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Quieter roads (generally
Quieter roads (generally avoid A roads and dual carriageway) so look for National Cycle Network and use Cycle.travel website that specifically looks for quieter routes; Komoot (sync with the computer) and CycleStreets are useful as well.. Happy to take a longer route to avoid an unnecessary climb/descent (on a longer ride to save some energy). Try and avoid larger towns, if possible, as lights, traffic etc slows you down. Setting Komoot with Cycle Touring often identifies good cycle path shortcuts in towns. A bit of Google streetview is often useful, especially to check out a bit of the route that may have busy/hazardous traffic. Most importantly; the cafe/lunch stop!
I had R2 on and Jeremy Vine
I had R2 on and Jeremy Vine discussed this on his phone in (always tell myself not to tune in to his show!). The thing that amazed me was that people wanted to know exactly how far they could push phone use in the car without breaking the law; the limit isn’t a target that people should aim for (you don’t drive at 60mph on an A road if the conditions are bad). It’s almost impossible to drive out every scrap of amiguity in the legal speak but the main point is that your driving a car; anything that distracts you from that, then just don’t do it regardless of what the law says. It was the young bloke who said, “I can’t ignore calls from my Mum”; so interesting to see how that stands up in court when he’s killed someone. I can’t even listen to the radio properly in the car; if there’s something important on the road then I just tune-out of what’s been said.
Had a great short holiday in
Had a great short holiday in Berlin; hired a 3 sp city bike, that they all ride, and used it to go everywhere (flat as a pancake). Quite a bit of traffic but everyone co-exists quite happily; just used a basic lock to leave the bike outside the hotel. Never saw a stitch of lycra (normal clothes on a bike was the norm) or a helmet being used (although we did). Didn’t try it out but I think you can easily take a bike on the U/S Bahn trains. Just very enlightening to experience a proper cycling culture in a large city.
Check out e-bay as there’s a
Check out e-bay as there’s a healthy 2nd hand market in Brooks saddles etc
Most probably down to
Most probably down to economics, but most of the previously well-regarded local newspapers have grouped up under various on-line news channels; the standard of journalism is woeful and just designed to generate click-bait and get people wound up ala Daily Mail style.
Had this on a DT Swiss rim
Had this on a DT Swiss rim (came with the bike from new); looked them up and they were cheap as chips so just put it down to the bike manufacturer using cheap components (usually it’s things like headsets or BBs). Potentially factory wheels knocked up on a machine. Nice excuse to buy some decent hand-built wheels. Would be my reason to build a new bike up with known (good) components rather than off-the-shelf with some cheap components that last a year.
One of the things I look
One of the things I look forward to on the continent are smooth roads; even the vast majority of the poxy lanes in France are in A1 condition. Long downhills are just sublime. Makes such a difference to comfort, average speed and endurance. I know France is a pretty ‘state-heavy’ country so perhaps they just have legions of workers resurfacing roads. Kind of just accept it on British lanes but towns are also pretty horendous with all the roadworks and patching that has gone on. I tend to avoid A roads but can appreciate that some people prefer them to bumpy lanes on the assumption that they’re in better condition. That said, during lockdown, I ventured onto some of my local A roads when they were quiet only to find that I was getting battered by the poor surface. TBH a poor surface doesn’t help cycle safety, or new cyclists confidence, if you’re getting bashed about by the road surface amongst traffic (eg losing balance or a frame/wheel/tyre fail).
I was heading out in the car
I was heading out in the car (+ 2 others & bikes) to a cycling meet-up (on a weekend) and came across a club ride; 15ish riders all strung out so it was v difficult to overtake; hence a significant tailback of cars. One of our group remarked this was bad club riding (I wasn’t sure what else the riders could do) but they said that they should be in pairs (abreast) leaving gaps to allow the cars to overtake (hop between gaps); must admit I hadn’t heard that one before but they do ride weekly with a large local club so I wasn’t going to disagree. The cars were being pretty patient (ref overtaking) but I did think that mid-week (cue the commuters) that wouldn’t have been the case!
My lane speedster stopped
My lane speedster stopped around the corner; whether it was out of guilt or to check they hadn’t hit me I don’t know as I just cycled on as I couldn’t bear one of those pointless conversations/disagreements that ensue. I’m in my metal box therefore I’m superior and wiser than all other road users!
That’s sad; maybe gravel is
That’s sad; maybe gravel is the answer to make a ride more traffic-free. I only really got my bike out properly in Mar due to a bout of Covid and poor weather; I think I’ve had 1 road rage incident (on the MTB heading to a bridleway!) and 3 significant near-misses (I submitted footage to the police on one) and plenty of just annoying altercations since then.
Agree; there’s a really
Agree; there’s a really sinister human right/sense of entitlement attitude associated with UK driving these days; almost a bit like gun ownership in the USA. Asked a mate who was in the US for 3 years why he didn’t commute by bike; his response was that it wasn’t advisable as the motorists attitude was that you shouldn’t be on the road. He had to travel to places (national parks etc; roads and trails) where you could cycle peacefully. Almost feels like that’s where we heading here.
Commuting time always brings
Commuting time always brings out the real nutter drivers; my near-miss on a lane was someone rat-running. Irony was it’s a National Cycle Route!
It’s ‘horse city’ at my in
It’s ‘horse city’ at my in-laws; there’s no health risk from horse poo as they eat grass so it can just be left where it is. I get loads of the well rotted manure and chuck it on the flower/veg beds. To be honest, on country lanes, I’d rather farmers clear up the roads after they’ve dragged half a field of sticky clay soil onto the road.
Probably no clear winner on
Probably no clear winner on whether dark or brighter clothing makes you more visible; I’d say for commuting in busy traffic then high-viz is better, especially as the drivers are just hell bent on getting home/to work and aren’t paying attention. Wouldn’t say dark clothing without reflectives at night is a great move as all you can see are the bike lights; reflectives make you stand out in car headlights. Not a huge fan of the black gear, black bike, deep-section wheeled robocop look; my wife calls it ‘aggressively roadie’.
I’ve had various cameras over
I’ve had various cameras over the years and Fly 6 (rear) and Fly 12 (front) is by far the best; combo lights, loop recording and easy to shift between bikes. GoPro for recording footage of a classic ride, for example, but as a safety camera they’re a hassle; battery life (you need to carry a spare) and deleting footage if the memory is full.
