E-bike article in today's Guardian

[Rad]

Phil I hope you've posted that mate.

 

[themutiny]

I was once a fit keen cyclist. Jobs etc. overtook me and I gave it up for several years (although I kept relatively fit - boxing and rugby) for some of those years.
Eventually I got so busy @ work I stopped all of these, becoming unfit and ending up off work with severe stress related illness for several months. I was borderline high blood pressure (Aprrox 140/90+ with a resting heart rate of 70+bpm).

That all sounds very familiar, add depression and alcoholism, and that was me too.

Unfortunately, the average 'cheating' retard doesn't have the necessary attention span to absorb this (or doesn't want to).

 

[Barnowl]

Yes, good post Phil. I had that High Blood pressure (it was high) and evidence of a "heart attack" ,apparently (don't remember having one), about 8 years ago. I took up some serious exercise especially walking a lot and by the time I got to see the cardio a couple of months later and get a full checkout I was A1. I mentioned the heart attack and the ecgs and he said it must have been the hairs on my chest. Big relief though. Sensible exercise and moderate coffee drinking is all important.

Glad to see the Tricross was such a big success.

 

[Alex728]

thankfully I'm a bit younger not yet had the health/stress problems and don't intend doing so, but I still find e-bikes to be a big bonus.

That said my Dad did do all the bad things the older chaps on here went through - not alcoholism thiough, but he was dedicated to work, making money and keeping his car running (he loved cars) but he did use a lot of benzodiazepines to relax, and he didn't even reach his sixties. I am determined not to make this mistake myself.

 

[eddieo]

I was recommended the "General Motors Weight Loss Diet Program" yesterday by the pharmacist, he said some friends had tried it with very good results

 

[pete500]

I'm almost totally ignored by other cyclists as I don't wear a helmet and have my suit on (Rohan travel suit - thoroughly recommend it). I don't think that they regard anyone who isn't at least 50% dayglo and wearing lycra as even belonging to the same species. Has anyone else noticed that, following the big increase in cycling after 7/7, which was a good thing (the cycling, not the terrorism), cyclists in London have got a lot more agressive?

 

[Alex728]

I'm almost totally ignored by other cyclists as I don't wear a helmet and have my suit on (Rohan travel suit - thoroughly recommend it). I don't think that they regard anyone who isn't at least 50% dayglo and wearing lycra as even belonging to the same species. Has anyone else noticed that, following the big increase in cycling after 7/7, which was a good thing (the cycling, not the terrorism), cyclists in London have got a lot more agressive?

I've not cycled in the London area for years (even then it was around the Western outskirts rather than the centre) but I think its just a regional thing, with people in general being more aggressive/angry in SE England/London (even before the terrorism and continuing decline in global relations and economy) irrespective of their methods of transport.

I've definitely noticed a change in moving from SE England to East Anglia, with the bulk of road users being much more friendly, I've had even had white van drivers let me go first at junctions in some villages, random people smiling at me or waving (pedestrians and cyclists), it took a while of getting used to - I thought at first they were waving at me because there was some problem with my bike or they were politely trying to tell me I was committing some traffic offence or riding into danger!

In London I think 7/7 as well as other global issues (rising fuel/transport costs setc) do have an effect - but the people who took to bikes after such a terrible event maybe aren't doing it out of good grace but deep down feel very angry at having to change their behaviour and put in extra effort "because of terrorists", rather than enjoying cycling.

I also think a lot of "lycras" (other than the ones what genuinely love cycling and racing etc) are also angry men who feel they have been "forced out" of their motor cars because of the global situation but realise that they have the testosterone and energy to cycle and start getting self-righteous about it but deep down would rather drive...

 

[Straylight]

I know what you mean about having to get used to people being friendly, having moved to EA from London about 2years ago. On the subject of 7/7, there was a lot of unfounded paranoia afterward, I say unfounded as I believe that you're far more likely to be hit by a truck whilst cycling in London than blown up on the tube. Personally the whole thing made me far more relaxed ultimately, as it brought home to me the entirely random nature of most of the risks in life, so really there's no point fretting about the unknows (or the "unknown unknowns" or even the "known unknowns" as Rumsfeld put it ).

Perhaps though, I had occasion to think a bit more deeply about it, as I happened to be on the Russell Square train. The people I most felt sorry for were the thousands of Muslims who were eyed with suspicion, and indeed suffered abuse for months afterward.

I do agree with you Alex, that people are generally more strung out in London, the pity of it is that they seem to wear their stress level almost like a badge of honour - I'm so glad I don't live there anymore!

 

[Phil the drill]

May be straying a little off thread here, but I'm sure London is a rather special case. The last couple of visits I made I was unsure what the 'official' language was? Perhaps we should declare London a separate and independent principality, rather like Scotland or Wales, but rather less recognisably 'British' to those of us 'from the sticks.' At the risk of being branded some form of '-ist' I don't think many of the 'resident' Eastern Europeans are renowned for their friendly and tolerant attitudes to others...... Oops, done it now...... .

Phil

 

[Barnowl]

I believe the idea of an independent London has been seriously considered. I seem to remember it was once fancied as a Tiger economy(obviously during the boom years). It's got the population so makes as much sense as an independent Scotland.

Pete500: I've found most cyclists be a really friendly bunch. However your post does remind me of a few occassions when I've been totally blanked by dayglo helmetted cyclists with all the bits. They're probably just miserable.

 

[Phil the drill]

I believe the idea of an independent London has been seriously considered. I seem to remember it was once fancied as a Tiger economy(obviously during the boom years). It's got the population so makes as much sense as an independent Scotland.

Interesting, I had not known that. It might currently be regarded as something of a 'leech' economy however

Phil

 

[Alex728]

Pete500: I've found most cyclists be a really friendly bunch. However your post does remind me of a few occassions when I've been totally blanked by dayglo helmetted cyclists with all the bits. They're probably just miserable.

we get lycras round here as well but they are nearly always friendly, if they don't notice you its often simply because they are keeping close watch on the apallling roads to avoid potholes as with 700x 18 wheels they are sure to go flying if they aren't careful.

 

[flecc]

Interesting, I had not known that. It might currently be regarded as something of a 'leech' economy however

Phil

Definitely not a leech economy, despite the banking crisis London remains a major contributor to the rest of the UK. At the time of the interest in London declaring itself independent only just over a year ago, it was calculated that London's surplus generated by business activity would mean no income tax and VAT at the legal minimum of 5%.

As someone born in London who has lived in several boroughs for much of my life and also in many other parts of the country, I've followed these London mentions with some amusement and I don't recognise the descriptions. London is many villages and there is no one description of Londoner's behaviour. Those who work in the centre and commute there can be "strung out" as was said, but the many who live and work in the same areas certainly aren't in general. Londoners do tend to live life at a faster pace than elsewhere, and I suspect this is often misread and wrong interpretations put on it.

My experience is that the majority of Londoners are friendly and courteous and I have always enjoyed my interaction with them. I could live anywhere I wanted, but still choose to live in a London borough, albeit at the fringe now to give me ready access to the countryside in my retirement.

And just for fun I'd add that the Association of Chief Constables officially rated London drivers as the most skilled in the country. From a lifetime of driving all over the UK I've no hesitation in saying that's absolutely true, finding the standards of skill shown elsewhere often very much lower.
.

 

[Alex728]

hmm - nice bit of viral marketing by the Grauniad as well?

Wisper works 905se city electric bike - www.GuardianEcostore.co.uk

to be fair I've seen Wispers in the eco-store before this article (even last year) however there seems to be little mention of who the actual distributor is..

 

[eddieo]

hmm - nice bit of viral marketing by the Grauniad as well?

Wisper works 905se city electric bike - www.GuardianEcostore.co.uk

to be fair I've seen Wispers in the eco-store before this article (even last year) however there seems to be little mention of who the actual distributor is..

Inspector Eddieo is on the case, have emailed them re warranty issues

 

[Straylight]

Those who work in the centre and commute there can be "strung out" as was said, but the many who live and work in the same areas certainly aren't in general. Londoners do tend to live life at a faster pace than elsewhere, and I suspect this is often misread and wrong interpretations put on it.

I can only speak as I found in the 17 years I was there, people's attitudes to 'friends' are fine, but the immediate distrust of strangers is quite frankly ridiculous, and once you're no longer anywhere near the place, the contrast is stark. I think the mitigating factor being one of sheer population density, in that there really are more 'nutters' per square mile than anywhere else, but to barely be able to make eye contact on the street without being branded as one still seems rather absurd. My partner and I came to the conclusion that the ecconomic benifits of living there were far outweighed by the need for a happy, peaceful lifestyle.

I don't seek to condemn anyone who finds it enjoyable and stimulating, but found that for me any such feelings were illusory, serving only to bridge an underlying discontentment.

Sorry if it seems like I'm generalising (what is the phrase? "Generalisations are fine unless applied to the individual.."), of course one can't in a place that has such cultural diversity and social stratification. The fact that it isn't one city, but several living on top of each other is interesting (if not entirely healthy IMHO).

 

[flecc]

I can only speak as I found in the 17 years I was there, people's attitudes to 'friends' are fine, but the immediate distrust of strangers is quite frankly ridiculous, and once you're no longer anywhere near the place, the contrast is stark. I think the mitigating factor being one of sheer population density, in that there really are more 'nutters' per square mile than anywhere else, but to barely be able to make eye contact on the street without being branded as one still seems rather absurd.

I fully appreciate that large city living isn't for everyone, but this seems a misinterpretation since eye contact is communication. How humans communicate is set by the population density of course. Rare meetings by strangers in the remotest parts of the world can result in invitations to drink, eat and even stay overnight. In rather less remote areas greetings to strangers can be warm but without that hospitality, while at the other end of the scale in the highest population densities, communications with the overwhelming number of strangers is impossible and opening communications for no reason can be seen as odd. In this respect, London is no different from other cities in the world that I've visited or lived in. When there's a genuine reason to communicate I've always found London's residents to be friendly and not at all hostile.

The fact that it isn't one city, but several living on top of each other is interesting (if not entirely healthy IMHO).

Like any very large city it has geographic villages with their own unique character and communities, and superimposed on those are the large number of ethnic groupings making other layers of community. I think this not only interesting but very healthy since it simply reflects the diverse nature of the world in which we live.

The huge and diverse ethnic mix, and the accompanying widespread tolerance of it are amongst of the things I most like about London and a major reason why I choose to live here. In stark contrast the overt racism so commonly expressed in speech and actions in many other parts of Britain disgusts me and would make it impossible for me to live at peace among those communities. Which of those two is the healthier is surely beyond question?
.

 

[Barnowl]

Personally I don't like cities myself - city centres that is. I find them far too noisy and and rarely feel safe and at ease. Last time I was working in London I was quite surprised at the relative lack of traffic compared to many years previous. Also the air semed somewhat fresher. You could cut the fumes with a knife 20 years earlier.
The big shock for me was the bicycles on the pavement and the speed they moved at as they crossed roads alongside pedestrians. I've not encountered anything like it elsewhere in the UK and can't help feeling that problems London and some other cities supposedly encounter are hyped up (by the media) as big problems throughout the whole of the UK - gun crime, knife crime, drinking, drugs, gangs, delinquincy, the 3 rs, etc etc.

I've not really experienced the overt racism so commonly expressed in speech and actions in many other parts of Britain and probably no worse than most countries. It has to be said though there is a strong tradition of Xenophobia in the some parts of the uk - no names but "the disliked foreigners" can be the next village let alone the next country.

 

[eddieo]

At my GP yesterday and he got talking regards exercise and i said I cycle approx 8 miles a day - that's good he said - On an e bike I added "THATS CHEATING!" he protested. I explained that I pedal all the time and went on to ask..... anyway, how did you get to work today? he just looked at me in stunned silence lol



Incidentally I love living in London!

 

[flecc]

I've not really experienced the overt racism so commonly expressed in speech and actions in many other parts of Britain and probably no worse than most countries. It has to be said though there is a strong tradition of Xenophobia in the some parts of the uk - no names but "the disliked foreigners" can be the next village let alone the next country.

Yes, it's very true that some countries are notorious for their widespread racism and xenophobia is almost the norm in small communities like some villages. However, openly expressed hostility specifically expressed about and to other races is widespread in many parts of Britain, and there often seems no attempt at friendship with them. This does seem to be far worse as one moves northwards in the country, but I won't risk causing upset by saying where. It's enough to say that my own experience roughly matches what has been said and seen in the media.

One thing does seem universal south and north though, the less immigration an area has, the more the local population moan about it. I remember with a mixture of dismay and amusement when a large number of people in a Welsh town demonstrated on the streets against the sudden flood of immigrants overwhelming their town. It transpired that town had a 40,000 population and there were 22 immigrants!
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