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Hans Datdodishes
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 Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:22 am Post subject: |
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| John McC wrote: |
| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
| The mentality of motorists on that road is however that it is a motorway - which to all extent and purposes it is - and regardless of signs, motorists just don't expect to see cyclists on that road, regardless of traffic flows |
Which is a sepearate matter from traffic volume, completely.
As it happens that stretch of the A1 has no motorway style intersections, but a number of junctions with small lanes/villages, a number of non-motorway style "tight" bends, and two flat roundabout junctions; so no it is not a motorway style dual carriageway, and is very different from the A1(M) north of Alconbury, and south of Stotfold. |
Agreed, but the average driver on the A1 doing a long drive will still see it as a motorway, as there are still mostly just two lanes. Its like designating the M25 between junctions 8 and 10 as 'non motorway' and then sending cyclists onto it to race - the bloke in the car will still treat it as a motorway.
This is all an aside anyway, as this poor bloke was killed by an idiot who should never be allowed to drive again. |
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John McC
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:27 am Post subject: |
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So you now concede that your original comment about the A1 being too busy was incorrect?
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Hans Datdodishes
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:37 am Post subject: |
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| John McC wrote: |
| So you now concede that your original comment about the A1 being too busy was incorrect? |
The A1 is too busy to have cycle races on. It is not suitable for cycle racing on. The only reason people race on there is to get artificially enhanced times which are meaningless. |
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John McC
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Has Plurien lent you his blinkers?
That stretch of the A1 (at that time) according to traffic counts is not busy.
That stretch of the A1 doesn't have motorway characteristics; indeed it is not possible to drive as fast on this stretch as it is on the A1(M) to the north and south due to the nature of the road (not no mention the 50mph limit at Buckden and 60mph limit at Wyboston).
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mattr
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:48 am Post subject: |
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| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
| This is all an aside anyway, as this poor bloke was killed by an idiot who should never be allowed to drive again. |
But who will probably drive to an from the court, as they have an xx year unblemished driving record, also know as xx years of not getting caught. |
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Hans Datdodishes
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:07 am Post subject: |
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| John McC wrote: |
Has Plurien lent you his blinkers?
That stretch of the A1 (at that time) according to traffic counts is not busy.
That stretch of the A1 doesn't have motorway characteristics; indeed it is not possible to drive as fast on this stretch as it is on the A1(M) to the north and south due to the nature of the road (not no mention the 50mph limit at Buckden and 60mph limit at Wyboston). |
I must tell my fellow drivers that - their actions on that road do seem to be totally at odds with your hypothesis.
I will give you the benefit of the doubt though, I am merely basing my comments on experience of driving up and down said A1 from Peterborough to North London 3 or 4 times a week and the occassional weekend, whilst you are basing your considerable knowledge of the road on your commute from Barnet / Sidcup |
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Hans Datdodishes
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:18 am Post subject: |
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| John McC wrote: |
| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
| whilst you are basing your considerable knowledge of the road on your commute from Barnet / Sidcup |
You really do talk some shyte sometimes. |
Still doesn't detract from the point that racing a bicycle up the A1 is not safe due to drivers treating it like a motorway, no matter what time of day |
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John McC
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:18 am Post subject: |
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| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
| I am merely basing my comments on experience of driving up and down said A1 from Peterborough to North London 3 or 4 times a week and the occassional weekend, whilst you are basing your considerable knowledge of the road on your commute from Barnet / Sidcup |
And I am merely basing my observations on frequent use of that stretch of road over the last 20 years on both bike and in car (including a high proportion on early Sunday mornings) . One does not need to use a road every day, or even every week to have a good knowledge of it.
I have also taken into account the many traffic counts performed by the District, which you have conveniently overlooked.
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John McClelland's victory in the motor paced event with Derek Marloe on the derny was a thing of beauty (Oldmanof)
Last edited by John McC on Fri May 08, 2009 10:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Hans Datdodishes
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:25 am Post subject: |
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| John McC wrote: |
| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
| I am merely basing my comments on experience of driving up and down said A1 from Peterborough to North London 3 or 4 times a week and the occassional weekend, whilst you are basing your considerable knowledge of the road on your commute from Barnet / Sidcup |
And I am merely basing my observations on frequent use of that stretch of road over the last 20 years on both bike and in car. One does not need to use a road every day, or even every week to have a good knowledge of it. |
If you haven't noticed how other road users drive up and down the A1 John then - with respect - you need to see Martin Smith sharpish. |
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JONNO
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:26 am Post subject: |
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| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
| John McC wrote: |
| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
There should not be any time trials on the A1 - it is far too busy.
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On this stretch of the A1, the traffic volumes at that time on a Sunday morning, are actually very light, a fact which is reflected in the frequent traffic counts that are taken. |
The mentality of motorists on that road is however that it is a motorway - which to all extent and purposes it is - and regardless of signs, motorists just don't expect to see cyclists on that road, regardless of traffic flows |
A very good point, I have seen pedestrians trying to cross it (quite legally, as is cycling or even taking horse drawn carriages etc on none motorway stretches), and quite literally taking their life in their hands sprinting to get to the central reservation.
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John McC
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:26 am Post subject: |
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| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
| If you haven't noticed how other road users drive up and down the A1 John then - with respect - you need to see Martin Smith sharpish. |
You should try Green Lanes on my morning commute!
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John McClelland's victory in the motor paced event with Derek Marloe on the derny was a thing of beauty (Oldmanof) |
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Hans Datdodishes
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:29 am Post subject: |
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| John McC wrote: |
| I have also taken into account the many traffic counts performed by the District, which you have conveniently overlooked. |
I'm sure those traffic counts will be of great comfort to the family of the poor victim.
They don't take into account driver attitudes or speeds. The A1 is not safe to race on, or cycle on. Its just not worth the risk for the sake of an artificial time anyway |
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John McC
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:43 am Post subject: |
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| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
I'm sure those traffic counts will be of great comfort to the family of the poor victim.
They don't take into account driver attitudes or speeds. The A1 is not safe to race on, or cycle on. Its just not worth the risk for the sake of an artificial time anyway |
Well of course traffic counts will be of no comfort to the family of the victim, that is not their purpose. 
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John McClelland's victory in the motor paced event with Derek Marloe on the derny was a thing of beauty (Oldmanof) |
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Davey C
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| Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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| John McC wrote: |
| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
| I am merely basing my comments on experience of driving up and down said A1 from Peterborough to North London 3 or 4 times a week and the occassional weekend, whilst you are basing your considerable knowledge of the road on your commute from Barnet / Sidcup |
And I am merely basing my observations on frequent use of that stretch of road over the last 20 years on both bike and in car (including a high proportion on early Sunday mornings) . One does not need to use a road every day, or even every week to have a good knowledge of it.
I have also taken into account the many traffic counts performed by the District, which you have conveniently overlooked. |
All your opinions aside - someone was just killed on it, suggests it needs to be relooked at.
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mho
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| Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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| So what are the traffic counts then? |
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T12OTT
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| Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| John McC wrote: |
| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
I'm sure those traffic counts will be of great comfort to the family of the poor victim.
They don't take into account driver attitudes or speeds. The A1 is not safe to race on, or cycle on. Its just not worth the risk for the sake of an artificial time anyway |
Well of course traffic counts will be of no comfort to the family of the victim, that is not their purpose. |
John perhaps you could explain what is the purpose of traffic counts?
My understanding is that it's nothing to do with safety, but unfair advantage! |
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Zipppy
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| Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Hans Datdodishes wrote: |
There should not be any time trials on the A1 - it is far too busy
Assuming the cyclist was killed by a motorist not paying proper attention - the motorist should never be allowed to drive again |
As someone that use to love testing on the A1 some years ago, I too believe that the time has come to call it a day. Every time I drive on the A1 and many other courses come to think of it, I shudder to think, that anyone is allowed to hold a bike race on such roads.
We cant keep living in the past, and tragedy's such as this will only increase year on year. |
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mho
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| Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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| T12OTT wrote: |
John perhaps you could explain what is the purpose of traffic counts?
My understanding is that it's nothing to do with safety, but unfair advantage! |
My understanding is that courses are banned if the traffic count is above a certain number. Clearly there is an unfair advantage at highter traffic counts but the purpose is to ensure a course is safe. |
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PNuT
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| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 3:52 am Post subject: |
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traffic count=unfair advantage
risk assesment=course is safe
basic H&S would suggest RA's are reviewed on a regular basis
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John McC
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| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| T12OTT wrote: |
John perhaps you could explain what is the purpose of traffic counts?
My understanding is that it's nothing to do with safety, but unfair advantage! |
No, it's about safety.
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John McClelland's victory in the motor paced event with Derek Marloe on the derny was a thing of beauty (Oldmanof) |
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