[Closed] canal ride

Well I wouldn't put my life at risk going to help any one who's stupid enough to risk walking on ice no matter if it was on a canal or a lake should it break on them.

Agree with you JC, but I'd get their bike... Salvage rights

It really is stupid, the lake near us was frozen solid the other weekend, how solid you'd never know but there were some skiddy footprints on it so a few numbnuts had walked on it at some point.

we sound like a right bunch of old duffers for darwins sake!

Well I wouldn't put my life at risk going to help any one who's stupid enough to risk walking on ice no matter if it was on a canal or a lake should it break on them.

and I never asked anyone to!

but there were some skiddy footprints on it so a few numbnuts had walked on it at some point.

and survived the experience 🙂

You're all a right lot of nellies :o)

Well I wouldn't put my life at risk going to help any one who's stupid enough to risk walking on ice no matter if it was on a canal or a lake should it break on them.

I did fall through the ice near Cheers in Boston. That was funny. I was right next to the bank. My two friend in the middle of the lake tried to levitate back.

After reading this thread I went out and rode across a frozen pond today.

OK it was only about 25 foot across but it was fun none the less.

And it started to crack about 5 foot from the other side.

That was really close I almost got my feet wet. 😀

i think the real problem here is the barnes is a cock............
if it had been anyone else on the forum it would not be a problem......
am i right or am i right???

You lot are pathetic. frozen canals and lochs are there for your entertainment.

as are plastic bags?

Ton, a cock's useful.......

thanks for clarifying the situation [b]ton[/b], I guess at least a cock has testicles 🙂

It strikes me that the problem is that people have forgotten how to assess risk for themselves, so instead just do what they are told.

I would have thought mountain bikers would be fairly immune from this but obviously not.

thanks for clarifying the situation ton, I guess at least a cock has testicles

yes but given the thread it should have been at least a Cock has balls -missed opportuniy IMHO

Johnnie in my lexicon testicles = balls 🙂

grumm - Member

It strikes me that the problem is that people have forgotten how to assess risk for themselves, so instead just do what they are told.

I would have thought mountain bikers would be fairly immune from this but obviously not.

come on Grumm - you have been on here a while.

Nowt but a bunch of namby pamby risk averse keyboard warriers on here. I have never heard so much " the sky is going to fall in if you do that" as you get on here.

No idea about risk assessment or indeed any rational way of looking at risk at all

I see on the news another fatality from falling through the ice on a river.

Risk assessment is one fine, if you are able to do such a thing.

Look at that image again, open water under the bridge. In the canal here it's less predictable than the actually local weather forecasting & snow fall and I for one don't quite understand why some is of our canal is frozen solid and other parts, not far away, are open water.

That doesn't make me a wuz, far from it, riding solo it makes me wary and informed, but still unsure why some sections are clearly thick ice and some are open water. Somewhere in between it's treacherous to mountain bikers.

would you put your hand in a lions cage.........no
would you pit a metal object in a electric socket.........no
would you walk on a railway line..........no
would you jaywalk on a motorway............no

in all the above you might NOT get killed.............
see what i did there simon.
your actions are stupid, your reasons are stupid..............therefore you are a stupid cock............ 8)

your actions are stupid, your reasons are stupid..............therefore you are a stupid cock.

but I'm the one having the fun, so I care not 🙂

would you put your hand in a lions cage.........no
would you pit a metal object in a electric socket.........no
would you walk on a railway line..........no
would you jaywalk on a motorway............no

in all the above you might NOT get killed.............
see what i did there simon.
your actions are stupid, your reasons are stupid..............therefore you are a stupid cock............

but I'm the one having the fun, so I care not

very grown up.......... 🙄

Gotta die of something. Dying old in a cancer ward scares the shit out of me.

your dad died falling thru the ice on a frozen lake

my kids are grown up, and I'm sure they'd rather I had fun than stayed safe and dull!

before i start i must say that as a [u]kid[/u] we did ride across the local dam when it was frozen - but i was a kid and as kids we did stupid things.
it's not that [u]you[/u] might fall through the ice or that [u]you[/u]are having fun
it's the fact if [u]you[/u]do fall through the ice and can't get out someone else has got to come in and retrieve you (and as for your 'i didn't ask them to rescue me' no you didn't but the emergency services don't know that or worsestill the bloke walking his dog who see's it happen and ends up getting himself in to difficulties coming after you.

.. and why the attraction ? even if it's strong enough to support you , it's a dead flat, dead even surface thats a bit slippy

Mr Barnes - you sir are a pr##k

It's no different to people going skating on it FFS!
I remember years ago in a similarly bad winter watching loads of people ice skating on the frozen canals and waterways of Lincolnshire (my Grandad lived there and he used to tell stories of doing the same thing in his youth).

I rode a short section of the frozen canal near Marple on the way home from work on Friday. Not to show off (there was no-one else around), just because I could. I could see footprints on the snow-covered ice so it was a calculated risk and I probably won't get the chance to do it for another 10 years!

it's the fact if youdo fall through the ice and can't get out someone else has got to come in and retrieve you (and as for your 'i didn't ask them to rescue me' no you didn't but the emergency services don't know that or worsestill the bloke walking his dog who see's it happen and ends up getting himself in to difficulties coming after you.

I just can't see it as being anyone else's business at all and the emergency services are paid and trained to do things safely. If anyone else tries to intervene it's their choice - I wouldn't as I'm scared of water. Besides, I didn't fall through, having checked both times that it was rock solid, and I resisted riding right across the tarn because I couldn't tell how strong it was nearer the middle and was too lazy to work my way across jumping on it till I found a creaky bit.

Crazy-legs, you don't exactly weigh too much. However had I seen you, 'cos I know where you rode, you'd have got a good telling off.

'cos I know where you rode, you'd have got a good telling off.

and a spanking ??

Why are a bunch of people who [s]pootle round trail centres[/s] hurl themselves down mountains criticising someone for doing something risky ?His risk surely?

cos he is a clever selfish self rightous(sp?) cock......... 8)

Guys, guys, guys. C'mon give the guy a break. Let him ride across as much frozen water as he wants to.
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Eagerly awaits sudden thaw...

i rode across a frozen puddle - theice broke my front wheel dropped through, the bike stopped, i went over the bars. then my mate picked the bike up and smashed the bars into my nuts!

so be careful out there kids.

fair point Ton

cos he is a clever selfish self rightous(sp?) cock.

self-righteous: confident of one's own righteousness, esp. when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others.

wouldn't that be you lot ??

You lot need to get real - there is abosolutly nothing wrong with what SFB has done here.

I have never heard such a shower of sad ****s in all my life. You ereally need to get a life

there have been thousands of people on the ice of the lake of menteith.

So, what's so fun and exciting about going on the ice then?

I settled for a dash around the garden in my underpants. Most energising, and totally safe!

SB

fine in [url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8451006.stm ]amsterdam[/url]

Surely we should all be encouraging him to do more walking on ice? 😉

I always chuckle when sfb posts a pic of himself wearing shorts in cold weather, he may say he's not cold but the look on his face suggests otherwise

[img] [/img]

I doubt SFB was cold, I have it on good authority that he has a battery powered merkin beneath those "ice blue" speedos. And whats more, it should be noted that he is wearing the appropriate attire should he need to swim unlike the cyclists I've seen flaunting themselves across great expanses wearing water filled rucksacks that would no doubt kill them should they plummet to a watery grave!

Can't believe folks getting so wound up over this, good on you Mr Barnes not something I'd choose to do personally as I am too much of a big girls blouse but I see no reason why you can't cycle on ice if you want to do that.

Nanny state gone mad! Oh and for the record I cleared the snow & ice from infront of my factory too even though Health and Safety bods recommend I didn't in case some daft bugger sues me *sigh*

So, what's so fun and exciting about going on the ice then?

I've always found deep water very scary, so being able to walk or ride over it like that is great fun, though I can't really say why, enough anyway to justify the risk (if any)

he may say he's not cold but the look on his face suggests otherwise

the slightly pained expression will be my camera face 🙂

I'm surprised to be introduced to the concept of "collateral risk" on this forum. It seems to be the consensus that one cannot justify taking a risk, no matter how thoroughly assessed, if an unknown (imaginary) 3rd party might feel themselves compelled to intervene if things went wrong, despite them being presented with unequivocal evidence of immediate danger...

[img] [/img]
/p>

hilarious, and I'm flattered that anyone would go to such lengths :o)
Though I'm surprised takisawa2 didn't take the opportunity to replace the "TR" with "F"!

I have it on good authority that he has a battery powered merkin

actually I'm just hot blooded 🙂

it's not looking so inviting now 🙁
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flippin

c

ll have to to buy a boat.(and a lifejacket,emergency beacon,flares..)

shall have to try and find pictures of the tyre tracks across some of the ponds on one of our commons

did I mention they were car tyre tracks?

did I mention they were car tyre tracks?

Not surprising - some folks stupidity is beyond belief: 🙄

[url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8454242.stm ]Two held after frozen canal drive[/url]

Ha! Ha!, If only those two fudds in that BBC story had read this thread, I did warn them!.
Still. They're probably in the top two percent of Winchburgh folk IQ wise
Sorry Winchies! 😀

I wonder why it is that ice is singled out as so uniquely dangerous compared to other things like riding bikes down rocky trails or crossing the road ? I suppose it might be something to do with lack of experience as it's such a fleeting condition we don't have the time to develop much knowledge about it ?

two men have been charged with [b]reckless conduct[/b]

doesn't that rather describe what we do every time we go riding ? It often applies to me with my meagre abilities.

"A police spokesman said: "While it goes without saying that the vast majority of people have the good sense not to take their vehicles (read: bikes) on to frozen waterways, this incident serves as an example of the type of stupidity that the emergency services occasionally have to deal with.""

this incident serves as an example of the type of stupidity that the emergency services occasionally have to deal with.

your 'stupidity' is my sense of fun :o)

Simon.
That is the policeman's comments, not mine.
Probably reflecting his general weariness at the general public's stupidity this winter.
He's probably dealt with so many fools and idiots over the Xmas break, both with and without alcohol, he's given up wondering what dim-witted antics will occur next that he'll be called out to & then possibly have to call 'round to some unsuspecting mother / wife / family to deliver the bad news.
"I'm sorry, your son / husband / father drowned whilst driving a stolen car / riding a bike on & then in the canal". "Please excuse me now, as I have a real job to do, chasing & locking up criminals, not clearing up after ex-jokers in canals".

That is the policeman's comments, not mine.

I did know that 🙂

"Please excuse me now, as I have a real job to do, chasing & locking up criminals, not clearing up after ex-jokers in canals".

that's only part of their remit...

MY grandparents got weary of me going out biking in Tshirt and shorts in winter, it doesn't mean they were right to worry or that their suggestions that I was insane, and bound to catch my death, founded.

Me falling into the water is stupidity on my part, but any one else seeing me do it may do the same,

Anyone seeing you do it and falling in themselves has their own stupidity to blame, not yours. You doing something makes you in no way responsible for someone elses actions, unless they ask you if it is safe to do and you say "yes, I personally guarantee your safety" without any warnings.

Thread summary:

1) Never venture on to thin ice

2) Thick ice on the other hand is fine

Doubly stupid - the car driver didn't have right of access on the canal anyway - ergo it's a criminal offence.

AFAIK the cyclist on the other hand would - providing he / she exercises that right responsibly. I think it could reasonably be argued that 6" of solid ice is more than capable of supporting a push bike and rider.

I wonder why it is that ice is singled out as so uniquely dangerous compared to other things like riding bikes down rocky trails or crossing the road ?

I've fallen off my bike loads of times and am still breathing, but wouldn't fancy my chances falling through the ice even once, especially something as deep as a canal

I suggest that you have never fallen through any ice and are just blissfully ignorant what would happen, the shock alone could kill you, but ultimately if some dude in those blue shorts had photographed my daughter like you've posted above I'd be wanting a quiet word in your ear. 😕

EDIT - and I'm not suggesting any bad intentions

if some dude in those blue shorts had photographed my daughter

Will the camera steal her soul or something?

enfht - Member

I've fallen off my bike loads of times and am still breathing, but wouldn't fancy my chances falling through the ice even once, especially something as deep as a canal

And I have walked on frozen canals rivers and lakes many times and still am alive - 'cos I have a thing called a brain that allows me to make judgements about what is safe and what is not.

BTW - canals are not deep - usually only around 3 ft in the middle

double fail there enfit

Oh look - people enjoing themselves on a frozen lake in Scotland this week.

[img] [/img]

the car driver didn't have right of access on the canal anyway - ergo it's a criminal offence.

well, it might be in a car, but not having right of way is a tort not a crime

but ultimately if some dude in those blue shorts had photographed my daughter like you've posted above I'd be wanting a quiet word in your ear

to say what ? No laws were infringed, it was a public place and I was quite open about it. I don't understand how the shorts are even relevant - I always wear shorts.

iirc torts can also be crimes and the police have used the RTA to prevent / prosecute vehicles travelling other than on roads without lawful authority.

Regardless - fair to say the Winchburgh canal duo are on thin ice 😉

Lake of Menteith curling cancellation a sad day for common sense...

iirc torts can also be crimes

yes, but they aren't always - and the law is more restrictive on vehicles than other modes of transport like bikes and horses

[img] [/img]
3ft?
So cold it could stop your heart beating with the shock, and so much mud below, how deep I can't tell.
I just thinks it's an unnecessary risk - you clearly thought it was worth the effort. I confess that all my own rides down by our local canal did not once look inviting or interesting enough to warrant the effort on my part.

One thing - like it or not, people have a habit of rushing to the aid of others, & in so doing, putting themselves in danger (& seemingly to end up on the 6 o'clock news) . Your actions might well have indirectly have affected others were you to have come to grief in the canal, but not in a favourable way.

❓

it's a canal, but drier...

Actually looks rather wetter than yours, sfb.

we should all stop biking immediately, in case we crash in a position where we might find someone rushing to our aid and risking themselves.

And complaining about the photos, jesus christ on a bike, get a life. What is it about this forum that turns normal people into paranoid, safety freakish, anti-photos-of-my-family oddballs?

Actually looks rather wetter than yours, sfb

that's deceptive, under the ice it's 99% as wet as usual :o)

doesn't look much more than 3 ft - and the water is not cold enough to stop a health heart from shock.

Moast canals are about 3 ft deep - a canal boat usual draws abhout 2 ft of water

Let me reassure you good people that the national treasure known as SFB was never in any danger. I had already strapped on my hockies and personally inspected the canal in question for 10 miles either side of his photo opportunity. To be on the safe side, and knowing what a wag he is for the unexpected, I also checked the River Lune above Skerton weir. All was thick ice, so much so that I felt it safe to jump some 'moist bridge underparts'! 8)

TJ please don't diminish the heroic danger of my deeds! (Canals are only really deep at locks, most people don't realise this.)

It's all relative:

It's all relative:

Wel you wouldn't want to walk on that ice - too many holes in it.

 

I've done it in the past up in the Kilpatricks when it was really really cold for a long period and tested with a 1' square rock dropped from 10'. It was stupid and foolish, but i wouldn't want to risk it after a couple of days worth of cold down south.
Its all down to personal choice, if you fancy it, go for it!
TBH The fear's got me these days and i'd quite like to see my son grow up, but i won't say never again.....

Moast canals are about 3 ft deep

I would put it at around 7' in the middle, bearing in mind water is always deeper than it looks due to refraction. There needs to be plenty of clearance between the bottom and the keel of the boats to prevent scouring as they pass.

Let me reassure you good people that the national treasure known as SFB was never in any danger.

huh, you're ruining my reputation for recklessness 🙁

FYI the canal at Lancaster that you were stood on IS 3ft deep - I've seen drunken fools jump into it during summer to cool off and walk around in it, it's waist deep across it's whole width.

Remember riding along the bottom of that drained canal on that night ride we did years ago? Up by Carnforth somewhere. That was a bit deeper - about 5-6ft IIRC.

7' would be an absolute max on the Union - they probably only need that around Broxburn and Falkirk to clear the supermarket trolleys 😉 Elsewhere it's mostly 4 to 5' deep.

It would be fairly difficult to drown in that depth. Open water / rivers a completely different ball game of course

FYI the canal at Lancaster that you were stood on IS 3ft deep

well, it's 2' at the edge as I know from standing in it, but I'll test your theory in the summer 🙂

Remember riding along the bottom of that drained canal on that night ride we did years ago? Up by Carnforth somewhere. That was a bit deeper - about 5-6ft IIRC.

vividly 🙂 That was a buzz! It was at Mount Pleasant.

I think Simon's exploits have become infectious:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8454242.stm