I often see local police target cyclists for cycling without lights, driving on pavements, cycling through red lights e.t.c. All very laudable – especially cycling without lights. But, (with the odd exception) the 3,000 deaths are on British roads are not actually caused by bad cycling. It seems bad motoring practises go unpunished everyday.

But, I could see what was behind me by looking in the mirrors….

So it’s nice to hear this story on BBC, about a small clampdown  on motorists. A quick police operation soon caught many motorists practising various infringements – from driving whilst reading a clipboard to driving with bonnet up! Would be funny if not actually very dangerous. (BBC Link – woman caught with bonnet up)

So with eager anticipation, I look forward to the Oxford police clamping down on motorists who:

• Drive with mobile phones.
• Pass cyclists with no consideration – too close
• Exceed speed limit and drive too fast for circumstances.

£50 fine for every infringement and the crackdown would more than pay for itself. We might even get much better road manners so  people can use roads without too many near death experiences. Well, we can always hope…

Often Short cycle paths are the butt of jokes – see this ridiculous example. They look like they have been painted into the road in order to meet some imaginary government target for increasing the number of bike lanes. Often these bike lanes are so short, it is doubtful whether you could actually get a tandem on the lane before it mysteriously disappears. See also this crazy bike lanes

I’ve done my fair share of making jokes at short bike paths, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a short bike lane installed and it made a significant  difference to my daily commute.

Basically, this used to be a wall. There was no short cut to avoid the lights ahead. It is a four way light, and often a two minute wait. They created a gap in the wall and a short bike path. This allows you to filter left and avoid the traffic lights.

A simple bike lane, but, of practical use. This junction has a high % of people who used to ride on pavement because of long wait. (I always seem to see drivers on their mobile phone at this junction, but, that’s another post)

Bad Cycle Lanes

Good cycle paths

Today, the World Harmony Run came through Oxford. Some of the runners were staying at my house last night so I went to take a few photos as they ran through Oxford.

The Global Harmony Run  will be completing 56,000 Kilometres during 2010 as it passes through over 100 countries. The European leg, started in Dublin in February and will be finishing in Moscow in later in the year.

It’s quite an achievement to run so many miles, staying somewhere different each night. The Run was founded by peace philosopher Sri Chinmoy in 1987 as a means to promote international friendship and peace.

All Souls and Bikes

Look No Hands

Riding no hands is a good way to tell if your frame is wobbly.

It’s actually easier to ride without hands if you are doing a decent speed. A bike is more stable at higher speeds than very slow speeds.

Once you’ve mastered riding with no hands try take off a waterproof jacket and put in back pocket whilst simultaneously swerving around potholes.

Another view of Radcliffe Camera

I hope when I’m an old man, (in roughly 65 years or so….) I hope that

• I won’t be a grumpy old man
• I’ll still be riding my bike.
• I will still be racing a bike.

Many people who do time trials are ‘Vets’ – people over 40. In fact I know of many riders who don’t start until they are a Vet. It’s often surprising how quick people can still be on bike, even into their 60s and 70s.

Cycling and smoking a pipe. Reminds me of the great Norman Maggs smoking a pipe during a 24 hour time trial

If you’re going to ride for 24 hours, you might as well enjoy it…

I bought this bike before you were born

John Woodburn still racing (aged 73 I think now)

Related

• Cycling into old age

Returning from Race

This was a good weekend for cycling. Firstly, the temperature crept into double figures (10 degrees) in the first time for what seems like ages. Double digit temperatures mean racing in shorts, and the annual ritual of shaving the legs the night before.

The course was shortened from 10 miles to about 8 miles after some road works appeared in the middle of Woolhampton. There was a bit of breeze but, after about 10 years of riding over humps, holes and divots, the A4 has finally  been resurfaced. You can’t a lovely smooth bit of fresh tarmac – especially after all the potholes in the road elsewhere. Before my speedometer packed in half way, I was averaging around 29mph. I finished in first place with a time of 17.13. Second place was Steve Golla (Specialised, Sigma) and I think third place was Justyn Cannon (RAF CC) or Jesse Elizinga (Beeline Cycles)

Rebecca Romero on right, riding back after race

First women was Olympic pursuit gold medallist Rebecca Romero. After the UCI decided to scrap the 4KM Pursuit (btw see previous post for what I think on decision to remove individual track pursuit from Olympics) Rebecca is now aiming for the individual Time Trial for London in 2012. Given her athletic pedigree, she has a very good chance. I’d love to see her do well. It’s certainly inspiring to be in same race as Olympic hopefuls.

Cycling over cobbles, but Paris-Roubaix it isn't!

~

Three helmeted riders

Warm Ears in style

Also warm ears but can he see where he’s going?

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(Why do I do these early season races again?)

Last Sunday morning was my second race of the season – Banbury Star CC 23 mile hard rider event.

The course was undulating with a sharp 16% twisty climb in the middle. On the way out, you descend the rather tricky descent and on the way back you climb the hill (Edgehill) just when your legs are pretty tired anyway.

I took these photos after finish line. – Hence the smile.

I finished second in a time of 54.31. The event was won by James Wall in a very good time of 52.49.

I started my ‘warm up’ 45 mins before start. It was so cold after 15 mins I returned to car and put on a third pair of gloves, turned the engine on and defrosted my feet under the car’s heater. The car thermometer said outside -1. It’s not exactly Siberia. But, it’s not much fun when you have Reynaulds disease (poor circulation in hands and feet). All I can say is I’m glad I didn’t puncture in the middle of no man’s land….

Brave tandem pair

There were plenty of marshalls on the course with red flags warning you of obstacles like the tricky descent and random road furniture that seems to be all the rage these days. I ended up taking the descent quite slowly as I didn’t know it very well.

I was very pleased to come away with £70. – £50 for second and £20 for the fastest time up Edgehill 3.38. Many Thanks to the sponsor Tuffnells and Willoughby Cafe, run by a local Banbury Star CC member, and Banbury Star CC.

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Just a few photos courtesy of One Happy Cog, on Flickr

A fixed tourer by Nicasso reservoir. Nice shiny silver mudguards. Bike looks in great shape. Obviously, they musn’t have 1 in 5 (20%) climbs in California

A misty California morning

Spring is here, – well actually not reallly, this was taken from this time last year.

Since the worst of the weather, in the middle of January, I’ve been training quite hard. In February I completed about 850 miles. I have also started training at race intensity. Last year, I didn’t start until March or April. But, this year, I was getting bored of just doing long miles so I started doing what I like best, which is training hard, especially riding up hills.

This week’s Training

• Sat 80 miles – mostly steady averaging 18mph pushing hard on two climbs around Vale of White horse, and Lambourne
• Sun – 45 minutes on turbo to help legs recover after Saturday’s hard ride.
• Mon – no cycling
• Tues – 70 miles around Chilterns, averaging about 19mph – Bledlow Ridge, Stokenchurch. There’s about 7 long climbs on this ride, I’m basically zigzagging up and down Bledlow Ridge. The climbs are often quite long up to 2 or 3 miles and not too steep. It was a great ride, with some of the best weather this year. Also, some of these very quiet country lanes were completely deserted in the middle of the day. You were as likely to come across a dog walker as a car. Cycling heaven! It was the first time, I felt really fit.
• Wed – 25 miles averaging 15.5. My legs were really tired from the previous day, so I just plodded around a local chaingang circuit, barely managing to average 16mph
• Thurs- Planning to do about 40-50 miles fairly fast, but no intervals
• Friday – Rest
• Sat – 30 miles steady
• Sun – 25 mile Race.

The previous week, I had a few rides were I just felt really slow, I had set an ambitious plan, but, I didn’t have the legs. Sometimes, I feel quite slow, but, other times I felt really good. Especially, at this time of the year, I don’t worry about this kind of inconsistency. In fact it is good to have alternating sessions. Hard, recovery, hard, recovery e.t.c.

Related

• Winter cycle Training