Incidentally, I don't know if it's possible, but one of my goals in getting a recumbent trike is to use it as a car-substitute, ie go as fast in town as they do and so not cause tailbacks. I'm pretty sure I can equal car speed down the hill going into town down Lanark Road, after Gillespie Crossroads, but I'm not sure what I can do on the flat. I'll have to see.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Spotted
(14475 posts)- Started 14 years ago by recombodna
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Posted 13 years ago #
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"I actually stopped using the canal path because of problems with congestion and I find the roads easier to manage. I don't know about you - which do you prefer? "
I'm not a speed demon (just 'cause I'm slow and not terribly fit), but I will take a busy road if its more direct. I do like a leisurely cycle on the canal when I can, but don't know how I would cope with it as a commute -- I get pretty fed up on the Meadows.
This morning I asked some bloke to move his van because he was blocking the ramp onto the cycle/footpath, and 'tinged' and verbally warned about a zillion people walking on the cycle bit. Today some woman had parked her buggy (with small infant) on the cycle bit, while she wandered off to pick up dog mess.
During the spring vacation, I saw two grandparent types, with two smallish kids, wandering up the cycle bit of MMW - right where people come whizzing down the hill, and politely pointed out that it was a cycle path, thinking they might be tourists and they might rather their kids didn't get smushed. And they just looked at me and said 'we know' in indignant tones and kept on walking.....
Posted 13 years ago # -
I used to commute via the Meadows and the canal, and found the Meadows far more stressful. I wasn't pleased the day a parent let its child lie across the cycle path, with pedal car strewn next to it. I asked the parent to move the child and bike but might as well not have bothered.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I think I saw steveo fleeing doon the Corstorphine Road at the Zoo! (extra points for a non recumbent spot?)
Posted 13 years ago # -
That was probably me, i only see a couple of other bikes on my route. Definitely extra points for a non recumbent since they seem to be the minority round here....
Posted 13 years ago # -
You would have no problem achieving 22 to 35kph on the flat on a recumbent trike. Downhill anything from 30 to 65kph! They can be a bit ponderous going uphill, but you have the gears, and the traffic either has to queue patiently behind, or if you can let them pass safely. Most traffic is so scared of any recumbent they tend to give a wider berth to you. You have to get your road positioning right, and don't feel you have to ride in the gutter; you pay your taxes as well, which is how we pay for roads! Go for it!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Posted 13 years ago #
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Just got to remember it's there when you go to certain underground car parks. A trike or velomobile on the roof is better aerodynamically ;-)
I rescued a large kids bike off the top of a car going down into Cineworld car park when we were doing the film fest. Guy had forgotten - even though there was a big clang as it hit the height warning sign. Next stop concrete.
Posted 13 years ago # -
maninaskirt did you ride along on the right hand side of the canal at cargo?
Posted 13 years ago # -
Steveo - not sure where you mean "at cargo"?
I have not been out on the bike for some time - holidays and wet weather - but when I do, I go from Fountainbridge near Brewery to Lanark road turnoff and head out along Water of Leith path.
I did take bike on Wednesday 11th though - first time out for a few weeks.
And again today, Friday 13th!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Speaking of cargo, I keep seeing a long wheelbase cargo bicycle hanging around Marchmont Crescent. 2 or 3 times this week, this morning it has a sort of bench seat over the hold area.
Posted 13 years ago # -
It's probably either an 8 Freight, or one of Laid Back's many machines (or one of his many customers' machines). The Circe compact tandem can convert the stoker seat into a long thin load bed.
Posted 13 years ago # -
it's not the tandem one - I've seen that and joined the dots to associate with Laidback after perusing his website. It is only a 1 person cycle, smallish wheels (front one slightly smaller) with the seat and drivetrain at the back and a small flatbed cargo area inbetwixt.
Speaking of cargo bicycles;
Posted 13 years ago # -
one of these;
Posted 13 years ago # -
That trolley bike is so wonderful, although -
"It is quite the head turner but not a good corner turner."
Posted 13 years ago # -
On the trolly bike front if it is not photoshop you could take it into the supermarket and cycle up the aisles? What do you call a french man in sandals? Philipe Flop. Never wear flip flops when cycling.
Posted 13 years ago # -
The Long John bike had been cycled all the way from London. Needed some repairs and owner was at shop when I was there with customer on Thursday.Apparently the Long John was owned by the Bonzo Dog Band.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I knew someone would know :)
Posted 13 years ago # -
Spotted this afternoon on the Water of Leith path out towards Balerno, a guy cranking along on a silver handcycle. Anyone know who it might've been?
Posted 13 years ago # -
Top Spot Dave on a trike in Nicolson Street on the way home this evening.
You can't get away with any three wheeled deviance round here..
Posted 13 years ago # -
2 gents on Moultons / Bromptons (they all look the same to me!) racing eachother through the Meadows this evening. One was red and said "Bike Friday" on the frame.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@Arellcat
Spotted this afternoon on the Water of Leith path out towards Balerno, a guy cranking along on a silver handcycle. Anyone know who it might've been?
?
Posted 13 years ago # -
"One was red and said "Bike Friday" on the frame"
So neither a Moulton or a Brompton - it's a Bike Friday!
I've seen a blue Bike Friday locked up at Haymarket before - thought it was quite an expensive bike to leave locked up in such a place.
Saw a GoCycle on the platform at Haymarket this morning.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Top Spot Dave on a trike in Nicolson Street on the way home this evening.
You can't get away with any three wheeled deviance round here..
Hrm. Everyone spots me, I spot nobody!
Did I pass you or were you coming the other way?
Posted 13 years ago # -
I was coming the other way. I see you quite often on the way home (and sometimes on the way to work) but can't quite bring myself to yell like some sort of crazed maniac across the busy street to attract your attention.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"I see you quite often on the way home"
Not fair - the whole point of recumbents are that they are impossible to see! ;-)
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Did I pass you or were you coming the other way?"
Notice the presumption that no-one could possibly have passed Dave... :P
I see Min most mornings it's actually verging on boring. ;)
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Not fair - the whole point of recumbents are that they are impossible to see! ;-) "
Well okay, I admit that what I really see is just an inexplicable space in the road which I assume is you. It's just that the other day the space had three wheels. :-P
"I see Min most mornings it's actually verging on boring. ;) "
Perhaps I could do something to liven it up? Some sort of bike dance? Ride down backwards?
Posted 13 years ago # -
Min, boring?? Never! ;-)
Posted 13 years ago # -
Hmmm, bike dancing... There's a whole world of possibilities out there.
Actually it's been good getting out of the habit of leaving the house late so that I can see one friendly face a day again on the commute!
Posted 13 years ago #
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