tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post1685352260717470244..comments2024-03-25T22:00:50.265+00:00Comments on *An English Travel Writer*: The Big (Wet) RideJenny Woolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-85307513630374762542012-05-15T12:34:44.367+01:002012-05-15T12:34:44.367+01:00Gosh. Is it really that long since I commented? ...Gosh. Is it really that long since I commented? In NZ cycling is big too and Napier has excellent facilities for the leisure rider and is much better than many places for the 'ordinary' rider. However there's the same sorts of controversies in Auckland and Wellington as there is in London. I used to cycle a lot until I moved into the country in NZ and the road into town is both windy and narrow and dangerous (and teeming with leisure cyclists nonetheless) and has a huge hill between the city and my home. So I rarely cycle now. I'm ashamed of myself. Must do better. Oh yes. Lewis. I have two bikes and it's always too windy or too wet so I never ride here either. I'm even more ashamed.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-85015576919176413672012-05-07T11:36:26.446+01:002012-05-07T11:36:26.446+01:00It takes courage to cycle in London with the weath...It takes courage to cycle in London with the weather we have had. Well done you!Murielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07669453005443249990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-10487864071490018962012-05-06T12:42:09.237+01:002012-05-06T12:42:09.237+01:00Wow, good for you for not allowing the vile weathe...Wow, good for you for not allowing the vile weather to put you off, and for sending a much-needed message to the city about cycling here. (And the photos were wonderful too!) I worry hugely for my friends who cycle in London as we sadly do not have the same cycling awareness as places like Denmark or the Netherland. Stay safe!Accidental Londonerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03257232099217500179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-53627539337415754522012-05-05T05:41:17.537+01:002012-05-05T05:41:17.537+01:00How very brave to cycle in such weather! I enjoyed...How very brave to cycle in such weather! I enjoyed the post and thought the pictures VG. As an avid cyclist, would you not support Boris J. who introduced the "Boris Bike"?Christine Osbornehttp://www.travelswithmyhat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-16522945859047814072012-05-04T10:08:58.807+01:002012-05-04T10:08:58.807+01:00I love cycling too... unfortunately my bike got st...I love cycling too... unfortunately my bike got stolen in Hamburg. Never happened to me in London, although it is indeed not a bike friendly city at all. I loved riding my road cycle in Richmond Park, but even though you're not allowed to drive fast because of the deer, many people drive like lunatics...Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02484107284986186647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-286931326997208292012-05-03T10:33:58.808+01:002012-05-03T10:33:58.808+01:00Goodness me - you did well to take all those photo...Goodness me - you did well to take all those photos in the rain!! Great post.Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837499893218903655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-52673216907385036142012-05-03T03:59:06.147+01:002012-05-03T03:59:06.147+01:00wow...how eventful. I loved looking at all the fu...wow...how eventful. I loved looking at all the fun and interesting pictures!momto8https://www.blogger.com/profile/13964950285763339907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-50349369729295140832012-05-02T21:40:22.599+01:002012-05-02T21:40:22.599+01:00Here we also have initiatives like the one you sho...Here we also have initiatives like the one you show us to solve the problem of traffic and cycling in our city council has ensured that cars traveling at 30 km per hour (well, there are miles). However yesterday a boy still died. It is sad. Years ago I went out on bike, but I got very scared of the car and myself. A hug and excellent post, a beautiful story.CARLOShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654339586928656650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-65146169160550664142012-05-02T13:05:42.871+01:002012-05-02T13:05:42.871+01:00Ha Ha! Not exactly the Tour de France, is it? I la...Ha Ha! Not exactly the Tour de France, is it? I laughed out loud at the sight of the little boy in his seat getting squished by his father's backpack! Pour kid. I can just imagine his tale back to his mum about the day he had.<br />Ashley (backyardprovence)Ashley Davidson-Fisherhttp://backyardprovence.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-43373645683075872182012-05-02T11:37:17.658+01:002012-05-02T11:37:17.658+01:00Oh my God, don't even get me started on Boris ...Oh my God, don't even get me started on Boris versus Ken! I might end up spoiling my ballot in a tantrum. <br /><br />You are VERY brave to have been out cycling on Saturday! Yikes.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-90218692643231242582012-05-02T09:36:47.365+01:002012-05-02T09:36:47.365+01:00What great pictures, Jenny - particularly the Neve...What great pictures, Jenny - particularly the Never Too Old man with the balloon! Good luck to you all - cycling is so obviously the most sensible way to get around London, if only the smelly cars and busies and white vans would take second place (can we dream of MPs cycling to Westminster ... bike racks outside the theatres ... ).JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-66513382518214776092012-05-02T09:30:10.570+01:002012-05-02T09:30:10.570+01:00What a brilliantly fun post! Although my cycling d...What a brilliantly fun post! Although my cycling days are past, I was very keen and very active once. And I do agree with you about London - and not just London - being bike unfriendly. Many of us who had known the empty post-war roads eventually took to canoeing instead, But this post is wonderful. I have enjoyed it so much. Thank you. (I thought the bus lane was the (service?) road on the far side!)Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-11002500633365248382012-05-02T08:58:02.675+01:002012-05-02T08:58:02.675+01:00Yes, AVCr8teur, that bike lane is astonishingly da...Yes, AVCr8teur, that bike lane is astonishingly dangerous. Seems like many people reading this blog agree - it's nice to have my thoughts confirmed about that. Most cyclists I read about are killed because they get too near large vehicles and the drivers don't always see them when they turn. <br /><br />Dedicated bike lanes are the answer, but as you say, Rourusha, there isn't always the space (I think London is perhaps less crowded than Tokyo but many of the streets are very old and narrow. One of the good things Ken Livingstone did was ensure that special cycle maps can be obtained free at Tube stations. By following those less busy routes, it's possible to get across most of the city with a minimum of scary experiences. And frankly when it is too busy I just get off and walk till it looks better.Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-61801556845814129032012-05-02T07:41:21.933+01:002012-05-02T07:41:21.933+01:00Great port! Really enjoyed that ride in the rain ...Great port! Really enjoyed that ride in the rain with my cup in my hand and my feet on the radiator! I must get down on to my bike again, when the rain stops....Greta post!Adullamitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15537659871829290071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-15445523295402114992012-05-02T07:24:24.239+01:002012-05-02T07:24:24.239+01:00Wow that looks like quite a parade, in spite of th...Wow that looks like quite a parade, in spite of the weather. I'd never dare cycle in that kind of traffic. (Actually I don't cycle at all now but that's another story.) Great post!DawnTreaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04533307672147117843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-71030401288262049592012-05-02T05:44:59.662+01:002012-05-02T05:44:59.662+01:00Despite the terrible weather, the demonstration se...Despite the terrible weather, the demonstration seemed successful. To see bikes with all shapes and sizes along with participants' various colorful outfits and rain gears is so interesting and fun.<br />Here I am afraid there are no bike lanes only,as far as I know. Cyclists should run at the end of motor roads but usually they run on the sidewalk. Both pedestrians and cyclists have complaints about it. I hope this campaign of yours will lead to a successful result.cosmoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-54363786790998179672012-05-02T05:06:40.610+01:002012-05-02T05:06:40.610+01:00Lots of decorative bikes on your cycling campaign....Lots of decorative bikes on your cycling campaign. I hope it got your point across. I am still trying to figure out where the bike lane is in your first photo. Aren't bike lanes normally on the side of the road closes to the sidewalk? Otherwise, it is just too dangerous!AVCr8teurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17791962268368737548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-53818129291991675612012-05-02T04:07:05.471+01:002012-05-02T04:07:05.471+01:00Excellent post and your pictures really give the f...Excellent post and your pictures really give the feeling of the determination of the cyclists -- the picture of your hands suddenly made mine feel not only cold, but wet too. I thoroughly agree that more effort should be put into encouraging biking in our cities, but how to get through to our politicians is the big question.The Broadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04976467218216864644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-66803032563774046702012-05-02T03:40:35.978+01:002012-05-02T03:40:35.978+01:00nice...there are some cool looking bikes there...a...nice...there are some cool looking bikes there...and def some interesting people...i would have been in heaven people watching..even in the rain...smiles...Brian Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722940075884718007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-1546031699031205342012-05-02T02:27:00.755+01:002012-05-02T02:27:00.755+01:00Here, too, bicycling lanes are more an afterthough...Here, too, bicycling lanes are more an afterthought than a planned idea. It's true that it is just too hot and humid in Florida for any serious cycling, so people tend to give it little thought. Luckily, we have trails and paths for recreational cycling - but to get there, you have to load your bike in the car and drive. <br /><br />Your cause is a worthy cause and I enjoyed your collection of pictures. Hope you achieve your goal of more and better lanes and safe cycling!Pixel Peeperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17553862902461169270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-2063010397283860462012-05-02T01:36:15.283+01:002012-05-02T01:36:15.283+01:00Oh, my goodness, that bike lane is in a precarious...Oh, my goodness, that bike lane is in a precarious location. It would be fairly confronting being out there amongst that traffic! Well done to those who do it.<br />Jenny, I just adored looking at all the pics of the Big Ride people. Wow, everyone came it seems. <br />Your pictures were fabulous too, especially under the conditions - frozen hands etc!! A beaut post.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15849036690807834080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-8335195997157764322012-05-02T01:35:40.469+01:002012-05-02T01:35:40.469+01:00Your post in London was lovely, a reminder of Lond...Your post in London was lovely, a reminder of London, as I have only visited there a few times. But I agree about the lorries and busses..(and those busses have updated since I was there.) My best ever biking experiences were in The Netherlands. Wonderful. I'm new to this blogging, liking it more every day. Thanks for stopping by my post. I must also say here, I laughed laughed laughed at the cat, (last post), since we just acquired a lovely cat. Thanks. MaryMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09840472612308245156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-15593723143449143332012-05-02T01:34:17.615+01:002012-05-02T01:34:17.615+01:00Your post in London was lovely, a reminder of Lond...Your post in London was lovely, a reminder of London, as I have only visited there a few times. But I agree about the lorries and busses..(and those busses have updated since I was there.) My best ever biking experiences were in The Netherlands. Wonderful. I'm new to this blogging, liking it more every day. Thanks for stopping by my post. I must also say here, I laughed laughed laughed at the cat, (last post), since we just acquired a lovely cat. Thanks. MaryMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09840472612308245156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-73966081506113365612012-05-02T00:35:18.406+01:002012-05-02T00:35:18.406+01:00Bicycles rule in Japan. Too much, I must add (ris...Bicycles rule in Japan. Too much, I must add (risking frowns from all concerned), because here cyclists use pavements! It would've been OK if cyclists were less oblivious, but they really have atrocious road, sorry, pavement manners. It's my pet hate in Tokyo.<br /><br />Having said that, and being one of the 85% of people in Japan who own a bicycle, I readily admit that it's unpleasant to share roads with with buses, taxis, trucks and wannabe F1 drivers.<br /><br />Bike lanes? I don't see that ever happening in Tokyo with its limited space. Solution? I have no idea.<br /><br />Fun photos and interesting post!Ruroushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10638258526527895171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-54976215071300853652012-05-01T23:22:01.177+01:002012-05-01T23:22:01.177+01:00I enjoyed reading all the comments. Sometimes heav...I enjoyed reading all the comments. Sometimes heavy traffic scares me Darla One answer is dedicated bike lanes, but they don't always go where you want. <br /><br />Three feet of clearance sounds reasonable, Mimi, although some of the streets here are pretty narrow and sometimes it's barely possible for a car to overtake a bike. <br /><br />Oh, Poet Whale, seeing an echo of a departed loved one can be a strange feeling. I hope the picture gave you happy thoughts.<br /><br />Young at Heart, you are so right about those insufferable "real" cyclists. I assure you that I wouldn't whizz past you! :) I don't like the boys who cycle at top speed on the pavements - they're usually drug dealing, I'm told. Luckily I don't encounter many of those. <br /><br />Thanks, Ruby, I felt a bit bad about the bad quality of the photos. I couldn't have taken the pictures at all with my "real" camera though. It can't handle rain. <br /><br />Kay, I have to say that the weather now probably isn't any predictor of the summer. We had such a warm, summery March!<br /><br />It is a good point, Valentina, about having places to leave the bike. I usually find a traffic sign or railing to lock my bike to, but it's not always easy. <br /><br />Jon, intense heat would put me off cycling more than rain and cold. I'm not good with hot weather.Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.com