tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8402175175621729582024-03-13T16:24:00.390+00:00Me and My OrcaBen Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-34919498561010086362011-08-13T14:29:00.000+01:002011-08-13T14:29:24.864+01:00The Weymouth to Dorchester Cycle pathMy... this blog is like buses... nothing for ages then two come at once. Before you get too far down the post this is a bit of an essay; a touch of the TL;DR perhaps.<br />
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Today I did indeed cycle from sunny Weymouth to not so sunny Dorchester by way of the cycle path that was built alongside the Weymouth relief road (Broadwey bypass for those in the know :) )<br />
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The outward trip, from home to the bike park space near Waitrose is 10.55 miles... not strictly true for reasons that will become clear in a while.<br />
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I set out at 8:19 AM... early enough to avoid the traffic for the short sections of road on which I was planning to travel and everything went really quite well... hmmm. Well as well as one can expect when using facilities designed by people who obviously don't ride bikes. <br />
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The first silly thing is that you have to ride round one of the major car parks in town - if you take a short cut across it you can't easily get on to the cycle path to travel up Radipole park drive.<br />
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Onwards to the start of the cycle path behind Morrisons... a nightmare to get on to if riding north. It is the opposite problem to the A35/A354 roundabout at Dorchester :). <br />
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The first section of the path is downwards and very wriggly - interesting for the antcipation of meeting foot passengers or other cyclists coming the other way. I had got warmed up by now so that when the path designers threw in a spurious slope I was not caught out too much.<br />
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Pressing on through the back of Broadwey/Littlemoor we get to another random snakey/steep bit where visibility is nil so you can't take the corners at any speed. Its a bit of a haul up the very short steep path but you get to the top and are rewarded with a view over the settling pools for the new road. They look like natural lakes now - I suppose they ought to because although the road has been open for only a few months, the ponds have been in for a couple of years.<br />
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Ah, now we are getting to the business part of this ride - the down payment on the descent into Dorchester. It is a long way up the hill to the top of Ridgeway - the highest point is on the bridge across the new road at 485 feet according to the GPS. I felt every one of those feet - but in all honesty the haul up is just a case of keep on pedalling...<br />
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Having crossed the summit of the climb, you get a fantastic run down to Dorchester... I lie; you get a fantastic run down to Winterbourne and then things start to go pear shaped. Tis is the other sillyness.<br />
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On the run from Winterbourne to Dorchester you are facing the flow of traffic - on the wrong side of the road if you like. The cycle path gets to the Tesco roundabout (A354/A35) has a couple of cyclist dismount signs (like I pay any attention to them) and then, after 50 yards, turns into a footpath only, still on the 'wrong' side of the road with no on/off ramp. I made my own by carefully cycling in to Tesco fuel station access road and then joining the A354 for the last mile into Dorchester. Total time was 51m58s door to parked bike.<br />
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I wandered lonely as a cloud in Dorchester veering into Waitrose and The Fridge for the makings of tea tonight then strolled down the high street where I pre-ordered the new pTerry Pratchett (Snuff) and the Christopher Paoulini (Inheritance)... £3 deposit for each gets me them at half price... nice one Waterstones. Have to wait until November though! <br />
After this I saw a colleague who wanted to know where the bike was and was surprised when I told him it was round the corner. 10 miles isn't that far and it isn't a hard ride. I should do it more often.<br />
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I returned to the Orca and set off back home. Now I am not stupid (often) and once bitten twice shy... I left Dorchester the scenic route down Herrington Road which crosses the A35 by bridge. OK there is a sharp right at the bottom of a steep hill to deal with but never mind.<br />
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Back onto the cycle path to Weymouth and I dug in to the hill - it was not as bad as I thought it might be. <br />
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The highway code says that you shouldn't ride on a cycle path at speeds in excess of 18mph... so near the summit of Ridgeway I took to the new road again because I knew I would be riding...ummm.... quickly down the hill. I crested the hill under the new bridge and got stuck in. Soon in 27th gear and gaining speed... there are only 27 gears on this bike and I was running out of spin. I glanced at the rough and ready speed indicator from Aldi which was saying 71kph. I think I definitely shouldn't be on a cycle path at this point and must confess to letting out a "roller coaster" yell or two... well that was the fastest I have ever been on a bike; 71kph converts to 44.1mph - a respectable speed; indeed faster than many cars driving to Weymouth, though strangely no cars were following me.<br />
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I came the very scenic route back from the first roundabout (It has a name but it is so stupid that I can't remember it) - looping over the new road on the new Littlemoor road bridge, then riding down Dorchester road, now pleasantly devoid of traffic, slipping to the right down through Radipole and up Spa road to Radipole park drive. At this point the route becomes academic.<br />
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Anyway I get home and stop the clock on RunKeeper... the return Journey was a similar average speed to the outward bound one, even with the hill very much in my favour for some of it. I checked the profile and was slightly amazed to see that my highest speed, logged by the GPS, was 47.8mph.<br />
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Will I ride the route again - definitely. Will I go right up to the A35/A354 roundabout - not on your life (or mine for that matter) I will snake though Winterbourne Herringston and up Herringston road.<br />
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here is a link to the route on <a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/45860410">MapMyRide</a>... It doesn't start from home for obvious reasons. I haven't bothered mapping the return journey as it is pretty much the same.<br />
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Enough already! See you later dear reader... but not for at least 4 days becasue I am away on a course in sunny Bristol.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-26060177314708386792011-08-12T21:34:00.000+01:002011-08-12T21:34:45.867+01:00Too many peopleWell you know how it goes, what with one thing and another something has to give and, sadly, it has been this blog. Actually at least one reader thinks its a good thing that I have stopped.<br />
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The one thing I have stopped is falling off the Orca. I am now fairly confident on it - I even mixed with the holiday maker traffic the other day; I suppose I better tackle the lights of death soon, just to see if they are negotiable by bike in a direction other than straight on... I suspect that they are.<br />
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<iframe width="400" height="257" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9w1bAZp8HcU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Anyway, back on topic. Today there were just too many people on the shared path. I knew it was going to be a tricky ride home when as I turned right by the bridge at a rare green light I heard the local youth demanding the bike (at least this time without death threats). Meeting a cyclist coming the other way is fairly rare so the one at the path junction was a bit of a surprise... but he was the calm before the storm!<br />
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Round the corner and suddenly there was all of Weymouth, scooters, bikes and obstinate people with walking sticks. At least I wasn't going very fast at all. What still bugs me a bit, 5 hours later and watching the video, it the codger with the stick didn't actually go to the side at all, forcing me to get rather closer than I would like to the children on my left. As he seemed t use his stick as a 'you there!' stick, he could have moved just a little and everyone (me) would have been happy.<br />
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The rest of the trip home was similarly encumbered - there was a bit of a premonition moment by the yacht club - I thought someone would be joining the path so was positioned OK... and lo two young women started to join the path one on a bike the other pushing her bike. Another time highlander!<br />
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Well I am going to cycle to Dorchester tomorrow along the new cycle path... If you are (un)lucky I will blog about it!Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-21923920585942142082010-12-17T19:45:00.001+00:002010-12-17T19:45:31.791+00:00Snow<p><a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wKGKOGco8BA/TQu92YGlMsI/AAAAAAAAAFU/NrSJtuLdow4/IMAG0117.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wKGKOGco8BA/TQu92YGlMsI/AAAAAAAAAFU/NrSJtuLdow4/s400/IMAG0117.jpg' /></a></p>Well a brief post from the phone... it is easier than getting the picture on to a pc and then uploading it. <br/> <br/> Today in Weymouth we had some snow. It was falling a bit then thawing a bit so nice and icy. I waited till it stopped then ventured out to defrost the bike... interesting times I think as I chip ice from the seat. <br/> <br/> Cycling on the snow isn't too bad at all though I take things easy just in case. This is a.mixed blessing because I need to pedal to keep warm... I am still wearing shorts. <br/> <br/> On the way up the hill I get wheel spin... the Orca has slick tyres so grip isn't its strong point. I take the decision to ride away from the edge of the road, holding up traffic. Oddly none of the passing vehicles object. <br/> <br/> Hope this silly white stuff goes away by Monday. <br/> <br/> Ah well, dear reader, I am finding typing on this phone tricky, so for the moment I bid you adieu.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-44861080396381328962010-12-02T23:01:00.000+00:002010-12-02T23:01:15.736+00:00Snow 2...<object width="400" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tp_JiClHsJw?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tp_JiClHsJw?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="320"></embed></object><br />
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Well, as promised, what video I could salvage from this mornings very interesting ride to work. Unfortunately the battery on the camera stopped recording after 21 minutes or so, and consequently missed the other fall and wobbliness which caused me to walk up the hill and down the other side until I reached the cycle track.<br />
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Would I do it again? Yep. It was fun, and I need to practice falling off a bit more. <br />
Was it bonkers? Yep. A fairly silly thing to do but hey, you only live once! I rode to college 20 odd years ago, albeit on a diamond Frame bike, in much much worse snow and ice than today.<br />
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The trip home this evening was massively uneventful; the cars having cleared the road somewhat and I cycled along the roads rather than the railway track. <br />
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Will I cycle tomorrow? nope; I need to get fuel in the car ready for the weekend and the snow will have all turned to ice, a surface on which the slick tyres of the Orca will have even less grip than today. The roads will still be clearish unless it snows again tonight, which is unlikely.<br />
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Still got a silly grin on, falling off notwithstanding!<br />
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See you later people<br />
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B.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-25256238316436305122010-12-02T13:49:00.000+00:002010-12-02T13:49:05.999+00:00Snow!Well people, there may be snow however cycling has to go on... and yes, there will be a video collection later of all the falls I managed to make today. For now you will have to put up with a bit of waffle about how different the Orca is to a normal bike.<br />
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It is days like today when I wish I had managed to afford a trike - then there would be no falling off and a lot of sillyness!<br />
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Here is a post I made on cyclechat for those of you who don't read that website....<br />
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<i>I got up this morning to be greeted by the first snow of the year. Lovely. I thought oh I am commuting to work, how hard can it be?<br />
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Well not too bad. The Orca is a very different kettle of fish in the snow than a DF... especially with slick tyres.<br />
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Balancing is interesting especially with tiller steering.<br />
Applying any sort of power with slick tyres was a no no so I had to find flat/downhill bits to recover from the inevitable "offs".<br />
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Fell off 4 times, all low speed, two within 2 yards on fresh snow after a right turn, the next on a slight uphill incline which also requires a sharp left at the top, and the last one after negotiating a road pillow on a well packed snowy road.<br />
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Smiles all round though I think I may have bruised my shoulder a little.<br />
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Unfortunately there isn't any video because, as a result of wearing a hat under my camera mount, the Muvi was pointing at the sky.<br />
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Tonight I will be cycling home along main roads, rather than along my usual mainly off road route.<br />
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And after I get home I will edit what video I have... and post it here of course.<br />
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B.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-31693500816787130342010-10-19T19:11:00.000+01:002010-10-19T19:11:17.402+01:00Idiots on the trail<object width="400" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OCjnbuMVLS8?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OCjnbuMVLS8?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="320"></embed></object><br />
The ride home started so well today. Left work as usual, remembered to switch on the camera. As it happens, I am glad I did. Saw a lovely rainbow which the Muvi failed completely to capture.<br />
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The first incident, unfortunately, was not caught on camera as I don't have a sideways facing device - some impatient chap in a Ford Mondeo tried to fit between me and an oncoming vehicle near the Vets on Chickerell Road. I duly held him up for a while then, when he finally over took, it transpired that he only made about 15s progress as he stopped in Prince of Wales Road, just past the path on to the Rodwell Trail. I failed to stop and discuss his lack of driving skills because, in general, motons aren't worth the effort.<br />
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Anyway I haul up to the Rodwell trail and just as it starts to rain I pass through the tunnel towards Rodwell station, a well known drinking haunt for the local youth with nothing better to do.<br />
As you can perhaps see, I anticipate trouble and move over to the right of the trail, yet one hard man decided to block the path.<br />
I wonder just how hard he would be with a chain ring and pedals embedded in his nether regions? As it happens I don't get to find out because I win the game of chicken. I hardly ever lose that particular game.<br />
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Oh well better luck next time I guess.<br />
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If you are wondering just what would happen had I made contact - well I may have fallen off but with feet clipped to bike I would have been up and fighting fit fairly quickly, your man in the hoodie would have been in a private world of pain...Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-87805801336600335982010-10-13T19:13:00.000+01:002010-10-13T19:13:13.872+01:00YouTube FAILI must apologise for the lack of video in the "How Close" post. YouTube scores another fail. Perhaps it will fix itself?<br />
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B.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-51252287303559786312010-10-13T19:04:00.005+01:002010-10-13T22:11:57.125+01:00How close would you like your shave sir?<object width="400" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vFNZ9pk78qE?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vFNZ9pk78qE?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="320"></embed></object><br />
Dear me. It has been many many days since I posted a video and some of those because I was away so not cycling and the rest mostly because I dropped the camera and needed to wedge the surface mount "on switch" back on to the circuit board with some cardboard. Yes, a true bodge lacking only the gaffer tape and baler twine.<br />
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Back on topic - I was innocently cycling along past a traffic light when I was overtaken by a car. Nothing very exciting there; he even managed to miss me which is a plus I think.<br />
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The next car in line obviously wanted a pedal embedded in the side of his wonderful purple Ford Fiesta (N 97 AYA in case anyone is interested). What makes this overtake particularly depressing is that the car rushed ahead to the Red traffic lights, then fails to make any progress in front of me for about a mile - the road goes down hill and is fairly fast. I was right on his tail until he decided to park by the side of the road, just before the crest of a hill so noone could safely pass him until he had finished his operation.<br />
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Now I don't mind people overtaking - they do after all have places to be - but really, when doing so, please leave more than a Rizzla paper's gap between you and me. Next time I may wobble and an SPD in the side of a car is inclined to do damage...Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-23076394008425243022010-09-14T22:55:00.002+01:002010-09-15T22:16:08.095+01:00Two days, two videos, one blog entryTwo videos today...<br />
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I have met this particular dog many times, indeed she features in a clip posted earlier this year (don't ask me which one - I only write the blog) I really do seem to be the only cyclist which freaks her out. Ah well, perhaps she will get used to me? I know I have to slow down around her to give her a chance to decide what to do next.<br />
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These lads were a bit odd. I couldn't work out if some were bullying others or what was going on, then to have one demanding bike or death I found alternately amusing and rather sad. Needless to say I rode on without stopping (though I did go really slowly through the middle of the group) and saw hide nor hair of them in the mirror so supposed my life was safe for the moment. However there seem to be some rather scary cars on the roads locally - most of which have been in accidents - so I keep my eyes and ears peeled for them.<br />
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Early start tomorrow, so dear reader (I know there is only one of you), I will say night night.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-23868065437640543522010-09-09T17:29:00.000+01:002010-09-09T17:29:04.777+01:00Why horses should be treated with respect<object width="400" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9gnZA5_T6Mc?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9gnZA5_T6Mc?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="320"></embed></object><br />
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Horses are wonderful creatures, don't get me wrong, however a semi-autonomous semi-intelligent prey animal is not something to be encountered lightly on the roads - after all they weigh 0.5-0.75 tons and if that sits on you, or your car, the results are predictable...<br />
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If anything spooks a horse it will rear, skitter and/or bolt. That anything can literally be that - a shaft of sunlight, a butterfly, a car, a seagull, a cloud passing the sun, a tree waving oddly in the breeze or even a cyclist 200 yards away on a weird bike wearing a HiViz jacket... oo that will have been me then!<br />
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In this case I don't <i>think</i> it was me - they started to act up whilst I was a fair way off, however the piebald one did look rather oddly at me as I went past really slowly on the pavement... and, for some reason, I can't help feeling a little guilty.<br />
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Incidentally no one was thrown from their horse - though that may have been a close run thing - no cars or vans were crushed by fleeing creatures and no cyclists fell off their recumbents in the making of this movie.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-42169811224434854382010-08-12T17:11:00.000+01:002010-08-12T17:11:57.625+01:00Stinging nettles<object width="400" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f1V1oisQ4jg?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f1V1oisQ4jg?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="320"></embed></object><br />
Well the 33 seconds of yesterday's trip home displayed above were possibly the most exciting and bizarre of the week since Monday. A near miss, cycle on cycle action and stinging nettles to add spice.<br />
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There I was turning right off Chickerell road onto Prince of Wales road (A steepish pull) holding a strong road position - mostly because there was no traffic coming; the lights here alternate east/west traffic along Chickerell road because the bridge is single track. Anyway back on track as it were... I turn left off the road onto the feeder path for the Rodwell trail and, as you can see, I am forced to ditch in the nettles by a rider coming down the wrong side of the path. He did yell a brief "sorry mate!" over his shoulder. If you are in anyway concerned about the nettles - they only got my left calf a bit and weren't hurt at all. Leg itched a bit though!<br />
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The Rodwell trail is like the wild west - pedestrians (who should be off it when I am using it - after all I share it with them for the rest of the day) everywhere, dogs on invisible black leads, dogs off the lead, drunken people, Bike Shaped Objects, Tiny bikes, Hoodie propelled bikes, pushchairs etc. so I expect to be wary but, as in this case I am travelling uphill at a whole 2 mph, I feel the downhill racer could have at least been on the correct side of the path!<br />
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Your opinion may be different, dear reader, but really is it unreasonable to expect people to at least try to be on the right side of the path - rather than being wrong by riding on the right?Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-13481341632883931752010-08-11T13:46:00.002+01:002010-08-12T08:15:50.520+01:00Overtake if you must....<object width="400" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NNJQUE5EpG4&hl=en_GB&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NNJQUE5EpG4&hl=en_GB&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="320"></embed></object><br />
Well here I am back again after a long absence... an absence for which I have no real excuses other than nothing exciting happened when riding the Orca and also I kept forgetting to either attach the camera to the helmet or to charge the camera so that even though it may have been attached it was useless.<br />
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Today I was proceeding in a southerly direction down Portland road when I became aware of a White Van in the process of over taking. Actually I was aware of him before he started his manoeuvre by use of my bar end mirror, but anyway...<br />
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I was tanking down hill at a fairly leisurely 23 mph (37kph as indicated on my incredibly accurate bike computer) and only 7 mph under the speed limit I guess an overtake was deemed necessary by WVM.<br />
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Having been cycling on the roads for 32 years now I thought I had encountered every sort of overtaking style (motor vehicle vs bike) but today this WVM added another to the list... overtake then stay just in front of the bike - a style not uncommon in car on car overtakes especially on motorways) but in this instance even more surprising because the road was completely clear in front of us - save a set of traffic lights.<br />
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Oh well - none so queer as folk, they say, and definitely none so queer as folk in white vans!Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-45966911629618788912010-05-27T22:12:00.001+01:002010-08-12T08:16:24.324+01:00Hazard Perception<object width="400" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4zW62WJavhE&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4zW62WJavhE&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="320"></embed></object>First today I apologise for the quality of the above video - condensation on the camera owing to fog. As I was descending the ramp from the Rodwell Trail I noticed stored gas pipe so slowed to take evasive action. It transpires that I was wise to do so as the gas board have dug up the road and sealed one lane with traffic lights. I expect the dump truck driver was surprised by the 'bent and the snaking path I took to avoid everything was fun - even off road the Orca is OK!<br />
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Second, I present another video on the same subject... hazard perception. Luckily I had a hunch about this car as I saw it approaching the roundabout stop line, so was well prepared to avoid a collision and not use any expletives in my shout. The only slight mitigation in her favour was that the sun was almost directly behind me so I may have been a little difficult to see. Possibly. If you are feeling really generous. Oddly enough the other car at the give way failed completely to hit me or otherwise impede my progress.<br />
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For those who can't make out my shout I say "Get out of it! What are give way signs for!?" the latter referring to the lines on the road commonly found at traffic roundabouts. What <i>are</i> give way signs for? decoration? daft mare.<br />
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I am fairly confident she heard me because I shout loud anyway and she had her passenger side window open.<br />
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Oh well, no more cycling till Tuesday now. See you all (both of you, dear readers) then.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-34338537341416128312010-05-24T14:06:00.001+01:002010-08-12T08:17:36.138+01:00Shared path<object width="400" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oPgps1XNg5k&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oPgps1XNg5k&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="320"></embed></object><br />
As most of you know by now, I use a shared path for a length of my commute. The usual meaning of the word shared is "to use something with someone else"... so why on a shared path, do people consider standing in the middle of a junction to be sharing?<br />
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The Gent on the right notices me and winds back his hound on an extendible lead (black cord is just so visible and suitable for use on a path on which bikes are a common feature)the woman on the other hand - she of blog posts passim complete with skittish mad greyhound - is totally oblivious to the imminent arrival of a cetacean on the scene.<br />
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Oh look, the dog runs off and, rather sensibly for a greyhound, a breed not known for their smarts at the best of times, it hops off to one side of the track to let me past.<br />
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What was so important to talk about that the path had to be blocked, when a little bit of thought on the dog owners part would have rendered their conversation uninterrupted? why how to avoid the traffic chaos that is the roundabout outside ASDA and the edifying comment which I added as the title sceen of the clip...<br />
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Ah well - best wishes dear readers, until next time.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-55013844925768284452010-05-20T20:36:00.000+01:002010-05-20T20:36:26.955+01:00Traffic<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iQjKiPrdkHw&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iQjKiPrdkHw&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
Dear reader, it has been a while hasn't it? well here is a video to pass the time and I probably won't be posting another until Monday or Tuesday because I will be driving tomorrow.<br />
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Anyway, back to the video. You will remember that I ride along the Rodwell trail as part of my commute. In the last weeks I have met all sorts of other traffic - pedestrians (how dare they use my road?), joggers, school children, dog walkers, maintenance trucks, a grass mower and now, adding colour, a mountain bike actually riding up the steep path off the trail at the marsh.<br />
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I take my hat off to the gentleman - not only did he ride up the slope, he passed me almost casually. no fuss or bother!<br />
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Anyhow TTFN dear reader, more next week I hope.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-28695413227201925982010-05-14T19:26:00.000+01:002010-05-14T19:26:37.085+01:00Scalped<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qphyu_sU8BU&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qphyu_sU8BU&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
Dear readers, today we have a longer than normal video (showing off my elite video editing skills..... or perhaps not!) which illustrates the thorny issue of overtaking on a bike, or scalping as it is called by the <a href="http://www.itsnotarace.org/">commuter racing</a> fraternity.<br />
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Climbing up the hill by the Kingswood Hotel I wonder why my Orca is making unusual noises and, much to my surprise, a <a href="http://www.brompton.co.uk/">Brompton folding bike</a> creaks past about 1 or 2 mph faster than I. Ho hum thinks I and pick up the pace, as I would do normally at that point on the hill, expecting the Brompton man to be streaking off into the distance.<br />
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I was mistaken. He pottered along about 5 mph slower than I normally cycle along that particular stretch of road... that is the boring bit of the video - which I took the liberty of speeding up to save you from terminal boredom.<br />
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As the traffic eased and the road widened I took my chance with a swift glance to the right I streak (yes ok... I know!) past the Brompton using the hill and my 120" top gear to my full advantage much to the disgust of the tendons behind my knee. I neither hear nor see Brompton man again.<br />
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Now I don't overtake unless I am sure I can stay well in front; this applies in my car as well as on the bikes - why should someone be slowed by my inability to keep up a reasonable pace? Surely I am not being unreasonable if I expect the same courtesy from other riders? Waiting behind till we got to the top of the hill wouldn't have killed Mr Brompton man would it?<br />
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Oh well - he better watch out if I catch him on the flat or down hill...Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-81426332487765854922010-05-13T12:42:00.000+01:002010-05-13T12:42:45.952+01:00Cycle cycle cycle cycle..... Junction junction... Aargh! Bus! a Buuuus!<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O2k3-re0TFs&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O2k3-re0TFs&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
Dear readers, remember back in the mists of time, when being taught the green cross code, the admonishment to look right, look left, look right again? <br />
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This video shows just why that is important. As I was approaching the junction I looked right, then left then right again just as the bus miraculously appeared out of the morning sun. I didn't fall off either.<br />
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This morning was an unsettling commute - nothing went wrong as such but things just didn't flow - by the time the bus turned up I was ready for anything to go not quite right. <br />
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What went not quite right? all sorts of things, listed here in no particular order...<br />
There were pedestrians using the shared path (how <i>very</i> dare they!) in clumps so I had to use my bell;<br />
Said pedestrians were accompanied by loose dogs;<br />
I had a bit of a wobble at the end of my road for no apparent reason;<br />
The traffic lights on Portland road started changing when I was 2 meters from the line travelling at 30mph or so.<br />
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That sort of thing - nothing major yet the whole was greater than the sum of the parts<br />
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I hope that my journey home will be even less eventful and more relaxed - if it isn't you will be the first to know.<br />
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p.s. in case you didn't realise the title of this post pays homage to <a href="http://www.weebls-stuff.com/songs/Baby+Badgers/">Weebl's Badgers</a><br />
p.p.s. Yes I know that isn't the original; it is the new live action version and no Weebl hasn't fixed the synch issue!Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-30212831104852644932010-05-10T22:06:00.000+01:002010-05-10T22:06:01.037+01:00Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5GflqAI3eNQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5GflqAI3eNQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
Well dear readers, here we have Weymouth's first example of someone who didn't listen to his driving instructor. There I was minding my own business, about to join the inside left turn lane, for a left turn surprisingly enough, and R832FKN decided to join me - without waiting for me to get past or even indicating his intention.<br />
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This driver isn't, I am glad to say, typical of Weymouth - else you would be watching more similar videos - however he does illustrate the reason why I treat all drivers with suspicion when I am on any bike and especially the Orca.<br />
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Oh well - it looks like being a nice day tomorrow so perhaps the traffic will be worse! I have to say that the morning traffic is much better behaved than the homeward bound stuff; must be something they eat during the day I guess.<br />
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On a slightly sombre note - whilst out in the car (yeuck!) this evening, on my way along part of my commute, I noticed an ambulance parked outside the house of a couple of elderly eccentrics who greet me enthusiastically every day I cycle past them. I do hope nothing has happened to the one who wasn't outside the ambulance. If there is only one of them on the road tomorrow I will stop and find out what was going on.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-22041697319161419482010-05-06T13:17:00.001+01:002010-05-06T13:22:36.084+01:00They will never catch on<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9cBx_ZjfAdE&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9cBx_ZjfAdE&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
This morning's commute was full of the usual mundaneness... as I was riding I was thinking that the novelty of the recumbent has worn off for me and it is almost like riding an upwrong in as far as it seems normal. Obviously that doesn't hold true for the other inhabitants of sunny Weymouth; the other day, whilst out on a ride with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/profile.php?id=567492364">Morgwen</a>, I heard someone saying "Look dad, that bike comes past my bus stop every morning!" anyway back on track as it were...<br />
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I am descending the hill towards the cycle path when I notice a member of the local constabulary (PCSO or PC I am not sure which) approaching the on/off ramp... and holding his position to the right of the track (I always thought we cycled on the left in this country but never mind). I slow right down - because it is a fast descent - and join the path narrowly missing said upstanding member of the community and as I pass he chuckles and says "they will never catch on!" I reply "they will eventually" and proceed on my way.<br />
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If that is as exciting as it gets on my commute I may have to find a more interesting route to work, however that is probably tempting fate. So far I have had few mishaps though yesterday on the way to the locksmith shop in park street I did manage to lock up the rear wheel and slide to a halt by some traffic lights - it should have been on film but the Muvi was discharged or having a bit of a paddy for some reason and so the most exciting thing to happen in a week of cycling was lost for ever.<br />
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As always, dear readers (all two of you), I must leave and hopefully have an eventful ride home.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-4298665565130825552010-05-04T13:13:00.001+01:002010-05-04T13:15:40.392+01:00SMIDSY...<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hdQOCe2uDjQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hdQOCe2uDjQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
The most exciting bit of my commute today - a really slow speed 'Sorry Mate, I didn't See You' incident. Riding up the road the White Van man probably has his mind on other things when he starts his 3(ish) point turn manoeuvre. If I had been a car he wouldn't have pulled out from the kerb however I am 'only a bike' I guess, so should expect to give way to everything else on the road - luckily the gearing on the Orca is very low so I can quite easily cycle slowly. <br />
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If he had waited for me to pass, the total delay to his journey would have been just less than the length of the video - possibly 30s in all but, as we have <a href="http://bensorca.blogspot.com/2010/03/30-seconds.html">seen previously</a>, 30s is a really long time when you are waiting for it. <br />
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Aside from the white van man the commute toady was uneventful - even though I started out rather later than usual due to a dose of fail last thing last night when switching off the phone - I forgot to switch on the alarm!Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-36362291859470361202010-04-26T13:26:00.000+01:002010-04-26T13:26:29.665+01:00Falling off workshop III<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CZgYREbIeVw&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CZgYREbIeVw&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
Today I had a nearly fall off the bike incident down to me forgetting that my feet were attached firmly to the bike. Low speed, lots of wobble, one profanity and I suppose you would like an explanation - cos the video doesn't make it very clear.<br />
To begin with it is a normal day. Approach a queue forming behind the bus, the last vehicle in the queue being the tanker you can just see at the beginning of the clip. No problems so far. I point forward for the bus driver to carry on in front of me (I may be a bit optimistic that he can actually see me but I am fairly sure I could see his mirror)<br />
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Things now start to get interesting because it transpires that the tanker has failed to position himself in the road for the right filter lane in which he is parked, causing the bus to stop rather than proceed ahead through the green light as I expected it to.<br />
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I slow down to below walking speed but that isn't enough to avoid the rear of the bus; I try to put my foot down still clipped in to the clipless pedals (yes, apparently clipless pedals are attached to your feet by clipping in to them. Don't ask me why - I am as confused as you dear readers.) so I wobble madly and during the wobble manage to unclip my feet from the pedals.<br />
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So only a little falling off, not a spectacular all over the road version.<br />
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I must be getting more relaxed about the whole recumbent/clipless pedal thing if I can make a silly mistake like this... can't wait till it is all as much second nature as riding the upwrong.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-70842439563628714792010-04-22T18:41:00.001+01:002010-04-22T18:42:09.871+01:00Fame at last<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B5cGM4oGZQg&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B5cGM4oGZQg&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
Well what have we today... I was cycling through Hope Square in Weymouth (not Melcombe Regis - that is the touristy part with the beach and the Georgian buildings) when I heard some hair driers following me - something must have amused the riders because they were laughing so much I could hear them above their machines.<br />
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I thought no more of it after they had passed and turned left at a roundabout that I go across... however as I was minding my own business hauling up the hill to the traffic light gnome I heard them again - as indeed you will dear reader (I know there is only one of you :) ). As they pass the lead hair drier pilot does nothing untoward, however I notice that his wing man is riding single handed and not looking where he is going because he is videoing me on his phone. I wonder if he noticed the head cam?<br />
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hey ho - I guess I will be all over Weymouth (and indeed Melcombe) via phone and perhaps even on YouTube. Such is the price of actually enjoying riding and being extremely laid back about the trip.<br />
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More tomorrow; I doubt you can bear the excitement or suspense until then but, pray, don't hold your breath else you may be an interesting shade of purple by the time I get around to posting.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-30443523308579664782010-04-19T21:11:00.000+01:002010-04-19T21:11:30.444+01:00Knees!<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sJTmyARwSB4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sJTmyARwSB4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
By special request, a video containing knees! well not really - I suspect you, dear reader, are hoping for accidents, close calls and general falling off the Orca. Sadly, unless you really were hoping for knees you will be disappointed on all counts.<br />
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Today was uneventful, except for this minor queue of cars I encountered at probably the worst place possible on the commute route home. A queue of cars is not usually a problem (idiots aside of course - see videos past) however this queue of cars was on the steepest hill and was also completely stationary. Arrrgh! time to dismount - a task made slightly more difficult by the firm attachment of my feet to the bike by the SPD cleats.<br />
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Having ridden 10 miles in the cleats this lunchtime I figured a trip home couldn't be hard. To quote a famous program consisting of three blokes cocking about "How hard could it be?" and indeed it wasn't. As the pedals are set at almost the loosest release, I manage to release my left foot without much trouble and no trouble at all for the right. I hop off the Orca and push it up the hill - and take a new route home - on which nothing remarkable happened so I have no video of that.<br />
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Well that seems to be all for now dear reader, I hope for more mirth and hilarity tomorrow.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-40146322644421448722010-04-18T20:29:00.001+01:002010-04-18T20:36:44.566+01:00Clips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wKGKOGco8BA/S8tZBk8_PzI/AAAAAAAAAEc/aALHyLMTtXs/s1600/race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wKGKOGco8BA/S8tZBk8_PzI/AAAAAAAAAEc/aALHyLMTtXs/s320/race.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Here is an image of my first race on the Orca as photographed by Rhiannon. us reckless high speed racers disdain the use of helmets or even a race track - I was using the road and the lad was safe on the pavement - safe for whom I am not sure... anyway a delightful evening getting used to not worrying about what my feet were doing was had by me along with a couple of races up and down the road - even when the lad had a head start I managed to scrape a win.<br />
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Clips - well cleats really. I get all these different terms mixed up in my head... toe clips we are all familiar with, indeed I used them for years until I moved to the dark side.<br />
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The Shimano MT42s are 'clipless' however attaching them to the bike requires clipping in so some people say the SPD system is a system of clips... oh dear... my head fair spins with the confusion. So some people when saying clips are referring to the SPD system and others to the traditional toe clips.<br />
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Never mind, what ever they are - clips or clipless or cleats - I am fairly sure I can arrange not to fall off too much and needless to say I will video my attempts at disaster and you, my dear reader, will be the first to know how I get on tomorrow whilst I commute.Ben Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840217517562172958.post-62627083421472955112010-04-12T08:20:00.000+01:002010-04-12T08:20:32.480+01:0012-16th AprilThe management would like to apologise to our readers for the lack of blog during this period.<br />
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This is a result of bikelessness induced by being in Salisbury, rather than cycling, digging out 46 years of rubbish from the parent's house to enable the creation of a downstairs bed-sit-bath for the aged father who is recovering from a stroke and currently entertaining staff at Salisbury District Hospital with his wit and repartee.<br />
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Regards until next weekBen Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147947062005525980noreply@blogger.com0