Cycling UK Forum

The Millenium path from Pembrey to Llanelli is a good route.
I'm based in Pembrokeshire; if there's any specific questions I can help you with please don't hesitate to ask. Probably best to drop me a PM to ensure I see it.
Rich.

Personally I'd use a high intensity flashing rear LED light instead of a flag. It's lighter, has less drag and is visible from a much greater range. They are common amongst our time trialists and are extremely effective. I reckon you'd just about do a LEJOG on one set of batteries.

PM Sent.

Ble dych yn byw?
If you're local to Pembrokeshire you can take a look at my carryfreedom small.
Rich.

Edit -
Just seen it's Cambridge - a bit far!

Thanks, that's very useful. I know that Breton Bikes has a very good reputation but hadn't seen anything recent so it's good to know it's still at the top of it's game.
The video's great too!
Rich.

Does anyone have any recent experience of Breton Bikes? We're thinking of doing a family trip next year but the website doesn't have much up to date information on it.
Thanks in anticipation.
Richard.

Recumbents have ridden in the Tour of Pembrokeshire sportive and last year were offered a direct invitation via the BHPC I believe. I know also that the Etape Caledonia has been ridden by a number of 'bents.

Should this not be in the helmets thread?

Immigrant isn't a race - it's a status. I don't see anything racist in his statement.

There is a view that a two wheeled trailer is better on road and a single wheel better off road. I've got a carry freedom Y frame trailer and it's great, but I've not toured with it. You will still need some sort of bag to put your stuff in. I've got the Ortleib rackpack which is the recommended bag for the trailer but you can pretty much use anything you fancy. A trailer adds additional weight but is supposed to make the bike better balanced which might be an issue if you're not using front panniers too. Panniers are less aggro if you're using public transport too (ie trains) or have to put the bike in a room overnight. The only way to do it is try it out. If you live anywhere near Pembrokeshire you're welcome to come and try mine.

Have you thought of rollers? These don't require the bike to be held (and thus no stress on the frame); are quiet and help develop smooth pedalling. The down side is that they take a bit of learning and there isn't the ability to vary the resistance, however they still give a good workout.

I would (hopefully) just say "thank you", even if I was anti helmet. Given that someone has shown concern and consideration for me; misplaced or otherwise; I think I owe them the courtesy of a gracious response rather than be rude or sarcastic to them just because I disagreed with their point of view.

I like to put myself in the other persons position. If I had shown genuine concern for someone and they spat it back in my face how would I feel? I think I'd be angry and hurt. It might even mean I didn't show concern for someone else in the future where it would genuinely be of some benefit or comfort.

Sometimes it's necessary for us to put aside our views for a moment, however strongly held, for the sake of good manners and consideration to others. Much to my regret I don't always manage to meet that ideal.

Hi,
I'm a qualified (but not currently practicing) driving instructor. The answer is very much "how long is a piece of string?". I've taught people who had a natural ability that required 5 or 6 lessons. I've also had people who just couldn't grasp it and were still struggling months after they started.

Learning to drive is initially about car control but this is relatively easy to teach. The difficult bit is learning "roadcraft" - the ability to think and plan ahead. It's important to think further than the test. The teaching process is about giving the pupil enough knowledge to keep them alive during their first months independent on the road, not just imparting the knowledge on how to pass a driving test. A good instructor will ensure they have these skills, not just develop them to test standard.

Make sure you find an instructor your daughter can get on with. The in-car relationship/dynamics is very important. She needs to feel at ease; not fearful of making mistakes (which are inevitable and an important part of the learning process) and able to ask questions (it's an interactive process, not a lecture). In my mind fun is the key. If you're not relaxed you won't learn. Don't be afraid to change instructors if you don't get on. If you were using a personal coach for maths etc. you'd want one that suited your learning style and this is no different for driving instructors. Too many people choose someone and then feel embarrassed to change even though they're not suitable. However, please be honest with them if you do change as it's not nice to see a former pupil with another instructor when they are still supposedly on your books.

Don't assume that the big driving schools are better than the small ones. They are franchise businesses that you buy into to use their branding. Choose on personal recommendation. There's a lot of good instructors out there who don't advertise.

There is always the option of teaching her yourself. I still nominally offer a "teach your child to drive" course that assesses your driving and gives you the basics that are required. If you live anywhere near Pembrokeshire (unlikely - noone does!) - I'd take you out.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Here to help.

Rich.

Mick F wrote:

Richard wrote:...... the majority expressed a preference for the coffee shop, not the pub so the result is correct.

Sorry.
No.
The majority expressed a view of NOT going to the coffee shop.

This shows the problem with FPTP.
I've never agreed with it, as I reckon it disenfranchises the majority of electorate.

Actually yes, you're right Mick. The majority didn't vote for the coffee shop, it just got the most votes. Actually it does raise a question in my mind as to whether what is being described as FPTP is actually that - what the example illustrates isn't first pass the post because of the 10 votes cast a FPTP would require 6 votes which no-one gets. FPTP is actually only relevant with regards the number of seats in the House of Commons, not the individual ballots for each seat. Perhaps it should be described as most votes wins (MVW)?

However, I still think the original post is flawed as the basic question was still - "where do you want to go for a drink" not "do you want a beer".

More thought required here!

Si wrote:A simple explanation...

I think this is misleading. The image is only correct if the question is where shall we go for a beer tonight? - but not if you ask where do you want to go for a drink? In that case the majority expressed a preference for the coffee shop, not the pub so the result is correct.

This isn't a pro or anti AV post. I think that we need to be careful that the information presented is accurate and factual and not biased to the result we want. It's an important vote and we must ensure that a balanced picture is presented so that people can make their decision based on the facts not opinions.