Thoughts from above the bridge

Velvet <[email hidden]> wrote:

: I know I can certainly live without reading another h*lmet thread for a
: good few months, so I'm going to do something I probably should have
: done sooner, and killfile all posts relating to helmets.

Funnily enough, I've just done that as well.

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

Arthur Clune said:

Velvet <[email hidden]> wrote:

: I know I can certainly live without reading another h*lmet thread for a
: good few months, so I'm going to do something I probably should have
: done sooner, and killfile all posts relating to helmets.

Funnily enough, I've just done that as well.

thing is there is little traffic on any other subject at the moment.
Time of the year I guess.

MSeries said:

Arthur Clune said:

Velvet <[email hidden]> wrote:

: I know I can certainly live without reading another h*lmet thread
for a : good few months, so I'm going to do something I probably
should have : done sooner, and killfile all posts relating to helmets.

Funnily enough, I've just done that as well.

thing is there is little traffic on any other subject at the moment.
Time of the year I guess.

Maybe. I know fair weather cyclists like me aren't out, and to be
honest I'm not even on the bike indoors, despite having the gubbins to
do it. Work's so hectic that exercise is the last thing I want to do
when I'm already mentally (and sometimes physically) tired at the end of
the day. I always feel better for doing it, but it's just surmounting
that 'but I just don't have the energy' bit that's the problem.

And thus, when I *do* get the time to read the group, I actually find
there's little that I can relate to (cycling in the cold/rain/snow) or
contribute with.

But regardless, if the alternative to talking about cycling is going
over the same ground repeatedly then I'd rather live with a very quiet
group, and maybe that'd spur some chatter on winter-cycling topics.

I'd debated what would be a good topic to discuss along those lines, but
decided it'd just get lost amongst the noise - be suprised if I'm the
only one taking that view (though likewise loads will no doubt disagree!)

--

Velvet

Velvet said:

MSeries said:

Arthur Clune said:

Velvet <[email hidden]> wrote:

: I know I can certainly live without reading another h*lmet thread
for a : good few months, so I'm going to do something I probably
should have : done sooner, and killfile all posts relating to helmets.

Funnily enough, I've just done that as well.

thing is there is little traffic on any other subject at the moment.
Time of the year I guess.

Maybe. I know fair weather cyclists like me aren't out, and to be
honest I'm not even on the bike indoors, despite having the gubbins to
do it. Work's so hectic that exercise is the last thing I want to do
when I'm already mentally (and sometimes physically) tired at the end of
the day. I always feel better for doing it, but it's just surmounting
that 'but I just don't have the energy' bit that's the problem.

I know what you mean. I am fortunate to be able to cycle to work. I
turned down the offer of £35 a month towards a parking space (it would
still cost me anothe £35/month) so I either ride or take the bus.
Cycling is far preferable so I get my fix each day whether I like it or
not. I really enjoy it and my fitness has benefitted no end. I am still
doing weekend rides whilst it is not raining which is hasn't been much
here in Yorkshire. I have rollers but getting togged up and braving the
low temps is preferable these days.

Quoted message said:

And thus, when I *do* get the time to read the group, I actually find
there's little that I can relate to (cycling in the cold/rain/snow) or
contribute with.

I wasn't making a direct criticisim at you BTW V. Just tyring to get the
board to talk about cycling.

Quoted message said:

But regardless, if the alternative to talking about cycling is going
over the same ground repeatedly then I'd rather live with a very quiet
group, and maybe that'd spur some chatter on winter-cycling topics.

I'd debated what would be a good topic to discuss along those lines, but
decided it'd just get lost amongst the noise - be suprised if I'm the
only one taking that view (though likewise loads will no doubt disagree!)

I am inclined to turn my back on the board at these times. I did year
before last, last year however we seemed to survive the winter. Looks
bleak already for this year.

Velvet said:

Work's so hectic that exercise is the last thing I want to do
when I'm already mentally (and sometimes physically) tired at the end of
the day. I always feel better for doing it, but it's just surmounting
that 'but I just don't have the energy' bit that's the problem.

I started cycling again at a particularly stressful time in my work
life. Rather than relieve the stress through the bottle as many succumb
to, I went back to cycling with many benefits. Stress accumulates
adrenaline in the bloodstream which is not good for you. The exercise
burns it off and helps not only reduce stress but also the consequences
of stress. I also found that cycling fairly fast I could not keep up
the level of exertion and think about too much else. As a result it
created a very effective mental buffer zone between work and home.

Fortunately those days are well behind me but I would commend it to
anyone in your situation as a great help.

Tony

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

Quoted message said:

Maybe. I know fair weather cyclists like me aren't out, and to be
honest I'm not even on the bike indoors, despite having the gubbins to
do it. Work's so hectic that exercise is the last thing I want to do
when I'm already mentally (and sometimes physically) tired at the end of
the day. I always feel better for doing it, but it's just surmounting
that 'but I just don't have the energy' bit that's the problem.

Yes, physical exercise will help with the mental tiredness that work is
giving you. You know it works and you know that you're avoiding it, so
beyond saying "Just do it!" I'm not sure what to suggest.

Of course the best way is to be forced to by having a decent length bike
commute!

cheers,
clive

"MSeries" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >

Quoted message said:

I know what you mean. I am fortunate to be able to cycle to work. I turned
down the offer of £35 a month towards a parking space (it would still cost
me anothe £35/month) so I either ride or take the bus. Cycling is far
preferable so I get my fix each day whether I like it or not. I really
enjoy it and my fitness has benefitted no end. I am still doing weekend
rides whilst it is not raining which is hasn't been much here in
Yorkshire. I have rollers but getting togged up and braving the low temps
is preferable these days.

Same here. It's nearly December and I'm still commuting on my summer road
bike. I thought I'd have to hang it up weeks ago and get the hybrid out, but
when I'm on morning shift I get up at 0515 and if I don't hear any rain
outside I know I'll get the road bike out. Only thing is, I hate all of the
docks lorries I've got to put up with.

At least on the hybrid I can commute on off road tracks well away from any
traffic, it's far more relaxing if slower and not as exciting. Still, any
cycling is far preferable to sitting in a car. Rode home yesterday at 1530
along the banks of the Humber to "The Deep". The Sun was just skirting the
horizon and the river was flat calm, it was wonderful to be alive :-)

--
Simon M.

"Clive George" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Yes, physical exercise will help with the mental tiredness that work is
giving you. You know it works and you know that you're avoiding it, so
beyond saying "Just do it!" I'm not sure what to suggest.

Of course the best way is to be forced to by having a decent length bike
commute!

It's tougher for those of us with a car. When I first started commuting 5
years ago, it took a lot of mental toughness to wheel my bike past this nice
car in the drive when it was blowing a gale, snowing and well below zero at
5 am. 25000 miles later and it's become second nature, but it's getting over
the initial hump that is the biggest drawback.

--
Simon M.

Simon Mason said:

"MSeries" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >

Quoted message said:

I know what you mean. I am fortunate to be able to cycle to work. I turned
down the offer of £35 a month towards a parking space (it would still cost
me anothe £35/month) so I either ride or take the bus. Cycling is far
preferable so I get my fix each day whether I like it or not. I really
enjoy it and my fitness has benefitted no end. I am still doing weekend
rides whilst it is not raining which is hasn't been much here in
Yorkshire. I have rollers but getting togged up and braving the low temps
is preferable these days.

Same here. It's nearly December and I'm still commuting on my summer road
bike. I thought I'd have to hang it up weeks ago and get the hybrid out, but
when I'm on morning shift I get up at 0515 and if I don't hear any rain
outside I know I'll get the road bike out. Only thing is, I hate all of the
docks lorries I've got to put up with.

At least on the hybrid I can commute on off road tracks well away from any
traffic, it's far more relaxing if slower and not as exciting. Still, any
cycling is far preferable to sitting in a car. Rode home yesterday at 1530
along the banks of the Humber to "The Deep". The Sun was just skirting the
horizon and the river was flat calm, it was wonderful to be alive :-)

--
Simon M.

My best and second best bikes are in hibernation. I can't be arsed to
keep washing them,so I am on my trusty tourer which is coming of age in
February (will be 18 years old) and still a great bike. I am treating it
to a new saddle, stem, rear brake caliper and may be a new paint job if
I can arrange for it to be off the road for a few weeks. Going to do a
few extra miles tonight to clock up 500 for the month making November my
3rd highest mileage month for 2004. Come on Velvet you know it'll make
you feel better ;-)

Simon Mason said:

"Clive George" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Yes, physical exercise will help with the mental tiredness that work is
giving you. You know it works and you know that you're avoiding it, so
beyond saying "Just do it!" I'm not sure what to suggest.

Of course the best way is to be forced to by having a decent length bike
commute!

It's tougher for those of us with a car. When I first started commuting 5
years ago, it took a lot of mental toughness to wheel my bike past this nice
car in the drive when it was blowing a gale, snowing and well below zero at
5 am. 25000 miles later and it's become second nature, but it's getting over
the initial hump that is the biggest drawback.

--
Simon M.

Indeed thats why I elimimated the car option.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Velvet said:

The recent trolling has made me wonder if we brought it on ourselves.

To what are you referring?

"John Doe" is too dumb to worry about, unless you're attracted like
a Guy^H^Hblowfly to dung. I've killfiled any threads it's in.

As for the international crossposts, does anyone follow the story in
more than one country? It could be a genuine attempt to generate
cross-fertilisation of ideas amongst people who care in different
countries.

--
Nick Kew

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

Quoted message said:

"Clive George" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Yes, physical exercise will help with the mental tiredness that work is
giving you. You know it works and you know that you're avoiding it, so
beyond saying "Just do it!" I'm not sure what to suggest.

Of course the best way is to be forced to by having a decent length bike
commute!

It's tougher for those of us with a car. When I first started commuting 5
years ago, it took a lot of mental toughness to wheel my bike past this

nice

Quoted message said:

car in the drive when it was blowing a gale, snowing and well below zero

at

Quoted message said:

5 am. 25000 miles later and it's become second nature, but it's getting

over

Quoted message said:

the initial hump that is the biggest drawback.

Ahem (looks at big red thing parked outside).

I was actually thinking of the ride home - Velvet says she is tired from
work. But yes, I did have a significant advantage in that I've used my bike
for transport since I was 11. (first school which let people ride in.
Obviously I rode bikes before that...)

cheers,
clive

Following on from Velvet's message. . .

Quoted message said:

I know I can certainly live without reading another h*lmet thread for a
good few months, so I'm going to do something I probably should have
done sooner, and killfile all posts relating to helmets.

But the authoritative refutations were some of the _best posts ever_.
Basically a FAQ on the subject. Hooray!

However now it's time to cold-shoulder the trolls ...
.... otherwise [quake-in-boots] we'll have to unleash the Dereham
Dreadnought and slabbed troll would be a /NASTY/ sight.[1]

[1] For the benefit of John D'oh etc.:
No h*lmet known to man or troll will save you, but a bin liner would be
handy to put your bits in.

--
PETER FOX Not the same since the bridge building business collapsed
[email hidden]
www.eminent.demon.co.uk/wcc.htm Witham Cycling Campaign
www.eminent.demon.co.uk/rides East Anglian Pub cycle rides

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

Quoted message said:

Yes, physical exercise will help with the mental tiredness that work is
giving you. You know it works and you know that you're avoiding it, so
beyond saying "Just do it!" I'm not sure what to suggest.

Just in case this sounded a bit tetchy, can I clarify things by saying it's
not intended to be so!

cheers,
clive

On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 11:02:57 GMT, Velvet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The recent trolling has made me wonder if we brought it on ourselves.
Anyone googling will soon pick up just what a hot topic h*lmets is here,
and trolls instantly realise that's how to get the group stirred up.

The problem is, if the trolls go unanswered then Clueless Newbies
might be sucked into thinking they are right.

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 13:43:43 +0000, Tony Raven <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I started cycling again at a particularly stressful time in my work
life. Rather than relieve the stress through the bottle as many succumb
to, I went back to cycling with many benefits. Stress accumulates
adrenaline in the bloodstream which is not good for you. The exercise
burns it off and helps not only reduce stress but also the consequences
of stress. I also found that cycling fairly fast I could not keep up
the level of exertion and think about too much else. As a result it
created a very effective mental buffer zone between work and home.

Seconded. With loud acclamations.

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

Just zis Guy said:

On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 11:02:57 GMT, Velvet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The recent trolling has made me wonder if we brought it on ourselves.
Anyone googling will soon pick up just what a hot topic h*lmets is here,
and trolls instantly realise that's how to get the group stirred up.

The problem is, if the trolls go unanswered then Clueless Newbies
might be sucked into thinking they are right.

That's where FAQs can be useful. Mention the FAQ, mention the relevant
websites and by all means refute valid points. But, when a guy responds
to over 50 posts in three days with a single word answer, "Troll", and
people still keep responding to him then newbies are more likely to
bugger off than anything else.

Colin

Just zis Guy said:

On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 11:02:57 GMT, Velvet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The recent trolling has made me wonder if we brought it on ourselves.

The problem is, if the trolls go unanswered then Clueless Newbies
might be sucked into thinking they are right.

Probably better to do this in a new and apparently unrelated thread
(like this one). They will only go away if not fed.
At all.

Colin McKenzie

--
The great advantage of not trusting statistics is that
it leaves you free to believe the damned lies instead!

MSeries said:

I wasn't making a direct criticisim at you BTW V. Just tyring to get the
board to talk about cycling.

I know, and I didn't view it as such :-) Just that I think I'm not the
only one similarly-minded, and thought maybe it might stir others out
the woodwork ;-)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But regardless, if the alternative to talking about cycling is going
over the same ground repeatedly then I'd rather live with a very quiet
group, and maybe that'd spur some chatter on winter-cycling topics.

I'd debated what would be a good topic to discuss along those lines,
but decided it'd just get lost amongst the noise - be suprised if I'm
the only one taking that view (though likewise loads will no doubt
disagree!)

I am inclined to turn my back on the board at these times. I did year
before last, last year however we seemed to survive the winter. Looks
bleak already for this year.

--

Velvet