Search found 385 matches

by b1ke
21 Mar 2024, 10:38pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Brompton or Mirider
Replies: 4
Views: 278

Re: Brompton or Mirider

I also ride a nano Brompton. I like it for the following reasons...

I can fold it quickly, so getting it on and off buses, when necessary, is easy.

I have easy wheels fitted on the rear rack, so with the seat post fully raised and the rest folded, I can push it round supermarkets when I'm shopping. (I don't ever lock the bike outside, because I had 2 Bromptons stolen a couple of years ago by thieves with angle grinders.)

The easy wheels also mean I have to carry the bike less when folded.

As mentioned above, it has room for bags. Since the bike is my only form of transport, it means I can have a large bag at the front and a carradice longflap on the saddle rails to carry my shopping. I've also done short tours on the Brompton with the same bags.

Personally, I can't think of any e-bike that would suit my needs better than the Brompton. However, if I was just looking for a folder to commute to work and back, with no additional duties, such as carrying the shopping, I'd consider something like the MiRider. The MiRider also has fatter tyres as I recall, something which the Brompton would definitely benefit from.
by b1ke
22 Feb 2024, 3:37pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 12 Speed Brompton
Replies: 11
Views: 605

Re: 12 Speed Brompton

I have a 6 speed Brompton and I fitted a 39 tooth chainring, rather than the 44 tooth most people opt for when lowering the gearing.

Works well for me on hills, although top speed isn't much above 15mph. This, however also works fine for me.
by b1ke
19 Jan 2024, 10:03pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger
Replies: 25
Views: 2392

Re: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger

Thanks for the helpful responses. We'll have carry bags for the bikes with us, so will probably decide which option to go for when we get to the port.
by b1ke
19 Jan 2024, 10:14am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger
Replies: 25
Views: 2392

Re: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger

I think it was sh1tl0ads of stairs - it almost always is on the big ferries. And they're quite steep.

You would hope they'd have disabled access => a lift, but I can't remember. THAT might be clearly documented on their web-site (due to law).
Thanks for the response. I've just looked at the faqs for Rail and Sail, and it says you can take a bike on the Stena ferry for £5 each way, payable at the port. Might prove to be the preferable option, if there's no lift access.
by b1ke
19 Jan 2024, 9:56am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger
Replies: 25
Views: 2392

Re: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger

I'm looking at taking the Rail and Sail with a Brompton to the Hook later in the Spring. Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that they had to carry the bike up the stairs after boarding the ferry. Does anyone know how many flights of stairs are involved, and whether there's a lift option?
by b1ke
22 Feb 2023, 4:13pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: riding through Prague, north to south- how is it??
Replies: 11
Views: 669

Re: riding through Prague, north to south- how is it??

I also remember riding along the river, when I was heading south out of Prague. But it was back in 2010, so just did a search and found this....

https://www.prahanakole.cz/english/a2-t ... cle-route
by b1ke
4 Jul 2022, 10:42pm
Forum: Stolen, Lost, Found, etc.
Topic: Brompton H6L stolen in Hove
Replies: 0
Views: 4409

Brompton H6L stolen in Hove

On the off chance that anyone comes across this for sale, my Brompton H6L was stolen on Sunday 3rd July in Hove. It's grey, with black forks and rear triangle. Standard, apart from a hub motor on the front wheel.

Here's a link to my Gumtree ad, with pic included... https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/brom ... 6517609
by b1ke
28 Apr 2022, 3:49pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Wet weather gear
Replies: 25
Views: 1574

Re: Wet weather gear

Haven't tried them yet, but I've recently bought some Rainlegs. Lightweight and seemingly well rated. Plus they should avoid the issue of overheating.

https://road.cc/content/review/56364-ra ... overs?amp

I generally use goretex leggings in winter, but they seem a tad excessive for spring/summer.
by b1ke
23 Apr 2022, 10:27am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Travelling to southern Europe without flying
Replies: 136
Views: 14746

Re: Travelling to southern Europe without flying

On my recent trip to Toulouse, the bikes didn't have to be dismantled/bagged on the way down. We paid about £6 extra per bike. That was with SNCF.

However, on the way back, the only cheap(ish) prices were with OUIGO Grand Vitesse, and we had to dismantle and bag them, in addition to paying a similar surcharge.
by b1ke
18 Apr 2022, 5:20pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 5 day tour of Belgium on a Brompton
Replies: 4
Views: 479

Re: 5 day tour of Belgium on a Brompton

You may already be aware of these routes, but if not they're worth a look ...

https://ravel.wallonie.be/en/home.html
by b1ke
14 Apr 2022, 7:09pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Travelling to southern Europe without flying
Replies: 136
Views: 14746

Re: Travelling to southern Europe without flying

I overlanded to Morocco from England a few years ago, also because I didn't want to fly.

Route as follows:-
Ferry Newhaven to Dieppe.
Train to Paris
Overnight train Paris to Latour de Carole, via Toulouse
(more info here... https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-route ... -train.htm
Regional train Latour de Carole to Barcelona.
Ferry Barcelona to Tangier Med.

A bike is fine on all of the above, without dismantling, apart from the overnighter from Paris to Latour de Carole. I didn't take a bike on this trip, but saw people with folders boarding the Latour train. I suspect non folders would be an issue.

(I have taken a bike on the train from Paris to Toulouse very recently. On the way there (SNCF), it could be stored fully assembled for a small fee. On the return, OUIGO Grand Vitesse there was also a fee, but it had to be folded and bagged. If the route appeals to you, it would be worth doing more research into the finer details of bike transport. I used Trainline and information about taking bikes came up when I booked.)

One of the reasons I took this particular route was cost. I had time, but cash was tight. The Paris to Latour train ride was particularly good value, as was the ferry to Tangier Med. I'm sure there are quicker ways of getting to Spain/Morocco, if you're happy to spend more.

Hope there are a couple of bits in my route which are of use.
by b1ke
14 Jul 2021, 8:35pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Travel to Northern France
Replies: 40
Views: 3827

Re: Travel to Northern France

b1ke wrote: 14 Jul 2021, 2:08pm However, I read somewhere, (may have been on this forum), that this bike travel option from Hendaye was due to end. Perhaps someone else has more information, or can elaborate?
Just done a bit of research and seems the TGV from Paris to Bordeaux, at least, now takes bikes again. I presume the same must apply to Hendaye....

"The Paris Montparnasse-Bordeaux TGVs now take bikes again after a brief period in 2020 when they did not. Book your TGV tickets and your bike in advance. Once there, all local TERs and most Intercites trains also take bikes."

https://www.freewheelingfrance.com/plan ... ins.html
by b1ke
14 Jul 2021, 2:08pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Travel to Northern France
Replies: 40
Views: 3827

Re: Travel to Northern France

beeb wrote: 14 Jul 2021, 10:18am has anyone any experience of hendaye or even bordeaux to Paris with fully laden touring bikes?

seems to be possible, just wondering how practical for two ageing cycle tourists, can you request assistance?

we would have two front bags, two back bags and a stuff sack and bar bag

someone on this forum mentioned that they use a big ikea bag to reduce parts of luggage, which seemed like a good idea

regards
I caught a train to Paris from Hendaye in March 19 with a fully loaded touring bike. I paid a 10 euro supplement and the bike travelled alongside me in the same carriage. I don't recall any issues with getting the loaded bike onto the train.

However, I read somewhere, (may have been on this forum), that this bike travel option from Hendaye was due to end. Perhaps someone else has more information, or can elaborate?
by b1ke
29 Jun 2021, 10:38am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Cycle camping with a dog - advice please
Replies: 19
Views: 2607

Re: Cycle camping with a dog - advice please

I toured with my dogs in a trailer years ago. I had 2 smallish dogs and we toured Isle of Wight and Norfolk/Suffolk. I then switched to an Xtracycle and had them on the back.

Based on my experiences, I'd suggest the following:-

Keep weight in mind. A trailer is heavier than a basket at the front of the bike.

Safety. I harnessed the dogs into the trailer. A basket is visible to you all the time, so easier to keep an eye out for any issues. A basket could, however, affect bike handling, so practice runs might be useful.

Quality. If you go for a trailer, I'd go for something decent. Carry Freedom, for example, do quality flatbed trailers, which can be adapted to carry a dog.

Route choice. My dogs got a bit restless in the trailer. Off road options are great for giving the dog chance to exercise.

Terrain. I remember the Isle of Wight tour being a tad strenuous on the hills, because of the combined weight of the trailer/dogs/luggage.
by b1ke
8 Dec 2020, 9:23am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: New Decathlon adventure bike
Replies: 134
Views: 7871

Re: New Decathlon adventure bike

I will not be buying anything from Decathlon. I can't support a company that promotes products like this
https://www.change.org/p/decathlon-deca ... -en-gb%3A0


Thanks for sharing this. I had no idea and have signed the petition.