Cycling UK Forum

mattheus wrote: ↑25 Sep 2024, 11:08am

irc wrote: ↑15 Sep 2024, 10:09pm
Not so good. There is a big difference in brightness from the area below the cutoff 15 or 20 ft ahead of the bike and the area immediately ahead of the bike. I will need to try it on an unlit path to see how it works actually riding.

Generally that's how you WANT a shaped-beam to work. Of course it can be too extreme ...

Why? After all in daylight you don't want the road or ground 6 feet in front to be harder to see than the road/ground 20 feet away?

I would have thought an ideal beam would be equally bright with a clean cutoff to avoid dazzling drivers.

drossall wrote: ↑24 Sep 2024, 8:14pm

CJ wrote: ↑21 Sep 2022, 1:22pmElectrical input is a simple thing to meter...

There were issues years ago with car lights. The limits on brightness had been set using the input. Of course, as bulb efficiency improved, and then LEDs became available, the same input produced more and more output. Are we saying that we're just making the same mistakes all over again with e-bikes? The motor's input is obviously nowhere near as relevant to speed as its output.

But the output is limited to 15.5mph

https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules

I had 700x35 Racers on my bike for a 2013 Washington DC to San Francisco tour. Puncture resistance was acceptable. Off the top of my head the only puncture I remember was on a bike trail from a bit of flint. Partly user error though as I skidded down a short slope to my tent site rather than rolling the bike down it. Certainly no worse for punctures than other similar tours on Supremes.

Subjectively I think the Supremes were a bit more comfortable on an unloaded bike. Loaded I don't remember any difference. Worth a shout at £25 I would say.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tyres-large ... -35-35622/

The bike path had other hazards - the rattling sound gave it's identity away. Same day as the puncture.

edocaster wrote: ↑15 Sep 2024, 7:23pm I saw this today, but didn't buy. Looks like Aldi didn't used to do StVZO lights in the UK? In any case, this one ups the Lidl lights slightly (the mount looks better at least).

I'm assuming it doesn't flash (if it's StVZO-compliant)?

Correct. Good points - usb C charging. Good beam cutoff line.

Not so good. There is a big difference in brightness from the area below the cutoff 15 or 20 ft ahead of the bike and the area immediately ahead of the bike. I will need to try it on an unlit path to see how it works actually riding.

I bought a light set for £20 off Amazon in January this year. Not StVZO but for use anywhere a cutoff is not needed far far brighter.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09MKGPTVJ/

I was at Howmore midweek in June this year. No problem getting a bed. I was one of two in a 6 or 8 bed dorm. Quite a few spaces left.

As per the link above "If you have arrived on foot, bicycle or kayak you will not be turned away. " I suspect if you turn up solo or as a pair they will squeeze you in somehow.

I have used Gatliff hostels maybe a dozen times over the years and always got in. Ironically the only time I have not got a bed at a hostel was when I had booking at a private hostel in Harris. Turned up and it was full. The owner had made a mistake in his paperwork. Luckily we were carrying a tent and he let us camp for free in the grounds and use hostel facilities.

Pete Owens wrote: ↑31 Aug 2024, 8:20pm And that exact location would be important.

If it is on the separate path leading away from the road then it won't be recorded (irrespective of any bollards - the distinction is legal are than physical)

On the other hand if it was on the shared use pavement parallel to the road then that would be recorded as it is part of a highway.

The Pressreader story says paramedics had to reach the casualty after going 300m on foot so I assume it wasn't anywhere close to a road with motor vehicle access.

Jdsk wrote: ↑31 Aug 2024, 10:56am

irc wrote: ↑29 Aug 2024, 11:13pm Having now read the story it is not a reportable road accident as it didn't happen in a road.

Why is that?

I know this area well. My guess from the newspaper reports was that it occurred in a road or other public place as defined by the relevant legislation.

Thanks

Jonathan

Because the Stats 20 guidance says accidents on a road shoud be recorded - not road or other public place. . l am aware that some RTA laws apply to a other public place but they specify this in the act. For example RTA 1988 S3 careless driving says "road or other public place".

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/3

Stats 20 lists numerous places with public access where accidents are not to be recorded.

This article for example, has a DFT quote that cyclists crashes on towpaths are not to be recorded.

“footpath or bridleway with no lawful access for motor vehicles” is exempt from being included in official data. A “cycle path/track with no lawful access for motor vehicles” is also excluded.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/0 ... transport/

I use a Tubus Tara front rack. Flawless performance. Only issue ever was a really slight steering wobble traced to a 1l fuel bottle in a front pannier which was half full and sloshing.

A couple of pics here with the rack with and without panniers. The day the loaded pic was taken I was starting a 175 mile desert stretch with no water en route so carrying 14.5L 2l cans in each front pannier along with usual kit. No issues.

Having now read the story it is not a reportable road accident as it didn't happen in a road.

Barrowman wrote: ↑29 Aug 2024, 10:43am Anyone know if Police would record stats on this as it doesn't involve a motor car ?

They may not but they should.

Guidance on recording RTAs is given by the Stats 20 form. This may not be the most recent version but I doubt much has changed.

"2.2 Examples of accidents to be reported include:
(a) accidents which commence on the highway but which involve casualties off the highway
(eg. where a vehicle runs out of control while on the highway and causes casualties
elsewhere);
(b) accidents involving the boarding and alighting of buses or coaches and accidents in which
passengers already aboard a bus/coach are injured, whether or not another vehicle or a
pedestrian is involved;
(c) accidents to pedal cyclists or horse riders, where they injure themselves or a pedestrian;
(d) accidents resulting from deliberate acts of violence, but excluding casualties who are
subsequently identified as confirmed suicides;
(e) accidents within bus stations/interchanges where they form part of the highway;
(f) accidents in Royal Parks (on roads to which the public have motor vehicle access)"

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 0-2005.pdf


"

Funnily enough the only thing I have ever had stolen was my breakfast banana from a pannier on the bike While I was sleeping in my tent. My combi lock had also been switched to 0000 though as if they were checking it didn't still have the default code. Ths was on a busy USA campsite with many teenagers on it. Not my typical spot but needs must.

irc wrote: ↑24 Aug 2024, 3:19pm No reservation required on local services. From Giffnock I would be tempted to just get the train to Glasgow Central. Then Glasgow Queen St to Cumbernauld from where the Forth and Clyde towpath is close

Edit while I wouldn't overstate the theft risk going lock free is bold. I have while sitting in a central Glasgow pub seen someone go up to my bike, grab the bars before realizing it was chained. Then steal the front light.
I got it back from him.

No reservation required on local services. From Giffnock I would be tempted to just get the train to Glasgow Central. Then Glasgow Queen St to Cumbernauld from where the Forth and Clyde towpath is close

Of course avoiding accidents is better. I overtook two cyclists today on the approach to a roundabout. They were in a kerbside cycle lane. I was going straight through so wasn't signalling until after the first exit. As I entered the roundabout from a standing start they caught me up and undertook me and cut in front of me as they turned right.

As the lane dumps cyclists at the nearside of the entry road it isn't suitable for turning right and on my bike I don't use it. I take the center of the main lane.

Anyway anticipating they might undertake me I was watching them and braked to a stop in the middle of the RAB. Luckily the driver behind me was alert and stopped as well. People don't expect cars to halt in the middle of a RAB.

Thing is the cyclists never even saw me stopping and just carried on unaware that on another day they could have been knocked off.

Here. I was taking the 11 o'clock exit and entered the roundabout just before the riders taking the 2 o'clock exit.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oM3TrumZkh7dUiNV6

Very bad design IMO. There is no cycle lane in the exit they were taking.

Learning point? Maybe next time I should hug the kerb blocking the cycle lane?

Sorry. Should have said I was using it on a conventional gas burner not Triangia. With a burner head that has a reasonable flame spread.