CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 15years old!
Well done to ALL posters
It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.
RULES No personal insults. No swearing.
David Crampton@DaveCrampton
"@north_team Any chance you could send a road sweeper down Fery Rd path as its ankle deep in leaves most of the way. "
David Crampton@DaveCrampton
"@north_team Whilst its still dry and cold could the leaves be swept up before winter sets in proper & it becomes a quagmire. Pretty Pls! :-)"
SRD - meant to ask at the last PY. The mini-SRD's had very nifty waterproofs on - where did you get them?
North Team@north_team
"@DaveCrampton sure, we'll pass this on to taskforce for action "
David Crampton@DaveCrampton
"@north_team Many thanks. To clarify this is the cycle and Pedestrian path not the pavement adjacent to Ferry Road. Kindest regards."
@fimm, "oh poor you, you're all wet".
I think what they actually meant was "Don't you have a car like a proper grown up, dear?" It's a bit like the "that's brave" remark...
@SRD. Their parents clearly don't anticipate that they will ever get wet, much less go out to play inthe rain.
Of course not, everyone knows that children are supposed to be transported by car everywhere at all times, unless it's a bright sunny summer day. Even if it is, well, you don't want to be late...
I mean, why would you need waterprrofs if you are just nipping a few metres to the car? Camping? In this weather?
It's one of the things cycling teaches you - I can nip out to see to the chooks in the back garden before the commute, and immediately know how many layers, and what waterproofness is required. You learn to appreciate what the weather 'feels' like. And I like that.
"So do you cycle every day?"
"Yep"
"What, even if it's raining?!?!"*
*real conversation, numerous times.
I posted a thing on Twitter a few days ago about it being really really wet to ride in, and got a response from a friend referring to a plan years and years back to move to warmer climes. I answered, perfectly honestly, "Nah, this weather reminds you you're alive" Now I'm not saying I'd be happy getting soaked for hours every day, but there's something about that feeling of getting into the office, or home, and changing into warm, dry clothes, and supping on a hot coffee.
I've been commuting by bike (Perth rather than Edinburgh) for several years now and the only thing that has put me off has been icy roads. Although the main roads are gritted, getting to the main road can be a problem.
That's all about to change this winter though with my acquisition of an ICE Sprint recumbent trike. Three wheels has to be better than two when the road surface gets slippy. I also find I'm getting more road space from passing motorists when I'm on the trike so the benefits are safety and comfort :-)
Riding on a dark, cold, wet morning or evening might not sound like fun but if you're layered up properly (I prefer a light weather resistant jacket like a Montane Featherlite to a full waterproof which doesn't breathe as well) and have good lights then it feels quite satisfying getting to work under your own effort.
This not just about commuting though and I know club riders who'll forego the Sunday run if the surface conditions look a bit iffy. Better to stay indoors than risk falling and breaking a collarbone or a wrist. Again this is where the trike comes in as it increases the range of conditions in which I can get out for a ride. Also worth noting that I use a Veltop canopy to keep the rain off - it looks ridiculous but it is fantastic!
Obviously all these things come at a cost but what price can you put on health and happiness?
This might be useful
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2012/oct/26/winter-cycling-tactics-alaska
AlanT - wow, enjoy your ICE [on ice]! Great fun :)
That trike is awesomesauce, although I was crap at changing the gears on it at East Fortune. Sorry, Alan!
Just checked and Schwalbe make their studded Winters in 20." Pop a trio of them on and you'll be giggling.
A friend has just posted on Facebook "... cycling through horizontal hail the size of dried peas to get to a windswept headland was not near the sensible end of the spectrum..."
This is what we like to see. :o)
I had some hail on the way home. But there was a stonking sunset as well. And buzzards.
"The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland have launched their winter readiness campaign warning that motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who fail to ready themselves could be risking their lives or the lives of others."
Uberuce, it wasn't my trike you were on but it doesn't matter, the ICE trikes are well known for being good quality machines. I've got the non-suspended Sprint with 26" rear wheel and Schwalbe Big Apple tyres on at the moment but prepared to swap for at least the rear for a studded tyre if we get a proper winter.
We are a one car family and my wife needs use of the car most of the time so I need a way of getting to work (I work outside the town where buses are not that frequent) in all weathers - the trike gives me that ability and the Veltop canopy turns it into the closest thing to a velomobile but at half the cost and with the flexibility of riding 'open top' when the weather is good. The benefit of being able to ride to work year round is maintaining a good level of fitness without having to resort to going to a gym or doing some other activity. After a while riding to work becomes routine and although I do still occasionally take the car, I never ever wake up and think that I'd rather drive than take the trike.
Also, not ideal if you ride a drop bar bike with STIs, but Buffalo Mitts are absolutely superb for keeping hands toasty warm when the temperature drops to zero and below. If you wear a helmet then a skullcap type hat is essential. I don't wear a helmet when riding the trike because I feel much safer, so I just where whatever hat suits the conditions best.
"
Look at this on eBay:
3 x Schwalbe Snow Stud Tyres 28 x 1.5 700 x 38 Ice Tyres 1 new 2 used
"
South Queensferry...
Re: Rain. As my mother would always say: "You won't dissolve".
I realise that I get to work in my waterproofs drier than the people who have used their car to commute, then dashed across the carpark with just a tiny umbrella.
"
Our focus is on clearing priority routes for buses and emergency vehicles and giving access to hospitals, health centres and schools.
But there is a lot you can do to help us keep the city moving. You can clear pavements in your area and check on neighbours. Your localNeighbourhood Team may be able to help with equipment.
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20189/severe_weather/1521/preparing_for_winter/2
"
Have just ordered some snow/ice spike tyres from TBC. Will be collewcting them the morra and winterising the MTB. Just doing my bit for a mild winter...
And the novelty of your bike sounding like the road is covered in rice krispies never gets old. :-)
@morningsider - i buy mine from the states. here';s the link to the trousers and jackets. I like that they are very lightweight and easy to packaway, and fit layers under so can be worn all year around. but there is a thread somewhere that links to UK available ones.
@crowriver - camping? well, yes, but also just going to the playpark!
(missed these contributions a few days back - sorry!)
SRD - thanks. I might have guessed that such robust outdoor clothes for kids didn't come from Scotland. I don't think I owned a proper waterproof coat (i.e. one where the rain stays on the outside, rather than simply being called waterproof) until my mid-20's.
Someone clearly preparing early for the winter this morning, commuting on a Pugsley past South Gyle station
Winter prep...
New batteries
Extra jersey
Double gloves
Take corners slower
Same tyres
Watch out for Invisibility Cloak users
Works every year
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