BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
Not me.
Was cycling home along the canal (like an episode of Casualty here - I can see what is going to happen, but still transfixed as to the how), usual route.
For those that know, it is the Birmingham and Fazeley canal, just north of the City Centre, just beyond the outer ring. Like most canals (I guess), the canal is narrower at the bridges, meaning that the bridge supports are in the direct line of the normal towpath, and therefore it has to joggle a bit to get round it. This makes the part of the towpath under the bridge, and especially the towpath beyond the bridge, largely blind to those approaching.
So, anyway, I'm approaching this bridge, about to go under it. I tinkle my bell, yell a warning, and head through. About to come out the other side and see a cyclist heading towards me. He has a quick panic moment, swerves to avoid me, tries to extract his shoes from the clipless pedals, fails, and despite there being just enough room for two, appears to decide that the canal is the better option.
Big splash (big bloke).
One cyclist behind me, and one cyclist behind him, so between the three of us, he and his bike are easily recovered from the canal and made road-worthy again. However one of us has taken a mouth full of canal water (not quite Buxton spring water) and is now soaking wet. And its not me. Ducklings were fascinated though. Guess they've never seen a cyclist trying to swim before.
"Got far to go?" He was asked as he stood there dripping on the towpath. "Yes" he responds. "Aldridge".
Ah.
So the motto is: If you are using the canals, fit a bell, use it, and shout. And don't go round bridge supports too fast.
Second person I have caused to fall in the canal. So the second motto is: Avoid the canals when I'm around!!
His cycle computer was still working though. So one good thing.
Was cycling home along the canal (like an episode of Casualty here - I can see what is going to happen, but still transfixed as to the how), usual route.
For those that know, it is the Birmingham and Fazeley canal, just north of the City Centre, just beyond the outer ring. Like most canals (I guess), the canal is narrower at the bridges, meaning that the bridge supports are in the direct line of the normal towpath, and therefore it has to joggle a bit to get round it. This makes the part of the towpath under the bridge, and especially the towpath beyond the bridge, largely blind to those approaching.
So, anyway, I'm approaching this bridge, about to go under it. I tinkle my bell, yell a warning, and head through. About to come out the other side and see a cyclist heading towards me. He has a quick panic moment, swerves to avoid me, tries to extract his shoes from the clipless pedals, fails, and despite there being just enough room for two, appears to decide that the canal is the better option.
Big splash (big bloke).
One cyclist behind me, and one cyclist behind him, so between the three of us, he and his bike are easily recovered from the canal and made road-worthy again. However one of us has taken a mouth full of canal water (not quite Buxton spring water) and is now soaking wet. And its not me. Ducklings were fascinated though. Guess they've never seen a cyclist trying to swim before.
"Got far to go?" He was asked as he stood there dripping on the towpath. "Yes" he responds. "Aldridge".
Ah.
So the motto is: If you are using the canals, fit a bell, use it, and shout. And don't go round bridge supports too fast.
Second person I have caused to fall in the canal. So the second motto is: Avoid the canals when I'm around!!
His cycle computer was still working though. So one good thing.
