Just Back Into Cycling - Wry Observations

IndigoGorilla said:
My favourite at the moment has to be pedestrians who step out in the road and then look too see if there is a car/cyclist coming. :rolleyes:

Also driver's who block cycle sections and those who try to turn into your path when you have right of way.

My favourite part at the moment is catching up with red light jumpers repeatedly, overtaking and then again and again. :D
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almost ran one of he local school mothers over the other day going 22mph down the road, good for her I wasn't going 30-40 like you can on this road...


she didn't even look if anything was coming and only realised I was there when I pretty much leapt forward off my bike to try and stop the last 5 mph with my feet so I wouldn't hither.

Now I have cuts all over the back of both calves where the pedals whacked into the back of my legs when I jumped forward.

basically my bike basically crashed into my own legs which I thought was better than into her and I didn't even get an apology from her at the time.
 
I've got into the habit of saying thanks, cheers, or whatever when people notice me and step back onto the pavement. Treat pedestrians like dogs with positive reinforcement. Normally an "Oi" and a dramatic flailing of the left arm when they get in my way.
 
Can anyone spec me a reasonably priced rear mudguard that will fit the male and female versions of the Raleigh AT10? Tried looking on various sites but it's a bit of a minefield and a lottery whether what you see might fit. Just to keep a bit of the mud and damp off our backs, particularly when riding to/from work.

TVM.
 
Vern1961 said:
Sorry should have made myself clear - these are dual purpose foot/cycle paths I'm referring to, not roadside pavements.
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If they don't move they get hit. :) I give them time and shout an "excuse me" so they see me and have the chance to move. I'm fair and respectful,

I dislike disrespectful idiots.

But that's why I don't like riding in cycle lanes - plus they never get cleaned so punctures galore as all of the crap from traffic gets blown onto them.

Ever find that if you are a horse cars slow down and give plenty of room but a cyclist gets 6" and 60mph passes if he's lucky!

Britain's attitude to cyclists stinks - although there are some right idiots on pushbikes who don't have lights and hi vis etc on at dusk! At least give car drivers a chance of seeing you.....
 
The fact that horses are treated with the utmost respect yet cyclists are treated with the utmost disdain, has always irked me.

Today in town there were two builder types walking in the cycling section of a path, facing me as I cycled towards them. I wasn't going to slow down as they could see me coming, then finally as I was 10m away one reluctantly shuffles over into the pedestrian bit and shouts 'oi, watch it mate' as I go past. I didn't turn round but it really peed me off. So I flipped him off over my shoulder in the hope that he was looking.

So immature, but I hate the way people moan about cyclists not using the cycle lane then stand in it when we do.
 
Participant said:
The fact that horses are treated with the utmost respect yet cyclists are treated with the utmost disdain, has always irked me.

Today in town there were two builder types walking in the cycling section of a path, facing me as I cycled towards them. I wasn't going to slow down as they could see me coming, then finally as I was 10m away one reluctantly shuffles over into the pedestrian bit and shouts 'oi, watch it mate' as I go past. I didn't turn round but it really peed me off. So I flipped him off over my shoulder in the hope that he was looking.

So immature, but I hate the way people moan about cyclists not using the cycle lane then stand in it when we do.
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I don't like horse people, when my dogs do a dump I have to clear it up but when there horse does one massive dump they are fine to leave it in the road? Also most are arrogant bum holes.
 
Re the mudguards, those Cruds look ideal. Also on the shopping list a pair of better saddles as the ones fitted to the AT10 have the ergomics (and comfort) of a house brick.:eek:

Still enjoying it and so far as work is concerned arriving happier and healthier. Happier because coming in for Late Turn, no more worries about finding the staff car park full and having to seek an alternative. Healthier because at least there is some exercise on work days. Riding home off Late Turn is also quite Zen, in the dark and cool air.

Sadly a sobering reminder of the hazards of cycling in Swindon today, with someone knocked down and seriously injured on Great Western Way by B&Q. The Western Flyer cycle route temporarily diverted here due to contractor work with temporary crossing over both sides of a dual carriageway. Anyone who's familiar with the location will know it was an accident waiting to happen with the temporary arrangements. Most people just cycle/push the bike through B&Q and resume the cycle path without crossing the dual carriageway twice. Hopefully the council will either redo the risk assessment following this incident and either amend the arrangement or come to some agreement with B&Q to allow "official" use of their property as the diversionary route. Not much consolation to the poor sod who got creamed, though.
 
Doogles said:
I don't like horse people, when my dogs do a dump I have to clear it up but when there horse does one massive dump they are fine to leave it in the road? Also most are arrogant bum holes.
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Dog crap makes people ill and blind. The horse version is undigested straw.

Drivers will happily spend minutes behind a horse and not see it as a problem. A cyclist however are just scum to be run over.
 
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Actually one of the bigger hazards we've found is... other cyclists! Either the helmeted and lycra brigade who come hurtling past on their super tuned road bikes, or at the other end of the scale mum and dad out with their kids so busy watching them and not who's approaching from behind (or even in front).

Then there's the dog owner meets who seem to think it is okay to spread themselves across the width of the path while having a conference.

However after a while you do tend to smile about it all!
 
Vern1961 said:
Actually one of the bigger hazards we've found is... other cyclists! Either the helmeted and lycra brigade who come hurtling past on their super tuned road bikes, or at the other end of the scale mum and dad out with their kids so busy watching them and not who's approaching from behind (or even in front).
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You can mitigate against other cyclists flying past (and for all faster traffic) by shoulder checking before manoeuvring, maintaining a consistent predictable line (including moving out for obstacles early rather than late swerving) and clear signalling of your intensions.

Not saying that you don't do these things but they help massively.
 
First puncture last week, coming into work... :(

Dashed up to Wilko's and purchased a cheap tube, couldn't find anything sharp visible or otherwise in the tyre so all replaced and rode home okay.

Next day about 400 yards out tyre flat again. Still nothing obvious stuck in the tyre, so down to Hellfords and purchased a new outer tyre and gel filled tube. So far so good.

Only issue I've got is that in the process of taking out the rear wheel and putting in back in, the rear V brakes seem to have got knocked off centre. Wheel is running true but initially brake blocks binding on rim. Slackened off the cable a bit but one side is further off the rim and one of the blocks at a bit of an angle. Still work okay and grip the wheel but open to any suggestions as to how I can get them back on centre and the toe in correct - or is it a job for the bike shop.

Definitely starting to think the AT10 is an up market BSO...
 
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