And he couldn't rant himself?

Probably by opening the phone book (assuming you had your name published in the Press Gazette).

Apparently not. He took issue with my statement that bikes belong on the roads, not the sidewalks. He said that with our drivers, being on the road was like painting a big target on your back. My opinion (which I'm too lazy to hunt him down and give him) is that if the cyclists got their butts on the road where they belong, cars would learn to cope with them. The way it is now, I'm sure more than half the drivers in GB think bikes are RESTRICTED to the sidewalks, because that's where everyone rides. Oh, and he also told me writing to the paper was not enough, I had to go gripe to the 'powers that be' until it changes. Dunno why he doesn't, he apparently bike-commutes on the sidewalks.

Quote:

Probably by opening the phone book (assuming you had your name published in the Press Gazette).

Hmmm, yeah, but I'm not in the Green Bay phone book, and I'm actually listed under my father's name....so unless hunted me down in the Pulaski phone book (in spite of my Seymour mailing address) and unless he randomly sent letters to my uncle as well, he shouldn't have had any idea where to specifically send the letter.

I agree with just about everything you said, but I'm still a little confused about what this guy wants. He thinks that bikes belong on the sidewalks and not on the road, but wants someone to rant about the way bad drivers are a problem on the sidewalks. OK, I get it now, is that clear to everyone else?

:confused:

Nah, basically the focus of the letter is "I'm scared to ride in traffic. Go make the cops stop all the bad drivers first."

Hmmn. :confused: Quiet roads, little traffic. Could it be........

A School holiday?

Dark & grey ride in this morning, but they must have mis-timed the weather as the big rainstorm didn't hit until I was sat at my desk leafing through e-mails and drinking coffee.

Hmmn. :confused: Quiet roads, little traffic. Could it be........

A School holiday?

Dark & grey ride in this morning, but they must have mis-timed the weather - the big rainstorm didn't hit until I was sat at my desk leafing through e-mails and drinking coffee.

Ed

.......Apologies to all for the accidental double posting.....

Well, Ed, up here in the north it was lashing down and as gales are forecast (and I have to cross a bridge which closes to bikes in gales) decided to take the bus.

Morning everyone, Lets see where to start, I left the house, the air was cold and the sky clear, no wind. I started 10 minutes early so the I could take my time and enjoy the sounds of the morning. I rode 3 miles to the post office and dropped the bills in the mail box, Then I rode 2 miles to dunkin doughnuts to pick up a dozen bagels for the morning break at work. After putting the bagels in the panners I rode about 3 miles and ran over a part that had fallen off a truck and got a flat tire in the rear, I thought, no problem I have 2 tubes and 10 extra minutes. I replaced the tube, reinstalled the tire and off I was. I rode 4 miles and ran over another vehicle part and flatted the rear tire again, this time I replaced the tune and again started on myway. I was falling a little behing so I picked up the pace some. I ended up getting to work 10 minutes early, I generally like to arrive about 30 minutes early to change and slow down a bit. So, my relaxing ride turned into a tire fixing class, I did enjoy the whole experiance and am glad I rode in this morning. have a great day all, I need to stop by the LBS for a couple of tubes on the way home. Lesson learned: One spare tube is not enough.

Wow, you still made it in good time Mrfix, even though it was another character bulding trip! Maybe practicing pit stops for flat repairs should be part of the training program!

I had a beautfiul, bright (full moon over the port bow) trip in to work this morning. A little cool (+1 C), slight headwind, the ride seemed too short (just 12km today). No dog or cat encounters today, just a raccoon slowly crossing the street on his way home from a garbage run.

Pinerider, yes it was another character building ride, don't ya just love it? I do think flat repair should be part of your commuter training although I probably wouldn't get so many flats if stayed awake while riding. I seem to keep dosing off and not paying attention to the road. About the character building thing, I've been building a lot lately, I just hate to see winter come. I enjoy riding more in the warm weather.

Today was wet but on the way to work it was a bit hairy because the lanes were covered in leaves which are amazingly slippery, on the way home the council had been busy and swept the roads clean of leaves.

Chewa it was like that last tuesday down here in Wales and I took the car to work, i've had guilty feelings ever since.

I want that weather back for a day I'm not going to let it beat me this time

Weather was relatively warm for this time of year, but I was running late so I took the short way. MONSTER hill though. I made it allmost to the top before I had to get off and walk. This hill has got to be about a bajillion percent grade over about 600 feet. If anyone from Colorado Springs is reading this, I'm talking about the section of Chelton rd. just south of Palmer park blvd. I may be exaggerating a bit, but it is tough on a newbie like me. Love every minute of it though. The ride home was relaxed and casual and I saw more fellow cyclists than I have ever seen before.

Dark. 20 miles.

Slow and painful. My knee hurts.

Morning,

Dark threatening skies again today, but I was lucky again in finding a gap in the showers for the ride to work. However, it is surely only a matter of time... Sorry Chewa, Scotland & the north of England seems to be getting the worst of it at the moment - I'd still prefer to live up there than in the south-east though
Sometimes, really foul weather can be character building, unless it lasts for more than a couple of days.

Cheers,

Ed

Dark, cold and calm, great ride, no flats, looks like I'm on a roll.

Freezing... I had to run back to the house after a mile to get some warmer gloves. My wool socks didn't do much good keeping my feet warm either. I've got to get a warmer outfit. I saw quite a few cyclists this morning, more than usual. Traffic was also much heavier than usual. Overall a nice ride at a comfortable pace, but colder than I expected.

Tim

I know what you mean, but I have a rule that if it's chucking it down before I get on the bike, I take the bus. The first few miles of my commute are a bit exposed (including the Forth Road Bridge), and I'd get soaked very quickly. Also, if I was to wear heavier fully waterproof clothing I'd still be soaked (in sweat) by the time I get to the office. My Gore tex jacket lasts so long then gives up it's attempt to keep me dry in persistent rain.

I just have to fight the pangs of guilt. As it's blowing a gale and raining just now, I'm not having to fight too hard.

Commute was great this morning. Left early for an early meeting. Traffic is still heavy at 5:30 a.m. Weather was perfect, not too cold yet. I had to balance my laptop on my pannier rack so it made for a slow commute. The bungee cords held it firmly to the rack but I was afraid of going too fast with it.

It's been a week and a half since I've ridden to work due to a long pager shift. I feel like I'm starting from scratch again.

The weather's getting worse so it just a matter of getting to work in one piece and not bothering to time myself. today I got soaked on the way to work and hung up my clothes to dry as usual but when I went to fetch them to put them on to go home the were still wet ? , it's not the nicest feeling in the world to put on wet clothes is it.

The ironic thing is that I managed to get home before the rain started again.

Well it was rather wet today, but I managed to dry my clothes at work using a fan.
On the way home I was approaching a mini-roundabout at around 20mph when the car infront started to slow down a bit too early, which resulted in me being a bit too eager with the brakes! Which resulted in the rear wheel slipping from under me (wet road). Luckily I loosend my grip on the back brake and I managed to regain control of the bike. Phew!
Didn't hit the car infront either.

Left a bit earlier than usual. Chilly (for San Jose). Dark. Cloudy. I am tired from a monster MTB ride over weekend and yesterday's 20-miler. Still, managed the 20 miles OK. Just learned that I'll be doing 13 unplanned miles tonight. I need a break !!!

Knee injury has now disappeared completely. I'm gonna have a BIG headwind tonight though, so I hope I'm not speaking too soon.

Did the 13-mile ride to meet my wife and kids. Unexpected ride. I'm tired. Tomorrow's a down day, except for a basketball game.

Really good ride today. It was cold but dry and sunny - my favourite Autumn weather. They are threatening high winds and showers for later though, so I could be in for a treat

Cheers,
Ed