Cycling UK Forum

A speeding cyclist colliding with a pedestrian can easily result in a serious injury or fatality.
These are shared use facilties so one would expect to ride slowly -I would consider 10 mph a maximum. I usually avoid these "facilities" as pedestrians in this country (unlike the Netherlands) don't have much concept of mixing with cyclists.

I've got to be with Mick F on this one.
Although there are odd usable sections of the NCN and Sustrans, the former often leads cyclists into ludicrous or dangerous situations and sustrans paths often have virtually unridable surfaces.
My own opinion is that they are a gift to the motorised transport lobby. It's galling to see the CTC expend it's efforts on "facilities" and clinging to the coat tails of Sustrans instead of concentrating on improving road safety for cyclists.
I've come to the point like many others of keeping my CTC membership for insurance purposes and not much else.

With your broken arm if you can not hold the bars properly, it is probably a good idea to adjust the saddle so that you can sit upright.

It wouldn't be a good idea to adjust the saddle as you need to replicate your road pedalling position. Raising or perhaps reversing dropped bars would enable you to obtain the upright position you need.

I've experienced near misses when cycling in the oppostite direction to a charity cycle ride- cyclists coming round blind corners on the wrong side of the road. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

I've read the Telegraph motoring section for years the refrain is always about the unfairness of speed cameras, whinging about "law abiding motorists only travelling a few miles per hour above the speed limit" (presumably the ones given to aggressive "tail-gating" when I am driving at the speed limit- or below if conditions dictate - I don't only suffer abuse when I'm cycling!). Unfortunately it's a reflection of the attitude of many motorists and I suspect a substantial proportion of the judiciary.
As for visibility, I think it's likely to go the way of the CTC's 1930's anti compulsory rear light campaign (would you choose to ride at night without one?), not necessarily as a statutory measure but from insurance companies using non viz clothing as a plea of contributory negligence and possibly being an additional requirement in personal cycle insurance.
Is there any statistical evidence linking clothing to cyclist accident rates?-

It just shows that some cyclists are just as inattentive as some drivers-of course consistently careless cyclists are probably not going to be around as long as consistently careless drivers.
In Belgium there used to be a small road tax on bicycles. There was also a small numberplate which could be fixed somewhere convenient like the outside of a brake shoe. The tax was abandoned as it cost too much to collect.
On a more serious note if you'd been driving a car he might have scratched it.

[quote="meic"]Flinders,

I am a sufferer of off the bike cramps, the night after and the days following long rides and I bought this before the latest article in the CTC mag which suggests tonic water.

There was an article in the "Times" a few years back which mentioned this possible benefit of tonic water. I tried it and it seemed to work on my night time after ride cramps. I also know a person who found her night cramps miraculously cured after embarking on a new relationship and being introduced to gin and tonic- of course tonic has sugar as well.
I tried to avoid the caffeine flavoured stuff but as regards Taurene, once feeling sluggish on a "200" I emptied a can of "Red Bull " into a drinking bottle- couldn't get rid of the odour afterwards and had to dump the bottle. In the interests of science (or being really stupid) I repeated this. No more "Red Bull" If it can bond with plastic like that I'm not sure its safe.

meic wrote:unfortunately it is quite comonplace to disregard the effects of sugar in drinks, so these companies are no more going to give a warning than Coca-Cola are.

Many people feel obliged to make these sacrifices for their sport.
Isotonic drinks are just the first step on the road to blood doping and steroids.

I agree with your comment and what I find concerning is that many of the young consumers motivated to take these products are technically children- the one heavily advertised in this week's "Cycling" boasts large amounts of caffeine ( in the old days there was a Belgian "go-fast " mix of caffeine and Brandy and we all know how that was "improved" on), shoudn't there be some counterbalancing information?

The great thing about this forum is the level of erudition displayed by the contributors. Crisps aren't normally part of my diet but at the end of an audax I find a packet of "Kettle" lightly salted and some soda water relieves the gastric discomfort sometimes brought on by the "sweetish" rubbish I have been consuming during the ride, and of course it shouldn't be long before I can do some tooth cleaning. I don't have sweet drinks other than when cycling and I don't have sugar in tea or coffee.
I'm still unsure about replenishing sodium levels or if there is a non sugar carbohydrate drink as a substitute for what I've been using.
In the past I've tried various flavourings like fruit juice (but doesn't this contain a natural sugar?), red wine, and when I was young I remember adding wheatgerm (messy) and once liver salts- this gave disappointing results. I already use two bottles one with plain water on audax rides but I think I'll stick just to plain water for all but audax rides and see how things work out.
Energy drinks are still heavily advertised in the cycling press but there appears to be no caveat regarding the possible dental harm which could be incurred.

I find riding without underwear uncomfortable as the lycra road shorts on their own don't provide the "masculine" support I want. I choose underwear carefully and I don't suffer unduly from chafing. I also use Vaude cycling underwear but wear it inside out as the unfinished edge of the flat seam is on the inside. Many years ago Brian Robinson used to advertise an athletic support, is this still in use outside of rugby?.

I have read a number of articles which suggest that energy drinks can cause tooth decay.
I use drinks like this for audax rides and I wonder what other peoples experience and advice is on this subject.
I am concerned because after many years of visiting the same dentist and rarely needing anything than a "clean up" over the last few years I have increasingly needed fillings.
Would I be better to stick to plain water and rely on solids for energy replacement? I suppose a packet of crisps would replenish the salt levels.

I also think the Zefal HPx is a very good choice. The weight/space saving of a minipump just doesn't seem to be worth it compared with the Zefal's benefits. I have a 12yr old one that still gives good service despite once being run over.

At that time of the year you could rent a Gite from Gites de France organisation at Lille www.gites-de-france.com (Nord region) they are fairly easy to deal with and try to be helpful. The office staff speak English (sometimes a bit limited). Prices are reasonable and some owners allow rental for weekends or an agreed number of days. I booked one for this year's semaine.

Many years ago in the fifties I was told not to wear shorts except for races when the temperature was below 70 F. I am now 68 and I have found this good advice and I have had no knee problems apart from the odd temporary twinge. I am always surprised to see cyclists out in a road top and shorts in quite chilly weather. Of course you were subjecting your legs to an effort you hadn't built up to. Going for a half hour walk after a ride can help.

A few years ago whilst I was still the right side of sixty five, an open top car containing two young women slowed alongside me. The passenger reached out and pinched my left buttock. "Nice bum" she said and they drove off. Could I have reported this as sexual harrassment?. Maybe Age Concern would have taken it up. Better than being pushed off though.