Cycling UK Forum

Too cold for cycling? Not anymore. Yipee!

Am I just being picky?


Yes

phil parker wrote:Here's another Clip for descending a hill, this time without touring gear - not suggesting that anyone should follow this example, but it perhaps highlights a difference in confidence?

That's just stupid f*****g reckless. As well as overtaking on solid white lines, passing a residential area with parked cars, possibly pedestrians is just asking for an unpredictable event and with no time to react...... Anyone can ride a bike fast downhill, it's called gravity. Riding a bike as fast as possible whilst maintaining safety is a different matter entirely.

In truth cycling and running should not be compared because they are completely different activities. Its like comparing apples and pears. However if you insist......

Cycling could be compared to walking/running i.e. moving around on two legs. A reasonably fit person could walk/jog all day or at least for several hours. Similarly a reasonably fit person can cycle at a moderate pace all day. Running as opposed to jogging or walking should be equated to fast cycling, such as racing/time trial or a very hilly route. Both are strenuous and require a proper training regime to do properly. You recover quicker from cycling than running coz running is more weight bearing and more impact.

Tonight A590 busy trunk road with dual carriage way interspersed with older section of twisty narrow bends, spotted a cyclist unlit in dark clothing. Presumably someone with a death wish bearing in mind it's a 70 mph road with lots of HGVs to boot.

I hold that it is self evident that professional drivers (i.e. people who make their living behind the wheel) should be held to a higher standard.

So if a cyclist is involved in an accident whilst performing his job, e.g. messenger, postman, etc then he/she should be held liable if the other party is a non professional car driver?

Depends on the bike. For e.g. I have a lightweight carbon frame compact chainset 50/34 with 28 sprocket I also have an older aluminium bike with triple chainset with lowest gear 27 sprocket on 30 chain wheel. I find that the 34-28 on the lighter bike in effect a "lower" gear on the road than the the 30-27 triple. If using a heavier touring bike you would want an even lower gear. What I would say is if in doubt go for the lower gear. It's better to have a spare gear at the bottom then get stuck half way up the hill