The B. really comes into it's own when it's raining - you can hop on and off public transport, put it in the c*r, whatever. Here's what I've been doing this week with the help of the B.
Monday - to Leeds for a meet of the Northern Rail Cycle Forum. We reviewed the last meeting and made plans for the next one which we plan to hold in Bradford. With the help of the B. I made it back to the station for the last Northern "Fast" train back to Sheffield. The c*r had been left on Riverdale Rd, so I cycled up to pick it up and drove the last mile home. (It is a bit of a climb)
Tuesday - to Watford for a talk to Spokes, the local cycling group. They are a lively group with a strong grasp of the issues. Having the b. meant I could leave work at the last possible moment, leap on the train, get over to Euston for a train to Watford & pedal to the venue for the meeting in minutes. In fact I got to Watford an hour before I expected to so I had time for tea in Wetherspoons (a mixed blessing). Interesting exchange at the bar: "A pint of Beer please" (there's a pump with a brew called Beer on it) "Which one?" That one, called Beer" "oh yeah that one, I keep forgetting we've got a beer called Beer" Back on the train to London, bit of a wait for the last train back to Sheffield so had a chance to visit the Euston Tap, an interesting pub in two halves in the gatehouses of Euston. Got a good sleep in on the train and back in Sheffield at 01:13, I'd left the car strategically placed in Norfolk Park so it was an easy task to cycle up and drive home - cycling home at that time would have been tedious.
On Wednesday the rain really pelted down and as we had some stuff to pick up it was OK to car-share and drive to work - three in the car so we would have been able to use the bus lanes if what council proposes comes to pass, there doesn't seem to have been any consideration for cyclists in that proposal though.
On thursday all my motoring commitments came to roost - the family estate was in the garage for some repairs, while the camper van had been in for it's MOT. So, in the morning, drop the estate in at one garage, pop round in on the B. to check on the status of the van in another garage , then head to work. Lunchtime, pop up to pick up the van, drive back to work, whilst driving get a text to say that the Estate is ready. A couple of meetings later, whizz back to Heeley, pay for the repairs but leave the car where it is. B. back to work, finish off in the office, drive the van home, then on the Brompton again for a thrilling downhill to pick up the car. There only remained a quick trip to the supermarket to get some tea, then home.
That's the week so far: Tomrrow evening I go to Brum for a meeting with the CTC Right to Ride Advisory group. Didn't fancy staying over so will get the last-ish train back to Sheffield, on Saturday morning I'll be back on the train to Brum for the seminar on cycling safety. No doubt the B. will play it's part on assisting me with Smart Travel and minimal car use through all that!
Monday - to Leeds for a meet of the Northern Rail Cycle Forum. We reviewed the last meeting and made plans for the next one which we plan to hold in Bradford. With the help of the B. I made it back to the station for the last Northern "Fast" train back to Sheffield. The c*r had been left on Riverdale Rd, so I cycled up to pick it up and drove the last mile home. (It is a bit of a climb)
Tuesday - to Watford for a talk to Spokes, the local cycling group. They are a lively group with a strong grasp of the issues. Having the b. meant I could leave work at the last possible moment, leap on the train, get over to Euston for a train to Watford & pedal to the venue for the meeting in minutes. In fact I got to Watford an hour before I expected to so I had time for tea in Wetherspoons (a mixed blessing). Interesting exchange at the bar: "A pint of Beer please" (there's a pump with a brew called Beer on it) "Which one?" That one, called Beer" "oh yeah that one, I keep forgetting we've got a beer called Beer" Back on the train to London, bit of a wait for the last train back to Sheffield so had a chance to visit the Euston Tap, an interesting pub in two halves in the gatehouses of Euston. Got a good sleep in on the train and back in Sheffield at 01:13, I'd left the car strategically placed in Norfolk Park so it was an easy task to cycle up and drive home - cycling home at that time would have been tedious.
On Wednesday the rain really pelted down and as we had some stuff to pick up it was OK to car-share and drive to work - three in the car so we would have been able to use the bus lanes if what council proposes comes to pass, there doesn't seem to have been any consideration for cyclists in that proposal though.
On thursday all my motoring commitments came to roost - the family estate was in the garage for some repairs, while the camper van had been in for it's MOT. So, in the morning, drop the estate in at one garage, pop round in on the B. to check on the status of the van in another garage , then head to work. Lunchtime, pop up to pick up the van, drive back to work, whilst driving get a text to say that the Estate is ready. A couple of meetings later, whizz back to Heeley, pay for the repairs but leave the car where it is. B. back to work, finish off in the office, drive the van home, then on the Brompton again for a thrilling downhill to pick up the car. There only remained a quick trip to the supermarket to get some tea, then home.
That's the week so far: Tomrrow evening I go to Brum for a meeting with the CTC Right to Ride Advisory group. Didn't fancy staying over so will get the last-ish train back to Sheffield, on Saturday morning I'll be back on the train to Brum for the seminar on cycling safety. No doubt the B. will play it's part on assisting me with Smart Travel and minimal car use through all that!
