http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Novice cycles for charity en Sun, 31 May 2026 15:34:58 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36442 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:16:45 +0000 steveo 36442@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Calder Road roundabouts worry me every time and i use them a few times a week. Its two lanes and i'm going North South while the bulk of the (surprisingly) fast traffic is going East West, I've been left hooked on more than one occasion by traffic turning to go East despite my going straight on. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36437 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:33:41 +0000 kaputnik 36437@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>So which roads/roundabouts experienced cyclists don't feel comfortable with?</em></p> <p>Tonight I will have to negotiate the Gogar roundabout. Many may baulk at the idea, however during rush-hour, traffic is so non-moving it is perfectly safe. It is also light controlled so traffic is slow moving and you get an opportunity to make your move in (relative) safety.</p> <p>The roudabouts of South Gyle Broadway in the Gyle though, where the poor chap was taken off his bike on Monday morning, those are far worse. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36433 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:18:18 +0000 Puzzle 36433@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Kim ouch! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36432 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:15:45 +0000 Puzzle 36432@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Chdot I think the perception is if you play in traffic the risks are much greater, plus coverage in the press of bike v lorry/car the odds are normally stacked against you. Personally when I started out I did stick to the safer more leisurely routes, I didn't even consider commuting as the thought of getting out there in the traffic certainly didn't fill me with cheer. Then the draw got too much and it really wasn't so bad. Claiming road space rather than the gutter helped for sure! I'm finding my main issue is pedestrians.</p> <p>Useful tips, looked at those when starting out. So which roads/roundabouts experienced cyclists don't feel comfortable with?</p> <p>@Min Cheers!</p> <p>@Crowriver I'm certainly not! Have the book a great resource, especially when I started commuting. Spokes maps still to get at some point. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36360 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:54:51 +0000 Kim 36360@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cycling is generally a very safe activity, just watch out for holders the <a href="http://www.kimharding.net/blog/?p=1666">Sacred Driving Licence</a> and <a href="http://www.kimharding.net/blog/?p=1685">sleeping policemen</a>... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36349 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:34:21 +0000 crowriver 36349@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Puzzle - Well done and welcome to our select club of free living outlaws! :-)</p> <p>Don't let the non-cyclists get you down. Cycling is fun, relatively cheap, promotes health and a longer life, and helps to save the planet. You can annoy the nay-sayers by looking incredibly self-satisfied and smug as you cruise past their traffic jam. Works for me! :-)</p> <p>I would maybe suggest two great and useful publications for someone like yourself starting out: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclecraft-complete-enjoyable-cycling-children/dp/0117037400/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1311762667&amp;sr=8-1">Cyclecraft by John Franklin</a>, which covers good practice for road safety, and many situations you may find yourself in at some point. Also the <a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/spokes-maps/">Spokes maps</a> are great for finding quieter and/or off-road routes around Edinburgh, Lothians and even Glasgow. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36347 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:25:48 +0000 crowriver 36347@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@anth - I have come to believe that people feel they can 'advise' cyclists (ie. patronise and admonish them) because cycling is regarded by many as a non-adult activity. In other words we should all have grown up, got our act together, joined the world of success and adulthood by passing our driving test and getting in a car. </p> <p>If you are <em>perceived</em> as not conforming to that 'social norm' then clearly you need 'help' whether professional (psychiatric) or informal 'friendly concern' from colleagues, relatives, complete strangers and passersby on the street. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36340 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:06:51 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 36340@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And <em>still</em> more motorists die every year than cyclists... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36338 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:56:32 +0000 kaputnik 36338@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't think anyone in an air conditioned, surround-sound, multi-link suspended and shock-absorbed, seat-belted, steel and safety glass crumple-zoned and airbagged and side-impact-protected bubbles is really in an objective posistion to judge how safe, or otherwise, roads really are.</p> <p>If cars are so much safer than bicycles, why do they need all that safety technology anyway? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36329 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:27:00 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 36329@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's a strange one that I've still not got my head around. If a colleague says they walked in no-one asks if they were wearing good, sturdy walking shoes; if they drive in they're not asked if they were wearing a seatbelt; but mention you cycled and you get asked if you were wearing a helmet and told that the 'traffic' is really dangerous for cyclists.</p> <p>It's all this 'out-grouping' again isn't it? Because it's something that's not 'normal' in the general society sense then I think it's hard for people to think of those who do it as 'expert' or 'knowledgeable' about it, and therefore they can impart advice.</p> <p>Or something. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36326 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:21:11 +0000 Min 36326@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I always think that cycling looks much worse than it actually is. Although it is still odd how many non-cyclists seem to think they are in the best position to judge.</p> <p>Congratulations on your discovery of cycling Puzzle! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36321 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:04:38 +0000 kaputnik 36321@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wonder why so many non-cyclists think that cycling is dangerous, considering how precious little column inches or journalistic investigation cycling accidents seem to get. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36315 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:27:08 +0000 chdot 36315@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"safer than not cycling"</p> <p>Well there's a nice blanket statement!</p> <p>@Puzzle - cycling is certainly a lot safer than some of your associates seem to imagine!</p> <p>Don't know whether they think that all drivers are out to get cyclists - or just you in particular(?)</p> <p>Perhaps they think <em>you</em> are unsafe or maybe incompetent (or just 'inexperienced'). </p> <p>The latter is clearly true - but that doesn't mean you are unsafe or that it's unsafe for you to be on roads. </p> <p>I trust your bike is safe and adjusted to fit you so that it is comforfable to ride and safe to operate (particularly brakes). </p> <p>I assume you understand the 'rules of the road' (mostly as laid out in the Highway Code). </p> <p>It's always wise to expect the unexpected - car doors opening, poor road surfaces, wayward dogs and pedestrians - <em>especially</em> on 'safe' cycle paths. </p> <p>The 'view' of this forum (though not all its members!) is that wearing of helmets and hi-viz stuff is "personal choice" - 'we' have had 'discussions' and have an unwritten rule 'not to go back there'. It seems to be one area of 'safe' that there are entrenched views - a bit like those of some people you know about cycling generally!</p> <p>There are roads/roundabouts etc. where even experienced cyclists don't feel comfortable. As people cycle more they get more confident (over confident is dangerous). There are usually routes avoiding the worst places (not just off road paths - though you may find ones you didn't know about). Play with <a href="http://Edinburgh.CycleStreets.net" rel="nofollow">http://Edinburgh.CycleStreets.net</a> and try some of the suggestions - part of the fun of cycling is exploring and not having to go the same way every day. </p> <p>You are free at any time to get off and push your bike if this seems your best option. </p> <p>It is (statistically) the case that people who cycle live longer (perhaps what wfb was partially alluding to). Some people who cycle get injured (and killed) - but so do people who walk, drive, mow the lawn, climb stairs, go hang-gliding etc. </p> <p>Caution, equipment, training, practice, experience etc. generally increase 'safety' - so assess your risks and keep cycling! (Though you sound as though you don't need most of this advice - you've muddled through and joined the other ex-novices.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36307 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:29:36 +0000 wee folding bike 36307@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cycling is very safe, safer than not cycling. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36306 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:03:22 +0000 Puzzle 36306@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Some drivers, the most are none drivers concerned about safety of cyclists on the road. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36305 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:54:36 +0000 wee folding bike 36305@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Do these miserable pleaders drive cars?</p> <p>If so do they recognise themselves as part of the problem?</p> <p>We got wasps in a hole in the wall so the memsahib sent me to B&amp;Q for cement to patch it up. Had I known the smallest bag was 20 kg I might have used a car or taken a trailer. Sticking it on the back of a Pashley did no favours for the handling or acceleration. Now I need to go get some RAID. That should be less of a problem. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36304 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:48:52 +0000 Puzzle 36304@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I get people pleading for me not to use the roads, cycle paths seem more acceptable.</p> <p>Current time saved on commute 10-15mins </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36301 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:36:41 +0000 SRD 36301@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Puzzle - good for you! just hope you don't get too many people telling you you're 'brave/foolish/etc" </p> <p>How much time do you save on your commute? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36298 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:59:17 +0000 Puzzle 36298@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Novice cyclist here that has escaped indoor spin, inherited my Dad's old bike a few months ago with a view of doing the Edinburgh Glasgow run. Now you can't get me off the darn thing. Loving every moment. Commuting, (which I never imagined I would do)runs just for the hell of it.</p> <p>Hooked oh yes :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36128 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:42:34 +0000 kaputnik 36128@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Either the chipwrapper is reporting it wrong, or they're doing it "back to front". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36124 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:38:45 +0000 crowriver 36124@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Travel back in time to the 1980s and it was 'fun run', half or full marathons, etc. Now that people are a bit wealthier they do it on a bike instead? </p> <p>Will they ever use said bikes again after the 'fun run' for charidee, or will they end up gathering dust in garages/lofts/stairwells until eventually consigned to Gumtree? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3464#post-36110 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:58:45 +0000 chdot 36110@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Vaguely related to the <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3449">thread about sport</a> - I wonder how many people cycle on charity rides and then 'never again' because of the experience!</p> <p>I do know some for whom a long charity ride actually spurred them on to do more.</p> <p>"Scott said: "This has been a really daunting challenge as not only it is physically demanding but until this year I never even owned a bike."</p> <p><a href="http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Charity-cycle-targets-100k-.6807157.jp" rel="nofollow">http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Charity-cycle-targets-100k-.6807157.jp</a></p> <p>I presume the £100k is the target for all of the riders. </p>