Search found 94 matches

by deckertim
31 Jan 2021, 8:33pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New tourer - 1x vs 3x
Replies: 85
Views: 4786

Re: New tourer - 1x vs 3x

Maintenance cost is definitely a factor. Compare the cost of a standard 11/34 cassette with a large 1x cassette
by deckertim
26 Dec 2020, 7:27am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimano 105 Rd7000 - adjustment problems
Replies: 13
Views: 1424

Re: Shimano 105 Rd7000 - adjustment problems

Most likely to be the hanger alignment. You can buy an alignment tool for about£30 or a shop could check and adjust it in seconds
by deckertim
20 Dec 2020, 8:07pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimano 105 triple, front reluctant change up to middle
Replies: 10
Views: 723

Re: Shimano 105 triple, front reluctant change up to middle

flat tyre wrote:Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions. I'll have a look at the chainring to see if I can identify which one is fitted.
I've exactly the same issue. Thanks everyone for these tips, hopefully will work for me too.
by deckertim
20 Dec 2020, 7:58pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Dynamo wiring - advice on more durable wiring around frame
Replies: 62
Views: 3195

Re: Dynamo wiring - advice on more durable wiring around frame

I used coaxial wire that I salvaged from an old power supply. It has lasted over 8 years. Not sure where I got this tip from, but it's a good solution.
by deckertim
3 Nov 2020, 10:21am
Forum: Cycling UK Topics and Discussions
Topic: Bizarre Covid Lockdown campaigning by Cycling UK.
Replies: 16
Views: 3683

Re: Bizarre Covid Lockdown campaigning by Cycling UK.

Graham wrote:That's not campaigning ! It is a request for clarification and is probably closely related to riding in CUK groups.

Where there are organised groups, compliance with the law is significant.

I am not sure what it is to be honest. But it certainly isn't helpful.
by deckertim
3 Nov 2020, 9:35am
Forum: Cycling UK Topics and Discussions
Topic: Bizarre Covid Lockdown campaigning by Cycling UK.
Replies: 16
Views: 3683

Bizarre Covid Lockdown campaigning by Cycling UK.

Has anyone else seen this rather stupid bit of campaigning by Cycling UK.

https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-uk ... les-278421

I'm really annoyed by this. By asking the Government to provide clear guidance there is a very good chance that they will impose an arbitrary limit.
Michael Gove when asked about this earlier in the year had suggested 30 minutes to an hour would be appropriate, which was clearly nonsense.

I am going to write to Cycling UK and ask them to be more careful with their campaigning.
by deckertim
5 Dec 2019, 7:31am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Malaga to Cadiz and back May 2020
Replies: 6
Views: 1214

Re: Malaga to Cadiz and back May 2020

Grumpyoldbiker wrote:I have searched the forum but can't find much up to date information on this, so I am creating a new post.

I'm starting off in Malaga late on 6 May 2020 and cycling to Cadiz, returning to Malaga for a flight at 16:45 on 15 May 2020. I will not be camping but staying in small hotels and hostels etc. I've been to Ronda before, so although I have included it in my proposed return leg, its not essential that I go there if someone knows a better route. I'm thinking of the following routes:

Malaga to Cadiz:
Malaga - Pizarra - Ardales - Teba - Almargen - Olvera - (Via Verde) - Puerto Serrano - Arcos de Frontera - La Barca de la Florida - Cadiz. (approx 240 km)

Cadiz to Malaga:
Similar route back to Arcos de Frontera, then El Bosque - Grazalema - Ronda - El Burgo - Yunquera - Malaga (approx 240 km)

I've done a reasonable amount of cycle touring abroad and plenty of cycling and commuting in London/SE so I'm not nervous about heavy traffic but I prefer pleasant roads if the distance/climbing penalty is not too severe, and I have to keep an eye on my overall time available. Daily distance only needs to be about 60km per day, which should be OK. I may try a couple of long days to free up a couple of days/half days for sightseeing.

I will either take my Galaxy or hire a trekking/gravel bike in Malaga, so some moderate rough stuff will be OK.

I would really appreciate comments from anyone who has cycled in this area, especially about my proposed routes and any especially bad roads (traffic wise) and any very severe long hills to avoid. Also very keen to receive general comments on places not to be missed, places to avoid, and any general advice on the area.

I would consider going via the coast for one leg, but I have heard lots of bad reports of how busy and unpleasant the coast roads between Malaga and Cadiz are. Does anyone know if this has changed?

Gracias

Peter
This was one of the days of my tour last month. Only the last 20 kms into Jerez were on busy roads, but Spanish drivers are good and the bigger roads have a shoulder.
The scenery around Grazalema is magnificent.
https://strava.app.link/8vRFaNija2

It is possible to get into Malaga. The route involves a bit of Gravel riding, but there is a path of sorts over the river.
https://strava.app.link/JAA2dkKja2

I plan my routes using ride with GPS and Google Street View. Just be careful as the Google camera does go down some Gravel roads.
by deckertim
19 Nov 2019, 5:12pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Heathrow to Folkestone??
Replies: 16
Views: 1189

Re: Heathrow to Folkestone??

Have you thought about using a cardboard bike box and ditching it at Heathrow? You could then cycle to Folkestone.

Alternatively

If your box is less than 2m long and you can carry it, you could use The tube and go all the way to St Pancras where you can catch a fast train to Folkestone.
You could take the bike or box on the Heathrow Express. It is expensive though and only goes to Paddington, where you'd probably need to get a taxi to St Pancras

Don't try any of this in peak hours though.
by deckertim
22 Oct 2019, 7:16pm
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Helmets in Spain
Replies: 56
Views: 9378

Re: Helmets in Spain

Was there last week. Nobody seems to care, we saw loads of police and none of them batted an eye lid. The law is rather vague and seems to have loads of exceptions.

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my JSN-L21 using hovercraft full of eels.
by deckertim
3 Oct 2019, 10:44pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bluewater anti cycling stance
Replies: 5
Views: 993

Re: Bluewater anti cycling stance

mjr wrote:I've commented. I see you had a supportive reply from Vectos but nothing yet from Bluewater.
Unfortunately, Vectos don't appear to be telling the full story. Their consultant definitely raised the issue at the roundtable discussion and this has now been picked up at the Public Inquiry.
Please check twitter for updates and feel free to comment.

https://twitter.com/deckertim/status/11 ... 48929?s=19

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my JSN-L21 using hovercraft full of eels.
by deckertim
3 Oct 2019, 11:42am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bluewater anti cycling stance
Replies: 5
Views: 993

Re: Bluewater anti cycling stance

Thanks. Hopefully this will all turn out OK, but having seen the way that Canary Wharf has objected to cycling infrastructure in the past I have little trust in big business.

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my JSN-L21 using hovercraft full of eels.
by deckertim
3 Oct 2019, 9:11am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bluewater anti cycling stance
Replies: 5
Views: 993

Bluewater anti cycling stance

There has been a long campaign in Kent to get a signalised crossing for Ncn1. Thanks @gaz

Currently cyclists and pedestrians have to take their lives in their hands crossing on a blind bend that has fast moving traffic leaving the Bluewater shopping centre. 


As part of junction improvements it was finally agreed to install a crossing. 


However, we have now learnt that Bluewater aided by consultants called Vectos are going to object to this as it will inconvenience their 'guests' . 

They clearly don't value the safety of non motorists and I cannot begin to say how angry this makes me. 


More details below. I am attempting to shame them into withdrawing their objections. 

If you are on twitter please comment and share this tweet. 

Thanks. 


https://twitter.com/deckertim/status/11 ... 33376?s=19



I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my JSN-L21 using hovercraft full of eels.
by deckertim
26 Feb 2019, 11:07am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Obtaining a cardboard bike box in Seville
Replies: 5
Views: 1999

Obtaining a cardboard bike box in Seville

I'm planning a tour from Malaga to Seville. My intention is to fly out with the bike in a cardboard box, dispose of this in Malaga, then get hold of another box in Seville to use for the return flight.
Has anyone any experience of getting a box in Seville. Did you find a friendly bike shop? Or were you able to buy a box at the airport.
Thanks

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my Moto G (5) Plus using hovercraft full of eels.
by deckertim
7 Jul 2017, 6:44pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Dramatic bicycle and car crash .. but who had priority?
Replies: 182
Views: 9666

Re: Dramatic bicycle and car crash .. but who had priority?

gaz wrote:
mjr wrote:That's your dystopian fantasy. ...

IME it remains the real world.

This is a junction of a Highways England road with an access to a water works and a farm. The access road's primary user group appear to be by flytippers. I have an issue with the kerb line,first raised with HE in February 2013.

Image
The following was the reply to a chaser in April 2015.
With regard this particular junction, the geometry of the access complies with design standard for a major/minor priority junction at a ‘design speed’ appropriate to the national speed limit. As such, the kerb aligns at an acute angle to the ends of the cycletrack. Ideally, the cycletrack and footway should deviate away from the edge of the main carriageway by at least one metre for a satisfactory crossing detail, however at this location the road is not wide enough to accommodate this without the acquisition of additional land.

A dropped kerb across the full width of the cycle track would need to commence prior to the tangent points of the junction mouth. The kerb’s primary function is to guide vehicles and protect the fabric of the surface beside the carriageway. If dropped at the junction mouth, this protection is diminished carrying a risk of being overrun by turning vehicles, and potholes on the cycle track.

It has been noted that for the protection of all, the crossing should be protected by temporary “cyclists dismount” signs and temporary, low level signs to divert cyclists towards the crossing. This has been requested by the Route Manager.

I decided not to chase up the installation of the "cyclists dismount" signs which as yet have completely failed to appear.

This is on my commute, so I'm aware of it. However I can imagine quite a few people have been caught out, particularly as it is on a downhill section, where you can freewheel at more than 20mph
by deckertim
13 Mar 2017, 9:38pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Removal of anti-cycling gates. How?
Replies: 277
Views: 59679

Re: Removal of anti-cycling gates. How?

Good news. I hope they do something similar in cyclopark soon

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my MotoG3 using hovercraft full of eels.