It’s The Latte Latte Delta Tea Break 2018

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

May be within few months you could consider your cyclists having two bags hanging on the handlebars! Free and rich. Lucky you!

Interesting. Not the most obvious choice for a missile but ...

I think any '2 bags on the handlebar' legislation would need to mandate a MINIMUM of 2 bags on opposite sides (for side to side balance of the turning momentum) and for the bags to be of the same weight, +/- 25 grams.

We should not leave these safety measures ill defined.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Here in Spain the cyclist "own" the roads, they overtake on pedestrian crossings and go round roundabouts the wrong way. They also ride 4 abreast and cause miles of traffic jams. The law just turn a blind eye to them

I can vouch for that Gordon. As far as Spain goes anyway... And heaven forbid when a major race comes to town. Road closures diversions and all sorts of interference. My Mum lives in Calpe and at La Vuelta time, the bikes often ride through and around in Calpe. One year Mums Parking Space opposite her apartment was totally blocked at one end, the gate disabled and the other end goes into a one way street, the exit to the main road which was closed off with solid barriers. Absolutely no way of getting the car out at all.

[midgetman]

Blimey someone got out of bed the wrong side! Think we need to change Grant's screen name to Grum P

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Alan Morgan]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Probably your last paragraph, Grant! Not sure though if the ‘Highway Code’ stuff is law, however? I always thought that riding parallel with another cyclist was only OK if no traffic behind...... There are pig-headed cyclists, as there are pig-headed motorists, as there are pig-headed pedestrians, so nothing will ever be perfect. I concur with bauble about being cut up- two days ago it was a Hi-Lux at a junction, the driver totally oblivious to my presence on a bike.

Think French requirement is for cars to give cyclists 1.0 metres clearance, so our 1.5m is generous. And Gordon- sure you weren’t watching the Vuelta?

Mike's right - courtesy is a 2-way thing. The club I cycle with has very strict rules about obeying traffic lights and courtesy to other road users. The type of roads we often cycle on really demand single file riding most of the time and we will break a larger group up into small clusters of 4-5 riders so that drivers don't have to overtake a long line of cyclists.

Cycling two abreast on the roads round here means that the rider on the inside is directly in line with the worst of the potholes...

[The Fat Clerk]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Here in Spain the cyclist "own" the roads, they overtake on pedestrian crossings and go round roundabouts the wrong way. They also ride 4 abreast and cause miles of traffic jams. The law just turn a blind eye to them

Sounds like Leicester and probably most other cities in Europe.

Just driven back from a track day @ Mallory and came across a cyclist on a country lane, no lights, no helmet, no high viz etc & of course if i'd of hit him it would have been my fault.

[Mike Bell]

This time of year I use led lights front and rear even in the middle of the day! And putting on a helmet is as routine as shoes and gloves.....

The main road into Norwich from the A11 now has a bus lane in the city centre direction, leaving two narrow lanes for cars. The pavement became a well marked cycle lane to help, but I reckon over 50% of cyclists still ride down the road, meaning cars, buses and trucks get stuck behind when busy. If that doesn’t annoy me enough, couple of times mid Sunday morning I’ve come across two blokes on racers riding parallel, oblivious to the traffic behind. The saying “all the gear and no idea” comes to mind!

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by grantp

We should not leave these safety measures ill defined.

My point! Exactly! We dont have enough rules… to break!
In winter time at least, riders should wear a fluo jacket. Problem is that those are targeted by the police and the police is targeted by raiders throwing trotinettes right in their faces! The most advanced kingdom we have here I tell you. Unfortunately, many inhabitants are complete morons! Those are lucky, they have specialists to take care of. We call that a government! Want some?

[Gerard C]

I hope your tabloïds having fun with the love affair we have here, at the Elysée. Not between president and his mum Bridge' but between him and his very much close body guard. What do they think? That such an important person could be hired without being tested "in conditions" first? And tested again? And again? Watching his eyes reminds you how faithful a German shepherd can be. A Doberman too, I admit. And some should ask themselves if they are ready to make so many sacrifices to get a police sticker on their car.

[Lancsbreaker]

In Tenerife recently many of the roads have large signs indicating that they are popular cyclist routes, and that you should allow the minimum 1.5m clearance. Not sure if its a law or not but I tried to observe it. They do have their share of idiot "no lights no hi-viz" riders over there too......as well as some of the true fitness fanatics who have slogged their way up into the Teide Caldera and seem intent on breaking the world speed record on the downhill return trip!

[Lancsbreaker]

I take it you were a little bored this afternoon, Mike ?.......took me ages to find the Plum Pudding thread buried amongst all the new threads

[grantp]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Blimey someone got out of bed the wrong side! Think we need to change Grant's screen name to Grum P

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

Not really Max.

But in a 25 minute journey home I encountered a number of remarkably thoughtless activities from people one would expect to be thoughtful.

And the chap on the hill in the commuter traffic probably had no appreciation at all that oncoming traffic would find it very difficult to see him for a number of different reasons. But that was a few weeks ago...

Yesterday was the turn of an idiotic Audi driver.

In the new M1 South lane off the A50 junction near us he wanted me to brake or move over to let him into the LH lane - but far too late for that to be an option. So he cut up the van behind me, overtook in a 50 limit at about 80 (I was not dawdling) carved between two other cars, jumped a red light onto the M1 J24 roundabout and appeared to be heading off towards the Kegworth exit - suggesting that he knew all along that he had been in the wrong lane.

There really was not that much traffic about at the time so the entire exercise seemed to be very unnecessary.

However I'm not averse to a new nickname if you wish to allocate one!



A long time ago I was travelling south out of Leicester with my parents on a wide road and quiet traffic compared to what we see today, when a chap in an Austin A50 van overtook at some speed. 40mph and residential area either side of the road. He also passed the car in front of us and then darted in to avoid a pedestrian refuge in the middle of the road. There were several along that stretch at the time.

He lost control of the van, had a major tank slapper, missed the refuge and hit a lamp post head on in the centre line of the bonnet. The van spun 90 degrees around the lamp post onto the grass verge. No seatbelt. You can imagine that it was not a good outcome.

Apparently he had just left a wedding reception.

My father attended the inquest as a witness.


The Audi driver actions yesterday seemed oddly reminiscent of that incident in some ways.

As for the others on Boxing day ... I would guess they would be the first to complain if one of them had sustained some sort of injury due their own actions. I bet all of them were drivers but with brains turned off on the day.

It just annoyed me that the runners were so self absorbed that they seemed not to recognise that moving 3 ft to their right for a few seconds would make things more reasonable for other road users as well as add to their own safety.

Maybe it's just a sign of the times ...

At least they were not wearing any hi-viz gear ...

[bauble]

In the new M1 South lane off the A50 junction near us he wanted me to brake or move over to let him into the LH lane - but far too late for that to be an option. So he cut up the van behind me, overtook in a 50 limit at about 80 (I was not dawdling) carved between two other cars, jumped a red light onto the M1 J24 roundabout and appeared to be heading off towards the Kegworth exit - suggesting that he knew all along that he had been in the wrong lane.

I was in a hurry, Grant.

[bauble]

Seriously Grant, you are quite right, there are some idiots on the road, but also some 'killers'. Over the years I have come across slow moving cars, that when you start to overtake will deliberately speed up and force you to the centre/left of the road, even in the face of oncoming traffic. One could easily get past and back in time safely when starting the manoeuvre but there is something in some peoples mentality that objects to being overtaken, and are willing to kill to stop it happening. Sadly in a life that has spent a lot of time travelling around the country, it has not been 'the odd occasion', but more frequent than I care to remember.


Mr Safe Driver.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by bauble

In the new M1 South lane off the A50 junction near us he wanted me to brake or move over to let him into the LH lane - but far too late for that to be an option. So he cut up the van behind me, overtook in a 50 limit at about 80 (I was not dawdling) carved between two other cars, jumped a red light onto the M1 J24 roundabout and appeared to be heading off towards the Kegworth exit - suggesting that he knew all along that he had been in the wrong lane.

I was in a hurry, Grant.

Hehe.

Can't have been you Bob. There was a car in front of me, as we approached the roundabout's traffic lights, that was indicating to move to a right hand lane. The Audi passed it at speed on the right whereas I am sure you would have cut back and taken it on the left.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by bauble

Seriously Grant, you are quite right, there are some idiots on the road, but also some 'killers'. Over the years I have come across slow moving cars, that when you start to overtake will deliberately speed up and force you to the centre/left of the road, even in the face of oncoming traffic. One could easily get past and back in time safely when starting the manoeuvre but there is something in some peoples mentality that objects to being overtaken, and are willing to kill to stop it happening. Sadly in a life that has spent a lot of time travelling around the country, it has not been 'the odd occasion', but more frequent than I care to remember.


Mr Safe Driver.

Indeed.

These days the traffic density and various obstacles put in place by the councils mostly seems to make overtaking rather difficult and potentially pointless.

Certainly there seem to be very few practitioners of the art and fewer who seem able to do it with decent levels of skill.

I have yet to hear of an electronic driver aid that sets out to make "good progress" but there seem to be several that are intent in keeping one's relatively powerful personal transport device sitting in line a "safe" distance from whatever is in front without the driver having to think about anything much.

People deploying such technology might just be the cause of congestion rather than a solution for accident avoidance but maintained traffic flow. I wonder if anyone has undertaken any research into such matters?

[GORDON STREETER]

Over the last few years they have been making a new "paseo" along the seafront down here in Mojacar that is gradually getting longer.
Now in their wisdom they decided to put a cycle track right next to this walkway that (at the moment) is probably a couple or so miles long.
The cycle track is on the inside right next to the restaurants and bars that overlook the sea and so you have to cross the cycle track to gain access.
This would not be so bad if the cyclist were slowly riding along taking in the sea air and sun as most tend to do. however it's not unusual for a few of the lyca brigade to come along there at 30+mph when someone is just stepping out of the said establishments above and the inevitable will and does happen. Ok we know to look both ways, but in the holiday season with hundreds of people wandering about possibly on their first time here and sampling a few "San Miguels" it's an accident waiting to happen ! The cycle track is on the left of the picture.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

This would not be so bad if the cyclist were slowly riding along taking in the sea air and sun as most tend to do. however it's not unusual for a few of the lyca brigade to come along there at 30+mph when someone is just stepping out of the said establishments above and the inevitable will and does happen.

Do they have any regulations for electric bikes Gordon?

I could just imagine all sort of cyclists haring along at 20 or so mph (well, obviously not in Spain since it would kph .... ) as and when the e-bike market really takes off.

Should be fun.

Maybe the cafes and bars could have some sort of protective barrier that opens across the cycle path when people leave an establishment.

[GORDON STREETER]

This picture doesn't show the bars and restaurants tight to the track at this part, and when I say tight I mean just step out the door and you put your foot on it !
I have seen "leccy" bikes tearing down there and when did you ever see a Spaniard that took any notice of any laws ?

[GORDON STREETER]

This will give a better idea, the track is next to the tables in this photo sorry about the blue sky, well it is winter down here

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

when I say tight I mean just step out the door and you put your foot on it !

Glad to hear you're living in an area hosting many dogs!

[Gerard C]

Hi, E.B! See you're an early bird… You will reach the new year before us, could you please send fresh news of what will happen then? Cheers!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

I take it you were a little bored this afternoon, Mike ?.......took me ages to find the Plum Pudding thread buried amongst all the new threads

It’s that time of the year, I’m afraid. Best the calendar ready before this season actually starts!

I made a couple of threads sticky, but most regulars know what’s going on and how to resurrect any buried thread.....

[Mike Bell]

'Analysis of Department for Traffic data' comes up with the obvious...…

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/...cid=spartandhp

[Mike Bell]

Anyone that has access to the Beeb iPlayer and is interested in drones, check out their tech prog 'Click Live'. About 13.5 minutes it features a 'virtual magician' with performing drones on stage. It's fascinating... (Well, it was to me )

[Willmaz223]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Anyone that has access to the Beeb iPlayer and is interested in drones, check out their tech prog 'Click Live'. About 13.5 minutes it features a 'virtual magician' with performing drones on stage. It's fascinating... (Well, it was to me )

Its my dads favourite,hour after hour of it being on,they sometimes like the gadget show do something related to motorsport (then I watch).
Hate all this signing on stuff for the BBC and All4 etc!