Search found 222 matches

by timdownieuk
5 Nov 2020, 3:42pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mystery abandonment
Replies: 32
Views: 2326

Re: Mystery abandonment

Well all hopes of a free bike were dashed when I returned today. No sign of it. I guess this will just remain a mystery.

Meanwhile, if anyone is visiting Laggan Cottage in the north or Arran, have a look and see if this bike is still there.

FFD017C3-334B-4861-8D47-789A91E168E8.jpeg
by timdownieuk
4 Nov 2020, 7:58pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mystery abandonment
Replies: 32
Views: 2326

Re: Mystery abandonment

Jamesh wrote:
timdownieuk wrote:One of the bikes. I'll check in the next day or two and if it's still there, take it to the police.

20201101_150657.jpg



I'd be suspicious that something untoward has happened to its owner especially near a wood.

Or they have early stage dementia and got lost ...

That's too nice a bike to have been abandoned without a thought...

Cheers James


You'd have to physically carry the bike quite some distance to get it to its current position. It's not a place where you'd hide a stolen bike nor a place that anyone with dementia would be likely to wander. I can only think someone has nicked a mate's bike "for a larf" and put it down here.

Anyhow, I shall check on it tomorrow.
by timdownieuk
4 Nov 2020, 4:49pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mystery abandonment
Replies: 32
Views: 2326

Re: Mystery abandonment

One of the bikes. I'll check in the next day or two and if it's still there, take it to the police.

20201101_150657.jpg
by timdownieuk
4 Nov 2020, 7:47am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mystery abandonment
Replies: 32
Views: 2326

Mystery abandonment

Is abandoning bicycles in bizarre place a “thing” (like extreme ironing say)?

The reason I ask is that twice recently I’ve come across perfectly serviceable bicycles miles from any road just apparently abandoned, a bit like Marie Celeste, looking as if just waiting for their owner to return.

One is in Laggan cottage in Arran, well off the beaten track. A bit covered in bird droppings from passing swallows but otherwise pristine. It was unmoved after three weeks and there’s absolutely no sign of anyone camping nearby.

The other I found on a local coastal path (nearest possible access would mean carrying the bike over rocky shores for a considerably distance), just propped up against a rock. In very good condition apart from the chain which was starting to go rusty. Again, no sign of anyone having camped nearby.

I’ve posted pictures on local cycling forums and informed police about the second one but it’s a totally bizarre place to abandon a stolen bike though.

I can’t think of any reason for a bicycle to have been taken to this spot, hence wondering if this has become some sort of weird “thing”.
by timdownieuk
7 May 2018, 3:42pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Odd cycle route number
Replies: 2
Views: 708

Odd cycle route number

A new cycle path near us in Ayrshire, Scotland has been given a new two digit (on a red background) NCN number, of 55.

This seems to be already allocated and doesn't seem to fit with the numbering system. Is this a cockup by the council or is the numbering system being changed?
by timdownieuk
22 Sep 2017, 7:35pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Legality of horses on Scottish cyclepaths?
Replies: 23
Views: 2234

Re: Legality of horses on Scottish cyclepaths?

landsurfer wrote:
timdownieuk wrote:
Ellieb wrote:Yes, under the land reform act 2003 horse riding is allowed on those paths in Scotland.


Cheers. That's what I've heard elsewhere. Just need to educate the local horse riders to kick their sh*t off the paths!

Tim


Obviously you have dealt with the dog owners .... no dog sh*t on the path at all .... well done you ...


Thank you for your helpful input. Absolutely invaluable.

Tim
by timdownieuk
22 Sep 2017, 6:57pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Legality of horses on Scottish cyclepaths?
Replies: 23
Views: 2234

Re: Legality of horses on Scottish cyclepaths?

Ellieb wrote:Yes, under the land reform act 2003 horse riding is allowed on those paths in Scotland.


Cheers. That's what I've heard elsewhere. Just need to educate the local horse riders to kick their sh*t off the paths!

Tim
by timdownieuk
22 Sep 2017, 3:51pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Legality of horses on Scottish cyclepaths?
Replies: 23
Views: 2234

Legality of horses on Scottish cyclepaths?

A local part of the NCN 7 route that's much used by walkers, runners and cyclists has recently seen an increase in horse traffic, and the waste they leave behind.

Can horse riders legally use these cycle paths in Scotland? Obviously where the route uses public roads there's not a problem (legally) but the very things that make designated separate routes attractive to cyclists also attracts horse riders.
by timdownieuk
12 Oct 2016, 9:35pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Facility or farcility?
Replies: 63
Views: 6200

Re: Facility or farcility?

martinn wrote:I would guess that if they asked more widely, either a) they would get an answer which they don't like I.e. what they proposed is rubbish and b) they would then have multiple possibility conflicting ideas about how to do it properly!
All of which would prevent anything being done for the money set aside for the project


Yep. Damned if they had, damned when they didn't! Of course I could 'av told 'em how to do it properly. ;-)
by timdownieuk
12 Oct 2016, 8:56pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Facility or farcility?
Replies: 63
Views: 6200

Re: Facility or farcility?

Graham wrote:Another extraordinary waste of taxpayers money !! . . . a systemic problem.


Indeed! We need more facilities but why they didn't consult more widely first is a mystery.
by timdownieuk
12 Oct 2016, 7:59pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Facility or farcility?
Replies: 63
Views: 6200

Re: Facility or farcility?

Thanks for all your comments.

As has been noted it's okay in the middle bit but the ends introduce two hazards for cyclists entering and leaving when heading westward (as we were). The bus stop fandangles mean that cyclists will have to give way to bus passengers alighting or boarding which isn't ideal. The "disappearing" lane means that contraflowing cyclists will probably have to give way in one direction or another as the kerbs prevent you from using any road or pavement space to pass.

The other big problem in my opinion is that the main road has been narrowed which is bound to breed resentment amongst motorists who are trying to overtake cyclists who choose to use the more convenient road.

Anyhow, having been in position for only a month the council have voted to remove it at great expense after widespread public ridicule. It was clearly built and designed on a shoestring and sadly it shows. Local cycling groups weren't consulted although I believe Sustrans were involved.
by timdownieuk
12 Oct 2016, 6:37pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Facility or farcility?
Replies: 63
Views: 6200

Facility or farcility?

This is a new cyclepath built in my home town. Be interested to hear opinions. The video is under 3 minutes long.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/43hjk06p2q0yh ... h.mp4?dl=0
by timdownieuk
10 May 2016, 8:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tyre lever recommendations?
Replies: 17
Views: 1634

Re: Tyre lever recommendations?

fast but dim wrote:After 7 punctures in two rides (Thank you Superstar Components for your lack of qc and shoddy rim tape :roll: ) my thumbs are crying out for a decent set of tyre levers for use at home.

So far Google pulls up VAR trye levers and Bike hand long tyre levers, but do those in the know have any recommendations?

If you think Marathon plus are hard to fit try Vittoria Diamante folders on alexrims r380's. I was sweating so much I had to have a shower :evil:


Many many years ago I bought a set of Kool Stop nylon levers that were absolutely unbreakable. Unfortunately, not unloseable. :-(. I wouldn't say that they're anything special when it comes to fitting and removing "difficult" tyres, but they never snap. ;-)

Now only available from the US. https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/130788827106
by timdownieuk
6 May 2016, 10:59am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Remote battery charger/booster for GPS
Replies: 19
Views: 2363

Re: Remote battery charger/booster for GPS

freiston wrote:
timdownieuk wrote:If you're not in a hurry (and have money to burn), https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ez ... ower-plant

Crowd funded for $300, runs on LPG and a 3 second squirt from an aerosol can will give 11 phone charges; says nothing about ignition?!?!?!?! They also offer "renewably produced LPG produced by conversion of renewable power to gas (P2G)". :?

Edited £ sign to $ sign


I paid a lot less, I think $99 as a backer. Don't actually have the product yet but that's part of the fun. :) It's a fuel cell so no ignition needed. Standard lighter refill is all that's needed.

If it takes off commercially I would expect the price to come down considerably.
by timdownieuk
5 May 2016, 11:26pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Remote battery charger/booster for GPS
Replies: 19
Views: 2363

Re: Remote battery charger/booster for GPS

mattsccm wrote:I'll post this side as the GPS types are helping me with another topic.
My Garmin Edge 800 only has a limited battery life. Fine most of the time but I know it won't last for an anticipated 5 day camping trip in the Scottish hills.
Has anyone got a personal favourite booster pack. The sort of thing that stores charge and can dump it to the GPS or, heaven forbid I carry it, phone.
I must admit I like the idea of those that use AA's as they are easily replaceable whereas something that recharges won't last for ever. I do suspect that AA types may not give as good results though. I need enough oomph to, lets say, recharge the 800 twice at least
Any suggestions? Lets assume that the GPPS is running at its most economical as well.


If you're not in a hurry (and have money to burn), https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ez ... ower-plant