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