, there's no space to keep your stuff dry and there's not much you can do once you're in it. They don't offer the privacy or security a tent does but that is of little importance unless on a public site.

However, combined with a tarp they can be quite lightweight and versatile. I have an Alpkit Rig 7 tarp http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16474&category_id=253 (not sure about the new colours though) and one of their Hunka waterproof bivvi bags http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16312&category_id=253 which seems to give a good range of shelter options whilst not being bulky. I've also got the material to build one of these http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/diy/make-an-ultralight-solo-micro-tarp.html which is more minimalist but looks interesting.

I have to admit I've not used these in anger yet - too much to do this summer and not enough time to do it - but the kids have camped out in the garden and it seemed to work well, even in heavy rain.

I don't think you have to choose between a tent or bivvi. They're cheap enough that it's worth trying them out.

vjosullivan wrote:

Michael R wrote:Dog owners are like cyclists and motorists

They've got wheels?

Post of the week!

that this thread.....http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=55448 becomes a helmet debate?

There's close on 40 years of policing experience in our family. We've experienced a lot of difficult situations where violence has been offered or the situation could easily have turned nasty. CS spray, batons and self defence training are effective weapons but without doubt the best defence is your mouth. A smile and a firm but friendly tone to your voice will keep you safer than any martial art.
The police officers I've known that were regularly assaulted were the big tough ones where any confrontation was taken as personal. (I'd choose to work with a female officer any day of the week).

If you're going to use force, particularly preemptively, you have to be damn sure he's going down and staying down because you're in deep trouble if he doesn't. No matter how hard you are, there's someone tougher than you out there.

Smiling won't guarantee you won't get punched, but I reckon it's the best option you've got.

Rich.

Meic,
I'm very sorry to hear of your difficulties.

Not being a member of the CTC I'm uncertain as to the rules governing rides but my guess is even if it were possible to raise a formal objection it would be very difficult to enforce unless the consensus of the other members of the group were in favour of them not attending. Maybe it would be possible to canvas the opinions of some of your riding colleagues to find out whether they could persuade them that it's not in the interests of the group for them to attend at present.
Perhaps your daughter could suggest to her mother that she would find her attendance upsetting? Even if your wife is not considerate of your feelings she may find it hard to go against her daughters wishes.

I sincerely hope this can be resolved for you.

Very best wishes
Richard.

You have the choice between rollers and turbos.

Pros and cons for rollers v turbos -

Rollers generally don't have variable resistance. Slightly less boring as you need to balance. Less potential for damage to frame due to bike moving freely (particularly for carbon frames which may have a get out clause on the guarantee). Potentially a learning curve to be able to use them. Possibly less harsh on tyres. Builds good pedalling technique and smoothness. Gives a good workout but maybe not as varied as can be offered by a turbo.

Turbos - variable resistance. Can ride out of the saddle -probably better for following a training regime. More compact. Don't encourage smooth cycling technique. Need to prop the front wheel up with something (phone book or expensive bit of plastic).

If you want to maintain fitness and build form buy rollers. If you want to follow a fitness regime buy a turbo.

They are actually complementary so get both if you can afford it.

I've got a 110 BCD road triple crank (from SJS) set up with 24/34/44 and a 12-25 rear cassette. Good close gears but low enough for easy climbing. Very rarely a higher top gear would be appreciated but usually it's the lower gears I want.

ukdodger wrote:

Richard wrote:I assume you're not going to be riding at night on a regular basis, you just want an emergency light in case you're delayed for some reason. If so, you don't want a heavy, full on "road lighter" that will weigh a ton and probably never get used. I would either fit a cheap, lightweight LED front light or better still take a small headtorch that would double up as a front light in an emergency and would be more versatile.

That's right Richard. Just concerned about a possible bike problem that takes time to fix and being left to find my way without street lighting. What you say makes sense but how much navigatable light would you get from a small light on an unlit road. I've been on fishing trips to Scotland when it's been so dark on lonely roads you literally cannot see your hand in front of your face.


Thanks also to everyone for their replies.

I think a good quality Petzl or equivalent headtorch would give enough to see to ride though not particularly fast. However, I think it's a case of balancing the likelihood of needing a lot of light and the weight of carrying something you're probably (fingers crossed!) not going to need. The examples being shown in the thread are great but are in my opinion not suitable for what you're trying to achieve; which is basically mitigating the risk of a late breakdown that may force you to cycle in the dark. The head torch would allow you to see to fix the bike, find your way around a campsite/B+B room and cycle at a pinch - a good trade off.
My Tescos headtorch would get me round the pitch black lanes here in Pembrokeshire - not something I'd do day in day out but ok for a one off.
The best thing to do is to buy or borrow a headtorch and give it a go.

I assume you're not going to be riding at night on a regular basis, you just want an emergency light in case you're delayed for some reason. If so, you don't want a heavy, full on "road lighter" that will weigh a ton and probably never get used. I would either fit a cheap, lightweight LED front light or better still take a small headtorch that would double up as a front light in an emergency and would be more versatile.

LM is what I use in the bearings and also on the threads of any bolts. Copperease could be used as an alternative on some bits; for example the seatpost/frame interface. Can't see any benefit from cycling specific products.

If you can justify the expense then do it. If not, safe your money for a good audax bike that will be better suited to your needs.

As snibgo says Section 170 of the RTA does not apply to cyclists so you are not required to stop/exchange names and addresses or report it to the police. From your description it sounds like it was clearly her fault and the way you dealt with it was exactly right. Your conscience can be clear and you should not bother yourself about it.