Tamar Bicycle Users Group

Ride Launceston 2012 Photos

Cheeseness — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:40:53 +1000

G'day all

This year, I was volunteering once again on point 6 for Ride Launceston and got some photos that I thought I'd share :)

You can see them on my Flickr page.

If anybody wants copies or is in a photo and wants it removed, just let me know.

P.S. Sorry for the first batch of people who I inadvertently sent in the wrong direction!

Re: Shimano Pulley Set

Tony C — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:07:17 +1000

PS : I should add that they are free!!

Shimano Pulley Set

Tony C — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:06:40 +1000

I have a Shimano Pulley Set looking for a new home - is it of any use to anyone?

The packet says TY05/15/20/22/30/CT92/MJ05 - does that help?

Tony

(0419 387 556)

Re: Belt Drive - Avanti - Belt tension?

Tony C — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:59:23 +1000

Thanks Ian,

I still have been unable to get the definitive tension required for my Blade 8 - but your findings are interesting. In general the advice out there on the net is that deflection should be around 10mm. I shall go with that using the 10 pound (US?) weight (4.5 kilogram approx) for now.

I have more deflection than that at present but the belt is tracking well !

Tony

Re: Belt Drive - Avanti - Belt tension?

Ian Howard — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:23:17 +1100

Hi,

Found this on the web hope it helps.

Cheers,
Ian.

As to measuring belt tension, the tool is your best option. If you own the bike, then you should own the tool.

Without it, however, place an S-bent spoke or similar wire in a hook over the center of the top of the belt. Add weight to the bottom hook. 10 pounds is the spec. Yes, this is a lot of weight for a bent spoke. Be creative. Or buy the tool.

Place a ruler next to the belt, at the point of the weight's pull. Write down the measurement.

Remove the weight. Measure again, in the same place. Subtract the first measurement from the second measurement. The difference should be between 5 and 12 millimeters. 10 millimeters is ideal.

It actually appears that belt "alignment" issues are directly related to belt tension with the Gates Carbon Drive belts. If the tension is correct, they track well. If it is too low, they will track toward the frame. Too high tracks away from the frame.

The alignment is dependent on the type of dropout.

Фотодизайны

evgenykoval — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:27:48 +1100

nailphotodiz.ru]; target="_blank">Интернет магазин фотодизайнов для ногтей на самоклеющейся прозрачной пленке. Используются для дизайна при наращивании ногтей гелем. Так же можно наклеивать на ногти под бесцветный лак при маникюре и педикюре.

Belt Drive - Avanti - Belt tension?

Tony C — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:11:54 +1100

Hi,

Does anyone know to what tension the belt should be set to on the Avanti Blade 8C?

I have emailed Avanti local and in NZ but have no answer as yet. The Gates Carbon Drive website advises that tensions should be as per the manufacturers recommendations for the model.

Tony Cullimore

Apollo Himalaya Small Bike looking for new home

alynch — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:01:34 +1100

Hello,

I am hoping to find a new home for my old bike.
It is an Apollo Himalya Small MTB ( no supension approx 15 years old) needs some work to get running well but generally in okay condition.

Please contact me by email (anna.k.lynch@gmail.com) if you are interested or know of somewhere that will be able to do some maintance and put it to use.

Cheers
Anna

Re: Edgemarkings as a Substitute for Bike Lanes

australiathomassabo — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:07:51 +1100

I have learned a lot thanks!:)-D

Ride Launceston 2011 Photos

Cheeseness — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:57:30 +1100

G'day all

I was volunteering on point 6 for Ride Launceston and got some photos that I thought I'd share :)

You can see them on my Flickr page.

If anybody wants copies or is in a photo and wants it removed, just let me know.

Re: Edgemarkings as a Substitute for Bike Lanes

Maid_Marion — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:44:14 +1100

The idea of bicycles being lumped in with cars rather than pedestrians was conceived at a time when there were far fewer cars on the road and cars did not travel as fast as they now do. Today it would be far preferable for bicycles to always be placed with pedestrians rather than cars.
It is arguably less dangerous for a pedestrian and a bike to collide than for a car and a bike.

One of the huge issues cyclists face (especially children) is that we have to jump in and out of footpaths, shoulders and designated bike paths....what's needed is a truly linked up network in which the bikes and pedestrians are given the royal treatment - just think of what the conventions are on the sea - motor power gives special consideration to non-motor power.

I remain hopeful that the Jan Gehl Report can be fully implemented so that we can get a very safe and practical network in which we don't even need to wear helmets (as the truth is that there are a lot of people who get into cars because they don't want to wear a helmet and mess up their hair - sounds trivial but it has an impact on numbers so it must be considered).

Is anyone organising any coordinated lobbying to get the Gehl Report implemented ASAP? I'd love to be involved.

Re: New to cycling

Cheeseness — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:46:53 +1100

When I used to ride out that way, I took what I believe is known as the "University Trail", which comes out the top of Holbrook St in Invermay (it also connects to Mayne St), and followed that until it came to the Mobray Link. On the other side of the link is another trail that connects to Plumer St (near the southernmost entrance to the University campus.

Here's a Google Maps link that shows where the trail joins Holbrook.

There are other routes as well, but what will best suit you will most likely depend upon where you're coming from and whether or not you're willing to do any road riding.

New to cycling

YYue — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:28:45 +1100

Hi all,

I've just moved to Launceston and will be commencing my studies at the Uni (Newnham). I am keen on cycling to the Uni but am very unsure about how to make my way there as I am really new to the whole cycling-on-roads issue. Would be glad if I could get someone to show me how? Probably cycle a couple of times with me to and back if it is not too much to ask.

Thank you.

YYue

Re: new resident to Launceston

Anna Povey — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:08:53 +1000

Hi Damien
We asked around to see if there was interest in a TBUG morning ride, and we've had a couple of responses. Nothing's organised yet though. I do know that there are plenty of morning bunches that go up the West Tamar Hwy, so if you're interested I can put you in touch with some. Coffee is certainly often involved. Contact me at fovey@intas.net.au or ring me on 6334 6633 and I'll give you some phone numbers.
Cheers
Anna

Re: new resident to Launceston

Cheeseness — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:01:15 +1000

G'day Damien

We don't have anything that we currently run, though I see a good number of cyclists every morning whilst riding to work, so I expect something like that could have good potential.

Which suburb are you moving to?

Josh

new resident to Launceston

Mr White — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 07:07:23 +1000

Howdy

I'm moving down to Launceston in the next couple of weeks and am keen to explore all the rides around the place (and hopefully not come off in the process!). Are there any regular early morning groups who go out and hit the roads early before work (followed up with a coffee of course!)during the week?

thanks
Damien

Did You Attend Bike Week?

Cheeseness — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:37:23 +1100

Poll: Did You Attend A State Bike Week 2010 Event

What did you do for Bike Week? Did you attend an event like Ride Launceston or the Launceston City Council's Arterial Bike Route Ride, or did you find your own way to celebrate cycling?

Tell us your thoughts on what you liked about State Bike Week this year, and what ideas you might have for next!

The State Bike Week 2010 calendar can be viewed at www.cycleinstead.org.au

Re: tram/train tracks at Inveresk

Anna Povey — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:51:10 +1100

Not sure if they could organise a separated cycle track, and people tend to use that tram track area naturally.

I think it would help if there were some crossing points over the tram track intersections. These would at least help cyclists negotiate a forced tram track crossing where currently the angles are tricky to get right. They could be removable for when trams are using the tracks.

Re: Bikes On Buses [Poll]

Anna Povey — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:46:07 +1100

Getting bikes on buses any way would be great. It would help us all to use bikes more, especially people who are new to biking and are not used to hills. They could hop on the bus to go home. Also families could go for a ride, knowing that if the kids get tired they can catch a bus home.

External racks sound excellent. However, if they are too expensive to start off with, then it would be almost as good to have space inside the bus for bikes and other bulky items. If a couple of seats were removed there would be plenty of space. Or it is quite easy to just wheel the bus down the aisle and keep out of everyone's way. There could always be a rule that if the bus is full the bike can't go inside.

Perhaps the internal shared space would be the most cost-effective way of getting bikes (and other objects) on the bus.

Bikes On Buses [Poll]

Cheeseness — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:55:36 +1100

Poll: What sort of cycle support would you like to see on inner city busses?

With some recent announcements regarding funding for bus infrastructure upgrades, we're keen to do some lobbying for increased support for cyclists, but we need to know what you want.

Would the ability to catch a bus with your bike be attractive for you? Share your thoughts!

Re: March 2nd Launceston Bike & Pedestrian Count (Volunteers needed!)

Cheeseness — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:45:24 +1100

For anybody who's interested, the numbers last year were collected in terms of 'bikes in' and 'bikes out' to get the direction of cycle traffic flow. I've listed the totals from last year below.

Charles Street Bridge (6 bikes in, 16 bikes out)

Victoria Bridge (9 bikes in, 16 bikes out)

Boland Street (8 bikes in, 2 bikes out)

Elphin Road (22 bikes in, 12 bikes out)

High Street (5 bikes in, 3 bikes out)

Charles Street (26 bikes in, 7 bikes out)

Hobart Road (3 bikes in, 4 bikes out)

Westbury Road (1 bike in, 1 bike out)

Southern Outlet (1 bike in, 0 bikes out)

Frederick Street (8 bikes in, 0 bikes out)

Kings Bridge (29 bikes in, 2 bikes out)

West Tamar Road (19 bikes in, 8 bikes out)

March 2nd Launceston Bike & Pedestrian Count (Volunteers needed!)

Cheeseness — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:08:13 +1100

On the second of March, Nigel Coats from the Launceston City Council will again be coordinating a count of pedestrian and bike activity around Launceston. Volunteers are needed to man the 11 counting sites across the city between 8:00am and 9:00am. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Nigel via the address below.

Nigel.Coates@launceston.tas.gov.au

Re: tram/train tracks at Inveresk

Cheeseness — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:43:19 +1100

I wonder whether having a separated cycle track might be the best solution. The obstructions to stop vehicle traffic are not a problem for pedestrians, but they tend to force cyclists to get too close to the tracks.

Re: Bike Cages - Paterson Street Carparks

Cheeseness — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:39:30 +1100

We've brought this up at the council's Bike Committee meetings and the cages were specifically designed for typical pad/combination locks rather than bike locks. It seems that part of the rationale may have been for cost reasons (the sliding bolt locks are easy to find, whereas something to accommodate a bike lock would most likely have to be designed and manufactured).

If it's an issue that is important to the community, we can continue to raise it at the Bike Committee meetings. For the moment I don't believe there is likely to be any change to the existing lock mechanism within the immediate future.

Re: Bike Cages - Paterson Street Carparks

lumcginniss — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:15:50 +1100

I found using my cable-type bike lock to lock the cage a bit tricky as I had to wind it around the door and frame above several times to ensure the door couldn't be opened wide enough for someone to walk into the cage!

tram/train tracks at Inveresk

lumcginniss — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:11:38 +1100

I know of a couple of people at least who have had accidents while riding through Inveresk where they have slipped on/in the tram tracks. Obviously they have heritage value and I think occasional use? Any ideas about how we can make it more cycle-friendly through there?

Re: Edgemarkings as a Substitute for Bike Lanes

lumcginniss — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:03:47 +1100

I can see how edgemarkings can be better than nothing, such as up Trevallyn Road, but I also see locations where I think it is dangerous to have edgemarkings, such as the recently redeveloped southern end of Invermay Rd. I think the road there is too narrow for cars and bikes to fit alongside each other safely, particularly as there is nowhere to escape for cars or bikes because the curb is high.

Lu

Re: Edgemarkings as a Substitute for Bike Lanes

Cheeseness — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:30:03 +1100

One thing I am wary of is encouraging cyclists to ride on the lower part of the gutter. This is a place that is usually sloped, where debris collects, and where drainage points are traditionally located.

Even if edge markings were put in place as cycle space in a place where there were no drain grills or other hazards, cyclists should never be expected to ride on the gutter.

Re: Edgemarkings as a Substitute for Bike Lanes

Anna Povey — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:26:17 +1100

This research Malcolm found is thought-provoking. Something for us all to consider when we decide what we'd like in the cycle routes that are being rolled out across Launceston with our new funding.
Anna

[www.timesonline.co.uk]

"Cycle lanes can make roads more dangerous for cyclists because they encourage motorists to drive closer when overtaking bicycles, a study has found.

Drivers give cyclists a wider berth on roads where there is no lane because they assume that they should share the road and make more allowance for the risk of wobbles.

The study, conducted by Leeds and Bolton universities, challenges the approach taken by many local authorities, which is to promote cycling by painting cycle lanes and cycle symbols on their roads. It suggests that reducing the speed and volume of traffic would be more effective in improving cycle safety than narrow cycle lanes.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, is planning to create 12 “cycle superhighways” by 2012 but his transport authority said yesterday that most of the network would be lanes painted on roads rather than segregated cycle paths.

For the study the researchers mounted a camcorder on the rear rack of a bicycle and rode on three roads that each had sections with and without cycle lanes. On all three roads, drivers gave cyclists less room where there was a cycle lane. The greatest difference was recorded on the A6 near Garstang, Lancashire, where cars passed 18cm (7in) closer when the cyclist was in a cycle lane.

All the cycle lanes were slightly narrower than the minimum width of 1.5m (5ft) recommended by the Department for Transport. The majority of Britain’s cycle lanes do not comply with this guideline.

The study, which is due to be published in the scientific journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, says that on roads without cycle lanes, drivers “consciously perform an overtaking manoeuvre”. On roads with cycle lanes, they treat the space between the centre line and the outside edge of the cycle lane as exclusively their territory and make less adjustment for cyclists.

The study concludes: “Cycle lanes do not appear to provide greater space for cyclists in all conditions.” The Highway Code tells drivers to “give cyclists at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car”.

Chris Peck, policy co-ordinator of the Cyclists’ Touring Club, said: “Cycle lanes have a part to play in improving road conditions for cyclists, but this research has raised concerns that they are not always the best solution and may make cycling more unpleasant.”

He said that too many authorities viewed cycle lanes as a cheap and easy alternative to more effective measures of reducing the vulnerability of cyclists, such as cutting the speed limit to 20mph and redesigning awkward junctions. Mr Peck added that narrow cycle lanes could create tension between drivers and cyclists, with drivers becoming annoyed when cyclists strayed outside them. Some cyclists felt under pressure to remain within the lane until the last moment when turning right, leading to sudden, potentially dangerous manoeuvres.

He said: “Cycle lanes are a good visual reminder to people that cycling is being encouraged but they can cause cyclists to hug the kerb, which may not be the safest place to be.”"

Re: Bike Cages - Paterson Street Carparks

Cheeseness — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:42:21 +1100

My partner and I make fairly frequent use of them too. It's a shame that there are still "no bikes" signs on the carpark.