My year of Cycling – now two (part 4)

New 2022 highway code in regards to cycling in UK.

The month of October 2022 brings my cycling journey to two years and I’m still loving it and managing to get out and about every week.

New Highway Code

In practise the code is a joke as far as cyclists are concerned. A high percentage of drivers are either unaware of it or choose to ignore it. Its really only about having respect for all road users but you’ll find drivers who just can’t wait even a few seconds to get past you. White van drivers (or actually any colour van man driver) are definitely the worst. I think its really important that all road users are aware of what its actually like to ride a bike on a road. If the new code is implemented by all it would make a big difference .

The updated code clarifies that:

  • when people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way
  • if people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the people crossing have priority and the traffic should give way
  • people driving, riding a motorcycle or cycling must give way to people on a zebra crossing and people walking and cycling on a parallel crossing

A parallel crossing is similar to a zebra crossing, but includes a cycle route alongside the black and white stripes.

There is new guidance in the code about routes and spaces which are shared by people walking, cycling and riding horses.

People cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle should respect the safety of people walking in these spaces, but people walking should also take care not to obstruct or endanger them.

People cycling are asked to:

  • not pass people walking, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle closely or at high speed, particularly from behind
  • slow down when necessary and let people walking know they are there (for example, by ringing their bell)
  • remember that people walking may be deaf, blind or partially sighted
  • not pass a horse on the horse’s left

There is updated guidance for people cycling about positioning themselves which includes:

  • riding in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings
  • keeping at least 0.5 metres (just over 1.5 feet) away from the kerb edge (and further where it is safer) when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than them

People cycling in groups

The updated code explains that people cycling in groups:

  • should be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups
  • can ride 2 abreast – and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders

People cycling are asked to be aware of people driving behind them and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when it’s safe to do so.

People cycling passing parked vehicles

The updated code explains that people cycling should:

  • take care when passing parked vehicles, leaving enough room (a door’s width or 1 metre) to avoid being hit if a car door is opened
  • watch out for people walking into their path

Positioning in the road when cycling

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There is updated guidance for people cycling about positioning themselves which includes:

  • riding in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings
  • keeping at least 0.5 metres (just over 1.5 feet) away from the kerb edge (and further where it is safer) when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than them

People cycling in groups

The updated code explains that people cycling in groups:

  • should be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups
  • can ride 2 abreast – and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders

People cycling are asked to be aware of people driving behind them and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when it’s safe to do so.

People cycling passing parked vehicles

The updated code explains that people cycling should:

  • take care when passing parked vehicles, leaving enough room (a door’s width or 1 metre) to avoid being hit if a car door is opened
  • watch out for people walking into their path

Overtaking when driving or cycling

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You may cross a double-white line if necessary (provided the road is clear) to overtake someone cycling or riding a horse if they are travelling at 10 mph or less (Rule 129).

There is updated guidance on safe passing distances and speeds for people driving or riding a motorcycle when overtaking vulnerable road users, including:

  • leaving at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and giving them more space when overtaking at higher speeds
  • passing people riding horses or driving horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10 mph and allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space
  • allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space and keeping to a low speed when passing people walking in the road (for example, where there’s no pavement)

Wait behind them and do not overtake if it’s unsafe or not possible to meet these clearances.

People cycling passing slower-moving or stationary traffic

The updated code confirms that people cycling may pass slower-moving or stationary traffic on their right or left.

They should proceed with caution as people driving may not be able to see them. This is particularly important:

  • on the approach to junctions
  • when deciding whether it is safe to pass lorries or other large vehicles

People cycling at junctions

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The code has been updated to clarify that when turning into or out of a side road, people cycling should give way to people walking who are crossing or waiting to cross.

There is new advice about new special cycle facilities at some junctions.

Some junctions now include small cycle traffic lights at eye-level height, which may allow cyclists to move separately from or before other traffic. People cycling are encouraged to use these facilities where they make their journey safer and easier.

There is also new guidance for people cycling at junctions with no separate facilities.

The code recommends that people cycling should proceed as if they were driving a vehicle where there are no separate cyclist facilities. This includes positioning themselves in the centre of their chosen lane, where they feel able to do this safely. This is to:

  • make them as visible as possible
  • avoid being overtaken where this would be dangerous

People cycling turning right

The code now includes advice for people cycling using junctions where signs and markings tell them to turn right in 2 stages. These are:

  • stage 1 – when the traffic lights turn green, go straight ahead to the location marked by a cycle symbol and turn arrow on the road, and then stop and wait
  • stage 2 – when the traffic lights on the far side of the junction (now facing the people cycling) turn green, complete the manoeuvre

People cycling have priority when going straight ahead at junctions

The code clarifies that when people cycling are going straight ahead at a junction, they have priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of a side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise.

People cycling are asked to watch out for people driving intending to turn across their path, as people driving ahead may not be able to see them.

People cycling, riding a horse and driving horse-drawn vehicles on roundabouts

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The code has been updated to clarify that people driving or riding a motorcycle should give priority to people cycling on roundabouts. The new guidance will say people driving and or riding a motorcycle should:

  • not attempt to overtake people cycling within that person’s lane
  • allow people cycling to move across their path as they travel around the roundabout

The code already explained that people cycling, riding a horse and driving a horse-drawn vehicle may stay in the left-hand lane of a roundabout when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout.

Guidance has been added to explain that people driving should take extra care when entering a roundabout to make sure they do not cut across people cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle who are continuing around the roundabout in the left-hand lane.

Newcastle Jaunt

Couple of nights in Newcastle was just what was needed. Not been before and had heard that it was a cool place, so myself and a mate booked into the Travel Lodge on the quayside. Would certainly recommend – it was cheap, clean and very comfy and to top it all we had a river view. It also has a cafe where we had a completely adequate breakfast for 8 quid. Great position too. Love what’s been done with the quayside – its a lovely wander alongside the Tyne, with lots of places for refreshment.

Click on photos for larger image.

All views of Newcastle and its Quayside are dominated by the seven great bridges and it is of course as a fortified bridging point that Newcastle owes its origins. Today’s famous ‘Tyne Bridge’ is a great steel bridge of 1928 but it is the lower level Swing Bridge of 1876 that marks the site of the earlier Tyne Bridges of historic times. Here a medieval bridge of uncertain date superseded an earlier Roman bridge. The bridge was in existence by 1179 but was rebuilt in 1248 following a fire. Constructed of stone, it had 12 arches. Its entire course was cluttered with a picturesque collection of houses and shops of wood and stone, as well as defensive towers and a chapel. In 1724 Daniel Defoe compared the street of houses on the bridge to that which existed on London Bridge at the time.

In November, 1771 a flood wrecked the Old Tyne Bridge destroying the buildings that lined its course. A temporary bridge was constructed in October 1772, replaced by a new stone bridge in 1781. It was the only bridge across the Tyne in Newcastle until the High Level Bridge opened in 1849.

The seven famous bridges across the Tyne, which link the city to Gateshead on the south bank of the river are from west to east; the Redheugh bridge, King Edward VII Bridge, Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, The High Level Bridge, the Swing Bridge, the George V Bridge (or Tyne Bridge) and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

The George V Bridge, a road bridge more familiarly known as the Tyne Bridge is the most famous Newcastle landmark. Opened in 1929 by King George V and built by Dorman Long of Middlesbrough, it closely resembles the very much larger Sydney Harbour Bridge which was also built by the Middlesbrough firm at around the same time.

The lowest of the Tyne bridges in terms of height is the Swing Bridge of 1876, a road bridge that leads directly into the old heart of the Newcastle Quayside below the castle keep. Designed by the famous Tyneside engineer William Armstrong (1810-1900) it opened without ceremony in June 1876. The Swing Bridge replaced the Georgian stone bridge which had very little clearance for ships passing beneath. The swing mechanism of the new bridge enabled larger vessels to reach the upper parts of the Tyne – where of course the famous Armstrong works at Elswick were located.

The Swing Bridge (like its Georgian predecessor) is located on the site of the Roman and medieval bridge. During the construction of the Swing Bridge, two Roman altars were dredged from the river that were dedicated to the gods Neptune and Oceanus. They would have belonged to a shrine built to protect the Roman bridge of Pons Aelius from the tidal Tyne.

The King Edward VII Bridge is a rail bridge, built in 1906 by Cleveland Bridge of Darlington and opened, appropriately enough, by Edward VII. The Redheugh and Queen Elizabeth II bridges are more modern structures. The present Redheugh Bridge, a road bridge, is a concrete structure and was opened by Diana, the Princess of Wales in May 1983. It is the third bridge of that name, superseding earlier bridges of 1871 and 1901.

The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge is a steel structure used by the Tyne and Wear Metro system and was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in November 1981.

Oldest of Newcastle’s present Tyne bridges, is the High Level Bridge which was erected in 1848 to the designs of Robert Stephenson, it comprises two tiers for road and rail. One of the best views of Newcastle can be obtained from on board a train as it crosses this bridge on the main London to Edinburgh line. The High Level is so-named because it was the first Newcastle bridge to span the Tyne from the top of one bank to another. All earlier bridges had spanned the river at low level.

The most recent of the bridges is of course the beautiful Gateshead Millennium Bridge which is for the use of cyclists and pedestrians only. Opened in September 2001, the whole bridge can be tilted by 40 degrees to allow ships and boats to pass underneath.

The large weird shaped glass covered building on the far side of the river is The Sage.

The Castle, Newcastle, or Newcastle Castle is a medieval fortification in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, built on the site of the fortress that gave the City of Newcastle its name. The most prominent remaining structures on the site are the Castle Keep , the castle’s main fortified stone tower, and the Black Gate, its fortified gatehouse.

Use of the site for defensive purposes dates from Roman times, when it housed a fort and settlement called Pons Aelius (meaning ‘bridge of Hadrian‘), guarding a bridge over the River Tyne. Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror, in 1080 built a wooden motte and bailey style castle on the site of the Roman fort. Curthose built this ‘New Castle upon Tyne’ after he returned south from a campaign against Malcolm III of Scotland. Henry II built the stone Castle Keep between 1172 and 1177 on the site of Curthose’s castle. Henry III added the Black Gate between 1247 and 1250. Nothing remains of the Roman fort or the original motte and bailey castle. The Keep is a Grade I listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The Castle Keep and Black Gate pre-date the construction of the Newcastle town wall, construction of which started around 1265, and did not include it. The site of the keep is in the centre of Newcastle and lies to the east of Newcastle station. The 75-foot (23 m) gap between the keep and the gatehouse is almost entirely filled by the railway viaduct that carries the East Coast Main Line from Newcastle to Scotland. (from wikipedia)

Fabulous views of the city from the top of the castle.

The first three photos are of Newcastle Cathedral – some really old grave stones inside (16th century) and a nice cafe.

The rest are a selection of shots that might give you a flavour of the city. I really took to it.

My Year of cycling(electric)Part 3 The Machine.

So now we get to the bike. I researched electric bikes for months and visited many bike shops to get advice and info. I eventually plumped for the Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625. The link provides a good review of it. I went to Wheelbase in Ilkley and tried both the step through and the trapeze versions. The step through is not a “womans” bike, it is what it says it is – easy entry. I liked the look of the trapeze version more and it seemed a little more robust.

The first one is my actual bike the second a media image of the step through.

A quick word about bike shops. As with motor bike shops, you will find staff are generally very friendly and eager to talk about bikes and riding. They will all be cyclists of one sort or another and are more than happy to advise and extol the virtues of cycling. And of course sell you a bike! But they know what they are talking about. I found Wheelbase of Ilkley to be great and nothing was too much trouble. They have helped me out with issues that I have had with no charge, when I’ve just popped in with the bike. Big Bear Bikes in Pickering is another great shop although they don’t deal with Cube. More local is Life Cycles in Stanningley and the Edinburgh Bicycle Co Operative in Chapple Allerton get great reviews.

I absolutely love my Kathmandu and have ridden far and wide around West Yorkshire and into North Yorkshire, further than I ever would ride on a non electric. It’s given me confidence and great exercise. Believe me, you still have to exert a lot of energy peddling, particularly if, like me, you use the battery only when necessary. There is absolutely no drag when peddling without the battery and plenty of power on turbo to get you up those long steep hills. The Bosch motor seems to be the king of motors according to experts and mid motors are better than hub motors. The 625 refers to the battery size – it is the biggest so far, although I did hear that there’s a 700 that some company is now doing. Think it might be Specialized? The battery is the heaviest part of the bike (the downside to electric bikes is the weight – mine is 25kg) and the most expensive. But most important! I have got 60miles out of mine, but it all depends how you ride and use it. It’s important to keep it charged up and worth keeping it in your house, rather than at cold temperatures in the garage. Personally I’d always go for the larger battery.

There are many different types of bikes that you can buy for different types of activities. The Kathmandu Pro is a hybrid. A hybrid bike is just what it says it is……….it uses a mix of elements from different styles of bikes. The Kathmandu is a cross between a hardtail mountain bike and an urban road bike. So it has front suspension and fat tyres that you might get on a mountain bike and a luggage rack that you might find on an urban road bike.

In the gallery above are all the various bits of my bike that I think are important to comfort and usability . You can click on the images to get a larger view. From the top, left to right…….

The Handlebars.

Heres your control centre! You can get various sizes and shapes of handlebars but these suit me just fine. I prefer a slightly wider one.

The second photo shows my little spy mirror. I find it really useful to be able to see what is approaching from behind and this is an unobtrusive one. You can get larger one that sticks out. I really don’t recommend wearing headphones whilst riding, although you will see many riders doing this. I hear vehicles approaching quite often long before I see them in the mirror.

The third photo shows the Bosch computer. There are five different Bosch computers, this one is the Intuvia, the second in the range. There are four power modes on the computer, that are easily found by clicking the controller on the next photo. Eco Tour Sport Turbo. The power is switched on and off here too. The computer functions:

  1. A  Activate Walk Assist Press Walk assist and hold
  2. B  Reset display options
  3. C  Shift recommendation
  4. D  Current speed
  5. E  Battery charge level
  6. F Current riding mode
  7.  G Information button:(toggle between the various display options (trip distance, trip time, average, range)
  8. H Switch lights on/off (Bosch bike computers)

The third photo also shows a phone mount. This is the Quad lock phone mount and its brilliant. I use my phone for navigation and it has always stayed on the mount even when Ive crashed! So I thoroughly recommend.

Now just look at this beautiful bell! Yes a bell is really important. There are lots of cycleways, bridle paths and tow paths where you will find many other users, who need to be warned when you are coming up behind them. Most bikes come with really cheap, pathetic bells and the pinger either breaks or gets so bent that it won’t ring the bell!! So my husband bought me this beauty for Christmas. It looks great and the ping is loud. You’ll still find people who are deaf to any kind of warning though! Lion Bell Works

Next photo – I changed the pedals because I found that when off road my feet sometimes slipped off, so I bought these smashers and they’re red lol! Burgtec Pedals They are great and your feet stick to them like glue.

Ive talked about the saddle in a pervious post so we’ll leave that. Next are photos of the wheels. You might notice that the tyres are not so fat; that is because I changed the fat Big Ben tyres for slightly thinner, more knobbly ones, that seem to work well in wet, muddy, rocky terrain. The front wheel has a quick release mechanism, which means the wheel can easily be taken off for transportation.

Talking about transportation…………………………if you intend to transport your bike to a destination you will more than likely need a bike carrier. Because electric bike are so heavy you will need a tow bar one. My husband and i sometimes go out together and need to transport two electric bikes, which combined weigh approximately 50kg. We take the batteries out, which cuts the weight down a bit, but you still wont get away with any other carrier – imagine trying to get them up onto a roof one!! We researched carriers and Thrule came out on top every time. There are youtube videos that show you how to use them. We got the Velo Compact from Halfords which holds two bikes and is as compact as you will get. It folds down and when the bikes are on it you can still access the boot.

So to end this section just a word about the many other types of electric bikes that you can buy and UK law.

In the UK your steed is an “electrically assisted pedal cycle” (or EAPC, or ebike, or Pedelec) if: the bike has pedals that propel it; the electric motor won’t assist you when you’re travelling more than 25 km/h (15.5mph); and the power doesn’t exceed 250 watts.

The cycles that meet these requirements (which affect two-wheeled bikes but also tandems and tricycles) can be ridden on any cycle paths and anywhere else that bikes are normally allowed.

In the UK you must be over 14 years old to ride an electric bike but you don’t need a licence, nor do you need to register it or pay vehicle tax.

You may find off-road bikes that can go faster than 15.5 mph by flicking a switch, but for UK law these are not compliant with EAPC regulations for on-road use.

As for the different types theres your city/commuter, road, mountain, gravel, folding, hybrid, cargo and probably some somewhere that I haven’t mentioned. If you decide you want to buy one go to a decent bike shop and get advice and try some out. It will all depend on what adventures you want to go on.

GO FOR IT!

Ripley/Hampsthwaite Circular. (from Holt Park Leeds)

Lovely ride – 37miles. Adel-Weardly-Harewood estate-Harewood bridge-Harrogate Rd-Kirby Overblow-Pannal-Burn Bridge-off road section to Harrogate-join Nidderdale Cycleway to Ripley-Hampsthwaite-Beckwithshaw-North Rigton-Pool-Arthington-Bramhope and back.

Tour is available on Komoot. If you would like to follow me on komoot send me a message. Click here for info on The Nidderdale Greenway. Ripley Castle is worth a visit and the cafe is a must. The butchers at Ripley do lovely pies.

My Year of Cycling (electric) Part 2. (Things I’ve learnt).

THE BODY

Ok you can cycle in whatever you like, its up to you and as Ive said before lycra is not my option at all. You will see all the racers on their drop handle machines, bum in the air, kitted out in the stuff but Im not into that. I class myself as a leisure rider, a tourer if you like, and I want to ride in what I’m comfortable in. That doesn’t mean to say lycra doesn’t have its place. My lycra undershorts help to hold me in and stop bits wobbling. lol. There are however , some handy bits of cycle wear that are worth buying.

  1. Cycle Jersey

Theres so many designs to choose from that help you stand out from the crowd if you want to. They are normally polyester and extremely light. They won’t keep you warm, although some say they are windproof. The best bit about them are the pockets in the back. In these you can slip your phone, your keys, some chocolate.

All the above I just had to have……..Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon-their best album in my humble opinion and one that featured heavily in my teenage years (and beyond). Then the musical instruments one was a no brainer too AND then I found the last one – a homage to the Beatles! As you can see the first two have three pockets in the back. The 8 days a week one is useless for storage as no pockets. Its called a lightweight wind jacket. Ive only ever worn it in the summer. The company selling these is great with some cool designs. Cycology.

2. Body Layers

During the winter I have continued to cycle with temperatures down to 4C. If theres no wind and theres some sun, I’ll still go out. On these days it’s so clear you can see for miles, but you’ll need to layer on those undergarments. At first I layered up way too much and ended up sweating like mad and then getting cold. After a few attempts I think Ive more or less sorted it. I bought a Berghaus Voyager Tech long sleeved shirt that is really light and has good wicking properties. So thats my first layer, then I got a long sleeved merino wool top that goes on next. Its lovely and soft and thin.  Each fibre naturally helps regulate body temperature, transports sweat away as a vapor, and cancels out odours.  Then comes the piece de resistance a thermal jacket. The Endura MT500 Freezing Point Jacket. Not cheap at just over £100, but worth every penny. It may not look much but believe me it is a thing of beauty! I spent, literally, months researching winter jackets, trawling through reviews and cycling clothing websites before deciding on this and I couldn’t be happier with it. Its really lightweight, got ripstop body panels, with Primaloft GOLD insulation (whatever that is, its good). Stretch soft-shell panels on back and sides and massive zipped vents under the arms. Couple of front pockets and a tiny hidden one inside. There’s reflective trims and its got a water repellent finish. The hood fits over a cycle helmet when the rain sets in. Ive only worn it once and its just what I wanted.

3. Legs

I wear shorts and trousers over some undershorts. I have bought specific cycling shorts but not trousers. These are the Nukeproof Nirvana shorts. They’re really lightweight, have an adjustable waistband, ventilation holes and a handy little bag clipped into the pocket for sunglasses or whatever you want to pop in it. I have purple pair too.

My go to trousers most of the time are a pair of really light Technicals with a soft waistband and roll up to three quarter legs if I want.

Ive also got walking trousers that I use for cycling. These are Nordwand Trousers Women Wine Red from Revolution Race.

They are so comfortable and really good value. They are not waterproof though. So I bought some winter waterproof trousers. They are fantastic quality and really comfortable but so warm Ive only worn them once.

Northbound Gear Adventure Water Resistant Pants

4. Head.

I can remember being quite resistant to wearing a helmet in my youth, but never go out without one now. I’ve had a few falls, where my head had hit the ground and Im glad I had a helmet on. Theres so many cool helmets out there now, in many different styles. I opted fo one from Giro, with a MIPs safety feature. The Mips® safety system features a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows multi-directional movement of 10-15mm on certain angled impacts, intended to help reduce rotational force to the head. It has been shown to lessen the rotational force to the head.

Its a lovely light airy helmet and at a reasonable price. I like the style and the removable visor. The wheel at the back helps to adjust the fit.

I always wear glasses when cycling. Theres nothing worse than your eyes streaming with the wind or getting flies, dirt, or any other flying debris in them.

Then theres the fabulous “Buff” for around your neck. These tubes of material are great. You can do all sorts with them. You can have them just around your neck to help soak up the sweat, pull them up at the back and over your head under the helmet or use it as I have below, which keeps your nose warm and flies out of your mouth!

5. Feet

I always wear a thick pair of socks (any old socks) and a pair of Adidas 51o mountain bike shoes, which although stick to the pedals like glue, which is why I bought them, I don’t find them very comfortable. Its probably just me, because they come highly recommended, but I get numbness in the balls of my feet after a while! I have worn trainers and don’t get it then as they have more cushioning.

So there we have it, for what its worth that is Part 2! Part three will be about the bike.

My Year of Cycling (electric) Part 1. (Things I’ve learnt).

I bought this Cube Kathmandu Pro 625 hybrid electric bike a year ago and have not looked back. I love it. It has opened up my life, taken me to loads of places in Yorkshire, without a hitch (more or less!!). It’s given me a new hobby and made me fitter. Its taken me back to my youth, when most of my free time was spent on my bike. From a lovely red tricycle with a boot that banged up and down as I careered along the pavements. I filled it with newspapers for some reason. Something like the one below.

I remember learning to ride a two wheeler. Not sure if it was Dad or my brother who let go and I was off. Right through my teenage years and on to college in Liverpool, where I borrowed a bike to ride to see my Grandmother in Birkenhead. Even after I was married I had a couple of mountain bikes and used to fancy I could ride the mtb trails! Then came my daughter and bikes were sold and cycling forgotten.

Now I try to get out on my bike as often as I can and Ive cycled further than I ever thought possible. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that theres no effort involved with an electric bike or that its cheating! For a start the proper name for them is “pedal assisted bikes” or pedalecs – you still have to pedal and how much effort you use is up to you. As for cheating? I’m not in competition with anybody except myself. Certainly not with the lycra clad racing brigade. I’m more of a tourer, going places I haven’t been before, enjoying the scenery, stopping for a drink or cake ( which my brother informs me are obligatory), taking a photo and breathing in the fresh air.

So on to things Ive learnt

BUMS

  1. SADDLE – the first thing I changed. Your bum is one of the most important things to look after when on a bike. I did a lot of research about saddles and getting the right fit for the right bum. Quite obvious really, what is fit for one rider is not for another, its very personal. So I learnt about “sit bones”, which are the hard boney bits in your bum where your behind will be sitting on the saddle and it is a good idea to get the measurement between them in order for you to get a saddle that is right for you. I went to Big Bear Bikes in Pickering and had my sit bone distance measured and got a saddle for my personal bum.
Botranger Boulevard Fluid

Ive found it suits me well but its a very personal choice.

2. SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS

Also under the bums section is several pairs of padded shorts. Again its a very personal choice. I think its plainly obvious that female and male parts down there are very different, so make sure you get gender specific one and if you’re not sure get one of each!! lol. Ive got some lycra undershorts as I wouldn’t be seen in lycra and you wouldn’t want to see me in lycra !

3. CHAMOIS BUTTER/CREAM

The padding in shorts in the early days was leather chamois as in the leather you may have used for finishing off a car wash and chamois butter is stuff you put on the padding of cycle shorts or directly on your nether regions to stop saddle soreness. I suffered a bit of soreness at first and on a few occasions but honestly not very often. However i did invest in some specifically for women and have found it great on rare occasions when I felt the need. Ive used this one.

4. RELIEF WHEN RIDING.

When you’ve been sat in the saddle for a long time whilst riding its nice to get a bit of relief from the pressure. I find sitting up straight and leaning very slightly back onto my sit bones, gives the soft bits a bit of a break. Also standing up on the pedals is great – I love this elevated position its a great feeling.

The Shit Show that is England 2021

I am so ashamed to be english at the moment. So embarrassed at what the world is witnessing, as our country becomes a total shit show. Racism is rife…

“England’s players have taken a knee before games at the Euros to highlight the fight against racial inequality.

On the day the tournament started on 11 June, the prime minister did not condemn fans who jeered when England players took the knee during two warm-up games.

Instead, Johnson said he wanted to see fans “getting behind the team to cheer them on” – and was then accused of not having “the guts to call it out” by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.”

LONDON (AP) — British police opened investigations Monday into the racist abuse of three Black players who failed to score penalties in England’s shootout loss to Italy in the European Championship final.

“The Metropolitan Police condemned the “unacceptable” abuse of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, and said they will be investigating the “offensive and racist” social media posts published soon after Italy won Sunday’s shootout 3-2 following a 1-1 draw. A mural of Rashford on the wall of a cafe in south Manchester was also defaced with graffiti in the wake of the match.”

I was glad to see the response of probably a majority of people who took to social media and the crowd who restored Marcus Rashfords mural and demonstrated their support of the players.

More racism towards migrants and refugees trying to better themselves by coming to this country, many escaping poverty and torture or war. This led by the crap government that I can’t believe got voted in and that many people still support.

“An investigation by the Byline Intelligence Team can reveal that the majority of refugees resettled in the UK between 2010-2020 were from Syria and other Middle Eastern countries affected by war. 

The data comes at a time when anti-migrant rhetoric continues to portray people seeking asylum as “economic migrants” and not “genuine” – while the new Nationality and Borders Bill seeks to create a tiered system that would see people entering the UK via so-called “illegal” routes imprisoned. 

Of the 29,500 refugees resettled in the UK between 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2020 under the country’s four resettlement schemes, 75% were citizens of Middle Eastern countries. Of these, 68% were from Syria, which has been embroiled in a devastating civil conflict since 2011. 

In total, between 2011-2019, 27,000 people from Syria were granted asylum, including around 19,000 resettled refugees. 

The number of people resettled from Syria dwarfs those from other countries. In the same period, 1,957 people were resettled from Somalia, 1,950 people from Iraq, 1,774 from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 1,133 from Sudan. 

In 2020 and 2021, more Iranian people attempted to claim asylum in the UK than any other nationality. However, people from Syria and Eritrea had the highest grant rate. 

Last year, only 353 refugees were resettled in the UK and 9,000 people were offered asylum-related protection at the first decision.” “Seventy years ago, British people were helping draft the first Refugee Convention,” said Tim Naor Hiltion. “Today our ministers plan to tear it up.”

Then theres the anti-vaxxers and covid deniers and anti maskers!!! A pandemic that has hit the world over and killed millions of people and these people deny covid exists – HOW FUCKING STUPID ARE THEY!!!!!!!! Can you believe this???

  • “Thousands gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square to protest the use of COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • Kate Shemirani – a former nurse who was struck off – compared the use of the jabs to Nazi-era medical testing.
  • Several other high-profile conspiracy theorists spoke at the event, including David Icke and Piers Corbyn.

Speaking at the protests were several renowned right-wing conspiracy theorists, including David Icke, Katie Hopkins – who just got refused entry to Australia for refusing to produce COVID-19 documentation – and Gillian McKeith.

The protest, dubbed a “worldwide rally for freedom,” in London’s Trafalgar Square was held five days after England lifted most of its COVID restriction

Kate Shemirani, a former nurse who was struck off the Nursing and Midwifery Council in June 2021 for spreading COVID misinformation, addressed the crowd.

She told them: “Get their names [of doctors and nurses]. Email them to me. With a group of lawyers, we are collecting all that. At the Nuremberg Trials, the doctors and nurses stood trial, and they hung. If you are a doctor or a nurse, now is the time to get off that bus… and stand with us, the people,” reported The Independent.

There is serious manipulation of people going on here. Its scary. Ive lost a friend to these conspiracy theories and it makes me angry.

Boris Johnson is an ignorant liar, a cheat, a racist, incompetent, gives jobs to his mates and is ruining the country in every way possible. Other countries are looking on in dismay. His handling of the pandemic in this country is a series of catastrophes and has killed many people. Read “Failures of State” A damning assessment, by investigative journalists Jonathan Calvert and George Arbuthnott, of the handling of the pandemic by the British government. It is gob smackingly awful. And it only catalogues events up to Jan 21.

I’m seriously worried about what my granddaughter will inherit. I just have to cling onto the fact that all the people I come across in my life seem to be reasonable, pleasant and sensible. I hope this government implodes and social media takes a good look at itself and regulates what is posted. I hope for some form of government with some decent values.

EDIT:

Cant sleep …….Ive had to get up for a cuppa and add to this because I can’t believe i didn’t mention BREXIT! Another disaster ! Another Tory con, based on outrageous lies.Who in their right mind, just when we need all the friends we can get, thinks its a good idea to abandon the European Union? The idiot Johnson and his cronies have yet again made a hash of the negotiations and antagonised our European allies. They’ve forced thousands of European workers, many of whom have lived, worked and paid taxes here for years out of the country, leaving massive gaps in hospitality, care homes, the NHS to name a few. Theres now not enough lorry drivers to collect and deliver goods, as many were Europeans. therefore empty shelves and low stock. What an utter mess!

Then theres the Windrush scandal…………..if you don’t know about that, you’ll have to look it up or i will be here all night. Racism again on both counts.

And the NHS??????? Already partly privatised and well on the way to being an insurance based job.

OMG I think Ill go crawl under the covers again. At least Trumps gone…………..for now.

Ripley to Ripon Circular via Fountains Abbey

Fantastic bike ride today with mike. 24 miles in beautiful sunshine and beautiful Yorkshire countryside. A great break at Fountains Abbey for lunch. it really looked like summer had arrived.

We rode through Studley Royal park and took the road to Ripon stopping at the cathedral. Ive been to Ripon and walked around the cathedral many times but never been inside, so took the opportunity to do so today.

Children at the local school have made origami angels, with have been hung above the nave. They looked pretty good. The cathedral is pretty impressive and in amazing condition for something so old.

The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, commonly known as Ripon Cathedral, and until 1836 known as Ripon Minster, is a cathedral in the North Yorkshire city of Ripon. Founded as a monastery by Scottish monks in the 660s, it was refounded as a Benedictine monastery by St Wilfrid in 672. The church became collegiate in the tenth century, and acted as a mother church within the large Diocese of York for the remainder of the Middle Ages.[2] The present church is the fourth, and was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. In 1836 the church became the cathedral for the Diocese of Ripon.[3] In 2014 the Diocese was incorporated into the new Diocese of Leeds, and the church became one of three co-equal cathedrals of the Bishop of Leeds.

The cathedral is notable architecturally for its gothic west front in the Early English style, considered one of the best of its type, as well as the Geometric east window.[3] The seventh-century crypt of Wilfrid’s church is a significant example of early Christian architecture in England.[3] The cathedral has Grade I listed building status.

Aberford Circular with some interesting history at Barwick in Elmet

This was a very pleasant 34 mile circular ride via Alwoodley, Scarcroft, Thorner, Bramham, Aberford, Barwick in Elmet, Scholes, Thorner, Shadwell and Eccup.

I stopped in Barwick in Elmet to have a look around and found this.

Wendel Hill and Hall Tower Earthworks. An Iron Age hill fort with earthworks and a Norman Motte and Bailey castle. In modern times the Royal Observer Corp used it for observation during World War 2.

The name Barwick comes from the Old English words bere (‘barley’) and wīc (‘settlement, specialised farm’), thus meaning ‘a barley farm’ or ‘an outlying grange or part on an estate reserved for the lord’s use, producing barley‘. The name is first attested in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Bereuuith and Bereuuit.[1][2] The appellation ‘in Elmet’ serves to distinguish the settlement from the various others of the same name. The first attested appellation of this kind for Barwick-in-Elmet is in fact the Latin Berewyke juxta Abberford (‘Barwick-by-Aberford’) from 1301. The combination Berewyke in Elmet is first attested in 1329.[3]

One of the most notable village landmarks is the wooden maypole 86 feet (26 m) high that stands at the junction of Main Street and the Cross, this means that the maypole in Barwick is the second tallest in the UK. The triennialmaypole festival (held on Spring Bank Holiday) typically brings large crowds to the area. Every three years, the maypole is lowered, inspected, maintained and re-erected. The festival celebrations include a procession (involving floats decorated by local organisations), children’s maypole dancing, morris dancing, a street craft market, the raising of the maypole ceremony and the maypole queen. Traditionally the maypole was lowered and raised manually using an intricate system of ropes and ladders. Although methods have changed in recent years, the maypole is still carried by hand from Hall Tower Hill to the heart of the village. During the raising ceremony, it is tradition for a local villager to climb halfway up the pole to disconnect the guide ropes. The climber is then spurred on by a large crowd to climb all the way to the top of the pole, to spin ‘the fox’ weather vane (a custom thought to bring good luck to the village). The festival takes place every 3 years, the most recent one being 29 May 2017. The date of the next rise was going to be the 25 May 2020 but had to be postponed until 31 May 2021 because of the coronavirus.[citation needed]

Beside the maypole is what appears to be an old village cross, which is actually a memorial to the dead of the First World War, carved in the old fashioned style.