I really like bicycle-specific GPS apps. I use both Bike Hub and Cycle Streets to find new routes between places. They’re not perfect (and sometimes suggest bonkers things like a ride along the Spine Road - a dual carriageway with a 70mph speed limit and no hard shoulder), but for most rides, most of...
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We’ve been away for a long time. But now (cue: drum-roll) it’s back! This week’s photo comes from the Facebook Pages of Flying Pigeon Los Angeles, and features a rather smartly dressed chap riding a sensible bicycle: Now obviously this needs a caption, and for the best entry this week we’ll be giving out another prize...
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I don’t normally hold with look-no-brakes fixed gear riding on public streets. But this, via The Foot Down (and on Twitter via a Splendid Chap In Darlington) is local, quite nicely shot, and just the right length to be interesting rather than tedious: In case you were wondering why I don’t hold with brakeless riding...
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Remember a few days ago, I posted a photo of one of our local police cyclists. Brad questioned the hi-viz that the rider was wearing: What do you think about Hi-viz? Does that deter would-be cyclists who are afraid of looking outlandish? I wonder about that sometimes. So here’s what I think… According to the Highway Code,...
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Yep. That sort of crazy, weird, extreme sport, hunted by psychotic wildlife, messed-up stuff happens to me. Every. Single. Day. Alternatively, your ride might be more civilised, in which case a polystyrene psychotic wildlife deflector might seem a little superfluous: Hat-tip to @Eclair55 on the Twitter for the dangerous wildlife vid & this post’s title!
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You’ve probably seen these speed feedback signs around: They work like this: (n.b. cars generally have drivers in them, unless they’re the driverless robot cars that keep having these “accidents” that get reported in the press) Well how about something similar for your bike? I think it’s displaying the rider’s speed in km/h. I suppose it could be...
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Looking at the bikes that most people ride, you could be forgiven for thinking that the basic design is settled: Two triangles to make up a diamond-shaped frame, drive wheel at the back, steering at the front, rider sits atop the whole structure. Turns out that this shape - the “safety bicycle” design of the 1880s...
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There must be something in the water. Or maybe that picture of Philip Hammond that’s hanging over my desk is starting to have an affect on me. You’ve got to admit, it’s very persuasive, isn’t it: Whatever. Take a look at this: You’d probably think that this is another one in the long list of helmet...
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Number Eleven - the policeman: Hi-viz? Check! Sturdy boots with steel toe-caps? Check! Helmet? Check! Radio and earpiece for receiving instructions from The Matrix? Check! Hand cuffs? Check! Sensible long trousers? Check! Big grin - can’t believe he’s getting paid to ride a bike? Check! OK - so compared with our previous people in everyday clothing, you might think he’s decked out...
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Picture the scene - you’re driving along the motorway at 70 mph when as you crest a hill, you suddenly notice a constellation of red brake lights ahead. There’s been some sort of incident, and the traffic has come to a complete stop. You stand on the brakes and do everything you can to stop...
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This video from Cycle Scotland comes to you via the Twitter account of @SallyHinch: So many children biking to school on such a rainy day. Funny thing is, my own Daughter is actually more likely to bike than walk on rainy days. She reasons that it’s quicker, so she doesn’t get as wet. Just one more...
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I’m not certain, but I think this may be a spoof.
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My fixie’s not the newest of bikes. It’s a mid-1980s Raleigh Record Sprint that I bought second hand in 1989 to replace a stolen bike. There’s quite a thrilling tale of an attempted miscarriage of justice surrounding this purchase, but we’re not going to talk about that today. When I bought it, this bike had...
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On Thursday morning I had a breakfast meeting in Gosforth, so I was driving to work. There’s a stretch of road leading out of Tynemouth where the speed limit is 60mph: I was doing a bit less than this, watching the cyclist in the lay-by… who then rode straight out and diagonally across the road...
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A proper bike with proper handlebars, scenes from Turin, a beautiful summer’s morning, and a great soundtrack. What’s not to love about this? Morning frames from alcinoo on Vimeo.
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Warm September afternoon Light breezes and long shadows This is an Indian summer
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Numbers nine and ten - the old bike & new bike couple: Met this couple when I was out walking the dog on Sunday, and I was immediately drawn to the Velorbis! The details: Him: Pretty uninspired bike… but it’s still a bike? Check! Jeans? Check! Regular trainers with huge green laces? Check! Fleece casually thrown on (it may look...
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Over the last ten weeks or so I’ve hardly ridden a bike. OK, so I’ve probably ridden further every week than most people in the UK do in a whole year, but I’m sure you know what I mean. I’ve been “just too busy*” to ride anything like as often as I’d like. I’ve still...
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You’re probably familiar with the scene - riding alongside a row of parked cars and out far enough to give you at least a chance if a door should open unexpectedly. Behind you is another car, and it sounds like the driver’s getting impatient. The row of parked cars comes to an end, but only...
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Riding home with Daughter last week, I was making like a swan in flight with both my arms out wide. As we turned into our back lane, I looked over my shoulder to see Daughter also managing to ride no-handed. Woo! Way to go, etc! I turned back to watch where I was going,...
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I had a couple of meetings in the centre of Newcastle last Friday. I rode in on the Pashley, which now has a set of vast pannier bags fixed to the rear rack - for security, they’re cable-tied in place. Anyway, I chose the bike racks on the Central Station’s platform as a suitable place...
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