this is such a great idea for a shot
Month: August 2013
more Strava bashing – or people moaning about it …..
This week, Dr Paul Barratt will present a paper on “Racing Strangers: The rise of the quantitative self application and the changing (virtual) landscapes and practices of cycling” to the highly respected Royal Geographical Society in London. In it, he suggests that applications that pit rider against rider away from racing aren’t doing any good for the traditional Sunday club run or even the riders’ self-esteem as riders launch out of social riding packs in order to ‘bag a segment’. On the plus side, it does accept that Strava and pals are making riders ride more (if more aggressively and with less skill…)
The NGS’s press release says:
Mobile apps – such as Strava – are making cyclists ride faster, further and more frequently, but also more antisocially, according to research presented at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) international conference in London. Cyclists are being spurred on by virtual league tables and are competing with online strangers at the expense of their peers, Dr Paul Barratt of Staffordshire University told the conference.
Cycling clubs are having their weekend social rides disrupted by members sprinting for ‘segments’ – designated portions of a route, on which riders compete for time – rather than cycling as part of a close group.
Dr Barratt says: “Whilst cycling club social rides have always tended to culminate in a short sprint, members are now jumping off the front of the group many times throughout a ride in order to bag a fast ‘segment’.”
Solo rides are becoming increasingly popular, with cyclists heading out on their own in favourable weather conditions to perform short, high-intensity efforts in the hope of a higher place in online league tables.
Cyclists become easily addicted to mobile apps and tend to rely unconsciously upon the feedback that they provide. “No matter your ability, Strava can be a real source of achievement. Even ‘purists’ that resist the technology at first can soon become hooked,” Dr Barratt says.
However, as well as being motivational, cycling apps can also be a source of negative feedback, particularly if the weather and fitness is not in their favour and their cycling ability appears to be worsening.
“There’s a lot of bravado surrounding Strava. But the league tables ignore the subjectivity of the road and rider. People don’t generally mind a bit of wind assistance – as long as it helps push them up the league table.”
The Lost Soul
the lost soul – nice thoughts
Monday Bike Style: pretty park in pastel
L Toy Shed Show & Tell
new speed limit should make cyclists lives a bit safer ….
Residential streets across Scotland could see compulsory 20mph zones come into force following a successful trial of the speed limits on 25 miles of streets in Edinburgh.
Transport Scotland has said that inital trialling on the south side of Edinburgh showed fewer collisions in the target areas – and that when the results had been fully analysed they would be providing advice to councils based on Edinburgh’s experiences.
Transport convener Lesley Hinds told the Scotsman: “In the pilot area, the level of support for the 20mph speed limit has increased, and was viewed by residents as safer for children walking about the area and to play in the street, better conditions for walking and fewer traffic incidents.
“The speed surveys have demonstrated the 20mph speed limit has resulted in an overall positive drop in speeds.
“Taking account of the positive feedback from this pilot scheme, subject to final approval of the local transport strategy in January, a programme will be implemented to extend 20mph limits to all residential streets, shopping areas and main roads with large numbers of pedestrians.”
Many areas also have 20mph advisory signs, but these compulsory limits are rarer. Edinburgh City Council spent £100,000 on the experiment.
It’s now mooted that the limits be widened to include all residential and shopping streets.
Neil Greig, the Scotland-based policy and research director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: “In the right places, 20mph zones are very popular, but their impact on road safety in pure injury numbers is often oversold.
“Projects from elsewhere in the UK have shown mixed results, with speeds coming down but crash numbers much the same and even a decrease in walking and cycling in cities such as Portsmouth.
“If the schemes in Edinburgh have been popular and left residents feeling safer and more likely to cycle, then we have no problem with them being extended.
“However, we do have concerns about blanket approaches, particularly when main roads are included.”
In June, the Scottish Government unveiled its updated Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS 2013), three years after the original version was published in 2010. Like its predecessor, the new plan calls for 10 per cent of journeys in the country to be made by bicycle by 2020.
The revised action plan also calls on local authorities to reduce speed limits in residential areas to 20mph as part of a wider strategy including developing cycling infrastructure that is aimed at encouraging more people to ride bikes, as well as meeting road casualty reduction targets and achieving better integration with public transport.
A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said:“Transport Scotland is committed to encouraging local authorities to consider 20mph zones in all residential areas.
“The Scottish Government has encouraged the use of 20mph speed limits in residential areas and around schools, and has issued guidance most recently in 2006.
“Transport Scotland is assisting the City of Edinburgh Council with the evaluation of its 20mph speed limit pilot scheme in south central Edinburgh, which has designated all side streets, and some of the main routes, in the area as 20mph.
“We are aware of the DfT guidance issued in January which actively encourages local authorities to introduce more 20mph limits. When we receive the council’s pilot project final report we will review this, and consider issuing best practice guidance to local authorities.”
Friday Bike Poster: Power to the Rider
What I like about bikes
i like everything about bikes
I have been trying to practice riding more, although I have hit some limits. Riding two days in a row, I have learned, now leaves me saddle sore. I get a little antsy when I have to go through the intersection in Golden Gate Park where I was hit, which is unfortunately en route to almost everything, but it’s been reasonably mellow other than that. I don’t have the stamina or strength to go long distances or up hills, but hey, that’s the kind of thing electric assists were made to fix.
Now that I am riding every other day or so, I remember what I like about riding my bike. I’ve been in cars and buses a lot in the last few months, and it is isolating. Plus, even though I now have a handicapped placard, I end up having to walk a lot when we drive somewhere…
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New seat saddle
Making an arse of it – Working out what saddle width to get.
Today went out for a ride – think it was 77km and still I have to confirm that my saddle is still not great. I am getting slight numbness on the turbo and the San Marco Regal saddle on the road bike is not as comfy as the Ritchey WCS saddle on my 29er – and that is with a lot more pounding action.
So time to change but will I need a 130mm saddle or a 143mm? (I have chosen to get a Specialised Romin Evo with the SL ti rails) so time to measure but I didnt know how so here was the video I found.
But my Steps:
Sit on card – then use my charcoal drawing stick and rub.
then measure the distance between the centre of the sit depressions ….
in this case a smidge over 100mm
add 25-30mm and I need a saddle width of 127-133
SORTED
Monday bike style: tweed and ti
RAPHA AND TIMOTHY EVEREST THREE-PIECE CYCLING SUIT Door Joe Hall • 1st April 2009 12:00am • Gepost in ProductsFrom Bike to Boardroom in http://www.rapha.cc/timothy-everest-and-rapha-threepiece-cycling-suit
Designed for the sartorially-minded city rider, Timothy Everest and Rapha’s bespoke three-piece suit raises the bar for urban cycling apparel. Inspired by gentleman riders of the 1930s (with a nod to country farmers in their Sunday best) the suit is the result of a 12-month collaboration between Rapha and Timothy Everest, the renowned Savile Row tailor. The finished product, a jacket, waistcoat and trousers or plus fours, is characterised by its elegant tailoring and luxury finishing, a formal suit that is at home in the boardroom as it is in on the bike.
Busy Weekend
First off
The americas cup LV challenge so far has been a tad bit boring on the sailing confrontation front – of course it’s sexy in terms of pushing boundaries and equipment. But 7 min Deltas are boring and the pre start is boring ….. but this weekend team ETNZ nearly ate it bearing off hitting a gust and burying their nose and 3 crew washed off but no there major breakage which is incredible – have a look at the pile up and how they fly like rag dolls …..
but for a pre start we need to look at history to remember what racing really should be about.
GoPro: End of the Road with Kalani Chapman VIDEO
Shot 100% on the HD HERO3® camera from http://GoPro.com.
Kalani Chapman snags a clean, 12-15ft drainer at Teahupo’o in Tahiti.
I want to be there
Product testing and photo shoot Finisterre
Friday Bike Poster: graffiti bikes
If Brunel were alive today, he would almost certainly be riding a Brompton fold-up bicycle:
But would Blackbeard ride a BMX?
And would Darth Vader really zip around the galaxy on a sit-up-and-beg bike with a wicker basket at the front?
All of these stencils on the hoardings around Mud Dock Deli are the work of Bristol street artist Stewy.
– See more at: http://www.bristol-culture.com/2013/08/13/brunel-on-a-brompton/#sthash.CtIomxA5.dpuf
I thought i was sailing until I saw these pics from a friend
I am not jealous I am not jealous … 
OK …. I am jealous ….
Sweet as – surfing slabs VIDEO
Anthony Walsh loves heaving slabs, ain’t no denying that fact. But what he also has down is the kinda POV shooting that give his edit just that little bit extra spice.
The Sufferfest: Angels Review
I did the sufferfest ridae last night – legs still tight this morning despite 10min spin down
This may be the first time I’ve ever fell for internet advertising. Somewhere I clicked a banner ad for something called the Sufferfest, apparently it was some kind of cycling training video. I’m really glad I clicked on that banner.
The sufferfest is a serious series of training videos for indoor cycling that are quite different from others I’ve seen. There is no coach offering handy advise and motivation, nor is there a room full of sweaty triatheletes spinning away endlessly. The sufferfest uses real world video from races and reconnaissance rides that are cleverly edited into interval workouts. Directions are given by on screen caption, no one will ever talk to you. The only real direction you’re given is ratio x/10 where x equals your perceived effort. A handy scale explaining this is given at the beginning of each video. Every now and again you are prompted to stand, set, increase or decrease your cadence. Currently there are five videos to choose from…
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Lynskey Sale
I have 2 already but that doesn’t stop me wanting some twisty ones …
While Supplies last, 2013 Pro models, which will be undergoing performance enhancements for 2014, will be specially priced for model year close outs. Once a size is sold out, it will be removed from the available list in each dropdown.
Kite*Surf*Bike*Rambling 