Had my second 60+ mile ride on Sunday. I had intended to go out with the local club but unfortunately I woke up too late. The weather was glorious and it was a perfect do to go out.
I headed out along the coast to do a route that I had planned for a while. I went along the prom in Rhos-on-Sea and up to the Great Orme, Llandudno where there were loads of people on Vespur's going to the cafe at the top of the Orme.
From there I went through Deganwy and over the Afon Ganol and towards Penmaenmawr.
When I arrived at Llanfairfechan I was hungry so went on the hunt for somewhere to have a snack. Unfortunately the only place there was a small cafe. I decided to have a bacon bap nonetheless which cost me £3. I wasnt happy it was costing me this much but there were no other shops in the area and by this time I was very hungry.
After about quarter of an hour it eventually came. I was very disappointed. It was simply slightly cooked bacon on a white bap on a plate. There was no side garnish. I was pretty appalled but was in a bit of a rush to get home so I just had it and went.
It did the job though and I wasnt hungry for the rest of the journey.
What really annoyed me though was that when I arrived home and plugged my Garmin into my computer, I went to upload the data onto Strava. However, only half of the ride was uploaded. I looked into the matter further and found out that the file had corrupted.
I attempted to fix the problem with numerous corruption fixing applications which only seemed to get 4 miles extra.
So I ended up with a 39.5 mile ride when I knew I had done 63 miles because that is what my Garmin said when I got home.
When I arrived home I had a lovely braised lamb joint waiting for me. It was delicious, really worth the exhausting 63 mile ride.
Monday 4 March 2013
Thursday 28 February 2013
Arriva Bus meeting
On the 16th January I had a meeting with Ray Cowpe, Risk Manager and Steve Barrowclough Rhyl Depot Manager.
The came about from me sending a message to Arriva Bus about the relationship between buses and cyclists. I requested information about the training that is given to bus drivers.
I was then contacted by Ray with some information about the training that the drivers go through. He further offered the option of meeting together to discuss the matter in more detail. This was an offer I could not refuse. We arranged the meeting and on a cold January morning, I headed down to the depot.
When I arrived there, Ray asked me what the main concerns that I had were. I explained that buses often begin overtaking safely and end up cutting in on me and passing too closely. I also explained that I find it difficult to understand where the blind spots are in the mirrors and I would like to know where best to position myself.
I then met the depot manager who was also an instructor for the Rhyl and Wrexham depot.
We discussed the numerous and vigorous training programmes that the drivers go through and a few statistics were thrown my way.
I was informed that in 2012 there were 16 incidents with vulnerable road users in the North Wales and West area. Which was an improvement by 10 incident from 2011. However, Arriva are always on the path to get fewer and fewer incidents.
I then sat in the driving seat of the learning bus that they use to teach drivers and I had a chance to actually see the problems that the driver has with blind spots. There was a blind spot below the drivers window, and behind numerous pillars near the doors. It is amazing how much room you cannot see and how easily a pedestrian or cyclist can be hidden.
We then discussed the training that drivers have and that Arriva only use their own instructors so that they can teach exactly what they want and they can make sure that the drivers are up to scratch with the companies procedures and safety precautions.
I was impressed with the training that the drivers were given and the disciplinary procedures that there were if a driver did anything wrong.
We discussed distractions, forward thinking, and how difficult it is to monitor all the 120 drivers which are in the Rhyl depot.
I also showed the two gentlemen some selections of videos that I had just to demonstrate the problems that I experience. Ray said after we had watched the videos, that he would like to use the videos in some of the instructural videos that they do as they can be used to show what not to do and how a cyclist perceives the size of a bus. He also requested some screenshots which could be used in the 2013 posters for vulnerable road users which will be created in September time.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot about Arriva and the procedures that are undergone. I also feel that both guys learnt a lot from being able to understand my concerns and hopefully it will help them in the future.
The came about from me sending a message to Arriva Bus about the relationship between buses and cyclists. I requested information about the training that is given to bus drivers.
I was then contacted by Ray with some information about the training that the drivers go through. He further offered the option of meeting together to discuss the matter in more detail. This was an offer I could not refuse. We arranged the meeting and on a cold January morning, I headed down to the depot.
When I arrived there, Ray asked me what the main concerns that I had were. I explained that buses often begin overtaking safely and end up cutting in on me and passing too closely. I also explained that I find it difficult to understand where the blind spots are in the mirrors and I would like to know where best to position myself.
I then met the depot manager who was also an instructor for the Rhyl and Wrexham depot.
We discussed the numerous and vigorous training programmes that the drivers go through and a few statistics were thrown my way.
I was informed that in 2012 there were 16 incidents with vulnerable road users in the North Wales and West area. Which was an improvement by 10 incident from 2011. However, Arriva are always on the path to get fewer and fewer incidents.
I then sat in the driving seat of the learning bus that they use to teach drivers and I had a chance to actually see the problems that the driver has with blind spots. There was a blind spot below the drivers window, and behind numerous pillars near the doors. It is amazing how much room you cannot see and how easily a pedestrian or cyclist can be hidden.
We then discussed the training that drivers have and that Arriva only use their own instructors so that they can teach exactly what they want and they can make sure that the drivers are up to scratch with the companies procedures and safety precautions.
I was impressed with the training that the drivers were given and the disciplinary procedures that there were if a driver did anything wrong.
We discussed distractions, forward thinking, and how difficult it is to monitor all the 120 drivers which are in the Rhyl depot.
I also showed the two gentlemen some selections of videos that I had just to demonstrate the problems that I experience. Ray said after we had watched the videos, that he would like to use the videos in some of the instructural videos that they do as they can be used to show what not to do and how a cyclist perceives the size of a bus. He also requested some screenshots which could be used in the 2013 posters for vulnerable road users which will be created in September time.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot about Arriva and the procedures that are undergone. I also feel that both guys learnt a lot from being able to understand my concerns and hopefully it will help them in the future.
Taxi driver stalks cyclist
Background
This incident happened on New Years Day.
I was cycling through Rhyl when I became aware of a vehicle behind me. The vehicle had previously overtaken me on New Years Eve without any problems.
As I was cycling along, I noticed that the vehicle behind me was making no attempt to overtake me. Finally, when the road was wide enough the vehicle came along side me, attempting to overtake. When the vehicle was besides me, I noticed that the passenger was filming me with a phone. I thought this a bit odd so just ignored it. Then instead of completing the overtake, they appeared to change their mind and drop back behind me.
I then filtered past two cars at the next set of traffic lights to get some distance between myself and the vehicle.
However, as I made a few turns in the centre of Rhyl, I once again became aware of the vehicle behind me.
The road was now wide enough for them to overtake and as this was happening at about 6.30pm, there was little traffic about. But once again the vehicle remained behind me.
A little further up the road, I changed my position as I was turning right when the road split up ahead. The vehicle now came up to me and the driver was shouting something to me (couldnt hear what it was). I ignored the guy and continued cycling.
By this point I had had enough and decided to head to the local police station to see if there were any officers about to deal with the situation immediately.
When I got to the next set of traffic lights, the vehicle stopped besides me in the next lane in the ASL. The driver then said "We're all on camera now" To which I replied "I dont really understand what I have done wrong". He then said "Why riding in the middle of the road?" I then concluded with "Yes, and I am allowed to".
The driver then drove off and I headed home very puzzled about what had just happened.
The situation changed
When I got home, I thought long and hard about whether or not there was any point to reporting the guy to the police. I decided not to and just uploaded my video onto Youtube to show other people to be careful on the roads as there are crazy people like this.
I knew that they had been recording me so I was just waiting to see if their video was uploaded too.
One day I got an email from another YT user who referred me to their video. I watched it throughout and realised that their intentions were to target me and follow me around Rhyl. Their video provided me with a clear sound into what both the passenger and driver were saying.
I then decided that this incident was worth reporting so I made an appointment to make a complaint.
The interview
When I went into the police station to file my complaint, I went into a meeting with an Inspector and a Licensing Officer from the Council.
I explained my side of the incident to them and showed them my video.
The inspector said that they had already heard about the incident and that the taxi driver was coming in later that day to file a complaint about me.
The driver accused me to cycling all over the road and giving abuse to the guy on Marsh road.
I showed the inspector and officer the entire length of Marsh road that I was on and they both concluded with saying that the driver had lied to them and was nowhere to be seen on Marsh road.
We then discussed the incident a bit further and the inspector asked me what I would like the conclusion to be. I explained that what the driver did was intentional and I felt harassed throughout the incident.
The inspector said it would be very difficult to get a harassment order put on the drivers name as it requires two separate incidents of harassment. I showed them the video from NYE and they said that it isnt really harassment but the video from NYD definately was.
The Licensing Officer said that they have had previous problems with the driver and he was already on a short leash. He assured me that the drivers license would be taken off him as it was unacceptable to do what he did.
I then copied the video onto a CD for both of the gentlemen to have and I gave a statement to the licensing officer.
Conclusion
I was happy with the outcome of the interview and that the driver was going to have his license taken off him. I was a little disappointed that the police couldnt give him a Harassment Order as I suspected he might try to come after me in some sort of revenge fueled rage.
A few days later I received a call from the inspector. He said that he had issued the driver with a Harassment Notice anyway. And that if the driver came up to me again, he would be sent to jail.
The inspector said that the driver had requested that the video that I uploaded to be taken off YT. I explained that I would do so but not for the driver, I would only take it down as the inspector had done a good job with getting the Harassment Order.
I was very pleased that the police had done this as I felt that they do have the public's safety as a priority.
The video
As I have said above, I removed my video due to the inspectors request. However, the video that the passenger had uploaded had been saved by other YT users.
They have since uploaded the video back onto YT. My video is no longer on their as I requested that it not be uploaded at all. However, there are about 5 copies of the other persons video. The best edited one can be found below.
This incident happened on New Years Day.
I was cycling through Rhyl when I became aware of a vehicle behind me. The vehicle had previously overtaken me on New Years Eve without any problems.
As I was cycling along, I noticed that the vehicle behind me was making no attempt to overtake me. Finally, when the road was wide enough the vehicle came along side me, attempting to overtake. When the vehicle was besides me, I noticed that the passenger was filming me with a phone. I thought this a bit odd so just ignored it. Then instead of completing the overtake, they appeared to change their mind and drop back behind me.
I then filtered past two cars at the next set of traffic lights to get some distance between myself and the vehicle.
However, as I made a few turns in the centre of Rhyl, I once again became aware of the vehicle behind me.
The road was now wide enough for them to overtake and as this was happening at about 6.30pm, there was little traffic about. But once again the vehicle remained behind me.
A little further up the road, I changed my position as I was turning right when the road split up ahead. The vehicle now came up to me and the driver was shouting something to me (couldnt hear what it was). I ignored the guy and continued cycling.
By this point I had had enough and decided to head to the local police station to see if there were any officers about to deal with the situation immediately.
When I got to the next set of traffic lights, the vehicle stopped besides me in the next lane in the ASL. The driver then said "We're all on camera now" To which I replied "I dont really understand what I have done wrong". He then said "Why riding in the middle of the road?" I then concluded with "Yes, and I am allowed to".
The driver then drove off and I headed home very puzzled about what had just happened.
The situation changed
When I got home, I thought long and hard about whether or not there was any point to reporting the guy to the police. I decided not to and just uploaded my video onto Youtube to show other people to be careful on the roads as there are crazy people like this.
I knew that they had been recording me so I was just waiting to see if their video was uploaded too.
One day I got an email from another YT user who referred me to their video. I watched it throughout and realised that their intentions were to target me and follow me around Rhyl. Their video provided me with a clear sound into what both the passenger and driver were saying.
I then decided that this incident was worth reporting so I made an appointment to make a complaint.
The interview
When I went into the police station to file my complaint, I went into a meeting with an Inspector and a Licensing Officer from the Council.
I explained my side of the incident to them and showed them my video.
The inspector said that they had already heard about the incident and that the taxi driver was coming in later that day to file a complaint about me.
The driver accused me to cycling all over the road and giving abuse to the guy on Marsh road.
I showed the inspector and officer the entire length of Marsh road that I was on and they both concluded with saying that the driver had lied to them and was nowhere to be seen on Marsh road.
We then discussed the incident a bit further and the inspector asked me what I would like the conclusion to be. I explained that what the driver did was intentional and I felt harassed throughout the incident.
The inspector said it would be very difficult to get a harassment order put on the drivers name as it requires two separate incidents of harassment. I showed them the video from NYE and they said that it isnt really harassment but the video from NYD definately was.
The Licensing Officer said that they have had previous problems with the driver and he was already on a short leash. He assured me that the drivers license would be taken off him as it was unacceptable to do what he did.
I then copied the video onto a CD for both of the gentlemen to have and I gave a statement to the licensing officer.
Conclusion
I was happy with the outcome of the interview and that the driver was going to have his license taken off him. I was a little disappointed that the police couldnt give him a Harassment Order as I suspected he might try to come after me in some sort of revenge fueled rage.
A few days later I received a call from the inspector. He said that he had issued the driver with a Harassment Notice anyway. And that if the driver came up to me again, he would be sent to jail.
The inspector said that the driver had requested that the video that I uploaded to be taken off YT. I explained that I would do so but not for the driver, I would only take it down as the inspector had done a good job with getting the Harassment Order.
I was very pleased that the police had done this as I felt that they do have the public's safety as a priority.
The video
As I have said above, I removed my video due to the inspectors request. However, the video that the passenger had uploaded had been saved by other YT users.
They have since uploaded the video back onto YT. My video is no longer on their as I requested that it not be uploaded at all. However, there are about 5 copies of the other persons video. The best edited one can be found below.
Update 2013
This is an update on my blog which I am going to use a lot more.
I aim to talk about my experiences on the road and share a few of my stories.
I live in the North Wales area and cycle about 20 miles a day on average. My bike are a Muddyfox Milano Carva SE road bike and a Specialized Sectuer Elite 2011 road bike. I also have a MTB which doesn't see much use.
I am a member of my local cycling club VC Melyd and often ride with Rhyl CC.
I wear a helmet camera to capture my experiences on the road and use the videos as evidence if an incident I have with someone goes to the police.
I like to think of myself as a positive and assertive cyclist and try not to get angry at things that other people do. Over the years I have learnt to control my temper and as a result, rarely shout at people now.
That was a short explanation of what this blog entails and I will try to keep it as updated as possible.
I aim to talk about my experiences on the road and share a few of my stories.
I live in the North Wales area and cycle about 20 miles a day on average. My bike are a Muddyfox Milano Carva SE road bike and a Specialized Sectuer Elite 2011 road bike. I also have a MTB which doesn't see much use.
I am a member of my local cycling club VC Melyd and often ride with Rhyl CC.
I wear a helmet camera to capture my experiences on the road and use the videos as evidence if an incident I have with someone goes to the police.
I like to think of myself as a positive and assertive cyclist and try not to get angry at things that other people do. Over the years I have learnt to control my temper and as a result, rarely shout at people now.
That was a short explanation of what this blog entails and I will try to keep it as updated as possible.
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