Cycling UK Forum

Hmm, some years ago a motorist cut across me when he turned right into a car park, a few expletives and I carried on. Only to be confronted by aforementioned motorist who brought me to a halt and grabbed me by the neck. Only got part of his number, and was unsure if I should report him to the police, after all I did swear at him. In the end did so and police thought language was not in appropriate in the circumstances, his response was, it was an assault on a woman in a dark lane, so they hauled him in for questioning. Did not go any further as no witnesses, but at least gave him a nasty warning.

He did assault you and knock you out regardless of what you did, yes, I know he probably would not have done so had you not kicked the car, but equally he would have left the scene of an accident.
Also he hit you in front of a child, this is actually a form of child abuse.

Cos us ladies have a sense or responsibility to our families?????

Well we all dream of the opportunity to do as you did, but I guess the sensible option was to report him to the police and/or the bus depot. Indeed i frequently report bad driving/attitudes of bus drivers to their depot.
Hope you are ok.

I know some of his Preston cycling friends so if I can find out anything will let you know, am in RSF myself and not heard that he has gone to cycling utopia in the sky yet.

I commute approx 17 miles each way, Park and Ride is a good way to build up initial stamina and also a fall back option for less clement weather.
Clothing, hi viz and good lights essential. Make sure you are comfy in what you wear. Do not over dress, you will get warm, so as not to arrive too sweaty esp if no showers available. If you need to be smart you may want to keep some clothes at work if it is possible.
Depending on your cycling experience allow 1.5 hours plus a bit of time to cool down/shower/change/have some breakfast etc.
Do a search for Commuting and you may find some more advise as previously said.

Am not surprised the YHA is going to the wall, have been trying to book to go away at Easter and cannot get thru to either the hostel or the booking dept for 2 weeks, by phone or email.!

I would endorse all that has been said before. Beautiful country but very hard work, even for an experienced tourist. You could be fording rivers up to your thighs, gravel and sand roads, very strong winds that suddenly appear from nowhere or from a different direction! 3-4 days without a shop and need carry adequate food! By August/September you could see the start of winter settling again.
Contact; Dick Philips who is a leading authority on cycling in Iceland and advertises regularly in the Rough Stuff Journal. rsf.org.uk

reohn2 wrote:

Jac wrote:I agree T.T.
Good idea R2 - but I think it will need more than three of us

At the rate the CTC's going the numbers for a new club could grow quite quickly.
Its either that or take the club back from those who stole it.

.....oooooh anarchy in the ranks R2

Well said and succintly put aziraphale.

The problem with campaigning for segregated cycle routes, it will be perceived that this is what we want, then we will be forced to use only these. Then local govt will be aware we do not "pay" for these via road "tax" and won't maintain them. They will be full of potholes, rubbish etc as now.
And what will happen to cycle racing, nowhere to train at speed?

paule wrote:Cheers guys

Was planning on following the LEJOG route through Shropshire and Cheshire as suggested. Bit concened about the Liverpool Manchester bit as every way I plan I seem to end up with a stop in one of them and can't see a way around.

The Llangollen to Birmingham part towpath option looks good as this will be my first proper tour (on a mountain bike with semi slicks), so will feel at home there !

Will let you know how i get on.

Paul

There are routes thru Cheshire that will take you across the ship canal at Warburton (admittedly you will then have to negotiate some of the suburbs of Wigan) and then on north thru Lancs via the West Pennine Moors and should keep you out of Liverpool and Manchester.

None of them have mudguards, make sure you can get mudguards on, reduces how wet you get.

Terry I too have had squirrels in my loft, at first thought it was only one until neighbours opposite reported seeing two running around the roof tops. I did get a trap and confess to releasing them in the wild again, two very separate places, the chances of them meeting up again, returning to my roof and surviving after being in the trap for a couple of days were probably very slim.
A friend suggested killing them, not squeamish about the idea of killing them, but was squeamish about the idea of being atacked by them, then he suggested drowning them in the bath....hadn't thought of that one but will if it is necessary in the future.

Never heard of them and their website seems to be down at the moment.
Where do you want to go in East of England, covers a wide area?
There is some lovely countryside around Suffolk/Norfolk with a large network of lanes.

Completion speed for most 100's are 15kph or 9mph I would imagine most reasonable cyclists can cope with that. Don't forget it does include any stop time, brews etc, there is an upper speed limit which you must go faster than. Usually your brevet card has the times printed on it between which you must arrive at the controls and back at base.

Assume all driver's have not seen you and will do the unexpected, have eyes in the back of your head, try to get eye contact with driver's turning onto your route, that way you know they've seen you. Otherwise have fun and get to know others along your route.