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DiSH?
That’ll be an interesting conversation about the relative damage bicycles have on road surface compared to multi-ton tractor/trailer vehicle combinations…
I think that’s dual-use cycle/ped’n path. Perhaps have a look on google street maps to check signage.
Cyclists have apparently be asked to not use the track across the farm on the West side of the A34.
As has been mentioned, there are two other routes I’ve used (not for commuting though).
From Copperage Rd, W of West Ilsley:
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/127392
Have done this on road bike (over and down to E.Hendred a few times) with reasonably robust 32mm tyres, fine in the dry, though there is a rutted section, and flinty gravel. Ridgeway down to EH is decent road – watch out for slippery leaf litter in Autumn.
One can go down off the Ridgeway towards chilton School – only done this on MTB.Via Bury Lane over A34:
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/127391
Wide gravel track (E of A34), and then grassy track (both bridleway). Again have done these on a road bike with 32mm tyres (and MTB).Not ideal, but you may get used to them…
Andy
I wonder why the owners are so bothered. Hope Highways England do fund construction of a route between Chilton (underpass) and Bury Lane, but I’ll not hold my breath. Shame the bridleway, further west, isn’t really doable on a road bike. I’ve tried gravel tracks to the east of the A34 & through Chilton village, but not ideal & definitely a long way around.
Great weather for it, and an excellent bacon roll. Thanks!
This is the response I received from Thames travel last year in response to my email re. a close pass on A4185 between Rowstock & campus. The email included a couple of images and a short video clip.
“Thank you for your email although I am sorry to hear about this incident. Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience or distress caused to you as a result of this matter.
…
All our drivers are professionally trained in the care and use of their vehicle in addition to the proper etiquette when driving on the road. Consequently, it is disappointing to hear of your experience as we would expect drivers to be considerate of all other road users especially where cyclists are involved.Using the details provided, I have traced the driver involved and passed this to our Senior Management Team for a full investigation to take place. The relevant CCTV evidence will be obtained and the driver will be called for an interview regarding this. Following the completion of the investigation, we may then take appropriate action against the driver, in line with our disciplinary procedures.
Thank you once again for bringing this matter to our attention and I apologise for the distress this incident has caused you.”
Difficult to know if anything was ever done.
I normally have a handlebar mounted Garmin VIRB basic cam (acceptable vibration), which can also double as a waterproof still camera (in jersey pocket) for non-commutes.
What do people think about whether “cycle route ahead” warning signs along Fermi Ave would help at all?
From the highway code: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/55b76fbced915d07e200000f/warning-sign-cycle-route-ahead.jpgBit of a late reply, but I ride on the dual-use path down from the main Fermi roundabout in the morning; it’s not the best and I tend to ‘bunny-hop’ the non-flush kerbs. I have had drivers failing to indicate before turning left across my path. Going home (after 6pm) I just use the road.
A few weeks ago, I had a driver of a dark blue Mazda trying to beat me through the pinch point on A4185 before Fermi roundabout. I indicated to ‘please give me more room’, and received retaliatory gestures back. I then met said car again a few minutes later, as they were going back up Fermi in opposite direction, cue ‘frantic vitriolic gesturing’ by the driver. Aggressive.
Out of interest what heat source/method do you use for the heat transfer trim?
Re. stick-on tape, I use “Silver High Quality High Intensity Reflective Tape” off ebay – which is good value and works well.
Being hooted at for simply being on the road, does seem to be quite rare thankfully. I wonder whether in some driver’s minds, when they happen to see a cyclist on any kind of path (including footpaths), they think ‘that’s where you should be – off the road’, and then bank that thought for future use when they have to wait for 5 seconds.
Very bright lights need taming to make sure they do not blind other road users, by either keeping at an appropriate fixed angle, diffused, and being aware of light scatter/beam shape, and also knowing when to change modes to something more appropriate…. As lights get steadily brighter, there is probably a good case for helmet mounted lights being for off-road only. In all this it probably doesn’t help there doesn’t seem to be much consistency in the stated spec of lights e.g. in lumens, lux, watts…
When I winter commute (Abingdon) I generally have:
Front (bar mounted – fixed angle):
2000 lumen XML-T6 ebay special, but with DIY ‘hood’ for improved horizontal cut-off and diffuser lens to spread beam hotspot on the road
Smart (25) light on flash (2xAA)
Rear:
Smart Lunar R1 1W (50lumens?) Bag mounted on steady beam and in a diffuser for a much larger visible area.
Smart lunar R1 set to flash. Fixed angle on seat stay. Angled slightly down (I have been known to add a second Smart 0.5W flashing).I have to say that heading home generally after 6:15pm in the dark, I don’t encounter that many other cyclists…
ccolborne, I was also wondering about the eventual access on Chilton road, between Hagbourne Hill and Upton. The consultation map states “PROPOSED 5m, WIDE GATE WITH NON-MOTORISED, USER ACCESS”. The latter seems to make a lot of sense, IMO. Map can be found here:
https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/harwell_link/consultationHome
https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/gf2.ti/f/483010/12499941.1/PDF/-/8a__A1_Landscape.pdf
