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Post by metanoia on Apr 14, 2020 18:00:31 GMT
We know CRT want to keep the towpaths open and available to all but many of us have witnessed a ridiculously huge increase in footfall over the past few weeks. Whilst we all agree they should (?) stay open - everyone needs a pleasant place to be for a walk or just to breathe - perhaps it might be time to re-think the cycling priority.
I believe they've banned fisherfolk (mainly harmless, usually miserable) but I can't help noticing how SO very many more bikes are bullying their way through innocent walkers. Unfortunately, I have had to move nearer a town to fetch shopping today and the increase here has been shocking; sadly for the majority of towpath users their attitude is disgusting - ting tinging elderly people up onto the bank, spitting and hawking; just cooking my dinner and one got so close I politely poked my arm out and explained that little distance (I'm only tiny!) couldn't be 2 feet - got a load of foul abuse and a spit but - to my great delight there was a family of 5, pushchair and 2 dogs coming the other way so he lost a lot of rubber, loads of cred and nearly (shame, only nearly!) fell off!
When I die from Coronavirus I think I'm going to sue CRT!!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 18:45:42 GMT
A stick through the front spokes works very well.  |
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Post by metanoia on Apr 14, 2020 18:47:32 GMT
A stick through the front spokes works very well. ... but CarNT have banned boaters any obstruction on the towpath, haven't they?...…  Thank you, Fountains - for once we are grateful for those hawthorn clippings  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 19:01:58 GMT
It was proposed today that the first group of people to come off lockdown be cyclists and that they be given special locations where they might congregate thus ensuring any covid19 that they might have be kept in one place |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 19:39:34 GMT
A stick through the front spokes works very well. Crap film but 1:44 on this clip shows what you mean yes it is a good solution. God I hate this sort of film. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 20:47:10 GMT
It was done to me 60 years ago by some kid with a bow and arrow, I still have the scar where my face hit the handlebars.  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 21:59:08 GMT
For people who are in general so healthy and active, cyclists can be a pretty dour bunch.
It may be a macho thing because they feel they're training and don't want anything slowing them down, but a towpath (irrespective of the current social distance concerns) isn't the ideal place to get some speed cycling in.
A few of them are certain to end up in the drink around the muddy patches, but statistically (and sadly) you're very unlikely to see it happen.
I don't really understand whats drawn both cyclists and walkers to throng the towpaths at the moment, unless maybe they expect them to be fairly quiet, and think maybe they wont bump into too many people.
The damn virus is so ridiculously infectious that personally as a walker I'd avoid the towpaths. The bushes often make them quite narrow, and the runners go past with heaving breaths that make the close proximity more of a risk. The streets are much safer if you want a bit of exercise.
I would never want to make the distancing thing a total obsession the way some people do, but you do have to remember its a killer, and its highly infectious.
People are quite pig headed though.
I reckon that when they arrive and see the towpath is busy and there is a bit of an increased risk, there is something in many people that is a bit contrary, forgets the risks, and thinks: 'no, I've damn well got here, and I'm going to walk this damn path'.
You only have to see the way thousands of people crowd into popular tourist spots in normal times, regardless of the endless pushing and dodging and queuing that they have to do to get anywhere or do anything, and you can see evidence of this mindset of "I don't care how many people are already here, or how many more will arrive. I'm going to stay here and enjoy myself if it kills me."
I dont get it, but it is a thing.
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Post by patty on Apr 15, 2020 1:36:28 GMT
I go out at first light, yesterday despite the nippy chill there were more people..daughter did her exercise 2 hours later and practically deserted..
thing is i have to go early as i always have and its now habit..to-days plan is the streets to the park which is not so nice as the seafront so could be quieter
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 7:21:31 GMT
We have certainly noticed that there is more road traffic since week one and two, and a lot more walkers too.
I don't take issue with walkers ... that's exactly what we're doing ... but the towpath can be very busy around Nantwich.
There's a huge network of footpaths and we rarely see anyone on these.
I suppose the towpath is an obvious choice for many ... no map needed ... good under foot ... open and picturesque with brightly coloured boats.
I have NEVER understood the lycra clad speed cyclists attraction for towpaths ... if you want to travel at 20 plus mph surely the obvious place is the road.
The dawdling leisure cyclist is less of an issue.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 7:57:32 GMT
Fisherman and his partner set up with all the gear you could imagine, rods everywhere, tent, the whole works, this was Monday between Marston lane and Whitestone moorings, looked very angry as he had to move his gear as I went past.
towpath at Hinckley is the busiest I have seen it with walkers and cyclists.
Some people did the right thing and keep a distance away from the boat, others didn't give two shits, let there dog run about, jump on the rear deck.
Stoke golding bend was like a family day out.
The white dreadlocked crusty brigade have took over the moorings at Basin bridge, ropes set up on the towpath leaving a narrow route for people to get past boats, dogs running around and all the crap off the roofs is now on the towpath, must be loving this no movement required change of rules.
Lots of curtains twitching when you pass moored boats.
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