New cycling and walking campaign launched in West of England

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

I am too old and fat to cycle, and don't really trust any vehicle with only two wheels. It looks inherently unstable, and when I tried cycling I found the machine to be as unstable as it looked.
Three wheels is the minimum for stability, and four looks safer.

Here is the Broadgage-cycle. One's butler propels the machine while one sits at the rear in a comfortable chair with a rug over one's knees. Please note the small wicker basket in front of one's knees, ideal for holding a bottle of port. 

From: http://beamishtransportonline.co.uk/2020/05/beamish-transport-objects-in-focus-number-4-part-4/

Splendid, but should perhaps be propelled by the gardeners boy, who might be younger and fitter than the butler.
I do rather like the port compartment

[martyjon]

I am too old and fat to cycle, and don't really trust any vehicle with only two wheels. It looks inherently unstable, and when I tried cycling I found the machine to be as unstable as it looked.
Three wheels is the minimum for stability, and four looks safer.

Here is the Broadgage-cycle. One's butler propels the machine while one sits at the rear in a comfortable chair with a rug over one's knees. Please note the small wicker basket in front of one's knees, ideal for holding a bottle of port. 

From: http://beamishtransportonline.co.uk/2020/05/beamish-transport-objects-in-focus-number-4-part-4/

Not quite Mayor Tim Bowles in his finest lycra riding in the trailer chair but in disguise, give away, the grin still that of a Cheshire Cat !!!!

[Red Squirrel]

Well spotted martyjon!!!

[TonyK]

I do rather like the port compartment

Would that be enough to hold a "sufficiency"? Cycling is, as I know, thirsty work.

[Red Squirrel]

[...Cycling is, as I know, thirsty work.

...which led me down an interesting avenue. Well, I think it's interesting:

Cycling back to Bristol from Monmouth the other day, I got through 1.5L of water. The journey was around 50km, I weigh 90kg and my bike adds 15kg to this (I was on my mountain bike, for my sins). By my reckoning that gives me a water consumption of 28L/100km/t

I wonder if you can guess where I'm heading?

A decent-sized steam locomotive gets through around 190L/km, and weighs in at around 60t, giving a water consumption of 317L/100km/t

What does this prove? Not much, but if you think cycling is thirsty work you should try being an A1 pacific...

Edit: To make this fairer, and since I added the weight of my bike, perhaps I should have factored in a rake of 10 Mk.1's! That would be about 340t, so 400t for the whole ensemble including loco, giving a consumption of 47.5L/100km/t. Still a bit thirstier than a cyclist, but in the same order of magnitude..!

[Bmblbzzz]

Wow, I don't think I've ever got through 1.5l in 50km. At least, not of pure water; I diagnose a lack of tea stops in your journey!

[Red Squirrel]

Wow, I don't think I've ever got through 1.5l in 50km. At least, not of pure water; I diagnose a lack of tea stops in your journey!

According to British Cycling you ought to be drinking 375-750mL per hour, though if you are out for more than an hour they suggest adding electrolytes and stuff.

[johnneyw]

Another factor is the pace you travel at.  I'm one of those cyclists that those more likely to favour lycra will rapidly overtake.  Consequently, a day out the bike requires a smaller water tank, although this does mean my range is duly reduced.

[TonyK]

Edit: To make this fairer, and since I added the weight of my bike, perhaps I should have factored in a rake of 10 Mk.1's! That would be about 340t, so 400t for the whole ensemble including loco, giving a consumption of 47.5L/100km/t. Still a bit thirstier than a cyclist, but in the same order of magnitude..!

Perhaps you should make this a per passenger calculation. To be fair to the steam train, it carries more people than your bike.

[Red Squirrel]

Edit: To make this fairer, and since I added the weight of my bike, perhaps I should have factored in a rake of 10 Mk.1's! That would be about 340t, so 400t for the whole ensemble including loco, giving a consumption of 47.5L/100km/t. Still a bit thirstier than a cyclist, but in the same order of magnitude..!

Perhaps you should make this a per passenger calculation. To be fair to the steam train, it carries more people than your bike.

This one doesn't! I didn't factor in the weight of any passengers...

[broadgage]

I do rather like the port compartment

Would that be enough to hold a "sufficiency"? Cycling is, as I know, thirsty work.

The gardeners boy propelling the machine should be restricted to water, lemonade or perhaps "small beer" to avoid accidents. Although the formal drink driving limits don't apply to cycles, it is both unwise and an offence to cycle whilst unfit through drink.
The port is for the use of the person being conveyed, and looks sufficient. Even the passenger should avoid excessive use of alcohol.