The Times effect?

[Red Light]

Glorious day out today on the bike. Did 20 miles, met the family at a pub where it was warm enough in the sun to sit out in the garden for lunch and a pint and then finished off the rest of the ride with another 20 miles while they went to harass the "slave labour" at Tescos.

But I couldn't help noticing the masses of people out cycling today - massively more than I would normally expect to see even on a glorious day like today. So is it The Times cycling campaign that has got them out? I can't think of any other easy explanation for their being so many more out today on bike - and not PoBs for the most part either.

 

[Dave 123]

As well as passing you we saw a good 50+ people out.
Why, what are the Times doing? I don't read papers, I don't need their opinion!
Good day after a cold snap, and a steady build in the temperatures all week and people like going out on their shiny toys!

 

[Red Light]

You don't read CycleChat either?

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/cities-fit-for-cycling-the-times.94824/
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-times-on-our-side.94826/
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/excellent-article-on-cyclists-vulnerability-in-todays-times.94875/
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-times-save-our-cyclists.94992/

...all in the last month.

 

[400bhp]

Cycling is becoming more popular - the Times will have an immaterial effect. Lots out today. Very few cars passing like twunts too.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

i wanted to get out on the bike but wifey was ill! lots of cyclists around bristol but only saw 1 drop bar out of 15-20 ish!

 

[CopperCyclist]

More likely it's The Sun that has them getting out rather than The Times.

Sorry, I meant just 'the sun' Nicer weather brings out the fine weather riders again.

 

[Red Light]

Cycling is becoming more popular - the Times will have an immaterial effect. Lots out today. Very few cars passing like twunts too.

A steady growth wouldn't produce the big change I saw today. On a typical ride I might see between 0-3 cyclists even on a glorious day. Today I must have seen 30-40. At one point I was merging with another road and one cyclist was passing on the road, another was coming the other way and turning into my road and I could see another a few hundred yards away coming my way. Its unprecedented when seeing one other cyclist on the road is normally exceptional

 

[dodgy]

I can't imagine it's because a newspaper is saying nice things about cycling. The bike would need to have been bought, the gear, helmet (possibly), lycra etc. Such a massive upsurge in sales would be noticeable if it was to result in a 1000% increase in the number of cyclists on your patch.

It's just a bit of nice weather, that's all.

 

[ianrauk]

I can't imagine it's because a newspaper is saying nice things about cycling. The bike would need to have been bought, the gear, helmet (possibly), lycra etc. Such a massive upsurge in sales would be noticeable if it was to result in a 1000% increase in the number of cyclists on your patch.

It's just a bit of nice weather, that's all.

Agreed. It's not if the Times is a massive selling newspaper and it's not readable online is it?

 

[dodgy]

Yup, there's a paywall in front of the Times online.

But don't get me wrong, I think it's great what they're trying to do.

 

[400bhp]

A steady growth wouldn't produce the big change I saw today. On a typical ride I might see between 0-3 cyclists even on a glorious day. Today I must have seen 30-40. At one point I was merging with another road and one cyclist was passing on the road, another was coming the other way and turning into my road and I could see another a few hundred yards away coming my way. Its unprecedented when seeing one other cyclist on the road is normally exceptional

Did I say it was a steady growth? Perhaps there was an event.

 

[growingvegetables]

Nicer weather brings out the fine weather riders again.

And (at least here in Leeds) - first day's nice weather WITH the snowdrops in flower. Spring is in the air, WD40 on the chain.

 

[Dave 123]

Red Light- I never pay attention to ANYTHING said on cyclechat!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Yup, there's a paywall in front of the Times online.

But don't get me wrong, I think it's great what they're trying to do.

I thought that the campaign was outside the paywall. Or was it just the opening manifesto salvo?

I celebrated the glorious weather by driving to the council refuse tip - not a lot of cyclists out on that particular stretch of road.