Search found 54158 matches

by Mick F
18 Mar 2024, 6:49pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Road marking
Replies: 13
Views: 1292

Re: Road marking

T Junction.

Loads of the markings yonks ago, but not seen any for decades.
by Mick F
18 Mar 2024, 4:25pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: 2006 Campagnolo Catalogue
Replies: 1
Views: 82

2006 Campagnolo Catalogue

I found this booklet/catalogue the other day whilst clearing out a book-case.
I bought it ............. or maybe it was included? ........... in Campag stuff I was buying back then.
I had (and still have) some Chorus on my Mercian.
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Does anyone want this book?
A5 format, tired but intact ......... and with all 184 pages.
Free to good home. I'll pay the postage. PM me if you want it.

I didn't want to put this on the For Sale etc pages, but rather have a happy discussion about the older stuff. (Like me!)
by Mick F
18 Mar 2024, 3:46pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Re: Non-standard Bikes on Trains

I'm in my early 70s, fit and healthy but with little upper body-strenght. Never had much body-strength and I have never been able to do many press-ups despite being strong and fit. Run? Cycle? Easy peasy.

I've just tried to lift my 531c Mercian high enough for the hooks. I can do it ...............but only just.
Mercian 10.6Kg 23lbs 5.9oz

Tried Moulton. Cannot do it! :shock:
Moulton 14.2Kg 31lbs 4.9oz

Therefore, being the awkward sod that I am, I'm going to ride Moulton to Exeter, and ask for help to hang, and un-hang. If they can't, it'll be left horizontally.

Give it the right weather-window, and I'll be riding there.
Expect an update to this! :D :D
by Mick F
15 Mar 2024, 2:28pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Oldest bike
Replies: 30
Views: 1782

Re: Oldest bike

:D :D

Chains?
Lots of them, including originally 6sp, then 8sp and 9sp, and now 10sp
Originally a double, and now a triple.

Bar tape?
Miles of them!

Grandfather's Axe comes to mind, or maybe Trigger's Broom.
As I asked, define what a bike is
Just a collection of components IMHO.
by Mick F
15 Mar 2024, 10:38am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Oldest bike
Replies: 30
Views: 1782

Re: Oldest bike

Define "bicycle". :?

My Mercian FRAME was made for me in October 1996.
It's had four pairs of wheels, three cranksets, two saddles, three sets of brakes and cables, three pairs of mudguards, three front mechs, four rear mechs .................................
by Mick F
14 Mar 2024, 3:26pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Re: Non-standard Bikes on Trains

gwr-bike-storage-picture-courtesy-sam-jones-cycling-uk.jpg
Try getting your bike to hang "properly" when a bike is already in there.
No wonder they are left "horizontal".
by Mick F
14 Mar 2024, 3:10pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Re: Non-standard Bikes on Trains

Found this:

CUK slams awful cycle storage ..............

https://road.cc/content/news/267162-cyc ... eed-trains
by Mick F
14 Mar 2024, 10:03am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Re: Non-standard Bikes on Trains

Johnathan.
You must understand that I had a long conversation with the guard and I've only included the salient points.
I asked him about help with your bike .............. and there ain't any.
Non-standard bikes will not fit, and neither do standard ones properly either.

After my experience yesterday, I know everything I need to know. Reading about it isn't the same as being there.

The photos on the linked threads are NOT like the GWR trains now.
by Mick F
14 Mar 2024, 9:50am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Re: Non-standard Bikes on Trains

PS:
I'm thinking twice about the whole idea. :cry: :cry: :cry:

I have taken Mercian on a GWR train before when I came home from Taunton after riding with the Wimps.
The stowages were't that bad back then.
by Mick F
14 Mar 2024, 9:47am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Re: Non-standard Bikes on Trains

Good morning everybody. Sorry, but not been on the forum much recently.

Me and Mrs Mick F went on an "adventure" yesterday to Exeter. We walked the quarter mile to Wetherspoon's (The Imperial) for a lunch and a couple of drinks, then back to the station and headed home.

On the way in, we caught the Express train to Exeter, and the Local train to get back. No difference in the two GWR trains except the Local one was a few carriages shorter. The Express had two bike stowages, and the Local only had one. They all had only two cramped hook things for bikes and the stowages were camped. Zero bikes on both trains.

On the way to Exeter, I had a chat with the guard as he was standing near a stowage. He, like me, is a cyclist, and we had a good chin-wag about the stowages. He said that they aren't fit for purpose, and they should never have been signed off. He recommends that after I've tried it to send a letter of complaint. He suggested that all users should do likewise.

Between the two hangers, there is a silly black foldable and lowerable thingy so the two bikes don't bang together.
The hangers themselves are sort of designed for big-tyre bikes, though the entry/exit of the top hooks is too narrow to make it easy.
The hanger hooks are damaged and would scratch the shiny alu rims, especially narrow ones like mine.
The hangers and back-wheel supports are too wide and will not support a bike well at all, no matter how chunky the tyres are.
The guard said that most users just wheel their bikes in and lean them up .............. and he doesn't blame them and neither would I.

Basically, I'm rather unwilling to ride my precious Mercian to Exeter - though it is my preferred ride for a 50ish mile bike ride - but I am tempted to ride my Moulton as it'll be more stable on the train. Also shorter if I want to just wheel it in and lean it up. Mercian is too light and delicate. Either way, I'll be taking cloth protections for the hook and maybe nylon ty-wraps or bungey straps for stability.

Photos, by way of explanation.
The fold-down racks are there for extra suitcase storage if required (if no bikes!)
You can see of the hook the size by my hand.
The black thingy rotates so it's vertical, but it's not rigid in the slightest.
The hook is worn and rough and scratchy.

Terrible design and not recommended for any user. :cry:

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by Mick F
4 Mar 2024, 5:40am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Re: Non-standard Bikes on Trains

Good morning.

Thank you John, very good bit of info there.
Quite dismal though.

Is there staff available to help lift a heavy bike that the rider cannot lift?
Are the stowages capable of taking a non-standard bike?

It would seem that the only way of finding out, is to go and ask.
by Mick F
3 Mar 2024, 7:37pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Re: Non-standard Bikes on Trains

Exactly.

Photos on the linked threads DO NOT HELP with my question.

I need to chat to Mrs Mick F to see if she wants a lunch stop at the Mill on the Exe pub just up from Exeter St Davids.
https://millontheexe.co.uk

We could get the train 11:19 from Gunnislake and change at Plymouth for the train to St Davids. Gets there at 13:13.
Short walk to the pub, and get the 15:25 back, and arrives at Gunnislake 17:24 in time for tea. :D

Meanwhile, I can (personally) check out the stowage and ask some pertinent questions of the staff about help to lift awkward bikes onto silly hooks.

Wednesday 13th March seems a good day to me. Mrs Mick F is busy, so I'll ask her later ............. over a glass or two of wine. :D :D
by Mick F
3 Mar 2024, 7:03pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Re: Non-standard Bikes on Trains

Hi guys, and I know there's another tread on here about trains, but this is a specific question regarding hanging a bike when you can't lift it.

Go to BR Times.
https://www.brtimes.com/!home

Check out the Local Train at 1525 from Plymouth on Wednesday next week. Random day to test the idea out. It starts at Cardiff.
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Go to the GWR website to book it, and you get this.
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Yes, I need to check this train out and see what the bike stowages are like.
Maybe take the train to Exeter, have a couple of pints and a lunch, then get the 1525 back. If I did that, I'd be wiser eh?

All I want, is for some knowledgable person with recent experience to tell me what the stowage is like.
I cannot be the only "older person" who rides a bike who can't physically lift it high.
by Mick F
3 Mar 2024, 5:14pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Non-standard Bikes on Trains
Replies: 32
Views: 1243

Non-standard Bikes on Trains

Hi guys, and sorry for not being on here for a while.

The last time I took a bike on an inter city train was in the summer of 2018 coming back to Plymouth from Taunton after riding with the LEJOG Wimps.

I plan on riding from here to Exeter in a date yet to be decided. Later this year, when the weather settles down.
In order to buy a ticket, I have to book a seat, and have to book the bike too. I can't remember if I did that in 2018.

Now, here's my question.

From what I know about bikes on trains - not local ones or two-carriage ones - the bikes have to be hung up on hooks. Done that a few times long distance over the years. What happens in this modern day and age with heavy big electric bikes? What happens if you can't even lift your mechanical bike?
Just coz you're strong and fit enough to pedal, doesn't mean you have the upper body strength to heave your bike up onto a hook.

My (sort of) plan is to ride my Moulton the 40odd miles to Exeter, but it's a devil to lift as it's heavy and unwieldy and difficult. Bad enough lifting up steps at my age! :shock: I can ride it happily, but man-handling it is hard.

Advice please.
by Mick F
16 Feb 2024, 4:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: My Moulton TSR - a love story?
Replies: 106
Views: 7205

Re: My Moulton TSR - a love story?

Cowsham wrote: 14 Feb 2024, 2:07pm Wow -- I'll bet most of those 11 miles will be up hill from your house too. Will to be stopping at the Rising Sun to celebrate ? :D
:lol: :lol:

As it happens, my ride this morning was 12 miles, so it takes me to 10001 miles. :D
My 12miles was with 1,490ft of climbing. That's 124ft per mile.

After getting home at 11ish, I took the dog for a walk and we called in at the Rising Sun. Two pints for me, a doggie bikkie for him, and then we walked home.