Mind The Gap

Back to Blighty after my USA hols. Had a really great time but did miss my cycling, especially when I saw some of the MTB trails is Canyonlands, Utah. Still, at least I can get out on my bikes again and boy do I need it. Five weeks of not cycling + holiday eating and drinking and I have put 5 kg on!!

MTBing the Schaffer Trail. Canyonlands, Utah

Not much has changed in my time away although the tree blossom is out and the days are noticeably longer. Some news on the cycling infrastructure locally though. The Woolfold Gap project has been completed and has an official opening at 10.30 hrs on Monday 7 May. The project is part of a Sustrans backed scheme to add a bridge into the Kirklees trail between Bury and Tottington which also forms part of National Cycle Route 6. 

It is a drop in the ocean as far as I'm concerned but it will be a pleasant alternative to the busy roads in this area and should make cycle commuting between Tottington and Bury a viable alternative for local residents. I'll be going to the opening ceremony and hope to see some other like minded Manchester cyclists there as well.

Woolfold Gap Bridge, Bury

Bye For Now

Off on my extended hols. The house sitters are here and the bags are packed. Will be back at the end of April. Au Revoir and happy pedalling!

More Vehicular Cycling Reality

09.20 hrs on 12/03/12.

Even when the roads are not choked with traffic, the cycling infrastructure doesn't make it easy. That and drivers with absolutely no regard for other road users.

The video shows it all really.

*it appears not all cyclists share my feelings*

Vehicular Cycling Reality

Following on from my recent post where I suggested segregating cyclists fully from traffic on some roads is one way to really increase cycling numbers, I thought I would demonstrate the reality of vehicular cycling in one area of Manchester during rush hour.

This is part of my commute to work. Usually I travel in around 07.00hrs and the roads are much quieter but sometimes I work office hours as on this day. There is no way to avoid this traffic. Taking side roads for part of the route still feeds me into choked roads at some other point. There are no separate cycle lanes, canal paths, old rail lines or quite lanes. The bus/taxi/cycle lane is useful but is short lived and still gets prohibited traffic using it.

I am sure most experienced commuter cyclists will consider this the norm and wonder what the issue is. I don't consider it an attractive cycling environment although, if I'm honest, I do enjoy the challenge it presents. I think most non cyclists will look at it in horror though. I can totally understand why this kind of cycling environment is not likely to entice people to cycle.

New Rear Light

Got the new rear light today. I had glued the lens of the old light back together but it was only going to be a temporary repair until the new one arrived. I'll miss the old one but the new light is a fine replacement.

As you can see, despite both units coming from the Busch and Muller stable and including the word Toplight in their names, they look very different. The new light is smaller and much slimmer. In addition to appearance these are the main  changes: 

• It  has a smaller reflective area and gone is the LED nodule. Instead, above the reflector is a strip housing a lens system which spreads out light from two LEDs, turning it into one line of light visible from 320°. 
• Inside is a sensor which senses changes in current and then brighten the light when the bike slows quickly. 
• It has a off switch, although I will continue to control it from the front light as I have been doing since I went dynamo lit.

Like the old one though it has a condenser and so will remain lit for several minutes even after a short ride (really good at traffic lights and junctions). 

It was a doddle to fit. I unbolted the old light, removed the wires from the terminals and trimmed them. They attach to the new light either via spade connectors or snap fittings. I chose the latter, pushed the wires in and snapped the latch across, bolted the light to the carrier and spun the front wheel. Hey presto it worked! Took about 5 mins all told.

One thing I will not miss about the old light is the faff when fitting a pannier(s) to the rack it caused. Because it is so wide, it overhung the side of the rack and meant I had to manoeuvre the pannier fitting around it. Not hard when you got used to it but still a faff. The new light does not overhang and so faff is eliminated.

The one thing about rear lights is you usually only see other peoples in action. I intend to see how good this one is in proper commuter mode so I'll be getting my brother to ride around a bit a let me film him. Expect some footage in the future!