Search found 606 matches

by PRL
28 Aug 2009, 9:38pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: tour route D9, Romantic road, Germany
Replies: 6
Views: 1367

Re: tour route D9, Romantic road, Germany

We have just returned from an organised trip along the northern end. (Bents) Had a day in Wurzburg where everything is in walking range. Then cycled Volkach, Frickenhausen, Weikersheim, Rothenburg and Dinkesbuhl. The rides from Weikesheim to past Rothenburg is very scenic and mostly on 3m wide traffic free (apart from lots of bikes) tarmac. Otherwise pleasant enough. Main interest is medieval towns and palaces at Wurzburg and Weikersheim.
The south around Fussen is more scenic with mountains around you.
by PRL
28 Aug 2009, 8:24pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Coroner calls for segregation on A and B Roads
Replies: 211
Views: 9913

Re: Coroner calls for segregation on A and B Roads

cjchambers wrote: On rural A roads and the like (where I accept there could definitely be a safety benefit) it's impossible to see how the authorities could justify spending the huge amounts of money that would be required to build high quality paths.


Just back from Bavaria where 3m wide paths along rural roads shared by cyclists and light agricultural vehicles seem to be standard. Far enough away from road for any crossing side roads to have give way markings a car' length from those of the main road . There are some roads in Sussex where this system would be heaven. Mind you the 2m clearance where vehicles overtake cyclists on the road is very non-Sussex.
:wink:
by PRL
15 Aug 2009, 8:45pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Collision avoidance systems - useful, or potential danger?
Replies: 43
Views: 3252

Re: Collision avoidance systems - useful, or potential danger?

If they can make systems like this why is it impossible to have a device that alerts lorry drivers that they are about to squash a cyclist ? :?
by PRL
15 Aug 2009, 8:40pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Coroner calls for segregation on A and B Roads
Replies: 211
Views: 9913

Re: Coroner calls for segregation on A and B Roads

Mick F wrote:
tali42 wrote: ............The pleasure of cycling increases significantly,...........

Not for me, it doesn't!

Keep cyclists on the road. That's where they belong. The more cyclists there are on the road, the better for everyone.
If we hide away, we will be forgotten.


Sorry Mick are you really saying that you enjoy a few tonnes of metal shooting past you inches away every few minutes - that is the situation on some roads and it is not pleasurable. For such roads either speed restriction or a high quality alternative route look like acceptable solutions but at least the coroner is not shrugging his shoulders and saying that accidents happen. :o
by PRL
1 Aug 2009, 9:23pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: A place to record cyclists using trains
Replies: 220
Views: 34034

Re: A place to record cyclists using trains

Chiltern Railways 2 bikes 19th July Marylebone-Banbury, 22nd July Warwick-Marylebone. No specific bike space but no hassle even on a quite full train. (on way back the guard didn't even ask to see our tickets as he recognised us from the way out !). At least 2 other bikes on each train. Chiltern have a very extensive definition of peak times though during which no bikes are taken anywhere. :?
by PRL
11 Jul 2009, 10:28pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: To ring or not to ring, that is the question!
Replies: 44
Views: 2465

Re: To ring or not to ring, that is the question!

I usually say "passing on your right" or whatever. How you persuade those pedestrians that do respond that is is not necessary to cower in the ditch rather than just leaving a foot or so of space I don't know. :roll:
by PRL
7 Jul 2009, 10:30pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Lorries & cyclists: new Met video
Replies: 4
Views: 532

Re: Lorries & cyclists: new Met video

What it seem to show are major design faults in large lorries and not only from the cyclist point of view. Whilst trying to use a pedestrian crossing ( while walking) recently I needed to walk in front of the lorry as it was stopped across the crossing and first gave the cab a good thwack to alert the driver.
Ideally goods should be transshipped to vehicles with lower cabs when leaving the motorway that these monsters are designed for.
by PRL
30 Jun 2009, 10:41pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: ASLs and left turn lights
Replies: 23
Views: 1737

Re: ASLs and left turn lights

wrangler_rover wrote:Pardon my ignorance but whats is an ASL?


Advanced Stop LIne - box in front of the standard stop line to enable bicycles to position themselves in good view.
by PRL
24 Jun 2009, 8:41pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Clip pedals - will I go faster?
Replies: 20
Views: 1542

Re: Clip pedals - will I go faster?

With toe clips and straps the pedal is guaranteed to be the wrong way up. (and will rub on the ground if you have to corner before you twist them). Even with flat/SPD combination pedals you have a 50% chance and no rubbing even if the wrong way up. Not convinced that I go faster but it is a neater system. :lol:
by PRL
24 Jun 2009, 8:28pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Leaving people behind...
Replies: 13
Views: 1227

Re: Leaving people behind...

If someone is prepared to act as tail marker and keep behind everybody else then the leader has only to check that that person is present - quicker than counting.
by PRL
16 Jun 2009, 11:08pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: My favourite holiday cycle route
Replies: 12
Views: 1035

Re: My favourite holiday cycle route

Somewhere where I don't know what will be round the next corner but will possibly be an old castle or church, a river or mountain ... Back to Bavaria this summer.
by PRL
16 Jun 2009, 11:00pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: spd pedals and cleats dilemma
Replies: 16
Views: 4917

Re: spd pedals and cleats dilemma

If you go for the "combination" M324 ( SPD one side flat the other) you have the option of using normal shoes sometimes and get the Multirelease cleats as standard. (as they are angled at beginners). Not IMHO a problem to rotate to select the right side. :D
by PRL
5 Jun 2009, 9:54pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Let's hear it for... South West Trains???
Replies: 5
Views: 570

Re: Let's hear it for... South West Trains???

[quote="AndyK"

I'd write to SW Trains to compliment the staff, but I'm afraid I'd get them into trouble...[/quote]

That seems to be not far from the truth. I have found the actual staff running SW Trains trains usually helpful. The Public Relations people are invariably shirty. :?
by PRL
4 Jun 2009, 10:16pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: The anti-cycling conspiracy.
Replies: 18
Views: 1423

Re: The anti-cycling conspiracy.

drossall wrote:hubgearfreak has a point. Cycle facilities in general have a poor statistical record in increasing safety, and lanes of that width are well-known to make drivers pass closer; with no lane, the distance is judged from the cyclist, but with, the focus moves to just keeping out of the (very narrow) lane.
.


If there is space for parked cars there must be space for a full width cycle lane. OTOH if the nearside 2m of the road is to be used as a car park then the road edge should be a doors width further out. What is not fun or safe is to have to to pull in to allow overtaking then back out again to pass the next parked vehicle.

Agree with the OP that the attitude of the police is a disgrace. :evil:
by PRL
18 May 2009, 10:51pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Pub lunch in South Oxfordshire
Replies: 7
Views: 569

Re: Pub lunch in South Oxfordshire

Thanks all for your help. I found the Black Horse on another site after posting but it is good to have reassurance. :D
I am dangling the lure of cream tea at Mapledurham on the way back into Reading. :twisted: