Well we're off to 'compete' in the jole rider 12hr night baton relay. 8pm to 8am round Hullavington airfield. Well, at least there aren't any hills… 🙂 While we're there wel'll be testing some lights: a couple of basic commuter LED units, a couple of high-end rechargeables, two cheap 'n' cheerful torches and a heath-robinson creation of my own devising. look out for the results on Monday. or Tuesday, if we fall asleep at the keyboard. The ride is in aid of Jole Rider, a charity which sends bikes out to Africa for schoolchildren, some of whom have to walk more than ten miles a day. They also provide workshop tools and training so the bikes can be fixed when they break. If you're feeling charitable, why not nick over to http://www.justgiving.com/nbr_hk and bung them a few quid?
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road.cc overnighter

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@Rendel Harris Hold out for a Halfords Apollo* at least. * I did once own one. I bought it in skinter days to replace a Rudge 3-speed that I found in a scrapyard. Guess which one lasted me 4 years and which one lasted me 4 months.
@Mr Blackbird isn't it "this pub survived two World Wars, but will be destroyed by this ludicrous, dangerous cycle lane, which nobody wants and which will only be used by illegal immigrants riding unlicensed electric motorbikes..." ?
@Mr Blackbird The report on this case is on page 19 of today's Times. Maybe the more right wing rags didn't bother at all? It was on the BBC News website yesterday, but was not featured on this morning's Breakfast News.
@Rendel Harris no no NO! Won't you think of blind pedestrians, who will be in danger of falling in, then being run over by the peloton, then drowning?! Not to mention people with limited mobility who might stumble in and then not be able to get out? Or just those walking around in a relaxed manner, not paying too much attention? No, what is needed is a dedicated area to support accessibility for all. We could call it a ... road! Those with sight impairment would doubtless be ok with that as they would be able to hear the motor vehicles (unlike those deadly silent cyclists). And they could get taxis also. In fact all those who *have to drive* could use it! Cyclists would have nothing to complain about, they could ride there if they don't get in the way of motor vehicles and come to a compete stop whenever they see a pedestrian looking like they might cross...
@HoarseMann I've probably given this too much thought, but alongside each of the bridges I was going to have little in and out ramps to allow cyclists to exit for the shops rather than be confined to a straight-through run.
@kingleo Just picture a lovely character pub with all the original internal features. Baskets of flowers hanging outside. It serves an excellent selection of real ales, craft ales, quality lagers and quality ciders. Todays menu includes a ploughman's lunch, seafood platter and a vast range of sandwich fillings ; all made using locally sourced foods. But wait! A new cycle lane has just been constructed in front of the pub. It is far too dangerous to cross and enter the pub. You turn around and trudge home. Stopping at Tesco to buy a 4 pack of Carling.
@Hollis Jones as Rendel said, the key difference here is there were two strong pieces of evidence distinguishing this from "we all *know* they were aware of the cyclist", one of them a human witness. Outside that it's simply "but the prosecution cannot prove they didn't notice..." and legally that must fail. Like a "he said, she said" but where one of the sides is absent, because they're dead.
Having experienced this in Anglesey and most of it is unnecessary, it does give the driver a big lesson in 'looking extra', as travelling slower does that !
It's true, you aren't feeling yourself any favours wearing black/dark colours, BUT you've got to look, soo many dont and the campaign should be for motorist - look, simple as, it's not hard and drop the speed to, maybe if the police where actually outside rather than on Facebook looking for the naughty words/viewpoints, drivers would be caught speeding, not looking, pulling out, not braking in time, going through red lights, overtaking at a bad time, cutting up cyclists and a lot more..
@Rome73 There are still too many motor vehicles in the central Oxford Street area. There should be zero, except for delivery vehicles at proscribed... prescribed times
2 thoughts on “road.cc overnighter”
Well that was good…
If a bit knackering. Riding around an airfield all night turns out to be more of a challenge, and more fun, than it sounds. Respect to the solo rider who managed 185 laps in 12 hours – most of it in the dark (it worked out at 166.5 miles). Having now done a road enduro I reckon there would be real mileage in this sort of event – mind you, step 1: first find an airfield (or similar) might prove to be a bit of a stumbling block.
How did the road.cc team do? 218 laps and second place, pipped to top spot (and a free holiday at Center Parcs Longleat) by one lap. Oh well. Mind you, there was only four of us and five of them.
Thanks to Novice Olly, and Ant from the forum (the latter really put in some ripping laps, but my he is a sound sleeper – hope you had a safe drive home fella) for making up the team. Look out for some more pics and reports tomorrow.
thanks
thanks for the invite to the team chaps, it was good to meet you all, and it was an entertaining event, if not bloody freezing in the wee small hours! And despite my initial scepticism, I can confirm that volvo seats are comfortable enough to sleep in. Roll on next years one…