Search found 483 matches

by Tigger
22 Oct 2014, 10:27pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Road Cycle Touring in the Scottish Highlands
Replies: 8
Views: 1255

Re: Road Cycle Touring in the Scottish Highlands

Filled in the survey. But Q8 - where's the ferry gone?! [emoji102]
by Tigger
28 Jul 2014, 11:36am
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Increased Concussion/head injury in boxing..headgear banned
Replies: 28
Views: 3045

Re: Increased Concussion/head injury in boxing..headgear ban

bovlomov wrote:
Phil Fouracre wrote:Ooooh! Great, another helmet debate......................!

Not only helmets! Every time I come to the CTC Forum all I see is talk about bicycle related issues. What a bore! Can't you lot discuss anything else?

:lol: :lol: :lol:
by Tigger
23 Jul 2014, 9:07pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: What Happened To Raleigh?
Replies: 29
Views: 3305

Re: What Happened To Raleigh?

Thomas125 wrote:I'm liking this at the moment, looks proper old school:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/expedition-2014-touring-bike-ec059663

Super practical commuter too.

30.5Kg ??? :shock:

26" wheels, I like!

Doesn't seem to list the sizes though.
by Tigger
16 Jul 2014, 7:30am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: How thin is too thin?
Replies: 43
Views: 5499

Re: How thin is too thin?

I heard once that you need at least 2% body fat to be able to roll your eyeballs. No idea how you would test that! [emoji53]
by Tigger
15 Jul 2014, 11:03pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycle touring coincidences
Replies: 22
Views: 4442

Re: Cycle touring coincidences

At the start of my very first cycle tour, I was loitering nervously at London Euston, waiting for the Sleeper to start boarding. I spotted another cycle tourist and plucked up the courage to go and talk to him. Turned out he was from Tiptree, about 10 miles from where I live! Ok, not a major coincidence, but most fortuitous, since he was a seasoned traveller, going to Oban too, and very happy to show me the ropes!

Simonhill: loved the internet cafe story!
by Tigger
15 Jul 2014, 10:38pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: IMPLANTED CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATORS.
Replies: 98
Views: 28487

Re: IMPLANTED CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATORS.

Good grief Rick :shock: words fail me! But it puts everything into perspective, that's for sure. Best Wishes to you in every way possible.

All credit to you for getting out on the bike still.

Oh, and I had no idea that donor hearts were also 'stature' matched, that was interesting.
by Tigger
15 Jul 2014, 4:12pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any tips for maintaining interest?
Replies: 19
Views: 2745

Re: Any tips for maintaining interest?

Mark1978 wrote:Take a look at geocaching http://www.geocaching.com particularly good for mountain biking.

And/ or Bookcrossing www.bookcrossing.com can be good fun :)

For the uninitiated, it's where you leave a book in a public place - with a unique code (generated by the website) written, or on a label, inside the cover - and hope that someone will pick it up and 'journal' it. Then after reading it (optional), review the book and leave it in another public place.

I've had some fantastic 'catches' over the years, eg a book I left on a remote beach on Skye jumped to Sweden. Or more recently, from Drumnadrochit to Chester to Dublin... I'm hoping it goes to Wales next!
by Tigger
29 Jun 2014, 2:07pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Dealing with mosquitos
Replies: 49
Views: 11303

Re: Dealing with mosquitos

MarkF wrote:
Tigger wrote:MarkF, have you tried Autan against Scottish midges? I'm going up next week and only have Skin So Soft packed so far...


No, I would like to but I am too scared to go to Scotland, with it's midge reputation, I don't have the time to risk a tour being ruined. :(

Ah, but you shouldn't deprive yourself of the most amazing scenery!... so go to Scotland in May before the midge season starts - the weather is (often) at its best then too.

I'll let you know about the Autan as I'll probably get a tube before I go.
by Tigger
29 Jun 2014, 7:12am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Dealing with mosquitos
Replies: 49
Views: 11303

Re: Dealing with mosquitos

randomblue wrote:Hey all!

I was wondering if anyone has any tips for keeping away the mozzies? I have mega problems in that I seem to be some kind of alergic to the bites but they love me :( for example sometimes instead of a bite being spot sized I end up with a big enough red, raised area that I can't cover it with one hand...

Sorry to hear you are suffering, randomblue (and MarkF) - I get this too, a few times a year, and its miserable [emoji23]

It's not an allergic reaction which is why antihistamines don't work.

What you are describing is cellulitis - infection of the skin and subcutaneous layers. A large, swollen area out of proportion to the 'normal' bite reaction + painful + hot + red = cellulitis. It's likely due to bacteria introduced by the biting insect.

Obviously the best thing is to avoid getting bitten (but I get these at home, and never see the blighters!). Cellulitis can be treated with antibiotics, though if you are young and healthy then your body should be able to cope.

BUT you must be careful as cellulitis can turn nasty, eg it can develop into septicaemia (commonly known as blood poisoning). Here's what to watch out for, any two or more of the following and seek medical help URGENTLY (so, in the UK, either 999 or get yourself to A&E somehow): body temperature above 38C, resting heart rate over 90, resting breathing rate over 19, any confusion or drowsiness. (Also, if you have the gadgets, blood oxygen saturation less than 95%, blood glucose more than 8.0). Intra-venous antibiotics, job done.

I'm not scaremongering, this is a condition to keep an eye on. But I really hope you find the right stuff to keep them away, so you can carry on and enjoy your trip, randomblue!

MarkF, have you tried Autan against Scottish midges? I'm going up next week and only have Skin So Soft packed so far...
by Tigger
27 Jun 2014, 12:27pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions
Replies: 33
Views: 12219

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

phil parker wrote:
Tigger wrote:
gloomyandy wrote: As a single traveller I've become good at joining other people on their table. I don't wait to be asked :lol:.


I think there was only one table in there when I visited! The art was quite expensive and the lady owner seemed keen for me to buy something, when I pointed out my disposition of being on a bicycle she offered to post something for me - I politely declined, but continued with my coffee and cake and shelter from the elements!

This was May 2013: from memory, half a dozen tables? No pressure to buy: I thought there was a good atmosphere. They did have some postcard size prints which were affordable!

Forgot to say I LOVED cycling the Golden Road - even in dreich weather. (I'd cycled the West side the previous year.) Would love to do the loop one day.
by Tigger
27 Jun 2014, 11:45am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions
Replies: 33
Views: 12219

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

gloomyandy wrote:Almost forgot. The Skoon Art Cafe is well worth a visit if you are anywhere near (it is on the golden road Harris).

+1 fantastic soup + cake there, along with some good company and nice paintings to look at. (Luckily too fragile to stuff in a pannier bag [emoji6] As a single traveller I've become good at joining other people on their table. I don't wait to be asked :lol:

Couldn't agree more about the addictive thing... but then I would say that!

Lots of good tips and info from everyone. Another is to keep an eye on the ferry times, they can change or be cancelled at short notice. One ferry I was on, Berneray to Leverburgh, the captain actually reversed up for some cyclists who hadn't realised the ferry was a good hour earlier! There's a handy Cal Mac app which helps.
by Tigger
26 Jun 2014, 12:10am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions
Replies: 33
Views: 12219

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Your sleeper choice (from London Euston) is;
to Glasgow Central then train to Oban (latter is bargain of century, £10.49 single for lovely 3hr trip)

or, for example, returning from Stornoway, ferry to Ullapool then bus with bike trailer to Inverness (less than a tenner).

You will have missed the sleeper bargains (released 12 weeks ahead) but the Caledonian Sleeper website is quite good for displaying prices. I failed to see how to book my bike online (if, indeed, it's possible) but did it all by phone. Booking the bike is essential (and free)!!

Recommend Phillips Red Map of the Outer Hebrides: one map (rather than 6 or more OS maps) just about enough detail. As mentioned, there aren't many roads. Your choice will be East or West in some cases (eg Barra and Harris) but otherwise one road!

I can't answer about your bike but managed fine on my hybrid with 32mm Marathons. The roads are much better than here in Essex.

And beg, steal, borrow or buy, Richard Barrett's "Cycling in the Hebrides", it's got all the info you need.

I'd be envious but I'll be on Lewis myself next week :lol: :lol: :lol:

Have fun!

Edited to add: sorry, after re-reading OP I'm not sure how you were planning to get to Glasgow, sleeper wasn't actually mentioned!
by Tigger
17 Jun 2014, 1:17pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: TV licensing...
Replies: 1894
Views: 104034

Re: TV licensing...

horizon wrote:I'm just totting up the number of forum members posting on this thread. It has already exceeded the number of people I have ever known not to have had a TV. It's very heart warming. It may however futher fuel the ire of those who believe that this forum has more than its fair share of, well, "old fogies"?
...

Hey, I'm not in "old fogey" territory (yet) (just a grumpy old woman :lol: ) but haven't had a TV for well over three years :D :D :D Yes, it is heart warming to know that I am not alone!

I was most surprised when I had NO communication from the TVL people, for three years. Then a letter from them explained it - the previous owner (over age 75) hadn't notified them that she didn't live here anymore. (Should I have told them? Didn't know and didn't care since I had nothing to hide.) I debated whether to bin the letter or not, but in the end sent it back Unknown At This Address. I got another missive pronto, as expected, last December. Signed up online to say I have no TV (and don't watch it dead or alive on any device). Not heard anything since.

What amazes me is how they seem to target some folks and leave others in peace :?
by Tigger
17 Jun 2014, 1:00pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Where is your most Ideal place to go touring?
Replies: 30
Views: 12931

Re: Where is your most Ideal place to go touring?

gloomyandy wrote:Tigger when/where are you going to in the Hebrides? Will be up there in a rented cottage on North Uist during July, with our bikes. Would be happy to provide a pot of tea if you are passing!

Andy

Hey Andy, great to hear from you. I'd love to share that pot of tea :D ...

...but I'll be in Uig, Lewis - first week of July - reccying properties for my hostel-to-be!!! (Did you see my thread? viewtopic.php?f=15&t=86110&start=15#p776461)
by Tigger
14 Jun 2014, 9:02pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Where is your most Ideal place to go touring?
Replies: 30
Views: 12931

Re: Where is your most Ideal place to go touring?

+1 for the Outer Hebrides in May. I'm going in July, for the first time, so it will be interesting to compare (with Jan/ May/ Sep). It's not a touring hol but I'm hiring a bike for the week. Can't wait!

patpalloon: the OH needs as much time as you can give it!