BBC Challenge.

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Apologies if this has already been posted. Google is a bit behind. Simon

news.bbc.co.uk3159220.stmOpen ↗

Well, I thought that was pretty good! The beeb actually managed to recruit a good advocate for
'our' cause.

Rich

I spotted that one. the cut in journey length really impressed me. I wonder how many people could
do that...

"Richard Goodman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Apologies if this has already been posted. Google is a bit behind. Simon

news.bbc.co.uk3159220.stmOpen ↗

Well, I thought that was pretty good! The beeb actually managed to

recruit

Quoted message said:

a good advocate for 'our' cause.

Rich

On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 14:30:01 GMT someone who may be "Richard Goodman" <[email hidden]>
wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

news.bbc.co.uk3159220.stmOpen ↗

Well, I thought that was pretty good! The beeb actually managed to recruit a good advocate for
'our' cause.

They seem to be ignoring a lot of comments in favour of cycling though.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

David Wilson said:

I spotted that one. the cut in journey length really impressed me. I wonder how many people could
do that...

Not possible here...the shortest route for me is virtually a straight line, and includes the
A419/A3102 roundabout which has been recognised by the DfT as virtually impassable for cyclists
(it's being rebuilt soon to give the A419 traffic, heading for the M4, a flyover and make the
roundabout below a bit safer). After that there's a nasty bit of dual carriageway where cars jostle
for position and turn left across you (at least that's where the new hospital is if they get it
wrong). There's half a mile of well-surfaced cycle path after the hospital which is fine unless the
M4 Van Centre are using it as a parking lot. Then there's a climb up Marlborough Road [1], which
used to be reasonable until the council built a load of idiotic traffic islands to squeeze us out,
then a rather exposed left turn onto Pipers roundabout using the second of four lanes (cars often
incorrectly use the leftmost lane intended for Burmah Castrol's office and overtake you on both
sides), then a sweeping downhill with a 40mph limit...where you need to ride as fast as humanly
possible because it's not eminently suitable for overtaking.

The quiet(er) alternative gets you to the bottom of Marlborough Road with about a mile extra riding,
but also involves starting the day with a 1:6 climb on cold legs followed by several other short
sharp hills. The main road route is virtually flat.

[1] there is a cycle path alternative...it's one of those "let's save money and just make it
legal for them to use the pavement" types. There are parked cars all over it, people are
constantly reversing out of their drives and there are two side roads to cross. No thanks,
it's safer on the road!

Roger

Simon Mason said:

Apologies if this has already been posted. Google is a bit behind. Simon

news.bbc.co.uk3159220.stmOpen ↗

Thanks for posting that - if it has been posted before then I've missed it.

An interesting read - much of his commute covers the same path as mine, and I've actually seen him a
few times.

"Richard Goodman" <[email hidden]> wrote:

| "Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
| "]news:[email hidden]...
| > Apologies if this has already been posted. Google is a bit behind. Simon
| >
| > news.bbc.co.uk3159220.stmOpen ↗
|
| Well, I thought that was pretty good! The beeb actually managed to recruit a good advocate for
| 'our' cause.

Although I would have prefered someone in London finding that it's quicker than the Tube or by bus.
12 miles each way is out the reach of most not-yet-fit people. I suppose I'm saying you can promote
cycling without entailing the bulging-thighs-in-Lycra image, and that that would reach many more
possible cyclists.

--
Patrick Herring, Sheffield, UK anweald.co.ukanweald.co.ukOpen ↗

"Patrick Herring" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Although I would have prefered someone in London finding that it's quicker than the Tube or by
bus. 12 miles each way is out the reach of most not-yet-fit people. I suppose I'm saying you can
promote cycling without entailing the bulging-thighs-in-Lycra image, and that that would reach
many more possible cyclists.

I thought that showing a grey-haired wrinkly actually enjoying a 12 mile commute was a pretty
effective way of challenging the wimps with a three mile journey. If he can do it, with an above
average commuting distance, then most people can do it.

I also noticed that today's version, train and bus, was voted thumbs down - mainly due to the bus
aspect. Messrs. Brompton could clearly improve that process.

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
chapmancentral.comchapmancentral.comOpen ↗

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

news.bbc.co.uk3159220.stmOpen ↗

The rail-and-bus merchant is here: news.bbc.co.uk3118668.stmOpen ↗

And some clever-[censored] has sugegsted he bypass the bus and get himself a Brompton ;-)

--
Guy My other .sig is amusing

Just zis Guy said:

The rail-and-bus merchant is here: news.bbc.co.uk3118668.stmOpen ↗

And some clever-[censored] has sugegsted he bypass the bus and get himself a Brompton ;-)

Yeah, somebody called Guy Chapman was suggesting that on the BBC website. Must be another Guy
Chapman though because the one I know would not be seen dead recommending a bicycle from the
light side ;-).

Tony

In article said:

Just zis Guy said:

The rail-and-bus merchant is here: news.bbc.co.uk3118668.stmOpen ↗

And some clever-[censored] has sugegsted he bypass the bus and get himself a Brompton ;-)

Yeah, somebody called Guy Chapman was suggesting that on the BBC website. Must be another Guy
Chapman though because the one I know would not be seen dead recommending a bicycle from the light
side ;-).

What would he recommend as a folding dark side bike suitable for taking on the train then?

"Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote:

| "Patrick Herring" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
| "]news:[email hidden]...
|
| > Although I would have prefered someone in London finding that it's quicker than the Tube or by
| > bus. 12 miles each way is out the reach of most not-yet-fit people. I suppose I'm saying you can
| > promote cycling without entailing the bulging-thighs-in-Lycra image, and that that would reach
| > many more possible cyclists.
|
| I thought that showing a grey-haired wrinkly actually enjoying a 12 mile commute was a pretty
| effective way of challenging the wimps with a three mile journey. If he can do it, with an above
| average commuting distance, then most people can do it.

He may have been grey-haired but he didn't look much of a wrinkly. I suppose you're right about the
"if he can do it" motivation, but there's no particular need to encourage the "are you a wimp?"
feeling. You can commute effectively by bike whilst still being a wimp - it really is that easy:
that's the message I wish would get put across.

| I also noticed that today's version, train and bus, was voted thumbs down - mainly due to the bus
| aspect. Messrs. Brompton could clearly improve that process.

Yes, rather significant. Liked your contribution to the "Have your say".

--
Patrick Herring, Sheffield, UK anweald.co.ukanweald.co.ukOpen ↗

Alan Braggins said:

What would he recommend as a folding dark side bike suitable for taking on the train then?

A bent Brompton naturally ;-) bikefix.co.ukp brompton recumbent.htmlOpen ↗

Tony

--
"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." Mark Twain

Colin Blackburn said:

Quoted message said:

A bent Brompton naturally ;-) bikefix.co.ukp brompton recumbent.htmlOpen ↗

Any idea of the cost?

Brompton plus £500 I think - cheap for a bent ;-)

You are supposed to be able to convert between the two quite easily. Talk to Bikefix in London

Tony

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Just Zis Guy
I thought that showing a grey-haired wrinkly actually enjoying a 12 mile commute was a pretty
effective way of challenging the wimps with a three mile journey. If he can do it, with an above
average commuting distance, then most people can do it.

If ever there was a back-handed compliment............

:p

Tony Raven said:

Alan Braggins said:

What would he recommend as a folding dark side bike suitable for taking on the train then?

A bent Brompton naturally ;-) bikefix.co.ukp brompton recumbent.htmlOpen ↗

Any idea of the cost?

Colin

[email hidden] (Alan Braggins) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, Tony Raven wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Yeah, somebody called Guy Chapman was suggesting that on the BBC website. Must be another Guy
Chapman though because the one I know would not be seen dead recommending a bicycle from the
light side ;-).

Quoted message said:

What would he recommend as a folding dark side bike suitable for taking on the train then?

Err... how about a Brompton? ihpva.orgconKitOpen ↗

--
Dave...

"SteveClarke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I thought that showing a grey-haired wrinkly actually enjoying a 12

mile

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

commute was a pretty effective way of challenging the wimps with a

three

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

mile journey. If he can do it, with an above average commuting

distance,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

then most people can do it.

Quoted message said:

If ever there was a back-handed compliment............

I am a paid-up card-carrying grey-haired wrinkly myself.

OK, maybe "crumbly" was the better word.

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
chapmancentral.comchapmancentral.comOpen ↗

SteveClarke said:

Just Zis Guy said:

I thought that showing a grey-haired wrinkly actually enjoying a 12 mile commute was a pretty
effective way of challenging the wimps with a three mile journey. If he can do it, with an
above average commuting distance, then most people can do it.

If ever there was a back-handed compliment............

I think on urc, 'grey-haired wrinkly' is about the highest state of being that anyone could aspire
to. I'm working on it myself, although there's a risk of going directly to bald git. Assuming you
are _the_ Steve Clarke, congratulations!

James