I've often droned on about how it's pointless picking on 4x4s because there are loads of other "normal" cars which are just as bad for the environment, but I was surprised to read here that both BMW X5s and Volvo XC90s - possibly the very pinnacle of wanky cars - are both exempt from the new £25 congestion charge.
Hopefully, Ken will come up with a special £150 charge to apply to them on some other pretext, but in the meantime. Posted by sabian (Member # 6) on :
It's stupid shit like the new £25 C-charge that is going to ensure Boris's election.
edit Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 3.2 £25
Though, that might be a good thing... No more boy racers as their £25 would be better spent on Red Stripe and Burberry
[ 13.02.2008, 10:31: Message edited by: sabian ]
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
quote:Originally posted by sabian: Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 3.2 £25
Though, that might be a good thing... No more boy racers as their £25 would be better spent on Red Stripe and Burberry
Boy racers generally drive GTIs, which are in the standard £8 category along with all the other Golves. It's only the R32 (the R is for ridiculous) that falls into the £25 band, but the BBC don't make that particularly clear.
Posted by Pink (Member # 459) on :
I know that saying that politicians lie is like pointing out the sky is blue, but Livingstone is a particularly egregious example...
That's been my 'bug bear' about Ken Fucking-Livingston...
When the C-charge was introduced I was like, "yeah, ok... A bit shit but if it means I can get down Oxford Street in under 3 hours, it's worth the £5" because "this scheme isn't a revenue maker, it is simply to act as a deterrent to keep cars out of c-london, the cost won't increase"... Then a year or so later, it's up to £8... Fair enough I thought, I mean buses have gone from 50p when I got here in 2000 to £2 today so the increase could have been worse.
Then, when the expansion was on the table, I got a little more pissed off because it wasn't ever supposed to be expanded AND I live in the new zone. So, whether or not I go into central london, I still have to pay £8 just for the privilege of parking my car. This is on top of the £300ish I would already have paid for my parking permit not to mention road tax and the 2/3rds of the cost of petrol as tax.
Now that he's done this shit under the guise of being 'green', it just pisses me off!
And, don't get me started on the stupid fucking Olympics!
I think Boris is a bumbling idiot who's only lasted this long because he's a "lovable scamp", but I hope he does win and I hope he abolishes all the stupid shit Ken has done. This country taxes the fuck out of people already, we don't need self-important Ken to add to the burden! Though, I suppose he has to have enough money in the coffers to pay for all the 'mates rates' contractors he's employed (directly or indirectly) or to defend himself against slander lawsuits when he starts bashing Jewish reporters again.
Fucking twat...
/rant over
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
quote:Originally posted by sabian: "Red Ken" should be "Green Wash Ken"
Yes, but the Wiki item about "greenwashing" does include the example of car manufacturers advertising their cars as environmentally friendly when, in fact, "Consumer Ombudsman official Bente Oeverli said: Cars cannot do anything good for the environment except less damage than others."
The point being that all cars are massively destructive to the environment and any policy which reduces their usage in any way is a good thing.
If Ken makes driving in London a complete pain in the arse, and more and more expensive, then car usage will be reduced more and more. And that is good.
No one's banning cars yet, just saying that if you want to enjoy this massive luxury every day then you have to fucking pay for it.
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
Sidetrack:
I'm eager to see what happens to pollution levels after a few years of * affordable motoring in India.
Posted by Pink (Member # 459) on :
quote:Originally posted by dang65: No one's banning cars yet, just saying that if you want to enjoy this massive luxury every day then you have to fucking pay for it.
The point is that we already pay huge amounts of tax because we drive. In fuel duty alone I pay £144 a month which to me sounds like I am fucking paying for it..
[ 14.02.2008, 07:18: Message edited by: Pink ]
Posted by Louche (Member # 450) on :
But what about Peak Oil?
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
quote:Originally posted by Louche: But what about Peak Oil?
aaaaargh Posted by Cherry In Hove (Member # 49) on :
Do you have to pay a congestion charge if you ride a raptor?
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
driving in central london. why? what's the point?
unless you're delivering heavy goods or are an emergency service i cannot understand the need for a car in central london.
waits for a list of reasons.
bike. it's the way.
Posted by Cherry In Hove (Member # 49) on :
Or get pulled in a sled by zombie dogs?
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
quote:Originally posted by Pink:
quote:Originally posted by dang65: No one's banning cars yet, just saying that if you want to enjoy this massive luxury every day then you have to fucking pay for it.
The point is that we already pay huge amounts of tax because we drive. In fuel duty alone I pay £144 a month which to me sounds like I am fucking paying for it..
You obviously consider it's worth the expense at the moment though, or you'd find an alternative.
Posted by Black Mask (Member # 185) on :
I like it when car owners have to pay lots of money for the privilege of tootling about in their hulking death-mobiles. It makes me happy.
Posted by Thorn Davis (Member # 65) on :
Yeah, me too. When I was living in London I pretty much agreed with eveything Ken did, including the congestion charge. People may complain that the CC is an annoyance, but fuck those people. Fuck them.
Posted by Thorn Davis (Member # 65) on :
I also liked it when Thames Water wanted to build a desalination plant and Ken told them to get fucked and fix their leaking pipes instead. That was pretty sweet.
Posted by herbs (Member # 101) on :
He may be a crook, but he's my kind of crook. Posted by London (Member # 29) on :
Yeah! Also, he gave all Londoners unlimited free bus rides on those bendy buses.
Posted by dance margarita (Member # 848) on :
and kate bush wrote that awesome comic strip song about him. wargh- wargh- wargh- wargh- wargh! ken is the man that we all need! ken is the leader of the glc! great tune.
Posted by Abby (Member # 582) on :
quote: bike. it's the way.
My cocking bike has gone broken. I rue the day I had to buy it from cocking Halfords to get the Cycle-to-Work bargain deal.
I think Im gonna sell it to a chump and get a better one.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
i need new wheels. well a new front one. i found out today. :madfaeces:
which means you may as well buy a pair.
which puts me in the "singlespeed or not singlespeed" conundrum.
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
quote:Originally posted by doc d: i need new wheels. well a new front one.
No you don't.
The frugal cyclist in your position would simply wheelie everywhere.
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
The Frugal Cyclist goes to work.
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
The Frugal Cyclist encourages World Peace.
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
The Frugal Cyclist goes off-road.
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
The Frugal Cyclist can't stand the rain.
Posted by ralph (Member # 773) on :
Of course, the really frugal cyclist doesn't waste money on the extra wheel to begin with...
Posted by New Way Of Decay (Member # 106) on :
Being that guy's wife would be so raw. Imagine it. He'd go off to work on his one big wheel and you've bake bread in the afternoon. He'd come home and go to the fridge and open up a can of Coors. He'd look over, you wouldn't be able to see where he was looking but you'd know he's sizing your giant melon tits bursting out of your flannel shirt. If his massive fucking snake cock hasn't already ripped his jeans off, just by getting a semi, he'd just hulk em off with his pythons, slip the pouch of his thong to one side and pound you over the worktop, making you spill the cookies you baked all afternoon all over the floor. Even just thinking about how manly that guy is makes my balls shrink back into my gut like deflated balloons two days after the party ended.
Posted by ralph (Member # 773) on :
yeah
Posted by sabian (Member # 6) on :
quote:Originally posted by New Way Of Decay: Even just thinking about how manly that guy is makes my balls shrink back into my gut like deflated balloons two days after the party ended.
To be fair though NWoD... Pictures of Tinky-Winky do the same thing! Posted by jnhoj (Member # 286) on :
I'm definitely aligning myself with the "make people pay to destroy the planet" crowd.
And I have driven an awful lot in the last year or two, so you know, it's my fault too Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
Yeah, that describes me too. I drive a lot more than I'd like, but I accept that I should pay for the privilege. But that's not really the point, and I guess that's what's winding so many people up... that getting people to pay money to drive isn't making cars go away, and we never seem to see any evidence that all that money is actually going towards subsidising or developing new alternatives.
There will come a tipping point though, where the cost of running a petrol driven car becomes completely unviable for the vast majority of people. And I think that will be a better time when it comes. I mean, most people's (understandable) reason for not cycling is that the roads are so dangerous. Take the cars away and cycling would become a huge pleasure instead of a white knuckle terror ride.
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
dang. You're a cycle guru. I've just moved to a new place about 6 miles from work, which sounds like a perfect commute, even to lazy me. I would in fact have been cycling it alrady but for the fact that some pikey fuck stole my bike from the station the last time I tried to save the planet.
Now. I used to use a Specialized MTB that I'd semi-converted for roads anyway, but I've decided I don't really need offroadability, and am looking at a hybrid/city bike.
What do you know about the Specialized Sirrus? I know proper road bikes are faster but the body position is really awkward for me, especially as I am extremely tall (and heavy - thus MTBs tend to last longer).
Any thoughts?
Save the planet! and my gut!
Also - can I ask a very much non-loaded question and ask why XC90s are wanky, and Landys...not?
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
Hybrids are where it's at. You should get some decent mudflaps though. And I'd recommend getting a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, as it's pretty much the only tyre you'll ever need and will save getting punctures.
6 miles is about the distance I travel to work, and it's a nice easy ride really. So much so that I often walk these days instead.
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
I don't know the Specialized Sirrus personally, but obviously that's an established make and one would expect good quality. And you can't go wrong with a hybrid really, so I'd agree you should get one for commuting definitely. Six miles is ideal for starters, but you'll probably find yourself taking longer diversions after a while because it won't be enough.
I had a puncture last night for the first time in I dunno. Tiny little bit of glass it was, went straight through the kevlar. Apparently (and this was on University Challenge the other day), kevlar was actually originally invented for tyres and then adapted for body armour.
quote:Originally posted by Carter: Also - can I ask a very much non-loaded question and ask why XC90s are wanky, and Landys...not?
Landys are wanky too, except for Defenders. Defenders aren't cars; they're Art. But I only had a Defender for a couple of years and I now drive a Citroen C1, which you could fit in the back of a Defender.
Posted by herbs (Member # 101) on :
I suppose cos you actually see landrover defenders being driven across farms, deserts, etc, towing horseboxes and baling equipment, whereas all those others would cry if they saw any mud and are purely designed for the paranoid school run mum.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
quote:Originally posted by dang65: I don't know the Specialized Sirrus personally, but obviously that's an established make and one would expect good quality. And you can't go wrong with a hybrid really, so I'd agree you should get one for commuting definitely. Six miles is ideal for starters, but you'll probably find yourself taking longer diversions after a while because it won't be enough.
I have it on reasonably good authority that the main reason Specialized have such a good reputation, and get such good write ups in mags, is that they let the mags keep the demo bikes they send them. So they get good reviews and lots of advertising space. Not that they're hugely overrated or anything, just that they're probably not as amazing as some of the mags would make out compared to some other makes on the market.
But that's more considering the top end of bikes for competition and extreme sports, whereas your average hybrid for about £300 is going to be much of a muchness I reckon.
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
quote:Originally posted by dang65: Six miles is ideal for starters, but you'll probably find yourself taking longer diversions after a while because it won't be enough.
quote:Originally posted by Carter: Also - can I ask a very much non-loaded question and ask why XC90s are wanky, and Landys...not?
Landys are wanky too, except for Defenders. Defenders aren't cars; they're Art. But I only had a Defender for a couple of years and I now drive a Citroen C1, which you could fit in the back of a Defender.
Problem is with longer ride is that showering is not a problem once at work, but keeping shirt/tie,smartish trousers at least semi-presentable en route is. And if I exert myslf in any fashion at all, I do tend to glow somewhat. In fact, it was a Boxing Day rugby match a few years ago that caused all that...unpleasantness.
I'm choosing to use my ninja physiological skills to persuade myself that increased fitness leads to a lower temperature set-point at which one starts sweating - essentially a trained response to exertion, much like a faster-accelerating heart rate. Combined, of course, with the concrete physical fact that physical structures of an identical form but with greater size have a lower surface-area to mass ratio, meaning that heat exchange is compromised.
Not that I hate aerobic exercise like the devil, no.
C1s are cute. How do you decide which of the kids get to ride inside the car? Ballot, or Darwin?
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: And I'd recommend getting a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, as it's pretty much the only tyre you'll ever need and will save getting punctures.
Mudflaps aye.
I had a pair of those on my last bike.
Not v useful when in some Aldershot crack den.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
i find it best to keep work clothes in a bag, and cycle in cycling gear (ie stuff you don't mind getting "shat up"). i don't know how this would work if i had to wear smart rather than the smart jeans and plain t's i usually rock.
as for bikes, hybrids et al. the missus has one of the trek ones. it's big, it's fast. so you sit up high and people can see you. you can see them. good gearing (nice wide range). nice strong wheels. fit panniers on it (we have) and it's ace for taking loads into work/picking up the fruit and veg. it's stable. bontrager on the tyres. nice saddle too.
i have a road bike. but i'm short. and i like the style of them. and i like to ride fast.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
Sweating can be quite a problem. I’ve found that actually, sweating is more of a problem in the Winter than in the Summer. Summertime you can just go in shorts and t-shit, so the air will keep you cool as you cycle along. I absolutely detest the cold though, so I wear my regular work outfit (comprised of a pair of cargo pants and a polo shirt) plus a thick fleece, another pair of baggy combat slacks over the top of my trousers, two pairs of socks, a snowboarding jacket, a pair of gloves and a hat. Sure, I’m toasty warm, but all the extra layers mean I get really hot and it does make it physically slightly harder work.
That said, as you get fitter and fitter you sweat less and less.
My advice though would be to wear a set of warm clothes for the cycle commute, with your work clothes folded in a bag. Then change when you get to work. Thankfully my work clothes are such that even if they get grubby they don’t look bad, and the lightweight t-shirt doesn’t tend to retain sweat. I do, however, keep my body hair trimmed and I’ve got some medicinal strength anti-perspirant that I use on my armpits to prevent hardcore sweating.
When I walk, I get much more sweaty than when I cycle. That’s why I tend not to walk to work, but usually walk home. I actually have to hang my jacket on the radiator to get it to dry out.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
lol @ t-shit
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: That said, as you get fitter and fitter you sweat less and less.
Not true! See interesting phys lesson above!
Well it is true for a given wattage or VO2, obv, but my problem - alluded to above - is that I don't really understand, and therefore hate, aerobic exercise. I just tend to charge off at maximum pace, get into the highest gear possible as quickly as possible, then just keep the road speed as high as I possibly can.
Thus sweating...
And also thus why getting fitter doesn't help, I just get there quicker.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
I suppose you're probably better qualified on the subject than I am, but afaik the fitter you are the better your body is able to regulate its internal temperature. When you're unfit, your temperature rises very quickly from even mild exercise, so you start sweating uncontrollably. Whereas fit people don't build up so much heat (possibly due to less fat to retain heat, better bloodflow around the body, who knows) so don't tend to sweat as much.
As you get fitter as well, you get better at interpreting the signals your body gives you. So you can make micro-adjustments to your pace and technique to keep you just pushing hard enough without physically tiring yourself out too quickly.
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
I probably told this story at the time it happened, but once I had to rush to a meeting in a different building 8 miles away in the middle of Summer. I was running really late so I absolutely hammered it across on my bike, locked up, ran in, splashed face and armpits with water in the bogs, changed shirt and went into meeting, no problem. "Hi everyone, sorry I'm late." "That's ok, just starting the presentation, can someone dim the lights?" Then it started! Pouring from every duct on my body. I've never sweated so much in my life. Thank God the lights were down. I was soaked. By the time they'd droned on for half an hour I was just about drying off, but I had to sit back in a corner and generally try to melt into the walls.
But, yeah, it's not a problem on yer daily commute with shower at the end.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
i would like to point out that all those layers are ridiculous.
gear i wear: headband to keep ears warm base layer (long sleeve) 15 quid long sleeved football shirt (polyester type material) 15 quid long sleeved waterproof windproof jacket. 50 quid combat trousers. 15-20 quid gloves tenner old running shoes free (they've been paid for by now)
in bag for workwear: jeans trainers t shits smelly stuff to smell nice.
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
quote:Originally posted by Carter: C1s are cute. How do you decide which of the kids get to ride inside the car? Ballot, or Darwin?
Number One son rarely makes an appearance these days (18 in August) so we don't have to worry about him. Which leaves five people to transport, but it's very rare that all of us go anywhere together. When we do, we do the completely illegal thing of sitting smallest on lap of biggest. But having a tiny car makes sense most the time. If we go driving on a long holiday or something then we'll probably hire a people carrier, but that situation hasn't arisen yet.
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: the fitter you are the better your body is able to regulate its internal temperature.
Yes. By sweating.
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: When you're unfit, your temperature rises very quickly from even mild exercise, so you start sweating uncontrollably.
Not true! You need an element of fitness or at least muscle mass to work hard enough to generate the heat needed to raise your body temperature enough to start sweating.
Fatness and insulation is another matter entirely...
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
i do tend to steam though.
you know when you see sports stars being interviewed at night time after the match? and their heads are pouring steam into the cold night air?
like that.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
I don't know why it is, but I tend to get really cold thighs if I don't wear enough layers. It's probably less of a problem these days, but I think it's because I had a load of fat on my thighs so the bloodflow wasn't so good. There are few worse feelings in the world than having part of you freezing cold while another part of you is baking hot. You get the kind of hot shivery feeling like you get when you've got manflu. Awful. So I just whack loads of layers on. It also means that my work slacks stay clean even though I ride through mud and whatnot.
I rode in one morning and the temperature was apparently -6. We worked it out that with the windchill factor of me cycling along, it was something like -15 to -20. I was still baking hot and soaked with sweat by the time I got into work. Even though I was covered with a thick layer of frost. So yeah, I probably overdo it a little bit. But better safe than sorry, eh.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
quote:Originally posted by Carter:
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: the fitter you are the better your body is able to regulate its internal temperature.
Yes. By sweating.
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: When you're unfit, your temperature rises very quickly from even mild exercise, so you start sweating uncontrollably.
Not true! You need an element of fitness or at least muscle mass to work hard enough to generate the heat needed to raise your body temperature enough to start sweating.
Fatness and insulation is another matter entirely...
Well all I know is that I sweat a lot less these days than I did when I first started. I also don't really feel like I've had any particular workout when I cycle. I don't know what you want to put this down to. *shrug*
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: It was something like -15 to -20. I was still baking hot and soaked with sweat by the time I got into work. Even though I was covered with a thick layer of frost. So yeah, I probably overdo it a little bit. But better safe than sorry, eh.
When you get the chance to snowboard or ski smoewhere other than MK, this will become very familiar...
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
quote:Originally posted by doc d: gear i wear: headband to keep ears warm base layer (long sleeve) 15 quid long sleeved football shirt (polyester type material) 15 quid long sleeved waterproof windproof jacket. 50 quid combat trousers. 15-20 quid gloves tenner old running shoes free (they've been paid for by now)
Pretty much same as me. I wear cycling shorts under lightweight walking trousers which dry in minutes if they get rained on. The cycling jacket (cheapo one from Decathlon) is excellent. Windproofing is the key really, but it breathes as well, unlike "waterproofs" which are just about the most pointless garments ever invented. I've got a microfleece hat thing which I can wear under my (cycling) helmet on chilly days.
I'd probably wear full on cycling gear if I was blasting around the countryside on a road bike on a Sunday morning. But I don't do that.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
full on lycra. ooh no.
i am seriously contemplating lycra tights though.
seriously.
wiggle.co.uk for good cheap bike clothing ringo. it's worth it. it wicks away the sweat while keeping you warm. and you don't have to wear so much.
you could keep clothes at work to change into. rather than carry them around with you everywhere.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
ooh dp.
[ 15.02.2008, 07:16: Message edited by: doc d ]
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
I want to say how lovely it is that so many people on TMO are regular cyclists, but that sounds revoltingly patronising. However, it's lovely that so many people on TMO are regular cyclists
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
I've bought stuff from Wiggle. I've got a decent pair of cycle shorts, and a lycra jersey. I'll wear that stuff in the summer. For the moment I'm happy enough being sweaty to be honest, doesn't cause me any particular distress. I kind of enjoy sweating. If you're not sweating, you don't feel like you're pushing yourself hard enough I think.
This morning I wore my jersey under my jacket rather than the fleece, although ironically I actually walked to work this morning.
Like I say, I just have a real hatred of feeling cold so would much prefer being too hot than too cold, even for that first five minutes when you're warming up.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
i've only just started. i used to cycle a lot in nashville. and walk a lot.
how's that for smug?
it's because of that, me and her indoors are cycling here.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: If you're not sweating, you don't feel like you're pushing yourself hard enough I think.
word is born son.
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: Well all I know is that I sweat a lot less these days than I did when I first started. I also don't really feel like I've had any particular workout when I cycle. I don't know what you want to put this down to. *shrug*
"Useful" sweating is almost imperceptible - once sweat has started to bead it's not doing very much good, the mechanism has been overwhelmed - this is the point that unfit people get to quicker, because they've got less reserve, but fitter people will have started to sweat earlier and be able to sweat functionally for longer.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
I don't like not cycling to work now. If I have to drive for some reason, say I'm picking up a package or something, I feel really energetic and restless for the whole day. Not to mention feeling like I've not had a good workout.
When I started out, it was just a practical alternative to using my car which was too expensive at the time. I didn't much like it though. At some point my attitude towards it changed totally though and now it seems like a pain in the arse to have to use my car.
I dont know if I'd still feel the same if I had to cycle on the road though. Probably it's something I'd end up getting used to, but something which makes my morning commute so nice is the fact the only road I cross is the one outside my house. Past that point it's a nice gravel path most of the way along the canal, plus about a mile or so on the tow path. You can't even hear a car for fairly long stretches. The bits where you have to go under the roads are pretty annoying because of the road noise.
I think I'm starting to really not like cars very much.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: I think I'm starting to really not like cars very much.
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
This is the only thing I'm not loking forward to - my commute is either on or alongside fairly quick suburban routes and A-roads. The only stretch above a 40 limit has a cycle path by it but it's shared by pedestrians.
I hate pedestrians.
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
If you put a slick road tyre on the rear wheel of a mountain bike, you can drift it, kind of.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
Yeah, heh, it’s a weird one. I still like cars as objects, and beautiful cars are still exciting and desirable things. And I still love certain aspects of driving – an open road in the summer, with no traffic and the roof down, with the engine singing, it’s one of the best feelings. But that’s not really the reality of motoring in modern day Britain. Maybe it was in the 1940s, I don’t know. But driving anywhere these days seems to be an extremely frustrating and stressful experience. Not to mention painfully expensive. Compared to getting on the bike, and cycling down a nice tree-lined pathway exchanging cheerful morning greetings with other cyclists and the dog-walkers. The roads really are what makes cycling impractical. If there were roads for bikes, or just paths instead, I don’t think I would miss my car at all. I could happily cycle to London, for instance, if there was a cycle path version of the M1.
I don’t choose to drive because I prefer it as a mode of transport, I choose to drive because cycling most places involves having to put your life on the line dodging fuckwits in cars.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
Plus I'm pretty sick of the way that every time I drive my car lately, something new and expensive goes wrong with the damn thing.
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ringo: I could happily cycle to London, for instance, if there was a cycle path version of the M1.
The Future should sort this out I reckon. Inside and middle lanes for heavy lorries (the only motorised transport still economically viable); outside lane segregated off and handed over to bicycles, with special sliproads added in to get you on and off.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
Y'know, if that were true, we might be looking at a future where the Sinclair C5 actually becomes a realistic, practical form of transportation. And who ever thought that was gonna happen?
Posted by Black Mask (Member # 185) on :
I can recommend the Marin Novato... I've got a 2006 model, the new frame shape is even nicer. It's been extremely reliable (touches wood) considering the hammering I give it.
Posted by Tilde (Member # 1215) on :
Yeh, covered paths, paved in smooth marble, that slope slightly downhill in whatever direction you are heading.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
That sounds great. Until it rains, then you'd see injury and death on a massive scale.
...oh you said covered. ignore my spazzery
[ 15.02.2008, 08:18: Message edited by: Ringo ]
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
i'm being seduced by single speed.
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
I occasionally have the notion that I might like to buy another BMX, but I never feel that strongly enough to actually go out and buy one.
I wouldn't mind a more recreational bike than the one I have though. A decent MTB can be used in most situations, whereas a Hybrid is really only good for riding to work. A decent XC MTB would be aces, but I just don't have the money for anything particularly good.
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
quote:Originally posted by doc d: i'm being seduced by single speed.
You'll have to start calling them "fixies" then. i.e. fixed gear.
Scares the bejesus out of me, but people say there's no going back once you get used to them. Although, ironically, having a fixed gear would allow you to go back, which a freewheel doesn't.
[ 15.02.2008, 08:55: Message edited by: dang65 ]
Posted by Ringo (Member # 47) on :
I think the way I cycle would be pretty well suited to a fixed gear bike. I don't tend to freewheel and the few hills I come across on my way to work, I usually stay in a high gear and power up the hill rather than drop a gear. But it's a slightly weird scene isn't it.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
ho ho ho!
no i think it would be freewheel. i don't want to HAVE TO CYCLE ALL THE TIME.
i've just been to velorution in town. they're great. i got chatting to the guy downstairs (initially talking about wheels and prices (ambrosia evolution=£160 a pair)) and then just got into the whole idea of single speeding my bike.
he does 20 miles a day (me too) and has hills and manages it.
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
Well, from today we have another psycho hoodie boy racer on the roads. My 17-year-old just passed his test first time. I do put him down quite a lot, but I have to say that he's pretty good when he puts his mind to something, and he was determined to do this. Also, the minimum age to take a driving test is being raised to 18 from next year, so he's among the last to get away with that.
Now I just need to avoid reading news stories about accident statistics for young males. Posted by Thorn Davis (Member # 65) on :
Well done to your "son" Dan G. I passed on my third attempt, after about a year's worth of lessons so I have some admiration for people who nail it first time. That should also give you some idea of where your son sits in the scheme of things. Right at the top. I hear that some people never pass, and wind up bitter and bovine, blobbing themselves into misery and despair in North London. Finsbury, to be exact.
Posted by dang65 (Member # 102) on :
quote:Originally posted by Thorn Davis: Well done to your "son"
lol. Good point.
Posted by mart (Member # 32) on :
My car passed its MOT this morning. I feel really happy about this. Feel free to congratulate me on my careful driving and sensible looking-after of my oh-so-glamorous Ford Focus estate.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
i worked out that i can probably do all the repairs needed on my bike. myself.
it's quite an extensive list. i won't bother you with it.
Posted by Louche (Member # 450) on :
I keep accidentally setting fire to my car. And I drove it into a post. I'm starting to think I am not as good at this driving lark as I thought I was.
Dang, with luck, your son will just crash into something relatively harmless but expensive, be uninjured but sufficiently chastised by the experience to make him drive like a dead pensioner for the rest of his life. That's what happened to my husband. He still resents the £700 he had to pay for a replacement lamp post.
Posted by doc d (Member # 781) on :
i destroyed a lamppost 6 days after being insured on my mum's car. i was 18.
Posted by jnhoj (Member # 286) on :
It took me three attempts to pass too. I've just been out on the road with my frien who passed first time and...I nearly died, twice.
Posted by sabian (Member # 6) on :
quote:Originally posted by sabian: It's stupid shit like the new £25 C-charge that is going to ensure Boris's election.
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