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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 19:26:08 GMT
Hi folks, well the time has nearly come for me to take to the fair waters of the CRT, and I am in need of wisdom and experience. I've got to start somewhere with my massive list of questions, and to be honest I'm at a bit of a loose end at the moment, what with being under virtual house arrest. So I wondered if I might trouble you for some thoughts and opinions regarding the thorny issue of road transportation, for us nautical types. The thing is, I'm retiring early (ish) at the end of July, and I've somehow convinced myself that what I really need is to live in a narrow steel tube in a shallow ditch full of used washing-up water and angry swans. But I foresee many challenges ahead. Challenge number one is that of obtaining regular supplies of pot noodles and beer, and a primitive fossil fuel that I believe is called 'coal' without dragging a handcart or trolley two or three miles. Your colleague Ricco has already taken a lot of time and trouble to explain his solution (and cheers Ricco)- which is that you keep a small motorbike stored in a custom built rack on the stern. I haven't actually ridden a bike since 1985, and my short riding career involved significant personal injury (and, to be fair, significant stupidity). Its not that the odd spill worries me too much, but before I finally, totally write off the idea of a car, I wanted to just ask for your feelings about the challenges, headaches and general issues involved in living on a boat with a CC license and keeping a car. I've spoken to a guy who said he hires a car on the half dozen times a year he needs one, and I've read comments by several people who say they don't mind parking their car in a safe-looking spot and coming back for it (maybe by bike) a few days later, because they love the extra carrying capacity and comfort of a car, and its just worth it for them. So can I ask you car-lovers, how much hassle is it, and why do we see so few boats with bike racks- when to me at least, it looks like a convenient and very economical transport option?
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Post by Mr Stabby on Apr 12, 2020 19:36:15 GMT
Personally I wouldn't bother with a car if I was continuously cruising unless there was some particular reason I needed one, such as having to drive a substantial distance daily for work. When I'm out cruising I take the little Honda with me and this is more than sufficient for shopping trips and visits to attractions etc. No CBT or L-plates required, nor MOT, and the tax is free so all it costs is £70 a year for insurance.
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Post by lollygagger on Apr 12, 2020 19:37:59 GMT
Is the reason you want to CC financial? I'm pretty convinced it's more expensive to CC than park permanently, depending on where you are.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 19:40:48 GMT
So can I ask you car-lovers, how much hassle is it, and why do we see so few boats with bike racks- when to me at least, it looks like a convenient and very economical transport option? It’s easier in a lot of ways not to bother with a car or motorbike if you can. If you plan your stops well there are plenty of places where you can buy food and other sundries. However, if you need to run a car around with you and aren’t planning to travel too far each day, just walk back each day to collect your car and bring it up close to where you are moored. If you don’t like walking you could keep a pushbike on the boat. Some sections of the canal run close to the railway lines, so you may be able to plan in public transport. I miss motorcycling but TBH the hassle of keeping one for me doesn’t justify one. It’s just another thing to worry about.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 19:44:58 GMT
Thanks Mr Stabby, that's really useful to know. I had no idea that any bike would fit that way into a narrowboat bow- that's added a whole new option to my thinking. Obviously there is the question of the 30mph moped limit. can I ask- how much of a pain do you find the 30mph thing on country roads or A roads? Also, is there a maximum length of bike that will fit in a normal bow? (not a tug obvs)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 19:50:50 GMT
Is the reason you want to CC financial? I'm pretty convinced it's more expensive to CC than park permanently, depending on where you are. No, its not a financial thing for me. I've fancied the idea of living on a narrowboat for a couple of decades but never pursued it. I split up with my partner a couple of years ago (who after a couple of NB holidays was definitely not in favour of CCing). And so now that I'm single, I find myself thinking 'why the hell not?' A car would be great to pick up the odd family member or friend who might visit (emphasis on 'might'), but the number of times I actually physically need the space of a car are not that frequent....
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 19:52:39 GMT
So can I ask you car-lovers, how much hassle is it, and why do we see so few boats with bike racks- when to me at least, it looks like a convenient and very economical transport option? It’s easier in a lot of ways not to bother with a car or motorbike if you can. If you plan your stops well there are plenty of places where you can buy food and other sundries. However, if you need to run a car around with you and aren’t planning to travel too far each day, just walk back each day to collect your car and bring it up close to where you are moored. If you don’t like walking you could keep a pushbike on the boat. Some sections of the canal run close to the railway lines, so you may be able to plan in public transport. I miss motorcycling but TBH the hassle of keeping one for me doesn’t justify one. It’s just another thing to worry about.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 19:57:52 GMT
Sorry Bassplayer- tried to reply but cocked it up. I do get your point about the hassle of storing a bike, but when it fits neatly into the bow space like Mr Stabby's example above, I have to say that to me at least, it starts to look like its not much trouble at all. A pushbike would do at a pinch, but I still really like the idea of a 125cc in a rack across the stern. But the moped option is nearly as functional as a 125, and its cheaper still.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 20:02:47 GMT
I've somehow convinced myself that what I really need is to live in a narrow steel tube in a shallow ditch full of used washing-up water and angry swans. [ You'll be fine As for motor vehicles I traveled around a large part of the network by boat, cycling back for my land rover every day or two. That was years ago, late 90s early 00s. Always seemed to have problems on weekends with fisherwankers cars parked by bridges. Might have changed now. I also had 3 incidents of police involvement with my vehicle which was a nearly new Landrover 90. First one was someone suggesting it was stolen/dumped, second one was maybe it was someone badger baiting and the third one was when someone attempted to nick it but was foiled by the steering lock. And I had the windscreen smashed by a pissed idiot once. I know because I saw him. Maybe it was an unlucky vehicle ! It can be done but it's a bit of a nuisance. Good question about using a 50 on A roads. I've often wondered if the best option might be a fast e-bike. Obviously you would need to have the electrical system to support it but with a decent solar roof setup I reckon you could do it from about now until September depending on how much you use the thing - obviously!
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Post by lollygagger on Apr 12, 2020 20:06:47 GMT
Is the reason you want to CC financial? I'm pretty convinced it's more expensive to CC than park permanently, depending on where you are. No, its not a financial thing for me. I've fancied the idea of living on a narrowboat for a couple of decades but never pursued it. I split up with my partner a couple of years ago (who after a couple of NB holidays was definitely not in favour of CCing). And so now that I'm single, I find myself thinking 'why the hell not?' A car would be great to pick up the odd family member or friend who might visit (emphasis on 'might'), but the number of times I actually physically need the space of a car are not that frequent.... There's always car hire? MrStabby has a good setup - cheap canal mooring with parking ideal for the winter fetching fuel or emptying bog, then bumble off for the summer when you only really need food and drink so don't need the car.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Apr 12, 2020 20:10:09 GMT
Thanks Mr Stabby, that's really useful to know. I had no idea that any bike would fit that way into a narrowboat bow- that's added a whole new option to my thinking. Obviously there is the question of the 30mph moped limit. can I ask- how much of a pain do you find the 30mph thing on country roads or A roads? Also, is there a maximum length of bike that will fit in a normal bow? (not a tug obvs) In fact it only does 25mph but that is still seven times faster than walking. Plus I don't have to carry the bags back from the shop. I do choose my route carefully and never go on busy A roads where I would need to share the road space with murderous juggernauts. It's fine on country lanes and B roads although you do of course have to be permanently aware of your vulnerability. Generally, for a trip from the canal to the nearest village shop or small Co-op it's fine although I do ride it into town and generally make better progress than cars as I can just whizz up the outside of queues at traffic lights rather than waiting for the seventh change of lights before I get through, as I have to do in my car.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 20:14:34 GMT
I've somehow convinced myself that what I really need is to live in a narrow steel tube in a shallow ditch full of used washing-up water and angry swans. [ You'll be fine As for motor vehicles I traveled around a large part of the network by boat, cycling back for my land rover every day or two. That was years ago, late 90s early 00s. Always seemed to have problems on weekends with fisherwankers cars parked by bridges. Might have changed now. I also had 3 incidents of police involvement with my vehicle which was a nearly new Landrover 90. First one was someone suggesting it was stolen/dumped, second one was maybe it was someone badger baiting and the third one was when someone attempted to nick it but was foiled by the steering lock. And I had the windscreen smashed by a pissed idiot once. I know because I saw him. Maybe it was an unlucky vehicle ! It can be done but it's a bit of a nuisance. Good question about using a 50 on A roads. I've often wondered if the best option might be a fast e-bike. Obviously you would need to have the electrical system to support it but with a decent solar roof setup I reckon you could do it from about now until September depending on how much you use the thing - obviously! Thanks Magnetman, I got an ebike a few years ago and it's great for commuting to work and 10 mile trips, but I don't know if the tyres would stand up to carrying say 30kg of shopping in a big rucksack. They look like normal pushbike tyres, and I don't know if something stronger would be needed for carrying loads, as the bike itself weighs a ton anyway, and I certainly don't help. The bike has a weight carrying limit, so I'll check that anyway. Apart from longer range, the only other thing is that a moped has is that you get there at twice the speed- and on days when its pouring down, thats probably a bonus.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 20:20:35 GMT
I was thinking of one of those illegal fast ebikes but yes the load carrying thing is a concern.
Not sure how the rozzers deal with them but it seems improbable they would be bothered if you are not taking the piss.
Modern brushless motors and lithium batteries there are some fast options out there these days.
Off road use only obviously.
If it's an essential journey it might be okay.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2020 20:36:18 GMT
I was thinking of one of those illegal fast ebikes but yes the load carrying thing is a concern. Not sure how the rozzers deal with them but it seems improbable they would be bothered if you are not taking the piss. Modern brushless motors and lithium batteries there are some fast options out there these days. Off road use only obviously. If it's an essential journey it might be okay. The rozzers appear to be surprisingly switched on to the issue of speeding e-bikes. Check out a youtube channel by a guy called andy kirby- he got up to all sorts of improbable speeds on home made ebikes, and he eventually got pulled. I doubt they'd prosecute first time out, but as a long term option I don't think anyone will get away with it these days. The police know very well what an electric motor looks like (typically in the hub), and if they see an ebike looking like its going faster than the allowed 15mph, they'll stop you- especially in a quieter or rural area when the traffic is less. Each to his own of course, but the motors costs a few hundred £, and the weight carrying issue is a bit of a concern. At the moment I'm leaning towards motorbikes- and to be honest, a fast ebike will set you back more than a 50cc, and more than a lot of 125s as well, unless you concoct some devilishly fast machine in your basement...
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 12, 2020 20:52:53 GMT
Although we don’t CC we have been out for a couple of months at a time. Never felt a need for powered transport, and I think a car would be a complete pain. Unless, I suppose, you have to commute to work every day.
It’s quite easy to get all necessary supplies within walking distance of the cut.
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