Crap Cycling Lanes & Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Cyclists' book of the year was Crap Cycle Lanes, in which triumphs of green transport planning such as that on the left are lauded with only a small mountain of irony.

I was bought up near Harlow, from where this picture was taken of a cycle way beside the A414. As the Warrington Cycle Campaign's Facility of the Month feature says:

Essex County Council is promoting cycling as an effective and enjoyable form of aerobic exercise to reduce the incidence heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity in the county. Unfortunately it was discovered that, rather than pedalling briskly, Harlow's cyclists were freewheeling down this gently sloping path. To counter this, signs have been introduced at regular intervals requiring cyclists to get off and walk.

This particularly daunting section, requires seven dismounts within a distance of 380 yards Note, how at each junction the kerbs are maintained on the downhill side of the path, thus ensuring that even the laziest cyclists gain the full health benefits from their activity. 

I can add that I counted, when being driven along this 2 mile stretch this summer, some 39 such signs: the shortest stretch being a lung-busting epic of continuous riding of about six feet!

Support this contribution to cycling common sense and have a real laugh by buying Crap Cycle Lanes here.

Coincidentally Bonnie "Prince" Billy has a new ep out, Ask Forgiveness, made up (mostly) of covers.  One of these is an old Frank Sinatra song:

mp3 Bonnie "Prince" Billy: Cycles

And, in memory of the beauties of Harlow in the '70s. 

mp3 Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit: In a Razor Town live in Nashville.

The original of that song is from the excellent solo album by Jason Isbell (formerly of the Drive-by Truckers) Sirens of the Ditch.

Please note: new host, click on file & get taken to host, then download.

Buy the artists' music here.