Cycling UK Forum

The "Christiana" Trike is available in the UK through Velorution, but is not cheap!

http://www.velorution.biz/?page_id=1190

They have advantages in that the kids are in front of you, and with young children this means that they can see you as well.

The occupants are better protected (not that trailers are a problem) and also with the cover weather protection is good.

Cons are size for storage and cost.




I don't know about two child seats, may be worth inquiring though.

Not a lot cheaper and slightly less bulky are the Cargobikes from
http://www.dutchbike.co.uk/Bikes/cargobike.htm

I go touring on two main projects each year.

One is with my wife, and is an enjoyable experience because you can share things, talk at any point, but have to compromise with speed, routes, stopping places and itinerary, and with accommodation booked.

The second is on my own. This is unplanned, at whatever pace I like and stopping and starting as I like.

I also get to talk to more people and different people.

Different experiences but equally valuable.

Personally I do really enjoy solo touring and as said above, being lonely is not an option if you are sensible, open to new experiences and respect others.

There is an organisation called "Sustrans" that is an umbrella organisation running the National Cycle Network.

There are sevaral free (I don't know if that will include p&p to Australia!) route maps that you can build from:

http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php ... hp&p=FPR11
http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php ... hp&p=FPL01
http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php ... hp&p=FPR05
http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php ... hp&p=FPR09
http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php ... hp&p=FPT11

There are also a couple of books that you have to pay for:

http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php ... hp&p=RBH10
http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php ... hp&p=RBW02


Finally if you look atthe mapping on his page, you can design routes from the network:
http://www.sustrans.org/default.asp?cou ... 0921346000

This will give you links to some of the above, as well as local groups, sites and advice

This is a wonderful area - enjoy

I must admit that Policing of traffic in pedestrian areas in Gosport and Portsmouth has not yet been delegated to Speed Cameras, nor do I believe that it will be the case in the near future!

However I intitially thought of dismissing Speed Cameras are a total red herring in this thread. However there is proof that drivers caught speeding in this way have a far higher incidence of injury accidents than other motorist and are more likely to have an accident in the future.

Hence they do have an established contribution in identifying poor driving and those drivers who believe the law does not apply to them.

Speed Cameras are simply part of a package to identify these drivers and are breathtakingly successful in doing so.

Lake do a version:



I also believe Nike do, I had a pair a few years ago.

I use a Radical Design Cyclone, which is brilliant and adaptable.



Wheels pop off and it becomes a holdall:




However I would second the problem with narrow stairs and tigt corners.

In the past with the BOB, we used to put smaller bags into the Yak bag and then carry these individually.

I read this as reasonable!

The problem is that someone has "hit and run" a two year old and left them seriously injured.

Our local paper would certainly have run a similar story if it had been a car in order to raise the profile of the incident, and to force the individual to hand themselves in or someone to shop them.

We would also have applauded a clampdown on poor driving in the aea, had it been a car.

Like it or not, the actions of this "cyclist" are reprehensible and deserve the condemnation.

Part of the problem is "policy" - look at railways for an example, we are abou to get a massive "expansion" in the railways (the validity of this claim is a separate issue) mainly achieved with large fare increases above the already inflation busting ones in the pipeline.

In my case it is three times as expensive to take thetrain to Scotland than to fly!

Add the fact that it is quicker and can you blame those who take this choice on financial and convenience grounds?


Add to this the fact that in some cases it is easier to take abike on a plane than on a train.................................

Batavus specifically or "dutch bike" generically?

Try www.dutchbike.co.uk for generic models, or if you want "British" then Pashley do classic sit up and beg roadsters

Forgive the roundabout way of approaching this - but I don't like giving adresses and emails on fora so have a look at the alphabetical list on this URL:

http://www.atob.org.uk/price_tag.html

If you are feeling "flush" he even does rohloff converted Bromptons!

There is a guy called Steve Parry who modifies Bromptons.

One of his modifications is the handlebars:



His mods aren't cheap, but could raise the bars for you.

As posted above - it is simply planning and to a certain extent investment.

Lighting for me is a set of VERY bright Dinotte LEDs, equivalent to 10 watt halogen rear and 15 watt halogen front. THe battery life is about 8 hours at full beam. Not cheap, but superbly bright, and sufficient safety margin on run times that I can guarantee the journey.

Then clothes, I tend to use Lusso or Assos themal tights, with a Foska "Bones" jacket and wash them in water repellent such as Nikwax "Wash-in". This keeps you warm, and will deal with light rain. For really foul weather - a set of Goretex waterproofs will do the rest with overshoes.

The only time I ever worried was high winds, ice and snow, but I have a partially faired recumbent trike that does the job on these days.

I commute all year round - except when we go out in the evening from work. If we are going to be drinking "to excess" - I don't cycle.

Do you mean "Ambitious", "Challenging" or ""rewarding"?

Touring on your own is fine if you are sensible, and in some ways can be enjoyable as you have to rely on your own skills and initiative.

You also don't have to go anywhere exotic or distant as there are superb areas and options in the UK.

Why not try the Lands End - John o' Groats at a leisurely pace, stopping where you like and exploring as you go?

I have used the older "Office Bag" for some years.

It fits like an "ordinary pannier" but with it's padded insert protects the laptop. I have even come of and landed on it without damaging the laptop!

Heel clearance is sorted by fitting the bag at an angle. The fittings enable the bag to be altered to fit either side

You didn't mention churches!

Try "Jenkins" (Englands 1000 best Churches - Simon Jenkins)

Not the big and famous ones, but those with a history, feature or position that makes them stand out.

Taught me a lot, I now tend to look at other churches wit a more detailed eye for the unique and interesting. Again I will often eviate miles for a good "Jenkins"