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It's twirly

posted by [personal profile] bugshaw at 05:26am on 09/08/2007
but I'm awake anyway. Lots to do - today's job is to print and stuff the convention! Clare and Owen will also feel they had to print the convention; Owen with good reason, as he's doing Programme Books and ReadMes. All I have to do is a few tiny little badges and tickets and tokens...

I cycled all the way to Chesterton and back yesterday; my first ride of that length in town (45 minutes round trip), which featured my first cattle grid, my first leg cramp, and a few uncomfortable unintentional stops. I avoided a lot of motor traffic by going across Coldham's Common and Stourbridge Common, but the cycle traffic density was quite high in places, particularly Green Dragon Bridge.

Any hints on getting over it? The first time, I got off and pushed, having noticed No Cycling signs. This got me really in the way of the cycle traffic, particularly on the exit ramp. On the way back I tried to cycle, but hit the cattle grid oddly and tipped over - and couldn't get going on a hill start. I'm sure it's just a matter of practice, but it would be helpful to know what I should be practicing...
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posted by [identity profile] watervole.livejournal.com at 07:20am on 09/08/2007
I think I'd settle for walking over cattle grids. But then we don't have any around here, so I've never had to try cycling over one.
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posted by [identity profile] bugshaw.livejournal.com at 07:47am on 09/08/2007
They're quite neat little cattle grids, designed for cycles. Pedestrians have a little gate to walk through. Coldham's Common often has cattle on it :-)
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posted by [identity profile] j-lj.livejournal.com at 09:02am on 09/08/2007
I too had trouble with the Green Dragon Bridge when I started cycling in Cambridge when we lived in Chesterton.

I just followed everyone else and ignored the No Cycling signs and just got used to cycling over it. I used to cross it at 5.30am every morning. In winter you get used to cycling into mist off the river. During icy conditions, get off and walk! Nearly hit a cow once!

My hint is to cycle hard up it and keep pedalling and not to coast over the cattle grid.

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posted by [identity profile] sphyg.livejournal.com at 11:48am on 09/08/2007
As a pedestrian, can I just say 'grrr' ;P
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posted by [identity profile] ceb.livejournal.com at 09:05am on 09/08/2007
I still often end up walking up bridges over the Cam (been cycling about 2 years now). When I started I just couldn't cycle up them, they were too steep for me. I'm fit enough now that I *can* cycle up them, but I can't usually manage hill starts on them, and I'm easily thrown by corners. (I am crap at sharp turns and narrow things.) So I'd not worry about them for now, get off and pretend to be a pedestrian (i.e. be as narrow as possibke) until you've had more practice.
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posted by [personal profile] muninnhuginn at 01:02pm on 09/08/2007
On Green Dragon Bridge I've always obeyed the sign and got off and walked. I've then pushed the gate open and wheeled the bike through. This may be because as a pedestrian with nowhere to leap out of the way I've been hit several times by cyclists who haven't obeyed the sign.
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posted by [identity profile] ex-lark-asc.livejournal.com at 02:00pm on 09/08/2007
Lowest available gear, stand on your pedals. Coast down using your brakes to avert over-acceleration, and keep your feet out either side to catch inadvertent cockups :)
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