think green

FGSS rear of the year - seen on the5thFloor

Have a good business journey with Coutts

For info the IVCA Clarion Awards is about diversity, sustainability and community development.

Coutts and Co private bank located on the Strand in London is usually partner of various events including the BAFTA Awards and also supports entrepreneurs.

Very nice to see a bank - and not any bank but the actual financial establishment looking after Queen Elizabeth II fortune.

Money is essential but should not take-over your life as an obsession or addiction.

A few days ago @Coutts tweeted the picture below in aid of @homelesslondon.

That's what other banks don't do - being actually caring for the ones who are struggling in the streets of the city during Winter months.

An example to follow by others...but is this just a dream?

Check list to avoid bad surprises when cycling

During the Winter months, riding your bike might not be as pleasant as during the Spring and Summer seasons.

Having said that, a few people are dedicated to their daily commute on 2 wheels; whatever the weather conditions. They have the entire waterproof outfits...a second skin, almost!

Making a list of points to check before each ride is an easy and useful habit to take. No surprise when on the road, or a last minute U-turn to  pick-up that item, which could change a good day into a bad one.

Also, it all depends on the kind of bike(s)s you own and the type of cyclist you are as well.

Some bicycles require more attention and care. 

Usually, a mountain bike is strong and the frame is very resistant to shocks - but if it is a hard tail, the fork will need to be checked regularly. There are also various settings possible, according to the landscape.

Nothing difficult for anyone. The chain tension is easy to adjust, and making sure that the brakes are clean (no dirt between the pads).

Which kind of checklist could be implemented? Also, is it necessary do be covered in case of any incident? Getting an affordable private medical cover is advisable especially if you are going to long rides either on the main road or in the countryside. You are never careful enough on 2 wheels. A cat or a dog could run into your wheels or just a car coming from a country lane and in no time you could hit the ground.

Cyclists injuries can go from a few bruises to irreversible trauma, especially when the brain or spinal cords have been hit.

When ready to go for a few miles, we would advise to control/take the following items:

• helmet
• water bottle
• sunscreen 
• first-aid kit
• eye protection
• pump
• tyre levers
• spare inner-tube
• padded shorts
• gloves
• lock
• map
• multi-tool such as Allen keys.

Just beforehand, tyre pressure - chain lubrication - seat/handlebar & front/rear wheels is a must do. Safety first! Would be stupid to hit the tarmac simply because of a lazyness.

If you go more minimal and decide to go for urban cycling with a single speed or fixed gear then most of the above are still relevant.  But you would think of a lockring or lockwhip as well...that's for the back wheel - in case you wish to swap the cog.

More recently, cyclists have been directed towards reflective jackets and decent front and back lights. Some designers at  ILsoigneur have even created a high-visibility musettes for Bristol Dropouts.

 

Once all the boxes are ticked - you can go for an easy ride but still be aware that the road is a shared space and that some users aren't always careful and/or focussed of what is happening around them. 

Have fun and enjoy carefully.

The history of fixed gear [video]

Video of Patrick Seabase climbing and then descending the famous Stelvio Pass in Italy at frightening speed.

Also, check CycleLove for more details and info about fixed gear bikes.

 

Urban cycling and its risks

We all know that when taking our cycle for a ride, there is always a certain kind of danger.

It is easy to minimize it: cycle carefully and well protected.

But high visibility jacket with helmet might not be enough...according to some road users.

On Wednesday evening the documentary titled "The War on Britain's Roads" was not exactly helping the situation. 

A lot of viewers were not impressed by what should have been a great little piece of information and overview of what is actually not perfect between drivers and cyclists.

People are driving and still using their smartphones - probably more than even before - which is a real danger for pedestrians, riders and bikers.

But it really seems that when riding on the road, cyclists annoy drivers and when on a shared paths (with pedestrians with prams and dogs), it is almost an ongoing apology for being on 2 wheels.

When using the bell, just to say that a bike is coming, walkers don't like to be reminded to be careful. However, if not using that little bell, cyclists are then warned that they should have make themselves heard. Not easy to find a rule about what to do or to avoid.

We all know, whether drivers or riders, that a car will certainly win when there is an impact with someone on 2 wheels. But, it is not the point of winning a race between 2 junctions or traffic lights! It is more about respecting each other and just using the same path in  harmony, in order to avoid complicated situations such as cycle accident claims and/or various appointments with a mechanic to fix cars, bikes and visits to a chiropractor for physical dysfunctions.

Sometimes compensation claims can take weeks or even months. 

But why can't people live and share a space to commute?! Why this feeling of competition and being better than the other for no apparent reason?! Is this not a (negative) primal attitude?! 

Urban space is becoming a jungle where only the strongest and biggest vehicles have a certain right over another one! This has to stop rapidly otherwise, casualties will rise and not only a few scratches but serious trauma with irreversible consequences. Cycling is a natural outdoor activity which brings several benefits for the cyclist and for the environment. 

It is not just about riding in the cityscape but also in the countryside on a mountain bike or even with a few others for pleasure and fun.

There are health benefits of riding a bicycle. Think how much money it saves. And it allows to discover and explore little lanes, maybe unknown until now!

So hopefully, 2013 will bring improvements in behaviours and more space for carbon free emissions commuters.

French language and technology terms

Going to the Continent or France if you prefer is always enjoyable.

First, you ned to prepare your bags and/or suitcases. Travelling light is always a winner.

So, there are various way to go across the Channel: Ferry, Plane, Eurostar.

France is good for various things. But Paris is not France.

It is the Capital city but why not explore other tiny villages and towns?

Food is usually the main attraction. Local producers and markets are the way to go. Unique flavours and able to taste before buying is usually common.

In Le Mans for instance they have "Les Rillettes".

There are also the "Caves Viticoles" : Wineries.

So combining food and wine is a winner. However, it is important to pick the right wine in order to get all the right "saveurs" from the food.

But, let's talk about the french language.

Each time when going back to France there are changes in the vocabulary. Sometimes, some words don't make sense, especially when analysing it all.

As a few examples: French call celebrities "people". There is also the word "addict" which is taken from the English language. 

When it comes to technology is it even more confusing.

They do pronounce iPod, iPhone and iPad the same way as the rest of the world. However...for WiFi....it is "WeeFee". So, why keep the anglo-saxon pronunciation for some words but switch to French for others?

Same goes with "Firewall" it remains for some but others will use the french alternative "Pare-feu".

Why making things complicated - and should technology not been a standardised language so everyone is using the same words without any changes?

In general, USB is similar - this is maybe the exception!

It seems that France is moving towards a rather uncertain future. Is this country losing its identity?

Recently and sadly, St Emilion Estate was sold to a Chinese investor. 

So, it reaaly seems that French citizens enjoy this kind of daily torture, but don't even see that there would be an easier way to deal with it.

When going to a business, whether to buy clothes, IT products or asking for a service it could turn to an endless conversation.

A lot of people can be frustrated and almost angry when going to La Poste because the simple action of sending a parcel abroad is something "unusual" and long winded!

When it comes to sort out all retirement documents - even for the french residents - it is a real hassle. Endless paperwork. Bureaucracy is almost partof their daily lifestyle. They love to have "attestation" for everything in order to certify that you have attended that training or school - and usually 3 copies are necessary too! Deep breath and relax.

Finally, when some people start to visit French forums dedicated to iPhone it is a complete new world.

The word "jailbreak" and the verb "jailbreaker" is used. So mixing French sentences and languages with an English verb right in the middle sounds and looks slightly odd. But it seems normal for the french users. Are they consequently and unconsciously speaking Franglais?

As a final note should "jailbreaker" not be swapped for "déverouiller" or "pirater"- a real French word!