Cyclists - your experiences on the road

[LSWR Cavalier]

@TechDan2002
8413 calories! What did you eat that day? How did you feel the day after?

 

[Bletchleyite]

They seem to work okay for bikes in Cardiff. There is one set where the turn right phase doesn't work for bikes. For the 1400 shift change there are always plenty of vehicles about so it not a problem. Early morning and late at night I just go when there's a gap.

There was an approach controlled pedestrian crossing near Bletchley station (that defaulted to red unless a vehicle was approaching) that a cyclist basically had no choice but to jump. I complained about it repeatedly until it was switched to a mode normal method of operation, i.e. green unless the button is pressed to cross.

 

[TechDan2002]

@TechDan2002
8413 calories! What did you eat that day? How did you feel the day after?

3 Tesco meal deals, chicken based sandwich, whatever snack I wanted, an isotonic sports drink and 17p 2litre bottle of water. Planned my breaks every 30-40 ish miles around supermarkets for toilet breaks etc. I was very sore for a couple of days afterwards to the point it was painful to walk around Asda!

 

[ashkeba]

There was an approach controlled pedestrian crossing near Bletchley station (that defaulted to red unless a vehicle was approaching) that a cyclist basically had no choice but to jump. I complained about it repeatedly until it was switched to a mode normal method of operation, i.e. green unless the button is pressed to cross.

Boo. The council should have switched it to infrared sensors instead of always making walkers wait.

 

[Non Multi]

3 Tesco meal deals, chicken based sandwich, whatever snack I wanted, an isotonic sports drink and 17p 2litre bottle of water. Planned my breaks every 30-40 ish miles around supermarkets for toilet breaks etc. I was very sore for a couple of days afterwards to the point it was painful to walk around Asda!

That's one of the reasons I don't bother with massively long rides. I've ended up spending the following day in bed trying to recover from the effort.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Boo. The council should have switched it to infrared sensors instead of always making walkers wait.

No, because that doesn't work consistently either. Best option would simply be to set the delay when the button is pressed to be much shorter, i.e. maybe 5 seconds so there is time to stop safely rather than waiting for a preconfigured phase. The crossing concerned is rarely used in my experience anyway, so delaying vehicles for it is not sensible.

 

[Non Multi]

Boo. The council should have switched it to infrared sensors instead of always making walkers wait.

I've found the recent models of infrared crossing can still lose detection of the person waiting to cross, cancelling the button press request.

 

[py_megapixel]

I've found the recent models of infrared crossing can still lose detection of the person waiting to cross, cancelling the button press request.

Crossings that cancel a request once it has been made should frankly be illegal (or at least not considered compliant for use on British roads)
In my experience, the number of people pushing the buttons just to stop traffic as a joke - which i assume is what they're trying to guard against - is tiny compared to the number of people kept waiting needlessly long by these systems constantly cancelling themselves.

 

[Techniquest]

3 Tesco meal deals, chicken based sandwich, whatever snack I wanted, an isotonic sports drink and 17p 2litre bottle of water. Planned my breaks every 30-40 ish miles around supermarkets for toilet breaks etc. I was very sore for a couple of days afterwards to the point it was painful to walk around Asda!

I have read your other posts, but this one was the easiest one to quote

That enormous ride you did was certainly a monster way to celebrate! Crikey that must have been tough, my longest single ride was about 42.3 miles last October but I do have plans for a much bigger one.

Your feed was certainly healthier than mine usually is after a ride. I tend to do little and often with my rides, I dread to think what my legs would be like after such an insanely big ride!

Well done too on getting excellent value out of your Apollo! I managed 1,501 miles out of mine, over about 7 months. Certainly put it through its paces!

 

[peters]

I've found the recent models of infrared crossing can still lose detection of the person waiting to cross, cancelling the button press request.

Yes. I've found that PUFFIN crossings can cancel the request, while you are still waiting to cross. I find some are less likely to do this if there's a constant stream of traffic, opposed to an intermittent stream of traffic which suggests they are detecting cars not people and could still stop the traffic even if the pedestrian changes their mind about wanting to cross.

My understanding of the crossing types is a PELICAN is for pedestrians only and always brings up the green man after the button has been pressed, while a TOUCAN is like a pelican but for both pedestrians and cyclists. I also understand a PUFFIN is supposed to be an intelligent version of a pelican that's supposed to be able to detect people and doesn't have flashing amber lights. I think a crossing can be a hybrid of a TOUCAN and PUFFIN to allow cyclists, does that have a name or is it both a Toucan and Puffin?

 

[Non Multi]

Yes. I've found that PUFFIN crossings can cancel the request, while you are still waiting to cross. I find some are less likely to do this if there's a constant stream of traffic, opposed to an intermittent stream of traffic which suggests they are detecting cars not people and could still stop the traffic even if the pedestrian changes their mind about wanting to cross.

My understanding of the crossing types is a PELICAN is for pedestrians only and always brings up the green man after the button has been pressed, while a TOUCAN is like a pelican but for both pedestrians and cyclists. I also understand a PUFFIN is supposed to be an intelligent version of a pelican that's supposed to be able to detect people and doesn't have flashing amber lights. I think a crossing can be a hybrid of a TOUCAN and PUFFIN to allow cyclists, does that have a name or is it both a Toucan and Puffin?

Councils seem to be generally moving away from the Pelican to Puffin design. So new Toucan crossings (i.e. bike signs etc) will have the Puffin specifications.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Councils seem to be generally moving away from the Pelican to Puffin design. So new Toucan crossings (i.e. bike signs etc) will have the Puffin specifications.

I hate Puffin crossings (they're the one with the lights on the button box, right?) and basically completely ignore them and cross as if they weren't there. You have to stop and look for the box, you can't just carry on without breaking stride if you can see, head up and looking forwards, that the light is green. No doubt saves 50p. I heard they are meant to make you look towards the traffic, but they don't work that way for me.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Far too complicated, does anyone understand the numerous types of crossing? It would be best if they were all set to change in favour of people (walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users) quickly, with longer times so that infirm slow people can cross safely

 

[Non Multi]

I hate Puffin crossings (they're the one with the lights on the button box, right?) and basically completely ignore them and cross as if they weren't there. You have to stop and look for the box, you can't just carry on without breaking stride if you can see, head up and looking forwards, that the light is green. No doubt saves 50p. I heard they are meant to make you look towards the traffic, but they don't work that way for me.

Puffins are push button crossings with overhead infrared sensors pointing at the facing crossing point. These overhead sensors have a red LED that stays illuminated to show detection. When the LED light disappears, you know that sensor has 'lost' you.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Far too complicated, does anyone understand the numerous types of crossing? It would be best if they were all set to change in favour of people (walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users) quickly, with longer times so that infirm slow people can cross safely

I'm no stranger to doing long-distance endurance hiking and running events, which tend to make me, er, of limited mobility for a week or so afterwards. My experience is that British crossings did give enough time, but Dutch ones definitely did not!

Puffins are push button crossings with overhead infrared sensors pointing at the facing crossing point. These overhead sensors have a red LED that stays illuminated to show detection. When the LED light disappears, you know that sensor has 'lost' you.

Ah, I see.

 

[PeterY]

I've found the recent models of infrared crossing can still lose detection of the person waiting to cross, cancelling the button press request.

Lots of them around Hemel. It's not the first time I've stood waiting like a plonker.

I hate Puffin crossings (they're the one with the lights on the button box, right?) and basically completely ignore them and cross as if they weren't there. You have to stop and look for the box, you can't just carry on without breaking stride if you can see, head up and looking forwards, that the light is green. No doubt saves 50p. I heard they are meant to make you look towards the traffic, but they don't work that way for me.

My natural instinct is to look at the opposite side of the road for the green man. That's the way it's been for years for me.
Now I tend to look at the actual road signal and once it goes amber, I then proceed if it's all clear.

There was an approach controlled pedestrian crossing near Bletchley station (that defaulted to red unless a vehicle was approaching) that a cyclist basically had no choice but to jump. I complained about it repeatedly until it was switched to a mode normal method of operation, i.e. green unless the button is pressed to cross.

Again several around here, that don't detect bikes and I know which ones, so I'm left no choice but to jump the lights, if no other vehicles are present( and it's safe)

 

[ashkeba]

No, because that doesn't work consistently either. Best option would simply be to set the delay when the button is pressed to be much shorter, i.e. maybe 5 seconds so there is time to stop safely rather than waiting for a preconfigured phase. The crossing concerned is rarely used in my experience anyway, so delaying vehicles for it is not sensible.

It should be a zebra then.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It should be a zebra then.

I would rather it was.

 

[Techniquest]

Well I did my Half Gran Fondo today, combined with a boatload of hill climbing training it was a beast of a ride! I also took advantage of the chance to snap photos of a couple of former railway bridges, which I include below:



HYB (Hay & Brecon Railway) Bridge 25, near Calver Hill, Herefordshire

I would include Bridge 24 as well, a short ride away, but the forum insists the file is too large...

 

[Non Multi]

Well I did my Half Gran Fondo today, combined with a boatload of hill climbing training it was a beast of a ride! I also took advantage of the chance to snap photos of a couple of former railway bridges, which I include below:

View attachment 91745

HYB (Hay & Brecon Railway) Bridge 25, near Calver Hill, Herefordshire

I would include Bridge 24 as well, a short ride away, but the forum insists the file is too large...

Photoshop Express online (free) should be able to compress down the file size. I'm assuming there's a 'save for web' option like in the paid for version.

Quite smart of the land owner to keep the first few feet of the old bridge abutment on the other side as a wall.

 

[TechDan2002]

I have read your other posts, but this one was the easiest one to quote

That enormous ride you did was certainly a monster way to celebrate! Crikey that must have been tough, my longest single ride was about 42.3 miles last October but I do have plans for a much bigger one.

Your feed was certainly healthier than mine usually is after a ride. I tend to do little and often with my rides, I dread to think what my legs would be like after such an insanely big ride!

Well done too on getting excellent value out of your Apollo! I managed 1,501 miles out of mine, over about 7 months. Certainly put it through its paces!

There’s no way I’d do another ride anywhere near that length again, it was a once in a lifetime ride and certainly an experience I’ll remember for years to come! Getting to Lands End mid afternoon then realising I had a 40 mile slog home was a low point of the day and the brain fog and fatigue towards the end wasn’t pleasant at all. About 8 miles from home with 600+ feet still to climb I got severe cramp in my left leg and had to ride home putting power down exclusively with my right leg which also cramped up 5 miles later. I haven’t experienced anything much more unpleasant than that! Now 20-30 miles is my maximum on a ride, I’ve since gotten lazy as a result of starting college and developing an interest in buses (hence my presence on this forum). I did like my Apollo but it was a small frame and I had outgrown it, even now I’m pushing the limits of my large framed Scott voltage at 6’2” and 18 ish stone. Transitioning from a steel frame with cable rim brakes and a limited drivetrain to an alloy frame with hydraulic discs was something special for me when I was 12!

 

[Techniquest]

Photoshop Express online (free) should be able to compress down the file size. I'm assuming there's a 'save for web' option like in the paid for version.

Quite smart of the land owner to keep the first few feet of the old bridge abutment on the other side as a wall.

Agreed, they've made good use of it at least. Hard to imagine a railway over that bit of the county now, it's basically all farmland with almost no exceptions for a mile heading west from that bridge. Quite, I was wondering how the line got from the height of the bridge to anywhere near ground level again, there's no evidence of any embankments or whatever.

That being said, such a rural county having extensive railways just seems insane by today's standards. It is nice that a decent amount of the infrastructure is still around though, my ride also took me over another bridge on the same line and the former Station nearby in Almeley is still there with platform in private ownership.

When lockdown ends I'm going to have to go get some photos I think. Still need to do that with a couple of bits nearby on the old Hereford to Gloucester line, part of which is now a shared-use path, as well as a couple of bits on the former Barton Yard line in Hereford. That one forms part of NCN Route 46, I'll see if the old railway bridge photo can be added here in a moment.

As for the suggestion on that free Photoshop thing, I'll look into that shortly.


Hunderton Bridge, Hereford, which formerly carried the GWR branch into Barton Yard. Now used as part of the National Cycle Network's Route 46

There’s no way I’d do another ride anywhere near that length again, it was a once in a lifetime ride and certainly an experience I’ll remember for years to come! Getting to Lands End mid afternoon then realising I had a 40 mile slog home was a low point of the day and the brain fog and fatigue towards the end wasn’t pleasant at all. About 8 miles from home with 600+ feet still to climb I got severe cramp in my left leg and had to ride home putting power down exclusively with my right leg which also cramped up 5 miles later. I haven’t experienced anything much more unpleasant than that! Now 20-30 miles is my maximum on a ride, I’ve since gotten lazy as a result of starting college and developing an interest in buses (hence my presence on this forum). I did like my Apollo but it was a small frame and I had outgrown it, even now I’m pushing the limits of my large framed Scott voltage at 6’2” and 18 ish stone. Transitioning from a steel frame with cable rim brakes and a limited drivetrain to an alloy frame with hydraulic discs was something special for me when I was 12!

I'd love to try hydraulic brakes one day, sounds possibly more efficient than brake blocks rubbing against a rim. Which has reminded me to give my bike, including the rims, a really good clean this morning. Yesterday's Half-Fondo and coverage mission (when one needs good muscle building on hills, Herefordshire's a great place to do it!) took on more mud and general grime than expected!

The massive cramps, I sympathise with you there. There's just no good and quick cure for that, sadly, and I hope it's not become a permanent issue for you now. It sounds like your muscles cleared out every drop of their glycogen stores several times over on that, not to mention tearing themselves apart with the climbing and endurance riding!

Agreed that such riding is just not worth ever repeating, I'll probably be the same when it comes to my own 100 miler one day. Although I'll settle for a 100km Gran Fondo, a 100 miler would be tough. Do-able, just, in one day but I don't think I'd enjoy it.

Similar to you, I usually tap-out around 30 miles max, although it's worth noting my job is heavily cardio-based and I exercise daily, so I get through a lot in an average week! On my next cycle tour, currently re-scheduled (again!) for my week off in May, I'll probably aim for a maximum of 40 miles a day. The idea is to have fun doing it, so I'm allowing more time for proper stops, taking photos and all that. A little over 2 months to go and I have no actual plan yet mind, I need to book some hotels soon as well. As well as the positioning moves on the railway of course...

2 months of training to go for me, I'm reasonably satisfied with the body's endurance ability now but the hill climbing still needs some work...

 

[Non Multi]

2 months of training to go for me, I'm reasonably satisfied with the body's endurance ability now but the hill climbing still needs some work...

If it's possible, do circular routes with hills or other steep ramps, several laps should provide plenty of climbing in a ride.

I'm fortunate to have a 7 mile traffic-free local circular route (mainly off road) that I ride for exercise, with the option of a short hill climb for extra punishment. If it gets boring, I can go in the other direction, or modify the route a bit.

It might also be worth lubricating the chain and cables after cleaning the bike. It's one less thing to do for the next ride.

 

[cactustwirly]

Agreed, they've made good use of it at least. Hard to imagine a railway over that bit of the county now, it's basically all farmland with almost no exceptions for a mile heading west from that bridge. Quite, I was wondering how the line got from the height of the bridge to anywhere near ground level again, there's no evidence of any embankments or whatever.

That being said, such a rural county having extensive railways just seems insane by today's standards. It is nice that a decent amount of the infrastructure is still around though, my ride also took me over another bridge on the same line and the former Station nearby in Almeley is still there with platform in private ownership.

When lockdown ends I'm going to have to go get some photos I think. Still need to do that with a couple of bits nearby on the old Hereford to Gloucester line, part of which is now a shared-use path, as well as a couple of bits on the former Barton Yard line in Hereford. That one forms part of NCN Route 46, I'll see if the old railway bridge photo can be added here in a moment.

As for the suggestion on that free Photoshop thing, I'll look into that shortly.

View attachment 91775
Hunderton Bridge, Hereford, which formerly carried the GWR branch into Barton Yard. Now used as part of the National Cycle Network's Route 46



I'd love to try hydraulic brakes one day, sounds possibly more efficient than brake blocks rubbing against a rim. Which has reminded me to give my bike, including the rims, a really good clean this morning. Yesterday's Half-Fondo and coverage mission (when one needs good muscle building on hills, Herefordshire's a great place to do it!) took on more mud and general grime than expected!

The massive cramps, I sympathise with you there. There's just no good and quick cure for that, sadly, and I hope it's not become a permanent issue for you now. It sounds like your muscles cleared out every drop of their glycogen stores several times over on that, not to mention tearing themselves apart with the climbing and endurance riding!

Agreed that such riding is just not worth ever repeating, I'll probably be the same when it comes to my own 100 miler one day. Although I'll settle for a 100km Gran Fondo, a 100 miler would be tough. Do-able, just, in one day but I don't think I'd enjoy it.

Similar to you, I usually tap-out around 30 miles max, although it's worth noting my job is heavily cardio-based and I exercise daily, so I get through a lot in an average week! On my next cycle tour, currently re-scheduled (again!) for my week off in May, I'll probably aim for a maximum of 40 miles a day. The idea is to have fun doing it, so I'm allowing more time for proper stops, taking photos and all that. A little over 2 months to go and I have no actual plan yet mind, I need to book some hotels soon as well. As well as the positioning moves on the railway of course...

2 months of training to go for me, I'm reasonably satisfied with the body's endurance ability now but the hill climbing still needs some work...

Hydraulic brakes still use pads rubbing against a disk, but instead of using cables they use hydraulic fluid. This means there's a little bit of assistance so you can brake sharply without putting as much effort in.

My new mountain bike has hydraulic brakes, but I haven't actually noticed a huge amount of difference compared to the cable operated ones. The upgraded suspension and bigger types make a huge difference though on the trials.

 

[JohnMcL7]

I'm a big fan of hydraulic discs for their consistent stopping power in all conditions and consistent, low amount of effort required on the levers.

I find endurance rides hard and there's usually a fair bit of time around the middle of the ride questioning why I'm doing it but I like the challenge, I usually aim to do try and go a bit further each year and have managed way further than I thought I could do. I'm missing not being able to do any proper outdoor endurance rides due to the pandemic but looking forward to getting onto a couple of routes when it's possible.

 

[Non Multi]

From what I've read, hydraulic brakes self adjust as the brake pad wears down, so that's also a benefit.

If you want to experience lazy brakes, try a 1980s or '90s bike with the old cantilever design. When I did my first ride with a V-brake bike, I applied the same pressure on the levers, expecting the bike to gradually slow, only for this bike to instantly stop on the spot.

 

[ashkeba]

If you want to experience lazy brakes, try a 1980s or '90s bike with the old cantilever design. When I did my first ride with a V-brake bike, I applied the same pressure on the levers, expecting the bike to gradually slow, only for this bike to instantly stop on the spot.

You have not lived until you have ridden a big old Dutch bike with only a rear coaster brake... and you may not be living after, especially if is an early Shimano 333!

 

[Techniquest]

If it's possible, do circular routes with hills or other steep ramps, several laps should provide plenty of climbing in a ride.

I'm fortunate to have a 7 mile traffic-free local circular route (mainly off road) that I ride for exercise, with the option of a short hill climb for extra punishment. If it gets boring, I can go in the other direction, or modify the route a bit.

It might also be worth lubricating the chain and cables after cleaning the bike. It's one less thing to do for the next ride.

There certainly are hills around here which would deliver a fair bit of training, I could do with looking at creating a route plan for that. I get really bored doing the same routes though, and urban riding is just so dull and boring. Not to mention insanity-inducing...

I've never lubricated a cable on my bike, never even occurred to me that it could be beneficial. After today's lengthy ride, which followed a bit of a clean of my frame, I think the poor thing's in need of another major scrub-down. Need to get some more Muc-Off tomorrow, come to think of it...

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Hand-operated cycle brakes need frequent checks, adjustment, maintenance, especially the cables should be greased/oiled, otherwise they can snap without warning.
Disk brakes are plusminus, more effective but complicated, one could write a thesis about changing hydraulic fluid and another about in-compatibilities, grrr

I brake only with my feet, a back-pedal brake seems maintenance free, but I understand it wears eventually

 

[Techniquest]

Well I've learnt something new there then, never would have thought about that potential issue with the cables!