It might be unseasonably warm but it didn't feel it at 7.00am this morning as I set out on a 25 mile loop. In fact my fingers and toes were really cold for the first half of the ride. Anyway, despite it being chilly I certainly built up a sweat - particularly on a quick blast up Millthorpe Lane to Holmesfield on the way back.
Love riding this early in the morning on a Sunday as the roads are mostly empty and I really appreciate the different 'headspace' I find myself in. Its also quite good for blowing away a few cobwebs/hangover (delete as appropriate). Plenty of other cyclists out as well this morning - in fact I've got a crick in my neck from so much nodding of acknowledgement :-) Its a slightly strange thing that - acknowledging other cyclists when you are riding a bike. I always nod or wave whoever they are; roadies, MTBers, utility cyclists. Its clearly a politeness thing but also a camaraderie aspect to it as well. In fact I feel quite aggrieved if I don't get a nod in return.
29 April 2007
Bluebells
Did a 9 mile loop with Isaac yesterday mainly off the roads. Only a short little ride but probably like a stage of the TDF for his little 8 year old legs. He seemed to manage it easily (apart from walking up the steeper bit of Meersbrook Park near the end) and I was impressed with his road sense - able to confidently look behind, signal clearly etc. Wouldn't be confident about letting him ride on the roads without me yet but he's getting there and obviously enjoying it. Might take him cycle camping this year or next. Shame the nearest campsites involve a trek over to the Peaks (which he won't manage yet) or a longer, more urban ride, to Thrybergh.
Some of the ride was through Graves Park where the bluebells are fantastic. Could have stopped and had a picnic but it was a typical "Come on Dad, stop taking photos of flowers!".
27 April 2007
Bastards
Road safety minister Stephen Ladyman has laid the new Highway Code before Parliament. If not contested by MPs or Lords, it will be approved within 40 days.
The new Code will require cyclists to use cycle facilities 'wherever possible', irrespective of the consequences for their safety. A recent study in London has shown that female cyclists are more likely to be involved in collisions with heavy goods vehicles as a result of their tendency to "trust" cycle facilities.
Similarly cyclists will continue to be recommended to ride around the outside of roundabouts, in the place where conflict is most likely. The rule that they 'should' wear a cycle helmet is also retained.
70% of the 4,000 public responses to the draft Code came from cyclists, and there were as many responses from cycling organisations (41 responses)as from local authorities and road safety organisations together. Despite this, the Government has chosen to ignore completely the clear concerns expressed about the impact of the new rules on cycling safety, and the almost certain increase in counter-claims of contributory negligence that will arise when cyclists are injured.
From the outset Ladyman has refused to meet with the cycling organisations to discuss the draft document. However, there were more promising 'leaks' from civil servants that there would be changes. We were also told that the new Code would not be ready before 2008. Cyclists can now rightly feel aggrieved that they have been deceived and that prejudices and ignorance have ridden rough-shod over considerations about their safety.
CCN, CTC and other cycling organisations are now considering their options, but will need the support of cyclists throughout the UK to overturn this travesty, as we must. In the meantime, please encourage cyclists once more to contribute to the Cyclists' Defence Fund and if you are likely to meet with your MP for other reasons, please make him or her aware of your concerns.
Cyclists Defence Fund
The new Code will require cyclists to use cycle facilities 'wherever possible', irrespective of the consequences for their safety. A recent study in London has shown that female cyclists are more likely to be involved in collisions with heavy goods vehicles as a result of their tendency to "trust" cycle facilities.
Similarly cyclists will continue to be recommended to ride around the outside of roundabouts, in the place where conflict is most likely. The rule that they 'should' wear a cycle helmet is also retained.
70% of the 4,000 public responses to the draft Code came from cyclists, and there were as many responses from cycling organisations (41 responses)as from local authorities and road safety organisations together. Despite this, the Government has chosen to ignore completely the clear concerns expressed about the impact of the new rules on cycling safety, and the almost certain increase in counter-claims of contributory negligence that will arise when cyclists are injured.
From the outset Ladyman has refused to meet with the cycling organisations to discuss the draft document. However, there were more promising 'leaks' from civil servants that there would be changes. We were also told that the new Code would not be ready before 2008. Cyclists can now rightly feel aggrieved that they have been deceived and that prejudices and ignorance have ridden rough-shod over considerations about their safety.
CCN, CTC and other cycling organisations are now considering their options, but will need the support of cyclists throughout the UK to overturn this travesty, as we must. In the meantime, please encourage cyclists once more to contribute to the Cyclists' Defence Fund and if you are likely to meet with your MP for other reasons, please make him or her aware of your concerns.
Cyclists Defence Fund
17 April 2007
Fixers of Sheffield
Coming along Abbeydale Road South this morning (heading towards the city) catching up with another cyclist and recognised, from quite a way off, that fluidity of pedalling and simplicity of chainline that immediately shouts out 'another fixer ahead'. I am not alone. I've got a lot of momentum and so sail by but he catches me up at the lights at the junction of London Road and Abbeydale Road and we chat on the way down towards town. Mutual positive comments about bikes and fixed gear riding. We both ride similar gearing (him 48x18, me 42x16). He hasn't seen many others on fixed in Sheffield but has seen more recently. I know Ian rides fixed sometimes and I've seen 2 other strangers plus another 3 fixies locked up in and around town. Its getting a bit more popular.
I recall a comment from another 'PedalPusher' on the list recently about Sheffield not being that hilly and how it is possible to get around without encountering anything too mountainous. He's right. You might have to choose your routes carefully and ride further as a result but thats no bad thing. Those that reckon utility fixed gear riding in and around Sheffield is for the marginally insane are just wrong. They are missing out on a whole lot of fun and lots less maintenance. Its NOT a fashion statement but who can fail to appreciate the beautiful, simplistic minimalism of a fixed gear bicycle.
I recall a comment from another 'PedalPusher' on the list recently about Sheffield not being that hilly and how it is possible to get around without encountering anything too mountainous. He's right. You might have to choose your routes carefully and ride further as a result but thats no bad thing. Those that reckon utility fixed gear riding in and around Sheffield is for the marginally insane are just wrong. They are missing out on a whole lot of fun and lots less maintenance. Its NOT a fashion statement but who can fail to appreciate the beautiful, simplistic minimalism of a fixed gear bicycle.
11 April 2007
Sunburn and speed
Easter Sunday saw me cycling out to Rother Valley Country Park to meet rest of family there. I can't recall such warm, sunny weather over an Easter weekend and I was unprepared for it. Quite sunburnt afterwards!
I didn't fancy the TPT and so stuck to the tarmac via ring road, White Lane, Mosborough and Killamarsh. Was amazed the see my average speed when I arrived (after nearly 12 miles) as 21.7 MPH. Bloody Hell!! I usually potter around the 13-14 MPH mark. Was obviously going well.
The stiff headwind on the return journey quickly brought me back down to Earth :-)
I didn't fancy the TPT and so stuck to the tarmac via ring road, White Lane, Mosborough and Killamarsh. Was amazed the see my average speed when I arrived (after nearly 12 miles) as 21.7 MPH. Bloody Hell!! I usually potter around the 13-14 MPH mark. Was obviously going well.
The stiff headwind on the return journey quickly brought me back down to Earth :-)
07 April 2007
Cycling in North Carolina
I've just returned from a conference in N. Carolina and very nice it was too but I was slightly amazed at how few students got around on bikes at the Universities we visited. A good example is Duke University which is probably one of the US's more respected HE institutions. I probably saw less than 20 bikes around what is a VERY big campus. Compare that with just about any Uni in the UK!! What I did see was lots of privileged 18-21 year olds driving ENORMOUS 4x4's But then at under 25p per litre for unleaded what is there to stop them?
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