For the guy who thinks 20% of drivers are out to kill him…. Either you're very wrong, or we all need to know where you live!

Strangely enough, my commute takes me from Bath to…. Bristol.

You're right, although it some times seems that way it's nowhere near as bad as "20%" – just some days I seem to meet all of them!

Interesting debate, I've felt the same myself in recent years – a sad indictment of where this sh!thole of a country is heading, funny how getting behind the wheel brings out the worst in so many people and reflects society in general.

I agree that it's got progressively worse in recent years, careful considerate drivers are in the minority (>10%?), the majority drive badly 'without due care' (70%?) and as already said an increasing number drive to deliberately endanger us (20%?).

All hope is not lost though, although the 70% are easier to deal with than the 20%.

It sounds as though you are thinking about doing the right things there's always something you can learn from John Franklins 'Cyclecraft' and strange as it may seem the Police Driving Manual 'Roadcraft' or even Stephen Hayley's excellent 'Mind Driving'. Make yourself and your intentions clear and seen, through positioning, arm signals, eye contact and clothing, lights. [Regrettably I've taken to wearing a white lid and hi-viz on the commute – it should be the drivers responsibility to "look" not our responsibility to "make ourselves seen" but again, the reality is we need to do what we can to help ensure our own safety].

Look again at your observation skills – could anything have given you an indication something was going to happen before it did and given you time to react, got you see them or there mirrors, eye contact again?

Be assertive and defensive if that makes sense. As it sounds you have been, take space / create space to move into, don't go for non-existent or closing gaps, cover the brakes, don't become the 'jam in the sandwich'.

I know it's hard not to do a "Ton" but resist rising to challenges, try to create as many "pro-social" situations as you can.

What I mean by "pro-social" is let others past where its safe, give everyone a friendly "thank-you", acknowledgement waves, get eye contact and smile. Stop to let people cross the road, keep side junctions clear, think twice before heading to the front of the queue if it's not going to get you any further etc.

Good luck, stick with and remember…

Let's be careful out there!

there is another regularish group from bath on wed nights, analogueandy on here 'organises' it I think their address is bathmtbathotmaildotcom but its been a while since I've seen them about. Its fair to say they usually have a higher pace than us.

Has indeed been a while llama! I guess both of our groups have got too big to think about organising more 'joint' rides this year. Although we bumped into some of your lot last week up at Charmydown and I thought Lansdown last night (I guess only some of you went over the bridge?'

Anyhow, 'Organises' is a bit steep;-) but yes there's another regular group out of Bath that set's off from Widcombe High Street at 6.30pm every Wednesday. Pace is 'social XC', true we don't hang around but no-one ever gets left behind.

There's a link to some scary pictures in my profile – mostly beer drinking but you'll get the idea :-))

/ot

<i>And no, I'm not quite racing in the Vets. This is my last season as a Senior </i>

Hello Chas! I should have worked that out before! I've been working 'away' where they'd banned STW.

I think I've persuaded a few more of the Bath lot to come and do a few local CX rounds this year too. Two of them are even doing the 3 Peaks.

Hopefully the mail in your profile works? I'll drop you a line re ToB (looks like I've might be there ToB in an official capacity) and stuff

Cheers

Andy

/ot

Thurman Merman, is that who I think it is? You're not really racing Vets this year are you? And yes we do need to sort out a replacement for the Tumps in the Bath / NE Somerset Area..

See you at my 'locals' again this year.

I'm afraid I've been there, done that and although it's satisfying, violence is NEVER the answer. You're clever enough to know that the right thing to have done would have been to look him in the eyes, say nothing and walk away (and then come and tell the story on STW). It is always hard not to react though, especially when someone has quite literally threatened your life.

It was my wife who was on the receiving end in my case, she'd been out for a run, got barged, spat at and called various names, came home in tears, I got on my bike and tore after them in a rage – ended up decking 3 of them. I think I've told the story on here before. Yes it was very satisfying. No, it wasn't the right thing to do. The police were called. I ended up on a charge, nearly lost my job over it.

I'd still 'tweak' my route home just in case he (or the police) are waiting to 'follow it up'.

I spotted this yesterday,as someone else who has suffered (in Bath not Bristol) I'm again pleased to see police taking this more seriously.
The beat PC who came to see me simply couldn't believe anyone could spend £2,000+ on a "push bike"! Nor why I needed 7 of them 😉

Thanks to Larry posting on here I was aware of the task force but didn't appreciate it was being headed up by a DCI.

Without giving anything away, is there any indication as to whether this London team may have been responsible for some of the bike theft related burglary? If so, any indication as to what info they were using to target addresses? (We spent some time on here last year trying to work out if there was a link i.e had we all used the same on line store etc).

Good luck!

Andy

Another 3 Peaks vet and Western League regular.

Giant by name and…

Not yesterday but a week ago on the Rue de Rivoli. Here he is on lap one just behind a smiling Cav

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/3780101345_85e1c477a7.jpg
He laughed at our 'Go Wiggo Go' and 'Make it 5 Cav'banners

I hope you made clear those 'congrats' were from everyone on STW 😀

So it sounds as though I've been really unlucky?

As above but also right hand flat palm out means 'slowing'

llama – Member
Oh yes I know that one, its fine as of a few months ago. Probably lots of nettles at the bottom now.

Hi llama, we did it last Weds. It's not too bad, may even have been cut earlier in the season.

cheers druidh, that helps. She’s planning to go for the pink tint ones for mostly road use. No night riding.

Last chance ‘bump’, a few places are still available.

Andy

Re the debate re BMI, its been pointed out to me that the reason for asking for people within a set range is because it means their bodies will have a ‘similar’ability to metabolise the drink. Obviously the detailed testing will give a far more accurate assesment of ‘fitness’…

Thanks for all the interest so far. Someone mentioned contacting the local Uni’s – we have, and the local road clubs. Still places available though.

Age range is as wide as possible but they have to try and pick people from a controlled group. Ditto BMI.

Why the age range and BMI criteria?

Good question, I’ll ask and get back to you.

Yeah, funny that I don’t qualify either 😆

She assures me this isn’t just a ploy to select a ‘newer model’ to trade me in for..

Been there!

I found the mega’s wider than Sidi’s normal but only as wide as Shimano or Pearl Izumi. I wear a 48 in both Shimano and Sidi XC shoes (50 in winter boots).

I got mine from CRC, ordered two pairs to be sure and sent one back.

Just spotted this.

The Mondeo’s 02-04 is a great drive (not that boring, esp the ST I’d rate it about an A4 and equivalent Passat, Saab 9.3) and you could get a great car, with a lot more kit etc than your older Passat.

Be very aware though, they have a problem with Duratorq clutch dual mass flywheel that only develops after 80,000 miles.

It starts to throw off iron filling debris that **** the starter motor. There was a voluntary recall in 2007 but lots weren’t done. If it hasn’t been changing it will cost you £1000+

More details:
http://www.fordmondeo.org/forum/showtopic.php?tid/765131/post/1398447/http://

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=119

they came through rear door to into garage and selected the best ones out of the pack!!!!

Sorry to heat that Mark. Do you (and the police) reckon you were targetted for the bikes then?

obvious – he went in to buy some oakleys

I openend this thinking it was going to be about this new ‘extreme’ pornography law.

Interesting debate though.

Has the net revealed what we’ve always been or encouraged us to change?

Probably a bit of both*

There’s a list circulating somewhere entitled ‘Only in Porn’, you know the kind of thing..

I guess there has always been a danger that without being ‘taught’ or ‘learing through experience’ teenagers will grow up thinking your average ‘porn’ encounter is ‘normal’.

I’ve always thought it funny how porn reflects a country’s true physche i.e US = fake boobs,fake hair, fake ‘ooh yeah ride me baby’. German = gimp masks, nasty BDSM, urination etc!

What kind of riding you planning?

Mich Muds for your traditional ‘muddy field’ cross.
Contis Twister for general off-road incl roots and rocks.
Schwalbe Land Cruisers for summer hard pack, canal path and
Locusts for ok all round.

But surely it’d be better to use the aircraft based on an aircraft carrier to combat enemy aircraft? Are anti-missile missiles really that good? I thought they were ****.

PAMMS really is that good. A step change above anything we’ve had before. A really big step change. It can track 2000 targets simultaneously, supersonic missiles coke can size up to aircaft. All 48 missiles are “ready to fire” within seconds. Maximum theoretical range against aircraft is over 100km, against missiles 25km. Not just over the sea but over land from the sea.

As well as carrier protection they will serve a number of roles – integrity of UK waters, counter piracy and ‘insertion’.

Plus even with PAMMS being a collaborative project, remember most of the money they cost has been spent with UK companies.

Are we doing pics too?

Quickest shortest 15.8 miles but I most often use the wonderful Bristol Bath Railway Path which makes it 17.2. On summer mornings or evenings it often get’s further extended, I think my longest ride home was 200k (130miles)

How often depends on all sorts of things, but currently averaging 3 days per week, often 5 during the summer.

I found out just before Christmas though that I’m being posted to Yeovilton Air Station for 6 months from mid feb (about 38 miles)- hoping to perhaps ride home and in a couple of days a week.

very fashionable, but not very functional.

So any other suggestions? 😉

I’ve tried Mini V’s (crap clearance) standard canti’s (Avids)(brake judder) and ‘come back’ to these Tektro’s this year. Yes, they’re never going to offer huge stopping power (that should be ‘slow you down a bit lack of power’!)but they give good clearance and feel (including with chicken levers) and are easy to set up and with replaceable inserts pad replacement is a doddle. Plus they are dead cheap.

This is them

Frog Legs.. or the Tektro copies.

where did you come from?

The middle of nowhere

Yep here but in the mud is where me roots are.

And I always wear a peaky helmet.

Cow bells at the ready!