Roundabouts

[said]

I decided to go out on the bike yesterday. The route I took included the Roundabout at the bottom of Eastbank Street/Scarisbrick New Road.

This roundabout is the most frustrating of all for cyclists. I can handle easily and comfortably every other roundabout - but this one is particularly frustrating. Coming from the direction of James Street going toward Virginia Street - on a bike you are fine if there is no traffic and you can continue straight across. But if you have to stop to let traffic through, it means you have to make a standing start uphill which means you take much longer to get started than if on the flat. You also need to signal - which you cannot do if you are struggling to get up the hill. If you signal before reaching the roundabout - the traffic that was behind you would have passed by. On top of that if there is a strong wind blowing straight at you - it is very demanding negotiating that particular roundabout. How many motorists realise that?

[The PNP]

if you have to stop to let traffic through, it means you have to make a standing start uphill which means you take much longer to get started than if on the flat. You also need to signal - which you cannot do if you are struggling to get up the hill.

The trick is to get into a low gear before the gradient...Struggling to set off uphill, indicates you're in a high gear - and that ain't the best plan!

[justbecause]

I decided to go out on the bike yesterday. The route I took included the Roundabout at the bottom of Eastbank Street/Scarisbrick New Road.

This roundabout is the most frustrating of all for cyclists. I can handle easily and comfortably every other roundabout - but this one is particularly frustrating. Coming from the direction of James Street going toward Virginia Street - on a bike you are fine if there is no traffic and you can continue straight across. But if you have to stop to let traffic through, it means you have to make a standing start uphill which means you take much longer to get started than if on the flat. You also need to signal - which you cannot do if you are struggling to get up the hill. If you signal before reaching the roundabout - the traffic that was behind you would have passed by. On top of that if there is a strong wind blowing straight at you - it is very demanding negotiating that particular roundabout. How many motorists realise that?

It’s very rare to see a cyclist stop to give way to anyone, and as for signalling, well you must be the only one that does.

[Mr B S Sniffer]

The trick is to get into a low gear before the gradient...Struggling to set off uphill, indicates you're in a high gear - and that ain't the best plan!

Or just use the car

[salus.populi]

If your aging limbs can't cope with the gentle incline then dismount and cross the road on foot.

[Ceam]

Maybe time to give up cycling if you can't make it up that 'hill'. As you're clearly over it.

[said]

Maybe time to give up cycling if you can't make it up that 'hill'. As you're clearly over it.

Oh! Clever clogs! You go try it!

[said]

The trick is to get into a low gear before the gradient...Struggling to set off uphill, indicates you're in a high gear - and that ain't the best plan!

You have a choice - a low gear just before the short slope also means a slow move out and slower round the corner. I prefer to gamble that I can make the roundabout without stopping maintaining a high gear so that I can clear it faster. I prefer a fast getaway!

[said]

If your aging limbs can't cope with the gentle incline then dismount and cross the road on foot.

In my disability car - it is a gentle incline! On a bike it is only a short area to cross, but it is not a gentle incline from a standing start. My limbs are not that bad - I can overtake most cyclists on the road with my zimmer frame strapped to my back, including at that roundabout if it is safe to do so.
Beach Road is a good hill exercise if you come out of the park and can cross Rotten Row without stopping then you have a good run up the hill at speed. If not, then you have to change to low gear and go up slowly - which I do not like doing. And yes, my car drives up there without any effort whatever - but there is no the challenge in that.

[The PNP]

You have a choice - a low gear just before the short slope also means a slow move out and slower round the corner. I prefer to gamble that I can make the roundabout without stopping maintaining a high gear so that I can clear it faster. I prefer a fast getaway!

I'd approach at normal speed, hoping to find roundabout clear. But if having to slow/stop, would be ready knock the gears down to lowest of the three rings on the 'spider' as I braked (rings adjacent to pedals/bottom bracket). That leaves me all set to accelerate away with bike in a lower gear.

[said]

I'd approach at normal speed, hoping to find roundabout clear. But if having to slow/stop, would be ready knock the gears down to lowest of the three rings on the 'spider' as I braked (rings adjacent to pedals/bottom bracket). That leaves me all set to accelerate away with bike in a lower gear.

Like I said - I like a fast getaway! But every cyclist has their own comfort style.

[The PNP]

Like I said - I like a fast getaway! But every cyclist has their own comfort style.

Maybe worth considering an e-bike? Flick it to 'sport' setting and you'll go like a rocket!

[Ceam]

Maybe worth considering an e-bike? Flick it to 'sport' setting and you'll go like a rocket!

Or maybe read the road a little better so he can be in the right gear.

[said]

Maybe worth considering an e-bike? Flick it to 'sport' setting and you'll go like a rocket!

Yeah! Sort of noticed. Some old guy overtook me while I was taking it easy - I thought, hell he must be pedalling some - but when I looked again, he was not even pedalling! No - I won't be getting one, too damned heavy to lift over bridges and styles!

[said]

Or maybe read the road a little better so he can be in the right gear.

I am not wearing that Lycra stuff - no way!