Cycling in and around Birmingham England

New Year Revolutions

In an idle moment ,i.e the rest of the family had gone to bed and I was allowed to use the laptop, I was browsing the various discussions on the forum. After I had finished I began to wonder why people cycle.

We have spent a lot of the last year complaining about; cars, motorists, pedestrians, cycle lanes,lack of cycle lanes, street furniture, the Council, other cyclists, rude people, the MAC ( that was just me!) road design, lack of road design, bike shops, the fact that the world is not revolving around the need of cyclists etc etc.

Let us make this year one of concentrating on the joy of cycling and start looking at the positive side.

We are not going to encourage new cyclists by focusing on how dangerous and unpleasant it is.

(It has just struck me that this posting is a contradiciton in terms because it is a complaint. Help! I am stuck in an Hegelian paradox)

Happy New Year

Vive la Revolucion

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by david.cherry on January 9, 2012 at 22:34

1, The more cycling I do, the more beer and cakes I can eat

2. Time in peace for myself away from the wife

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Permalink Reply by James Russell on January 10, 2012 at 9:10

Not THAT many more beer and cakes, Dave!

david.cherry said:

1, The more cycling I do, the more beer and cakes I can eat

2. Time in peace for myself away from the wife

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Permalink Reply by juliewall on January 10, 2012 at 12:27

I've just started cycling to work 3 or 4 times a week, and these are the benefits I've found so far:

1) I'm always on time. I've always had a problem getting in on time for work but because now I know I need to leave myself time to get changed and make myself look presentable, it's at my advantage to get in with plenty of time to spare.

2) No standing still in the rain waiting for a bus that turns up when it feels like it. I hardly notice light rain and at least in heavy rain I'm still on the move and don't have that feeling of helpless resignation waiting for the bus.

3) It's free. I REALLY resent the days when I have to get the bus and shell out £3.80 for a daysaver. Ouch :(

4) No traffic delays.

5) Easier to plan routes and park than being in a car!

6) The exercise not only leaves me feeling more awake but (I hope this is true!) boosts my metabolism so it's easier to burn off whatever I eat during the day.

7) Fresh air (sometimes!)

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Permalink Reply by Darren O'D on January 10, 2012 at 13:47

Don't forget . .

1 - I have learnt to be more creative with swear words, calling the idiots who pull out/ open doors/ sit over the white line in the green cyclist refuge . . . . the same thing day after day, gets tiresome . . .