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Coulée Verte in Ile de France - Rather Disappointing
This route is famous. When the railway line became disaffected, a
community movement undertook to have it converted into a green pathway, for pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers and kick scooterists, along its whole distance from the 15th Arrondissment in Paris at Vanves-Malakofff to Massy in Essonne. So, in theory, I can ride this pathway right into the heart of Paree. In yesterday's gorgeous weather I thought, as I left work a little early, to check out the Essonnian end, up to the town of Antony. What's up with the asphalt? Did they not calculate for the tree-roots? At the very first segment I met these - bumps doesn't describe it. It's like the pavement is being overturned by some sort of underground veinous system, tree roots is the only explaination I can come up with. There are sharp ridges up to ten inches high criss-crossing the path in every direction. The asphalt at the top is cracking open. I thought this was a momentary glitch but I kept encountering the same phenomenon all the way to Antony - these bone-rattling, bicycle-killing ridges. At one point there was even a ledge, about 20 inches high. And then there are bubble-bumps that look like something was boiling underneath the pavement. In addition there are barriers everywhere. OK, so they don't want people to got too fast (how could they anyway?). But every 200 meters you come across a gated crossing which requires, for uncoordinated me, a dismount and a careful twisting of Behemoth round the double barriers. This takes enough time and attention that I cannot even check if there is traffic coming as I find myself in the intersection. I met groups of cyclists, joggers, trottineurs, promenaders but on considerable stretches of path I was quite alone. Walls were graffitied with evidence of local "fauna". Alone is fine, but I don't much like the idea of some of the types who might get the idea to share my solitude. Slow, vulnerable mover on a luxury bike with steering problems ... I passed a few gangs of yoofs (thanks Helen, good term) who were harmless. On this occasion. And all the joggers were fine and decent too, but I suspect that when one of them gets the idea to expose himself there won't be strolling crowds around. At one point, at a bendy section that passed under a much graffitied, ****ed-on railway arch, I met a young woman cycling very slowly, all on her brakes, in the opposite direction. I could see she was just as scared as I was, and for the same reasons. In its favor, I will say that the weather was lovely and that there were some pretty, green parkland sections. I only went a fraction of the route. Perhaps if one is accustomed to the paths one learns how to steer around the bumps, and how to plan getting on and off. Or perhaps MTBers and BMXers actually like it that way. I saw several just whizzing along. I guess I understand now why some bikes need full suspension. But I was so much on my brakes and handlebars that I developed spasms in my right arm. My fingers are still twitching this morning. Cheers all, EFR Ile de France |
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#2
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Coulée Verte in Ile de France - Rather Disappointing
What's up with the asphalt? Did they not calculate for the tree-roots?
At the very first segment I met these - bumps doesn't describe it. It's like the pavement is being overturned by some sort of underground veinous system, tree roots is the only explaination I can come up with. There are sharp ridges up to ten inches high criss-crossing the path in every direction. The asphalt at the top is cracking open. Sounds like tree roots. lots of snippities... In addition there are barriers everywhere. OK, so they don't want people to got too fast (how could they anyway?). But every 200 meters you come across a gated crossing which requires, for uncoordinated me, a dismount and a careful twisting of Behemoth round the double barriers. I take a wry comfort in knowing it's not just the UK that produces crap cycle paths then ;-) But seriously, I have to wonder the mentality of the designers of such items. I passed a few gangs of yoofs (thanks Helen, good term) who were harmless. Most welcome :-) But I was so much on my brakes and handlebars that I developed spasms in my right arm. My fingers are still twitching this morning. I'm like that after attacking the garden with lawnmower and shears... Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove fame & fortune **$om $ --Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off-- |
#3
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Coulée Verte in Ile de France - Rather Disappointing
On Wed, 19 May 2004 13:24:35 +0000, dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers
wrote: But I was so much on my brakes and handlebars that I developed spasms in my right arm. My fingers are still twitching this morning. I'm like that after attacking the garden with lawnmower and shears... (cue obvious Dark Side comment): You need a recumbent lawnmower. |
#4
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Coulée Verte in Ile de France - Rather Disappointing
I do sympathize and share your feelings. Here too, in Switzerland, planners tend to define and advertise bike paths and routes whose sole virtue is to be car free but which are extremely difficult and frustrating to ride on anything else than a suspended mountain bike. I suspect that these planners consider cycling a good exercise to practice twice a year on a sunny Sunday afternoon, with the kids and the dog, on no more than 10 km. They probably consider "normal" riding (I mean on roads, even small) far too dangerous; the males in the family will have mountain bikes but won't dare use them in mountains (hey, there are climbs !). The females will use clonking 3-speeds because everybody knows that women can't master derailleurs (OK, here I am becoming slightly archetypal). Such paths are, indeed, crowded in summer week-ends. This way, Offical Authorities, Automobile Associations and even Green Transportation Advocates are satisfied that cycling is actively promoted. While cyclists who don't ride mountain bikes and want to go somewhere learn _not_ to follow these red signposts with a bike on it. Jacques |
#5
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Coulée Verte in Ile de France - Rather Disappointing
On Wed, 19 May 2004 12:39:01 +0200, Elisa Francesca Roselli
wrote (more or less): ... all the joggers were fine and decent too, but I suspect that when one of them gets the idea to expose himself there won't be strolling crowds around. The best way to cope with a 'flasher' is to point and laugh. And it's important to laugh at, not with. :-) -- Cheers, Euan Gawnsoft: http://www.gawnsoft.co.sr Symbian/Epoc wiki: http://html.dnsalias.net:1122 Smalltalk links (harvested from comp.lang.smalltalk) http://html.dnsalias.net/gawnsoft/smalltalk |
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