Cycle Culture

Pleased to see Sheffield Pedalready at Sheffield Station handing out details of their 2009 ride calendar. Of particular interest are their Urban Routes series. These rides are designed to help cyclists find the best routes through the city. Details here. I’ll probably join the Northern Commuter Routes ride on June 13 – Hillsborough tram routes pose a real threat to cyclists – I’ll be interested to see the best ways to avoid them.

Meanwhile, which dedicated cyclist hasn’t sat in the office on a sunny day and thought ‘why can’t I be paid to ride my bike?’ Well here is someone who does get paid to do just that. The reality doesn’t quite match the daydream unfortunately.

FBC Preparation

44 miles on the Tikit this weekend. Julia and I put the Tikits on the train to Stevenage and spent the weekend visiting our parents and exploring rural Hertfordshire. Feeling good about the bikes, but I need to get a rack. Fortunately, Bike Friday have pointed out that a small spacer will enable me to fit the standard rack. The order’s in!

And the picture, well that’s an earlier visit to Knebworth. Waiting for Pink Floyd in 1975 to be precise – thanks for the reminder Ian!

Sheffield Cycle Paramedics get there first

Since November Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been trialling cycle paramedics. The trail follows established cycle paramedic teams in Leeds and York. Now the Sheffield Telegraph reports that the trial has proven the cycling teams can get to central locations quicker than car or ambulance based teams and the service is to be extended.

Photo courtesy of Mike Lee, who also furnishes the following information. The bikes are Marin Point Reyes with upgraded wheels and suspension added, and with the medical kit the bikes weigh in at more than 24 kilos.

And so to Leicester….

Photo by fotorobbie on flickr

Two Tikits folded and on the train to Leicester for a 32 mile round trip to stay with Malcolm in Kimcote. A great ride. Leicester has a good network of cycle routes including the Great Central Way which runs from north to south. an excellent way to get out of the city.

Unfortunately, a nut was shaken loose on Julia’s rear mudguard leaving it rubbing on the rear tyre. Unable to fix it I decided on an alternative course of action. The mudguard was removed and hidden behind a tree, to be collected the next day.

While there we took in Otis Gibbs at the Musician. A great show, albeit a little short as Otis was the support act, and should have been headlining.

On our return, it took a moment to locate the tree, but the mudguard was still there. All in all a successful trip, and few more miles in the saddle for the Folding Bike Challenge.