He goes under the name of revolvemcr - for more details see his web site.
Monday, 28 March 2011
Mobile Bicycle Repair Man
I met Dave Trainor at Critical Mass when he came over to admire the Brox, it being a bit more robust than his bike trailer. Dave has started up a mobile bike repair business in the area so hauls tools and bike stand to customers, rather than the customer having to get the poorly bike to a shop.
He goes under the name of revolvemcr - for more details see his web site.
He goes under the name of revolvemcr - for more details see his web site.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Mad March Critical Mass
What a noise! There were at least five sound systems in the road and a few drummers too...
...and not forgetting The Spokes.
And there's a short video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ZQOCzkE2E
...and not forgetting The Spokes.
And there's a short video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ZQOCzkE2E
Saturday, 19 March 2011
GMPTE - taking steps to deter cycling...
Manchester Evening News March 18, 2011
Cyclists up in arms over metrolink plans to divert TransPennine Trail
Image from MEN
More info at Sharp Edge Trip...
Cyclists up in arms over metrolink plans to divert TransPennine Trail
Image from MEN
"Proposals drawn up for the Metrolink extension to East Didsbury include diverting the TransPennine Trail over a bridge with a series of steps."
More info at Sharp Edge Trip...
Monday, 14 March 2011
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Whitworth Street West - Eastbound
This one is a cycle lane that starts narrow outside the Hacienda.
It then opens out to go on the outside of several parking spaces.
This doesn't look too bad unless you've known someone who's been hit by a car door.
Anyone riding a bike this close to a parked car is in danger of being hit by a door being flung open, so this kind of cycle lane has real problems, since the safe place to ride is further out.
One has to wonder if the designer of this lane was aware of the danger, because a little further along the lane kinks out to a more appropriate position.
However, a bit further along the lane seems to run out, level with the estate agents' offices.
And returns only to perform this mad little kink left, to accommodate two lanes of motorvehicles at the traffic lights.
It seems little changed from the Whitworth Street West Consultation Plan see the bottom plan, except that the 0.5m buffer zone, also mentioned in the covering letter, has failed to materialize on the ground. Without that buffer zone this lane, and others along this road are far more dangerous than they should have been.
View Larger Map
It then opens out to go on the outside of several parking spaces.
This doesn't look too bad unless you've known someone who's been hit by a car door.
Anyone riding a bike this close to a parked car is in danger of being hit by a door being flung open, so this kind of cycle lane has real problems, since the safe place to ride is further out.
One has to wonder if the designer of this lane was aware of the danger, because a little further along the lane kinks out to a more appropriate position.
However, a bit further along the lane seems to run out, level with the estate agents' offices.
And returns only to perform this mad little kink left, to accommodate two lanes of motorvehicles at the traffic lights.
It seems little changed from the Whitworth Street West Consultation Plan see the bottom plan, except that the 0.5m buffer zone, also mentioned in the covering letter, has failed to materialize on the ground. Without that buffer zone this lane, and others along this road are far more dangerous than they should have been.
View Larger Map
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Irwell River Park: Part 1 - River Park Quays
MediaCity to Clippers Quays Bridge
One of the odd things about this route is that there are no signs to tell you whether or not it is a cycle route. The intention stated by Salford Council is the creation of a cycle route, so I'm assuming that's what is intended to go on the ground. However, this part of the route is in Trafford, so they may have other ideas.
If it ever gets finished, the Irwell River Park could well end up being the only pleasant and viable cycle route between MediaCity, Central Manchester and Salford University, as the rest of the area is pretty dreadful.
The MediaCity swing bridge was still being completed at the end of January, so you have to cross the canal at the Lowry.
The route between the two bridges looks wide and uncluttered, but I haven't been along this sections so there may be problems.
Going east from the Lowry the route is even wider with planters and trees to one side.
There are a few historic artifacts along the way...
About two thirds of the way along this section the route drops down a slope and narrows,
but is still reasonably wide.
However, things come to an abrupt end at what is supposed to be the location of Clippers Quays Bridge.
There is no sign of the bridge being built and I suspect it will be many years before it is completed, if ever. The alternatives from here are to cross the river on a busy road bridge or try one of the possible routes on the Trafford side. On this occasion I headed for the Bridgewater canal, but that turned out to be a footpath which is not suitable for cycling.
Update - Here's an image of the proposed bridge
View Larger Map
One of the odd things about this route is that there are no signs to tell you whether or not it is a cycle route. The intention stated by Salford Council is the creation of a cycle route, so I'm assuming that's what is intended to go on the ground. However, this part of the route is in Trafford, so they may have other ideas.
If it ever gets finished, the Irwell River Park could well end up being the only pleasant and viable cycle route between MediaCity, Central Manchester and Salford University, as the rest of the area is pretty dreadful.
The MediaCity swing bridge was still being completed at the end of January, so you have to cross the canal at the Lowry.
The route between the two bridges looks wide and uncluttered, but I haven't been along this sections so there may be problems.
Going east from the Lowry the route is even wider with planters and trees to one side.
There are a few historic artifacts along the way...
About two thirds of the way along this section the route drops down a slope and narrows,
but is still reasonably wide.
However, things come to an abrupt end at what is supposed to be the location of Clippers Quays Bridge.
There is no sign of the bridge being built and I suspect it will be many years before it is completed, if ever. The alternatives from here are to cross the river on a busy road bridge or try one of the possible routes on the Trafford side. On this occasion I headed for the Bridgewater canal, but that turned out to be a footpath which is not suitable for cycling.
Update - Here's an image of the proposed bridge
View Larger Map
Friday, 28 January 2011
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