Tip on how to cycle faster...

[theclaud]

Breathalysed on a bike produces the same result as in a motor vehicle. Big fine and loss of license (even if you don't have one you lose it) together with increased insurance when you get it back.
I read once of an old boy who went to pub on horse and cart. He got blathered and let horse take him home. He still got done for being drunk in charge of a road vehicle.

Have you been drinking?

 

[guitarpete247]

Have you been drinking?

No. I limit myself to 1 pint with a meal or less if not eating or on empty stomach. Driving or cycling. That is not to say I never did it in my youth. I cycled home from the Sandtoft Gathering Camra tent, having sampled several marvellous brews, only to fall off part way home after hitting a kerb and launching myself over the bars .
My mate, following me, asked what I had done. I said I was checking what gear I was in.
"Jeans and T-Shirt" was his reply.
It's one of those things I'm not proud of and have never done again just thinking of the consequences.

 

[Crackle]

Some of my most memorable rides have been late in the night coming back from a few scoops, it a joyous ride home. I've never had an incident, the only time I have was the next day, when I set off to go to the shops to get some morning croissants. Heavy with hangover I clipped a kerb and gently kissed a sandstone wall before sliding down gracefully: Moral, never cycle for croissants, it's dangerous.

 

[theclaud]

No. I limit myself to 1 pint with a meal or less if not eating or on empty stomach. Driving or cycling. That is not to say I never did it in my youth. I cycled home from the Sandtoft Gathering Camra tent, having sampled several marvellous brews, only to fall off part way home after hitting a kerb and launching myself over the bars .
My mate, following me, asked what I had done. I said I was checking what gear I was in.
"Jeans and T-Shirt" was his reply.
It's one of those things I'm not proud of and have never done again just thinking of the consequences.

I was only referring to the silliness of the claim that you can lose something you don't have.

People should of course have whatever personal limits suit them, but in my view cycling is a very civilised way to get around when a bit trolleyed. Although I was probably overdoing it when I drank Margaritas all afternoon and evening then made it fifty yards down a hill before crashing straight into the railings opposite the police station. But I still made last orders at the local on the way home...

 

[Dan B]

Breathalysed on a bike produces the same result as in a motor vehicle.

Not true.

 

[vorsprung]

Personally speaking I find that after 2 pints I am not silly enough to be a menace to myself and others on a bicycle. I am quite happy riding back across the sleepy lanes of Devon after an evening at the pub. Even after 3 pints I'm fine.
My limit for driving and drinking is zero. If I am in charge of a car then I don't drink

Now back to the OP. It may well be that they are more capable of taking their drink than I am. I wouldn't consider riding across London after a couple of pints. But the way they said it- "Flying across potholes, waving cheerily to friendly drivers, taking RDBs with filtering ease" sounds like they were a bit too relaxed. Usually when this sort of thing happens ( and you get away with it ) after a couple of days you think to yourself "WTF was I doing?"

 

[guitarpete247]

Not true.

Apologies . Not quite the same result but still serious.
Bike for all site says.

Section 30 Road Traffic Act 1988 says: "It is an offence for a person to ride a cycle on a road or other public place when unfit to ride through drink or drugs - that is to say - is under the influence of a drink or a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the cycle.

In Scotland a PC may arrest without warrant a person committing an offence under this section. There is no obligation for a cyclist to submit to a blood or urine alcohol test.

'Road' in the above bit of legislation includes a bridleway so don't think you can get blotto at a country pub and ride home 'off road' without risk.

And here's the rub. If you ride drunk you risk endangering yourself and possibly others by your actions. Would you ride home blindfolded? Beer-googles and bicycles do not mix. And, as stated above, cycling 'dangerously' can be fined by up to £2500.

You cannot get endorsements on your UK driving licence for a 'drink cycling' offence.

This last bit is the part I was confused over. But I'd rather not have the £2500 fine or end up under the wheels of some innocent driver ( ).

 

[Dan B]

You cannot get endorsements, also there is no requirement to submit to a breath alcohol test. The test is "unfit to ride through drink or drugs" and it's a subjective test not a x parts-per-million test. Those of us who've tried drinking then cycling will know that there's a significant slop room after the approximately-one-pint legal limit for motorised vehicles before you get to "incapable of having proper control"

 

[dellzeqq]

I think we're being a tad too serious about this.

Telling Crock off is a bit like telling that de Quincy fellow to stick to weak tea. I've ridden pissed, and I may do it again, but, as Crock will readily concede, it's not a good idea. As my friend Dennis would tell you if he hadn't crossed one red light too many on his way home from the pub.