Search found 138 matches

by ubert767
16 Jan 2023, 10:48am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bicycle touring in Puglia, Italy
Replies: 4
Views: 569

Re: Bicycle touring in Puglia, Italy

A few years back my wife and I did a Pulgia tour, flying in an out of Bari. We cycled north up the east coast, then down the centre, toward Ostuni, then east coast again back to Bari. Thoroughly enjoyable it was too. Found the locals incredibly friendly even this sinister looking bunch who invited us to join them for beer and broad beans.
P1040094.jpeg
Cyclists generally well received. Try to visit Matera if you can.
The roads were similar to what ours have now become and apart from an incident with a pack of stray dogs had no issues. Used "openfietsmaps" on a Garmin Etrex 20 for navigation.
by ubert767
11 Jan 2023, 9:32am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling through Paris?
Replies: 10
Views: 623

Re: Cycling through Paris?

Cycling across Paris between railway stations (in the pouring rain) was one of the highlights of one of our French tours.We found this site to be useful, it allows filtering dependent upon your confidence!
https://geovelo.fr/en/route

Bon route,
Rob
by ubert767
30 Aug 2020, 7:09pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Battery Heated Socks
Replies: 8
Views: 814

Battery Heated Socks

I've recentlybeen prescribed blood thinners and consequently now regularly experience very cold feet. with onset of winter in mind I'm considering battery heated socks, does anyone have any recommendations, please?
by ubert767
22 Feb 2020, 9:59pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Woodtourer's next Euro Tour
Replies: 53
Views: 2724

Re: Woodtourer's next Euro Tour

I'm in agreement with previous posts in that I prefer to not take any chances at the very start of a tour because so much depends upon it.
We've often used a pre-booked taxi to the airport, with two boxed bikes and four panniers.

Screenshot 2020-02-22 at 21.47.47.png
by ubert767
14 Feb 2020, 9:34am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Apple music files to mp3
Replies: 4
Views: 732

Apple music files to mp3

I'd like to load my entire itunes library, which is held on my MacBook Pro, onto an old Android Nexus 7 for use whilst I'm tinkering in my workshop. The files in the library are in Apple's own file format and I believe need converting to mp3 format for the Nexus.The Macbook has a file convertor built into iTunes and I can convert individual files but is there a way to batch convert the library?
Simple instructions appreciated.
Rob
by ubert767
2 Feb 2020, 10:03am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Step through touring bike
Replies: 31
Views: 2342

Re: Step through touring bike

Depending upon your wife's attachment to here present touring bike, you might consider adapting the existing frame.
My wife experienced a similar problem and had her Thorn Nomad top tube/seat tube junction lowered 100mm.
She is very pleased the result.

P1060607.jpeg
IMG_0781.jpeg

Rob

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by ubert767
24 Jan 2020, 4:52pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bikes no longer permitted on western TGV services
Replies: 40
Views: 3298

Re: Bikes no longer permitted on western TGV services

I thought it was too good to last! We've used the TGV service from Bordeaux to Paris a couple of times recently and it was very civilised, with reserved bike spaces, dedicated seats next to them and travelling at 300kph.
Oh well!
Rob
by ubert767
12 Jan 2020, 3:28pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 19026

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

pete75 wrote:
kwackers wrote:
ubert767 wrote:and oil-tight too!Rob

How did you manage that? Skimmed all the mating surfaces?

(Don't tell me it was oil tight from the factory, that's a step too far. :lol:)


You can usually do this with RTV silicone gasket stuff.


I achieved it by using good engineering practices, (lapping mating surfaces on a surface plate, countersinking stud holes, correct torque settings etc.) and the use of "Loctite 518" anaerobic jointing compound.

Rob
by ubert767
12 Jan 2020, 9:55am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 19026

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Here"s my 1970 BSA Victor, a 441cc single which I've owned since almost new. I rebuilt it a couple of years ago, it's great fun to ride and oil-tight too!

P1060481.jpg

Rob
by ubert767
4 Dec 2019, 12:11pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling friendly hotels in and around Carentan, Normandy
Replies: 4
Views: 517

Re: Cycling friendly hotels in and around Carentan, Normandy

Had a pleasant overnight stay here during this summer.
Bike-friendly.

Domaine Saint-Hilaire
bis, 13 Rue des Fleurs, 50500, France

Rob
by ubert767
28 Nov 2019, 4:14pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Uk custom framebuilder thinking out of the box
Replies: 13
Views: 1220

Re: Uk custom framebuilder thinking out of the box

Sven Cycles in Weymouth may be worth a look-see, they made a custom bike called a"Forager".

https://www.svencycles.com/customer-sto ... ager-bike/

Rob
by ubert767
19 Nov 2019, 4:40pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best-laid plans of mice and men
Replies: 14
Views: 1480

Re: Best-laid plans of mice and men

To be fair to the box packing method, it did suffer an abnormal situation going out from Gatwick and also it has experienced two flights ( one out to Toulouse and then return ) plus a trip in a courier van to my home.
Yes, sh*t happens sometimes.
Rob
by ubert767
19 Nov 2019, 4:01pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best-laid plans of mice and men
Replies: 14
Views: 1480

Re: Best-laid plans of mice and men

It was the fact that I had boxed it well (obviously not well enough for determined baggage handlers), to EasyJet's requirements and paid what I think is an excessive amount for the carriage of the bike compared to the passenger ticket. I can live with a bit of bike transit damage but what really pee'd me off was the tour cancellation due to the baggage being delayed for a week!
I must admit that this affair did turn into a bit of a game in the end and, like hill climbing, it was a matter of not giving in.

Rob
by ubert767
19 Nov 2019, 11:15am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best-laid plans of mice and men
Replies: 14
Views: 1480

Re: Best-laid plans of mice and men

Update to my Easyjet baggage delay and bike transit damage.

My travel insurance, Sports Cover Direct, didn't cover for consequential losses due to the tour cancellation caused by the baggage delay. This would have required something like an illness, bereavement, or loss of employment.

Better luck on the bike damage front.
After much to-ing and fro-ing, EasyJet has agreed to cover the costs of repair to my bike's downtube and rear rack. Fortunately, I was able to provide all the photographic and receipted evidence they required. I'm now eagerly awaiting their BACS transfer, which they tell me can take a further 2-3 weeks!
Looking on the bright side, I now have a pre-planned tour for next year.
Rob
by ubert767
8 Oct 2019, 9:17pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Portland Trail Dorset
Replies: 2
Views: 466

Re: Portland Trail Dorset

From memory, the surface is Tarmac all the way, both the highway sections and the Rodwell Cycle Trail section.
There is a steep and busy climb through Fortuneswell onto Portland Isle itself, so might be daunting for your friend if she isn't a regular cyclist.
Portland is an unusual place, some local cars have a bumper sticker " Portland.... Keep it Weird"