Cycling log - random events in the day of a cyclist II

[PhilofCas]

As well as increased foot traffic, I'm meeting increasing numbers of cyclists on local FOOTPATHS. In fairness.. most are polite and will give way to a clearly miserable and curmudgeonly old fart like me.. but...

....As I understand it, footpaths are meant to be just that. Paths for people to walk.. on foot.

Also... as I understand it.. it is 'a Civil Wrong' to Cycle on a Footpath and I have so far found nothing which distinguishes between the 'sidewalks' or 'pavements' alongside roads, and those Public Footpaths which cross our wider countryside.

Even some bloke representing Cyclists on the Telly the other night said that Cyclists should NOT be riding on FOOTpaths.

Bridleways are different.

It's all here..:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights_of_way_in_England_and_Wales#Public_footpaths


So.. cyclists are demanding safety on the roads, and cycle paths, and Bridleways, and Mountain Biking Trails.

We also have 'Off Roaders' demanding vehicular access to anywhere and everywhere.

So.. is anywhere left for those who actually just want a walk?.. In peace?.. without a polite but excruciating 'Ding Ding'.. 'excuse me mate'.. every few yards?

Views?

It’s a very tricky one Mull. I’m a long time cyclist (and car driver ), I’ve done both road riding and mountain biking, though after years of feeling more and more unsafe on roads I only do mountain biking now.

I really didn’t like the constant ‘battle’ with cars, vans, lorries, I always road with courtesy and safety in mind, but very frequently I was subjected to moments of lack of care by motorists, making me feel very vulnerable and fearing my personal safety.

The problem we have in this country is lack of infrastructure for cyclists, this applies not only to public highways but also off-road, you simply cannot put together a ride without some use of footpaths (not a pavement as others have mentioned), so people use footpaths to link various routes together. Some are very obviously ‘footpaths’, clearly signed as such, others are not clear at all, in fact I’ve just looked up some locals off-road tracks I use regularly use and was very surprised some are footpaths and not bridleways/permissive footpaths etc.

Vast majority of people I come across don’t seem to have any problem with a passing cyclist, often welcoming a ‘ding-ding’ and appreciating a ‘thank you’ in return.

For me, it’s all about being respectful over the use of the off-road network we currently have and all of us trying to make the best of it. Like I say, ultimately it comes back to (lack of) infrastructure. I know there are initiatives at play (Sustrans have done some great work locally) but it seems to be well down our country’s priorities, which for many who enjoy the countryside is such a shame.

 

[Woodface]

I always say thank you when a dog walker puts his animal on a lead as I come past, the same with walker who often traipse around country lanes used by cars & cyclists. A modicum of courtesy goes a long way.

On my ride today I was close passed by a number of vehicles, very aggressively by one in particular. I just expect the worst now.

 

[Tony Lockhart]

A personal distance record today, 40.1 miles in sunny, sleepy Suffolk. Only 1,600ft but I don’t mind admitting I’m knackered.

 

[sean99]

1600 ft of climbing in Suffolk? I don’t believe you

 

[SteveG]

The weather was crap here today (misty and wet) so I decided to do some bike fettling instead of riding. As well as a few minor jobs I also wanted to get the Cotic Soul operational again, and at the same time switch it back to a slightly lighter build. So off went the coil Pike forks and back on when the Fox Talas RLC's which are lighter air forks and adjustable from 85-125mm, which is ideal for the Soul (you can wind them down for climbing but whack them back to full travel for the off-road stuff). Those forks are QR (the Pike's were bolt through) so that, plus the spoke issues with the rears meant a wheelset change to a set of Mavic Crossride's that were in amongst the spares. I also changed the hefty 2.3" tyres to lighter 2.1" ones. With the Pike's on it was all of 31lbs but it's now dropped a bit to 28lbs. The wheels are still quite weighty plus it's a bit of an odd mix of Shimano groupsets - XT front mech, LX shifters, Deore chainset, rear mech, cassette and brakes. I did find a bag with pretty much a full 2 x 9 SLX drivetrain in it (which was on another of my bikes before that went 1x10) so it's possibly that might end up on it. It's also possible I'll switch it to a 1 x 11 drivetrain as a fancy giving that a go.

I weighed my singlespeed while I was at it and it's a bit lighter than I'd thought at 23lbs (with pedals etc.) which isn't too bad given how heavy the frame is.

 

[Tony Lockhart]

One thing I learned on today’s ride: at 38mph you can really feel the gyroscopic action when moving the steering a tad. Incredible.

 

[stevec67]

38 mph is quick. I think that most bikes are approaching the design maximum around 40. I've seen a max of 48 and a few times 45, things are starting to get a bit exciting on a bicycle at that speed, and as you say the thing starts to want to go straight on. Countersteering is a very real thing.

 

[stevec67]

Oh, a top tip. If you value your time, don't dismantle a freehub. They will go back together if the bits are not knackered. Usually they are. Reassembling 50 very small ball bearings will take a long time. Mixing and matching is a hiding to nothing. I recommend it as a means of passing a rainy afternoon in the garage listening to Planet Rock, but otherwise not. Just buy a new hub, pull the freehub, rob the new bearings and cones for the bits box, and have done in half an hour.

I do however have a serviceable XT rear wheel with a 7 speed freehub, new bearings and Mavic rims, for nothing. Yeah.

 

[Woodface]

38 mph is quick. I think that most bikes are approaching the design maximum around 40. I've seen a max of 48 and a few times 45, things are starting to get a bit exciting on a bicycle at that speed, and as you say the thing starts to want to go straight on. Countersteering is a very real thing.

Think I’ve approached 60 a couple of times & you feel everything.

 

[sq225917]

Top speed on road bike, 72mph, drafting a mate on motorbike, in my wayward youth.

55 miles today, 4,200ft of climbing 3hrs 11 mins.

 

[cctaylor]

Pedestrians on shared use paths often appreciate the large "ding dong" bell on my Elephant Bike which I use for my shopping trips, (I haven't done much recently due shielding). On shared use paths give and take and a bit of courtesy goes a long way.

I normally avoid footpaths, there are a couple of short sections I do use to link cycle friendly routes. On these sections I always give way to the pedestrians.

 

[matt j]

Fitted the 32c Gravelkings today, wow what a massive improvement. Not only are they more supple and give a bit of a magic carpet feel but they're also quicker than the 28c Contis they've replaced, double win, triple win even if you take into account they're cheaper as well.

First ride on a regular route and 19 strava PBs says that wider tyres and lower pressures are quicker, especially on shit surfaces.

 

[sq225917]

Panaracer GK"s?

 

[Mullardman]

I'm jealous of all those who can still ride and especially at speed. I've probably mentioned many times before that the last time I rode a bike was in 1996 when, suffering from what I assumed was indigestion, I fixed a couple of cables on my daughter's bike and got it back to safe condition. I 'tested' it by riding up and down the street a few times.
Shortly afterwards my legs buckled on a neighbour's doorstep and I was in hospital nursing an MI shortly after. Such fun!

I loved my bike when I was a kid. We had no money and mostly had bikes made from scrounged up bits.. but we went miles.. But then.. late 1950s to 60s, roads were quieter. Everywhere was quieter. Only the real enthusiasts, the rich etc., had 'proper' bikes. I recall frames by Claude Butler, Freddie Grubb and Uppadyne.. All out of my reach.

I moved onto a few motorbikes then cars.

However, just to be clear... I'm not complaining about a few cyclists on pavements/sidewalks, or whatever you choose to call the bit at the side of vehicular roads which is intended for pedestrians. Most of those who cycle on those tend to be young kids on crappy 'BMX' things who know no better or just don't care. That isn't new.

No.. what I am moaning about is the fact that these days, nowhere is sacred.

The odd kid.. probably including me.. wasn't really much of an issue 50 + years ago. but now the pressure on outdoor amenities is immense and it seems to me that the one group not being campaigned for is walkers. I am happy to see cycle tracks, specialised 'off road' or 'mountain biking' places. I can tolerate cyclists on the road, on Bridleways and even on Canal Towpaths. (Though cyclists are banned from some.)

However, very few places these days are immune to a determined 'mountain biker', or even a rider of a 'tourer'. My point is, just because bikers CAN access every last path, track and woodland, doesn't mean that they SHOULD.

Please leave me somewhere to walk in peace.

 

[Mullardman]

Pedestrians on shared use paths often appreciate the large "ding dong" bell on my Elephant Bike which I use for my shopping trips, (I haven't done much recently due shielding). On shared use paths give and take and a bit of courtesy goes a long way.

That's true. But when you are walking on a narrow section of Canal Towpath, or a section of old, re-purposed Railway Line, often of indeterminate status.. the repetition of 'Ding Ding, excuse me/us'... can get more than a bit wearing, especially when, as is mostly the case, the bell is just a polite way of saying, 'move over while I/we ride past you'. It would be nice if the cyclists occasionally dismounted and said 'May we pass you?' Just occasionally you understand...

I normally avoid footpaths, there are a couple of short sections I do use to link cycle friendly routes. On these sections I always give way to the pedestrians.

That's good. To be fair, yesterday I was walking a rural public footpath which is steep, covered with a tree canopy and bendy. A young lad on a mountain bike came around a blind bend, spotted me, stopped and dismounted until we were past each other. I thanked him, but technically, he shouldn't have been there on a bike.

 

[matt j]

Panaracer GK"s?

Aye, not the knobbly ones, the file tread version. Found them at a reasonable price so thought I'd give em a go.

 

[Woodface]

I'm jealous of all those who can still ride and especially at speed. I've probably mentioned many times before that the last time I rode a bike was in 1996 when, suffering from what I assumed was indigestion, I fixed a couple of cables on my daughter's bike and got it back to safe condition. I 'tested' it by riding up and down the street a few times.
Shortly afterwards my legs buckled on a neighbour's doorstep and I was in hospital nursing an MI shortly after. Such fun!

I loved my bike when I was a kid. We had no money and mostly had bikes made from scrounged up bits.. but we went miles.. But then.. late 1950s to 60s, roads were quieter. Everywhere was quieter. Only the real enthusiasts, the rich etc., had 'proper' bikes. I recall frames by Claude Butler, Freddie Grubb and Uppadyne.. All out of my reach.

I moved onto a few motorbikes then cars.

However, just to be clear... I'm not complaining about a few cyclists on pavements/sidewalks, or whatever you choose to call the bit at the side of vehicular roads which is intended for pedestrians. Most of those who cycle on those tend to be young kids on crappy 'BMX' things who know no better or just don't care. That isn't new.

No.. what I am moaning about is the fact that these days, nowhere is sacred.

The odd kid.. probably including me.. wasn't really much of an issue 50 + years ago. but now the pressure on outdoor amenities is immense and it seems to me that the one group not being campaigned for is walkers. I am happy to see cycle tracks, specialised 'off road' or 'mountain biking' places. I can tolerate cyclists on the road, on Bridleways and even on Canal Towpaths. (Though cyclists are banned from some.)

However, very few places these days are immune to a determined 'mountain biker', or even a rider of a 'tourer'. My point is, just because bikers CAN access every last path, track and woodland, doesn't mean that they SHOULD.

Please leave me somewhere to walk in peace.

I am pleased that you can at least tolerate cyclists on the road.

 

[avole]

In the end went for Strava, on iPhone and watch. Couldn't find a method to put it on my mac without paying - is that the case? Was going to share my abysmal performance, but, again, you seem to have to pay .

Is there a way around this?

 

[matt j]

I'm not sure why you're having issues without paying, I can see my performance and copy it into a thread here no problem. The only thing it wants me to pay for is the detailed performance info.

I am currently on the 60 day free trial of the paid bits so I'll see how I feel about it at the end whether to keep it or not.

 

[Tony Lockhart]

I’m also on the free trial, and will see how I feel at the end. I’m trying to get away from over-analysing my life with data, and I want to keep my cycling enjoyable. But... some features on Strava are fun.