Cycling UK Forum

geocycle

Psamathe wrote: ↑15 Aug 2024, 9:43am
geocycle wrote: ↑15 Aug 2024, 8:27am ...For centuries we’ve been treating rivers as conduits to remove waste and the costs are only now apparent....
I think the "we" needs clarifying as "we" (the public) have been paying the water companies NOT to use our rivers as sewers and it's only recently it's become apparent they were taking our money but passing it to their shareholders rather than doing what we were paying them to do.

For society to work we need to be able to have a degree of trust that when we pay for something it is done, that when our Gov. appoints regulators they regulate and don't just act as enablers for the private companies to pass dividends they can't afford to shareholders.

With out water companies, we have no choice, there is no competition, they are a crucial utility and should be nationalised. Fortunately we now have to opportunity to take then back under public ownership for minimal outlay given they are almost bankrupt (after passing money they didn't have to shareholders). Just keep handing out maximum fines for every regulation violation and we'll soon be able to buy them for 1p.

Ian

I agree about the flawed model of private water companies and would welcome plans to bring them back under public ownership. However, it is correct to state that people have used rivers and lakes to get rid of waste for millennia. Sometimes this was via cess pits and septic tanks, some was from fields, some partially treated. Phosphorus inputs into lakes like Windermere that has received lots of concern recently, have actually declined since 1990 thanks to WTW modifications but need to go much further to reach levels before mass tourism. You are correct that the range of pharmaceuticals has increased from humans and livestock creating an additional burden which smaller WTW are not adapted to deal with (and yes, the responsibility is with the water companies and regulators).

geocycle

This is a long running problem and people like Alistair have been publishing for many years. The concern regards sewage pollution has brought it to the public attention. For centuries we’ve been treating rivers as conduits to remove waste and the costs are only now apparent. WTW are not good at cleaning up pharmaceutical waste from people and animals especially in rural areas, on top of that, direct addition from farm animals and dogs adds to the problem. This diffuse pollution is much harder to stop than point source like the cyanide.

geocycle

I tend to think about the drivetrain together, as in the end it is chain wear that means you need to change the sprocket. In general, I run a chain until very slack with the eccentric unable to take up the excess, which is probably 5-10k miles, when I need to replace a chain I turn the sprocket, when that's done I replace the sprocket, so the sprocket will have done 10-20k miles. After another repeat cycle I might change the chainwheel as well. I don't do much chain cleaning and don't use a chain case both of which would squeeze more miles. All is done by eye so I'm probably changing earlier than necessary. The good news is the sprockets are fairly cheap.

geocycle

Brucey wrote: ↑19 Jul 2024, 11:55am
Bmblbzzz wrote: ↑19 Jul 2024, 9:17am I wouldn't call it charm. I just prefer the texture and smell of the cotton canvas to the PVC. The difference is aesthetic not functional.
there are plenty of ways you can carry stuff on a bike, but to me, few look as nice as a traditional Carradice bag.

I agree on the aesthetics even if someone did shout out 'Here comes Alan Bennett!' last time I was out. I like a traditional saddlebag for day rides like my Barley. It could be improved with deeper pockets, some velcro and a deeper internal sleeve but I appreciate the accessibility over the folding designs. Mine has gone from Green to Khaki over 15 years or so. I've not had anything other than a couple of rivet heads rust.

My ortlieb bikepacker panniers are 18 years old, they have had a couple of clips replaced and an inner sleeve but are otherwise also in great condition. So both give excellent longevity with a bit of maintenance.

geocycle

I've got the Ti elan with carbon forks. Even in that configuration its quite a solid bike, its a light tourer eg saddlebag or 2 small panniers and a bar bag, it's also a reasonable 'gravel' bike and a smooth relaxed all season day ride. Note I say smooth day ride bike, rather than fun day ride bike -the Spa audax in similar configuration is more sprightly and perhaps 'fun' -but for me a touring bike like the elan is about letting you enjoy the ride and landscape. For your use I'd suggest the steel version with steel forks that should certainly do the touring part of the job. If I was doing heavier touring with off road I'd pack my Thorn but that's another story.

geocycle

Interesting to know of the different frequencies. That tallies with my experience where the spur bell works great over distances but the lower pitch Lion bell works bell is sometimes better detected by older folk when rung enthusiastically. However, a cheery good morning seems to be the best approach if the bell does not get a response.

As for headphones and dog walkers that’s another story.

geocycle

francovendee wrote: ↑7 Jul 2024, 8:08am
Exactly why we had that mad woman Truss in charge.

The more I think about it the stranger the appointment of Truss seems. She is clearly completely incompetent by any measure yet was pushed into high office and endorsed by the Tory members. Odd.

geocycle

It sounds like your issue is probably with ICE so I’d contact them in the first instance. Depending where you live one of the rohloff service centres are another option that could do work under warranty if needed.

https://www.rohloff.de/en/company/worldwide

geocycle

I’m sorry but Sunak is tainted with 14 years of corruption and bad behaviour. I was discussing with a Ghanaian yesterday and he made the good point that corruption is worse here than there because at least the Ghanaians recognise they have a problem. Starmer is a politician who waxes and wanes to achieve an objective, Davey has come over as a nice guy thanks to a well pitched campaign.

geocycle

PH wrote: ↑20 Jun 2024, 1:39pm
Carlton green wrote: ↑20 Jun 2024, 1:11pm Mike Lynch says vote Labour. Well, gosh, who’d have expected that?
Quit a few on the left wouldn't have, possibly even some of the left wing commentators on this forum. The RMT union isn't affiliated and Mick Lynch is a fairly outspoken critic of Starmer. Some of the points made in the interview counteract the fear mongering about a large parliamentary majority that it's in some people's interest to promote. Isn't it better to discuss that, than reach for a wiki quote and some rolling eyes?

Mick is a pragmatic chap. Some on the left seem to start with wanting to change the system, which is equivalent to asking for directions and being told ‘I’d not start from here’. Starmer does worry me on things like health, environment and Europe but I’m just hoping he is more radical in power.

geocycle

al_yrpal wrote: ↑20 Jun 2024, 2:54pm Well, the Torys will be ousted because they didnt tackle and solve what people percieve are our problems. And, they treated the public like lemons, or in Rishi's case with mindless disrespect.

Whatever their majority will Labour be any better, who knows?

Al

I agree with that. I think the behaviour, lies and blatant corruption under Johnson, Truss and Sunak have seriously undermined our democracy. In my view this is more important than simply policies. Will Labour be better, I hope so but time will of course tell.

geocycle

I have various types of rim brakes and hydraulic discs on one bike. In wet weather the hydraulic discs are best and if I thought I would be out on a ride where lots of wet braking was expected I'd most likely choose that bike. In most situations the v brakes on the flat bar tourer and the dual pivots on the audax are fine, even in moderate rain. The dual pivots are noticeably less good in the wet. But the Q is not really about braking performance, its more about rims, future proofing and running wide tyres. Swimming against tide is ok for a while but gets more difficult in terms of compatibility.

geocycle

Are these cracks or scratches? Look very regular to me.

geocycle

From the west Greenhow is a long, exposed slog. Fortunately Stump Cross caverns have a well placed tea room. The descent on the main road is steep, windy and can be busy and I understand there is an alternative route signposted. The really steep hill on WotR is the monster (I’ve called it other things) out of Settle. It saps the energy levels and is probably one of the reasons I struggle on Greenhow. But all part of a great route.

geocycle

Cugel wrote: ↑9 Jun 2024, 5:37pm
geocycle wrote: ↑9 Jun 2024, 1:14pm
I vote green in local elections and our green led council does a good job. I couldn’t contemplate letting a Tory in so will likely vote labour. As it happens our candidate is very good.

It would be good to change the voting system to some form of PR despite the risk of more extreme representatives it brings. However, not engaging with a flawed system is not going to help. It’s a bit like asking for directions and getting told I’d not start from here.
..... "And that there might be owls, if'n you'm start from 'ere. What'll you do then, eh,eh? Owls!"

*************
How does one judge if a candidate is or will be "very good", especially when said candidate is never seen, met, conversed with or otherwise examined except for a 0.05% chance of a 2 minute "conversation" on the doorstep or a newspap report of what policies they voted for?

Even if you get two hours with them, what criteria do you employ to test for "very good" in a potential MP? Ninety-odd percent of them are just voting-fodder herded by one or another Party whip-collies directed by an often cruel and uncaring Prime Policy-Farmer.

Are the testing criteria something like: "What I want"? They'll lie to you in their answer, avoid an answer or otherwise completely ignore such desires as the whip-collies direct them to other actions, often passed in the form of a grocery-policy order from Big Business or mass-media proprietors.

Tough if they are new of course but ours is indeed a very good and involved constituency mp. I got to know her as a result of actions during the pandemic. Since then she has been a major factor in local issues such as transport and social care.

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