The other day I was doing a session about the issues surrounding sharing the road with HGV's.
We talked to cyclist and had vehicles to discuss and walk around, there was experienced drivers to talk and give them a view from the cab.
Most females was shocked that there was blind sports.
Most males knew that there was blind spots, but not that many and the size of them.
So if you do see a HGV or a bus in front of you at the red light, stay behind, let it do what it have to do. Always make sure that you can see the driver, either in the mirrors or directly, cause if you can't, the driver can't see you.
Friday, 19 June 2009
Cycling on the beat
Today I saw 12 cycling police officers coming down New Kings Road.
2-3 of them was covering their brakes
1-2 of them looked back to check behind them
12 of them was cycling in the door zone
And 1 of them had to swerve around the wing mirror of the car they were passing.
Hmm, I think I should give them a call :)
2-3 of them was covering their brakes
1-2 of them looked back to check behind them
12 of them was cycling in the door zone
And 1 of them had to swerve around the wing mirror of the car they were passing.
Hmm, I think I should give them a call :)
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Cycling in DK vs UK Part IV
Other road users
When I learned to drive in Denmark, was told to pull right next to the kerb to block cyclist coming up on your inside into your blind spot.
Even on roundabouts the other road users gave way to us. We were on the cycle lane, and were overtaken with plenty of distance to the roundabout. The car entered the round about and stopped at the first exit, we then arrived at the roundabout. We were normally cautious, and entered the roundabout and wondered why the car was waiting there. Only to find out that the driver was giving way to us. This wouldn't happen in London.
In general other road users gave much more space to cyclists. Which is great, but that led to cyclists not looking much as they relied on others to give way.
Generally the other road users did give plenty of space.
When I learned to drive in Denmark, was told to pull right next to the kerb to block cyclist coming up on your inside into your blind spot.
Even on roundabouts the other road users gave way to us. We were on the cycle lane, and were overtaken with plenty of distance to the roundabout. The car entered the round about and stopped at the first exit, we then arrived at the roundabout. We were normally cautious, and entered the roundabout and wondered why the car was waiting there. Only to find out that the driver was giving way to us. This wouldn't happen in London.
In general other road users gave much more space to cyclists. Which is great, but that led to cyclists not looking much as they relied on others to give way.
Generally the other road users did give plenty of space.
Cycling in DK vs UK Part III
Road positioning
When cycling on road where there is no cycle lane, the Danes are right in the gutter, even on outside of the road markings. Not giving yourself much space if the road is at a bad state, though that is not often.
When over taking parked cars, they are just about clearing the parked car, not many inches left between them and the car. Well inside the "door zone", it's like they don't have a problem with people getting in or out of the parked cars.
But you are not that easily seen, looks like you are stopping or look like street furniture not like that you are a road user and is going somewhere.
We tried to pull out and take the lane, so that could get into the middle of the road to do our left turn, so therefore only need to cross one lane when it was clear.
But we just got beeped, because it is not "how we do it". You, as a cyclist, have to pull into the side of the road and wait until both lanes are clear an then cross over.
When cycling on road where there is no cycle lane, the Danes are right in the gutter, even on outside of the road markings. Not giving yourself much space if the road is at a bad state, though that is not often.
When over taking parked cars, they are just about clearing the parked car, not many inches left between them and the car. Well inside the "door zone", it's like they don't have a problem with people getting in or out of the parked cars.
But you are not that easily seen, looks like you are stopping or look like street furniture not like that you are a road user and is going somewhere.
We tried to pull out and take the lane, so that could get into the middle of the road to do our left turn, so therefore only need to cross one lane when it was clear.
But we just got beeped, because it is not "how we do it". You, as a cyclist, have to pull into the side of the road and wait until both lanes are clear an then cross over.
Cycling in DK vs UK Part II
The 3 C's
To see and To be seen and Communicate is probably the most important thing I can teach people who are learning to cycle.
While cycling around in Denmark, I did not see much looking back checking what is behind you.
Even when starting off, pretty much step out onto the cycle lane onto the bike and hope that the people who are cycling along behind you have seen you and have time enough to stop/slow down. No looking around at all.
When cycling down the cycle lane or shared road, pretty much none of the cyclists I saw looked back just to check what is going on around them. Even at junctions, pretty much relying on that the cars coming from behind and wanting to turn right, across the bike lane you are on, would stop and give way for you. Again, no looking around at all.
When turning any direction there are barely any signals to tell you where the person is going in front of you. If there were any signals it was more of a quick little wave near the hips, which you barely can see if you are right behind let alone if you are in a car out to the side of the cyclist. Again no looking around you before doing the turn.
The only signal I saw people use quite often was the stop sign, hand up in the air. But it was only often because I saw it more often than the left/right signals which still wasn't often or clear enough.
To see and To be seen and Communicate is probably the most important thing I can teach people who are learning to cycle.
While cycling around in Denmark, I did not see much looking back checking what is behind you.
Even when starting off, pretty much step out onto the cycle lane onto the bike and hope that the people who are cycling along behind you have seen you and have time enough to stop/slow down. No looking around at all.
When cycling down the cycle lane or shared road, pretty much none of the cyclists I saw looked back just to check what is going on around them. Even at junctions, pretty much relying on that the cars coming from behind and wanting to turn right, across the bike lane you are on, would stop and give way for you. Again, no looking around at all.
When turning any direction there are barely any signals to tell you where the person is going in front of you. If there were any signals it was more of a quick little wave near the hips, which you barely can see if you are right behind let alone if you are in a car out to the side of the cyclist. Again no looking around you before doing the turn.
The only signal I saw people use quite often was the stop sign, hand up in the air. But it was only often because I saw it more often than the left/right signals which still wasn't often or clear enough.
Cycling in DK vs UK Part I
In Denmark the wind is our mountains.
Because it is so flat but the wind makes up for the hilly bits.
While cycling around in Denmark I noticed that most of the bikes people are commuting on are the "sit up and beg" types. These bicycles are not really aerodynamic, as you sit up and get the wind right in your face.
Tough if you are lucky enough to commute with the wind in your back, the "sit up and beg" position is a life saver :)
Because it is so flat but the wind makes up for the hilly bits.
While cycling around in Denmark I noticed that most of the bikes people are commuting on are the "sit up and beg" types. These bicycles are not really aerodynamic, as you sit up and get the wind right in your face.
Tough if you are lucky enough to commute with the wind in your back, the "sit up and beg" position is a life saver :)
Monday, 25 May 2009
There is hope :)
I was training a wee lad yesterday, he was clearly getting to big for the bike, just give it a week and he would be.
So I told his daddy that it would be a good time to spend some money and find a new bicycle for Jr.
And half way though telling the dad what he should look our for when getting a bike. He said well I'm looking at getting an IslaBike for Jr.
Result, Lucky kid :)
Yes, Islabikes are a expensive, but it is very good quality, your child will be able to lift it and therefore able to control it and it will not fall apart on you.
And best of all ...
If you are wondering why it it worth spending a bit on a bike, just read this article, BSO, Please don't do it.
LINK : http://www.islabikes.co.uk
LINK : http://www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/
So I told his daddy that it would be a good time to spend some money and find a new bicycle for Jr.
And half way though telling the dad what he should look our for when getting a bike. He said well I'm looking at getting an IslaBike for Jr.
Result, Lucky kid :)
Yes, Islabikes are a expensive, but it is very good quality, your child will be able to lift it and therefore able to control it and it will not fall apart on you.
And best of all ...
We understand that your child is growing fast and it can be expensive keeping up! To help out we will buy back your Islabike when you buy a bigger one, as a part exchange, at a value dependant on its condition.
If you are wondering why it it worth spending a bit on a bike, just read this article, BSO, Please don't do it.
LINK : http://www.islabikes.co.uk
LINK : http://www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Look and See
Everyday I see people just blindly moving through traffic, not a care in the world.
Example 1: Lady on a bike.
I was cycling a fair distance behind her so I was seeing everything nice and clearly. Going down Kings Street, coming up to a bus stop and she was right next to the kerb. A bus came past us and overtook her (and me) with plenty of space and pulled in to stop at the bus stop. She continued happily along next to the kerb and when she was right on the bus's tail she pulled out to overtake in a massive swerve. Not even looking back, to check if there was anything coming or room for her. The white mini van that was following the bus had to really step on its brakes and nearly had a big 4x4 in its back, not many inches to spare, between her and the cars.
Example 2: Fella on a bike on a bike path.
I was riding along a bike path, whistling along to a tune in my head, hey it was sunny and I was in a good mood. I think the fella in front of me was very curious about what tune it was, can't have been that bad ;) because he kept looking back at me. And therefore not paying attention at all to where he was going and therefore didn't notice that the bike lane was coming to an end. Said bike lane has a barrier at both ends and he rode right into it and nearly somersaulted.
Example 3: Fella crossing the road on foot.
I was heading toward Hammersmith and since the road was at a total gridlock I was filtering up on the outside of traffic. The fella was crossing from the left and must have seen that the cars weren't moving and therefore took for granted that all traffic coming from his right had come to a halt too. And therefore only looking to his left and didn't see me when he walked into me, lucky I had seen him and had come to a stop.
In making of this post no one was hurt, but it easily could have been much worse. So please do look and see where you are going it will save your life one day.
Example 1: Lady on a bike.
I was cycling a fair distance behind her so I was seeing everything nice and clearly. Going down Kings Street, coming up to a bus stop and she was right next to the kerb. A bus came past us and overtook her (and me) with plenty of space and pulled in to stop at the bus stop. She continued happily along next to the kerb and when she was right on the bus's tail she pulled out to overtake in a massive swerve. Not even looking back, to check if there was anything coming or room for her. The white mini van that was following the bus had to really step on its brakes and nearly had a big 4x4 in its back, not many inches to spare, between her and the cars.
Example 2: Fella on a bike on a bike path.
I was riding along a bike path, whistling along to a tune in my head, hey it was sunny and I was in a good mood. I think the fella in front of me was very curious about what tune it was, can't have been that bad ;) because he kept looking back at me. And therefore not paying attention at all to where he was going and therefore didn't notice that the bike lane was coming to an end. Said bike lane has a barrier at both ends and he rode right into it and nearly somersaulted.
Example 3: Fella crossing the road on foot.
I was heading toward Hammersmith and since the road was at a total gridlock I was filtering up on the outside of traffic. The fella was crossing from the left and must have seen that the cars weren't moving and therefore took for granted that all traffic coming from his right had come to a halt too. And therefore only looking to his left and didn't see me when he walked into me, lucky I had seen him and had come to a stop.
In making of this post no one was hurt, but it easily could have been much worse. So please do look and see where you are going it will save your life one day.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
You learn something new, every day.
Today I was teaching a young girl how to cycle.
After the lesson, I was checking if she had learned something today. So I asked her what the ABC check*) stood for, if she could remember the 4xBs**) and she must have heard the 3xCs***) which I explained to her mum.
Because when I asked her how she could become a better cyclist, she said "the 1xP" ! I looked at her, waiting for her to tell me what it was, cause I didn't know that one.
Practice, she said :)
*) Air, Brakes, Chain - every time before you go out.
**) Brakes, Brace/push back, bum/butt/behind on saddle, Balance (keeping your feet on the pedals, until you have stopped) - for your emergency stops.
***) To be seen, To see, Communicate - probably the most important thing I can teach anyone about cycling.
After the lesson, I was checking if she had learned something today. So I asked her what the ABC check*) stood for, if she could remember the 4xBs**) and she must have heard the 3xCs***) which I explained to her mum.
Because when I asked her how she could become a better cyclist, she said "the 1xP" ! I looked at her, waiting for her to tell me what it was, cause I didn't know that one.
Practice, she said :)
*) Air, Brakes, Chain - every time before you go out.
**) Brakes, Brace/push back, bum/butt/behind on saddle, Balance (keeping your feet on the pedals, until you have stopped) - for your emergency stops.
***) To be seen, To see, Communicate - probably the most important thing I can teach anyone about cycling.
Friday, 10 April 2009
sad day :(
Yesterday we lost two fellow cyclist in London. And both lost their lives because of left turning lorries. I do not know the facts, so I'm just saying this from what I have heard and seen before.
Please please never go on the inside of a stopped or even a moving bendy bus or a lorry. The signs that says "if you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you" and "Danger keep away" are not put there for fun.
This is coming from what I can remember reading and hearing from people in the know. Last year there was around 26 cyclist killed on London roads, 20 of them was because left turning lorries and about 15 of them where women.
It can't be because every time the lorry just turn left without looking, because I see it every day, both men and women, trying to "under take" a lorry. Boy you don't know how close you are to meet an undertaker, so please don't.
Either just wait behind, or if you really have to get past the lorry over take on the right hand side.
Be careful out there.
Please please never go on the inside of a stopped or even a moving bendy bus or a lorry. The signs that says "if you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you" and "Danger keep away" are not put there for fun.
This is coming from what I can remember reading and hearing from people in the know. Last year there was around 26 cyclist killed on London roads, 20 of them was because left turning lorries and about 15 of them where women.
It can't be because every time the lorry just turn left without looking, because I see it every day, both men and women, trying to "under take" a lorry. Boy you don't know how close you are to meet an undertaker, so please don't.
Either just wait behind, or if you really have to get past the lorry over take on the right hand side.
Be careful out there.
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
Oh, my dicky ticker! *)
Today while training at a school the kids gave my little heart some extra workout.
Kid 1: Came up and took the lane nicely for a right hand turn, but decided that he did not have to give way for oncoming traffic. And just turned right in front of a small people carrier and then into the minor road on the wrong side of the road.
Kid 2: Turned out of the minor road onto the main road without checking if it was clear to her right, which it wasn't. Lucky the car on the main road wasn't travelling fast and had plenty of space to overtake on the wide road.
Kid 2, again: Came down towards me to do her u-turn, even when she clearly had heard and seen that there was a car behind her. She did the u-turn without pulling in and waiting for it to be clear. I managed to stop her before she got in the way of the traffic.
I then got the kids together, told them that my heart had just done some serious work out and was sitting in my throat. I then repeated the drill and told them about priority and give way.
Kid 3 : Whose turn was next up told me "Don't worry, Sir, I will get your heart back into its normal place."
*) Oh, my dicky ticker! said by Monsieur Alfonse, Allo 'Allo, BBC TV-series.
Kid 1: Came up and took the lane nicely for a right hand turn, but decided that he did not have to give way for oncoming traffic. And just turned right in front of a small people carrier and then into the minor road on the wrong side of the road.
Kid 2: Turned out of the minor road onto the main road without checking if it was clear to her right, which it wasn't. Lucky the car on the main road wasn't travelling fast and had plenty of space to overtake on the wide road.
Kid 2, again: Came down towards me to do her u-turn, even when she clearly had heard and seen that there was a car behind her. She did the u-turn without pulling in and waiting for it to be clear. I managed to stop her before she got in the way of the traffic.
I then got the kids together, told them that my heart had just done some serious work out and was sitting in my throat. I then repeated the drill and told them about priority and give way.
Kid 3 : Whose turn was next up told me "Don't worry, Sir, I will get your heart back into its normal place."
*) Oh, my dicky ticker! said by Monsieur Alfonse, Allo 'Allo, BBC TV-series.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Bling your bike
I was doing a parent and child Dr. Bike session the other day. The school had a "dress your bike up" day and every bike had been done up in some way.
The clear winner was the "kitchen bike".
Now how cool is that :)
The clear winner was the "kitchen bike".
Now how cool is that :)
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Thank you
I was out teaching 15 kids to cycle safely on the road over the winter break. Some of the best kids I have taught for a long time. They were all nice and quiet and on the ball. I normally have to spend much of my time with them, keeping them in line, "now pay attention", "look over there" "what is he doing now?", "listen to what he is saying", etc. But with this lot I had to do nothing.
At the end of the 4 days I was with them, they came up to me and my co-instructor with home-made thank you notes.
Here is one of the drawings they did on the cards.
The other one is more in detail, I wondered if that design would ever come out :)
Thanks again for the chocolate, cards and wine.
At the end of the 4 days I was with them, they came up to me and my co-instructor with home-made thank you notes.
Here is one of the drawings they did on the cards.
The other one is more in detail, I wondered if that design would ever come out :)
Thanks again for the chocolate, cards and wine.
Saturday, 28 February 2009
RLJ
RLJ (Red Light Jumpers) please can you stop what you are doing and obey the highway code.
What you are doing is making my job harder along with breaking the law and putting your life and others in danger.
When we are at schools and teach the kids how to start and stop, we tend to use a drill called "traffic light". When we ask the kids what they should do then the lights turn red, we tend to get blank faces. When we tell them that a red light means "stop", they always come out with "but cyclists don't have to stop for red".
What you are doing is making my job harder along with breaking the law and putting your life and others in danger.
When we are at schools and teach the kids how to start and stop, we tend to use a drill called "traffic light". When we ask the kids what they should do then the lights turn red, we tend to get blank faces. When we tell them that a red light means "stop", they always come out with "but cyclists don't have to stop for red".
Monday, 23 February 2009
Mortality
When teaching kids the dangers of the road, I tend to use words such as "crash" or "accident" to describe what could happen if they do not do their safety checks and pay attention to where they are going.
But nearly every child I've taught comes out with "You are going to die!" when asked what could happen if they forget.
I wonder where their interest in death is coming from and why they all seem to use such melodramatic and morbid language.
This is something that fascinates me, so there will probably be more posts about this.
But nearly every child I've taught comes out with "You are going to die!" when asked what could happen if they forget.
I wonder where their interest in death is coming from and why they all seem to use such melodramatic and morbid language.
This is something that fascinates me, so there will probably be more posts about this.
Friday, 20 February 2009
Cold Weather
We had quite a few weeks of cold weather lately, for the first time since I've lived here I can really say that it was winter in the UK. We are normally ready in 10 - 15min to take the kids out into the play ground or on the roads.
But this time it took forever since they would not listen to us or understand that we are going to be out for 2 hours in -1c to 2c and that would quite quickly become cold. Very cold. So every day we told them to run back in, get extra fleeces, jackets and gloves. And out they would come with the school uniform: a nylon jumper which has as much heating ability as a fridge. "No, no! Go back in and get more on. Borrow from your class mates if you need to, a beanie hat, scarf or jacket."
Out they come again with a thin jacket telling us that they'll be fine even though you could already see on them that they are turning blue.
And five minutes into the ride we'd get "Sir, I'm freezing"!
But this time it took forever since they would not listen to us or understand that we are going to be out for 2 hours in -1c to 2c and that would quite quickly become cold. Very cold. So every day we told them to run back in, get extra fleeces, jackets and gloves. And out they would come with the school uniform: a nylon jumper which has as much heating ability as a fridge. "No, no! Go back in and get more on. Borrow from your class mates if you need to, a beanie hat, scarf or jacket."
Out they come again with a thin jacket telling us that they'll be fine even though you could already see on them that they are turning blue.
And five minutes into the ride we'd get "Sir, I'm freezing"!
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Bullying
I have been at both end of the stick when it comes to bullying when I was growing up. I'm not proud if it as I know how nasty (a very simple word for it) it is.
I was out teaching the other day and witness some really bad bullying amongst the kids were were teaching. My co-instructor and I have talked about it, and we really don't think there was anything we could have done to stop it.
They group of kids was hard to control from the start, and it slowly got worse. The school had warned us that as a group they are bit of a handful but one-on-one they are fine. This was true.
While teaching the kids the 'passing a side road' drill, we had split them into pairs: two at the start, two in the middle (side road) and two at the end. This was in the hope that it would calm them down, but it didn't work as planned. Soon they started kicking and pushing each other around.
When one of the kids was doing the drill, another was calling things out at him e.g. "cover your brakes", "you should have looked behind you", etc. While that was going on another child picked up a stone and threw it at the kid who was shouting; this missed and hit a car which bounced off and hit the kid who was doing the drill.
We then called it a day. Normally when bad behaviour happens we walk the kids home, with them pushing their bikes. This tends to piss them off but does keep them in control since they finally realise that they have gone too far this time, and it also gives them time to reflect.
However, this group just kept going. Instead of kicking each other they used their bikes to bump into each other. Then the name-calling started. They didn't even listen to us when we asked them to keep quiet. We had truly lost them at this point, and agreed to get them back to school at fast as possible, as we were fearful a kid would totally break down or run away if we told them off even more.
The whole thing went pear-shaped when we passed an elderly lady and her dog en route back to school. The dog started to bark at the only child who was scared of dogs. He jumped up, dropped the bike and ran in to the road shouting "that dog is evil!". This just set the other kids off: they started making barking noises at him, and calling him names. They were really nastily laying into him.
The shocking part was the way that every child took some part in the bullying, even the two we were sure would not do such a thing. It was also shocking to see how the victim of the dog-barking incident just accepted it, as if this was entirely normal behaviour he was used to. His expression was "I'm used to this, and I know that in five minutes someone else will get it, so not to worry, we do this every day."
Once back at the school we told the teachers what had happened, and talked over what had happened with the kids themselves. When asked how they could improve the situation the kids did come up with some very clever questions and answers on how they could stop the bullying in the future. But, as one teacher said "they can do all the talk, but not the walk".
I really do hope that I never get a group like this again.
LINK : http://www.bullying.co.uk/
I was out teaching the other day and witness some really bad bullying amongst the kids were were teaching. My co-instructor and I have talked about it, and we really don't think there was anything we could have done to stop it.
They group of kids was hard to control from the start, and it slowly got worse. The school had warned us that as a group they are bit of a handful but one-on-one they are fine. This was true.
While teaching the kids the 'passing a side road' drill, we had split them into pairs: two at the start, two in the middle (side road) and two at the end. This was in the hope that it would calm them down, but it didn't work as planned. Soon they started kicking and pushing each other around.
When one of the kids was doing the drill, another was calling things out at him e.g. "cover your brakes", "you should have looked behind you", etc. While that was going on another child picked up a stone and threw it at the kid who was shouting; this missed and hit a car which bounced off and hit the kid who was doing the drill.
We then called it a day. Normally when bad behaviour happens we walk the kids home, with them pushing their bikes. This tends to piss them off but does keep them in control since they finally realise that they have gone too far this time, and it also gives them time to reflect.
However, this group just kept going. Instead of kicking each other they used their bikes to bump into each other. Then the name-calling started. They didn't even listen to us when we asked them to keep quiet. We had truly lost them at this point, and agreed to get them back to school at fast as possible, as we were fearful a kid would totally break down or run away if we told them off even more.
The whole thing went pear-shaped when we passed an elderly lady and her dog en route back to school. The dog started to bark at the only child who was scared of dogs. He jumped up, dropped the bike and ran in to the road shouting "that dog is evil!". This just set the other kids off: they started making barking noises at him, and calling him names. They were really nastily laying into him.
The shocking part was the way that every child took some part in the bullying, even the two we were sure would not do such a thing. It was also shocking to see how the victim of the dog-barking incident just accepted it, as if this was entirely normal behaviour he was used to. His expression was "I'm used to this, and I know that in five minutes someone else will get it, so not to worry, we do this every day."
Once back at the school we told the teachers what had happened, and talked over what had happened with the kids themselves. When asked how they could improve the situation the kids did come up with some very clever questions and answers on how they could stop the bullying in the future. But, as one teacher said "they can do all the talk, but not the walk".
I really do hope that I never get a group like this again.
LINK : http://www.bullying.co.uk/
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Les Sorbiers
Great skiing for all abilities ...
If you are looking for a great holiday in France then look no further than Les Sorbiers in the village of Bareges in the French Pyrenees.
Les Sorbiers is a fine period Napoleonic building in the heart of the village, which we have sympathetically restored and modernised to the level expected of high quality family run hotels throughout the Pyrenees.
Les Sorbiers specialists in cycling and mountain biking holidays, from some of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees. Our skiing holidays, walking holidays and multi-activity holidays, all with qualified English speaking guides, are undertaken from our front door into the high Pyrenees of South West France. Part of the Tourmalet ski resort (Bareges-La Mongie) - the largest ski domain in the French Pyrenees. Our wildlife and birding holidays during the summer can be undertaken guided or self guided, see our specialist weeks for more details.
Link : http://www.lessorbiers.co.uk/
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
5 miles to fabulous
CTC's annual women's rides 7th-8th June 2008.
This summer’s Five miles to Fabulous bike rides are an easy first step towards getting healthy, having fun and meeting new friends.
oh and you can even win a brand new bike too, so go and join in the fun :)
Friday, 9 May 2008
Palace to Palace 2008
The third Prince's Trust - Palace to Palace bike ride is taking place on 7th September 2008.
The 45 mile bike route takes you past some stunning sights as you pass through Surrey and Berkshire. From the start, along The Mall, past St James’s Park where you will head towards Buckingham Palace before making your way out of the city. Your journey continues along The Thames and over Putney Bridge. You’ll finish this amazing journey in Windsor.
Link : http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/Main%20Site%20v2/headline%20news/palace%20to%20palace.asp
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Two wheels By Buffalo
Buffalo wrote this article in the Guardian today, and he is spot on. Splitting up the road users into groups so that cyclist, cars, buses have their own bit of road is just wrong. You need to teach and train road users to understand that there is others sharing the roads with you.
If one of the main obstacles to getting more bums on bikes is lack of confidence, then surely it would be better to spend the money on training so that potential cyclists will know how to handle their bikes and to recognise and negotiate hazards. This will instil confidence. And a confident cyclist is a safe cyclist.
Link : Two wheels By Buffalo
-extra
If one of the main obstacles to getting more bums on bikes is lack of confidence, then surely it would be better to spend the money on training so that potential cyclists will know how to handle their bikes and to recognise and negotiate hazards. This will instil confidence. And a confident cyclist is a safe cyclist.
Link : Two wheels By Buffalo
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Saturday, 22 March 2008
Cycling is good for you.
I'm still shocked that by changing my diet (a little) and picking up my bicycle again, I have managed to shed 5 stones+ (30Kg +) over the last 2 years.
But this man have me beat 'Large Fella on a bike' by many miles.
And now he is planing to do 200Km ride.
If he and I can so can you !! Get on that bicycle of your and what better time to do it with spring just around the corner.
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Link : http://www.startribune.com/
Link : http://istanbultea.typepad.com/
But this man have me beat 'Large Fella on a bike' by many miles.
Scott Cutshall went out on his bike for a 3hr ride, he did 1.9 miles. It changed his life.
At the time he weighed 501lbs (35 stone) and the doctor told him he had a 50/50 chance of living 6 months.
And now he is planing to do 200Km ride.
If he and I can so can you !! Get on that bicycle of your and what better time to do it with spring just around the corner.
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Link : http://www.startribune.com/
Link : http://istanbultea.typepad.com/
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Coolclasp – so, what is it?
A mega-useful gizmo for cyclists and non-cyclists alike! Does your home lack essential bike storage space? Do you often wish for a handy strap to attach things to your bike rack? Or a bail-out strap when something breaks?
How does it work?
It’s a simple mesh strap with a hardy plastic clasp with a multitude of uses…
So, what can I use it for?
The list is endless.
Like hanging a bike safely from a single peg on the wall
Other areas in which you can use your coolclasp :Backpacking, Hiking, Skiing, Snowboarding , DIY, Fishing, Walking, Trekking, Surfing, Travelling , Diving, Shopping, Painting, Running , Camping , Building, Windsurfing , Sailing, Climbing and others
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Tuesday, 15 January 2008
More cycling in Barcelona
Here is the second part to the great interview about cycling in Barcelona. I say it again if they can do it we can and should do it too.
"Anna O F: I am a new user to Bicing and I think it´s fabulous, works well, really effective and a great alternative to metro or bus, especially to get around town from A to B. I think it is working really well. I do not use Bicing to get into the centre in the mornings or leave the centre in the evening, so there are always bicycles in the stations when I go to use one. It works really well for me."
Link - http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/01/bicing_interview2.php
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"Anna O F: I am a new user to Bicing and I think it´s fabulous, works well, really effective and a great alternative to metro or bus, especially to get around town from A to B. I think it is working really well. I do not use Bicing to get into the centre in the mornings or leave the centre in the evening, so there are always bicycles in the stations when I go to use one. It works really well for me."
Link - http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/01/bicing_interview2.php
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