MTB trail: "The Corrie Road"

We've not done much coverage of the mountain bike trails in the area for a while, trails such as Nova, Super Nova of Ashton Court, along with Yer Tiz in Leigh Woods.

To catch up then, lets look at another council-manufactured technical trail through the trees, "Corrie Road".

This trail starts at the local village of "Beddmynster-upon-Avon", known locally as "Bemmy". It can be reached by train from Bedminster Station, or directly from Templemeads via the new Clarence Road segregated path. There also is parking by the local store, "Asda". They sell food and fresh bread there —visit it if you haven't already! Note that while this shop is surviving, the adjacent library is at risk of being shut down and converted to gentrified housing.

As well as food from the local store, you can also buy bicycle spares at that eclectic Bristol chain, Motorman. You can also get waterproofs, footwear and other things from the friendly folk at Taunton Leisure. For anyone planning to make a weekend of it, there is some accommodation right in front of the trail itself. (warning: some of those reviews are a bit negative)

The trail itself is an all weather off-road surface. There are a number of tree obstacles to "work"; making for a very swoopy course. It is probably the easiest to do as a nighttime-excursion, primarily because of the streetlights placed in the middle of the trail itself! You won't be needing any helmet lights here!

It's also flat and straight: no real navigational problems. We'd recommend it as an intro to MTB-ing for children, were it not for the fact that if they get an obstacle wrong and fall left, they will end up going under the wheels of an HGV —this road is notable in that it is still a 30 mph road; the 20 mph zone begins behind it.

Here then is the trail done at near-race speed, though the rider doesn't clear every slalom gate correctly.



Sadly, the trail does peter about rather abruptly, leaving you with a choice of where to go next. Turn right to get to The Chocolate Path, where you can head to the Avon Gorge, the pump trail, or Ashton Court itself via the "metrobus wasteland" —formerly known as Festival Way. Alternative options are head back towards the starting point of the road via the Chocolate path and a non-technical pavement route, or simply return the way you came. Yes, The Corrie Road path is two way —do watch out for oncoming cyclists as you commit into the bend around a tree.

After a ride, we recommend the pub "The Windmill" in Bedminster, or the Nova Scotia at the end of the Chocolate Path—both of which are fine establishments to consume a beer or three.

Suspension Bridge: Council to objectors: go away

Here then, as promised, is the council's response.

1. The council cycling QA team reviewed it -and didn't object.
2. Therefore there are no problems with the route. 
3. Therefore all the objectors are mistaken
4. So their objections will be ignored.

This is fantastic! It shows the way forward for building pro-car designs in an anti-car city. All we have to do is involve the cycling team at the last minute, get some inadequate review from them -and we've got a green light to do what we want.

Once the cycling team at the council say there is nothing wrong with a route, all objections from cyclists can be discounted.

The best bit: the cycle team will get the blame, but by the time they get to find out, it's too late. And now we can use their "they didn't say no" response to ignore all other objections, the council road team must be laughing:

Consultation comments and responses, Summer 2013

RS12088 Suspension Bridge Road Highway Improvement Works

1. Please consider closing Observatory Road to non‐coach and non‐cycle traffic; there is a very suitable alternative route via the mini roundabout and this would unify the green areas,
   The feasibility of this is now being investigated and traffic counts are being arranged to assess the impact on the wider road network. If it is deemed workable then steps will be taken to procure the Traffic Regulation Order, including public advertisement of the proposals, when there will be opportunity for comments to be made,
   
2. Please consider making Observatory Road one way (southbound) for coaches and two‐way for cyclists,
   The proposed coach drop off point is designed for coaches to access by turning off Suspension Bridge Road (SBR), ie heading northbound on Observatory Road. Not only does this design make use of an historic ‘layby’ area, thus minimising the change of the road layout, but exiting Observatory Road from its northern end makes use of an easier junction than turning out of the bottom. Foreign coaches would, however, need to travel southbound in order to access the drop off point and allow passengers to alight onto the footway. Observatory Road would be kept two‐ way for cyclists, if a closure to non‐coach traffic was progressed,
   
3. Please consider installing one or two zebra crossings on Observatory Road if it remains open to general traffic,
   Controlled crossings, such as zebras, should be installed on established pedestrian ‘desire’ lines, i.e. on established routes where pedestrians already cross; the ‘desire’ lines across Observatory Road are across the junctions at each end. Controlled crossings are expensive, and the installation costs would be difficult to justify here if Observatory Road was to be partially closed, as discussed in 1, due to the reduced traffic volume,
   
4. Use different surfaces across the mouths of side roads to affirm the presence and priority of pedestrians over turning vehicles,
   The primary purpose of surface treatment in this context is to prevent skidding under sharp braking on the approach to pedestrian crossings, but it also serves to warn motorists in advance, of the possibility of pedestrians being in the road. It would not be appropriate, therefore, to just lay a strip of surfacing across a junction, but a larger area would be treated, including the approach roads, such as is proposed on SBR in the area between the two tables. We would not wish to encourage pedestrians to cross SBR in the vicinity of its junctions with Observatory Road and Sion Hill, due to the various turning movements here, but rather to use the zebra crossing near The Mall or the proposed tables a little further west. We would not, therefore, lay surface treatment on the SBR approaches to the side road junctions, but limit its use to giving warning of, and protecting, the two areas mentioned, where more formal crossing points are already in place or are proposed,
   
5. Very difficult to cross Sion Hill – Sion Place, please build out between the junctions,
   

It is currently proposed to build the footway out between Sion Hill and Sion Place in order to reduce the width of the wide junction, to facilitate pedestrian movement and also slow traffic turning left from SBR, down into Sion Hill,

6. Crossing Gloucester Row can be difficult and dangerous because of the heavy traffic flow. The changes will make this worse (increasing coach traffic), particularly endangering pedestrians seeking to cross Observatory Road,
   It is not considered that installing a coach drop off point on Observatory Road will significantly increase the total amount of traffic travelling along SBR / Gloucester Row. An estimate of visiting coach numbers is an average of 3 per day, with an expected maximum of 5 per day. Partially closing Observatory Road, as discussed in 1, is likely to increase traffic volume along this road, however, and this will be considered when the feasibility is assessed. It would, however, also reduce the amount of turning movements at the junction of SBR and Observatory Road, arguably making it simpler to cross. There is also a zebra crossing a little further up the Mall, where priority is given to pedestrians to be able to cross,
   
7. Please ensure that the junctions at the top of Sion Hill and Sion Place are not narrowed too much,
   All new road layouts are checked that they are able to be tracked by large vehicles as part of the design process,
   
8. The southernmost footway on SBR is too narrow, this could be closed and a new footway could be cut across the Downs,
   Given the pedestrian desire lines across SBR on the approach to the bridge, particularly on the route to the childrens’ play park, it would be necessary to keep the existing footway on the southern side. The foliage and bank has encroached over the footway opposite the public conveniences, and it is proposed to restore the width of the footway here,
   
9. The dropped kerbs in the build outs at the end of Observatory Road are on the widest part of the junction, putting pedestrians at risk,
   The proposed dropped kerbs will be moved back to the existing position,
   
10. Consider installing a raised crossing across the end of Observatory Road, in order to slow traffic,
    A raised crossing could be a very useful item here, provided it was set back from the junction to allow cyclists to straighten up before negotiating the ramp. It would, however, be unnecessary if Observatory Road was to be partially closed, as discussed in 1, due to the reduced traffic volume,
    
11. Removal of the pedestrian refuge island at the junction of Observatory Road and SBR is not safe for pedestrians, due to the speed of traffic exiting SBR and queueing on Observatory Road,
    It is considered that the proposed built out footways in the junction will reduce the speed of traffic turning into Observatory Road, making the junction easier to negotiate as a pedestrian. Furthermore the crossing width is also proposed to be reduced. It is understood, however, that the existing refuge island is useful in allowing pedestrians to cross one stream of traffic at a time.
    

It would, however, be unnecessary if Observatory Road was to be partially closed, as discussed in 1, due to the reduced traffic volume,

12. Formal crossing points should be installed across SBR, rather than tables,
    Although there are several main pedestrian desire lines across SBR, on the route to the childrens’ play park and near the public conveniences, pedestrians do wander across the road between these points and also closer to the bridge, across the central reserve. Research shows that controlled crossings are not necessarily suitable for areas where there is a ‘scatter’ of crossing movements, rather than distinct desire lines, perhaps because motorists are focussing on the crossing itself rather than who may be crossing elsewhere. The proposed 20mph limit (being proposed as a separate scheme), together with the proposed speed tables should slow the traffic so that pedestrians are more able to negotiate SBR without the need for formal controlled crossings,
    
13. Slower traffic along SBR will be more dangerous for pedestrians to cross between as it will be more bunched up,
    It is unlikely that slowing the traffic will result in it being bunched up and therefore difficult for pedestrians to negotiate, rather traffic will undoubtedly slow for the speed tables, allowing slightly more gaps. It is hoped that the slower speeds, together with the raised areas may even encourage some drivers to actually give way to pedestrians at the tables,
    
14. The Sion Hill build out can not be used by people in wheelchairs as they can not negotiate the steps at The Mall end of the footway, near the zebra crossing,
    People in wheelchairs would be able to use the proposed crossing point across Observatory Road, with great ease if Observatory Road was to be partially closed, as discussed in 1, due to the reduced traffic volume,
    
15. Turning right from Observatory Road onto SBR is tricky on a bicycle in heavy traffic,
    If Observatory Road was to be partially closed, as discussed in 1, turning movements into and out of the junction would be negligible, reducing the potential for conflict at the junction. Traffic flow along SBR is likely to increase, but the zebra crossing near The Mall will continue to provide gaps when the traffic is flowing freely. When traffic is backed up and at a crawl during peak time, there would be limited impact, except for the positive effect of the reduced turning movements,
    
16. The westbound cycle lane on SBR approaching the bridge is too narrow, especially where the central reserve starts, and part of it is cobbled,
    There is limited scope for widening the cycle lane on the bridge approach along SBR. Where the central reserve starts it is necessary to maintain a narrow traffic lane in order to ensure that the weighbridge takes the full axle load of heavy vehicles, from both wheels. The feasibility of widening the carriageway directly after the weighbridge is being investigated, in order to widen the cycle lane through this pinch point. It is not feasible, as part of this scheme, to meaningfully widen the approach cycle lane, as this would mean widening the highway corridor over the common land, a strip of full depth carriageway construction, relaying of a long length of granite sett channel, drainage works and reconstruction of the whole footway; this could not be carried out within the scheme budget,
    

17. The westmost table, can the carriageway be widened to widen the cycle lane, please?

As discussed in point 16, the feasibility of widening the carriageway directly after the weighbridge is being investigated, in order to widen the cycle lane through this pinch point,

18. Please consider a segregated cycle lane along Suspension Bridge Road (SBR),
    As discussed in point 8, given the pedestrian desire lines across SBR on the approach to the bridge, particularly on the route to the childrens’ play park, we deem it necessary to keep the existing footway on the southern side. There is therefore no space within the existing highway corridor for a segregated cycleway along SBR,
    
19. The build outs at the end of Observatory Road create a pinch point for cyclists,
    If Observatory Road was to be partially closed, as discussed in 1, it would not be used for general traffic and cyclists would, for the majority of the time, have the road to themselves,
    
20. Please introduce a 10 or 15mph limit for safety and structural reasons and a ‘no overtaking’ restriction on the bridge,
    The Bridgemaster is satisfied that a 20mph limit is suitable for the structural needs of the bridge. This is also the slowest limit which is permitted to be imposed on the public highway. We have forwarded the comments regarding a ‘no overtaking’ restriction to the Bridgemaster,
    
21. It is not clear that the works have been formally assessed with regard to cycling. This should be done,
    The proposals have been formally assessed with regard to cycling, as part of the Council’s ‘quality assurance’ design process,
    
22. Extend the central reserve onto the bridge with other measures to discourage overtaking,
    We have forwarded the request for the extension of the central reserve onto the bridge to the Bridgemaster,
    
23. Appropriate signing would be useful to draw drivers’ attention to cyclists,
    Part of the scheme’s brief is to reduce and rationalise highway signing in the area. It is not considered necessary to introduce further signing to draw attention to cyclists,
    
24. The speed tables should have bypasses for cyclists as they are too sharp and deteriorate leaving a dangerous surface,
    The ramps of the speed tables are proposed to be sinusoidal in profile and the ramps are proposed to have flat tops. This is different to the usual design which is more angular and sharp. The ramps are only proposed to be 75mm high. It is considered, therefore, that they will pose no danger to cyclists,
    
25. The existing cycling drop off from the toll bypass is not in a good position and this is worse with the new ‘quick’ barriers,
    

We have forwarded the comments regarding the cycling drop off position and the new barriers to the Bridgemaster,

26. The tables should have high friction surfaces to avoid slipping in winter / wet weather,
    Given the proposed gentle profile of the speed tables, as discussed in point 24, it is not considered necessary for them to have a high friction surface. Nevertheless we do intend to lay buff surface treatment on and between the tables, as discussed in point 4, to warn motorists of an area in which pedestrians are likely to be in the road,
    
27. The approach road should be a ‘shared surface’,
    The civil engineering works which would be necessary in order to make SBR a shared space could not be carried out within the scheme budget,
    
28. The central reservation should be removed allowing wide cycle lanes to be introduced,
    The central reservation must remain in place, in order to ensure accurate weighing of large vehicles on the weighbridge, as discussed in point 16,
    
29. Please consider the second (unnamed) road opposite Christchurch for a bus drop off point as it is flat, or on the Promenade,
    It is likely that if a coach drop off bay was introduced too far away from the bridge, then coaches would still drop off passengers close to the bridge, and the hazard of coaches stopping on Observatory Road would remain,
    
30. Consider left hand drive foreign coaches, when children will be alighting into the road rather than onto the footway – can a sign be erected to encourage foreign drivers to pull in wrong direction so that children can alight onto the footway?
    There is no approved sign which can be used for this purpose; foreign drivers would need to pull over onto the ‘wrong’ side of the road in order to allow their passengers to alight safely. This could also be done within the proposed coach drop off bay, and one would assume that such drivers would be used to this issue and be prepared to do so,
    
31. A coach exiting the drop off bay will be dangerous when it turns onto SBR,
    Coaches would need to access Observatory Road from the south in order to access the coach bay. This would mean that they would not normally be exiting via the southern junction of Observatory Road, but via the northernmost junction,
    
32. Coaches could be queueing as they wait for their slot at the drop off point,
    Given that the area typically receives around 3 coaches per day, with an expected maximum of 5, and that coaches will only be permitted to drop off here, it is unlikely that this will be a significant issue,
    
33. The 10 minute drop off time will be abused,
    

The coach bay would need to be enforced, in order to ensure turn over, and should problems occur then extra enforcement would be requested,

34. Currently coaches drop off on the far side of the Downs and drive down the road towards Central Bristol (ie towards Pembroke Road) rather than impinging on Clifton Village,
    Currently coaches also drop off along Observatory Road and Sion Hill, blocking the road and causing traffic to overtake in dangerous positions,
    
35. Coaches should not be encouraged to drop off so close to the bridge,
    Practically, as discussed in point 29, if a coach drop off bay was introduced too far away from the bridge, then coaches would still drop off passengers close to the bridge, and the hazard of coaches stopping on Observatory Road would remain,
    
36. The coach drop off point should be just painted on the road to save expense and avoid loss of Downs land,
    If a coach bay was just painted on the road, rather than being in a layby, then the hazard of a parked coach which needs to be overtaken would remain. The purpose of this design is to provide a safe stopping place for coaches, where pedestrians can alight safely and walk to the bridge safely,
    
37. A drop off point on Observatory Road would need to be about 2‐5 minutes drop off, to ensure that they do not stay there if they are only in the area for about 1⁄4 hour. This would also ensure that coaches can access the point, rather than circling the Downs waiting for space to stop. Coaches waiting might just wait on Observatory Road till they can turn right and pull in, causing congestion. Proper enforcement of the restrictions would be needed,
    A 5 minute drop off time is unlikely to be long enough to allow a coach to return and stop to wait for passengers to board after visiting the area. As discussed in point 33, the restriction would need to be enforced,
    
38. The ‘no return within 1 hour’ restriction will be a problem; do people stay in the area for an hour? If not, then buses will be returning illegally, perhaps this time period needs to be reduced,
    This is a good point, the proposed restriction is to be changed to, ‘10 minutes, no return within 30 minutes’,
    
39. Thinks tourists miss the village, they only visit the bridge. Can some sort of signing be installed to direct them to the village?
    Investigation will be made into provision of a pedestrian sign, pointing towards Clifton Village, in order to encourage tourists to visit,
    
40. What about encouraging people to visit the national trust woodland in the Leigh Woods area? Speak to the National Trust,
    Communication will be made with the National Trust, although priority for funding will be given to encourage visitors to visit attractions within the city boundary,
    

41. Advanced weight limit warning signs for all bridge approaches could be useful,
    A sign survey will be carried out in order to find out any deficiencies in the highway signing,
    
42. Could do with a flashing ‘weight limit’ sign, like a VAS,
    It would not be necessary for a sign to flash for all vehicles approaching the bridge, but only for large vehicles, like a speed limit sign only flashes for vehicles which are travelling too fast. While this is a good idea, in order for it to work it would have to be sited on SBR, near its junction with Sion Hill, and would clearly have to be activated by some means, meaning that the weighbridge would also have to be moved. The weighbridge is positioned where it is, so that if a large vehicle were to drive on the other side of the road in order to avoid being weighed, then this practice would be visible from the bridge toll booth and action could be taken to stop the vehicle. This could not so easily be done if the weighbridge was near Sion Hill. Nevertheless we have forwarded this comment to the Bridgemaster for his consideration,
    
43. Can Parks be prevailed upon to improve the steps which are approx. 30m s/w of Observatory Road? Also the slope down to the eastmost proposed table is treacherous in winter – can this be relaid with a rougher tarmac?
    Subject to funding, the steps will be reconstructed as part of the scheme. The comment about the slope condition will be forwarded to the Parks team for their consideration,
    
44. Railings on the northern side of the eastmost proposed table – please restore the railings which are bent and need painting. They should be moved rather than shortened!
    The railings will not be shortened but rather be repositioned and restored,
    
45. By the WCs, there are 3 or 4 concrete posts around the WCs, with no fencing on them so they are redundant, please remove,
    The posts will be removed as part of the scheme,
    
46. BT pole in footway west of the toilets, is the post redundant (don’t think so actually)? If so please remove,
    We will contact BT to ascertain the need for the post, or otherwise, and if it is not needed ask them to remove it,
    
47. Please maintain the loose kerbs on the bends,
    The loose kerbs will be maintained or replaced as part of the scheme,
    
48. There was a sign reading, “To the public lavatories” which was removed some time ago, it was on a l/c, just east of the eastmost proposed table. It was taken to store, please can this be restored and repositioned?
    There is no record of such a sign being in store,
    
49. Scruffy around the WCs, whose responsibility is this?
    

The area around the public conveniences is the responsibility of the Parks team and the comments regarding the need for maintenance will be forwarded to them for their consideration,

50. The bin in the build out near the central reserve, on the bridge approach, is in the pedestrian desire line,
    The bin will be moved as part of the scheme, so that it is not in the main pedestrian desire line,
    
51. The westmost table is too near the weighbridge, please move to the western side, 5m beyond,
    The westmost table has been moved so that it is on the other side of the weighbridge, so that it will not affect the accuracy of the weighing system. This is actually in a better place with respect to pedestrian movements across SBR,
    
52. The shrubbery along the southern side of SBR should not be cleared out due to the birds and also it forms a screen against traffic, the toilets and the rocks to residents of Sion Hill,
    This matter has been discussed with the Parks team and the Downs Ranger and it is agreed that the undergrowth should be cleared out from underneath the trees. The purpose is to open up the pedestrian route to the bridge, which is currently dark and constricted. The aim is to let in light, improve the views and accessibility between the trees and ensure that the maximum footway width is maintained. Small trees will be removed and the ground will be grass seeded. There are plenty of ‘wild’ areas for fauna in the area and this area will be improved for people using the area. The proposed 20mph speed limit, mentioned in point 12, should moderate traffic speeds and noise,
    
53. Why is the weighbridge so close to the bridge rather than near the Sion Hill junction? This comment is answered in point 42. 
    

Suspension Bridge, objection #3

Another objection we saw, an other naive fool expecting that their input would actually be read, let along act on it. For now, cherish the effort they put in with the expectation that someone would actually read it.

Again, a video of the strangely green and wooded land over the bridge, in the Elf-Kingdom of North Somerset. Many important people live there, and people on bicycles interfere with their lives, both here at the weekend and on the weekday commutes. Discouraging cycling is necessary -no doubt they shall be grateful to BCC for what they are promising



(This is Stella Nova trail; Strava notes that this tax-dodger is only just in top 25% of riders, so they lack both skill and fitness.

And now, the letter:

Dear Mr Sarson,

Consultation Response: RS12088 : Proposed Improvement works Suspension Bridge Road area


I am an occasional user of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, mostly by bicycle, mostly in an inbound direction.

There appears to be significant cycle traffic across the bridge, and it is important that cycling aspects should be taken into account in any modifications. Cycle traffic is generated by the Ashton Court park, general access to the countryside, and possibly by local commuting. Additionally I am aware of long distance commuting from Pill.

1. It is not clear whether the works have been formally assessed with regard to cycling. This should be done.

2. Although the proposals correctly identify the area as one needing a treatment based on the considerable pedestrian traffic generated by the bridge, gorge and surroundings, and that pedestrian movement should be facilitated this has not been carried to the correct conclusion of adopting a much lower speed limit throughout the entire area from the Sion Hill junction to a similar point beyond the bridge on the other side. For road safety and structural reasons a limit of 10 or 15 mph would be appropriate.

3. (a) The narrowness of the road means that particular attention should be given to the safety of cyclists. Paradoxically the safest part of the road is probably the exit section where the carriageway divider means that it is obvious that overtaking is impossible and where it is almost impossible for a cyclist to ride in a position that suggests that overtaking is desirable. This fact should be considered with regard to the whole area, in particular the dangers of the existing narrow cycle lane on the Leigh Woods side should be reviewed, with particular regard to its tendency to suggest that cyclists can be overtaken in the bridge approach.

(b) I agree with the retention of the central carriageway dividing strip, and suggest that this could be extended onto the bridge, with other measures to discourage overtaking, in particular the speed limit suggested above.

(c) Appropriate signing to draw drivers attention to the need to take care of cyclists would be useful.

4. The proposed safety tables give rise to some concern. Safety tables tend to be too sharp for cyclists and suffer structural deterioration fairly quickly, creating a dangerous surface. I suggest that the existing safety table design, covering half the road and therefore being completely bypassed by cyclists is the best concept.

5. (a) The provision of a short term coach drop off point in Observatory Road could be done at minimal expense and disruption simply by painting a box on the road. The net loss of land on the Downs is bad in principle and in practice, since it pushes the greensward further back. The expense of the proposed works to construct a coach drop off is entirely unnecessary.

(b) Since the buildouts are presumably intended to discourage traffic from entering Observatory Road it would be logical to close this road completely except to cycles and coaches, facilitating use of the road by cyclists and as a coach drop off point. Without this the buildouts themselves become an additional hazard for cyclists. There is no obvious reason why Observatory Road is needed as a route for through traffic. Closing it to most motor traffic would unify a green area extending a considerable further distance towards Christ Church.

6. The review of the Sion Hill junction should extend back over the whole length of Suspension Bridge Road, which is not an attractive road to cycle on.

Yours sincerely,


"W"

Suspension Bridge: objection #2

We've now got in our hands the response from the council to the suspension bridge anti-cycling proposal [1, 2], so we know what it is. Before spoiling the news for the audience, lets just show a few more of the responses from people who actually wrote in with the naive belief that their opinions were actually going to be listened to

Before that, here's a video of what it looks like on the far side of the bridge, in Ashton Court. Again, there are lots of people -even teenagers- on bicycles, showing that the council needs to do more to discourage people cycling over the bridge for their own safety




From: D.
I have just had a chance to look at the consultation leaflet relating to the Proposed improvement works Suspension Bridge Road area (RS 12088).

I am an office worker who ... cycles to work across town to ... Square every day (so, two journeys across the suspension bridge each day).

I am not convinced that this will create a safer, more friendly environment for people generally (although I am sure that the coach/tourist companies will think it is great!); the Bridge is a major route into the city for many people (both commuters and recreationally, and on bicycles as well as in cars), and I would ask the council to reconsider their proposals.

My initial comments are as follows:

1. I note the proposal to build "speed table / informal pedestrian crossings" at two points before the Bridge. In this case, surely the raised central reservation (which is itself an "informal pedestrian crossing") is unnecessary and should be removed? As a cyclist passing through this area, I find too many motor vehicles become frustrated at being unable to safely pass me because of the narrowing of the road created by the central reservation, and drive dangerously. If the reservation was removed, then the carriageway would be wide enough to either widen the (absolutely pointlessly narrow) cycle lane marked on the lane approaching the Bridge so it is fit for purpose, or to add another pointlessly narrow one on the carriageway leaving the Bridge.

2. I note the proposal to "build out" the footway at the junction with Observatory Road. Again, writing as a cyclist, I am very concerned that this will force bicycles out toward the right of the carriageway just at the point where motorists behind them are accelerating to get past them before the zebra crossing further along by the Mall.

Forgive me if I have mis-understood, but it seems to me that the whole proposal seems aimed to help the tourists who will walk the hundred metres or so from the new coach parking areas to the Bridge and back. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is not just a tourist destination but a major part of Bristol's transport minfrastructure (for bicycles as well as for cars), and I believe that if the work goes ahead as presented then this will be a missed opportunity to genuinely improve the area and infrastructure around the Bridge for *all* users

Finally, I am not sure that encouraging coaches to drive as close to the Bridge as they can before disgorging their parties of tourists, then picking them up again and driving to the next beauty spot is a particularly environmentally friendly aim, given Bristol's recent win as European Green City.

sport: it's about sponsorship and consumption, not participation

While out looking for early evening customers of our "discreet adult entertainment" portfolio, we were disappointed to see that Ashton Court was "out of play" this weekend, on account of a 12 hour mountain bike race.

These people have to recognise that actually participating in sport is not what the sponsors of major events such as the Euro2012 cup or the london olympics actually want.
  
Every pair of buttocks on a saddle is one less arse in front of a TV, watching advertisers, getting ideas of which new consumer goods to buy.
  

Consumer purchases are the key to kickstarting the economy, and these people, by cycling for 12 hours a day, are not doing their bit

EU funding of the war on motorists

The EU is taking our money to keep other countries afloat, when we can barely afford to keep our own country above water. Do you think Berlusconi needed to accept "party funding" from other countries? Do you think Putin does? No. These people have enough local sources of revenue.

Yet the EU takes the money away from us, the tax payer, forcing us to pay more for our pasties -and pieminster pies, while our politicians are reduced to begging for handouts.

Sometimes that money comes back. Usually it is in useful forms, such as EU agricultural subsidy, which helps protect the Bristol Traffic country estate without having to let people visit it. Yet today we are shocked to discover that the EU has been funding tourist development.

Tourist Development? So what, people say? More caravan stops would not be amiss, more echelon-style seafront parking at Weston super Mare? No, none of these.

The EU have taken our money, and used it to fund the building of cycle tracks in ashton court, and are calling it a "tourist destination", a mountain bike hub for north somerset.

This is so wrong. Not only is it a waste of money, it will encourage cyclists to visit the area and take all the parking spaces. What is worse, it will encourage the residents of bristol to cycle there direct from their homes, so increasing the cost of congestion by many billions.

We sent an expendable mountain biker to inspect the route.



As you can see, the route is smoothly graded and weaves around the trees. This adds another complaint -it will give the cyclists unrealistic expectations of what a cycle lane can be. The in-town routes have bigger potholes, trees, road-signs, parked vans and bus stations in the middle of them. Yet here: no vehicles, not even a mini-cab right behind the cyclist. Nor are there any pedestrians diving out the way and complaining about unlicensed tax dodgers lacking registration numbers. The worst bit -look how long that route is without a single give way, "cyclists dismount" or other anti-cycle feature. Not even a single bollard or unlit set of chicanes.

Yes, this will raise expectations of what bike routes could be like across the entire city -it must be stopped at once.

Oktoberfest im Ashton Court

Despite the nature of the activity -cycling- we are pleased to show

the route preview of the 2011 Ritchey Oktoberfest Bike Race.

Paul of ZeroG cycles is not actually in fancy dress, he can regularly be seen hanging round Bedminster in Lederhosen and singing bayerische beer drinking songs.

Paul will also be dressed like this for the duration of the event -we presume- and he does usually organise some (free) kids events that small children enjoy.

Be aware that Ambulance Leap has been removed so you will not be able to enjoy OktFest sitting at the picnic benches drinking Dunkel Hefe Weissen Bier and watching the MTB racers crater out in front of you.

This race marks one of the two main events taking place in the city this week, the other being the Bearpit Brunch. We shall be attending the latter, it being hosted in our team's weekend holiday home.

Ambulance Leap: Ashton Court

The MTBers are all happy there's a new all-weather trail being built in Ashton Court, with some EU anti-british money going in to encouraging cycling.

We had hoped "all weather" meant "horribly muddy all year round", but apparently it means "with drainage"

At the end of the newly uprated "blue route" by the quarry-in-the-park that is an odd feature of Ashton Court, we can see a boy perfectly executing the new jump at the end at full speed, and getting airborne in the process.

Apparently earlier in the month someone else trying it out managed to get the logistics of which part of the bicycle should land first (wheels down, head up) wrong, and ended up being ambulanced out due to concussion and/or other injuries. We hope they recover.

For now then, we consider this jump formally christened as "ambulance leap", and will warn the adults going out to enjoy it that it doesn't matter how much you spend on a bicycle, kids who spend time on a BMX park can do things you can't. Money is not a substitute for skill, and skill comes by putting in the hours.

Mountain bikers vs Everyone

There's a sign at the Golf Course Cafe in Ashton Court

No Muddy Bikers, Please, Or Any One With Muddy Clothes To Use The Seats In The Cafe.

Helps Us To Keep It Nice For Everyone.

  Thank You For Your Co-operation.

Some people may think the sign is incorrect, it should say "keeps it nice for everyone else", but remember: cyclists of all forms are underpeople, and do not count. They should be grateful that they are allowed in to buy cups of tea to be consumed outside.

Like the South of France

We are very excited to hear that when a Football World Cup camp is built it will not be like Glastonbury, it will be like the South of France.

This must a different Ashton Court from the one near Bristol. Here is it in February

A few months later, the snow went away

The only time we have seen the mud dry out was September last year.


Now, compare this to the South of France. It is sunny, the mountains look lovely.

There is faint hind of mud on the bike, but nothing to worry about.


If there is to be a world cup football campground for two weeks on Ashton Court, the only way to pull it off would be to cover the entire area in a wooden floor first.

Black Box

One aspect of improving vehicle safety would be to record all the actions of a car to a "black box" in the car itself. Most of the data is being collected, just not being preserved: acceleration, braking and steering decisions, whether they are using the integrated hands-free phone, pressing buttons on the music player, lighting/indicator status, etc. All known, but discarded. A car could collect this and automatically preserve it whenever an emergency braking situation (ABS event) was detected, or an air-bag event occurred. and you could keep a 24-48 hour rolling log which the police could take with a warrant. The data is there, just not being retained. there

We don't just want black boxes for cars though. We want them for pedestrians, recording their iPod tracks and where they were looking, and phone usage. By strapping their iPhone to their forehead they could record this and have a head mounted camera at the same time.

Same for bikes: they could record what they were up to just before the crash.

Here then is an experimental black box recording of someone doing the Ashton Court quarry route and getting things wrong.

They make two mistakes. First, too slow. Second, failing to avoid the vegetation. That green stuff, it is meant to go to either side of the camera.

50 Acre wood: closed for maintenance

The main MTb trail at 50 acre wood is about to close for two months due to forestry work.

According to the trails group:

The trail will close in mid-April (the 14th has been give as the most likely date) and will re-open after 2 months. The yellow "family" trail along the bottom will remain open as a diversion. Trail days can continue over there in the meantime so hopefully when it reopens it will be in better shape than ever.

One might think that doing forestry work during the wet and miserable months would be the right thing to do, rather than when more people are out using dry trails. But the forestry people need nice weather for their work, which only spring provides. Riding the trails during the spring months -the months where, in 2006, 2007 and 2008, we actually saw dry days for weeks at a time, would make everyone complacent and lazy.

What can be done in the meantime is fix those trails up from the winter mud, the next Ashton Court trail day is going to be on Saturday 11th April; they'll be working on the middle section of the Quarry trail. 50 acre wood work will take place on Sunday April 19.

Ashton Court: spring mud

Spring: last time to enjoy the snow before next winter, and in Ashton Court, last time to enjoy the mud before the summer rains return. It's not ideal though.

It's warm and dry enough that a lot of people are coming out, out without mud tyres, instead bringing all-round MTB tyres and the optimistic belief that they can get round without getting covered in mud.

These spring mountain bikers are trying to get round the course mud free, here skirting round the deep puddles.

This is widening the trail. It was tighter during the deep winter mud season; all these people trying to stay clean are downgrading the area. They should embrace mud and set their bike up for Bristol, not dryer places like Wales.

Ashton Court: warm, dry and unnaturally pleasant

For anyone planning on taking advantage of the warm weather and heading out the woods near the city, we have an emergency warning that mud conditions are bad. No snow, no mud, no water. We have some photos here of how much better it was last month, so people can reminisce about how good it's been this winter, except for those people still living in denial.

The strangest thing about this Sunday morning's ride is how busy it was. People going round 50 acre wood, the trail by the wall, the trails by the quarry -the latter being fixed up by the Bristol Trails Group as we speak -more help there is always welcomed, Mar 21 being the next work day.

Today, this same path as above is now a pale dusty brown, with lots of people riding round the recommended direction, and a fair few going the other way, though as spring sets in, those people need to recognise that contraflowing is something you can't do a midday on a weekend any more -too dangerous at busy times. Certainly lots of people had to keep diving out the way when we contraflowed it at race speed.

The biggest problem with warm dry weather is that it is so unlike normal Bristol MTB conditions that people aren't going to be geared up for it -even the technique is different, as cornering and route planning changes, and we locals don't know what to do when there aren't knee-deep swamps of mud to land in when things go wrong. You need to take off all the warm clothes, the thick gloves and drop down to T-shirts; you may even need to think about tyre changes, but that's possibly a bit premature.

The last three years, March-May have been warm and dry, but a monsoon kicked in at the end of May, just before half-term, with fresh rain and mud that lasted until September. Presumably those conditions will recur this year, so rather then switch to general purpose tyres for S/W England and Welsh conditions we should accept that this aberration of warm and dry won't last. Just put the mountain bike away for a few weeks, do some road work, hang round the gyms that are now empty again as new year's resolutions have waned, and generally avoid the dry stuff.

What it is good for, incidentally, is evening work. The gate is open until 19:15 even though it's still dark from 18:00, and with almost no mud to wash off, night rides are easier.

Mud: enjoy it or leave

Here are some other people out enjoying the excellent mud-with-snow conditions on Ashton Court this sunday morning

Expressions of glee on their faces, "chaos! everything!" they say, as they sprint past, faster than I could cycle for the last five years.

Leaving nothing but a trail of mud up the back of their clothes as they vanish into the next mudfield.

Elsewhere, over in 50 acre wood, some people didn't seem so happy. One of them pushing their bike up, the others pining for Spain and looking doubtful about claims that these mud conditions are excellent.

While Spain is good, the pound euro rate renders it a premium destination. Even wales is an expensive trip abroad, or a long pedal. Get used to Bristol, get used to mud. Or leave. now. Your weaknesses have been noted. Especially you at the back, pushing. But, you were wearing shorts, which makes up for things. This time.

Ashton Court: Best Mud for a decade!

While Friday's snowfall gets rained away, it is giving way to some of the best mud conditions Ashton Court has had since the mid 1990s. Snow, ice, slush, mud, muddy water -all of it, all at the same time!

Route planning is difficult. Do you commit for the straight through the puddle option, which will have traction problems, swerve left over what looks like snow, but could be a snowbridge, a thin layer of snow over mud, or go for that shallow mud that could be workable, but it could turn out to be a mudbridge, mud on ice on a deeper pool of mud?

There's no way of knowing until you commit: what wonderful uncertainty.

What would you do?

This is why Bristol is a cycling city. Not for the slightly widened St-W to Muller-Road path, but for the excellent mud at weekends and evenings. So we are grateful that on the night of the launching of the Cycling City route, that they managed to organise such excellent mud.

Eismud, Ja?

In between reviewing the parking and transport options for this city, the Bristol Traffic Project likes to keep everyone abreast of the local mountain biking conditions. Because if there is a reason why Bristol is a popular place for leisure cycling, it isn't the hills, it's the offroad and backroad cycling for leisure -although we think FirstBus also have a lot of contributions in the matter.

We also like to invent/introduce new words, and are looking forward to building up a good vocabularly for mud conditions. Today, Eismud, a mock-German word to describe Mud that freezes at night and may or may not be frozen during the day.

If you see mountain bikers covered in mud mid-afternoon, you know they've been to Ashton Court or Leigh Woods, and now have a bike to wash or ignore, clothes to remove carefully and dry out before reuse. Conditions: claggy, not too wet. If that is what you like, 12:00-15:00 is good as temperatures are at their highest.

What if you don't want to do the bike wash, yet don't want problems with bringing something muddy back into the house? What if those shoes/boots are the same ones you commute on, and don't want them still damp and flaking off chunks of mud all the next days? The answer is: Eismud. Mud that turns back into ice once the air temperature drops enough. Once frozen, it's dry and does not stick to you or the bike.

To ride in Eismud conditions, wait until near sunset; head out to A.C on a clear afternoon with lights just as everyone else is leaving. 4pm is good; the gates are open till about half past five. Then ride the trails in near or absolute darkness. The iced up mud and broken bits of pedal reflectors will show you the route, though watch out for the downhill towards the quarry section where the path appears to fork at a fallen tree. Take the left fork, as the tree blocks the right hand path.

The main problem with these rides is the temperature: it is very cold. Even if you dress warm, your hands, legs and toes will suffer. And because the mud is solid, its a hard ride for a hardtail. Stand, or get used to the bumps. But, no mud to clean off -it's a trade off.

It's also a bet: if the day is too warm, you set out at sunset and still get covered in mud, then get frozen at the end and have to ride home cold with a bike that needs cleaning and damp clothes for the next day. There's more risk on cloudy days here, as their evenings stay warmer. Look for the clear skies and the cold nights will follow. And then -Eismud!

On a more technical note, it is worthwhile to consider where these repeated Melt/Freeze cycles impact the consistency of the mud, making it strong or weaker. Certainly in ski/winter mountaineering circles. the impact of Melt/Freeze Metamorphosis, "M/F Met" is considered far more hazardous than Equitemperature Metamorphosis, "ET Met", that being sublimation from solid to gas and recrystallisation within the snowpack. M/F Met creates a crust layer on the snow which resists bonding to layers of snow above, so creating a high-avalanche risk weak layer, which may remain hidden many metres below the surface [source: Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, Bruce Tremper, 2001]. If the Eismud layer were end up below the surface there could be a similar risk. Given the level gradients in Ashton Court and requirement for sustained low temperatures, this risk must be considered minimal

A very muddy christmas!

Thursday December 25, 2008. A day to celebrate.

Thursday: Thorsday. Thor - the Viking God. A good of thunder and thunderstorms. And what do thunderstorms bring? Rain. Which, when mixed with soil, produces Mud.

Thor, then is the Viking god of mountain biking. Let us celebrate him by getting out there and covered in mud.

There are long-whispered rumours of a secret downhill race in boxing day, one down the various staircases of Bristol. More details on this would be welcomed. If it doesn't exist, then we should organise one. For now: Ashton Court golf course cafe, 10am, boxing day, with whatever Santa brought you.

Mud conditions: fresh winter mud on a solid base

After last week's anticlimax at Ashton Court, due to inadequate mud for the time of year, it's good to see a week of heavy rain has brought conditions back to what they should be for early December. Fresh winter mud on a solid base.

There's lots of puddles, and around the puddles 1-3 cm of slippery mud; very liquid and hard to gain any traction on. Beneath that there's a more solid layer that tyres may get a bite into. Gate closes at about 17:30; the suspension bridge is open to all traffic.

It looks a bit frostier this morning, which may turn the upper layers of mud and water into something crustier. There is a risk here, the "mud bridge", in which you ride onto what appears to be a solid layer of mud only for it to break under your weight and drop you into the pools beneath. Follow mountaineering best practises for glacier work here and send the heaviest and most clumsy person out in front.

No Mud?

Ashton Court is the official home of mud. Even if you dont go there you can see the people returning, get a feel for conditions, just by looking at mountain bikers on their way home.

Its disappointing, therefore, that Sunday's cyclocross race seemed to choose a mud-free route.


Down the "non-technical" side of the woods, a bit of a zigzag in the trees, then uphill

While not dry, it isn't mud. Not like 50 acre wood or even the entrance to Ashton Court itself. And as for Leigh Woods, well, that's something to fear.

While its more fun than, say, a sunday morning road ride out in that biting wind, it's not really Cyclocross. Here, for reference, is a video from a recent event in Oregon, a video by my friend John "Mud Bath" Wilson, someone who has the luxury of a hot water tap in his back garden so he can hose himself and his bike down after such events, all in one go.

That's what cyclocross is about. Watching grown men wallow in mud. Perhaps at the next event on the schedule things will be better.