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Main
Date: 09 Sep 2007 10:27:55
From: Sophie
Subject: Road training
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Hi there,
I wondered if anyone could tell me where I can get training to ride my cycle
on the road? This may sounds like a silly question but it's been years
since I've used my bike and I want to start using it as transport to and
from work. The problem is I don't drive so I don't know things about where
to place myself when coming up to a roundabout etc.
Can anyone advise please?
I live in NE Lincs.
Many thanks.
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Date: 10 Sep 2007 09:11:09
From:
Subject: Re: Road training
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On Sep 9, 11:27 am, "Sophie" <sophie.cus...@ntlworld.com > wrote:
> Hi there,
> I wondered if anyone could tell me where I can get training to ride my cycle
> on the road? This may sounds like a silly question but it's been years
> since I've used my bike and I want to start using it as transport to and
> from work. The problem is I don't drive so I don't know things about where
> to place myself when coming up to a roundabout etc.
>
> Can anyone advise please?
> I live in NE Lincs.
Sophie, what used to be called cycling proficiency has now been
redrafted as National Standard Cycle Training and is now well founded
and sensibly specified. See here http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3529
for onward links with details and contact lists. Incidentally, it is
in line with all of the other advice you have already received (except
possibly the helmet issue which is best avoided on usenet, google will
show you why). It would be worth buying or borrowing CycleCraft by
John Franklin www.cyclecraft.co.uk/
If you like usenet then uk.rec.cycling will provide more local
knowledge
best wishes
james
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 20:26:57
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Road training
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On Sep 9, 1:33 pm, frkry...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Sep 9, 10:16 am, "Jim Flom" <jim.flomREM...@telus.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > > Get a h*lmet. There are two kinds of cyclists: those who have crashed and
> > > those who will crash.
>
> Oh good grief. There are also the same two types of walkers, joggers,
> ice skaters, roller skaters, sled riders...
>
> If you're spreading fear, there are lots more places to spread it than
> the bicycling community.
JAUNTY CAPS JAUNTY CAPS JAUNTY CAPS!
(foam domes aren't a bad thing for beginners, if they wear them
properly--which is exceedingly rare...just get a JAUNTY CAP and be
done with it.)
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 18:36:42
From:
Subject: Re: Road training
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On Sep 9, 6:27 am, "Sophie" <sophie.cus...@ntlworld.com > wrote:
> Hi there,
> I wondered if anyone could tell me where I can get training to ride my cycle
> on the road? This may sounds like a silly question but it's been years
> since I've used my bike and I want to start using it as transport to and
> from work. The problem is I don't drive so I don't know things about where
> to place myself when coming up to a roundabout etc.
>
> Can anyone advise please?
> I live in NE Lincs.
>
> Many thanks.
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm is one of the best
brief, online sources of information.
http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/training.html is a renowned expert in
Britain.
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/SafetySkills/index.html has some articles
you may like.
- Frank Krygowski
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 18:33:51
From:
Subject: Re: Road training
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On Sep 9, 10:16 am, "Jim Flom" <jim.flomREM...@telus.net > wrote:
>
> > Get a h*lmet. There are two kinds of cyclists: those who have crashed and
> > those who will crash.
Oh good grief. There are also the same two types of walkers, joggers,
ice skaters, roller skaters, sled riders...
If you're spreading fear, there are lots more places to spread it than
the bicycling community.
- Frank Krygowski
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 18:27:03
From: Mike Kruger
Subject: Re: Road training
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Sophie wrote:
> Hi there,
> I wondered if anyone could tell me where I can get training to ride
> my cycle on the road? This may sounds like a silly question but it's
> been years since I've used my bike and I want to start using it as
> transport to and from work. The problem is I don't drive so I don't
> know things about where to place myself when coming up to a
> roundabout etc.
> Can anyone advise please?
> I live in NE Lincs.
>
> Many thanks.
You'd be a good candidate for an effective cycling course. I think this was
originally developed by John Forester, and that John and the League of
American Bicyclists have parted ways, but there's a lot of good stuff in
these classes about road riding.
http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/
http://www.johnforester.com/Articles/education.htm
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 14:02:59
From: Jim Flom
Subject: Re: Road training
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"Sophie" <sophie.cussen@ntlworld.com > wrote in message
news:LUPEi.6204$gA6.4664@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> Hi there,
> I wondered if anyone could tell me where I can get training to ride my
> cycle on the road? This may sounds like a silly question but it's been
> years since I've used my bike and I want to start using it as transport to
> and from work. The problem is I don't drive so I don't know things about
> where to place myself when coming up to a roundabout etc.
>
> Can anyone advise please?
> I live in NE Lincs.
>
> Many thanks.
This will have some helpful info, Sophie:
http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html
And if NE Lincs is Northeast Lincolnshire, UK, you'll find this helpful:
http://www.nelincs.gov.uk/transportstreets/cycling/
--
JF, SW BC (Southwest British Columbia, Canada)
http://velominator.spaces.live.com/
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 14:12:34
From: Jim Flom
Subject: Re: Road training
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"Jim Flom" <jim.flomREMOVE@telus.net > wrote...
> This will have some helpful info, Sophie:
> http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html
>
> And if NE Lincs is Northeast Lincolnshire, UK, you'll find this helpful:
> http://www.nelincs.gov.uk/transportstreets/cycling/
As far as coming up to a roundabout and so forth, as you gain experience
you'll learn that there are times when it's necessary to "take the lane."
The temptation is often to get as far right as possible so that cars can
squeeze past. But it's not safe, and there's often too much crud on the
road to navigate turns (or even straights) safely. Positioning yourself
nearly in the middle of the lane at times lets people know not to pass you
(at least it's supposed to -- sometimes you have to put a hand out).
The Pennsylvania Bicycle Driver's manual seems to have been written by real
cyclists and is very helpful.
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BIKE/WEB/safety.htm
Get a h*lmet. There are two kinds of cyclists: those who have crashed and
those who will crash. Take heart. You'll be okay.
--
JF
http://velominator.spaces.live.com/
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Date: 10 Sep 2007 00:20:40
From: Aeek
Subject: Re: Road training
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On Sun, 09 Sep 2007 14:12:34 GMT, "Jim Flom"
<jim.flomREMOVE@telus.net > wrote:
>As far as coming up to a roundabout and so forth, as you gain experience
>you'll learn that there are times when it's necessary to "take the lane."
>The temptation is often to get as far right as possible so that cars can
>squeeze past. But it's not safe, and there's often too much crud on the
>road to navigate turns (or even straights) safely. Positioning yourself
>nearly in the middle of the lane at times lets people know not to pass you
>(at least it's supposed to -- sometimes you have to put a hand out).
good advice, just remember to translate right to left (assuming that
Brits still drive on the left)
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 14:27:56
From: Jim Flom
Subject: Re: Road training
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"Aeek" <aeeeeeek@tpg.com.au > wrote in message
news:o308e3tcu58vlfmper11lrgf5rlek73b4k@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 09 Sep 2007 14:12:34 GMT, "Jim Flom"
> <jim.flomREMOVE@telus.net> wrote:
>
>>As far as coming up to a roundabout and so forth, as you gain experience
>>you'll learn that there are times when it's necessary to "take the lane."
>>The temptation is often to get as far right as possible so that cars can
>>squeeze past. But it's not safe, and there's often too much crud on the
>>road to navigate turns (or even straights) safely. Positioning yourself
>>nearly in the middle of the lane at times lets people know not to pass you
>>(at least it's supposed to -- sometimes you have to put a hand out).
>
> good advice, just remember to translate right to left (assuming that
> Brits still drive on the left)
And here I thought I made the post side-of-the-road neutral for just that
reason. I see there was one "right" that sneaked -- or snuck if you're
Canadian -- in there.
--
JF
http://velominator.spaces.live.com/
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 18:18:08
From: Sophie
Subject: Re: Road training
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Thanks ever so much for these links. And yes...we do still drive on the left
hand side, but I knew what you meant! All I've to do now is get my energy
levels up! I rode my bike this morning and completely knackered myself! I
only did 1mile for god sake lol!!!
"Jim Flom" <jim.flomREMOVE@telus.net > wrote in message
news:MpTEi.25319$bO6.2908@edtnps89...
> "Aeek" <aeeeeeek@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
> news:o308e3tcu58vlfmper11lrgf5rlek73b4k@4ax.com...
>> On Sun, 09 Sep 2007 14:12:34 GMT, "Jim Flom"
>> <jim.flomREMOVE@telus.net> wrote:
>>
>>>As far as coming up to a roundabout and so forth, as you gain experience
>>>you'll learn that there are times when it's necessary to "take the lane."
>>>The temptation is often to get as far right as possible so that cars can
>>>squeeze past. But it's not safe, and there's often too much crud on the
>>>road to navigate turns (or even straights) safely. Positioning yourself
>>>nearly in the middle of the lane at times lets people know not to pass
>>>you
>>>(at least it's supposed to -- sometimes you have to put a hand out).
>>
>> good advice, just remember to translate right to left (assuming that
>> Brits still drive on the left)
>
> And here I thought I made the post side-of-the-road neutral for just that
> reason. I see there was one "right" that sneaked -- or snuck if you're
> Canadian -- in there.
>
> --
> JF
>
> http://velominator.spaces.live.com/
>
>
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 19:46:49
From: Jim Flom
Subject: Re: Road training
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"Sophie" <sophie.cussen@ntlworld.com > wrote in message
news:ANWEi.38889$ph7.17618@newsfe5-win.ntli.net...
> Thanks ever so much for these links. And yes...we do still drive on the
> left hand side, but I knew what you meant! All I've to do now is get my
> energy levels up! I rode my bike this morning and completely knackered
> myself! I only did 1mile for god sake lol!!!
You'll get in shape in a big hurry. You'll enjoy it. have fun!
--
JF
http://velominator.spaces.live.com/
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Date: 09 Sep 2007 14:16:00
From: Jim Flom
Subject: Re: Road training
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"Jim Flom" <jim.flomREMOVE@telus.net > wrote...
>
> The Pennsylvania Bicycle Driver's manual seems to have been written by
> real cyclists and is very helpful.
>
> http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BIKE/WEB/safety.htm
>
> Get a h*lmet. There are two kinds of cyclists: those who have crashed and
> those who will crash. Take heart. You'll be okay.
Don't forget this link:
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BIKE/WEB/road.htm
--
JF
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