Biking Brits

Five Arches Greenway Opening Day - The video

2011-12-11T16:32:00.001Z

Just came across this video, from the Sustrans Youtube Library, covering the opening event of the Five Arches Greenway between Radstock and Midsomer Norton, Somerset.

To the apparent disappointment of a few people, this new route, built upon the formation of the late lamented Somerset & Dorset Railway, was constructed with a smooth sealed surface suitable for all users in all weathers. In accordance with current standards a softer equestrian surface was also constructed to one side.

The Five Arches Greenway project grew from a community initiative supporting the Sustrans Connect2 project.

Build It And They WILL Come

2011-10-20T14:31:00.000+01:00

AND DON'T, EVER, EVER, SAY IT CAN'T BE DONE.

Read David Hembrow's blog post. I don't need to say any more. Thank you David.

Except:

WAKE UP BRITAIN.

IT'S NOTHING TO DO WITH "CULTURAL DIFFERENCES", HILLS OR THE WEATHER.

STOP MAKING EXCUSES AND FFS GET ON WITH IT.

(No apologies for "shouting". It's my blog and I'll shout if I want to. So there.) ;-)

If They Could Do It...

2011-09-23T20:14:00.002+01:00

...then why can't we? (Sigh...)

And please don't trot out the usual excuses about "hills", "weather" and all the rest of them. They've been thoroughly debunked before.

Wake up Britain.

Please.

(Hat tip to Munchenierung for the heads-up; and to Marc van Woudenberg, aka "Amsterdamize" for making an excellent little film.)

Five Arches Greenway - "Official" Opening Day

2011-09-07T16:24:00.000+01:00

24th September 2011. 1pm. At the point where the route crosses the old Pit Path between Westfield and Midsomer Norton >> here:

View Larger Map

The deed will be done by Councillor Rob Appleyard, Chair of Westfield Parish Council. Then Michael Eavis, he of the Glastonbury Festival, will unveil a fancy picnic bench, a bit like this one, nearby.

It will be great to see a group from the nearby Two Tunnels project (another link in the chain for an almost continuous traffic-free or traffic-light route between Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Bath) will be coming down from Bath to join us. Awesome.

So, if you're in the area, grab that bike, skateboard, roller-blades, mobility scooter, horse, dog, outdoor shoes, whatever, and get down there and show 'em how popular this great new amenity already is.

Somer Valley Wheels September Ride Schedule

2011-09-03T13:25:00.000+01:00

After the failure to come to a mutually amicable arrangement with the council over use of the loan cycles belonging to the former council run scheme, the new Somer Valley Wheels club continues to operate fully independently.

Pending our taking over the "www.somervalleywheels.org.uk" domain name and building a new website I shall post ride details on this blog.

We are also working on acquiring a small collection of bikes for loan and on locating local storage space. In the meantime members are making some of their own suitable spare bikes available for loan so that we can continue with the philosophy of the original scheme in making easy cycling accessible to people who would otherwise not be able or willing to ride.

Here's the September schedule, kindly collated by Chris Cox:

September Cycle Rides

Saturday3^rd September self-led ride 10.30 meet in the car park behindlibrary in Radstock

Tuesday 6th September (Easy / Rolling ridewith leader)*

Saturday 10^th September(Explorer ride with leader) Strawberryline 10.00 in the car park behind library in Radstock

The“Strawberry Line” ride is “car assisted”! People can either drive direct toYatton or meet at Church St. car park in Radstock to car share as much aspossible to Yatton Railway Station to start the cycle ride from there. We are aimingto leave Radstock by 10:00. Weekend parking at Yatton is £1.50 for allday. The Strawberry Line is mostly on ex-railway so mostly easy gradients;surface variable but mostly similar to canal towpath. Driving time to Yattonfrom Radstock is approx. 45 minutes each way. The cycle ride Yatton-Axbridge is8 miles each way with a refreshment/toilet break at Axbridge. Community Café atYatton Station. Meet at 9.45 ready toleave at 10.00 am.

http://www.thestrawberryline.co.uk/

Tuesday 13thSeptember – suggested date (self-led ride)*

Saturday 17^thSeptember (self led ride) 10.30 meet in the car park behind library in Radstock

Wednesday 21st September (Explorer ride with leader,"Mass Dial Ride" visiting some local churches to look at massdials).*

Saturday, 24^th September (Easy ride withleader) cake run to Mells

-Wednesday28th – suggested date (self-led ride).*

Pleasenote the different meeting places for the weekday rides and the weekend rides:

*For the rides that areasterisked, we will meet at the Church Tea Rooms at 9.45 ready for a 10.00start..

Saturday rides please meet inRadstock car park behind the library 10.20 for 10.30 start except 10^thSeptember when we need to meet at 9.45 am ready to leave at 10.00am

There will be a charge forthe led rides of £2. £3.50 if you loan abike.

For the foreseeable future, we will not be able toprovide loan bikes during the week, so you will only be able to come if youhave your own bike.

On Saturday 10^thand 24^th September there will be two loan bikes available. These need to be booked in advance by contacting me via this blog or the new contact number:

0775 989 8500

Strawberry Line - It'll Do.

2011-08-23T21:25:00.002+01:00

Did another recce of a flat route for the cycling group at the weekend - we checked out the "Strawberry Line" between Yatton railway station and Axbridge. We'd done the Cheddar to Axbridge section previously.

The Strawberry Line is a bit of a "Curate's Egg", but not a particularly marvellous one. The surface is mostly that cheap grinding paste dust which must bring a gleam to the eye of any bicycle chain salesman. The width varies from a useful 3 metres or so down to less than ½ a metre.

It's a typical British 3rd rate cheapskate effort. Doubtless the authorities plead poverty as usual - just like they did before the recession when it came to building cycle routes. And the various designs of barriers indicate that, again, as usual, the designers' understanding of cycles doesn't extend much beyond being able to tell a bottom bracket from breakfast time.

Nonetheless it was a pleasant enough outing, culminating in the statutory tea and cake at the splendid Strawberry Line Community Cafe at Yatton Station.

Picture detail on Flickr

Went to Devizes and It Was Closed, Too

2011-08-17T20:49:00.003+01:00

Checking out another easy route for the ex-Somer Valley Wheels refugees bike riders I thought that a nice flat towpath ride along the Kennet and Avon Canal was worth a look.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the K&A towpath is really a complete no-no for cycling. That's in spite of "officially" being part of the so-called "National Cycle Network" - it's part of Sustrans' NCN4.

The path has that cheap and easy compromise surface - rolled dust. Trouble is, of course, is that it needs a lot of maintenance to keep it good and it's getting very little of that. Vegetation is quick to encroach so that in places the path is down to around 18 inches wide; in many places the top surface is worn down to the railway ballast type stone base layer which makes for a very rough ride. The up side of that is, I suppose, that it keeps speeds down - 10 mph is, I reckon, the safe maximum given the other hazards. On the inclines up over some of the bridges the surface is little better than scree.

All good if I was leading a bunch of youngsters on mountain bikes but for the less steady older folk it would be quite hazardous.

So, no. The K&A path is great on foot, but hard work on a bike. It just goes to demonstrate how fortunate we are in the Radstock/Midsomer Norton area when it comes to decent standard off-highway cycle routes.

Oh yes. The steps. I found out later that I should have avoided them by heading off the path and crossing over the road and back down onto the path but I must have missed the signs heading in the easterly direction.

And Devizes? Well, at the wharf by the canal there was little to keep me there. No toilets. No cafe. The K&A Trust does its best with a coffee machine in the gift shop but it's not up to coping with the 10 or so hungry folk on bikes. I was directed to the "town square" 5 minutes walk away for the 20p attended toilets. The nearest I could find to a tea rooms was a branch of a national coffee shop chain - not what my discerning group of riders would particularly appreciate. So, sorry Devizes, you're missing a trick not having decent facilities by the canal.

So, the hunt continues for a variety of new routes for my gang of bike riders. As most of them are aged between 50 to 70+ years old I have to try to avoid excessive climbs and unpleasant levels of motor traffic. It's a hell of a job, but someone's got to do it...

What is it about middle aged couples and their matching bicycles...?

2011-08-07T12:40:00.001+01:00

Subtitled: We went to Axbridge but it was closed. Mostly.

We ventured out on Saturday to have a recce of the so-called "Strawberry Line" cycle route for a future "Not Somer Valley Wheels" group ride. Keeping it short for Liz's sake we just did the Cheddar to Axbridge section. Very disappointing. Sufficient to say that it makes a great footpath, but that's all. A narrow dust path with an unmade access ramp and 90° blind bends a cycle path does not make. We'll sample other parts of the route another time. It can only get better.

Axbridge. What can I say? Best description is a film set for a Thomas Hardy movie but disused since about 1973.

Oh, and the middle aged couples with matching bicycles? Well, there was us with our candy coloured Bromptons, of course, and these two Airnimal folders - the gentleman of the pair checking the map for the quickest escape from Axbridge.

No Limits

2011-07-26T13:57:00.001+01:00

No Limits, a photo by WestfieldWanderer on Flickr.

I went out on Liz's new Brompton for her (one size fits all) to put a few more miles on it before its first "running in" service at AVC.

Increasingly amazed how these little machines gobble up the miles - don't let those little wheels fool you.

Becoming more convinced by the day that these are the only bikes we really need.

Getting Repetitive Here

2011-06-27T10:52:00.002+01:00

A few snaps on the phone when in Bath for the Bath Cycling Summit, walking back to the bus stop...

Repeating the old mantras:

1. "It's too hilly to cycle in Bath".
2. "Build it and they will come".

From what you see in the pictures, which statement is nearer the truth?

Mmm. Tricky. (As Beyoncé replied when asked who she'd like to share her set with at Glastonbury)

Another Symptom of "Build It and They Will Come"?

2011-06-04T12:25:00.004+01:00

Another symptom of "Build and They Will Come", a photo by WestfieldWanderer on Flickr.

It might be my imagination but I seem to be spotting an increasing number of the so-called "traditional" upright roadster cum utility bikes around these parts.

This rather nice single speed Atlas was seen at the Midsomer Norton Farmers' Market this morning.

Guessing its age... 50-60 years old. Or more?

Or it might be even newer. Still being built today in India: www.atlascycles.co.in/

"Build It And They Will Come" - Yet AGAIN.

2011-05-05T10:35:00.000+01:00

Our local free paper, the snappily titled "The Midsomer Norton, Radstock and District Journal" doesn't have an online presence, so I'll transcribe a letter in this week's issue (5th May 2011):

Area's unique cyclepaths bring business to the area

I have organised cycle tours for families and adults for nearly twenty years, travelling all over the UK and worldwide.

Last year, I brought fourteen families to Radstock for four days. The reason is simple. There were three good cyclepaths leading away from a single point and there will soon be a fourth.

In my experience, this is unmatched in the UK.

The local spend on accommodation and food boosted the rural economy by at least several thousand pounds. Without the cyclpaths, both I and other organisers will go elsewhere. I congratulate those involved for having the vision to recreate these green corridors as the benefits to all are substantial.

Yours sincerely
Neil Wheadon
Coleford.

Five Arches Greenway - A Visitor's View

2011-04-29T16:13:00.001+01:00

A visitor to the area takes the trouble to write to the local press about our new bike path:

Midsomer Norton is the place to visit

We visited relatives in the Radstock area over the Easter weekend and used part of the new (and as yet unfinished) cycle route to visit the Railway Museum in Silver Street.

What an excellent experience for both young and old!

Afterwards we cycled into Midsomer Norton for lunch and stopped off at the playground near the leisure centre on the way back.

Almost certainly we would not have done any of these things had it not been for the new cycle route.

When it is finished the route will be a great asset to the town. It will provide a wonderful traffic-free and stress-free link between the Railway Museum and the museum at Radstock and out on to the wider world (Bath, Bradford on Avon, Frome) via the Colliers Way.

Midsomer Norton is becoming a place to visit!

PETER SILBURN

Parsonage Road

Horsham

West Sussex

I've said it before. And I'll say it again. And again. Until those doubters finally get the message:

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME.

My Word! Very "Amsterdam". But in Mendip country.

2011-04-25T16:15:00.001+01:00

My Word! Very "Amsterdam". But in Mendip country.
Originally uploaded by WestfieldWanderer

A couple of nice sets of wheels seen parked outside Radstock Co-op of all places.
Must be something about those new cycle routes...
Another sign of "build and they will come", we ask?

Of Sloppy Journalism, Silly Scaremongering and Politicians Too Lazy to Check Their Facts

2011-04-15T20:46:00.003+01:00

Well, it is Britain after all. So we expect our newspapers to be full of misinformation and abject garbage; we expect our politicians to blurt unsubstantiated rubbish so long as they get their names in the papers.

Personally, I gave up reading our local rag (owned by the same media group as the Daily Mail... 'nuff sed) long ago, it consisting chiefly of house and car adverts doubtless containing as much truth and fact as the pitiful collection of "news" stories.

So, it came as little surprise when a colleague drew my attention to a "news" story in this week's paper entitled: "Safety fears if cycle path shortened".

I was unable to find the story in the on-line version of the paper so I, with heavy heart, parted company with 60p in exchange for a copy of tomorrow's cat litter (at least it would be if I owned a cat).

I won't bother transcribing the whole article here, so I'll just give you the essentials.

The basic story is about a revision to the plans of the "Five Arches Greenway" currently under construction along the formation of the old Somerset & Dorset Railway between Somervale Road, Radstock and Norton Hill School, Charlton Road, Midsomer Norton . The revised plan is for the shortening of the access ramp down from the railway embankment to street level at Silver Street, near the junction with Charlton Road. You can see photos of the construction work on my Flickr group.

The rest of the article is made up of mild hysteria from various members of the public and a local politician bemoaning the "fact" that because of this alteration that children on bikes will be forced onto the main road at a busy junction to continue their way to school.

"This sort of cost cutting will put children's lives at risk" blusters the Councillor, "I want to know what safety measures would be put in place to stop cyclists being injured on the busy corner".

The article finishes with a reference to the Bath & North East Somerset Council Planning web site, which was 11/00619/NMA.

So, a quick look at the B&NES web site takes us to pdf copies of various documents.

This document tells us all we need to know:

Item 8 on this "Non Material Amendment" application tells us:

"The gabion retained access ramp at Silver Street is to be shortened. This will result in the off road path meeting Silver Street further north than shown on the drawing SC217L.

Then comes the important bit:

The path will continue south along Silver Street on a shared 3 metre wide path formed by widening the existing footpath onto the adjacent highway verge.

So, no chucking hapless schoolkids under 4x4s driven by yummy mummies taking Jocasta and Tarquin 400 yards to school, then.

Now, I got this information with 2 minutes effort using a reference from the newspaper article. If I, with zero journalistic training, can do a such a simple task then how come the Daily Mail reject who wrote the scaremongering article failed to do it? How come a local "politician", part of whose job is to scrutinise planning applications, failed to do so?

Jacking up a failing circulation with "shock" stories in the hope of filling next week's letters pages with vitriol from Angry Tory Voting Daily Mail Reader of Midsomer Norton?

Getting more public exposure pending the upcoming local elections?

Fail on both counts.

No sale. No vote.

Not from me, anyway.

It's The Infrastructure, Stupid!

2011-04-06T22:38:00.000+01:00

Riding in the Netherlands from Bikes Belong on Vimeo.

(Hat tip to David Hembrow - who else!)

Last Of The Somer Wheels

2011-03-28T11:52:00.001+01:00

The final outings of Somer Valley Wheels under the current council administration take place tomorrow (Tues. 28 March) and Wednesday.

Depart from the usual place, rear of the Church Cafe, Church Street, Radstock for a ride via Foxcote on Tuesday.

Wednesday, ride to Nunney Castle. Original plan for a picnic might be scuppered if the current weather forecast is to be believed.

Build It And They Will Come

2011-03-27T17:52:00.003+01:00

It's a waste of money, they all said.

No-one will use it, they all said.

Yeah. Right.

It's not open yet.

It's not even finished yet.

I took a dozen pictures like this one this afternoon.

But, I thought, just one will do to tell the story. (The rest weren't good enough to put up, anyway).

Up yours, naysayers.

Five Arches Greenway, Midsomer Norton to Radstock, Somerset, UK

Five Arches Greenway Construction - photos on Flickr

Getting It Right

2011-03-13T18:28:00.002Z

An inspiring "How To Get It Right" video.

Until a similar attitude prevails in UK this country cannot call itself a civilised nation.

We'll know when it happens when it is considered normal and acceptable to allow an 11 year old child to cycle or walk to school - any school - on any road.

That's my view, anyway.

Hat tip to "Karl-on-Sea" and Katja of the Newcastle Cycling Campaign.

Copenhagen's Car-free streets & Slow-speed zones from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

Blundering On...

2011-03-13T17:10:00.001Z

Well, we've had our first committee meeting of the new organization to replace the soon to be defunct council run Somer Valley Wheels.

Well, I think we have.

I'm, allegedly, Chairman. At least, that's what they tell me. So I ought to know. I think.

We gathered in the cafe after this morning's ride. We were only expecting the core group of the committee to turn up, but several others came along as well, which was really good to see; meetings are generally boring and usually no-one really wants to get involved. But our lot are different, it appears. Or, it's still a novelty.

First up was everyone sitting watching the Chairman tucking in to an All Day Breakfast ordered 45 minutes earlier. I've only lived in Somerset for 30 years but still forget that there is no word in the Somerset vocabulary to match the urgency of "mañana"; our cafe lives up to that tradition big time.

That formality hurriedly gromphed down we moved on to Item One on the grease splattered agenda. The Constitution. Not being folk to go out of our way to re-invent the wheel we blagged an existing constitution of another cycling group from up North somewhere (Thornbury way). We quickly removed the requirement for monthly General Meetings (why would we need so many meetings?); a few other minor amendments and that was it. Sorted.

Item Two was more tricky. A name for the group. We'd already decided that we didn't want to perpetuate the "Somer Valley Wheels" name, partly because it belongs to the council scheme which dies in the Kristallnacht of council services on 31st March, but mainly because it was too similar to the "Somer Valley Cycling Club", a local sporty cycling club run on more traditional lines - lots of lycra and carbon fibre. We have found that people googling for Somer Valley Wheels on the internet tended to end up on the wrong site and being put off by the SVCCs sterling sporting exploits, especially when they were trying to find a group with which to restart cycling after a break of forty years and whose idea of a ten mile time trial is something taking an hour and a half with a coffee stop midway. And not a 20 minute blast up and down a bypass somewhere.

Various name ideas were bounced around the table. My idea of "Old Fahrts Fietsen" didn't see the light of day - too European (words from three closely related European languages in one title impressed only a minority of one), not Somerset enough, in spite of having a Dutchman as Secretary.

We finally settled on Malcolm's idea of using the local postcode - BA3 - and ending up with "BA3 Wheelers", or "BA Freewheelers". Just a play on words and highlighting the easy going casual nature of the group.

That was it - enough for one day - we've got a Constitution and a name. Next stop is Bank Account and CTC affiliation.

Meanwhile, the cycling continues as normal.

Five Arches Greenway - Photos

2011-02-27T16:24:00.004Z

I'm creating a photo log of the construction of the new Five Arches Greenway over on my Flickr pages.

They'll be added to day by day whenever I can get down there, but there may be a some gaps while I attend to more important things as "Mrs BikingBrits" is having more surgery at Bath Royal United Hospital tomorrow and recovering at home for a couple of weeks afterwards.

Oh, and any other local Flickr types - feel free to join the group and add your own appropriate images of the ongoing work.

Oh! I'm So Impatient!

2011-02-14T13:09:00.003Z

Just been out to see what's going on on the Five Arches construction front.

The only action evident late this morning was this builder's van parked on the footway at the Charlton Road junction.

The Thermos flask in the cab was getting heavy use, as was the red-top tabloid paper.

Patience is a virtue, my granny used to tell me. Fine. Where can I buy one?

Big Day Today

2011-02-14T08:22:00.004Z

No. Not Valentine's Day. Because every day is Valentine's Day in our house.

Something a bit more prosaic.

Today, at long last, construction work starts on the Five Arches Greenway between Somervale Road, Radstock and Charlton Road, Midsomer Norton, Somerset, UK, along the trackbed of the old Somerset & Dorset Railway.

I think I've mentioned it before.

Anyway, I'm off out later with the camera to try to record the construction of the path.

I'm a bit nerdy like that, because I did something similar when the Colliers' Way was being built.

Now, where did I leave those camera batteries?

Yay!

2011-02-05T11:10:00.005Z

See the tall one with the skateboard?

She's the one in the yellow jacket posing by another B&NES board in 2004:

It's not just the local bike path network that's seen some growth...

Somer Valley Wheels Gets the Chop

2011-01-22T16:43:00.004Z

No surprise, really.

At the Somer Valley Wheels "Not The Christmas Lunch" at the Jolliffe Arms, Kilmersdon, Somerset (rescheduled from December when snow stopped everything) Chris Revill, scheme manager, announced that Bath & North East Somerset Council will be cutting financial support for the scheme at the end of March.

Of course, this has been fully expected for some time because of the ongoing massive cuts in local government spending. Much discussion is going on amongst ourselves on the creation of a resurrected group or organisation so we can carry on cycling together. There are around 40 regulars on the scheme - bigger than some pukka cycling clubs - so watch this space for future developments...

We won't say "We'll be Back" - that's Arnie's line.

Instead we'll borrow that of Jean Bobet: "Demain on roule".

Two Tunnels Greenway Progress

2011-01-06T19:35:00.002Z

Great news from the Two-Tunnels project team:

The contractors will now be on site from Monday 10th January - the Bath Chronicle has an article on the route and the works in this weeks paper. The article includes a map, and a photo of Frank Tompson, looking unusually stern for some reason.

If you're remote from Bath, the paper's web site carries a text-only version, here's a link:

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/Work-start-linear-park-link-Tunnels-route/article-3067419-detail/article.html

As ever, comments on the paper's web site will help move the article more into the public eye, so if you're moved to comment, then so much the better.

Sustrans has a web page on the route with information on the current works and a map. Each section will be closed while work proceeds, and the information will be updated should the schedule change. Here's the link:

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/connect2/schemes/south-west/bath-two-tunnels

In addition to the surfacing work to Linear Park, we're expecting to see work to the bridge across the 'Live' railway line at Bellotts Road.

This bridge is the concern of Network Rail. Initially the work will involve clearing the deck, so that an accurate plan of the work involved in taking the path across it can be prepared.

An unusual feature of this brick arch bridge has emerged, in that its structure includes a pair of steel beams laid to either side of the trackbed (and presumably these are tied together within the structure). We don't believe these will complicate things, though their presence may have implications for the design of handrails that the bridge will require.

You've probably visited the project blog. Its purpose is to record and announce the physical work involved in building the route, and its 'Comments' section allows us all to ask questions and discuss progress. Please feel free to do just that. As the work to Linear Park gathers pace, we're expecting to add photos and video - it will join the earlier material on the uncovering of Devonshire Tunnel's lost portal. Find the blog here:

http://two-tunnels-bath.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your continued support. It's that which has brought the route to its present state, with construction under way. The 'Two Tunnels' committee met last night and there was a real sense of anticipation and excitement that after all the advance preparation, 2011 is 'The year of the Two Tunnels route'.

Best wishes

Mark

New Cycling Advocacy Organisation Launched

2010-12-15T10:02:00.004Z

The loss of Cycling England in the infamous "Bonfire of the Quangos" must be regarded as nothing more than a setback to promoting cycling in Britain. Cycling England is dead. Get used to it. Move on.

The past campaigning policies of the CTC, the major cycling advocacy organization in Britain for over a century, while successful in parts, has totally failed to have any significant effect on cycling levels in Britain. This failure, in the opinion of many people, is almost entirely down to the organization's continued insistence on the failed "vehicular cycling" strategy. Whilst more enlightened and forward thinking countries of Western Europe have successfully implemented other strategies which resulted in cycling gaining a modal share of more than 30%, here in Britain it sticks resolutely at 1%-2%. Does this not suggest that the British public, over 40% of whom are reputed to own a bike, have simply rejected "vehicular cycling"? They have shown that they simply don't want to share the road with fast moving motor vehicles. VC advocates can talk themselves blue in the face on the advantages of that strategy; the British public simply won't buy it. It's all about "subjective Safety" as David Hembrow, a British ex-pat living in the Netherlands, puts it.

I don't propose to go through all of the advantages of the bike as one of the best, if not the best, mode of personal urban transport ever invented - readers of this blog, by definition, must know this already - but the recent news confirming the rather obvious fact that Britain is the unhealthiest nation in Europe, partly because of the unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle of an uncomfortable majority of the population must ring bells somewhere. Everyday cycling by more people won't solve that problem, but it can certainly go a long way to help.

Thanks to the hard work and organizational skills of Jim Davis the newly formed Cycling Embassy of Great Britain promises to be a new approach to cycling advocacy in the UK. We do need to find a way of engaging policy makers and the non-cycling public alike to show them the benefits to everyone in so many ways of increased cycling and reduced car dependence.

Even if you (currently) never intend to ride a bike yourself, you could do worse than follow developments.

http://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/

Cycling and the Profitable Culture of Fear

2010-12-01T09:17:00.004Z

People, particularly your stereotypical Brits, who tend to have the unfortunate habit of spending their lives with their collective heads firmly parked up their collective backsides, often ask what's the big deal about cycling? Why do I continuously bang on about it? Why am I such a bicycle bore?

Well, here's one of my all-time heroes, Mikael Colville-Andersen, yes, he of Copenhagenize and Copenhagen Cycle Chic giving a presentation at the TedxCopenhagen event. Mikael clearly is a very accomplished speaker and gets his point over far better than any stumbling, mumbling and semi-coherent effort that I might make. It's a long video but I guarantee that you won't be bored, whatever your attitude to bicycles and cycling might be.

Watch, listen, learn. Then, get that bike out and experience.

Gritting Cycle Paths in Bad Weather

2010-11-30T08:33:00.002Z

Keeping pavements, footpaths and cycle paths clear in icy weather doesn't seem to be much of a priority to Highway Authorities, in good financial times as well as bad.

So it was good to read about a rare forward thinking local authority taking the trouble of leasing a special quadbike which they use to keep such routes in use.

If cycling and walking are to be taken seriously as mainstream modes of transport then this is a no-brainer. We know this because in more advanced countries in Europe the cycle paths have a higher priority than the motor roads.

Isn't it?

Read about Cambridge County Council's initiative here

Five Arches Greenway - Construction Starting?

2010-11-03T10:49:00.003Z

Spotted this morning, Bristol Water vans parked nearby on Pit Road, Midsomer Norton and this digger crew at work.

We know that a water main needs relocating to accommodate an access ramp for the cycle path, so this work might be something to do with that task.

Is this the start of construction of the Five Arches Greenway I ask...

Fingers crossed!

Five Arches and Greenway Extensions Still on the "To Do" List

2010-10-07T18:07:00.004+01:00

A news item in the Midsomer Norton & Radstock area local rag suggests that our worries that the Five Arches Greenway and the Norton-Radstock Greenway extension to Tescos at Old Mills might have become casualties of the Tory cuts program just might be ill-founded. Good to hear. No work on the Five Arches Greenway has been done since the initial clearance last Spring; and the then project plan showed completion about now. I'd also heard that that delay was because the DfT were insisting that the light controlled road crossings at each end of the Greenway had to be horse friendly as well as people and bicycle friendly, which doubles their cost.

Here's hoping that the proposed Norton-Radstock Greenway extension beyond Tesco to Farrington Gurney gets a boost from this, too.

Read the news item here

An item about the Five Arches plan can be found (yes, amazingly no 404 error for a change) on the Bath & North East Somerset web site here

A Good Response to the Usual Selection of Prejudices

2010-10-07T11:21:00.002+01:00

Most of us who ride bikes on the road have experienced verbal and sometimes physical abuse from a certain type of knucklehead who thinks that he or she has more "right" to the road just because they haul their sorry lardy arses around in a tonne and a half tin box. "Cycling Lawyer", as one should expect from a person in his profession, presents an excellent rebuff to the more common prejudices.

Read and inwardly digest, as one of my school teachers used to say:
A Response to 'Phatboy'. At least we can have a reasonable guess as to 'Phatboy's' physique. And why.

Next Stop Radstock?

2010-09-22T19:27:00.003+01:00

The Colliers' Way cycle path uses most of the old GWR route between Radstock and Frome. This little film promotes the reinstatement of the rail route, which is a brilliant idea and sorely needed for our rapidly expanding little town.

The original route was built in the mid-nineteenth century as a double track line in Brunel's 7' 0 1/4" gauge, so there should be plenty of room for a shared rail/cycle set-up along the formation. In the decades to come, with Peak Oil looming (or, already with us?), both rail and bike are bound to become increasingly important modes of transport sooner or later. If our politicians would develop a bit of backbone and stand up to the increasingly desperate motor lobby doubtless we could see this development happen more toward the "sooner" end of that spectrum.

One can but hope.

Enjoy this little movie.

More on the Radstock Action Group can be found here

Community Chroniclers - Radstock Action Group from James Harrison on Vimeo.

Michael Eavis meets Somer Valley Wheels

2010-09-18T17:50:00.002+01:00

Michael Eavis meets Somer Valley Wheels
Originally uploaded by WestfieldWanderer

Glastonbury Festival organiser, Michael Eavis, came to Radstock to do the "official" opening of the "Church Tearooms" (the replacement for the sadly defunct Tea & Trade). While he was there he came over to meet some of the Somer Valley Wheels "Saturday Gang". Michael told us that he'd had his bike stolen a couple of weeks ago and was offering a free ticket to next year's Glastonbury Festival as a reward for the return of his bike. No idea what type of bike to look for - the only description that we got out of him of it was that it was a "decent one".

101 Things to Do After Peak Oil No. 1

2010-09-09T13:55:00.001+01:00

Turn it into a hedge...

Radstock Riders

2010-09-09T13:43:00.003+01:00

Doing their bit to fight the daily fossil fueled tsunami that swamps this little town:

Official Somer Valley Wheels Video

2010-08-22T17:44:00.003+01:00

Bath & North East Somerset Council have produced this excellent video about the Somer Valley Wheels cycling scheme. It sums it up rather well, I think.

Planning tomorrow's group ride

2010-08-06T21:47:00.003+01:00

This looks like a welcome change from the usual trundle to Mells.

Any comments, Somer Valley Wheelers? :-)

(Hat tip to Mr "Combing my Hair")

Bristol Cycle Chic

2010-08-03T20:06:00.003+01:00

I don't know how Mikael and Marc manage to get such brilliant street shots in their blogs. This snap was grabbed on the mobile phone during the Bristol Harbour Festival last weekend. There were plenty of other opportunities for snapping "chic" cyclists but I just wasn't quick enough. I guess the guys spend their time with a camera permanently glued to their faces.
Respect!

Ultimate Guide to Bicycle Maintenance - the Review

2010-08-02T19:40:00.005+01:00

Well, I’ve given this book a good read through and by and large it lives up to the publisher’s blurb:

You may be able to ride your bike, but would you be able to repair a broken cycle chain, upgrade your road pedals or repair a puncture? There’s a lot more to cycling than just two wheels, and this guide to cycle maintenance provides vital advice, pictorial walkthroughs and jargon-free workshops to keep you on the move.

The main features are:
* Bike ‘maps’ revealing what’s what on your bike.
* Guides to necessary repair kit tools and products.
* Specialist tips and tutorials from cycling professionals.
* Guides to help more ambitious cyclists develop and upgrade their machines.
* Frequently asked questions answered throughout each section.

Written in a pleasant “chatty” style, the instructions are succinct and easy to follow. The accompanying illustrations, although on the small side, are clear and helpful.

My reservations are few.

There are no index pages at the back. I think an index is essential in any reference book.

The book is clearly aimed at the sporting cyclist with all the photos showing quality road and mountain bikes. Little thought seems to have been given to day-to-day commuters, shoppers and leisure riders. As a non-sporting cyclist myself and a keen advocate for realising the potential for cycling to become mainstream again, as it is not very far away across the North Sea, I would have liked to have seen at least a nod towards the vast majority of everyday cyclists who have no ambition to storm up Mont Ventoux or ride over the side of a cliff.

The claim to be the “ultimate” guide, I think we can dismiss as slightly overenthusiastic as it assumes that the reader already has a certain amount of basic know-how. There is nothing for the absolute novice who might appreciate some tuition in some of the more basic stuff; like how to identify the different type of tyre valves and how to fit a pump to the valve - you'd be surprised at how many people don't know...

So, as a step towards earning the "ultimate" title - meaning that you don't need any other book - I think that an additional “newbie” section is needed to cover the absolute basics, such as pre-ride safety checks – something that most of us do automatically every time we wheel the machine out of the shed. What I’d like to see is something on the lines of what is known as the “M” check – see http://www.doitbycycle.com/maintenance/bikecheck.aspx for an example.

Finally, the biggest black mark is to be found in small print on the first page under the heading of “Caveat”. I quote:

“Most people have cycled since childhood and it is easy to forget that it is an extreme sport.”

That statement really annoyed me. One short sentence and you’ve destroyed the joy of cycling and put everyone off. I’m a cyclist. I’m also 62 years old and don’t do “extreme sport” thank you very much. Cycling is first and foremost a mode of transport. It’s all very well to be safety minded but that’s ‘elf’n’safety taken a little too far.

That aside, in summary then: nice book and should be a useful addition to the home bike mechanic’s collection.

The Ultimate Guide to Bicycle Maintenance is available from WH Smith, magbooks.com and amazon.co.uk

http://magbooks.com

Promotion

2010-07-02T21:31:00.003+01:00

I've just been promoted from humble blogger to book reviewer.

I was contacted by Dennis Publishing asking if I would be interested in reviewing a new publication of theirs on this blog. I've never written a review of anything before so always up to try something new I said OK.

So, what's it all about? Well, cycling, naturally. And should be of interest to my Somer Valley Wheels folk who have been asking for some assistance on bike maintenance. Coincidentally, we had our first bike maintenance class a week ago today.

The book is entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Bicycle Maintenance". Not sure how ultimate it is as it only arrived on the doormat today and I haven't unpacked it yet so I'd better get going.

Until next time:
The Ultimate Guide to Bicycle Maintenance is available from WH Smith, magbooks.com and amazon.co.uk

http://magbooks.com

BHF Somerset Levels Charity Bike Ride 2010

2010-06-10T09:38:00.002+01:00

The family team completes the 27 mile circuit of the British Heart Foundation Somerset Levels charity bike ride on 6th June 2010.

This was particularly good for us, as the lady in the middle, not so long ago after cancer surgery, could barely do a mile or so on the back of a tandem. We entered this ride as part of the plan to get Liz back up to a decent fitness level.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together.

Picture by www.actionpic.co.uk/

"...Now I'm not gonna make a lot of extravagant claims for this little machine. Sure, it'll change your whole life for the better, but that's all" - bicycle salesman, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Proper Drivers Understand Cycling

2010-05-28T18:11:00.002+01:00

It was good to read an item in the CTC online newsletter "Cycle Digest" that:

According to an online poll of 6,000 people by IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists), cycle training would have a more positive impact on cycle safety than making cycle helmets compulsory - only 1% supported compulsion. The survey of IAM members and non-members also found that: 96% said they would approve of additional public money to make cycling safer; 21.49% suggested further introduction and enforcement of 20 mph zones was the most important consideration to help cyclists; and 82.46% thought a licence or registration process for cyclists was a bad idea.

www.iam.org.uk > news

Just goes to show that the arrogant and belligerent attitude of a vociferous minority of "Jeremy Clarkson" type motorist much loved by the gutter media does not necessarily reflect the general attitude of responsible and tolerant majority.

I just wish that the latter group made a bit more noise to drown out the neanderthal thugs of the former group.

Footnote: Whilst browsing the IAM web site I noticed that they even offer advanced cycle training. Worth following up, methinks.

This is What You Get When You Encourage Too Much Cycling

2010-05-27T14:34:00.003+01:00

Outrageous, isn't it.

Perhaps they should make them all use cars for their journeys.

Imagine that lot each in a single car.

All nicely under control, snug and warm, in a lovely long traffic jam, just like in most English speaking countries.

Yeah. Imagine.

(Hat tip to David Hembrow)

YouTube - BBC Look East backtracks on 'road tax'

2010-05-25T20:15:00.002+01:00

Well, well.

The once respectable BBC, having now joined the rest of the media in dredging the toxic swamp of gutter journalism in the name of getting more ratings, at least had the common decency to broadcast a grudging apology and set the record straight on last week's appalling piece blaming a cyclist for being rear-ended by an inattentive motorist just because "he didn't pay road-tax".

Apology accepted. But not forgotten, or forgiven.

It must be great to live in a civilised country.

I wonder what it's like.

YouTube - BBC Look East backtracks on 'road tax'

Rear-ended cyclist at fault cos doesn’t pay ‘road tax’ – I Pay Road Tax

2010-05-21T12:22:00.001+01:00

The article from the "Ipayroadtax.com" blog makes me want to spit blood. The thoughtlessness, callousness, willful pig-ignorance and arrogant attitude of so many people leaves me speechless.

Why is it that any pretence of civilised behaviour evaporates as soon as some people get behind the wheel of a motor car?

Later thought: I'd better add that as I've been a driver for way too many years and currently own two vehicles this ranting post should in no way be taken as "anti-car", just anti-pig-ignorant-people, of which there are too many driving cars when they obviously lack the basic temperament to handle a wheel-barrow competently.

Rear-ended cyclist at fault cos doesn’t pay ‘road tax’ – I Pay Road Tax

Frome Town Council - Colliers Way Cycle Path

2010-05-10T22:08:00.000+01:00

Frome Town Council would like to hear our views on their proposal to extend the Colliers Way alongside the railway into Frome.

Go to this link on the Frome Town Council's website and fill in the form and let them know what you think:

Frome Town Council - Colliers Way Cycle Path

Too Hilly to Cycle?

2010-05-07T17:22:00.003+01:00

For some, it makes a fine excuse. But that's all. Passing through Westfield, close to the 117 metres above sea level trig point. Radstock centre, a kilometre and a half away behind the rider, is about 72 metres. 45 metres climb in 1.6 km is a hard slog but it keeps you fit...

Moulton on Country Tracks (BBC1)

2010-05-07T17:05:00.002+01:00

Thanks to the CTC's weekly e-news for the heads-up on this great clip of Ben Fogle's visit to 89 year old Sir Alex Moulton to see the great Moulton bicycle.

I'd love one of these, but at up to £8,000 a pop it'll have to wait awhile...

Enjoy the video:

3 Feet Please

2010-05-06T12:44:00.003+01:00

3 Feet Please.

This is such a blindingly obvious commonsense rule that it's an indictment on the appallingly poor standard of driving (supported by almost non-existent law enforcement) that's permitted in Britain that such a campaign is necessary.

One sure way to show drivers why they/we must adhere to this basic and simple rule is to require all new drivers (and all those convicted of any driving offence) to take cycle training and achieve the Bikeability Level 3 certificate BEFORE they are granted a provisional driving licence.

And, yes, all new cyclists, too. Free Bikeability available for all 10-11 year olds would be a start.

Please go and read the 3 Feet Please web page, show your support and spread the word via whatever network you use.

A view from the cycle path - David Hembrow: A look back on British policy. The National Cycling Strategy 1996

2010-05-03T10:39:00.000+01:00

The man tells it to us straight.

Yet another indictment of the mindless, backward facing, reactionary shambles that typifies the 21st Century British attitude to not only transport policy but pretty well anything that challenges the status quo. The truly sad thing is that it will probably never change.

The time to walk away from it all is well overdue.

A view from the cycle path - David Hembrow: A look back on British policy. The National Cycling Strategy 1996

The Cycling Lawyer: A young cyclist sets me thinking

2010-04-29T11:38:00.001+01:00

This posting from the "Cycling Lawyer" The Cycling Lawyer: A young cyclist sets me thinking is worth reading. Those of us who are regular road riders understand exactly where he's coming from and we've all experienced sub-standard and downright dangerous cycling 'facilities' built by road engineers with little interest and understanding of the needs for cyclists to achieve parity with motorized road users. Until that changes and British highways engineers finally swallow their pride and prejudices and learn from their European colleagues we can be well advised to follow the techniques outlined by the Cycling Lawyer.

And to further emphasise the point, the road.cc blog reports that the Institute of Advanced Motorists' new book "How to be a better Cyclist" advises the same strategy.

Ride safely out there.

Well? Does Bath & North East Somerset Council Have a Commitment to Promoting Walking and Cycling or Not?

2010-04-15T19:32:00.005+01:00

As a member (or now, apparently, a former member of the now defunct) of the snappily titled "Joint Liaison Group for pedestrians, access, cyclists and equestrians and Cycle Forum" I received the following email from B&NES:

I am writing to you about the future of the above two forums. As you are probably already aware the Council have had to make savings in the environment of a financially challenged period. Several members of the Traffic & Safety Team, including Alison Sherwin and Tom Webster, are due to move to Design and Projects where they will be focus more directly on delivery of improvements schemes. As a consequence, for the time being there will be no resource within Traffic & Safety to arrange or support the meetings in their current form. However you will be aware that with the West of England Partnership we are currently preparing our third Joint Local Transport Plan which will articulate our aspirations and policy for improvements in transport in the future. Your input into this strategic document will be welcomed when it is published later in the year and I will ensure that you are included in consultations at the right time.

Should you require clarification regarding these changes please contact Peter Dawson, Group Manager, Planning Policy & Transport,

In the meantime, Alison, Tom and myself would like to thank you for all your input in the past.

Regards

Nick Jeanes
Team Leader Traffic & Safety

As Alison was the council's "Cycling and Pedestrian Officer", we appear now to have no council officer directly responsible for promoting projects to make cycling and walking easier and safer in the Bath area.

This is odd, since the council, albeit somewhat reluctantly, supported the ongoing "Two Tunnels" and "Five Arches" cycle route projects.

But, then again, as far as I can tell, there never has been any serious attempt to promote cycling and walking as viable modes of transport. The Two Tunnels and Five Arches schemes were community initiatives driven from outside the council. If the council had any real initiative then these projects should have come about without outside help.

The only positive outcome of years of my talking and emailing the former Cycling and Pedestrian Officer was that I was accused of giving her a headache.
So, will we notice any difference from these changes?

Without the political will to drive things forward I guess that all we can hope for is to continue to endure many more years of flowery language and inaction. There are no votes in promoting cycling in such a reactionary and backward facing country such as ours.

Another sad indictment of a nation that's lost its way.

I'll Second The Sentiment

2010-04-01T20:22:00.002+01:00

My copy of the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op Catalogue arrived today.
As always, even the envelope is a fun read!

Five Arches Greenway - The Official Launch

2010-03-30T21:32:00.004+01:00

Today the "official" press release announces the formal start of construction of the Five Arches Greenway. We're all pleased as punch; a great success for a small community project.
Here's the text of the press release:

For immediate release: 30th March 2010

Local people celebrate a new route to link Radstock and Midsomer Norton

Radstock and Midsomer Norton are joining the long list of UK towns creating a better network of routes for pedestrians and cyclists by joining forces with sustainable transport charity - Sustrans - to create a traffic-free link connecting the two towns. This is part of a UK wide initiative funded by the Big Lottery Fund to improve local networks so more everyday local journeys can be made by foot or by bike.

The route - entitled the 'Five Arches' scheme - will link the popular Norton-Radstock greenway, which skirts the northern part of the town, to Midsomer Norton town centre and will provide crucial links to overcome the hilly terrain that poses a barrier to walking and cycling. This scheme aims to complete a route along the high level disused railway that used to connect the two towns. Links from the railway path will connect communities to work, leisure and school facilities - including the new skate park at Gullock Tyning nearby. The project will also provide crossings of the busy Somervale Road and Charlton Road outside Norton Hill School. The route will be a particular help to Norton Hill pupils, who will be able to walk and cycle to school away from the busy local roads.

Rupert Crosbee, North Somerset Area Manager for Sustrans said,
"The 'Five Arches' is a great scheme that will not only be a beautiful route through this landscape but will be an easy and convenient way for local people to make everyday journeys on foot or by bike. The Council and community are really enthusiastic about making it happen and as the paperwork is done we can get on with making this route a reality."

Sustrans and Bath and North East Somerset Council have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding - an agreement which secures the £250,000 lottery money from Sustrans for this £630,000 project. This will then be match-funded with over £300,000 from Cycling England Links to School programme with £69,000 from Bath & North East Somerset Council and further funding from Norton Radstock Town Council. This paperwork cements the commitment to the project with a view to site clearance and ecological mitigation starting straight away and construction following in the summer.

Councillor Charles Gerrish, Bath & North East Somerset Council Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said,
"This will be a step forward for improving transport and public spaces in the Midsomer Norton and Radstock area. Making walking and cycling a more attractive option is crucial to encouraging more people out of private cars and using more sustainable methods of transport. This is why the Council has worked closely with Sustrans to get the Five Arches project underway. It will also benefit parents and pupils at local schools, like Norton Hill, who walk or cycle to school."

Eugene Kertzman, North Radstock Cycling Group, said
"It's fantastic to see this route now being built. It will become the spine of sustainable transport in the Norton Radstock area. Giving the two towns a great link for cycling walking and riding and tackle some of the increased congestion in the towns."

This scheme has been made possible through enormous support for the Sustrans project which won a public vote in 2007 to receive £50million grant from the Big Lottery Fund to help UK communities make more local everyday journeys by foot and by bike.

Pictures are available for press use of the steering group celebrating the news with local school children. Please credit any used to 'Sustrans'.

Present are -Rupert Crosbee (Sustrans), Alison Sherwin (Pedestrian and Cycling Officer for Bath and North East Somerset Council), Cllr Shirley Steel (Midsomer Norton North Ward), Eugene Kertzman (North Radstock Cycling Group) and other members of the steering group -alongside local children from Norton Hill School.

To obtain images in other formats then please contact the Sustrans Photo Library

Tel: 0117 915 0120 Email: photos@sustrans.org.uk

For more information on the 5 Arches scheme - go to:-

http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/schemes/project_detail.php?id=60

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information or interview requests, please contact:

Emma Page, Sustrans Press Office,

Tel 0117 915 0123 / 07704 114 402 Email: emma.page@sustrans.org.uk

NOTES
* Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Its vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. It is achieving this through innovative but practical solutions to the UK's transport challenges.
* This year Sustrans is marking the fifteenth anniversary of the National Cycle Network. On 11 September 1995, an award from the Millennium Commission enabled Sustrans to embark on the first 2,500 miles of a 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. The Network now extends to just over 12,000 miles and carries one million walking and cycling journeys every day.
* There are around 2,500 rangers helping to look after the National Cycle Network.

* Sustrans' Connect2 is a UK-wide project that will transform local travel in 79 communities by creating new bridges and crossings to overcome busy roads, rivers and railways, and linking these to networks of walking and cycling routes. As a result millions of people will be able to walk and cycle more for everyday journeys.
* Sustrans' Connect2 won £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions as a result of a public vote televised on ITV1 in December 2007.
* Connect2 is a £142 million scheme - £50 million from the largest ever single lottery grant - and the remaining millions in match funding for individual projects.

§ Sustrans is calling on UK governments to invest in doubling the number of journeys under five miles made by foot, bike and public transport to four out of five by 2020. For more information and to download a copy of the call to action visit http://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-sustrans/call-to-action-for-2020

* The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888

Out of hours: 07867 500 572

Full details of Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, working on practical projects so people can choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. The charity is behind the award winning National Cycle Network, Connect2, Safe Routes to Schools, Bike It, TravelSmart, Active Travel and Liveable Neighbourhoods, all projects that are changing our world one mile at a time. To find out more visit www.sustrans.org.uk

Sustrans is a member of Stop Climate Chaos, a broad coalition of environmental, development, faith-based, women's and other organisations campaigning to stop human-induced climate change www.stopclimatechaos.org

Sustrans Limited. Registered Office - Sustrans, 2 Cathedral Square, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5DD. Registered Charity 326550 (England & Wales), SC039263 (Scotland). Company Limited by Guarantee No: 1797726 Company Registered in England.

The Folly of Bicycle Licences

2010-03-28T22:03:00.001+01:00

Over on Mikael Colville-Andersen's amazing "Copenhagenize" blog, he reiterates the arguments against bicycle licencing. This argument has been repeated many times before by others, but we still don't seem to be getting through to a hard core of motorists who, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, still insist that motorists' taxes are "ring-fenced" for road use and that all others are just free-loading off them. This link to an article in an Australian newspaper is typical.
Here's Mikael's view, which is one that I share. I would add that as an owner/driver of two motor vehicles as well as a cyclist I don't see this view as in anyway "anti car", more like "pro-common-sense". Sadly, common sense is rather lacking in some quarters.
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: The Folly of Bicycle Licences

No Excuses...

2010-03-19T10:56:00.003Z

...just get out there and ride.
Hills; weather; traffic.
All just excuses.
The British cultural mindset, or attitude problem, shown for the worthlessness that it is by Eugene and Jos every day whatever the weather. Eugene has been taking Jos, and Jos's two sisters before him, to school in this way every day for the best part of a decade, or more, proving it can be done. All you've got to do is just get out there and do it.

IAM urges cyclists to "claim their lane"

2010-03-18T21:09:00.002Z

On the same theme as Karl McCracken's blog post linked to below, here's some very sound advice for cyclists from the Institute of Advanced Motorists:

IAM urges cyclists to "claim their lane"

Sea Change Coming?

2010-03-16T21:12:00.000Z

Andy Cline of the Carbon Trace blog refers us to another blog from Ray LaHood.
The suggestion is that, at long last, there's the realisation that Mass Motoring is taking us nowhere fast and that non-motorized transport will now have to be treated as an equal in any future transport planning.
With Peak Oil becoming more of a reality every day as fuel prices inexorably climb let's hope that this is not just more talk with no funding or action to follow.

Do The Right Thing - Traffic Pinch Points - A Hazard To Cyclists

2010-03-16T19:13:00.004Z

Here's a very useful link to Karl McCracken's blog post about "Taking the Lane". Read and take note, people!

Do The Right Thing Traffic Pinch Points - A Hazard To Cyclists Sweat365 Fitness Community

Ride Your Bike Cycle Challenges

2010-03-13T17:09:00.001Z

Ride Your Bike Cycle Challenges, who organised the highly successful "Fromerang" charity ride I did last September, have, at last, built their own web site. They're organising a "Bath2Brecon" 80 miler in June. Most tempting. And an incentive to get moving and shift some very unwanted winter flab.

The Pedal Project - Three Cycling Cities (low resolution version) on Vimeo

2010-03-09T19:33:00.000Z

The Pedal Project - Three Cycling Cities on Vimeo
An interesting cycling advocacy video featuring Marc of Amsterdamize, a great ambassador of everyday "normal" cycling. Good video. Worth a watch.

Ready When You Are, Mr. BANES

2010-03-08T15:15:00.006Z

Word on the "Grapevine" says that the "Five Arches Greenway" cyclepath project has stalled somewhere in the local government bureaucratic maze. Which strikes us at Biking Brits Towers as exceedingly odd as most of the clearance work along the trackbed of the old Somerset & Dorset Railway between Five Arches and Midsomer Norton Station has already been done ready for path building.
We hope that the Red Tape blockage is cleared 'tout de suite' as some of us are getting a tad impatient.
As the good Doctor might say to the bureaucrats: "Allons-y!"

What's Stopping Women from Cycling?

2010-03-08T12:30:00.005Z

What's Stopping Women from Cycling?

Blogger "Markbikeslondon" has produced a great video and narrative of a womens' bike ride in London to celebrate International Womens' Day.

In the video Mark raises some very pertinent points and asks some very valid questions.

We all would like some answers.

Thank you, Mark.

Oh, London. You really need to try harder than this...

2010-03-04T19:22:00.004Z

Oh, London. You really need to try harder than this...

He's right, you know. The British planners and decision makers still don't get it.

Problem is: how do we get them to understand? Perhaps a two year job exchange for some British highways engineers with their Dutch or Danish counterparts might help? But then they'd have to persuade their political masters who will doubtless remain stuck in their "Institutional motorism" mode.

Picnic Site or Replica War Zone - Let the Public Decide

2010-03-01T17:39:00.008Z

These pictures are of part of the "Elliptical Orchard" created by Sustrans on a site adjacent to the "Colliers Way" cycle route near Kilmersdon, Somerset, UK.

This was created on a piece of spare land alongside the path linking Ames Lane and the cycleway. Two groups of rare, no longer commercially available, apple trees were planted in an elliptical formation with a picnic table set in the middle of one of the groups.

As it is supposed to be a cycle route there is no car parking. A lockable bollard which was originally set into the path at the end of Ames Lane was destroyed long ago, so car drivers regularly come up to the orchard to let their dogs do their daily dump on the cycleway. The area appears to have become a favourite haunt of the local chavs for their drinking parties (and whatever else they do).

Most of the stakes supporting the young apple trees have disappeared, as well as one or two of the trees themselves, presumably for use as fuel for barbecues, the remains of which are also evident.
As can be seen what should be a pleasant picnic spot now resembles the set of a World War 1 movie.

The pictures were taken after a litter picking session by a small group of local Sustrans Rangers had cleared away a load of discarded beer cans, food wrappings and other human detritus.

The problem now facing Sustrans and its supporters is what we should do now with the site.

Measures stopping cars getting to this point have failed; lining the edges of the path with boulders has been suggested, but is too expensive. Another option is to dig a trench and a bund (a raised embankment) to deter vehicles. Because this area is not council property, either option is likely to have to be done with volunteer labour by the local community.

The question is, of course, that as the site has been destroyed by the local community, perhaps they prefer to see it like this and we should let them get on with it.

Somer Valley Wheels "Wear Red" Day

2010-02-27T19:08:00.002Z

Some of the Somer Valley Wheels regulars joined in with the British Heart Foundation "Wear Red Day" fundraiser by running an extra ride on Friday 26th February. Here's a picture by Scheme Coordinator Eugene Kertzman of the group storming along the Colliers Way towards Great Elm, in Somerset UK

Tamia Likes My Dad's Old Bike

2010-02-25T21:01:00.004Z

Tamia Nelson, who writes "Tamia Nelson's Outside" blog, was so taken by pictures of my late Dad's 1936 BSA bicycle that she produced a super blog post about it. Her efforts show that there's an art to producing an attractive and well written blog. I must look, and learn!

You can read Tamia's post here: http://www.tamiasoutside.com/2010/02/25/shoosmith_bsa/

Two Tunnels Greenway gets the Go Ahead

2010-02-17T09:25:00.006Z

Yesterday, Bath & North East Somerset Council gave the go ahead for construction of the Two Tunnels Greenway.
That's the second "Greenway" project, mostly funded by the BIG Lottery Fund via the Sustrans Connect2 scheme, to be given starters orders in the B&NES area in a month. All good news. When complete it will be possible to cycle from Midsomer Norton to Bath on routes mostly free from the depredations of the infernal corruption engined devices. While there will be a few short and "interesting" hilly bits on quiet country lanes between Shoscombe and Wellow the route will be on gently graded former railway, the one-time Somerset & Dorset Railway.
The only downside, to me, is the fact that the route is not going to be adopted by the Highway Authority in the same way as an ordinary road would; maintenance will be the responsibility of Sustrans with help from volunteer rangers. While not wishing to take away any kudos from B&NES on supporting such a great project that the Two Tunnels truly is, I do feel that by not going all the way and adopting the route as a motor traffic free highway shows that we have a long way to go before those in power begin to fully understand the importance and benefit, to all, of the humble bicycle as a useful and vital transport mode. A value, we can be sure, will become more and more apparent as the 21st Century progresses.
In the meantime, we have to take a pragmatic view and accept that here in Backward Britain important transport projects are funded, for now, by charities and supported by volunteer labour, something we can be sure that our near neighbours in Europe must view with a certain bemusement...
See Copenhagenize, Amsterdamize and the writings of David Hembrow.
One step (or turn of the pedals) at a time. Just a shame that it'll probably take a generation or two to get there, if at all.

Five Arches Greenway

2010-02-14T16:40:00.002Z

For the archives.
Clearance work starts, signalling the beginning of the construction of the Five Arches Greenway along the old Somerset & Dorset Railway formation between Somervale Road, Radstock and Charlton Road, Midsomer Norton. The tree cutting work must be completed by the end of February, before the birds nesting season.
Near footpath between Ivy Walk and Nightingale Way, Midsomer Norton.

Near footpath between Ivy Walk and Nightingale Way, Midsomer Norton.

Near Pit Road, Midsomer Norton.

Near Pit Road, Midsomer Norton.

NRgy web site.

Construction Work Starts on the Five Arches Greenway, Radstock

2010-02-10T18:41:00.002Z

Just had an email from Eugene Kertzman about the "Five Arches Greenway" Connect2 project we've been involved in:
"Yes, it is not a myth or a rumour the work has really started! I had a look today and they have cleared a large section between the footpath crossing near Norton Hill and the pit path, but not the section near the pitpath. They are now working from the pitpath towards Somervale road and have made good progress along there. They have a mighty big chipper that makes short work of some of those small trees. Good to see Michael Woods Associates keeping an ecological watch but apart from a few rats there wasn't much to be seen. They are going to need some extra machinery to clear some of the vegetation below Robin Close, later this week or next week. Plenty of rubbish left behind by residents and passing people!"

When our little community group started promoting this project two or three years ago we thought it was a long shot, but here we are with a fully funded bike path project coming into fruition.
NRgy

The Connect2 web page still shows us as a reserve scheme, but never mind.

I love it when a Plan comes together! Radstock's "A Team"!

Munchenierung: Lame excuses for not being Bicycle friendly

2010-02-03T20:02:00.001Z

We who ride bikes are always hearing from the saloon-bar experts why Northern European cycle culture could never happen here. Well, here's a good counter argument some of us have been carping on about for years. It's sometimes good to know that you're not the only one...

Munchenierung: Lame excuses for not being Bicycle friendly

Litter Picking on Colliers' Way - Deep Joy

2010-01-31T17:35:00.007Z

As part of Emma's DofE Bronze Award Community Service she is spending several Sunday afternoons carrying out a litter pick along the Colliers' Way cycle route. As the route is the responsibility of Sustrans she has to be supervised by the local Volunteer Rangers. In this case it happens to be her Mum & Dad. Oh, well...
And a "fulfilling" couple of hours it was today, collecting the detritus and general crap generated by the Great British Public.
Beer cans, sweet wrappers, plastic bags, full doggy poo bags (why do they do that?), soiled children's nappies... (hope you're not eating your tea whilst reading this).
We'd be forgiven if we renamed the route "The Colliers' Way Linear Landfill Site and Canine Toilet.
If nothing else, the DofE Award will give Emma a pretty shrewd idea of the other types of homo sapiens (Wise Man - that's a laugh) she has to share this planet with.

By sheer co-incidence, the Crap Cycling & Walking in Waltham Forest blogger posts on a similar theme today.

There's a lot of it about. Just demonstrates the pride the British Public have in their country.

Bath cyclists urged to walk this Saturday in support of Two Tunnels project

2010-01-28T19:23:00.001Z

Anyone fancy a walk this Saturday morning:

http://road.cc/node/13474

Is there something I need to know?

2010-01-22T15:38:00.002Z

Eugene's just emailed me this link

Not sure what he's trying to tell me...

Best not to ask, methinks :-)

Two Tunnels Greenway - Show your Support

2010-01-22T14:56:00.003Z

An appeal from Frank Tompson of the Two-Tunnels Group, campaigning for the reopening of the two disused railway tunnels on the old Somerset and Dorset Railway as part of a new cycling and walking route to Bath from the Midford Valley:

A report to BathNES Council to approve the Sustrans business case for the project has now been submitted is available on the Council website here. (To see the complete Cabinet Single-Member Decision Register please click here.) This is a critical progress point for us.

To ensure that The Council is in no doubt about support for the project it would be appreciated if you would consider emailing a response. Please use your own words to express your views, but it is suggested it would be useful to include the location you live in and how the Two Tunnels Greenway would benefit yourself and others. It need not be too long and a few lines would suffice. It should be addressed to Cllr Gerrish at charles_gerrish@bathnes.gov.uk and include in the ‘Subject’ line: Two Tunnels Project – Single Member Decision.

Needless to say, for us in the Midsomer Norton and Radstock area the opening of the Two Tunnels route will make commuting and even shopping trips to Bath a real practical possibility avoiding those hills and the congested A367 road.

See for more information on the Two Tunnels Greenway see: http://www.twotunnels.org.uk/index.html

A-Wheel Again

2010-01-17T17:37:00.001Z

A-Wheel Again
Originally uploaded by WestfieldWanderer

At last, the snow's gone and the sun's out. Time to get those wheels rolling again.
So, SWMBO said, "sod staring at the back of your neck all afternoon, stuff the tandem, I'm using my own bike". Number 2 sprog said "sod the revision, I'm coming too". So it was that 3 stir crazy folk hit the road for a bike-fix this afternoon for the first time in what seems like mega-yonks. Glad to be back in the saddle again.

There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather...

2009-12-30T16:02:00.004Z

...just the wrong clothing.
So said the Great Sage himself, Billy Connolly.

In pretty foul, cold and wet weather, a group of Somer Valley Wheels hardcore stalwarts turned out on 29th December for the "Turkey Burn-off Ride".

They set off from the Tea & Trade Tearooms in Radstock for a brisk ride to the Mells Village Shop for a welcoming coffee before returning to Radstock.

The picture shows the gang by the village pond at Mells:

Keith, Matthew, Eugene and his son, Jos, Les & Maureen with their offspring, and Alison.

Sorry I missed the ride, folks, but hoping to get out with you all, soon.

Waltzing Bicycles!

2009-12-29T14:27:00.002Z

One word.
Chaos!
No... two words.
Organized chaos.
No... three words.
Absolutely friggin' brilliant.

Mike Rubbo - you are a genius!

(Thanks to Mikael at Copenhagen Cycle Chic, once again

Yet another city administration wakes up...

2009-12-28T10:49:00.003Z

"Riding a bike in communities and especially in cities significantly reduces traffic congestion, parking difficulties, air pollution and accidents."
This is part of a statement from the Israeli government repealing part of its recent helmet law. It's good to see yet another administration waking up to the benefits of actually encouraging bikes as urban transport.

More detail at Copenhagenize

And, in Britain? Well, give them time. They're still busy organising talking shops and "focus groups" (a marvellous way of giving the illusion of progress while procrastinating and wasting public money).

Monday's cycle paths - mostly snow free

2009-12-24T09:15:00.000Z

Whilst here in car-obsessed Britain, where unless you've got four wheels and an engine you can go hang, across the water in a civilised country where there's obviously civic leadership worthy of the name cycle paths are mostly snow free.

Nothing new there, I know.
Just a last rant before Xmas hits.
Have a good one, my faithful reader.

YouTube - Talking to David Hembrow

2009-12-23T22:17:00.000Z

YouTube - Talking to David Hembrow

Somer Valley Wheels "Turkey Burn-Off" Ride

2009-12-22T20:24:00.000Z

Shake off those post Xmas blues and get out for a bit of fun on a bike on 29th December:
Bike ride planned to burn off Christmas calories

Somer Valley Wheels Mileage Awards

2009-12-14T19:43:00.003Z

At the Somer Valley Wheels Christmas bash at the Tea & Trade Tea Rooms in Radstock last Friday, Scheme Co-ordinator Eugene Kertzman handed out awards to the cyclists who attained the highest bike mileage for 2009. To all you athletes out there, bear in mind that most of these folk are, shall we say, not in the first flush of youth, nor had most of them even sat on a bike for anything up to forty years before they joined the scheme after it started about two and a half years ago. Anyway, we were told that the total mileage of the 40 or so regular riders amounted to some 25,000 miles for the year.
Individual top milers are as follows:
Senior Ladies
Cherie Challenger 466 miles
Maureen Debenham 443
Diane Spellward 433

Senior Men
Rod Cole 768
Trevor Lenton 500
Terry Spellward 489

Junior Ladies ('junior' in this context means under the age of 60 years)
Alison Britton 1006
Debbie Yarlett 539
Karen James 508

Junior Men
Gary Mclellan 382
Matt Britton 374
Glenn Smith 304

Mr & Mrs Teams
The Spellward's 922
The Debenhams 898
The Mclellan's 764

Well done all! You're all living proof that it's never too late.

Take a bow, folks! A fine example of the resurgence of cycling in Britain.
Copenhagenize !

Controlling Dangerous Traffic - A Little Girl's Perspective.

2009-12-14T19:29:00.004Z

This little set of sketches by my daughter were rediscovered today whilst she was sorting out a pile of course artwork returned from her old school.
I don't recall seeing these pictures before, but we think that they were done during her early years at secondary school.
Since starting reception class we have always walked to school as it's only about a mile away, but due to a lack of continuous footway we have to cross a busy main road twice to get there. The footways are quite narrow in places which makes the passing traffic quite scary to a young child; we experienced near misses on a zebra crossing pretty well on a weekly basis when dozy motorists drove through whilst we we were on it. Things were much the same on the light controlled crossing outside the school. You would have thought that a light controlled crossing PLUS a uniformed 'lollypop man' would be enough to attract your typical idiot motorist's attention. Not a bit of it!
The bit of main road by the entrance to our cul-de-sac is nominally a 30 limit. Yeah. Right. Even with regular mobile speed camera blitzes by the local plod the local knuckleheads tend to regard the '30' as a minimum speed.
The pictures in this little set indicate possible solutions to these problems as imagined by a little girl who grew up to hate cars.

The Guy from Cycle Chic

2009-12-07T09:09:00.000Z

No words. This is what it's all about. Just watch:

Licensed to cycle – I Pay Road Tax

2009-12-02T21:01:00.000Z

This is probably the best reasoned article I've seen on the famous old chestnut about cyclists road tax/insurance/licence. Says it all for me, but that's just because it's 'preaching to the converted'. However it's unlikely to have much effect on the 'redneck' element of the car obsessives who would never allow reason and facts get in the way of a good prejudice.

Licensed to cycle – I Pay Road Tax

Spending money on cycling facilities...

2009-11-28T10:35:00.003Z

Imagine the howling outraged response from the Daily Mail reading reactionary mob in Bike-Phobic Britain if a bridge of the magnitude shown in David Hembrow's video was ever even proposed just for people to ride bicycles on. And not a penny piece in "road tax" asked for or expected, too. Well, folks, that's the difference between a civilized nation and one that just thinks that it is...
http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2009/11/nijmegens-big-bridge-for-cyclists.html

I Pay Road Tax

2009-11-26T18:15:00.000Z

Cool new web site launched today, I think.

I Pay Road Tax

Should be enough information there to counter the petrol-junkies' most common sneer at pedal power, and more.

Beauty and the Bike

2009-11-24T20:28:00.003Z

As a husband and dad of a trio of cycling beauties this little film really appealed. It also shows what can be done with a little bit of enthusiasm, commitment and some simple easy measures to turn the UK into a decent place to live in. As American (yes! American!) broadcaster, Bill Nye, once said: "Bicycling is part of the future. It has to be. There is something seriously wrong with a nation that drives a car to the gym". And, of course, that particularly topical quote from H.G Wells: "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I have hope for the human race".
Watch. And enjoy:

(And thanks to Mikael at Copenhagenize for giving me the heads-up on this clip).

The Cycling Lawyer: Cycling against the car culture

2009-11-23T16:43:00.000Z

The Cycling Lawyer: Cycling against the car culture

This link says it all. A well argued case from a member of the judiciary. If only there were more like this gentleman we'd be happy to stay living in a civilized country.

Change Your Life. Ride A Bike!: mis bicis are my therapy

2009-11-20T10:29:00.000Z

I think that this might be of particular interest to my psychology student daughter, as well as all those other bicycle nuts out there who might wonder why just turning those pedals make you feel good...

Change Your Life. Ride A Bike!: mis bicis are my therapy

More Tandem Therapy

2009-11-15T16:29:00.003Z

Tandem Therapy
Originally uploaded by WestfieldWanderer

Today we had our second outing on the tandem. Five mile round trip along the Colliers' Way.
Getting better all the time and plenty far enough for the cancer patient on the stoker's seat.

Britain: Where the Lunatics Really Do Run the Asylum

2009-11-13T15:56:00.003Z

Lost for words.
Somebody please tell me this is a spoof!
Time to get the next ferry off this rock.

(Thanks to simonredding on Flickr).

Fun: The Best Therapy

2009-11-09T16:23:00.003Z

Tandem cycling as Cancer Therapy?

We went out for a short ride on our tandem on Saturday for the first time. Liz has never ridden as "stoker" (the back seat rider) before, because when we had two tandems it was always the girls who were the stokers. So we took it up to Mells Road Station on the Colliers Way in the van and cautiously set off from there. As I haven't ridden tandem for a couple of years and Liz being unfamiliar with the back seat we were a bit wobbly at first but we soon got the hang of it. Eventually covered about 3.5 miles which was more than enough for Liz. She got quite tired but is keen to give it another go next time there's some decent weather.

Whether tandem riding is an approved Cancer therapy is unknown. It's FUN. And FUN most definitely is an approved therapy for pretty well anything.

Contrary to Popular Opinion...

2009-10-26T08:44:00.006Z

...it is possible to do a spot of shopping on a bike:

Many years ago, the local Tesco, as part of its planning permission for extending the store, allocated some £40,000 towards the construction of a short extension of the Norton-Radstock Greenway to the store.

But, in the time honoured tradition of local authorities everywhere, our ruling clique continue to maintain an air of studied indifference and nothing has happened. (They were far too busy creating over 800 extra city centre car parking spaces as part of the shopping centre rebuild in nearby Bath.)

Meanwhile, those that can, do:

The only way for this chap to have done his Tesco shop is to stay on the main road and negotiate two roundabouts and a steep hill before he can join the current end of the Greenway. Roundabouts, traffic and hills are what put off novice cyclists, so he ploughs a lonely furrow, but all power to him. We salute you, sir. (But, please spend a bob or two on a carrier and a pair of panniers...)

The End of the Dark Ages Cometh...

2009-10-25T09:16:00.003Z

"...That the long, frigid, and hostile winter of relentless and dehumanising domination of motor traffic in our public spaces was slowly beginning to thaw..."

I just love those words.

Josh Hart's uplifting missive from New York gives the lie to the car-obsessed doom-mongers in my local "big town" - Bath, UK - that removing cars from the city centre would kill trade and kill the city.

Well, boo to them.

It is often said that where America leads, Britain follows.

For once, just once, I'd welcome it in this case.

The Master Plan

2009-10-19T18:06:00.004+01:00

The following "script" appears in the current Tandem Club magazine. It was written by Bill Tordoff and I hope that he and the magazine Editor won't mind if I copy it here. (If you do, then let me know and I'll delete it). I reckon it's so close to the truth as to what happens in Council Highways Planning offices and Sustrans regional offices up and down the country that it's almost not even funny:

The Senior Planner is seated at his desk. There is a knock.

Senior: Come in!
Enter Junior Planner carrying a large roll of paper.
Junior: The plan, sir.
Senior (studying it): What sort of plan do you call this?
Junior: New cycle path, sir.
Senior (Incredulous): But it's just a straight line of...
Junior: Tarmac, sir.
Senior: Of tarmac, between where?
Junior: A and B, sir.
Senior: But why on earth is it so straight?
Junior: Well, it's the most direct way from A to ...
Senior: Oh, shut up! If our cycling friends wanted to go direct they'd use the car! They like their paths to be "interesting".
Winding about, like this! (Using a marker to alter part of the path).
Junior: I'm afraid that winding about will use more tarmac, sir. The budget won't stretch to that.
Senior (Scribbling in several places on the plan): Then we'll put in stretches of loose gravel among the tarmac, here and here! These people want variety, so we'll give it to 'em!
Junior: I see, sir.
Senior: Thought you would. (Winking confidentially and drawing lines across the path) Here, look at this!
Junior: Are those gates, sir?
Senior: Could be. Could be chicanes. Anything to break up their ride.
Junior: But won't they have to get off?
Senior: Of course they'll have to get off! That's the whole point! The idiots don't pay road tax: why should they joyride everywhere at the taxpayers' expense without paying for it somehow.
Junior: I really think they should get some enjoyment, sir.
Senior: Very well. (marking the plan). They can enjoy these things, then!
Junior: (Peering, puzzled). What exactly are they, sir?
Senior: So-called works of art: those scrap-iron statues we took out of the shopping mall because the locals sait they were obscene. We'll line the path with 'em.
Junior: People might not want to look at so-called works of art while they're riding.
Senior: They can look the other way, then. What about signage?
Junior: Ah! (pointing proudly): I've put an advance warning sign on the main road before the path starts. Helpful for cyclists on the other side of the road.
Senior: Stop mollycoddling them! If they can't see the entrance they can take their chance on the main road. And make sure there's a continuous fence to stop them getting on it once they've missed it. (pointing) What's this at the entrance?
Junior: Standard blue cycle sign, sir.
Senior: Pampering them again! Just put up 'No Cars, No Motorbikes, No Trucks' signs and let them work it out for themselves. Anything else?
Junior (indicating): Only these samples of signs along the path.
Senior: Are you mad? Those'll all be perfectly legible from a distance! What's wrong with Ye Olde Pokerwork signs, black on a dark brown background?
Junior: No-one can read them.
Senior: Exactly. And you've forgotten the 'Cyclists dismount and walk' signs. Here and here. (Marking the plan).
Junior: I don't see any reason for them. Why should they dismount there, sir?
Senior: Because we tell them to! These whinging loonies aren't going to have an easy ride as long as I'm Senior Planning Officer! Oh, by the way, what was that silly hat I saw on you the other day?
Junior: I'm afraid it was a cycling helmet, sir.
Senior: Oh dear. Still, you're due for a rise soon, they you can buy a car and forget all this silly cycling nonsense. Come on, I'll give you a lift.

Brompton World Championships

2009-10-13T18:32:00.003+01:00

I really, really, wanted to enter the "Brompton World Championships" this year. But, of course, family matters precluded our trip to Blenheim Palace - Liz's stamina is really not up to the travelling.

The "official video" on the Brompton website is worth a watch. And a write up on the Brompton News Pages.

Next year...

Charity Ride Completed

2009-09-26T16:24:00.002+01:00

Resting my weary legs and enjoying a nice cuppa after getting home from doing the "Fromerang" 50 mile charity bike ride. Great day out enjoying an area I haven't cycled around much before. Some really lovely villages and great scenery. It's easy to see why so many people move to the West Country and never leave.

There's still time to donate to the PAC charity. They need £40k by next spring to survive.

My JustGiving page will stay open for the next 3 months.