Ever been riding abroad and wondered what the kilometre distance is in miles ? Bordeaux 320 km - how far is that in miles Simple Divide by 8 = 40 multiply by 5 = 200 So Bordeaux is 200 miles away. 80 km / 8 = 10 x 5 = 50 so 80 kmh = 50 mph 160 kmh = 100 mph These are accurate enough for doing on the fly to calculate road signs, rather than precise scientific calculations - my Dad taught me this as we drove around Europe on family holidays, towing a caravan ! A bit old school but still useful as sat navs do not calculate signs as you pass them.
Friggin' heck, Mattie. I'm flat out trying to work out what gear I'm in without having to run all this through my head!!
It's easy peasy, lemon squeasy ! Divide by 8 Multiply by 5 So how far is it in miles - Nantes 64 km Answer 40 miles ! (notice I am using easily converted numbers here ) Nantes 65 km = 40 (and a bit !) miles
I find it really weird that although metric has been around for yonks I still can't envisage what the distance seems like in kilometers. Yet I see a sign with miles and straightaway know how long it's going to feel ride wise! Same with cms I have to convert it to inches to imagine how big it is
for us its vice versa.... thank god they all use the metric system here and its not as if i travel thru the uk annually... 1 mile is 1.6 km so roughly times 1.5 (and a bit) if u want an estimate whilst riding... the thing that puzzles me tho is what u lot use for weight??? I believe its measured in stone??? how many kilos is that i wonder?
Stones - a fine male specimen such as myself will weigh about 12 and an half of them ...... I wonder if the Frenchies driving through the UK are always thinking - we should be there by now
Having lived in the fatherland for 6 years I know most of the relevant numbers off the top of my head. Mph -> KPH 30 - 50 50 - 80 60 - 96 70 - 112 100 - 160 As you said it is a simple 8/5 (1.6) multiplier, but a simpler albeit less accurate way is use 1 1/2 (1.5). 30 - 45 50 - 75 60 - 90 70 - 105 100 - 150 Much easier to work out in your head if you need a quick answer.
Hadn't thought of that ! And I know what you mean about knowing some of them off by heart. Also I find it can be a good indication of whether I am getting tired or dehydrated - if I am struggling to concentrate and do these quite straightforward calculations, then probably time to sit in the shade for a bit and have some fluids and something to eat !
