Looks like I am not going to be commuting. :(

[oldfatfool]

Will you ever see the old bat again? Will she be stood at the college gates waiting to count you off the bus?? Just nod and smile and then do exactly what you want,

 

[al78]

They only mentioned falling over in strong winds along the coast. Up here in NW we have had winds in the past of 70mph upwards.

which only happens once or twice a year on average, if that.

 

[Boris Bajic]

As I was regularly commuting 20+ miles one-way a couple of times a week in those days, our daughter decided to cycle to her 6th-form college about 14 hilly miles from our home. Not often, but she enjoyed it when she did. The need for panniers meant I had to 'roadify' a hardtail MTB for her, as her quick bike lacked the needful.

She didn't ride in the wet, as lectures or lessons are no fun after that. Also, her panniers were sometimes absurdly stuffed with files, folders and text books - along with her clothes for the day.

If you ride 15 miles, you will sweat a lot and may not be pleasant to be around unless there are showers.

Some days, I'd ride with her. It was fun, but I can't imagine her having been comfortably able to do it every day of the academic year.

My middle child is about to start at the same 6th-form college. He too is keen to ride, but it really won't be an everyday thing. The logistics are grim, the weight of books is frightening and there are many other niggly things that can just ruin a day.

I'm not saying I agree with the college or the family members in matthew's case, but don't discount their counsel.

All my kids love to cycle and all of them (now 13, 16 and 18) regularly knock off the road to that college in about 40 minutes.

But there's a fun ride every now and again... and there's a training ride... and then there's getting into college in the pissing rain and wind with tons of books and a couple of memory sticks and it all begins to get a bit hateful.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

was she perhaps guiding you to the additional money? is it possible your needs (?aspergers) have led you to misunderstand her. if you don't apply for the travel allowance now, you may regret it later on, perhaps in the middle of winter or when you're suffering from a cold or other virus.

 

[helston90]

Tell her you'll behave and take the bus then ride 14 miles and grab the bus for the last bit in case she's stood by the bus stop waiting for you each day.
Did you ask how her attitude fitted in to the University's sustainable travel plan and how you're helping them with their CRC?

 

[Hip Priest]

was she perhaps guiding you to the additional money? is it possible your needs (?aspergers) have led you to misunderstand her. if you don't apply for the travel allowance now, you may regret it later on, perhaps in the middle of winter or when you're suffering from a cold or other virus.

Excellent point.

I understand that those with aspergers syndrome often have trouble grasping people's meaning. Aside from the the above suggestion, could it be that Matt is reading too much into the sort of comments that all cycle commuters get from time to time?

"Cycling all that way / in this weather? You must be mad / skint / have a death wish!"

I'm certainly no expert on aspergers, so this may be a load of nonsense. Here's hoping you get a satisfactory solution Matthew.

 

[CopperCyclist]

The assessment was by the Disability Needs Assessment Authority (or whatever) at Wrexham University. It is because I ticked the box for Disabled Student Allowance when applying for finances.

The topic was raised when talking about additional support with travel. I stated that I could either pay £600 for the bus, or commute by bike. I told her that my chosen method was by bike and she looked at me with a face of disagreement . I explained to her that 15 miles wasnt too far along the NCN on the coast and she said that following:

• The weather is terrible in winter
• I would be tired after a stormy day in the morning
• There are maniac drivers who are late to work taking risks on corners (must be talking about herself)
• The bike will be really heavy with panniers (she said bags) on the back.
• I would have to get up very early and get home in the dark (to which I stated I would have good quality lights on)
• I could get t-boned by a car at a junction who hasnt seen me (even though I told her I wouldbe wearing hi-viz)

She clearly underestimates my capabilities. I did give a few reasons to her queries but I didnt want to get into an arguement as she was the one who was organising me to get a free laptop, printer, dictaphone, and much more.

Tell her...

1. The weather is just as bad when you are standing at a bus stop, getting soaked, without raising your body temperature. Of course a car would keep you out of it if she'd like to buy you one. On a bike, you are less likely to be affected by bad weather, as preparation tends to be better and you'll be in full waterproofs!
2. Actually, regardless of the weather, you are more awake after a cycle in - period.
3. Seems an equally great argument not to cross the street then.
4. A bag is easier to move via bike than on your back.
5. There is little issue to night time cycling if you have good lights/reflectives.
6. See the answer to point 3.

If you are suitable to receive the free laptop, printer, dictaphone etc... can she actually remove this right if you choose to cycle in? I would presume that surely you'll be receiving those items for learning difficulty reasons, rather than physical. If she can, I guess it's a flip up between the two, and I'd probably take the free items if I had a need for them.

If I didn't have a need for them, or if she couldn't use it as a reason to remove them, I'd be cycling in!

 

[Matthew_T]

Some people have got a bit confused: My assessment was a Wrexham Uni, I am going to be doing a degree at Llandrillo College. Wrexham was the closest pace with an assessment centre. It is very unlikely that I will see the woman again.

Details on the woman: She was old, she was helpful, she was kind, some of her comments seemed a little......snide. I.e. She kept mentioning "I dont mean that personally" even though I knew she didnt and the question wasnt personal. She also had a habit of saying "I dont want to push you or put words in your mouth" when that was exactly what she was doing.

She was a nice lady, but the whole assessment was very exhausting (I yawned about 5 times over the 3.5 hours we were stuck in a cramped, sweaty, store room.

 

[Matthew_T]

If you are suitable to receive the free laptop, printer, dictaphone etc... can she actually remove this right if you choose to cycle in? I would presume that surely you'll be receiving those items for learning difficulty reasons, rather than physical. If she can, I guess it's a flip up between the two, and I'd probably take the free items if I had a need for them.

If I didn't have a need for them, or if she couldn't use it as a reason to remove them, I'd be cycling in!

The free items were totally seperate to the convo going on. I am getting them no matter what (unless my needs change, which I doubt).
I dont know what she could have offered travel wise as i have no difficulties with my mobility or fitness (obviously). I am not entirely sure what relation travel arrangements had with my disability as I would have to be forking out of my grant and loan for the Arriva bus anyway, and the DSA wouldnt cover that as it is for everyone.

 

[fossyant]

Matt, we 'cyclists' are right.You will get seen as being really weird, a complete nutter, or a hero.

Most folk have looked at us in disbelief all our lives, even got it this afternoon at work. 'Are you still riding your bike ?' me 'Yes', them 'even in the rain', me 'oh yes, and in ice and snow', then I bored her to death about my snow stud tyres that I have in backup, on one of my 4 bikes..... Needless to say they shut up.

 

[fossyant]

Your assessment is about study assistance, and sometimes travel. You are perfectly able, so why should you not ride to your HE Institution ?

PS I work in HE now, OK now't to do with students, but I find HE staff a bit more accepting of cyclists than in private enterprise - was near death in the construction company I worked in, despite being the Financial Controller (one down from the bosses), the hate !

 

[Sittingduck]

Get her to register on here and discuss her concerns, on the thread. We'll soon put the old coot right

 

[fossyant]

Oh and Matt, when you crash, or get knocked off, and are still riding the bike, this is where kudos is earned.

Got a colleague that crashed his bike on his second day of a French weekend with mates a couple of weeks ago. It was a tumble on a bad road, someone rode over his hand. Anyway, he carried on, did 3 major colls, Gallibier, Telegraphe and The Alpe, came home. Saw his hand last week, looked sore and swollen. He went out this weekend, Wizzard and Swiss Hill, then decided it wasn't going down. A&E..... then

Broke his metatarsal in two places near little finger. Arm in plaster - 6 weeks.

Yay, total Kudos ! PS He isn't a nutter like me though. He is a keen cyclist, but mainly weekends. Bonus points I said to him. Awesome. !!!

 

[4F]

Ignore them, FFS it is only 15 miles which is an hour each way, maybe a bit longer on a breezy day. Typical comments from a non cyclist.

 

[Cal44]

Details on the woman: She was old, she was helpful, she was kind, some of her comments seemed a little......snide. I.e. She kept mentioning "I dont mean that personally" even though I knew she didnt and the question wasnt personal. She also had a habit of saying "I dont want to push you or put words in your mouth" when that was exactly what she was doing.

She was a nice lady, but the whole assessment was very exhausting (I yawned about 5 times over the 3.5 hours we were stuck in a cramped, sweaty, store room.

I cant believe you only yawned 5 times over this period! Well done you! Must have been coz you cycle.....