Search found 35 matches

by StirlingCrispin
13 Sep 2017, 9:28pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Scottish Access Query
Replies: 7
Views: 1288

Scottish Access Query

Hi
The local university (in Scotland) is claiming that small groups of cyclists running coaching sessions on their campus require permission from them and evidence of a risk assessment. They have been expelled from campus by a security guard.

This is complete nonsense but before I reply back I would really like someone to confirm this for me.
The group had a risk assessment but I do not see why they should share it as this would then be the thin edge of the wedge.

I believe that the security guard was acting in breach of Scottish Law which states that cyclists and pedestrians have a right to be on campus grounds and that permission from the land owner is not required. The source legisation (The Land Reform Act 2003) is very clear on this matter (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/203/2 - as summarised in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/t ... troduction.)

The four adults were teaching the eight children how to use their brakes effectively in a safe environment on an unlandscaped grassy slope. The SOAC states explicitly that if the children came on their own they would they be entitled to cycle on campus (paragraph 2.2). That the adults were coaching them is of no relevance (paragraph 2.9) and no permission is required.

We think the uni is taking the Land Reform guidance for "events" (which require permission) and extending to cover "activities". The Guidance (page 4)
http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/SOAC/Outdoor ... otland.pdf clearly says that "Group outings by club members are not classified as events" and the chart for events size describes small events as 25-50 cyclists - so less than 25 riders not even registering.

So, before I return with a loud raspberry does any have a further take on this please.
Thanks for your help.
by StirlingCrispin
21 Feb 2015, 9:04am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: First Tour (Norway)
Replies: 7
Views: 1596

Re: First Tour (Norway)

" plan to cycle to Voss"
You can do this easily by train from Bergen and will save you battling away on busy roads.
At the least use it to the train from the city and then cycle from there. (Dale to Voss is 35 miles and quiet roads all the way).

(Think it's 106 miles from Bergen to Voss by bike on decent roads, although it seemed further in the torrential rain).

We stayed in the hostel at Mjollfjell, just up the road from Voss. (Stunning. From here we caught the mountain railway to Flam for a day out. There was a cycle track beside the railway for the descent to Flam- get off at halfway and freewheel down.

The Vik to Voss mountain road is a classic too.

PS: You will need full waterproofs. It rains a lot in Norway!

Drop me an email if you want more info and I'll dig out maps and stuff.

Enjoy!
by StirlingCrispin
21 Feb 2015, 8:15am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Is there a Round Britain route info thread?
Replies: 19
Views: 4188

Re: Is there a Round Britain route info thread?

I sort of set off to do it (in 1995) and covered 6000 miles in the process (and get mentioned in Peter Mann's book after we met at Helmsdale).

The biggest problem is the heavy traffic on coast roads.
Difficult to convince yourself to stay on the coast being hammered by trucks when there's a quieter route just a few miles inland.

http://www.crispinbennett.freedomnames. ... ritain.htm

If I did it again I'd aim to tick off lighthouses or compass points or something :)
by StirlingCrispin
15 Jan 2015, 7:31am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Knee injury - running differing crank lengths
Replies: 2
Views: 515

Knee injury - running differing crank lengths

Hi,
I am suffering from a thigh injury which is limiting the amount I can bend my left knee.

I can pedal a bike fitted with kiddie cranks (120mm) on both sides but the bike I've set up isn't that practical (my summer touring bike with no lights fitted).

I am now wondering about fitting a kiddle crank to the left-hand side of my hub-geared commuting bike, with a normal 175mm crank on the right hand side (to avoid changing the chain length etc).
Will this work or will it unbalance me completely? Anyone have any experience?

I should be better in a couple of weeks so there is no need to invest in some of the more complex solutions that exist.

Thanks!
by StirlingCrispin
7 Aug 2014, 6:32pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Long distance MTB routes in the UK?
Replies: 20
Views: 8727

Re: Long distance MTB routes in the UK?

The problem with a bothy in November is getting it warm.

Met a lass last November who was walking the Cape Wrath way and she camped next to bothies for this reason ( we were travelling as a group of four and could carry coal).
by StirlingCrispin
31 Jul 2014, 1:41pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Long distance MTB routes in the UK?
Replies: 20
Views: 8727

Re: Long distance MTB routes in the UK?

Have a look at the route used by the Highland Trail 550.
http://www.highlandtrail.net/

Can be done in 4 days (without sleep!) but a couple of weeks would make a decent holiday.

Alternatively, the Cape Wrath trail (Fort Bill to Cape Wrath) could keep you occupied for a while.
http://capewrathtrailguide.org/route/

Over three-four days, the Tour of the Cairngorms is another option.
Could be easily linked into the above routes - or done as a wee warmup.
by StirlingCrispin
2 Jul 2014, 4:31pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Pictures of your tents.
Replies: 698
Views: 94525

Re: Pictures of your tents.

Image

A Vango Soul 200.
Only a few miles from home but I'd cycled there with my two boys (aged 5 and 8yrs). The youngest (H) was asleep in the tent while I slept under a tarp with Thump

Image

And this was the view from my sleeping bag.
Image

A cracking wee adventure!
by StirlingCrispin
9 Jun 2014, 2:21pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: (Fast) tourer suitable for big and tall (6'5")
Replies: 15
Views: 3439

Re: (Fast) tourer suitable for big and tall (6'5")

At that height you'd suit a Surly bike.

A tad over your budget but I'd start by looking at a Surly Disc Trucker from Spa Cycles.
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... b0s21p3033

More than suitable for everything you describe, and the disc brakes are perfect for commuting.
Ignore the illustration as the bike comes with racks,mudguards etc.
by StirlingCrispin
11 Oct 2013, 1:33pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Anyone recommend any good books?
Replies: 105
Views: 34132

Re: Anyone recommend any good books?

I've read many cycling books over the years but these are the ones that have been kept on my bookshelves rather than passed on to a charity shop:

Freewheelin' A Solo Journey Across America by Richard A. Lovett
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087742 ... 0877423520

Miles from Nowhere by Barbara Savage
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miles-Nowhere-B ... 985&sr=1-1

The Wind In My Wheels: Travel Tales from the Saddle by Josie Dew (her best book by far)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wind-My-Wheels- ... 0751502499

A bike ride, by Anne Mustoe - as discussed above

Discovery Road, by Tim Garratt & Andy Brown,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Discovery-Road- ... 0953057534

And finally:
Postcards From The Edge of Britain by Peter Mann
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Postcards-Edge- ... 1898941408
by StirlingCrispin
25 Feb 2013, 2:49pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why i can turn tighter to the right than the left?
Replies: 31
Views: 1854

Re: Why i can turn tighter to the right than the left?

Do you lead with your right leg forward? If so, this will make a left-hand turn easier than a right-hander.
The solution is to lead with the opposite leg to the turn (ie left-leg forward for a right-hand turn, right leg for a left-turn).
This assumes you are talking about a tight switchback turn.
For a wide sweeping turn you want to push down through the outer pedal, pointing your inner knee at the exit.
You should always be looking as far down the road or trail as you can.
by StirlingCrispin
15 Nov 2012, 1:12pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Scotland Winter Bike Ride
Replies: 35
Views: 8683

Re: Scotland Winter Bike Ride

It is possible with studded tyres to ride in a fair amount of snow

Fair being an inch or two. Any more than that and you're pushing -annd that's a regular dump for oop north.
by StirlingCrispin
22 Oct 2012, 12:34pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Scotland Winter Bike Ride
Replies: 35
Views: 8683

Re: Scotland Winter Bike Ride

One question: Have you ridden in snow before?

It only takes a couple of inches of snow and you have to push rather than ride.
This will have a massive impact on the distances you can cover.

We've already had a dusting of snow on the hills near Stirling. That said I'm resigned to wet winter rather than a cold one.
by StirlingCrispin
22 Oct 2012, 12:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Swap Chain Guard for Chain Case
Replies: 7
Views: 1403

Re: Swap Chain Guard for Chain Case

I run a Hebi chainglide on my Shimano 3-speed hub.
Well worth the effort of installing.
I've oiled my chain about four times in twelve months - and I'm not sure that was necessary.

You can see a photie here: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/P ... directlink
by StirlingCrispin
16 Oct 2012, 12:23pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: British Cycle Quest
Replies: 16
Views: 6165

Re: British Cycle Quest

BCQ was revamped back in the late 90s and I checked and re-set the questions for Stirling and Clackmannanshire.
Clacks is so small it just gets the one question (in Dollar) - grouped in with Stirling.
We were asked to ensure the location had to be open at all times and permanent- which why most of the questions are based on statues or plaques. My evil mind considered setting the Dollar question at Castle Campbell, at the end of a stupidly-steep road climb, but I figured my tandeming friends would not thank me.
I'd forgotten about all this until seeing this thread and it's good to see that the questions are still as I set them.
by StirlingCrispin
11 Sep 2012, 1:23pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Fixed internal hub gear?
Replies: 7
Views: 4906

Re: Fixed internal hub gear?

Sturmey Archer also do the S2C - a two-speed fixed hub with kickback gear change. Mine has a coaster brake too!