Thursday 24 October 2013

Not Environmentalist, Not Athletic, Not Anti-Car - I Just Like Cycling...

All too often it seems, people assume cyclists  are all obsessed with saving the planet and keeping fit. They might also hate cars and certainly some hate Jeremy Clarkson. Well, I'm none of these, but there's plenty of them UK-side.

I just find pootling along either by myself or with company to be enjoyable. It also makes life easy and it's very cheap transport. It's also very useful - fast and efficient for short-shortish journeys in fair weather. Probably the pushbike's forte. For longer distances, it makes for a cheap day out.

Maybe if this type of cycling was promoted more forcefully (wrong word but can't think of something more suitable) instead of everyone getting all serious, more of the public would cycle, seeing it as something to enjoy instead of endure? I'm pretty sure it's not just lack of cycling friendly infrastructure that's a barrier to popularity, but the public perception of it - even image...

But what about the environment? All well and good but I'd probably still cycle if it wasn't environmentally friendly...

nuclear power - just as unpopular as cars with some cyclists...
photo courtesy of Stefan Kuhn from Wikimedia Commons.


Fitness? The type of cycling I do doesn't keep you fit - there isn't enough exertion and I don't want to (at the moment) - I run and go to the gym for that, or I try to...

A triathlete - if the cycling doesn't get you fit, the running and swimming will...
photo courtesy of Olivier Trudel-Languedoc from Wikimedia Commons

Cars? More than a few cyclists are on an anti-car crusade (despite many of these people being dependent on cars themselves...), but I like cars, am a Jeremy Clarkson fan, watch Top Gear on the TV on the treadmill at the gym, and would own one if I had a need for one. They're also the best option for some journeys. I don't think any one mode of transport is ideal for all journeys, which includes pushbikes. You can do your 30 - 60 mile round daily commute come rain or shine if you want, but I won't be joining you...as far as I'm concerned, this comes into the "making life difficult for no good reason" category. That type of distance is what planes, trains and automobiles are for...

for longer distances...once I've bought all the bikes I want first...
photo courtesy of Sovxx from Wikimedia Commons.
On a separate note, I shall be publishing once or twice a week as and when instead of every Thursday.
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6 comments:

  1. Rob 'Ralpapajan' Thurman24 October 2013 at 06:17

    Hey Mark ~ this is a good Blog. I enjoyed meeting you and also the chat we had about Bikes. I have always been a bit dubious about advice given by Professionals in any discipline. I always feel that whatever I am told is filtered through their own experience, expertise and beliefs. The Equipment they recommend that you buy is, by necessity, the one that will give them profit. There are so many bicycles 'out there' that it is impossible for them to stock or be agents for all of them. At the same time they also cannot look at the world through one's own eyes and perspective. Your Blog is written by someone whose enthusiasm shines through.

    Keep it up. I will be posting an Article about my own Cycling ideas tied into my Blog 'Ralpapajan's Fun With Photos'. This will be linked with this Blog as I intend using the photograph I took this morning to illustrate what I am talking about and how the camera can be used so easily to illustrate any article.

    Here is Strength to your Elbow!

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    Replies
    1. TownBikeMark24 October 2013 at 14:56

      Thank you! Good to meet you as well and glad you like the blog. I don't think I've had any negative feedback, but it's good to see it in writing!

      Delete
  2. Rob 'Ralpapajan' Thurman24 October 2013 at 08:22

    Now up on my Blog plus Facebook and Pinterest. I hope you approve! ??

    http://www.ralpapajan.co.uk/cycling-and-photography-for-fun/

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    Replies
    1. TownBikeMark24 October 2013 at 14:59

      Hi Rob

      Cannot seem to find this

      Delete
    2. Rob 'Ralpapajan' Thurman24 October 2013 at 18:59

      It is the Last Post I did so just go to

      http://www.ralpapajan.co.uk/

      It is right at the top so should be easily seen.

      It works OK when I go there.

      Delete
    3. TownBikeMark25 October 2013 at 07:18

      found it! originally I was looking at one of your other blogs.

      I like it - thanks for the praise, link and good photos. I'll post a comment or two and cover it here...stay tuned.

      Delete

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