September 15th 2014

Aggressive riders - these are the cyclists who think they own the road, queues are for other people and they can't possibly be in the wrong. Like the old joke goes ( paraphrased) "I have been cycling for 20 years and I have never had an accident, I have seen hundreds, but never had an accident", There seem to be more aggressive cyclists than usual. Am I wrong?
LCO

September 12th 2014

Panniers - a necessary evil for some. However, I am noticing an increasing amount of overloading with the consequence that there is an audible rubbing. The rubbing, it is assumed, is between the overloaded pannier(s) and the side of the tyre. I remember I used to have this problem but found a remedy in the form of a bungee. Hook the bungee on the bottom edge on side and attach to the frame and if in the case of two panniers, run the bungee from one bottom edge , across the to the other bottom edge. This should enable the pannier(s) to move off from the wheel and stop the rubbing. Any other ideas?
LCO

September 11th 2014

I notice that, post bendy buses, that the bus companies are repairing the areas in front of the bus stops. All seems reasonable except the bendy buses were much longer and the parts that are being resurfaced are in relation to length of the newer buses. Watch out for the ruts before and after the patches where sometimes bendy buses used to stand. Any one else seen any?
LCO

September 10th 2014

Following my blog post yesterday, my impression was that the No-Hands-Android-Using-Boris-Biker was the height of stupidity and yet, a day passes and lo and behold!
Boris Bikers are generally unsteady and in unfamiliar territory so any sense available would suggest that being aware and safe would be paramount. So, lets add a family, some with flowing sari's and a few children, a sprinkling of toddlers. Bingo! So in order to protect your children, what should an unsteady, sari wearing woman on a Boris Bike do with their children and toddlers? Yes you've guessed it, stick them in the basket and let them wiggle around. So just when you thought that was then end of it, you have to then form a pack of five bikers in similar circumstances and proceed to weave all over the cycle route in front of speeding cyclists going in the opposite direction. I just managed to miss an incident and I cycle at a much slower pace to some. Did a crash happen?
LCO

September 9th 2014

The amount of cycle traffic is still quite high and in some areas quite fast, so it was interesting to see a cyclist blissfully unaware of any danger in cycling a Boris Bike, at reasonable speed and with no hands on the handlebars. Ah, I hear you say, this is a more than common occurrence. Well, what makes this cyclist different is that the amount of concentration being given to using a pen on an android device. Dogs, small children, old people, other cyclists where on another planet, as far as this cyclist was concerned. I wish this chap well, as this genetic line can't last long. Can it?
LCO

September 8th 2014

Given the lovely weather and the fact that the schools are now open again after the summer holidays, the amount of cycle traffic has increased. I notice queue jumping is becoming prevalent at certain lights when trying to enter Hyde Park on busy days and that a couple of near misses have been witnessed because of the unexpectedness of  the queue jumping manoeuvre. I hate signs but perhaps we should start introducing them a key points and more importantly in foreign languages?
LCO

September 5th 2014

I saw a girl the other day really struggling to pedal a powder blue Pashley up an slight incline. This was obviously a brand new bicycle complete with a new basket. What I did notice however, was the tyres were very nearly flat. I wonder whether a quick half an hour basic maintenance introduction should form part of any sales contract?
LCO

September 4th 2014

A killer cycle today. I am 'cream-crackered'! The hardest part was the cycle up the hill from Kings Cross to the Angel, Islington. I then had to go all the away along Upper street which was interesting as I had not been there for 25 years. All in all I did about 22miles today. I have to state, that even with a low gear 2/2 it was tough going. Is there a worse hill in Zone 1?
LCO

September 3rd 2014

The schools are beginning to open again and as usual, I cycle with my youngest to school and chain to the public bike racks outside the school. Whereas the last couple of years there has normally been only one bicycle, there are now three. I am hoping this is a fair weather thing but it could be down to the fact that cycling in London, has increased by 155% over the last 10 years. From my perspective it seems it has been 155% in the last couple of years and flat-lining the previous 8 years. Am I wrong?
LCO

September 2nd 2014

My new saddle arrived today. Exactly the same as I purchased two years ago. The seam to the right light had come away and was wearing down the pace of my trousers at an alarming rate. As before, this saddle has gel padding and I know a lot of 'Lycra bikers' have gel in there shorts. I wonder how the two would get on together?
LCO

September 1st 2014

So the 'Green Monster' is about to go up again in Hyde Park. It's been nice to cycle along and see all the Park for the Month of August, but I knew it was too good to be true, as soon as I saw that the grass was growing back. This time it is Classical music I understand. Assuming that everything is cleared by the end of September, we should be fairly free until the Winter Wonderland arrives in November. I suggest having a Park space available for 2 months in a year is not enough. Am I being unreasonable?
LCO

29th August 2014

New Oxford Street to Bloomsbury Way is the worst bit of road in London. I came across a hole that was about 8 inches deep. I just missed it, but the are plenty that are just as bad. I think this area really suffered badly from the Bendy Buses. Is this the worst?
LCO

28th August 2014

Some Boris Bikers at midday are a menace. There are no barriers to entry to get a bike just a credit card and an ability to balance and steer at the same time. Sadly, the latter requirement is missing in most. For example, I was cycling to a meeting through Hyde Park to a meeting and this Boris Biker, in what appeared to a euphoric state, was weaving from side to side of the cycle path oblivious to everything around. Small children, squirrels, pensioners, dogs and other cyclists. Maybe it's time to issue some basic rules with the bike and in any preferred language?
LCO

27th August 2014

I think it would be a good time to start some remarking on cycle routes following the heavy use during the summer, as well as the recent days of torrential rain. I am beginning to find hordes of pedestrians in cycle lanes and I suspect this is due to the unclear markings. Or am I wrong?
LCO

26th August 2014

Just when you thought you had seen it all, along comes a cyclist who could be another Darwinian theory breaker. A cloudy day with a slight drizzle suggests cyclists should take it easier than normal however, one lady decided to put on dark glasses and not only that decided that it would a good time to watch a movie on her i phone with the earpieces to shut out all other noise. Not content with that disaster waiting to happen, she felt that the cycle routes should be avoided and proceeded to cycle on the footpath into oncoming pedestrians, who just manage to jump out of the way. Can anyone top that?
LCO

22nd August 2014

I notice that the area to the side of the footpaths in Hyde Park are grassless and worn due to joggers. I am wondering whether it is time to designate a route for walkers, cyclists and joggers. A surface that has a means of reducing knee impact would be especially beneficial. By designating a specific route for joggers it would help safety. Occasionally, joggers or walkers will swerve into the cycle path which can result in some close shaves. Does central park in New York have something specifically for joggers?
LCO

21st August 2014

I notice the area of  Hyde Park that I cycle has been wide open over the past 4 weeks or so however, the scars left by the latest series of concerts have not been repaired. I assume the Park management will pocket the money and do a single lot of repairs after the Winter Wonderland presence is removed in January 2015. A shame though as some areas look like a season of cricket has been played with extremely poor Groundskeepers. Still, nice to have an open space that people are able to use. Do you think a year left un touched my do the area some good?
LCO

20th August 2014

As the weather changes the number of cyclists dramatically reduce. It is noticeable at busy lights and routes as well as at the cycle racks. During the winter there are only 2 or possibly 3 bicycles at the rack where I normally chain up my bicycle. During the summer there are about 7 at least and sometimes the racks are full and the adjacent post becomes a useful means of security. I may do some calculations over the next month as temperatures drop and the weather becomes erratic. Alternatively, does anyone have a formula?
LCO

19th August 2014

The area around Apsley Arch that runs from Hyde Park corner to the Park has been close off for a week or so now making access difficult and dangerous. It seems 'Fathers for justice' have taken up camp on the roof of the arch and rather than remove these people it seems the police have taken to cordoning off the area. The assumption is to starve these people into submission or that living in their own effluvium will become too much. Whilst I have no opinion on the rights or wrongs of the protest, I have an issue with the manner in which it is policed. These protestors should be moved on otherwise





Brian Haw in Parliament Square                        Fathers for Justice on Apsley Arch




will end up with a Brian Haw ( see picture above ) situation and cyclists will lose the right of safe travel around Hyde Park Corner. Plus there is the cost - 20No Police Officers and vehicles 24hrs a day. This appears to be another instance where the safety of the majority are affected by the illegal one or two. How many injured cyclists before this camp is closed down?
LCO

18th August 2014

Continuing from July 24th 2014


The fine that was not a fine part 2 of 3


I filled out the form received from the CPO and issued my intention to challenge the fine. A week or so later I received a lengthy form which I completed with all the relevant information I had and the reasoning behind my challenge. I had photographs and commentary from the day stored on my telephone. I sent the form off and awaited the date for my moment in court to argue against the fine.
It was the day before my birthday and given that it was the school holidays I decided it would be a good exercise for my children to see the workings of the magistrates court. I purchased the relevant underground tickets and headed off to Richmond. We arrived at about 1320hrs and went through the entry procedure and was advised to wait out side the relevant court to be called by the usher. We waited, and waited and waited and waited. People came and people went and we were still not called. I went and asked at about 1540hrs if I was still to be called to which it was confirmed I was. We waited. We waited, and waited and waited and waited. At 1740hrs  we were the last one's there and still had not been called. I made enquiries and it turns out that my case had been heard and I was found guilty and fined £175. aaaaagghhhhh! They could see my indignation and offered me a form to complain. I wasn't happy. Would you be?
LCO

15th August 2014

Following on from the service I had to the bicycle yesterday I noticed that the tyres had been pumped up to an almost rock hard state. After many years of trial and error I now have a tyre that punctures the least, travelling in central London as I do on a daily basis. I tried all the 'Gatorskins' and 'Kevlar' types available but I selected 'Vreedesteins' based on research on the internet. I last swapped the front tyre about a year ago and I have covered about 8,000 miles and the rear has done about 3,500 miles. With other tyres I had blow outs on a regular basis which I believe is a combination of three possible factors. Firstly, my weight which is over 120kg. Secondly the road/path surface , which can be quite punishing at times and thirdly, the tyre pressure. As mentioned above the tyres came back from the service with quite a high pressure. I was always told to pump tyres with a hand pump as high as I could ( probably a bout 100psi ) but feeling these tyres yesterday it felt as if the pressure could be as high as 120psi. What is the best tyre pressure for a hybrid/road tyre?
LCO

14th August 2014

I had a service on my cycle today. It was one of those travelling companies that visit you at work and set up in the loading bay or garage where you work. I used one about a year or so ago and I was advised that the chain had stretched and the sprockets would all have to be changed as well as the chain. All in all it cost me £180. This morning I was advised that I had to have the same thing again. I worked out that I had done approximately 8,000miles since the last change. I intend to research what the wear should be but this does seem odd. I wonder if these travelling cycle repair bods are making a killing changing chains and sprockets to the unwary every day?
LCO

13th August 2014

See post 25th July in reference to the accident that I witnessed. I received, from the Metropolitan Police, a lengthy form to fill out confirming what I saw on 25th July. Near the end of the form there were four levels of punishment that could happen from getting formally charged to being issued with a warning. Is it up to me, as a witness to a some atrocious cycling, to make a recommendation?
LCO

12th August 2014

Squeakers - It doesn't take a lot to quickly run some oil over the chain, run through the gears ( if you have any ) but it seems this is something low down on the list of things to do for some. It has been a dry summer, save for the odd shower, and dust will dry out the moving parts, especially those parts that are exposed. If there is no lubricant then simple physics suggests that there will be increased wear. I used to watch people offered a quick inspection and maintenance guidance when I was based in the city but I don't see that type of thing in the west end. Perhaps the local authority or safety campaigners should get involved now that there are more and more cyclists  around, don't you think?
LCO

11th August 2014

Back of leave and an interesting observation from yesterday. I went on my usual Sunday morning cycle and got stopped because of the London to Surrey cycle route. Once cyclists had passed I managed to do my normal route and got utterly soaked in the process. When I got to Hyde Park the area was largely unpopulated due to the cycle event closing down a lot of the access as well as the atrocious weather. When in the park I noticed a funeral carriage practice being undertaken by the Household Cavalry ( although I thought the King's Troop did this ).
May be someone of importance is coming to the end of their innings?
LCO

29th July 2014

I hear that the Post Office is phasing out the use of bicycles in order to be more competitive. I'm not sure this is a good idea in London. Certainly it is the quickest way to travel around however, comfort is another matter due to the weather and breakdowns. I do about 500miles a month and what with tyres ( I buy Vredesteins as they puncture less than others I have used ), break pads, general maintenance etc, I get through about £200 a year. Surely this has to be less than the cost of a van or car or even motorcycle. I assume undervaluing the Post Office business by a billion or so, may have something to do with phasing out cycles. ( large capital expenditure and running costs ) What do you think?
LCO

28th July 2014

Thinking about it the last few weeks have been much quieter from a traffic perspective and it has been reported that Boris Bikes have had record use, it is assumed due to the weather. I state assumed because there are school holidays and it is also Ramadan. Cycling home this evening, the traffic was noticeably busier. Is it that children on holiday have been using the Boris Bikes as entertainment ( I have seen a few doing 'wheelies' ) or that Muslims account for a large amount of traffic in London?
LCO

25th July 2014

Cycling, as I have done so, for quite a few years now, it takes something special to surprise me and yet  here it was on a sunny Friday morning. Whilst drawing closer to traffic I was aware of a small car pulling out from the opposite side of the road to join the back of a queue where two lanes of traffic had stopped. The traffic was longer on the right hand side as this was to go straight on at the light and the left hand side was much shorter as this was for traffic turning left. The small car wanted to go left so was about to move across to the left hand lane when all of a sudden I caught sight of a cyclist who decided that not only did the lights not apply to him, but also that cycling between cars pointing in the other direction was a good idea. Better still, cycling at speed!


The inevitable happened resulting in an ambulance being called, a damaged car as well as shaken drivers and a broken bike. The cyclist appeared concussed and had blood pouring from his head and elbows as he ranted about bad drivers.


Are all cyclists getting a bad name because of the 'few', or is the 'few' now becoming the majority?
LCO

July 24th 2014

The fine that was not a fine part 1


 In the latter part of 2012, I was stopped on my cycle by a Community Police Officer ( hereinafter CPO ). I had followed a cycle route directional arrows and markings from a main road that took me across two shared pedestrian traffic lights ( Toucan crossing ) and onto a footway that had numerous cycle parking frames. I had been following an elderly lady who appeared to know the area as I was unfamiliar territory. As the lady pulled over to chain her bicycle I went on two cycle frames further and it was then that I was stopped. I had not seen any signage telling me it was purely a pedestrian area. Given the time of the day there were not many pedestrians. The CPO then proceeded to issue me with a ticket and a fine of £30. I stated that there isn't any signage advising and he said "I know."
LCO

July 23rd 2014

Clunkers - those cyclists who rarely cycle and when they do, it will likely be in known weather. The cycle they have may be an old Raleigh or Pashley with a chain guard. The act of pedalling 'clunks' the crank against the ill-fitting chain guard, resulting in a constant metronomic 'clunk'. Hence 'Clunkers'.
How many 'Clunkers' will you spot this week?
LCO

July 22nd 2014

Earphones. Although there are times when cycling to music is a pleasant experience away from traffic, cycling in the rush hour with earphones in traffic, has to be considered a bit daft. You miss so much information. It would be of interest if any of the spat of recent cycling deaths in London could be attributed partially, to someone wearing earphones.
I wonder where you would find this information?
LCO

July 21st 2014

Back to work today after a leave of absence and I notice that the concerts have been completed in Hyde Park and the clean up begins. Hopefully the hoarding will start coming down soon and I imagine there will be a period between August and early November when the ground can recover.
It is good to be amongst the head-bobbers, swervers, lycra bikers, plodders, clatterers, clunkers and the over enthusiastic biking types again. The ground is noticeably more parched that when I last cycled this route. Is it the heat wave or the park getting more use?

July 10th 2014

Cycling from Bloomsbury Road, Theobalds Road to Clerkenwell Road the other day. I found my self having to constantly swerve because of ruts, furrows, holes, ridges, gaps, sunken drain covers, protruding drain covers, Boris Bikers, Lycra Bikers, furrows, proud road markings, eradicated road markings, scree, rubbish and slipped kerbs.
I am aware the government intends to put more money into the roads following a series of difficult winters and maintenance underspend but the above mentioned route would be suggested as a priority.
Other bad roads that I believe should be a priority for repair in London are New Oxford Street, Lowndes Street and Tottenham Court Road.
What would be your priorities for repair?
LCO

July 11th 2014

Rain today and the roads are busy however, because there are fewer cyclists on the road, the whole cycling to work exercise seems much safer. Parked my bike in the rack and I was the only one where normally there would be five or six as a minimum.
We seem to be getting to the stage, that in the summer months ( except for rainy days ) we have reached a saturation point for cycling traffic.
Last week, I was waiting in a large queue of cycles to go through the lights from Hyde Park across Knightsbridge. The lights changed to red before I got to the lights and I found myself near the front of a longer queue which led to overspill outside the designated cycle path, and ultimately a free-for-all across the road.
Has it got to the stage where cycle route widths need to be increased do to rush hour volumes?
LCO

July 9th 2014

I stopped behind a red van today in traffic and on the rear, written in dirt, was a string of abuse towards cyclists. Mostly the language was foul and in some instances physically impossible however, in summary the comments were advising cyclists to keep clear and stop colliding into the van's wing mirrors.
As with any disagreements there are problems and solutions. Why do cyclists keep hitting the wing mirrors of the van? I suggest the following could be a selection of answers:

1. The wing mirrors are too big
2. The red van stops at junctions or in traffic without consideration of cycling flow - deliberately or otherwise
3. The van is too big
4. The driver is inadequate
5. The roads are too narrow
6. The cyclists or the van is in too much of a hurry
7. The cyclists think they own the road
8. A bad hair day for the cyclist or van driver

Any others?
LCO

July 8th 2014

Back through Hyde Park this morning. I noted that a police van had parked up next to the 7/7 memorial following last nights vandalism. I'm not sure what that achieved apart from perhaps a further distancing between Muslims and the general population that finds any desecration of memorials, monuments or gravestones, abhorrent.
Still, the overnight population, usually seen at this time of the year ( see post July 3rd 2014 ), seemed lacking. There used to regular patrols by the Parks Constabulary but security was handed over to the Metropolitan Police years ago.
Are we getting to a stage where a permanent Police presence in Hyde Park should be reconsidered?
LCO

July 7th 2014

Well the Tour De France comes to London and I'm off to the City today for a meeting.
There are diversions in place from around Buckingham Palace in preparation and halfway up the Mall all cyclists ( no cars allowed today ) are diverted past St James Palace towards Pall Mall. Lot's of cyclists today probably because of the event and a few seem to be completely ignoring signals and traffic ( more so than usual ).
I wonder if those cyclists think they own the road today?
LCO

July 4th 2014

Head bobbers - I have noticed whilst cycling that there are distinct head movements according to experience. The more experienced cyclists heads stay still whereas, the less experienced or indeed, most Boris bikers, have a side to side bobbing head.


I am unsure of the psychology behind this, or is it just down to poor cycle set up or lack of understanding of the mechanics of a cycle.


Have a look next time you are out. Am I right?


LCO

July 3rd 2014

What a lovely day! The sun is out and it is warm at 0800hrs. Cycling through Hyde Park this morning, I notice a number of dark objects in the sun and on the grass.


It seems that there are people who stay in the park overnight at this time of the year, whether they be rough sleepers, party animals or economic migrants from the European union or other parts of the UK, it seems that Hotel Hyde Park is the place to stay. Perhaps the park should think about opening the lavatories earlier for the overnight crowd?


LCO

July 2nd 2014

The winter has been hard and the tourists are aplenty. The white markings in Hyde Park have worn so much that the cycle route designations are unclear.


Add regular cyclists, throw in a few unaware tourists and maybe chuck in a few tourists on Boris bikes and bingo!


An accident waiting to happen?


LCO

July 1st 2014

Cycling through Hyde Park this morning, I notice that the area between speakers corner and the Serpentine is closed off again for another concert. Green hoarding completely spoils the view I enjoy across the park.


Thinking about it, from early November 2013 the area noted above, has not been accessible for a while. Initially due to Winter Wonderland, then a long period rectifying the damage caused, followed by seeding and preparation. This work only finished in early June, when it was completely open to all. A week later it closed again in order to commence preparation for the impending concerts.


Assuming the maintenance staff will take a few months to repair the damage caused by the concerts the area should be in a suitable condition just in time to cover it up again with the Winter Wonderland placement.


Is this this the equivalent of painting the Forth Bridge but without the amenity?


LCO