South Gloucestershire Councils New Hill

The suit representing South Gloucestershire Council at the ring road public inquiry said "cyclists will not be affected by the new ring road" . He also described the new gradients on the cycle path diversion as barely perceptible. Perhaps he should download a copy of my power calculator. I don't think that the bicycle riders in these pictures would agree with his point of view although some lower gears might help them. One of the main attractions of the Bristol to Bath Railway Path, was its flatness. Even the most grossly unfit cyclist could ride the full distance, on the cheapest of bikes without having to get off and walk. Heck it was even used by old folk in wheelchairs, but obviously not any more.

Riders Not Effected By The Hill?

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures of cyclists in need of a bicycle gear calculator.

The astute observer will immediately notice that these cyclists are all walking. So a council representative would probably argue that he still can't see any cyclists being affected - only pedestrians!

Although I can get up this slope without difficulty on a 38 inch gear without getting out of the saddle, the resulting journey takes significantly longer to complete. And my bike is geared for much steeper climbs than this! (Quick plug for my Gear Calculator). However I decided to wait at the top the climb with a camera, I didn't have to wait long and the majority of these riders aren't even old or infirm.

I can't begin to explain exactly how impressed I am - Words simply fail me! Hopefully the above photographs of the council's handiwork, will say it all for me....And since when has Bristol been part of Gloucestershire anyhow? I guess dogs never shit on there own door step, and road building contracts are very lucrative, so draw your own conclusions.

Photography by Nigel 'Gear Ratio' Jones May 2002