Cycling UK Forum

A car is not an essential it is a choice.
We've been a car-free family for getting on for 20 years.
It was one of the best decisions we ever made, massively increasing our quality of life

It sometimes takes some planning but that's the case with almost anything.

The IAM is moving into cycle-training though

andyf wrote:Can one reserve 2 spaces for one day return ticket - to depend which train I catch. In this case, either a Hull Trains or GNER train from Grantham to London? (The day return ticket itself I know is flexible). Many thanks, Andy

By reserving two spaces might not it be just an incy-wincy bit mean on someone else who may wish to travel?

During a cycle-training session I was outside a school teaching five young riders the folly of pavement riding, when, yes, two cycling bobbies came along - on the pavement.

They pulled up showing genuine interest in the cycle-training, and offered to help at any future sessions.

Some banter ensued when I politely pointed out that perhaps they should have been riding on the road and not the pavement.

"Ah, we have dispensation so we can chase criminals." "That's Our Job", they proudly told the youngsters, puffing out their chests and patting their equipment pouches.

We all looked around, and I asked my trainees if they could see any 'criminals'. There were none to be seen, so I suggested that the two policemen seemed to have lost their quarry, much to the amusement of the children.

This caused them to change tack, with...
"Ah, but it is best to ride on the pavement when there is so much dangerous traffic".

So I asked my trainees, who were now clearly enjoying the exchange, if they could see any 'dangerous' traffic.
We all looked up and down the near deserted road.
"Yes, there is a parked car over there" said one, - and that was it.
Nothing else, zilch, not even the local vicar with a shopping basket.

There followed a sheepish, "We must be on our way; lots of baddies to catch" from PC Senior Bobby, and I wished them a pleasant and safe ride. His junior, gave a knowing wink back at us as they left.

As the two set off, we stood and watched with jaws hanging, as one went along the road, while the other bunny-hopped onto the .....pavement.

It didn't take me long to decide whether they could indeed help with any future training.

Contact:
http://www.headleyinsurance.co.uk/

Tell them your needs.

We have several machines far in excess of the figure you quote covered.

navigator wrote:in this weeks e mail

... i object to this short sighted TFL view of life that cars = Congestion = global warming and we all must pay.

We don't all pay - only those who choose to drive, pollute, and cause congestion.

Its not compulsory.

dave holladay wrote:Me - I want to have the Kingston Bridge (M8) closed and given over to mon motorised travellers for a day...

I'd settle for the roads of Hampshire being closed to motorised traffic

The old Test Hill at Brookwood is a real lung-burster, dead straight and at 1 in 4 at the top.

I have a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket and it takes standard panniers as it uses a standard rear rack. There are also eyes on the front forks for low riders.

With all folders there is a compromise between foldability and rideability.
The BF is not a commuters bike and ends up as quite a large unwieldy package that really needs to be bagged. However, its ride quality is excellent and its luggage carrying no different to any ordinary touring machine.

For short trips which require quick folding, the Brompton really does rule supreme. IMO nothing has matched its foldability, and as a runaround it is also a fine machine, so long as there are not too many steep hills!
Luggage carrying is good, using its own front pannier system. Panniers on the rear, don't really work without affecting the fold.
With a Weber hitch it can easily pull a trailer, and I use this around my locality for deliveries/collections.

I suppose what it really comes down to is that you will always need at least two folders

I second AVC in Bath as the best place to visit.

georgew wrote:I became tired of all the stress involved in traveling on a train with a bike, never knowing whether you would get on or not. Now having bought a folder, I know I'm going to be allowed on.

Probably.
I use both a Brompton and a Bike Friday regularly. Admittedly I have had very few problems with either but you do still come across the occasional jobsworth.
On one occason I was informed that the folded Brommie was a H & S hazard as I stood by it in a vestibule, along with about six commuters, several cases and a pushchair and mum. The bike space was full of further commuters, and of course nothing was said about the pushchair blocking the door.

On another occasion there just wasn't any room at all as the train pulled in, as due to a breakdown it was three carriages instead of nine, but luckily another was following 20 minutes later.

Generally, you should be OK.... usually

The new cycle route from Ashurst to Lyndhurst alongside the A35 has officially opened. I went to the ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday, and a good crowd turned out.
See:
http://www.velotree.co.uk/ashursttolyndhur.html

biking_fox wrote:
I'm sure they could be useful to cyclists in helping to enforce profer drivign and cycling, but it would be better if they followed the law first!

I came across two without lights and who then rode down a No Cycling path.

I think 'police on bikes' is mainly a PR stunt.

Mick F wrote:How do they know?

No idea.

In fact there's nothing to stop the general public of, say, Cornwall, just riding down to LE every now and again and filling in the book as if they've just popped down from JOG!
(mmmm ... might try that ..)

That begs the question why might you want to that?

I understood around 3000 completed it each year.

I read it somewhere but can't remember where.

Here's Big Vote for Chain Reaction.

I've just used them for the first time.
I ordered a pair of 105 STI levers at midday and they were with me at 8am the next morning.
£20 cheaper than Wiggle, £50 cheaper than Evans, and £70 cheaper than BikePlus, and that's before you add their postage rates, while CRC postage is free.
I'll definitely be using them again.

...and yes I still use my LBS where possible but much as I hate it, sometimes price really does have to come into it.