Cycling UK Forum

I have just noticed that NCN 1 north of Tain is no more.
Stick-on labels have been applied to existing signing bearing the new designation 'Far North Way'.
There is also a new map available titled 'John O Groats and the North Scottish Coast Cycle map' covering the route between Tain and JoG.
It seemed odd to have retained that part of the route which passes close by Carbisdale Castle, the long since closed Youth Hostel, and requires cyclists to negotiate the staircase at Invershin railway bridge.

plancashire wrote: ↑3 Jun 2023, 10:33pmI gather the UK Government is finally thinking about introducing deposits. Why did it take so long?

One reason is opposition from sectors of the drinks industry who are not prepared to take any responsibility for their customers actions in carelessly disposing of drinks containers.

I suggest you speak to a human at Scotrail, if you can. I can find no reference to Scotrail refusing bike bookings between Inverness and Wick/Thurso this summer.
There is some false info on the web regarding bike carriage on Inverness to Wick/Thurso services and West Highland services.

The Cromarty- Nigg ferry commenced its summer 2023 service on 1st of June providing another routing option between Inverness and Tain for LeJoggers, and anyone wanting to do a circuit of the Cromarty Firth.
www.highlandferries.co.uk

As you have done the Struie last year you will also have done half of the road on the south side of the Dornoch Firth.
After Tain you could cross the Dornoch Firth bridge and take the road along the north side of the Dornoch Firth to Bonar Bridge.
I would estimate motor traffic levels would be very similar on both sides of the Dornoch Firth.
The road from Spinningdale to Bonar via Kyloag and Migdale is a pleasant route, single track, but if you are in no hurry I would say go that way!
The last time I was there the Golf Club at Bonar had a tea room open to non members, I'm uncertain as to the present situation.

Jdsk wrote: ↑28 Apr 2023, 8:41amThere used to be an annual slow bicycle race in the entrance road to Great Ormond Street Hospital...Jonathan

There used to be an annual slow bicycle race at my school sports until the new gym teacher came on the scene and dropped it in favour of some sweaty activity.

simonhill wrote: ↑26 Apr 2023, 6:13pmAir travel has often supplanted ferries, but again there are plenty of ferries still operating.

Not plenty if you want to sail between the UK and Iceland, Faroes, Norway and Sweden, all services which have ceasd in the last 20 odd years

simonhill wrote: ↑26 Apr 2023, 1:41pmI don't know about the billions going to air travel,

It might interest you to investigate a little, i think it's outrageous in this era of air pollution, global warming, climate crisis etc etc.

Well, that's one big load of data!
Meanwhile back in the UK

Paul A wrote: ↑12 Apr 2023, 6:59pmDoes anyone know of a cycling manufacturer that makes pants in different leg lengths/waist sizes?

It would seem to me that you are limiting your choices by seeking out cycling manufacturers. Almost any trousers will be fine for a twenty mile trip to the pub, dress for the destination and not for the journey!
I've found the M&S range has adequately met my needs for short trips and up to 70 mpd multi-day touring.
(Perhaps I am fortunate never to have felt the need for padding.)

Wild camping is illegal in both countries.
The topography of The Netherlands doesn't lend itself to secretive wild camping, also you are never far away from people . Even along the coast the grass on the dykes is either grazed or mown and a tent would stick out like a sore thumb. I suppose it depends on your attitude to local laws, but I never felt wild camping was worth considering. Preferring to use one of the many campsites which to my mind offered good facilities at a reasonable cost. and saved time which would otherwise be spent scouring the local area for a concealed site.
The German landscape probably offers more wild camping possibilities but again I didn't consider it worth the risk of disturbing local people by breaking local laws and customs.

Mick F wrote: ↑21 Apr 2023, 3:19pmThe cans I see are on the left of the A390 heading east leaving Cornwall and climbing out of the valley.
Come the other way, there's little of it.
Is it a Cornish-shop-bought problem with passengers chucking cans out on their way back to England?

I believe the uneven distribution of empties can be due to the prevailing winds as most of the empties are on the downwind road verges.
I have 'adopted ' certain routes or roads in my locality and go out with an old pair of panniers and usually fill both each time I'm out on a litter pick.
One litter source that particularly annoys my is crash debris. Three vehicles have gone off road near my home and eventually a recovery vehicle hauls them out of the trees and on to a trailer for disposal. However anything not still attached to the crashed vehicle, mirrors, headlamps, misc plastic and electronic components including the inscribed 'Don't enter this area' Police tape is left there for evermore.
My completely unscientific research into the roadside litter problem leaves me in no doubt that the UK has the worst problems of any country in Europe for roadside litter.
The introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland mentioned above, has unfortunately been delayed following opposition by a faction in the drinks trade.

Phil Fouracre wrote: ↑27 Mar 2023, 8:06am What is wrong with people? What a ridiculous thread title, and, people on here complain about others twisting the truth.

The thread title was not at all ridiculous, if you had read the original article I would hope you would agree it was the call for a ban on cycling on the streets that was ridiculous, and not my calling attention to the matter.
I had no control over the NFBUK amending the wording of their "call to government" after this was brought to their attention and look forward to an apology from you for the critical tone of your posting.

Pete Owens wrote: ↑26 Mar 2023, 2:11am Quite the opposite - they are calling for cyclists to be banned from the pavements - thus required to cycle in the street.

What I said was correct at the time, the wording has since been amended.

The National Association for the Blind of the UK (NFBUK) is putting out a call to Government to ban cycling in the streets.

See....We call for action Para 7

https://www.nfbuk.org/press-release-upd ... nt-living/