Posts by Lilith __
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Hard News: Dressing for the Road, in reply to Jake Pollock,
A cycle lane between parked cars and the footpath potentially puts you in the path of passenger doors, but at least you can't be knocked into the path of moving traffic, which is the big danger with a cycle lane on the driver's side.
A complete separation of parking and cycle lane would be the ideal.
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I ride if it’s nearby or bus/ride if it’s further (here in Chch almost all bus routes have cycle-carrying capacity). I wear pretty much whatever I would normally.
With skirts and dresses I tie up the bulk of the fabric in a heavy-duty rubber-band and make sure I’m wearing either tights or cycle-shorts* underneath so I don’t have to worry about distracting other road users.
A big rubber-band around the ankle is also ideal for keeping your nice trousers out of the chain. It’s more effective and way more comfortable than a conventional cycle-clip.
I always wear a high-vis vest (and a reflector on my backpack if I’m wearing it). The vest cost me $6 and is lightweight mesh which doesn’t mind being scrunched up in a bag or pannier.
If there’s any chance of rain, or if it’s cold, I wear my raincoat and overtrou or carry them in a pannier. The overtrou are much too big for me, which means I can wear them comfortably even over long skirts or dresses. You might not think this would work, but it does.
I don’t wear gloves unless it’s cold, when I wear lined leather ones. They keep the wind out in a way woollen ones don’t, and they also are thin enough to go easily in a bag or pocket.
In the worst weather I wear a thin merino beanie or a pashmina wrapped over my head and tied around my neck, under my helmet.
I also find high heels surprisingly good to cycle in, they fit nicely over the pedals.
I’m interested so many of you consider padded shorts essential. I don’t, but I have a super-comfy saddle.
While I’m here I may as well repeat my belief that wearing bright, eye-catching clothes on a bike makes drivers less likely to hit you. I used to wear a lot of bright satin and velvet when I was younger, now my tastes are less showy, but cycling has never stopped me wearing pretty clothes that I feel nice in.
*my “cycle-shorts” are old cotton trackies cut down. Nothing flash! Just cool and comfy.
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Capture: Someone, Somewhere, In Summertime, in reply to BenWilson,
The char goes on the garden, to make terra preta.
Sequestering your own carbon! How awesome. :-)
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Great post Colin, thank you.
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Hard News: Thatcher, in reply to Chris Waugh,
Who is this Paul Thomas fellow? And what do those more familiar than I with Thatcher’s reign and British politics think of this?
...a Mao apologist! Tempted to think he's just trolling, but...
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Also: comedy designed for the web doesn't have to be a poor relation to television. Look at what Felicia Day has done with The Guild. The "homemade" feel is part of its success I think. And the early release of new episodes to subscribers creates a revenue stream that doesn't exclude new or casual viewers.
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Up Front: Another Brick in the Wall, in reply to BenWilson,
You’re like the ultimate lefty to vote directly against your interests, on behalf of a cause (children) that doesn’t have a personal element.
Why does this have to be an either/or thing? We can't care about our own interests AND looking after those with special needs?
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Hard News: Thatcher, in reply to 81stcolumn,
For info:
National Insurance
How fascinating! So it predates Thatcher by quite a way....
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Hard News: Thatcher, in reply to Stewart,
It just seems that he has a completely strange idea of what the population thinks they pay tax for.
It never occurred to me that my tax was anything other than a means for the government to provide the necessary education, health & social welfare provisions of the population for whom it works. With a little to subsidise Bellamys, pay for a toy army, etc.I agree. The cost of living in a society that treats ALL its members as worthwhile.
Bit of a threadmerge with Emma’s post on education funding for children with special needs .
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Flat3: charming!!