Category Archives: Tat

Rules Of The Road – Not Just For Cyclists

Hi there.

Yes, I’ve been quiet. Sorry about that: I’ve got some stuff going on right now.

I read an excellent little article today over on the Bike Tinker Blog. It’s an excellent blog all about doing weird stuff with – and for – bikes. A lovely pastime. Check it out.

Anyway, this article listed some Rules Of The Road, which I’m going to reproduce here. I hope the author doesn’t mind.

Rules Of The Road.

  1. Expect to share the road with bicycles.
  2. Expect to share the road with cars.
  3. Move predictably.
  4. Never attempt to kill or injure another person intentionally.
  5. Pay attention, so you don’t kill or injure anyone unintentionally.
  6. Stay aware of other peoples’ presence, speed and direction.
  7. Alert people to your presence, but do not startle them.

To these, I’m going to add two more cyclist-specific rules which Baron Sugar of Clapham suggested in an interview on the soon-to-be-defunct Chris Moyles Radio 1 breaksfast radio show:

  1. Always wear a helmet, even if you’re just going around the corner.
  2. Assume that everyone else on the road is trying to kill you.

Do you have any more to add? I’d be interested to see them. Or, distil your best 3 and put them here, because everyone knows that you can’t remember more than 3 things at the same time.

…Go! 🙂

“Gumball for Fixies” – Trailer for Line Of Sight

Nutters on Fixies

I’m not trendy enough to have a fixie. I’m not skilful enough to ride one.  If I was to try it, I’d probably fall off and I know I’d need physio for weeks on my mashed tendons.

However, this movie looks like it’s going to be very, very cool.

I think you should think about watching it.

LINE OF SIGHT – Official Trailer from Zenga Bros on Vimeo.

Line Of Sight. A movie by Lucas Brunelle.

Trail Dog – Should I Or Shouldn’t I?

I think you need a bit of background information on this one….

In The Oldham Days…

… I grew up with a dog. Shep was a corgi-jack russell cross – basically the fattest-looking jack russell you ever saw.  She was docile, friendly, the colour of beach sand and a wonderful companion on many walks.  A silent confidant through my teenage years and a great family member.  When she left us, cats took over the home and whilst I love cats, they never loved me back. They don’t, do they? Evil little sods that they are. 😉

My partner has also loved dogs and TrixieWixieWooWoo (I know) was also a much loved family member, before my time.

More Recently…

… We’ve been having conversations along the lines of:
“We should get a dog”
“But we both work”
“We should get a dog”
“But we like to go out”
“We should get a dog”
“But I don’t want to be tied to the house”
“I want a dog”
“But it’s not fair on the dog”
“I want this dog (shows picture of cute little handbag dog from the internet)”
… Then other family members joined in…
“I want a dog too”
“Why do you want a dog?”
“I want a schtizu”
“Isn’t that a zoo with no penguins? (Yes, clearly a diversionary tactic)”

… and so on and so forth, with no progress.

Then I read this blog post over my lunchtime sandwiches just now.  Then my heart and my will soften a little bit.  Then I googled “Best trail dog” and read this closed forum from Singletrack World.  If you don’t already know this, I’m a Singletrack subscriber like most MTB riders, especially ones from anywhere near Lancashire.  So I had to take it seriously.

Clearly Not A Trail Dog

Clearly, Not A Trail Dog

Now I’m thinking…. Now I need some help.

Help!

Should I take the leap or not?  What should I do? Where should I go? How much will I regret it? What kind of dog should I possibly maybe discuss the possibility of an idea of considering?

Please help me. I need to get some information before I go all mushy and make a bad decision, or before I go all stubborn and miss what might be a great opportunity.  Tell me what I should do, or what I need to know.

You know the drill, just fill in the little form below – thanks! 🙂

 

Let’s Go And Play Out, Kids.

Remember Playing Out?

If this phrase makes you feel nostalgic, then shame on you.  Reluctant as I am to criticise anybody, even you: shame on you.

Playing out is important.  Failing to play out is one of the main reasons that the current generation is the fattest and most unhealthy one yet.  It’s also the reason that the generation we’re bringing up now – our own kids – will be even fatter and more unhealthy than our own.

Getting outdoors and playing is a simple, fun and largely unseen way to:

  • burn calories
  • get further away from the fridge
  • have loads of fun
  • make friends
  • become fitter
  • avoid obesity
  • reduce the likelihood of shedloads of diseases in later life

Do you need any more convincing?

In my opinion, we adults often go out and ride out bikes to get ourselves fit.  I’ve been quite vocal in the past that I prefer “playing out on bikes” to exercising any day of the week.  That’s why I prefer a Mountain Bike, but that’s just me.  Whatever you ride a bike, stop to think about the kids and please, please check out the links below.

So, What Do You Do?

Please add your support by contacting your MP. You don’t even have to know who he/she is, Sustrans have done all the work for you.  Just fill in the quick form by hitting this link.

More information about the Free Range Kids campaign can be found here, including some great ideas to get kids outdoors.

If you’re not in mainland UK, and I know a lot of you aren’t, do something in your own area. If you have an organisation doing similar things where you are, post a link in the comments below and lobby someone who can do something for your next generation.

Tell ’em Phill sent you. 🙂

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