FAO Scouse, Tom, other bike nuts

[Tom]

National Cycle Route 8 is about 260 miles:

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/route-numbering-system/route-8

It's a mix of country lanes and trails, so should be ok. I can do that in 3 days no problem.

The problem I have is that I've spent around 12 grand on various things in the last 3 months (I'm not being extravagant, they're all essential) and am getting close to skint now, still plenty of money owed to me but there's the tax bill in July and being self-employed, you never know if it'll go quiet or what. So although I really want it, buying one of these probably requires finance of some description.

Mind you I once bought a TVR and lost a fuckload of money on that, and I'm still here.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Mind you I once bought a TVR and lost a fuckload of money on that, and I'm still here.

What did you think was going to happen?

 

[Embattle]

Im still scared of recumbents, but some go hella fast

Least when you fall off on one TdC the head brake you use will react quicker

 

[TdC]

pfft

 

[Tom]

What did you think was going to happen?

That it would appreciate in value and that the tales of their unreliability and high running costs were overstated.

Oh how young I was...

 

[caLLous]

Your wiseness has grown in line with your ginger plumage. Let this be a lesson to us all.

 

[TdC]

woo POC wrote back to me! I'd written them with a short description of the accident and pics of the helmet's damage, and they say they're happy a broken shoulder is the only damage I have sustained, as "judging from the helmet it was quite an impact". Ha ha no shit :-/ I'm raring to get back on a bike, wow! Being injured really sucks

 

[Tom]

That's another thing about recumbents that attracts me - the fact that accidents, at any speed, are far less likely to result in serious injury than the same accidents on upright bikes.

 

[Embattle]

That's another thing about recumbents that attracts me - the fact that accidents, at any speed, are far less likely to result in serious injury than the same accidents on upright bikes.

Apart from a car hitting you in the shoulder

 

[Scouse]

That's another thing about recumbents that attracts me - the fact that accidents, at any speed, are far less likely to result in serious injury than the same accidents on upright bikes.

Is the accident like-for-like?


I have to ask the question, but devil is definitely in the detail. Recumbents immediately look more dangerous - and with a bit of imagination 'feel' more dangerous.

Maybe the 'stats' say otherwise (though I'm skeptical about that). However, my evolution-honed self-preservation-senses say "avoid"...

 

[Tom]

Recumbents immediately look more dangerous - and with a bit of imagination 'feel' more dangerous.

Fall off a normal bike and if you're unlucky, you'll go down hard on either your shoulder (broken collarbone) or head (broken skull). That's because both are at least 5 feet off the ground and travelling at speed. Compared to a recumbent, where either is only 2–3 feet off the ground, and where you're also travelling feet first (as opposed to head first), that's not good.

I'm not worried about cars et al, every recumbent cyclist I've asked has stated that motorists give them much more room than when they're on a normal bicycle. They're unusual, people notice them and wonder what they are. And being hidden behind other vehicles is a non-starter since I'm a vehicular cyclist and therefore don't hide in blind spots. And anyway, I don't commute, so mixing it with cars isn't something I do much of.

And anyway a bit more (!), as TDC can no doubt testify, accidents can happen to anyone. So just do what you enjoy and bollocks to what others think!

 

[Scouse]

a recumbent, where either is only 2–3 feet off the ground, and where you're also travelling feet first (as opposed to head first)

I can see that the lower height of your head could be better. On a normal bike it's definitely higher up because of your orientation - but my experience in falling off normal bikes is that I'm usually able to do something about not falling on my head or face. (Or it at least feels like I'm able to).

Lying on your back, travelling feet first a la recumbent I can see advantages - but won't you be prone to tipping off the side and slamming the back or side of your head down a lot?

 

[Tom]

I can see that the lower height of your head could be better. On a normal bike it's definitely higher up because of your orientation - but my experience in falling off normal bikes is that I'm usually able to do something about not falling on my head or face. (Or it at least feels like I'm able to).

Lying on your back, travelling feet first a la recumbent I can see advantages - but won't you be prone to tipping off the side and slamming the back or side of your head down a lot?

This (somewhat uncited) series of points makes life easier for me:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recumbent_bicycle#Advantages

 

[TdC]

And anyway a bit more (!), as TDC can no doubt testify, accidents can happen to anyone. So just do what you enjoy and bollocks to what others think!

yus. hiding from accidents doesn't pan out. as to recumbent bikes, I see a good many of them here in the NL. They're usually brightly colored, or have those reflective flags attached to heighten visibility. this is for idiot cars not seeing them ofc, not for the bikers themselves. I notice that people using specialist bikes like recumbent ones tend to be a cut above the average biker when it comes to ideas of safety and visibility anyway.

 

[Cemeterygates]

Fall off a normal bike and if you're unlucky, you'll go down hard on either your shoulder (broken collarbone) or head (broken skull). That's because both are at least 5 feet off the ground and travelling at speed. Compared to a recumbent, where either is only 2–3 feet off the ground, and where you're also travelling feet first (as opposed to head first), that's not good.

I'm not worried about cars et al, every recumbent cyclist I've asked has stated that motorists give them much more room than when they're on a normal bicycle. They're unusual, people notice them and wonder what they are. And being hidden behind other vehicles is a non-starter since I'm a vehicular cyclist and therefore don't hide in blind spots. And anyway, I don't commute, so mixing it with cars isn't something I do much of.

And anyway a bit more (!), as TDC can no doubt testify, accidents can happen to anyone. So just do what you enjoy and bollocks to what others think!

I've never landed on my head, even in the days I used to do mental shit on bmx's (18ft drop onto flat concrete landing, anyone?) always seems to be my knee's, side/shoulder/elbow or chest that kops it.

They look dangerous to me, especially on the road where you get large vehicles, seems there is plenty of potential for you to be in blind spots unless you are in the middle of the road....then you are just that annoying twunt holding people up.

 

[Scouse]

How you doing TdC?

You, Tom or Cemeterygates got any recommendations on a good bike lock?


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGttmR2DTY8

Oh, and:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfx-Lusml6Q

 

[Tom]

Don't bother. Never let your bike out of your sight. Keep it inside the home whenever you're not riding it.

Bicycle locks are all utterly useless, every last one of them. Please make sure you register your bike at www.immobilise.com

 

[Tom]

They look dangerous to me, especially on the road where you get large vehicles, seems there is plenty of potential for you to be in blind spots unless you are in the middle of the road....then you are just that annoying twunt holding people up.

And yet only a few posts above yours is a big picture of a ruined helmet. And don't get me started on "holding people up", the roads are for everyone. If you can't safely overtake a cyclist, hand your licence in.

 

[TdC]

I've never landed on my head, even in the days I used to do mental shit on bmx's (18ft drop onto flat concrete landing, anyone?) always seems to be my knee's, side/shoulder/elbow or chest that kops it.

lucky man

How you doing TdC?

You, Tom or Cemeterygates got any recommendations on a good bike lock?

just peachy thanks. the wonky feeling *in my head* is gone, thank goodness, as I was beginning to worry. having an arm in a sling (and it hurting like a bitch) is a real pain in the arse. I REALLY want to move my arm but I just try and make myself relax and breathe the stress out.

locks...very controversial. just remember that a lock is at best a short term deterrent....just so some chav doesn't do a runner with your bike when you're not looking really. A pro will *always* win against your lock, so the point is making the reward not worth the effort I guess but even so, a 300 euro lock can be done in under 5 mins

what I do is basically keep the bikes in my house. in my living room in fact. if I am out for a ride I am on my bike and someone would physically have to best me to get it (not a problem really I'm a total wuss, but this is about the same level of deterrent as a lock imo). If I absolutely have to leave my bike somewhere...I lock it with a fairly massive ABUS chain lock with a big impressive looking lock on it and sit where I can see my bike. Naturally I prefer not to do this: the lock weighs a tonne, and like said is purely a short term countermeasure.

 

[Scouse]

Good to hear your head is feeling better. When you back in for your nurse-prod-test?

what I do is basically keep the bikes in my house...I lock it with a fairly massive ABUS chain lock with a big impressive looking lock on it and sit where I can see my bike...

My bikes have been moved inside but most of my rides involve at least some time in a pub - quite often without view of bike (beer and food stops).

It's annoying that you can't get cable/combo locks that pass security ratings. Something that curls around my seatpost is desirable but all the ones that insurance compaines require will mean me lugging around a fucking rucksack

 

[Tom]

If you must leave it while at a pub, find a pub whose owner doesn't mind you locking your bike up in their cellar or something (beer cellars all have outside access so no need to trapse through the posh bits).

 

[Deebs]

Jesus TdC hope you are recovering well, shame about not using the espresso with one hand, at least you can still wank so all is not lost

 

[TdC]

cheers mate. doesn't hurt if I rest up and keep still. very frustrating though :-/

 

[Cemeterygates]

And yet only a few posts above yours is a big picture of a ruined helmet. And don't get me started on "holding people up", the roads are for everyone. If you can't safely overtake a cyclist, hand your licence in.

What's ya point about the helmet? All I said was I have never landed on my head. And yes bikes have every right to be on the road, but I can't see you keeping up with trafic in a 60 limit.

 

[Tom]

but I can't see you keeping up with trafic in a 60 limit.

This was me a few weeks back, blocking a load of cars in a 40mph limit:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF9oyqgJ1Uc

 

[Cemeterygates]

I said in a 60 limit, not 40. Also, care to elaborate on the helmet thing? It's not like I said they were pointless, just said I've never landed on my head, despite doin crazy shit on my bmx, like huge drops and tailwhips over 12ft gaps.

 

[Tom]

Also, care to elaborate on the helmet thing? It's not like I said they were pointless, just said I've never landed on my head, despite doin crazy shit on my bmx, like huge drops and tailwhips over 12ft gaps.

Well perhaps it was just an anecdote, inserted entirely by coincidence into a thread about cycling that had changed into a discussion on cycling safety. Otherwise, I'm not sure why you felt the need to mention your lack of head injuries so soon after a huge picture of a cracked helmet once worn by Teeds.

Recumbents might look dangerous to you but I've never heard anyone who rides one say anything of the sort. Most owners say they're given a great deal more respect by other road users, purely because of their novelty. Personally, I couldn't give a toss about any supposed danger from cars, I'm a very confident and skilled (not talented I must add) cyclist with a great deal of experience. I know how to handle myself on the roads, positioning and observation aren't particularly difficult skills to learn. As far as I'm concerned, I want one, so I'm getting one. Now I just have to find the money.

 

[TdC]

now then now then we're meant to be celebrating the joys of biking here!

re my helmet; anyone who's never smacked their noggin on the cold hard earth while doing some of the -admittedly- ridiculous stuff we do is a lucky bunny and should be happy (and never forget to put their helmets on, regardless).

Tom's vid shows me yet again that there are good odds that road cycling in the UK would kill me, as living in the NL simply has lead me to expect some...not a lot, but some...courtesy from cars. Also, your weather is just shite dudes, really!

in other happy news, the LBS told me that damage to the 29er I was riding is minimal and will be sorted to the tune of 50~100 euros, and the whole bike community here is hella supportive and want me back in the saddle so we can all go riding again. really warm and lovely people

 

[Tom]

now then now then we're meant to be celebrating the joys of biking here!

Any mention of "cyclists holding up traffic" gets a from me...

 

[Cemeterygates]

Well perhaps it was just an anecdote, inserted entirely by coincidence into a thread about cycling that had changed into a discussion on cycling safety. Otherwise, I'm not sure why you felt the need to mention your lack of head injuries so soon after a huge picture of a cracked helmet once worn by Teeds.

Recumbents might look dangerous to you but I've never heard anyone who rides one say anything of the sort. Most owners say they're given a great deal more respect by other road users, purely because of their novelty. Personally, I couldn't give a toss about any supposed danger from cars, I'm a very confident and skilled (not talented I must add) cyclist with a great deal of experience. I know how to handle myself on the roads, positioning and observation aren't particularly difficult skills to learn. As far as I'm concerned, I want one, so I'm getting one. Now I just have to find the money.

Right, so you decided to be a dick cos I said I've been fortunate enough to not land on my head, righto tom. And getting in a pissy about "cyclists holding up traffic" in a 60 zone because you ain't gonna be doing anywhere near that? Rag week or something? When you can do 50mph on ya road bike/recumbent w/e, fine, sit in the middle of the road, until then, get over to the side. Wanna know something that mega pisses me off about roadies? The way they seem to think it's ok to ride side by side when there's 4 of em, on a 60 limit road doin 25mph.....tossers.