The Retirement Thread

[classic33]

A very interesting focus group which concentrated on crossing points on side roads where they are close to or join with a main road. Seeing these illustrated made me realise the very wide variety we have something I hadn't previously appreciated. Some absolutely chaotic, others very well designed.

One interesting point was one guy worked in road safety and clearly had deep knowledge of the Highway Code and road markings. Many of his comments were about how some of the illustrated junctions did not comply with correct road markings and/or the Highway Code. It was interesting the one with the least compliance, from his view, was the one which everyone felt gave drivers, cyclists and pedestrians the clearest and safest understanding as to who has priority and how one should behave. He seemed to feel observing the Highway Code would keep us safe!!!!! Good luck with that one when riding a bike.

Same guy vehemently disagreed with me when I suggested from a cyclist's perspective a "rounded" or "sweeping" kerb at a junction is safer as it allows us to enter and exit faster. His view was a right-angled kerb should be used to slow us which is contrary to my view that I won't to enter or exit at a steady speed rather than pushing off from a dead stop. All obviously subject to other road users in the vicinity.

Was this related to the recent changes made to priority at such crossings?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Feeling better today, been grumpy of late and more than a little scared, as my UTI/Sepsis from a few weeks back has been diagnosed as a ureter blockage caused by a kidney stone - operation to remove is booked for next Friday.

Saw the CT scan yesterday and the left kidney is literally 3 times the size of the right one due to fluid 'backing up'.

A horrible sight!

Superb service from the NHS btw. ❤️

 

[welsh dragon]

That's where your bike comes in.
Means you can't get any "extras" either as you'd have no means of carrying them.

Very true.

 

[PaulSB]

Was this related to the recent changes made to priority at such crossings?

Awareness of recent changes was raised by the researcher but was confined to were we aware of the changes and how did we learn of them.

The main thrust was how as users, pedestrian, driver or cyclist we interpreted the junction; good or bad design, positive and negative features, safe or dangerous and what improvements we would like to see. Interpretation of priority was a key feature.

Just to add to my point about sweeping kerbs and speed. I'm not talking about speed but momentum. I feel as a cyclist if I can maintain momentum I am safer than if I have to come to a dead stop and then push hard to start moving again.

 

[classic33]

Very true.

You'll be on yer bike the next time then?

 

[welsh dragon]

You'll be on yer bike the next time then?

If the weather is nice then yes.

 

[classic33]

Feeling better today, been grumpy of late and more than a little scared, as my UTI/Sepsis from a few weeks back has been diagnosed as a ureter blockage caused by a kidney stone - operation to remove is booked for next Friday.

Saw the CT scan yesterday and the left kidney is literally 3 times the size of the right one due to fluid 'backing up'.

A horrible sight!

Superb service from the NHS btw. ❤️

They don't use ultrasound to break the stone(s) down any more?

Hope you'll be in and out on the day.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

They don't use ultrasound to break the stone(s) down any more?

Hope you'll be in and out on the day.

They do.

Large bugger - 11mm!

 

[classic33]

They do.

Large bugger - 11mm!

Best o'luck on the day.

 

[classic33]

If the weather is nice then yes.

What's the weather got to do with it?
Neither wind, nor snow, nor rain shall stop you...

 

[ColinJ]

Hmm, it has been raining but isn't now and there is some blue sky. The BBC and Met Office don't quite agree. This could go either way.

Fingers crossed we get lucky - I don't have mudguards on the singlespeed bike. I do have an upper guard on the back but that does nothing for the bike or my legs.

We got the blue sky, some sunshine, no rain!

Alas, we also got a stiff, blustery headwind all the way up the Cragg Vale climb. My pal was really knackered because she'd struggled against an even fiercer wind to get over to Hebden Bridge from Keighley.

It was hard work on the singlespeed but since we were wind-assisted on the way back from Littleborough I decided to take us the scenic way via Calderbrook, of recent landslip fame.

I was surprised to feel increasingly better as the ride progressed. Perhaps my short rides to the shops have kept my legs ticking over better since Christmas than I'd thought!

When we got back here my pal asked if her brake blocks looked ok. I checked and they look good for at least another 2 or 3 rides. Then I checked the brake function... WTF!!!! The rear lever pulled to the bars before applying significant braking. The front wasn't much better! I adjusted the brakes so maximum braking occurred with about 50% pull.

While I was at it, I took a look at the front wheel. The rim was showing significant wear (quite concave braking surfaces). The rim rocked from side to side under light finger pressure so I tightened up the hub. There was then a bit of rumble from the bearings. The bike was safe enough to ride home on but I made my friend promise to take it to her friendly local mechanic ASAP and get his opinion. He might be able to improve the hub with new ball bearings, grease, and adjustment OR... maybe it is time for a new wheel? That one has definitely seen better days.

We enjoyed our coffee and walnut cake.

I was content with my lumpy 35 km on singlespeed so I didn't volunteer for escort duties when my pal left. Once down the A646 was enough for today. There seemed to be a lot of traffic for some reason, even where I wouldn't expect it.

Oh yes... brown van man decided to give me a fright. Either that or he genuinely thinks that 0.5 m is actually 2 m! He overtook at speed close enough for me to touch the side of the vehicle with my elbow.

 

[ColinJ]

He overtook at speed close enough for me to touch the side of the vehicle with my elbow.

Fortunately, I had my elbows tucked in and was riding parallel to the van's direction of movement!

 

[welsh dragon]

Crikey. Seems I am first to post this morning. Lots of rain and very windy as well last night. Now its calm and damp.

Stay safe peeps

 

[PaulSB]

Morning chaps and chapessess. Quiet in here last night/this morning. Have you all been on a Saturday night? Tell me, please, you haven't had a party without inviting me?

So last night out to friends to eat, drink and laugh. We did. We also played Cranium, a rather silly board game. One type of question involves drawing a clue for team mates to guess the answer. My item was a pudding.

Spotted dick

We won that round. I had to mime Knickerbocker Glory in the Charades round. We won that one too.

So today. I want to cycle. Full of enthusiasm but it's blowing a full on hoolie. I shall snooze and decide later. Coffee and cake with a friend this afternoon. She is very down. Her retirement plans which had really boosted her in recent months have collapsed around her - at least that's how she sees it. Her fund values have fallen dramatically and five have been suspended because of a Russian connection. I'll have to play this by ear other than the usual markets overreact, invest for the longterm.

Haven't looked at my pension pot and I won't for many months as I see no point in worrying unduly. Our savings funds have actually grown. The fund has 0.1% exposure to Russia/Ukraine and is one we picked for it's safe, conservative investment policy.

 

[Chief Broom]

Morning folks i have lots to do for a change! the council gave me a grant for decorating so have a £100 of paint waiting to be applied. Next DIY is to make a cold frame as spring will soon be here, im no carpenter but can bodge with the best! [Bodging is the bastard child of the mother of invention]. As long as it does the job thats all that matters