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Conference govt02::basingstoke

Title: * BASINGSTOKE - Gateway to Wessex *
Notice:BASINGSTOKE - John Arlott lived here - then left, I wonder why
Moderator:COMICS::CORNEJ
Created:Wed Jul 27 1988
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:925
Total number of notes:5875

186.0. "Bike wanted." by --UnknownUser-- () Tue Jul 18 1989 10:32

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
186.1Try VTXSHAPES::STREETRuncontaminated by cheeseTue Jul 18 1989 11:553
    Look in VTX, there is one there under household items!
    
    Ray.
186.2a bikeSHAPES::ALLENTTue Jul 25 1989 18:2711
    I have a gent's bike that you may be interested in. It is about
    five years old, had very little care and attention and so needs
    a good clean and oiling. It needs a new tyre but I am sure that
    I bought one for it on one of my eager-beaver days. Don't ask me
    what size it is but has been used by six-footers without any damage!!
    
    Anyway, if you want to have a look give me a call at the Crescent
    on Extension 4266. I am open to offers (as they say!!)
    
    Teresa
    
186.3LARVAE::NISBET_DDougie NisbetTue Jul 25 1989 19:157
    Re .0
    
    I'm not sure Basingstoke and Bicycles mix. 1000000000 Company Car
    drivers can be wrong.   :-;
    
    Dougie (who wants to stay alive).
    
186.4exCRATE::WHITTINGTONWhite Rhinos do it with thier head down!Thu Jul 27 1989 12:5221
    RE .3
    
    I have cylced from Hartley Wintney to the Crescent, directly along
    the A30, several times. As my friend Chris and others will probably
    confirm, The traffic is not any more dangerous or difficult than
    any other main road. Provided the cyclist is using the road with
    forethought and care, I see no problem.
    
    I have used main roads, regardless of the traffic volume/speed for
    many years and still reccommend 2 wheels (without engine). I would
    however advise a couple of things -
    	1. wear bright things / put bright things on the bike.
    	   ( to make sure you are seen )
    	2. cycle assertively / signal early and clearly.
    	   ( to make sure everyone knows where you are going and what
    	     you are doing).
    
    I have enjoyed my rides around Basingstoke and I wish you happy
    cycling!
    
    Andrew
186.5Escape Velocity on Basi Swirly'sLARVAE::NISBET_DDougie NisbetThu Jul 27 1989 18:4427
The main problem I think a cyclist faces in Basingstoke is the mega
    big roundabouts. They are most definitely designed with the driver
    in mind. Andrew's comments about being assertive, positive and
    unambiguous are, I believe, the most important key for a cyclists
    safety.
    
    What scares me on the Big R's is that it is difficult for a cyclist
    to know where to ride. He should obey the normal rules of the road,
    (not the horn, finger, bumper normal rules - the highway code),
    but the speed of traffic on the larger swirley's is a bit intimidating.
    If one meanders slowly around the perimeter, you are likely to get
    chopped off (in a manner of speaking); and if one charges in with
    eyes closed, you are unlikely to have the speed to remain comfortably
    in front of a hundred angry lorries. NB: I'm not talking about being
    right here - I'm talking about staying alive.
    
    Dougie
    
    What kind of editor is this I'm in?? I've tried pressing all the
    buttons and nothin's hapnin!

    
    337
    
    
    	
    
186.6Zooooommm.....crash!HEEP::PETTEFARFri Jul 28 1989 13:5518
    Hi guys
    
    Thanks for the tips on cycling.  I ride a motorbike to work so already
    know what a$$holes the car drivers are.  Why people have to go fast
    round roundabouts I'll never know.  It creates large queues because
    other people can't get on and causes accidents.  Perhaps it's because
    it's the only place where they can speed in their XRGTSR!@?+6XTI
    econoboxes, as the rest of the time they spend queuing up getting
    onto roundabouts!  No wonder you see so few cycles on roundabouts.
     I think they ought to put 30MPH speed restriction signs on them,
    that'll slow a few of them down a bit.  Generally I find lorry drivers
    fairly reasonable, they just intimidate you because of the
    size/noise/smoke factor.  Those huge wheels are a bit scary when
    they go past you or you go past them, especially if you are a cyclist,
    I should imagine.
    
    Nick (who intends to stay alive, somehow, without driving a car).
    
186.7Head down ... and cycle like crazy !!CHEST::BATEMANYoung guns go for it!!Mon Jul 31 1989 11:4815
    
    Yeah ... I certainly am enjoying the cycling to work in this warm
    weather. However, the *only* place I have *any* trouble is at the
    Black Damned roundabout. AS in previous notes ... it is the speed
    and lack of signals that puts the fear of God into me on occasions,
    such as Thursday morning when I exchanged "pleasantries" with a 
    Granda driver whom was not indicating *and* speeding.
           
    I also drive on some mornings, using the same roundabout. You *have*
    to drive fast to get onto the bl@@dy thing, have queued for ten
    minutes. It *has* be to that drivers DO NOT EXPECT to see a cyclist,
    and as such do not allow for them. As always ... there's no easy
    solution ... and I believe that cycle lanes are a waste of money.
                            
    The answer has to be better planning of roundabouts ....