Cycopaths, dogs and the KTM Sportivo

[philepo]

First of all, I'm new. I joined cos I was curious for advice about getting a replacement bike. I have a KTM SPortivo and wondered if anyone has heard of it? I found it in a ditch and have fettled it into life over the past 6 yrs. It is gold with 700 size wheels, a huge sprung saddle and did have coaster brakes till they collapsed.

Anyway, I was thinking of a RALEIGH OAKLAND as its a nice colour and seems good value. But, someone suggested the local bike rescue. Hmmmm, £140 for a tired old Raleigh Pioneer anyone? No thanks. I like the idea of recycling, but not for that kind of markup.

Cycopaths? Whats your opinion? I ride in the morning with my dog jogging along the footpath. But, because the path has a line in the centre separating walkers from cyclists, some cyclists see this as a sort of dual carrigeway arrangement where you stray onto their bit of road at your peril (the helmeted lycra'd ones are bad for this). If you see a dog trotting along do you a, slow down a bit, b, give a wide birth, c, ring bell, d, moan?

Thanks for reading.

 

[Crackle]

Me personally, slow down, cover the brakes and go wide, stop if necessary but then I'm a dog owner as well as a cyclist. Depends entirely on the situation though, so very hard to answer.

Methinks you're also getting muxed ip between cyclepaths and psychopaths Though there's a few of the latter on the former.

 

[Downward]

Cyclepaths for Bikes - Other paths and open spaces for Dogs.

I know round here the Rea Valley Route is a great Cycle route but it's littered with dogs and their owners so it's pointless if your looking to commute.

 

[rich p]

Dogs and cyclepaths are a lethal combination IMHO

 

[I am Spartacus]

some cyclists see this as a sort of dual carrigeway arrangement where you stray onto their bit of road at your peril (the helmeted lycra'd ones are bad for this).

STEREOTYPE WARNING!!!
If you see a 'roadie' in lycra o n a cyclepath ugh.. rest assured they aint roadies....
we wear our lycra (just to point out lycra is usually only bottom half.. even I would not venture out in this climate in a skinsuit) and helmets for very sensible reasons

 

[kewb]

been chased snapped at and forced to brake hard by dogs
around here the local routes are favoured by less desirable dog owners after rabbits
which means dogs running wild at times always staffy types and crosses with the hunters dressed in shell suits and fuelled with buckfast and roll ups
those guys i can just about handle because you can give them a mouthfull
but the worst is the pack of old dears and overweight mutts strolling at 1mph taking up
the whole path , theyre usually heard first as they are partially deaf and shout at each other and the dogs bark like nutcases ,
you almost stop to get past and they turn around as if youve stopped to chat by which time your forced to stop and then the dogs decend on you like fresh meat and your soomn told each and every dogs individual name and history while inhaling the scent of
1970s perfume and mints and warned about the flasher or some other local ner de well .
sorry rant over .

 

[philepo]

cycle path or foot path?

Enjoyed the rant Kweb.
But, you mension people strolling along at 1mph taking up whole path. This is what's annoying with lycra idiots (not you, just in general). They're obsessed with momentum, and to consider slowing down is.. well they'd rather risk hitting the dog / toddler / old woman / other obstruction.

And anyway, the path is a shared footpath cycle path. To have side gping at 2 mph and the other at 15mph is risky and some cyclists just don't engage brain. I know strictly speaking my dog should be on a lead, but he's a pleasant well behaved animal who needs plenty of free exercise. He has a flashing yelloy collar so what else is reasonable?

I know this is analogous to the car/bike hate that's seen. I guess we're all selfish when we're faster than the paople we are sharing our space with?

Also, I think wearing helmets makes cyclists feel much safer and more ready for the SPEEDY reckless commute.

 

[Crackle]

The one by me, which I use virtually every day is a complete single shared use path. It has a few simple rules. Dog owners must have their dogs under control, cyclists must give way to walkers and another one for cyclists is that they must not use the path at speed.

We mostly walk on it but occasionally use the bike. Most cyclists are considerate and the spate of speed merchants seems to have passed now. By the same token most dog owners around here are fairly responsible, though very few bring their dog to heel, I'm one of the few who does but he is a lively tear arse of a dog so I need to.

It's difficult to comment on other paths and places, except to say both groups have a responsibility to behave sensibly and sensitively. I doubt there's many people on here who fall outside those two categories.

 

[Downward]

If any dog comes chasing me with it's teeth showing it'll get a wack on the head with my pump !

 

[Twenty Inch]

140 notes for a Pioneer is not bad. Good, well-mannered frame. I have one and am thinking of building it up into a tourer.

I do have an urge to wear plus-fours and a flat cap when I ride it though. I occasionally ride it around the MTB trail at the country park with TI Junior in the child seat - it gets right up the faux, overweight, over-equipped MTB-ers' noses.

 

[philepo]

but is a 140 quid pioneer better than a 170 oakland?

I think segregating paths into cycles and peds increases speed differentials, which is bad. It also makes people think they can go as fast as they like: COS THIS IS MY LANE! which is annoying.

 

[Banjo]

I bought a hardly used Pioneer for the wife complete with basket and computer for £90 I think they are about £200 new .

 

[Arch]

but is a 140 quid pioneer better than a 170 oakland?

I think many people on here would say that a brand new bike, any brand new bike, for £170 is going to be a bit pants. Cheap components, heavy etc. I think given the choice, I'd spend the slightly lesser amount on the Pioneer. A quick Google gives me prices for a Pioneer new of about £220, so it's presumably £50 'better' to start with. The second hand price is £80 off the relevant bike, not £30 off the cheaper model....

I'd rather spend £140 on a properly reconditioned old bike, which might have higher spec components, than £170 on a new one.

 

[kewb]

Enjoyed the rant Kweb.
But, you mension people strolling along at 1mph taking up whole path. This is what's annoying with lycra idiots (not you, just in general). They're obsessed with momentum, and to consider slowing down is.. well they'd rather risk hitting the dog / toddler / old woman / other obstruction.

And anyway, the path is a shared footpath cycle path. To have side gping at 2 mph and the other at 15mph is risky and some cyclists just don't engage brain. I know strictly speaking my dog should be on a lead, but he's a pleasant well behaved animal who needs plenty of free exercise. He has a flashing yelloy collar so what else is reasonable?

I know this is analogous to the car/bike hate that's seen. I guess we're all selfish when we're faster than the paople we are sharing our space with?

Also, I think wearing helmets makes cyclists feel much safer and more ready for the SPEEDY reckless commute.

i dont speed down cycle paths as ive no intention of hitting anything
call it respect for others or self preservation walk your dog in peace id never sign or campaign to ban pedestrians from cycle paths id rather vent with a smile on here than that but not everyone cyclist or pedestrian thinks like that
and motorists are as equally split i guess ?
dogs are unpredictable so i might curse silently or rant but i dont see them or the walker as a threat to my life or well being therefore worthy of letter writing about all i ask for is the same consideration .