Here in the USA we pay road tax with every bit of gas we buy even if we put it in our yard equipment . I drive as much as most folks who don't ride bikes so I am paying my share . Cyclists should be given tax credits for not polluting that could be applied to their motor vehicle tax .
In New Jersey they tax everything. If they could figure out how to tax you for breathing they would. I'm surprised they haven't placed toll booths at park entrances yet!
@@daba27 I say what I mean . If you are unable to comprehend my meaning do not twist my words to suit your desires . Maybe if you read what I said slowly and try to grasp each word you will be able to understand it . bikes should not be taxed and registered at all . Full Stop . Trolls abound .
That's quite a radical way of thinking. It's a shame good behaviour isn't rewarded in someway. It's seems socially acceptable today that some people are going to be bad and we should do nothing but accept that behaviour as normal. But being good and doing the right thing is something that doesn't come naturally to us, I would disagree with that, and I think most of us have good intentions, but need some guidance...
1:16 You should also keep in mind that cyclists are fitter, which means less health expenditure for society. Driving a car COSTS the society, cycling GIVES MONEY to the society : ^)
Too bad not the majority of motorists are cyclists. Most drivers would have become a better driver around cyclists if they would have experienced how it is to cycle on the road as a small and vulnerable road user among motorized traffic... all the challenges cyclists have to face each day.
I ride a bike and drive a car. Even in the Netherlands I’m often surprised how bad the bicycle infrastructure is, compared to the car infrastructure right next to it. And in most other countries it is much much worse.
I do enjoy your videos. One true fact for you - motorists would rather slow down for a sheep or chicken on the road than for a cyclist. One myth I’d like to bust. Going tubeless is difficult and or that you need special tubeless rims. All you need is a tubeless tyre, rim tape (rim strips are easier), and sealant. The only difficult part is getting the air in fast enough to pop tyre on to rim.
road wheels and tires use mutch higher pressures and invole much higher speeds than MTB. For you, from looking at your name, that would definetly work. Perhaps even a non-tubeless specific tire also. From a roadie perspective, however, I find it very reckless to spread such misinformation concidering the possibility that someone might actually try it on road and have a bad crash whie descending and getting a blow-out.
great vid , i am of ther 20 stone mark , and right side weakness from stroke but have managed to get on a road bike , and join a group called fat lads at the back , and they are helping me to set small goals to improve my health , so good on you for doing same regards
A very pleasing and informative Blog on cycle ..... I'm 46 & riding a MTB after 28 long years, though single speed but quite smooth , speed up to 30 km/hr with my leg muscles keeping 20 kms an average,your Blogs inspires me a lot as my family is still against cycling .... road accidents .... thanks again my friend to boost my willpower, keep uploading more such wonderful narrative videos..... see you 🙏
I’m 27 and have been cycling since I was 4 years old, on the road, on MTB, CX, Gravel, pretty much everything. I also drive a lot. Cycling is the same as any other significant group of people, it’s reputation is persistently tarnished by a small group of idiots. It’s the same with motorists, football fans, rugby fans, F1 fans, hill walkers, BMW drivers. EVERYONE. I’m sure the Titherton knitting club has its fair share of idiots. In a summary cyclists aren’t idiots, motorists aren’t idiots. PEOPLE are idiots.
My congratulations to you on your distinctive, very understandable, speech patterns (even for those of us in the U.S.). It's refreshing to turn on a RUclips video blog and actually be able to understand what a British citizen is saying.
The argument that "cyclists don't pay road tax" is something that is often said here in Norway, where live. Well, I'm am a cyclist, but I also own ( and drive ) a car, so I DO actually pay road tax. And many other cyclist also own cars, so that argument is totally invalid!
Yes. And there's one more thing, at least here in Germany: Taxes are not transferred directly e.g. from motorists to the budget to build and maintain roads. So every bit of tax is as good as another. Even without a car, there's VAT when you buy a bike, there's a tax on the money you earn etc.
Well said Bjorn. That's my no 1 argument. Not only have I paid my "road Tax" on my car but when I'm cycling I'm doing all the motorists a favour by taking up less road space and doing less damage so the should be friggin grateful I'm on my bike.
One time, I seen someone trip and fall and skin their knee..So I think everyone should have to wear knee pads at all times because walking is dangerous.. Also, tax the walkers, their shoes scuff the sidewalk and sometimes they cause me to be late for work and then my boss yells at me
Even if every single point in this video was just a repeat of the bit about Road Tax, a motorist who watched it would still complain: "buT CycLisTs DoN'T paY RoAd tAx!"
Why would you think that? Most adult cyclists are motorists as well. And most people are aware of the way taxes and excises are collected. The ugly rants of a small minority aren’t the views of the majority.
First of all, your choice in music: WOW!!!! Impressive. Very fitting. I have found that many people just seem to enjoy "Hate". As you have mentioned in other videos, there are those that are simply miserable and chose to spread that misery throughout.
been a tad depressed lately but riding my bike brings me out of that funk, feel so much better after a ride, also the scottish police have been posting things on the cycling myths lately, nice to see.
Medi, along with cycling you might try something called 5-HTP. it's over the counter, non-addictive, no side effects other than the reason for which you're taking it. i discovered some years ago when i was going through a difficult stretch of road. i followed the directions on the label and about a week after i started using it i noticed i had a smile on my face that hadn't been present in a couple of years. and when you want to stop taking it you just stop. shop around, it's pretty cheap. best 0'luck mate
If you are looking for used road bikes, you can really find great treasures. I just bought a Trek 5500 OCLV Carbon 120 (US Postal Service) for 340 EUR (302 pounds) with a Dura Ace 7700 9-speed. I have a weakness for old racing bikes and I wanted something that gets attention. Even my boss at work was excited.
@@jollygoodvelo The rear decals have fallen off, the bottom bracket needs to be serviced and the original Selle Italia Flite saddle is pretty worn out. Otherwise it is in good condition.
Cyclists don't pay VED . Agriculture vehicles don't pay VED. I cycle and. Work on a farm , when I get cut up on my bike I can't do much about it, when I get cut up on a large piece of agricultural machinery, the bit in the operators manual about not using the size of your vehicle to intimidate other road users gets forgotten. Great video 👍. Beware drivers of SUVs and German cars there's a cyclists out there at the helm of large tractor 😎
Not too long ago, I caught and beat another old fat guy to the top of a big climb on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped and talked briefly at the top and he told me he had almost 10 grand in his bike. I was riding my 25 year old patched up Specialized Allez that looks like I picked it out of a dumpster. We both had a good laugh. If I had a lot of disposable income, I would have a super high end bike like his too. Love your videos Leonard. They really help keep me on the bike.
Just goes to show it’s not the bike. I once rode with a girl who had a £7,000 Pinarello yet she wouldn’t even try to ride up hills. Some people have more money than sense.
Thanks for the great video, as I'm a fat cyclist you are a constant inspiration to me to keep grttimg out there and to feel less conscious about the big lad on a bike look. I'm also sick of trying to justify myself and other cyclists to non-riders. My BMW also doesn't attract VED and no one seems to worry about that!
Really nice video! Thank you! At the end, I thought you would talk about the benefits of getting to know the geography around better! Mountains, hills, water, smaller towns, rural areas, awesome landscapes and so on... But I noticed that it may have been included in the "perhaps some fun even", which we should keep to ourselves! haha! It's amazingly fun, indeed!
Great shout there Leonard, l've spead this version around to friends so they all get to hear it. I got knocked off my bike by an idiot in Spain so l'm still on the mend and miss my cycling big time atm. Thanks
Looks like a garage full of bikes there...I only have 7....Used Cannondale for $350, down to a used Raleigh for $12 ...love cycling. Great video..I'll subscribe for more of that.
I want to add a benefit for biking that I rarely see expressed or not very specifically. That is a sort of outdoor camaraderie feel good factor. I use a Sustrans old railway line path that is also used by pedestrians, dog walkers, parents collecting kids from school etc. Because you are on a bike, not enclosed in a steel box. there is an interaction, a feel good factor between users that you don't get with other forms of transport. It's very friendly, lots of mutual consideration and respect. With cars there is an opposite effect. Car drivers go into a copycat mentality where they are competing with each other to be the fastest, grab that space in front, go through lights to the limit of practicality, cut across where they can get away with it. This I find is the biggest problem in cycling. I have the imprint of a car's front grill on both my knees where a car turned right into me while I had right of way. And it's nearly happened since. Car driving brings out the worst in people.
100%! Loved the snarky delivery. One myth here in the USA I've heard several times is that when an auto/bike mishap occurs, the driver of the car is always cited. This is of course completely untrue, cyclists are vehicles and are subject to the same laws all vehicles are. If we are at fault, we get ticketed. I actually don't know if bikes on the road in the USA are immune from speed limit laws as you stated they are in England, but I don't think so. Maybe some other commenter could enlighten me.
1999, I was Cited for 53 mph on radar in a 25mph zone, On a 98' bianchi campionge road bike, In Celeste green of course. San Mateo, California. - had to go to traffic school to keep it off my record.
Thanks for You inspirationen, to start riding again 🙏 I am similar to you in size and age. I am grateful for the opportunity to looking through your videos and I am now riding again after 15 years. From me: Thanks to you 🙌🏻👍🏻🙏 Jens from Denmark
According to the Tim Krabbe, the notorious cobblestone roads of Belgium were “built by the Romans, who just dumped a bunch of rocks out of a helicopter”.
Thanks for your videos Leonard. You are always cogent, informative and inspiring. You have set a great example for big men everywhere, and I enjoy your clips from Hampshire, as you present with great enthusiasm. Thanks again, and happy cycling.
You have some beautiful scenery where you live, Leonard. I agree, cycling on the roads is legal but the vehicles always win in a collision. I try to ride early AM and not on the heavily congested streets. We have some nice parks here in St Louis USA with paved multi use paths and gravel trails that are a lot of fun. Thanks for your vids.
I’ve managed to ride about 625 miles this summer without any “super duper cycling shoes” on my 20 year old Trek so I’d be at the lower end of the $ scale. Love the video and your presentation is fantastic.
Your videos inspired me to start cycling again, ive lost 17lbs already, 2 more stone to go. I'm feeling better about myself already and loving being back on a bike again. Thank you 🙂👍🚴♂️
Still using my 70's racing bike purchased for £3. from my local dump in the early 80's. It's had a couple of rebuilds over the years but is still going strong and is great to ride.
Cyclists do emit carbon dioxide, about 16 grams per kilometer ridden. Very low compared to any car, but it's still something. Humans are not zero-emissions.
I always remember when we were kids we spent all day cycling in jeans and southpark parkas! 😂 incidently skinny as a rake when a kid , often cycled all day. Then about 13yrs old stopped riding bike completely. It wasnt untill the age of 40 ! 8 years ago , 27yr gap ! That i bought meself a 350 pound mountain bike( great purchase all that was required !) , took me a good few months to get my heart lung fitness up , after a few years i noticed i could not ride for a month or two and my heart lungs picked up where they left off really quick. Again this year had not ridden for about one year but my fitness was really poor , now gradually building up again , i find cycling really good for heart lungs and very much for the mind , its great to just to jump on the bike and head out to the hills ! 🙂
The world isn't Flat??? Dam I thought we had gotten rid of the hills. As always salient points all around. I am surprised we even let the motor vehicles on our roads. Also be careful on the taxes, they may put monitors on our breathing and charge for the extra CO2 exhaled during a ride.
another good film. even though i'm in the usa, i always appreciate your perspective even if things don't strictly apply (re: laws, etc.). as we say, "keep on keepin' on."
That was a brilliant video, laughed loads. Down the New Forest on Saturday, think that’s your neck of the woods. Doing the sportive down there and looking forward to it as I have never been there before.
Great video! Here in Texas things are slightly different. Vehicle registration fees are mostly determined by the gross weight of the vehicle. It is much less expensive, I’m sure, than there. Usually under $80 per year with $10 of that for a “bridge” tax for repairs to overpasses and bridges. Also, cyclists can receive a traffic “ticket” or citation (court summons) for violating any law that applies to motor vehicles (well, almost). In 34 years of Police work, 31 in Patrol division, I think I may have stopped 3 or 4 “pedacyclists” for red light and stop sign violations. Only wrote one a citation because he insisted stop signs didn’t apply to cyclists. One more myth.....you are MI6. Your music sounded somewhat “Bondish” don’t you think. Ha ha! Be safe out there brother!
Came to comment section to say very same thing about in the US our property taxes and such pay for road work, so all pay. And rules of road apply to both car and bike, sad it seem only thing cyclist have in common no matter where you live is the dislike drivers have for cyclist. A friend of mine was surprised to have of all drivers, a motorcyclist yell at him to get off the road.
Where I live, just south Lubbock, Texas, there is a gravel and crushed rock quarry near the Farm to Market road I ride on. The truck drivers treat me with very much respect, as do the neighboring farmers and other people in the area driving farm machinery or vehicles. BUT, when I ride closer to town, the story changes. However, an irrigation well repair person in a service truck got a breath away from me last week. Probably trying to locate the well. Yes, I carry emergency contact numbers and my ID, ha ha.
Hi Leonard. Great video again. As you know I've just got a bike after 17 years. And yes it's hard work and it's getting easier. Keep on with the good motivation it works for me. Thank you.
use easier gears and short rides build upto do longer rides. try and choose a easy steady gear. stick to a set steady speed whatever that maybe. dont be bothered if other cyclist are faster etc. cyclist usually respect and help each other on the roads. ive been cycling well over 30 years.
Hi Leonard, As a matter of interest the speed limit in the uk does not apply to cycles because they are not 'mechanically propelled', not because they don't have a speedo.
I was once on an accident with a taxi driver.....he tried to cut me off and 180 over a continuous line :))..... I broke his tail light with my handlebar..... I had to take a breathalyzer test. I have asthma, a 1000E bike, and am a sprinter at heart ... :)) You don't have to be a pro, or a fit person, or have the best kit, you just need to enjoy it
Your accent made 0:47 sound like you said "Taiwan several stages of the Tour de France." Awesome. I started to develop knee pain and was told to raise my seat. I had been using that "LeMond method", but it was hopelessly too short. I ended up having to raise my saddle a good 5cm above the "LeMond" numbers. Good news! The knee pain went away! Bad news! My nuts are numb! I thought it was just a "get used to it" but after a few days of riding, it got really bad. My urologist told me to take a 6 week break, esp after I told her that it was (at the time of visit) a few days since my last ride and I was still numb. I wanted to get a bike fit, but where I live the only place to get a bike fit is 100km away and costs about US$300. Ah, sranje! It is bad enough my bike selection is limited due to size, but jeez! And this is the home of Giant and Merida/Specialized! So, cycling really isn't all that easy to get into depending on where you live and your size requirements.
A saddle that fits might help a lot to avoid numb nuts. I think that's also good advice for women because their bones (the ones you sit on, no idea how they are called in English) are usually wider so many saddles are too narrow.
I am an amateur cyclist in the Buffalo NY, USA. During the warm months, I bike to and from work. I admit I love to watch cycling channels that are from the UK. I love the way the British put things. LOL. So funny. But it is true, there are a lot of myths out there about bicycling. Local New York laws are pretty liberal for bicyclists. They are supposed to obey all the same traffic laws as cars, but in practice, police and authorities let bicyclists slide on many of them. I think there is an emissions tax per U.S. gallon (3.78 Liters) of gasoline in New York.
Thanks for the memories mate, I spent over 20 years of holidays in the new forest. Brockenhurst / Lyndhurst . Fantastic place to live and cycle. I now live in Spain. Good memories 👍
Hi Leonard .... I'm new to your channel .... the first video I watched was "Are Cyclists Roadhogs" which was showing in my recommended list .... the next was your latest video "8 Cyclist Myths Debunked" .... at the very begining of the video the signpost caught my eye ... I was born in Leigh Park Havant but have been living in Germany now since 1969, first with the Army and then working until retirement (I'm 67) ... seeing that signpost reminded me of the time my borther and I rode from Leigh Park to Petersfield just for fun ... that was around 1965, I was about 13 my brother 2 years younger ... our bikes at the time were only 3 speed but we managed it ... we didn't even tell our mum that we going, the backlash came when we got back :-)) ... I've rode bikes all my life ... raced for a while, while in the army .... my wife and I do quite long tours from 50 - 100+ Km .... I find your videos fun to watch because they are aimed at normal people and not Amateurs/Pros ... keep em comimg ... PS. and I have subscribed :-)
@@jollygoodvelo I don't really know what road it was ... all I knew was that it was the road that my dad drove to get there ... as kids we went to Petersfield lake quite often :-)
Great video! I love to see the "road tax" and road use myths debunked, but cycling only reduces carbon emissions if used for journeys that would other wise have been done by another form of transport anyway. Cycling for leisure or fitness is more or less carbon neutral but does not reduce it.
Budget I tend to be got Merlin brand new 400 Giant cafes 980c 100 quid 90s raleigh mercury 130 quid and got 2 pairs of spd sl but still primary using my 2011 shimano strap shoes lol most comfortable lol great video m8
i started cycling, when i was 2 years old....64 and still going......retired US Army.....Montana.....This channel is the stiff upper lip of cycling....
Great video , photography is great too. Good points, as most of us do drive and pay road taxes. As for the Loch Ness Monster, just hasn't been spotted lately. Here in north America, we have Big Foot, and many sightings , just saying .
Great video Leonard. I'm glad cyclists don't fall under the requirements for VED, I'd be paying full money after I'd had beans on toast at the cafe stop 😂
"Cyclists don't create any emissions"...that depends on the strength of last night' curry. But seriously, _most_ cyclists _do_ pay VED because most of us do have a motor vehicle as well.
Good old curry created methane! We do indeed but even cyclists that don’t have a vehicle still don’t make any emissions so shouldn’t have to pay what is nothing more than a pollution tax.
Articulate and to the point. I venture to suggest two other myths which need debunking: 1. That car drivers do not need to give way to cyclists, especially when turning, pulling out or overtaking. 2. That there is something fundamentally evil about wearing lycra, and that it turns us into "louts".
@@jollygoodvelo Thanks for your reply. I would just like to add that in one place I worked, my workmates were frankly hostile to me for wearing "sweaty lycra" to commute by bike, and started a whispering campaign which got management to instruct me not to show up thus apparelled, and not to be "so arrogant". I wouldn't have minded so much if they'd had showers or changing facilities, but they didn't, so I had to sneak into the bogs upon arrival and get changed there. Weird.
Georgia USA Law... 40-6-144 Except as provided by resolution or ordinance of a local government for sidewalks within the jurisdiction of such local government authorizing the operation of bicycles on sidewalks by persons 12 years of age or younger, no person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized driveway.
Cyclist do have emissions…. emissions 10x worse than CO2.... I emit my fair share of methane, enough to power a small city... especially after eating Taco Bell the night before.
@@jochenkraus7016 Yes, that amount would be smaller because I wouldn't feel the need to eat so much if I wasn't riding 30 miles a day. I would also go easy on the Taco Bell, the major producer of my methane and or explosive diarrhea.
Great vid, reminded me of why I love cycling!! I pretty well stopped twenty years ago, since then it seems half the drivers are staring at their phones and here in Australia so many assholes driving with huge bars on the front of their trucks I wouldn't spend more than five minutes on the road. The Western Australian government have just made it legal for cyclists of all ages to use the pavements. Most pavements anyway obviously not in very busy areas
Here in the USA we pay road tax with every bit of gas we buy even if we put it in our yard equipment . I drive as much as most folks who don't ride bikes so I am paying my share . Cyclists should be given tax credits for not polluting that could be applied to their motor vehicle tax .
In New Jersey they tax everything. If they could figure out how to tax you for breathing they would. I'm surprised they haven't placed toll booths at park entrances yet!
I think what you mean to say is bikes using public roads should be taxed and registered
@@daba27 I say what I mean . If you are unable to comprehend my meaning do not twist my words to suit your desires . Maybe if you read what I said slowly and try to grasp each word you will be able to understand it . bikes should not be taxed and registered at all . Full Stop . Trolls abound .
That's quite a radical way of thinking. It's a shame good behaviour isn't rewarded in someway. It's seems socially acceptable today that some people are going to be bad and we should do nothing but accept that behaviour as normal. But being good and doing the right thing is something that doesn't come naturally to us, I would disagree with that, and I think most of us have good intentions, but need some guidance...
Brilliant vid I bought my first road bike 12 months ago and I'm loving it and I'm 71 now.
...and you wait, am a woman, your age with a road bike too; ..in a few months I will be a confident biker. Here I come!
1:16 You should also keep in mind that cyclists are fitter, which means less health expenditure for society.
Driving a car COSTS the society, cycling GIVES MONEY to the society : ^)
Another good one 👍 majority of cyclists got to be motorists .I've become a better driver/motorist because of my cycling.
Riding a bike from age 10 to 17 certainly helped me learn to drive.
@@jollygoodvelo Me too, everybody rode a bike in those days first, then needed a car to get to track meetings.
Too bad not the majority of motorists are cyclists. Most drivers would have become a better driver around cyclists if they would have experienced how it is to cycle on the road as a small and vulnerable road user among motorized traffic... all the challenges cyclists have to face each day.
I ride a bike and drive a car , im suprised how dum and selfish some but not all road cyclists can be , prefer mtb meself :)
I ride a bike and drive a car. Even in the Netherlands I’m often surprised how bad the bicycle infrastructure is, compared to the car infrastructure right next to it. And in most other countries it is much much worse.
I do enjoy your videos. One true fact for you - motorists would rather slow down for a sheep or chicken on the road than for a cyclist.
One myth I’d like to bust. Going tubeless is difficult and or that you need special tubeless rims. All you need is a tubeless tyre, rim tape (rim strips are easier), and sealant. The only difficult part is getting the air in fast enough to pop tyre on to rim.
road wheels and tires use mutch higher pressures and invole much higher speeds than MTB. For you, from looking at your name, that would definetly work. Perhaps even a non-tubeless specific tire also. From a roadie perspective, however, I find it very reckless to spread such misinformation concidering the possibility that someone might actually try it on road and have a bad crash whie descending and getting a blow-out.
bruno baumanis I’ve been tubeless on my road bike for ages. Don’t make assumptions.
Very sad that they would slow down for animals rather than for a human being in a bike.
@@jollygoodvelo It says something about how many seems to value their fellow human being these days.
great vid , i am of ther 20 stone mark , and right side weakness from stroke but have managed to get on a road bike , and join a group called fat lads at the back , and they are helping me to set small goals to improve my health , so good on you for doing same regards
5 weeks ago I started cycling to work. I was dead at the end. Now I'm crushing hill climbs.
i started riding to work 4 years ago when i was 63.. 9kms each way.
@@europanzz Nice one.
A very pleasing and informative Blog on cycle ..... I'm 46 & riding a MTB after 28 long years, though single speed but quite smooth , speed up to 30 km/hr with my leg muscles keeping 20 kms an average,your Blogs inspires me a lot as my family is still against cycling .... road accidents .... thanks again my friend to boost my willpower, keep uploading more such wonderful narrative videos..... see you 🙏
I’m 27 and have been cycling since I was 4 years old, on the road, on MTB, CX, Gravel, pretty much everything. I also drive a lot. Cycling is the same as any other significant group of people, it’s reputation is persistently tarnished by a small group of idiots. It’s the same with motorists, football fans, rugby fans, F1 fans, hill walkers, BMW drivers. EVERYONE. I’m sure the Titherton knitting club has its fair share of idiots.
In a summary cyclists aren’t idiots, motorists aren’t idiots. PEOPLE are idiots.
My congratulations to you on your distinctive, very understandable, speech patterns (even for those of us in the U.S.). It's refreshing to turn on a RUclips video blog and actually be able to understand what a British citizen is saying.
Riding on the wrong side of the road. That's no myth, apparently.
Start where you are,
use what you have,
do what you can
:-)
Very wise words.
Very good!
and live better for it.
The argument that "cyclists don't pay road tax" is something that is often said here in Norway, where live. Well, I'm am a cyclist, but I also own ( and drive ) a car, so I DO actually pay road tax. And many other cyclist also own cars, so that argument is totally invalid!
Yes. And there's one more thing, at least here in Germany:
Taxes are not transferred directly e.g. from motorists to the budget to build and maintain roads. So every bit of tax is as good as another. Even without a car, there's VAT when you buy a bike, there's a tax on the money you earn etc.
Norway is generally well set up for cycling.
England is not. It’s quite dangerous actually
Well said Bjorn. That's my no 1 argument. Not only have I paid my "road Tax" on my car but when I'm cycling I'm doing all the motorists a favour by taking up less road space and doing less damage so the should be friggin grateful I'm on my bike.
One time, I seen someone trip and fall and skin their knee..So I think everyone should have to wear knee pads at all times because walking is dangerous.. Also, tax the walkers, their shoes scuff the sidewalk and sometimes they cause me to be late for work and then my boss yells at me
Even if every single point in this video was just a repeat of the bit about Road Tax, a motorist who watched it would still complain: "buT CycLisTs DoN'T paY RoAd tAx!"
Why would you think that? Most adult cyclists are motorists as well. And most people are aware of the way taxes and excises are collected. The ugly rants of a small minority aren’t the views of the majority.
First of all, your choice in music: WOW!!!! Impressive. Very fitting. I have found that many people just seem to enjoy "Hate". As you have mentioned in other videos, there are those that are simply miserable and chose to spread that misery throughout.
If a person is careless, he or she will get injured even walking casually on a walkway with nobody around.
been a tad depressed lately but riding my bike brings me out of that funk, feel so much better after a ride, also the scottish police have been posting things on the cycling myths lately, nice to see.
Good to hear that you feel better after a ride.
Mediocre MTBer same here mate. Cycling is great exercise and exercise is great for mental health.
Great to see you’ve found your groove!
same for me. in fact, I think I would be depressed if God didn't show me cycling
Life long depression here. And although the main reason I started cycling was to try lose weight, the reason I keep doing it is the mental benefits.
Medi, along with cycling you might try something called 5-HTP. it's over the counter, non-addictive, no side effects other than the reason for which you're taking it. i discovered some years ago when i was going through a difficult stretch of road. i followed the directions on the label and about a week after i started using it i noticed i had a smile on my face that hadn't been present in a couple of years. and when you want to stop taking it you just stop. shop around, it's pretty cheap. best 0'luck mate
If you are looking for used road bikes, you can really find great treasures. I just bought a Trek 5500 OCLV Carbon 120 (US Postal Service) for 340 EUR (302 pounds) with a Dura Ace 7700 9-speed. I have a weakness for old racing bikes and I wanted something that gets attention. Even my boss at work was excited.
Sounds like a bargain.
@@jollygoodvelo The rear decals have fallen off, the bottom bracket needs to be serviced and the original Selle Italia Flite saddle is pretty worn out.
Otherwise it is in good condition.
Cyclists don't pay VED . Agriculture vehicles don't pay VED. I cycle and. Work on a farm , when I get cut up on my bike I can't do much about it, when I get cut up on a large piece of agricultural machinery, the bit in the operators manual about not using the size of your vehicle to intimidate other road users gets forgotten. Great video 👍. Beware drivers of SUVs and German cars there's a cyclists out there at the helm of large tractor 😎
Not too long ago, I caught and beat another old fat guy to the top of a big climb on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped and talked briefly at the top and he told me he had almost 10 grand in his bike. I was riding my 25 year old patched up Specialized Allez that looks like I picked it out of a dumpster. We both had a good laugh. If I had a lot of disposable income, I would have a super high end bike like his too. Love your videos Leonard. They really help keep me on the bike.
Just goes to show it’s not the bike. I once rode with a girl who had a £7,000 Pinarello yet she wouldn’t even try to ride up hills. Some people have more money than sense.
Glad to hear the 25k guy had a sense of humour 😂
I just bought a new specialized Allez 2019 model. Hope it lasts as long as yours did!
Really like the opening music - tried to Shazam but it's not recognised. What is it?
It’s a song on Epidemic Sound called We Know How To Be A Mess.
Thanks for the great video, as I'm a fat cyclist you are a constant inspiration to me to keep grttimg out there and to feel less conscious about the big lad on a bike look. I'm also sick of trying to justify myself and other cyclists to non-riders. My BMW also doesn't attract VED and no one seems to worry about that!
Sounds like you are doing great. Is your BMW electric or a classis car that no longer needs VED payment?
Great video. Live the opening music. Keep pedaling my friend.
Thanks Mike.
Really nice video! Thank you! At the end, I thought you would talk about the benefits of getting to know the geography around better! Mountains, hills, water, smaller towns, rural areas, awesome landscapes and so on... But I noticed that it may have been included in the "perhaps some fun even", which we should keep to ourselves! haha! It's amazingly fun, indeed!
Great shout there Leonard, l've spead this version around to friends so they all get to hear it. I got knocked off my bike by an idiot in Spain so l'm still on the mend and miss my cycling big time atm. Thanks
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Looks like a garage full of bikes there...I only have 7....Used Cannondale for $350, down to a used Raleigh for $12 ...love cycling. Great video..I'll subscribe for more of that.
I want to add a benefit for biking that I rarely see expressed or not very specifically. That is a sort of outdoor camaraderie feel good factor. I use a Sustrans old railway line path that is also used by pedestrians, dog walkers, parents collecting kids from school etc. Because you are on a bike, not enclosed in a steel box. there is an interaction, a feel good factor between users that you don't get with other forms of transport. It's very friendly, lots of mutual consideration and respect.
With cars there is an opposite effect. Car drivers go into a copycat mentality where they are competing with each other to be the fastest, grab that space in front, go through lights to the limit of practicality, cut across where they can get away with it. This I find is the biggest problem in cycling. I have the imprint of a car's front grill on both my knees where a car turned right into me while I had right of way. And it's nearly happened since. Car driving brings out the worst in people.
100%! Loved the snarky delivery. One myth here in the USA I've heard several times is that when an auto/bike mishap occurs, the driver of the car is always cited. This is of course completely untrue, cyclists are vehicles and are subject to the same laws all vehicles are. If we are at fault, we get ticketed. I actually don't know if bikes on the road in the USA are immune from speed limit laws as you stated they are in England, but I don't think so. Maybe some other commenter could enlighten me.
I’ve heard the same about here in the UK but I think it’s changing.
1999,
I was Cited for 53 mph on radar in a 25mph zone,
On a 98' bianchi campionge road bike, In Celeste green of course.
San Mateo, California.
- had to go to traffic school to keep it off my record.
Thanks for the info. That is some seriously fast riding!
what do you guys recommend? steel frame or aluminium frame for a road bike??
Thanks for You inspirationen, to start riding again 🙏
I am similar to you in size and age.
I am grateful for the opportunity to looking through your videos and I am now riding again after 15 years.
From me: Thanks to you 🙌🏻👍🏻🙏
Jens from Denmark
Just one correction: cyclists do have emissions, depending heavily on one's diet. It (in my case) can be worse than being behind a diesel truck. 💨
According to the Tim Krabbe, the notorious cobblestone roads of Belgium were “built by the Romans, who just dumped a bunch of rocks out of a helicopter”.
Albert Batfinder 🤣🤣🤣🤣👌🏽
What have the Romans ever done for us.... great video Leonard :-)
Welease Woderwick.
@@jollygoodvelo OMG! ROFLMAOOOO! 🤣
Great video Leonard! What’s the name of the song / artist that you used for the opening music?
It’s a song called We Know How To Be A Mess from Epidemic Sound, a music library for on line creators.
@@jollygoodvelo Thanks man!
Thanks for your videos Leonard.
You are always cogent, informative and inspiring.
You have set a great example for big men everywhere, and I enjoy your clips from Hampshire, as you present with great enthusiasm.
Thanks again, and happy cycling.
What's the song's name
You have some beautiful scenery where you live, Leonard. I agree, cycling on the roads is legal but the vehicles always win in a collision. I try to ride early AM and not on the heavily congested streets. We have some nice parks here in St Louis USA with paved multi use paths and gravel trails that are a lot of fun. Thanks for your vids.
I’ve managed to ride about 625 miles this summer without any “super duper cycling shoes” on my 20 year old Trek so I’d be at the lower end of the $ scale.
Love the video and your presentation is fantastic.
Your videos inspired me to start cycling again, ive lost 17lbs already, 2 more stone to go.
I'm feeling better about myself already and loving being back on a bike again.
Thank you 🙂👍🚴♂️
Still using my 70's racing bike purchased for £3. from my local dump in the early 80's. It's had a couple of rebuilds over the years but is still going strong and is great to ride.
I love your deadpan delivery. Let the facts speak for themselves!
May I ask for details of the soundtrack at the beginning? Strangely , Google doesn't find the song when I search the lyrics. Thanks
Bill in Exeter.
It’s a track called We Know How To Be A Mess from the Epidemic Sound library
@@jollygoodvelo thank you very much.
Cyclists do emit carbon dioxide, about 16 grams per kilometer ridden. Very low compared to any car, but it's still something. Humans are not zero-emissions.
Interesting. I knew we emitted a small amount but not exactly how much.
I always remember when we were kids we spent all day cycling in jeans and southpark parkas! 😂 incidently skinny as a rake when a kid , often cycled all day. Then about 13yrs old stopped riding bike completely. It wasnt untill the age of 40 ! 8 years ago , 27yr gap ! That i bought meself a 350 pound mountain bike( great purchase all that was required !) , took me a good few months to get my heart lung fitness up , after a few years i noticed i could not ride for a month or two and my heart lungs picked up where they left off really quick. Again this year had not ridden for about one year but my fitness was really poor , now gradually building up again , i find cycling really good for heart lungs and very much for the mind , its great to just to jump on the bike and head out to the hills ! 🙂
Marry Christmas to you Leonard. Have a Blessed New Year!
Merry Christmas
The world isn't Flat??? Dam I thought we had gotten rid of the hills. As always salient points all around. I am surprised we even let the motor vehicles on our roads. Also be careful on the taxes, they may put monitors on our breathing and charge for the extra CO2 exhaled during a ride.
Thumbs up on the 'misguided but very good looking dreamers' statement...hahaha! I love your dry sense of humor!
another good film. even though i'm in the usa, i always appreciate your perspective even if things don't strictly apply (re: laws, etc.). as we say, "keep on keepin' on."
Thanks Mike.
Can anyone tell me the name of the Song in the beginning? Thx
These intro I won’t skip . Nice edits , video and music !
That was a brilliant video, laughed loads. Down the New Forest on Saturday, think that’s your neck of the woods. Doing the sportive down there and looking forward to it as I have never been there before.
Great video! Here in Texas things are slightly different. Vehicle registration fees are mostly determined by the gross weight of the vehicle. It is much less expensive, I’m sure, than there. Usually under $80 per year with $10 of that for a “bridge” tax for repairs to overpasses and bridges. Also, cyclists can receive a traffic “ticket” or citation (court summons) for violating any law that applies to motor vehicles (well, almost). In 34 years of Police work, 31 in Patrol division, I think I may have stopped 3 or 4 “pedacyclists” for red light and stop sign violations. Only wrote one a citation because he insisted stop signs didn’t apply to cyclists. One more myth.....you are MI6. Your music sounded somewhat “Bondish” don’t you think. Ha ha! Be safe out there brother!
It’s great to get an actual police officer comment, all be it from a US perspective. Thanks.
Came to comment section to say very same thing about in the US our property taxes and such pay for road work, so all pay. And rules of road apply to both car and bike, sad it seem only thing cyclist have in common no matter where you live is the dislike drivers have for cyclist. A friend of mine was surprised to have of all drivers, a motorcyclist yell at him to get off the road.
Sad that all other road users seem to hate cyclists.
Where I live, just south Lubbock, Texas, there is a gravel and crushed rock quarry near the Farm to Market road I ride on. The truck drivers treat me with very much respect, as do the neighboring farmers and other people in the area driving farm machinery or vehicles. BUT, when I ride closer to town, the story changes. However, an irrigation well repair person in a service truck got a breath away from me last week. Probably trying to locate the well. Yes, I carry emergency contact numbers and my ID, ha ha.
Let’s hope you never have cause to use it. Ride safe.
Hi Leonard. Great video again. As you know I've just got a bike after 17 years. And yes it's hard work and it's getting easier. Keep on with the good motivation it works for me. Thank you.
use easier gears and short rides build upto do longer rides. try and choose a easy steady gear. stick to a set steady speed whatever that maybe. dont be bothered if other cyclist are faster etc. cyclist usually respect and help each other on the roads. ive been cycling well over 30 years.
@@charlie271210 thank you. Hope to meet some like minded cyclists.
Hi Leonard,
As a matter of interest the speed limit in the uk does not apply to cycles because they are not 'mechanically propelled', not because they don't have a speedo.
Thanks Roger. I’ve heard several explanations now.
I was once on an accident with a taxi driver.....he tried to cut me off and 180 over a continuous line :))..... I broke his tail light with my handlebar..... I had to take a breathalyzer test.
I have asthma, a 1000E bike, and am a sprinter at heart ... :)) You don't have to be a pro, or a fit person, or have the best kit, you just need to enjoy it
Your accent made 0:47 sound like you said "Taiwan several stages of the Tour de France." Awesome.
I started to develop knee pain and was told to raise my seat. I had been using that "LeMond method", but it was hopelessly too short. I ended up having to raise my saddle a good 5cm above the "LeMond" numbers. Good news! The knee pain went away! Bad news! My nuts are numb! I thought it was just a "get used to it" but after a few days of riding, it got really bad. My urologist told me to take a 6 week break, esp after I told her that it was (at the time of visit) a few days since my last ride and I was still numb. I wanted to get a bike fit, but where I live the only place to get a bike fit is 100km away and costs about US$300. Ah, sranje! It is bad enough my bike selection is limited due to size, but jeez! And this is the home of Giant and Merida/Specialized!
So, cycling really isn't all that easy to get into depending on where you live and your size requirements.
Bike fit can be a nightmare.
A saddle that fits might help a lot to avoid numb nuts.
I think that's also good advice for women because their bones (the ones you sit on, no idea how they are called in English) are usually wider so many saddles are too narrow.
I am an amateur cyclist in the Buffalo NY, USA. During the warm months, I bike to and from work.
I admit I love to watch cycling channels that are from the UK. I love the way the British put things. LOL. So funny. But it is true, there are a lot of myths out there about bicycling. Local New York laws are pretty liberal for bicyclists. They are supposed to obey all the same traffic laws as cars, but in practice, police and authorities let bicyclists slide on many of them. I think there is an emissions tax per U.S. gallon (3.78 Liters) of gasoline in New York.
Thanks for the memories mate, I spent over 20 years of holidays in the new forest. Brockenhurst / Lyndhurst . Fantastic place to live and cycle. I now live in Spain. Good memories 👍
Hi Leonard .... I'm new to your channel .... the first video I watched was "Are Cyclists Roadhogs" which was showing in my recommended list .... the next was your latest video "8 Cyclist Myths Debunked" .... at the very begining of the video the signpost caught my eye ... I was born in Leigh Park Havant but have been living in Germany now since 1969, first with the Army and then working until retirement (I'm 67) ... seeing that signpost reminded me of the time my borther and I rode from Leigh Park to Petersfield just for fun ... that was around 1965, I was about 13 my brother 2 years younger ... our bikes at the time were only 3 speed but we managed it ... we didn't even tell our mum that we going, the backlash came when we got back :-)) ... I've rode bikes all my life ... raced for a while, while in the army .... my wife and I do quite long tours from 50 - 100+ Km .... I find your videos fun to watch because they are aimed at normal people and not Amateurs/Pros ... keep em comimg ... PS. and I have subscribed :-)
I ride up to Petersfield fairly regularly along the backroad through Finchdean. That must have been the road you took.
@@jollygoodvelo I don't really know what road it was ... all I knew was that it was the road that my dad drove to get there ... as kids we went to Petersfield lake quite often :-)
It could also have been the main A3??? Not sure how busy or easy that would have been to cycle in 1965.
Another gr8 video. Love the Schroedinger cat of bike safety/expense
This guy is the king of dry humor! Love this vid.
Love the music! Love the videos! Keep up the good work!
That was a bloody good proper debunking.
Can't beat those country lanes and villages, good commentary. Cheers
Had a close call yesterday. All Good but just was a reminder how vulnerable cyclists are. 😔
Take care out there.
any way to use your Amazon link in the US?
Not sure. Doesn’t it take to the US one?
No it comes up in pounds not dollars.
What was the name of the song and singer in the start of this video...thanks and great work
It’s Called We Know How To Be A Mess on Epidemic Sound.
Great video mate. Keep up the good work!
I would pay say 50 £ a year ,or whatever that could go straight into the infrastructure of cycling
Great video! I love to see the "road tax" and road use myths debunked, but cycling only reduces carbon emissions if used for journeys that would other wise have been done by another form of transport anyway. Cycling for leisure or fitness is more or less carbon neutral but does not reduce it.
...the more you cycle...the better you get...the more you practice the better you feel! 👍
Budget I tend to be got Merlin brand new 400 Giant cafes 980c 100 quid 90s raleigh mercury 130 quid and got 2 pairs of spd sl but still primary using my 2011 shimano strap shoes lol most comfortable lol great video m8
Interesting that you are going old school with the shoes.
i started cycling, when i was 2 years old....64 and still going......retired US Army.....Montana.....This channel is the stiff upper lip of cycling....
Great video , photography is great too. Good points, as most of us do drive and pay road taxes. As for the Loch Ness Monster, just hasn't been spotted lately. Here in north America, we have Big Foot, and many sightings , just saying .
Another very enjoyable video. Looked very much like the New Forest in the first few minutes.
Another nice piece, I get the same static from many motorist here in the US
Ten grand? Probably more like 15 nowadays😄
It’s such a shame that these myths still persist, and most motorists will never see this video.👍
The more people sharing the video, hopefully the more motorists will see it.
They will if we all share this video
Great video Leonard. I'm glad cyclists don't fall under the requirements for VED, I'd be paying full money after I'd had beans on toast at the cafe stop 😂
And there it is!!! Baked beans: yuck!!
"Cyclists don't create any emissions"...that depends on the strength of last night' curry.
But seriously, _most_ cyclists _do_ pay VED because most of us do have a motor vehicle as well.
Good old curry created methane! We do indeed but even cyclists that don’t have a vehicle still don’t make any emissions so shouldn’t have to pay what is nothing more than a pollution tax.
Articulate and to the point. I venture to suggest two other myths which need debunking:
1. That car drivers do not need to give way to cyclists, especially when turning, pulling out or overtaking.
2. That there is something fundamentally evil about wearing lycra, and that it turns us into "louts".
Another couple of good ones, especially the Lycra Lout one.
@@jollygoodvelo Thanks for your reply. I would just like to add that in one place I worked, my workmates were frankly hostile to me for wearing "sweaty lycra" to commute by bike, and started a whispering campaign which got management to instruct me not to show up thus apparelled, and not to be "so arrogant". I wouldn't have minded so much if they'd had showers or changing facilities, but they didn't, so I had to sneak into the bogs upon arrival and get changed there. Weird.
😂😂😂 Well done for being a Tour stage winner 🥇 🤣🏆🤣🏆🤣🏆
Another great video, very classy 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks Marie. The tour organisers asked me to stop because I kept on winning.
Georgia USA Law...
40-6-144
Except as provided by resolution or ordinance of a local government for sidewalks within the jurisdiction of such local government authorizing the operation of bicycles on sidewalks by persons 12 years of age or younger, no person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized driveway.
Nice video. Who is the singer/band of the opening song?
Luftmensch feat. Halyn - We Know How to Be a Mess
Thansk Dru
A great video! And intro music :)
What song is it?
Greetings
It’s a song called We Know How To Be A Mess in Epidemic Sound.
Great video! I ride every day every where, cycling has changed my life. I want everyone to ride, it’s fun.
I have to look up the Canadian laws now. Thanks, lots to think about with respect to cycling laws and applicable taxes.
This video goes great with a beer whilst sitting on the sofa!!
Great video! Chapeau amigo.
Leonard, in Australia, you will lose points off your licence for traffic offences, including losing it completely for drink riding.
So scot free if I don't have a driving license then?
@@Cheezsoup Nah, they still expect you to pay the fines still....
“I cycle AND I pay vehicle tax, because I own two cars.” That’s stopped a few arguments dead.
Cyclist do have emissions…. emissions 10x worse than CO2.... I emit my fair share of methane, enough to power a small city... especially after eating Taco Bell the night before.
Mine can blast a chernobil!
Would that amount be smaller if you drive a car?
@@jochenkraus7016 Yes, that amount would be smaller because I wouldn't feel the need to eat so much if I wasn't riding 30 miles a day. I would also go easy on the Taco Bell, the major producer of my methane and or explosive diarrhea.
Thank you dear Leo !
Think well , live well ! , our common concern is safety as all roads became very busy !
A very informative video I’m glad you did it great video as usual
"I've won several stages of the Tour de France" - leonardmlee 2020
Myth or the truth????
Great vid, reminded me of why I love cycling!! I pretty well stopped twenty years ago, since then it seems half the drivers are staring at their phones and here in Australia so many assholes driving with huge bars on the front of their trucks I wouldn't spend more than five minutes on the road. The Western Australian government have just made it legal for cyclists of all ages to use the pavements. Most pavements anyway obviously not in very busy areas
I must admit I do emit some emissions, particularly after a meal of baked beans.😷
That was GREAT! Thank you for sharing!!!
great video Leonard!
Thanks Tony
It is also a myth that the typical motorist will always respect the right-of-way of a cyclist.
Very true I can't stand cyclists.