Cycling UK Forum

Don't try this at home!

When I saw this news item I was wondering if this is a good use my tax pound and if there was a more deserving cause for persecution, eg cars on pavements, car drivers using mobile phones, pedestrians on cycle tracks, litter louts, cars breaking the speed limit, tax evaders.....

Target pavement cyclists, say MPs. Seems like a worthwhile use of everyone's time!

Of course it may not just be the car drivers who are subjected to on the spot fines, what about other road users?

I cycle along the Southdowns way at weekends. Here and there the trail has been nicely flattened out and a smooth layer of hardstanding has been placed on top. This makes the ride nice and smooth and allows plenty of room to passing offroad vehicles, we pass each other by with a cheery wave, no more fighting over rights of way through a narrow mudbaths. I am shortly starting a petition for the government to treat all of our country trails and footpaths in a similar way, with perhaps provision given to areas for fast food franchises to be established at frequent intervals to provide refreshments to cyclists and drivers alike.

My weekend rides are about 30% off road, fairly light going tracks (South Downs). The bike I use came fitted with rather snazzy looking Schwalbe Racing Ralphs (26/2.20). Nice light tyres and roll nicely on the tarmac. A few months happy cycling then a couple of months back our local council has decided for whatever reason to embark on a massive. and apparently needless hedge trimming exercise, result; lots of thorns on the tracks and quite a few in my tyres – three in one tyre on one ride. Consequently I decided that, as I enjoy cycling most when I am on the bike and not beside a muddy track trying to mend a puncture, I should invest in a couple of Panaracer Trailrakers. Happy cycling, no punctures…BUT quite hard going on the tarmac, in fact like trying to cycle a tank.
So…my question is, does anyone know whether Panaracer Flataway Tyre Liner or similar could be fitted inside the original Racing Ralphs and would it prevent punctures?
Any other tyre suggestions?

Vignetting not intentional and caused by cheap plastic film camera (Holga) with no filter

At Harting Hill car park