BS: To ride or not to ride.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: 53
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 09:15 AM

She's doing much better now thanks all of you for your concerns, Bob and Glenda

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Banjer
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 05:01 AM

'especially where the bikes can go contrary to the traffic.

We had quite a long discussion the other day about riding on roads where there are no sidewalks or designated bike lanes. I was always told when I was little to ride facing oncoming traffic. That way if a vehicle was coming at you there was always the option to run off the road and avoid being hit. The current traffic laws here say to ride with the traffic flow, making it impossible to see imminent danger. I still continue to ride against traffic on the more narrow roads and with the traffic on the wider ones where I feel there is enough room in the traffic lane for both car and bike. How do you handle the situation? (I know the most ideal thing would be to ride only where there are sidewalks or designated paths, but that is not always feasible)

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: lady penelope
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 02:00 PM

Hope Glenda's OK.

Bike lanes, mmmm. Useless things. In the highway code it stipulates that a cyclist should be a minimum of three feet from the curb, and should take up the lane properly if the cyclist can keep up with the traffic. This is to give the cyclist room for manouver. Seeing as 99%of all bikes lane are only just about three feet wide, you are quite often left with no room (never mind people parking in them ). I use the white line as a guide. Mostly they aren't worth the paint. And the ones on pavements? Don't get me started. Suffice it to say, that I do not believe that pedestrians and cyclists should be mixed. And that is from the viewpoint of being both a pedestrian and a cyclist.

The only bike lanes that are worth bothering with are the ones where there is a little wall between you and the traffic and / or pedestrians. They're bringing more of these in around the centre of London, especially where the bikes can go contrary to the traffic.

On the whole, it would be far more productive to think out routes away from roads with heavy traffic, which they have done in London, but more importantly, make sure you can bleedin' find / follow the damn routes by vastly improving the signs!

Rant over, back in box.........

TTFN M'Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 05:49 PM

Hope she's ok bob. I threw myself off the other week! Got a twig up the brake blocks!! Locked up the front. (over the top before I knew it!) Bike was OK though, cycling to a cycle touring club rally this weekend at York. Not long 'till the mega Holland tour.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 04:56 PM

Hope all is OK, they say it's like riding a horse, but I say who ever saw a horse with brakes and a luggage compartment....?

Take care, thinking of you.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: 53
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 04:52 PM

Glenda wrecked her bike. I don't know whether she'll be able to ride it again. She got pretty messed up but I hope that she'll be able to get back to it soon . Bob

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Big John
Date: 23 May 02 - 09:20 PM

Thank you for riding MARTA and have a nice day.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: DonD
Date: 23 May 02 - 09:08 PM

Hearing that some don't ride on their exercycles makes me feel better about not rowing on my rowing machine, which could also benefit from a slotted seat. That's my rationalization and i'm stuck with it.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: GUEST,DW at work
Date: 23 May 02 - 06:03 PM

You know, they say sex is a far better way of excercising than walking or jogging?

Gets the heart going, uses muscles, tones the stomach and helps with those love handles too. Best if done regularly, like all excercise. Guess that'll be me getting flabby and wasted then.

DW

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: 53
Date: 23 May 02 - 02:27 PM

I'm still not riding but I 'm back to walking as my exersice for the day.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 May 02 - 05:07 PM

Bike lanes would be OK if bloody cars and buses didn't park in them!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Mr Happy
Date: 22 May 02 - 09:34 AM

when i'm feeling fittish,& on a warm summer evening, i go to sessions by pushbike with guitar strapped to my back & squeezebox on the carrier

i usually try to ride on the pavement [sidewalk] as i feel terrified of the traffic. i know its illegal but with no bike lanes, i'd prefer to pay a fine if caught than risk serious injury

recently, the local council have, in some parts of the town, provided cycle lanes in the form of white lines painted on the road about a yard away from the kerb. i think this is just lip service/ going through the motions & is probably just to comply with EU law.

inconsistently, the council have made lanes on pavements in some other parts of the city, making ok to ride there

any comments?

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: SharonA
Date: 22 May 02 - 09:07 AM

And here I thought a "lift" was an elevator, over there. Or is that just in England?

I used to be an avid bicycle rider, in my teens and early twenties, but now I mostly walk for exercise. I do have an exercise bike but it's gathering dust in the back room! I really should take up the outdoor-biking habit again; perhaps I will, now that this thread has made me think about it! Thanks, Bob, and I hope your health problem with the bike is only temporary.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: GUEST,Declan
Date: 22 May 02 - 05:17 AM

Dissapointed to see this is a thread about bicycles !

A word of warning, particulalrly for Americans coming to Ireland - if you want someone to take you somewhere in their car what you ask for is a LIFT. A RIDE means something completely different over here - nudge nudge, wink wink!

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: gnu
Date: 21 May 02 - 03:55 PM

Asked a couple of buddies of mine about the seat. Couldn't find any info. Was invented by a fellow from somewhere in Maritime Canada. I recall seeing it on the local news within about the past year. "Invented" doesn't sound right because the concept is so simple, but there it is. Apparently, my statement above that noone should use a conventional seat is QUITE right. Especially men, for obvious (ouch) reasons.

In the meantime, I don't see why you couldn't just build up the padding on the sides of a conventional seat, the idea being to keep pressure off the "tender" area.

I bike a lot. However, my bike has three 2.5 psi 12 inch wide tires and throws a lot of mud at fifty miles an hour.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: GUEST,DW at work
Date: 21 May 02 - 03:37 PM

Bummer 53, I had to give up after a shattered knee. Can only ride the motorised ones now, if I had the money.

DW

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: 53
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:30 PM

It looks as though that I'll have to give up my bike riding and go back to my walking. Riding is causing some problems with my health. Let yall know later if its truly the bike or something else. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:25 PM

Stuffed me comments in Bike week 2002 thread.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Grab
Date: 20 May 02 - 05:19 PM

Mostly I drive to work. Shame, cos it's only 3 miles. But the only way there (literally, it's the only bridge over the river for 4 miles in either direction) is a dual carriageway which I'd have to share with ppl doing 80 who are either tired and hungover (in the morning) or tired and pissed off (in the evening). I plan on taking my chances soon, now that the evenings are light and ppl can see me. But in the winter it's bloody dangerous.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: lady penelope
Date: 20 May 02 - 04:46 PM

I use my folder ( folding bike that is ) to break up what would other wise be an 18 mile round trip to work. I'm not that fit and I popped a ligament in my ankle that now can't take that kind of punishment daily. I get in about 5 miles a day ( more if I go mad and have a little wander on the way home ) and although it won't necessarily take any weight off me, it does stop it going on. ( This becomes noticable when I stop riding for a few weeks!!)

I totally recommend the seat with a slot in. It really takes the pressure off certain parts of your anatomy, which becomes very noticable on the bad roads of London.

Personally, I grew up in London and riding in traffic ( although I do avoid A roads ) dosen't bother me that much. But it isn't for the nervous. You end up putting yourself in danger if you lack confidence.

I've only ever cycled whilst on holiday twice. Both times with Parker. The first time was many years ago when we were both fit and the fact we were riding small tanks up big hills made no difference to us. The last time was the year before last. I, at least, cycle reasonably regularly, but the last time Parker had been on a bike was that first holiday. Ouch! The poor man. It took him two days to get over an 8 mile ride!

I like walking too. But I like to walk in very green places where it would be awkward to take a bike ( well, for me anyway ) and I've never been one to cycle up mountains. That way madness lies!!

TTFN M'Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 20 May 02 - 03:16 PM

Sorry 'bout that!

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 20 May 02 - 03:14 PM

In America you have some really good bikes-Marrin, Trek, etc, with good prices comapred to over here, I've just got a new Dawes-I'm happy

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 20 May 02 - 03:14 PM

In America you have some really good bikes-Marrin, Trek, etc, with good prices comapred to over here, I've just got a new Dawes-I'm happy

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 20 May 02 - 03:12 PM

Hey Liz, I did say if you do enough of it-though for myself I've yet to turn into a muscle bound hunk! It won't change me looks though-still ugly.

Seat-there are so many to choose from, a Gel seat is pretty good-I'm not for one of those long thing things that cut off yer blood supply and the nerves!But you can get gel covers, suspension seat posts etc.

And gears bloody well help when you're carrying about 68-80 pounds in baggage! I suppose we ride about 1,500-1,800 miles a year.Ask Mudguard-he's the masochistic expert!! Arn't you Andy?

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 May 02 - 09:02 PM

Hardi rode over 1,000 miles last summer.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Mooh
Date: 19 May 02 - 03:53 PM

Can't ride in winter where I live, but I've had the bike out for a few weeks now. I walk too...last night a bout a half hour around town with wife and dog, and today about an hour and a half in the woods with daughter and dog. I much prefer the woods, tramping the river, or rural gravel roads than around town for walking. I'll bike anywhere except the highways.

Still, I can't seem to loose weight.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Banjer
Date: 19 May 02 - 03:34 PM

Snicker, snicker, giggle.....guffaw....Sorry DW you have my deepest sympathy.....guffaw....What a mental image that brought on....teeeheeeeeee!!!

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: artbrooks
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:48 PM

Bob, if you're riding a womens' bike, part of the problem might be the seat itself. A decently designed womens bike will have a wider seat, because women have wider pelvic bones. Take it by a bike shop and have them put a new seat, with springs and a SOFT cover, on it...will cost you about $25. The fancy seats with a slot in the middle cost a whole lot more (and I have one, and love it) aren't what you need until you're riding a lot more. 4 miles may not seem like much to you, but its better than none at all!

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:47 PM

Ooh, DW, sounds painful.... imagination going overtime on that one.... Girlies don't really get that sort of problem. Used to ride pillion on a Suzuki 500 that had a cracked seat and it pinched in some very strange places.

Can't decide about slotted, but I do prefer a nice wide seat to match my own.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: GUEST,jonesey
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:43 PM

Just started back after a layoff...wonder why I ever stopped. Took a cycle tour of Ireland/Wales in the summer of '98. 7 weeks @ 40 miles per day. The best time period of my adult life. Met incredible people. Still am in touch w/several I met. Learned a ton about myself and others. Highly recommend making the effort. In the words of my son(13 at the time) "Dad when you first told me about the Ireland trip I thought it was kinda strange, but now I think it totally rules!" Couldn't agree more.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: 53
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:18 PM

The bike that we have in a Huffy women's bike with no hand brakes just the good old fashioned bike. I try to get about 4 miles a day but that seems like nothing to a pro. The seat hurts my butt and that limits my riding.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: GUEST,DW at work
Date: 19 May 02 - 12:53 PM

Not sure about that 'slotted seat' thing. I had a bad experience with a plastic garden chair and some loose jockey shorts once. I stick to cane seats or deckchairs now.

Dream Weaver

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 May 02 - 12:40 PM

womens fatty bits to shapeliness and mens flabby bits to muscle - Oh yeah?? Never did for me.... 12 miles a day, 3 hours working on my feet and I never lost a pound. Another job, 12 miles a day in the opposite direction, 7.12hrs in physical labour, nothing doing. Got a sit down office job with a car/bus journey, lost a stone and kept it off.

The regular sex might have had something to do with it.

And as for mens flabby bits.... HUH!! I'm now the heaviest I've ever been except when I was pregnant 7 years ago. What does that say....?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 19 May 02 - 12:28 PM

Not 20 minutes ago I came back from a 25 mile cycle ride with the family-get peddling, it's great fun, and good for you. It turns womens fatty bits to shapeliness and mens flabby bits to muscle-if you do enough of it.We'll do about 600 miles in Holland in the summer-do it every year. I didn't start riding a push bike until about 7 years ago- wished i'd started earlier, love it, even in the rain and wind. Mcycles are just as good fun-but harder work to push when they break down, well a 750 is anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 May 02 - 12:23 PM

Not a Harley, no, just an extremely old fashioned push bike, with no gears, blue frame and red and yellow mudguards. Learnt to ride a bike at 14, used to cycle to and from work 12 mile round trip along Dorset A road (A35 - country lane to everyone else, B roads have grass down the middle in Dorset... lanes are unmetalled) and was appalled at the thoughtlessness of other road users. Can't decide which is worst, the huge lorries careening round corners, the 25mph Red Velvet Steeringwheel Cover Driver, or the stupid bastard who parks up on the verge and either opens the door to get out or empties the ashtray out of the window without checking what's behind.

Any non motorised biking I do now is confined to the back bedroom where the excercise bike is carefully positioned to be ridden whilst browsing Mudcat or listening in to the song circle......

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: GUEST,Celtic Soul, away from my 'puter
Date: 19 May 02 - 09:32 AM

It's the bomb, 53! Unfortunately, time is at a premium for me and mine. Between a full time job, raising a kid, and this being gig season, I have little time outside of all the above that is not spent cleaning house. I guess I could give up the limited time I spend here, but that would give me about 15 minutes a day, which would not be much of a ride.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: 53
Date: 19 May 02 - 09:08 AM

Maybe you will find the time soon cause it sounds like a great place.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: GUEST,Celtic Soul, away from my 'puter
Date: 19 May 02 - 09:01 AM

We ride when we get the chance. All 3 of us love it, *and* we are literally right next to the Washington and Old Dominion trail, which is a wonderful path that is designed like a road (even has the occasional "passing lane"), but is exclusively for bikers/walkers/roller bladers/etc. It goes something like 40 miles.

The problem for us is finding the time.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: 53
Date: 19 May 02 - 08:54 AM

I'll check out that new seat. I was going to ride this morning but it's raining now so I'll wait till a little later in the day. I hope to lose about 10 lbs. riding during that next few weeks. Until later, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: gnu
Date: 19 May 02 - 06:36 AM

Get one of the new seats which has an open slot in the centre along the whole length. It will help prevent some nasty health problems. Noone should ride a bicycle with the conventional seat.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: artbrooks
Date: 19 May 02 - 12:11 AM

Bob, I pretend that I commute and get around town on my bicycle...but that's mostly a dream. I'll freely admit that I weighed about 25 pounds less than I do now when I really did ride a lot. Best to you and Glenda, and keep it up...I'm going to try to do more myself.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: 53
Date: 18 May 02 - 09:38 PM

Did you have a Harley? Liz

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Banjer
Date: 18 May 02 - 08:25 PM

The riding is of course just part of the plan....diet is also and important part of any weight loss program.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 May 02 - 08:12 PM

All I ever lost was confidence in other road users and my front teeth.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Banjer
Date: 18 May 02 - 08:09 PM

I ride, it has helped me to lose a bunch (20lbs) of weight and keep it off. I am still working on losing more. It takes time, but keep at it, it's worth it.

Subject: RE: BS: To ride or not to ride.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 May 02 - 07:08 PM

Ride, whenever possible.... but my bike has a motor. I used to ride to work, but moving to London and acquiring asthma did nothing for that.

LTS

Subject: To ride or not to ride.
From: 53
Date: 18 May 02 - 06:41 PM

This is the question. Do you ride a bike or do you walk? Glenda and I have been riding a bike this past week in order to keep from being a couple of pounders and we were wondering if any one else rides too.?