Search found 180 matches

by Mr.Benton
22 Mar 2024, 6:41pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: New handlebar choice
Replies: 15
Views: 740

Re: New handlebar choice

I didn't get on with the Mary bars, the wrist angle wasnt quite right. I have since switched to Ritchey Kyote bars which are much better but they are very wide.
by Mr.Benton
6 Mar 2024, 5:54pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Calling all rail fans!
Replies: 4
Views: 359

Re: Calling all rail fans!

Railadvent has a list of rail tours. You can filter by month and traction type
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/railtours
by Mr.Benton
19 Feb 2024, 2:32pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: La Vélodyssée - return journey
Replies: 11
Views: 626

Re: La Vélodyssée - return journey

I watched a YouTube video about a family that cycled the route and they caught the bus.
There was the normal hassle and confusion about whether the bikes needed to be bagged or boxed or not on the bus.

This is their video, you could probably skip to the last 5 minutes to see the bit about the coach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYTLCy-U_A
by Mr.Benton
7 Feb 2024, 4:32pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: New Yorkshire Cycle Route announced
Replies: 10
Views: 959

New Yorkshire Cycle Route announced

The BBC has reported a set of new Yorkshire cycle route has been created. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-y ... e-68204044

This website https://www.routeyc.co.uk/cycling gives the details. I think it should also be possible to link them up with the Yorkshire Wolds cycle routes to create a varied week of touring. https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-other- ... ycle-route
by Mr.Benton
25 Jan 2024, 11:42am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Ideas for Trip
Replies: 20
Views: 5250

Re: Ideas for Trip

The sleeper train doesn't run on a Saturday night.
Could you catch the 17:37 Fort William to Glasgow on Saturday, stay over in Glasgow, and then catch a direct train to London on Sunday ?

I did this a couple of years ago, and it worked out well. I stayed overnight in the Glasgow YHA and caught a direct fast train the following day.
by Mr.Benton
14 Jan 2024, 8:31pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Caledonian Way vs National Cycle Route 1
Replies: 15
Views: 1174

Re: Caledonian Way vs National Cycle Route 1

ggardner wrote: 13 Jan 2024, 2:28pm Thank you, Mr. Benton.
My latest thought is to hire bikes in Glasgow, take a direct train to Oban and start from there. At the backend, we would train from Inverness back to Glasgow. My sense is that this would be easier and cheaper.
Let me know if you disagree.
Thank you.
George
If you are starting and ending in Glasgow then your plan makes perfect sense. There is the highland explorer train from Glasgow to Oban which has been specially adapted to take 20 bikes. https://www.scotrail.co.uk/scotrail-highland-explorer

There has been talk on this forum about trains from the way North of Scotland have limited bike spaces and in busy times should be booked in advance. viewtopic.php?p=1773110&hilit=trains+scotland#p1773110 There are also plenty of chat about travelling with a bike as luggage on the busses.

Good luck with your plans, it sounds like a great tour.
by Mr.Benton
12 Jan 2024, 4:38pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Caledonian Way vs National Cycle Route 1
Replies: 15
Views: 1174

Re: Caledonian Way vs National Cycle Route 1

How are you getting to the start of the tour, and does this have an impact on you decision ?
For example I find it easier to travel by rail to Inverness than to Oban, and it would take me longer to get to Oban than Inverness so cutting the start would mean replacing 3 days cycling with 2 days train travel and only saving a day in total.
by Mr.Benton
2 Jan 2024, 12:33pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: London -Penzance GWR
Replies: 15
Views: 2334

Re: London -Penzance GWR

The last time I used the first class lounge at Paddington, I simply wheeled my bike into the entrance and leant it against the wall next to all the suit cases that had been stored by other guests. I chose a seat where I could keep an eye on the bike.
No one asked me to move the bike, but I would have done if I was asked.
by Mr.Benton
1 Nov 2023, 7:45am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Suggestions for 3 month trip
Replies: 28
Views: 5942

Re: Suggestions for 3 month trip

Rob D wrote: 31 Oct 2023, 6:43pm That's another interesting idea - thanks! Had a month trekking there 12 years ago, impressive scenery. How did you find the winds?
I was lucky and had good weather with light winds, but I also didn't get all the way south to the notoriously windy sections. My cgoab journal is here.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o= ... 22742&v=PK
by Mr.Benton
31 Oct 2023, 6:07pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Suggestions for 3 month trip
Replies: 28
Views: 5942

Re: Suggestions for 3 month trip

For my significant birthday I went on a 3 month trip to Argentina and Chile.
I flew into San Carlos de Baroloche in Argentina and then cycled down to Villa O'Higgins, the intention was to then cycle down to Puerto Natales and catch the Navimag ferry back up Norh and cycle back to the start point. However Covid got in the way, so the trip lasted 7 weeks and ended at Villa O'Higgins.

There were plenty of opportunities for camping and hiking, but there are also some hills and some of the roads are a bit rough so it might not meet your criteria.
by Mr.Benton
3 Sep 2023, 4:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Creak diagnosis
Replies: 11
Views: 763

Re: Creak diagnosis

We had a similar creak on our tandem, it would be silent at the start of the ride but come on after a while. Our creak was slightly different because it would only creak under heavy load at high cadence. After searching this forum and speaking to other tandem owners here is our long list of things we tried to eliminate the noise:
  • greased and tightened pedals
  • Grease and check chain ring bolts tightness
  • Clean and lightly lubricate quick release skewer in rear axle
  • Lubricate spoke at their crossing points
  • Lubricate spoke nipples where they touched the rim
  • Remove and grease the cassette / freehub
  • Check cassette lock ring tightness
None of it worked but after all that I took off the free hub body and greased the ratchet ring where the free hub pauls engage, and that fixed it.
by Mr.Benton
20 Aug 2023, 10:47pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Spa Cycles Rove for Touring
Replies: 31
Views: 2809

Re: Spa Cycles Rove for Touring

I don't understand why you would want to move away from a proven expedition bike to an unknown new bike just because tyres might be hard to come by. The tour you have described perfectly suits the strong frame and the rohloff internal gear hub your existing bike already has. Swapping to another bike probably means swapping the rohloff gear box for a derailleur, which in my opinion requires more maintenance and is more likely to suffer damage than the rohloff.
In my limited experience of travelling in South America by bike, I think you will always be several days cycle ride between bike shops and those bike shops won't have what you need in stock anyway so as suggested up thread carrying a spare or two is a good idea.
I would ride the bike you already have and carry a spare tyre, keep the new bike money in the bank and then in the event you need a new tyre and can't source one locally then you have all that money in the bank to get one shipped to you.

Good luck with your trip, it sounds a right good adventure.