Birdwatchers talk of having a "patch", an area they know well. I think it's the same with cyclists. I recently rode across the footbridge at Brunstane going east and then used the lowered kerbs to cross the road, something I've done hundreds of times before. A quick left and right into the farm road and there, right in front of me round the corner was a 4x4. I realised that every time I'd done that crossing I'd got it wrong. I should have been turning left onto the road and then right into the farm road. It was a surprise to realise that far from having perfected my commute I'd been making a stupid mistake every time. So if we do, as cyclists have a patch we get to know well, does it help or hinder our safety?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Your cycling patch
(9 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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Whilst I like investigating new bits I do like getting to know a route's potholes, ironwork, junction, light sequences, wind patterns and general foiblery. Rather than being at home in a specific area I feel at home on particular routes, turns, road types and so on. They're not mine, though.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I think you do get to know your route when commuting regularly and it helps your safety. You know where the potholes are. On one of the glorious sunny mornings last week I was detouring along The Old Dalmahoy Road and was making steady progress on a fellow on a hybrid. At a T junction where I normally go right he went left. I proceeded on my way to the back entrance (West Gate) of Heriot Watt. Road very rutted as building more halls of residence. I snaked through the varsity and came out at the road near the Whisky Research Centre I cross on a zebra. THe chap came along the road I was trying to cross. As I know the patch I was able to work out what he must have done. THe next day I tried his route, the entrance he used to get into Heriot Watt was also rutted as they are building something there too. However, marginally better as it connects to a short stretch of cycle path then on to the Whisky Research Centre Road. Not much in it but a marginal improvement, thus dependent on what your patch is like it is always possible to learn from fellow cyclists on the same/similar commute.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I rode southbound up Leamington Road for about three years before meeting a van coming the other way and discovering that it was in fact one way - northbound.
Posted 13 years ago # -
cb - that is a route I use to go see Mr Freewheelin. Only last week he sorted my gears. I go to the first wee red dotted line which due to people walking through the washing green at the flats has been re-routed slightly but with nice new tarmac then up to A70 on the backstreets. A very slight adjustment that makes all the difference.
On way down from Asda at Chesser Ave, I take a right at Robb's Loan, then Chesser Crescent - to Ford's Road where I confess to quite often using the pedestrian lights (I read it in Cyclecraft, it must be right) to get up Ford's Road. This route avoids traffic which can be bad at bottom of Chesser and Gorgie Rd junction. Cars can't do it. I must be annoying to motorists but usually enough pedestrian cover at thegreen man.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I checked out that path on my Spokes map (latest but one) and it's marked as "other" (may be rough surface, narrow, etc.) Was it upgraded relatively recently?
Posted 13 years ago # -
The bit from your Slateford Green route to connect to Moat St etc is about 10 yards long of very recent tarmac it works for me coming from Chesser, is that the bit you mean CB?
The other route is a dead end road for cars but signposted for bikes.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"I rode southbound up Leamington Road for about three years before meeting a van coming the other way and discovering that it was in fact one way - northbound."
Posted 13 years ago #
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