Cycling UK Forum

Well we got what we deserved. I advised folk to vote Green before the Election but alas to no avail. If you think the main political parties are committed to promoting cycling and walking think again. Their short term policies pander to the car drivers (I nearly said owners - how many cars are 100 per cent owned?) whatever the long term consequences. It takes a brave politician to stand up to this. There is hope - but it may take another generation of voters to achieve it. It is a bit like sliced bread. My parents thought it wonderful. Today we are warned it is not even fit to feed the birds.

You could write a book on the privatisation of cycling. Once upon a time cycling clubs, to which any cyclist worth the name belonged to, organised reliability rides, usually early in the year, with minimum fuzz. You might get a route sheet but there was no route marking and if you were lucky you might get your time on the certificate given out at the end. Entry fees were a minimum amount - certainly no one was deterred by the cost.

Somewhere along the line capitalists took over seeking to make a profit for themselves by catering for the new cyclist, and there are enough of them to keep these people in profit. At the same the charities realised that they too could gain a big increase in funding by promoting cycling and similar events with high entry fees and often a commitment for riders to raise an additional minimum amount. Sadly the majority of new cyclists, few of whom seem to belong to clubs, appear to use these sportives as races and expect route signing and accurately timed finishing results. Unaware of the old culture they think £50 for a 50 mile ride is acceptable. It is argued in defence of these high entry fees that the routing and timing have to be paid for. These may be true but is it always needed ?

At the same time holiday companies realised that there was a profit to be made in organising cycle tours at home and abroad for those who appear not to have the time or inclination to do it themselves. Even the CTC is in the market although happily the profit motive does not appear to be the main aim.

Meantime you are encouraged to ride the Milton Keynes Three Counties L'Eroica on Sunday 12 June for just £5 which is shared with the local Willen Hospice and the CTC Cyclists Defence Fund. 100k with a route sheet and map provided. All cycles welcome but we like to see pre 1980 ones. A good event to try out the new retro bike before the Britannia Eroica the following week. Details on www.mkctc.org.uk

There are questionnaires going the rounds which claim your answers indicate the party which mostly supports your political ideals. Of course there are other issues than cycling and walking but if you think that the major parties have addressed the problems this country faces carry on and vote for the status quo. The smaller parties face the risk of getting a reasonable percentage of the national vote but failing to get a single MP elected with the first past the post system. However, looking to the long term this could be the turning point in the campaign for PR. If say the smaller parties national vote produces a total of say 15 per cent or more but only one or two MP's this will hopefully increase the argument for PR. Be sure, however, those who gain power from the present system will not wish to water this down, especially as not only would the Greens gain but more worryingly UKIP. We are in for interesting times.

The Guardian clip says it all. Vote GREEN.

I have just read the full Labour Party Manifesto. Not a word about walking and cycling. Not unexpected but another kick in the teeth from those who simply do not get the message. However, there are some nice photos of pretty people but not one is doing anything slightly active. What better way to portray Ed as a man of the people than a picture of Ed and his missus cycling along with the kids on baby seats. Maybe one day!

In the good old days, when I was a cycling coach and frames were often built to order, I advised riders to ensure that the bicycle was a good fit by aiming to make sure that 4 inches of seat tube projected, enough to be gripped by a hand. The formula I used to get to this was to take two thirds of the inside leg length to give the frame size, ie seat tube measured from centre of bottom bracket to top of top tube. This produced the optimum look for those of us who cared about how a bicycle should look. Nowadays with sloping top tubes it is not so easy and best tried out in person. Better a smaller frame than a bigger one - you don't see the top racers riding around on oversized frames as many tourers do. If it is good enough for the Tour de France it is good enough for my tour of France.

I don't follow the logic behind larger is best. Weight is important as is centre of gravity.

PS Just heard on the radio that the Tories have pledged to keep Trident and all the other associated crap 'to defend us all'. I am not sure from what but the numbers killed by motor vehicles throughout the world every year - 1 million plus in crashes and nearly 10 million from air pollution - is far more than from terrorism. Why are cyclists not seen worthy of defending?

As an ex member of RAF Fighter Command and the Second Tactical Air Force I see no merit in Trident . either on military, cost or moral grounds.

You can 100 per cent guarantee that the two major political parties, plus the other almost demised party that propped up the Coalition, will do absolutely bugger all for cycling. My advise is to forget this mob who have taken us all, not just cyclists, for granted for years and to vote for the new kids on the block - the Greens. They may not be perfect but they are more aware of global issues than the rest of the bunch, who are a complete shower.
Ask yourselves - how is it that cycling, that has so much going for it, is completely marginalised by the political elite who see the number of motor vehicles sold as a sign of progress?

A typical DfT response - nothing addressing issues I raised at the consultation, namely the wide difference in local authority approach to promoting cycling and other non motorised transport, and the time scale and size of funding.

I have just commented elsewhere on getting the bike looking right - saddle and racks horizontal, for example, but also trying to match frame colour to kit.
In the old days we could specify frame colour and contrasting lug linings. I have a black Rourke tourer with red lugs and a red Rourke racer with black lugs. The former has black handlebar tape, saddle, pedals and mudguards and red bottle cage. The latter has red handlebar tape and bottle cage and black saddle and pedals. Both have other fittings in silver anodised aluminium, mainly the wheels. However I have recently acquired a set of black Mavic MA40's and I still the black MA4's from when I raced.

Further advice can be found in The Rules - the Way of the Cycling Disciple. Not everyone's cup of tea I know but recommended for those, as stated on the back of the book, for whom cycling is not just a pastime or a means of travel, but as a way of life - as obsessed with style, heritage, authenticity and wisdom as with performance. Read on!

I second that.

I have always found Blackburn satisfactory and have had mixed results from others on the market. Things to look out for are 1, will it fit level and just above the mudguard, 2, will it be compatible with pannier fixings and 3, can you fit a rear light?

Point 2 is important. If you already have the panniers check them out on the proposed rack at your LBS or vice versa. Point 1 is not only about looking right (not everyone appreciates that I know) but keeping the centre of gravity as low as possible for increased stability - the same reason why the smallest frame is recommended - look at the pros. Point 3 is important if you ride the longer Audax rides or regularly commute.

Years ago I bought a frame from Ken Rogers (ace trike builder) which had been made by Viscount. Painted light blue with chrome forks (which looked like Tange) and no decals, I built it up for fixed wheel winter riding. It was a very good ride but alas I bumped off a Milton Keynes Redway kerb and to my surprise broke the top and down tubes at the head tube junction. The frame walls were very thin - too thin obviously.

I started hostelling in the early 1950's - a long time ago. I usually had the prepared meals but whenever I did not I would make full use of the unwanted foods left by departing hostellers. I remember cutting potatoes into slices and frying them with left over oils or fat.

There was a strong community feeling around hostelling in those days, sadly lost today, with many active local YHA groups organising trips and work parties to hostels. These local groups were strongly held to be as good a place to meet the opposite sex as the local Palais.

We had little money in those days and often slept out under the stars wrapped up in our waterproof capes. If we were lucky we could find space in barns and the like. It was not always possible to get a bed at a hostel, especially in the more popular touring areas, so sleeping out was often forced upon us. Our parents would have had a fit if they knew what we got up to but in those days they gave us freedom to roam from an early age. I have always been grateful to them for not curtailing my wanderlust.

My suggestion is to go for a NEW Btwin Triban 500 SE currently on offer at Decathlon at £330. Lifetime warranty alloy frame, carbon forks, 3 x 8 gears, mudguard eyes and rear carrier fixings, 51/54/57/60/63 sizes. This is a really good buy for club riding, sportives, commuting and touring and I speak as a Defy rider. 9/10 Cycling Weekly review.