Search found 120 matches

by thekelticfringe
18 Jul 2010, 9:08pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bikes on replacement busses
Replies: 8
Views: 1418

Re: Bikes on replacement busses

couldn't really pre-flight it, as I'd need to do x2 a day for 10 days or so and would have to do something with the wrappings, tools etc.

Think I might just chance it tomo and see what happens
by thekelticfringe
18 Jul 2010, 7:01pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bikes on replacement busses
Replies: 8
Views: 1418

Re: Bikes on replacement busses

Hum - good find and very interesting - wonder what would happen if I happened to have an irrepairable snag just outside Shotts.......... Might be worth a go just to be a PITA :twisted:
by thekelticfringe
18 Jul 2010, 4:37pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bikes on replacement busses
Replies: 8
Views: 1418

Bikes on replacement busses

My commute involves a quick ride in the car to catch the train, completed by a bike ride of about 15 miles at the end. The train company (Scotrail - part of First Group) has suspended the rail service for 2 weeks whilst they fix the track. During this period thay've substituted busses.

I've asked what provision there is for the busses to carry cycles (as this is the customary level of service), to which they have replied that there is no provision and cycles will not be carried - poor show! Then I suggested that I could store my bike (approx value £800) at the station overnight if there was secure storage. They suggested the "U-shaped" railing things. I pointed out that these were inadequate as they don't prevent vandalism or the theft of components and, in the particular case of the station I want to use, are tucked away in what looks like an afterthought in a secluded area out of sight of the CCTV and other security measures.

I've suggested two ideas - one is a portable set of secure lockers that could be moved from station to station as needed and then chained down at the location and the other is that as part of First Group (one of Britain's biggest coach operators as well as a train operator) they could live up to their name by adding cycle racks to the coaches they operate - commonplace in many of our European neighbours so deffo not beyond the wit of man.

I feel strongly about this, and I've had an email discussion with 'customer services' - a lot of anodyne replies about how pleased they are to receive my feedback and that all suggestions they think are constructive are reviewed regularly. So I'm prepared to put some effort into trying to get them to consider seriously what to do - anyone got tips or experience of how to create and maintain momentum on topics like this?
by thekelticfringe
13 Jul 2010, 8:07pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cycling Pics
Replies: 211
Views: 49751

Re: Cycling Pics

Near Pitlochry in Scotland. Great riding!
by thekelticfringe
7 Jul 2010, 7:50pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Saab 9-3 Silver grey saloon partial index SG53???
Replies: 8
Views: 973

Re: Saab 5-3 Silver grey saloon partial index SG53???

Yes you're right - a 9-3 - realised after i posted that there's no such model -cheers
by thekelticfringe
7 Jul 2010, 7:17pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Saab 9-3 Silver grey saloon partial index SG53???
Replies: 8
Views: 973

Saab 9-3 Silver grey saloon partial index SG53???

Be warned about a white male about 45 salt and pepper hair and executive haircut driving this car in the Glasgow/Cambuslang area. He repeatedly tried to squeese me into the curb when overtaking me in traffic tonight, and force me into oncoming traffic when I was overtaking him on the offside in slow moving queues.

I then stopped trying to pass and rode behind him, so he started a series of 'emergency' stops and fast accellerations with no apparent purpose - certainly not called for by road and traffic conditions.

I did absolutely nothing to provike this kind of behaviour except possibly being able to go as fast as him in the traffic!

NOTE this is a warning, NOT an exhortation to violence.
by thekelticfringe
18 Jun 2010, 9:06am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: What is the best nutrition for a 100 mile ride?
Replies: 71
Views: 5859

Re: What is the best nutrition for a 100 mile ride?

Thanks for the info regarding singletrack - I'll investigate - as you say, not quite as straighforward as up here!
by thekelticfringe
17 Jun 2010, 7:15am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: What is the best nutrition for a 100 mile ride?
Replies: 71
Views: 5859

Re: What is the best nutrition for a 100 mile ride?

Sounds like a good ride, and actually not *that* much scoff! Mick - is there good XC singletrack across Dartmoor? I'm based in Scotland but thinking of a visit to the SW this autumn. Cheers
by thekelticfringe
12 Jun 2010, 12:23pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cycling Pics
Replies: 211
Views: 49751

Re: Cycling Pics

This is kinda 'on the road' at least at this point, so hope it counts

Image
by thekelticfringe
12 Jun 2010, 12:12pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: What is the best nutrition for a 100 mile ride?
Replies: 71
Views: 5859

Re: What is the best nutrition for a 100 mile ride?

=1 for dried fruit - apricots, prunes, 'cherry and berry' mix (ASDA) etc, all great trail fodder. Apricots are also a good source of potassium, so that helps the electrolytes IIRC. And, as they say, prunes keep you going - although I'm not sure if that was to do with biking :shock:
by thekelticfringe
6 Jun 2010, 9:26pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Glen Tilt
Replies: 12
Views: 3794

Re: Glen Tilt

BUMP - Milf, are you still thinking of this route? If so lets get a date in the book! :)
by thekelticfringe
6 Jun 2010, 9:16pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Decathlon/B'twin road tyres
Replies: 0
Views: 477

Decathlon/B'twin road tyres

Anyone tried these? I'm wondering if the 700x23 road slicks are any good?

They're a good price but I commute 30 miles a day in pretty much all weather and sometimes my life depends on my tyres, so would be interested in other folks experience with them.

Thanks
by thekelticfringe
6 Jun 2010, 9:12pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: What is the best nutrition for a 100 mile ride?
Replies: 71
Views: 5859

Re: What is the best nutrition for a 100 mile ride?

I did Newcastle to my house (near Glasgow, via Edinburgh), which turned out to be about 270 miles, over three days. The second day was windy too! Anyway, about the only thing I really tried was to eat slow release carbs - so big bowls of porridge or weetabix with brown sugar for breakfast, brown pasta and vegetable sauce for lunch and pretty much whatever I could get my hands on for dinner.

I drank plenty and took some 'Nuun' rehydration tabs with me which I tended to take in the evenings (before a beer so as not to guzzle it). They're great - all the electrolytes, none of the carbohydrates. I didn't really bother with food during the actual rides, although did stop one mid-morning at a cake shop.

Basically, tune in to your body, don't obsess over what you're eating and not eating and you'll be fine, I think.
by thekelticfringe
24 Dec 2009, 5:52pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Glen Tilt
Replies: 12
Views: 3794

Re: Glen Tilt

I'm more local (Nr Edinburgh) but post up again nearer the time and I'd be happy to chum you along the route.
by thekelticfringe
23 Dec 2009, 8:25pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Your recommendations pls? XC fork
Replies: 5
Views: 1370

Re: Your recommendations pls? XC fork

About 2 years and no professional maintenance, although I keep them clean, lubed and don't use a pressure washer. You're right, I suppose they don't really owe me anything, although if I ride weekly that means about £2 a ride for fork depreciation.

TBH I like the feel of the Fox Vanillas better, and I've got a 'retired' pair of RLC's in the garage so I'm considering having these renovated. Thing is they are 125s I think, which is a bit long for my kind of riding - decisions!

The obvious thing is to get a whole new bike to go with the renovated forks :lol: