Any cyclers on here?

[zfleas]

Hi everyone, need some advice on cycling!

Was talking to a few mates at the weekend and we decided on doing something for charity, and thought cycling to Paris would be a good idea (none of us know much about cycling.. yet)

I cycle to work every day, unless its really windy or pissing rain, I live in Worthing and work in Hove

Any tips? I need to get a better bike but dont want to spend too much on one so will probably get a second hand one for now..

Has anyone done the cycle to Paris? Need as much help as possible because as I said none of us know much about cycling!! Thanks

 

[zfleas]

Cyclists sorry, thought cyclers sounded wrong!

 

[Bob!]

[MENTION=435]Stat Brother[/MENTION]

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

 

[Lewes Seagull]

British heart foundation do lots of rides. (London to Brighton being the most popular) as do UK based charity | Supporting Heart Care in our community | The Sussex Heart Charity - Latest Events
Why go to Paris? It's full of horrible French people!

 

[zfleas]

British heart foundation do lots of rides. (London to Brighton being the most popular) as do UK based charity | Supporting Heart Care in our community | The Sussex Heart Charity - Latest Events
Why go to Paris? It's full of horrible French people!

I'd rather that than London... that would mean being near Selhurst Park

 

[Vegas Seagull]

Hi everyone, need some advice on cycling!

Was talking to a few mates at the weekend and we decided on doing something for charity, and thought cycling to Paris would be a good idea (none of us know much about cycling.. yet)

I cycle to work every day, unless its really windy or pissing rain, I live in Worthing and work in Hove

Any tips? I need to get a better bike but dont want to spend too much on one so will probably get a second hand one for now..

Has anyone done the cycle to Paris? Need as much help as possible because as I said none of us know much about cycling!! Thanks

Do you know that you can't cycle on water?

 

[zfleas]

Do you know that you can't cycle on water?

Can you not get special bikes?

 

[vegster]

Here are a few pointers.... Don't bother with lights on your bike, ignore One Way street signs if you want, in fact ignore most signs, full stop.
Feel free to weave between the pavements and the road, car drivers and pedestrians understand that you are an eco-God doing your bit for the environment.
If the car in front of you indicates to turn left across you, it is acceptable to keep going and undertake the car just as it turns. Hey ! you are on a bike after all.
Pedestrian crossings are a way for car drivers and pedestrians to wait for their turns to have prioroty on the road, remember that this facility is just for cars and pedestrians and that the signals do not apply to you.

If a mad car driver nearly hits you when weaving, going through red lights or cutting him up, you are quite within your rights to stop, kick his car or physically assault him.

Hope this helps.

 

[zfleas]

Here are a few pointers.... Don't bother with lights on your bike, ignore One Way street signs if you want, in fact ignore most signs, full stop.
Feel free to weave between the pavements and the road, car drivers and pedestrians understand that you are an eco-God doing your bit for the environment.
If the car in front of you indicates to turn left across you, it is acceptable to keep going and undertake the car just as it turns. Hey ! you are on a bike after all.
Pedestrian crossings are a way for car drivers and pedestrians to wait for their turns to have prioroty on the road, remember that this facility is just for cars and pedestrians and that the signals do not apply to you.

If a mad car driver nearly hits you when weaving, going through red lights or cutting him up, you are quite within your rights to stop, kick his car or physically assault him.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the help... is it worth getting a helmet or should I not bother? Aparently they are uncomfortable and make your head itch. Also I heard tyres are just a burden, along with brake cables.


Also, if I'm cycling in France, and a guy (or indeed a gal!) indicated to go RIGHT, as I will be on the right, should I proceed to undertake if they indicate to go right? Or if they indicate to go left should I go onto their left side and try my hardest to cut them up?

ALSO, should I cycle on the left or the right in France? Or in the middle? Your help is much appreciated!!

 

[perseus]

They were going to bridge to France but it only got a few metres off shore. Most cycles do not fare very well on water. Better to go my pedalo and pedal up the Seine until you see a giant metal tower.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

If the car in front of you indicates to turn left across you, it is acceptable to keep going and undertake the car just as it turns. Hey ! you are on a bike after all..

Unfortunately too many cars turning left think they own the road and turn without even looking to check for cyclists. Tres dangereux

20 pages. (very little of it about cycling to Gay Paris)

 

[zfleas]

They were going to bridge to France but it only got a few metres off shore. Most cycles do not fare very well on water. Better to go my pedalo and pedal up the Seine until you see a giant metal tower.

I could try and jump it? I will make sure im wearing armbands

 

[vegster]

Thanks for the help... is it worth getting a helmet or should I not bother? Aparently they are uncomfortable and make your head itch. Also I heard tyres are just a burden, along with brake cables.


Also, if I'm cycling in France, and a guy (or indeed a gal!) indicated to go RIGHT, as I will be on the right, should I proceed to undertake if they indicate to go right? Or if they indicate to go left should I go onto their left side and try my hardest to cut them up?

ALSO, should I cycle on the left or the right in France? Or in the middle? Your help is much appreciated!!

Yes, get a helmet, it would be quite useful in the event of an accident, more power in swinging a helmet than hitting someone with a fist. Brakes , apparently, are an optional extra to fit/use at your discretion.

I would not advise weaving all over the road for a Frenchman's left turn, stay on the right and save your valuable energy for shouting and swearing at any car or pedestrian who trys to slow or impede your progress by misguidedly following the French equivalent of The Highway Code.

 

[perseus]

It's All in the Legs

Selected cycle designs for le Manche: It's All in the Legs

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Yes, get a helmet, it would be quite useful in the event of an accident, more power in swinging a helmet than hitting someone with a fist. Brakes , apparently, are an optional extra to fit/use at your discretion.

A D-locks packs more punch with car drivers who turn left without checking their inside mirror.

 

[vegster]

A D-locks packs more punch with car drivers who turn left without checking their inside mirror.

The problem would never arise if you pretended you were driving a car not a bike. If you are in a car and the car in front indicates a left turn it is common sense to brake just as much as the car in front brakes in order to make the turn and to avoid a collision. Keeping going would involve an awful lot of insurance claims every day, yet somehow it is regarded as being a sissy or a weakling to slow down while Cycling ?

 

[jackanada]

Great idea, quite fancy it myself.
Try to get a 2nd hand touring bike, you may wish to lug some camping gear with you. Not too many hills en route so no need for a lot of gears.
Once into france you'll find all road users tend to be aware of and considerate to cyclists, and when you stop people are happy to help out.
Across much of europe all road signals are considered a suggestion rather than a rule so no-one will get irrationally angry when you pootle through a red light at an empty junction at a reckless 3mph.
Definitely get lights, even if you dont plan to cycle at night visibility can be minimal in rain and fog.

 

[perseus]

 

[Stat Brother]

Thanks for the confidence Bob!

Cycling to Paris is a piece of pi$$ (not that I've ever done it )

There is a cycle route from the Channel ports and tunnel, that all link up and deliver you to the Effiel Tower.
It's a carbon copy of the rail link, namely it's super smooth and well planned over there, but it's a pot hole ridden mine field, this side.

With that in mind I'd say most bikes would be up for the job, assuming you don't want to break any records, just put the thinnest possible tyres on your bike.
Gears aren't going to be that much of an issue.
A good service from The Cycle Store (opposite the aquarena), and your away.

As you can see in this forum every other expedition ends in Paris, all your questions will be answered here:-

BikeRadar.com Expedition