Cycling UK Forum

Just an excuse for a bit of a grumble really, to get it off my chest.

Stopped at some temporary traffic lights yesterday at some roadworks that had coned off one lane, behind a couple of other random cyclists. They turned to green so we set off, and went round a corner to see a small queue of cars waiting to come the other way. There was still a fair distance before we cleared the lights when they obviously must have changed and the queue of cars started heading towards us. We were clearly visible, the other riders in see through club lycra ( i never know whether to tell other riders that folks can clearly see their bumcracks and might be time to invest in some new bibs) and 100kg of me with a fluorescent orange helmet and daytime running dynamo lights. Oncoming drivers appeared to be gesturing and shouting for us to get out the way into the coned off roadworks section. I was calm enough not to respond although was tempted to shout at the top of my lungs " green means go - when clear", but was stubborn enough to ride blank faced down the side of the lane rather than bail out, so they had slow a bit to pass me. Luckily a 4x4 with a big horsebox did decide to wait ( otherwise it would have been bail or die), and recieved a grateful smile and wave from myself.
I assume they're all having a grumble now on their Facebook pages about red light jumping cyclists.

I'm assuming I'm on the right in this situation but could have behaved differently to ensure my safety.

On the upside on my ride , I did have a weasel run across my path, and saw a little owl in the middle of the day. Small nuggets that help light up a weekend ride.

https://chilli-tech.com/content/new-bul ... on-camera/

I haven't used one so can't comment personally on the quality etc but am considering getting one because of the form factor.

I like MKS Lambda pedals, for big grippy platform with reflectors.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-clea ... rm-pedals/

Was reading this thread with interest. Something in my brain has clicked recently. I regularly ride a route into town which has a couple of miles of busy single lane road with national speed limit where its not uncommon to get a close pass or a honk/verbal abuse. I've always just sucked it up a its the quickest route, and ridden the route at least a couple of times a week for years. But just the last couple of weeks i've started to be scared by it and am riding alternate routes that add miles/hills to the journey to avoid. Routes are more pleasant but these are utility rides where I'd want to prioritise efficiency and minimum effort. Not sure what's got to me.

this ebay listing has a seat clamp with rubber cover that maybe could be used - or be a complete replacement? Maybe other options on there if you search "retro seat clamp" or similar.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392504207082 ... Sw7gpeHHbD

Tangled Metal wrote: ↑14 Jun 2022, 5:28pm That little dog that went into the bushes then came out again. I wonder if the cyclist doing the emergency stop slowed down much knowing there's a dog in the area off lead? That dog didn't go into the bushes knowing you're there and didn't come out knowing you're there but the cyclist did.

Obviously. I slowed to a walking pace and was poised to brake.

Tangled Metal wrote: ↑14 Jun 2022, 5:28pm If anything bad had happened who's at fault? If you have any doubt apply the young child test. Assume that was a young child instead of a dog and you saw it but still hit it. If you are still not sure switch the dog with your child when about 4 or 5. Would you come close in that situation?

I'm not a psychopath. I can consider the welfare and feelings of other people and animals without having to mentally replace them with someone who shares my DNA.

(or maybe that's what a psychopath would say )

An excuse for a bit of a rant.

Cycling home from work on Friday. 100kg of me riding an electric assist Brompton, with my big bag of laptop of gubbins mounted on front. Down a wide sustrans shared route that joins the town centre to business park and other workplaces. It is late afternoon so a steady stream of cyclists going down the same path, its busy but its a wide shared path, cyclists can and do travel down here safely at quite reasonable speeds.
I spot a small dog disappearing into the bushes ahead. He is off lead and appears to be without an owner, there are a couple of chaps in the vicinity having a chat but they don't appear to react to the dog or be carrying a lead etc.
I proceed with caution, and dog emerges from bushes directly in front of me and stops. I put on the anchors, only being able to stop in time due to my prior caution and already having slowed. Dog just stands there and looks up at me. I look around for an owner, half thinking its a lost dog and i'm going to have to go to the faff of detaining and handing it over to whoever you do in these circumstances. As i'm looking around my eyes meet with one of the aforementioned gents. He mutters "sorry mate" and then carries on chatting with his hands in pockets, no attempt to catch the dogs collar, or to call him or anything. A few seconds later the dog trots out of my way, continues snuffling about, and I continue on my way - holding my tongue.
I know its a minor thing but just the casual lack of concern for the safety of people an his own dog really shook me.

I wear the alpkit strada shorts. Technically they are baggy shorts but are quite snug fitting yet comfy (on a chonk like me anyway).

Quite expensive but i've worn them every week for a couple of years with no bother (although i did add a couple of stitches in the crotch after it looked like a couple of stitches were giving way.

I don't wear padded undershorts - just lycra boxers (dhb running underwear from wiggle) to avoid chafing.

Cowsham wrote: ↑27 May 2022, 11:57am I've bought good bikes cheaper than some of those jackets.

I keep looking at new bike prices and thinking I've bought decent cars cheaper!

Jamesh wrote: ↑27 May 2022, 7:03am
So a 26 mile run is equivalent to a century ride tbh.

Having done both - riding a century is allot easier than running a marathon!

i like Alpkits jackets.

I have the gravitas jacket in case of rain - although quite expensive, packable and lightweight:

https://alpkit.com/products/gravitas-mens

But usually just wear the arro windproof - which is fine in light rain, offers some protection and dries quickly. Not too expensive either. Also packs up small into its own pocket and easily stowed.

https://alpkit.com/products/arro-mens

i used to ride with a camera when cycling in town and uploaded some videos onto our police portal for such things. With my inexpensive computer it took a considerable amount of time to download the footage, crop it a couple of minutes either side of the incident and upload it in a suitable format. It was the policy to not respond to any submissions. Not even an automated email to confirm it had been reviewed. I therfore assume I was just expending effort to upload it into a blackhole and stopped wearing the camera, as it was just something extra to charge /attach etc.
Likewise I had similar zero response when I sent video to the local bus company.
The only response i did get was from a fleet manager of a lorry firm (which specialised in driver training) who i complained to after a scary pass on a nice straight bit of road on a lovely bankholiday monday. Apparently i wasn't aware that there was oncoming traffic so the driver couldn't give me much room. Apparently the only options available were to plough into oncoming traffic or nearly kill me.

Not a sealant but i've just started to give some tannus armour inserts a go. i've only been on one ride though since fitting so i haven't made my mind up yet on them.

https://road.cc/content/review/271465-t ... ert-armour

I just shake my head like im disappointed when I see a close call ( round here, usually overtaking around bends into traffic).
In my mind I picture it cutting to their core and imposing some self reflection. In reality they probably don't even notice but I suppose it's a better habit than shaking the coffee beans at them.

I have done the Dunwich Dynamo 100+ mile ride on both a Dahon Mu 20 inch wheel, and a 16 inch wheel Brompton. A few years back they banned bikes on trains for the day of the DD and the only practical way for me to participate logistically and get back home to the midlands was on a folder. The train company then banned folding bikes as well so have not done it since. I was probably slower than i would have been on a "normal" bike but was pretty comfortable. I'm not used to riding fast or light bikes though so the difference would probably be more obvious to someone who was. The only thing i changed was to replace the saddle and handle bar grips on the dahon to ones i was used to, and on my Brompton put a wider more ergonomic handlebar on.