Search found 157 matches

by durhambiker
15 Jul 2019, 9:17am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 2-week cycle from Hook of Holland to... any recommendations?
Replies: 10
Views: 2739

Re: 2-week cycle from Hook of Holland to... any recommendations?

BoopMoo wrote:Being my first solo trip, I'd welcome a few helpful official route signposts to avoid getting lost. Plus, taking routes with less traffic would be more enjoyable.

When you say best variety, does ev2 to Berlin get a bit monotonous? It's a concern I've been having; quaint German towns and castles might get a bit dull after a while. I've heard elsewhere that North Sea Cycle Route could have a the same problem.

Any route could become a tad boring,what you find interesting is down to you.I found Denmark much more boring than the Rhine.Again,individual thing,but sometimes i like a town and few bars to wander to on a night..Lots of that on Rhine,,v flat Denmark not so much,,but then some people prefer tent in the wilds..Up to you.What many do is bike so it includes an "event" beer festival,sport event,music event etc,,,what ever suites you.
by durhambiker
10 Jul 2019, 3:40pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tent and sleeping bag
Replies: 24
Views: 1939

Re: Tent and sleeping bag

mattheus wrote:
durhambiker wrote:
Sweep wrote:
Top tip - in fact i am rather looking forward to doing this.
I too by the way found durhambiker's post somewhat odd.
Some folk like camping, see it as a positive.

Yet another who focused on one word and completely failed to comprehend my post.


And?

?
by durhambiker
10 Jul 2019, 3:37pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tent and sleeping bag
Replies: 24
Views: 1939

Re: Tent and sleeping bag

Sweep wrote:
Tigerbiten wrote:
If you do go winter camping, make sure you've plenty of books loaded onto a kindle.
You could well end up reading 12 hours a day ......... :lol:


Top tip - in fact i am rather looking forward to doing this.
I too by the way found durhambiker's post somewhat odd.
Some folk like camping, see it as a positive.

Yet another who focused on one word and completely failed to comprehend my post.
by durhambiker
10 Jul 2019, 9:44am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: How airtight are your Ortliebs?
Replies: 11
Views: 906

Re: How airtight are your Ortliebs?

Mike_Ayling wrote:If you are not planning to submerge the Ortliebs I would not worry!

Mike

Indeed..My ortliebs were bone dry inside after 1 hour on the back of aboat in Scotland with loads of water thrown over them..Other than total submersion they will never have a greater test.
by durhambiker
8 Jul 2019, 1:24pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tent and sleeping bag
Replies: 24
Views: 1939

Re: Tent and sleeping bag

pjclinch wrote:
durhambiker wrote:My thought would be WHY!!...I am in my 50s,,, <snip>


It depends why want to camp. If you see it as just a downmarket B&B option then it's pretty much going to be dreadful, but if you see it as an option to be in some truly wild places then suddenly adventures get a bit more... adventurous.

I can have a conmfortable bed, warm shower etc. most nights at home, so whe I'm off wanting something a bit different then this sort of thing...

Image

beats a B&B. And I'm in my 50s, btw

Pete.
by durhambiker
8 Jul 2019, 11:14am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tent and sleeping bag
Replies: 24
Views: 1939

Re: Tent and sleeping bag

Komet wrote:What are your suggestions for a tent and sleeping bag for touring Wales and Scotland year round? I'm on a budget but interested to know your thoughts.

My thought would be WHY!!...I am in my 50s,,,just returned from camping in Brecon,with car and bike.2 man tent,lovely weather,lovely campsite,best bit by far £14 per night.I find,with camping, if Everything,,ie site,weather, lack of noise etc is ok then it is do able, otherwise it is a pain...Even with £300 sleeping bag expensive airbed and expensive tent.I suppose if hotels are not an option,,one is younger etc,,,or one is on the road for weeks and you "get into it".....then possible....But then,,Wales,,Scotland in winter I cannot ever imagine being up for that..But hey,,,each to their own.ps ...was very impressed by the Brecon area for road or mountain biking...The lake district without the mad traffic and crowds
by durhambiker
30 May 2019, 9:30am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Old Skool Cycle Tourist
Replies: 27
Views: 1884

Re: Old Skool Cycle Tourist

pwa wrote:There must be a lot of people these days for whom two weeks without any screen to look at would be an adventure in itself. Real "getting away from it" stuff.
.
For many,2 minutes without a screen would be new territory.
by durhambiker
23 May 2019, 2:10pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: C2C Sunderland or Tynemouth for return by rail?
Replies: 15
Views: 1153

Re: C2C Sunderland or Tynemouth for return by rail?

gbnz wrote:
durhambiker wrote:
gbnz wrote:Without a doubt, Tynemouth. Although I'm not a fan of the dull, dirty, battered social housing estates places like Sunderland or Newcastle consist of (NB. I'm a bit biased :shock: ), as stated above Tynemouth itself at least has a "sense of place". And the centre of Newcastle is worthy of a few hours looking around and benefits from a superb, main line railway station

And which perfect part of the world is your palace situated?..".A bit biased " is putting it very very mildly indeed...more like talking utter nonsense.


I'd presume my palace is based in a much better part of the world than yours :roll: . Macams and lowlife are better avoided and they do tend to concentrate on social housing estates, in post industrial, benefit supported parts of the world

Your knuckle dragging lack of intellect has no place here
by durhambiker
23 May 2019, 10:30am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: C2C Sunderland or Tynemouth for return by rail?
Replies: 15
Views: 1153

Re: C2C Sunderland or Tynemouth for return by rail?

gbnz wrote:Without a doubt, Tynemouth. Although I'm not a fan of the dull, dirty, battered social housing estates places like Sunderland or Newcastle consist of (NB. I'm a bit biased :shock: ), as stated above Tynemouth itself at least has a "sense of place". And the centre of Newcastle is worthy of a few hours looking around and benefits from a superb, main line railway station

And which perfect part of the world is your palace situated?..".A bit biased " is putting it very very mildly indeed...more like talking utter nonsense.
by durhambiker
9 May 2019, 3:54pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions
Replies: 133
Views: 10923

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Polisman wrote:Despite the reservations of Psamanthe above, I would definitely take this all the way. Include everything, any expense you can think of , down to lost accommodation and rebooking fees. These are the kind of odd stories that appeal to broadsheet journalists who are having a quiet news day (this happens a lot more often than you might imagine). Get one on board, get all their contact details and pass that on to RA. I guarantee they'll make things right for you. Marketing at this level is all about what looks best for the company, and minimising any damaging critique. They end up looking like great guys and you will certainly get a very nice holiday out of it. Once there's even a whiff of tangible press blow back, they'll fold like a cheap deck of cards.. I've a friend took a high street travel operator to court and got a nice 4 figure settlement, just to keep it out of the press.

That is not justice then,it is blackmail.
by durhambiker
9 May 2019, 3:52pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions
Replies: 133
Views: 10923

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Psamathe wrote:
Polisman wrote:
Bonefishblues wrote:To ask again, what do posters think would be the OP's chances of bringing a successful action?


I think if you went to Small Claims with it they would probably settle before a court date. It would probably cost them more to hire a solicitor for the day than to settle with you. Just make sure you have receipts and paperwork for EVERYTHING

I'm uncertain because sometimes it can be important to an organisation/company that they send a message to everybody else who might consider taking them to court. So they look on their own "bigger picture".

A couple of years ago I was making a claim against my council highways because their surface dressing ruined a air of my shoes (whist out for a ride and they hadn't closed the road ...). Council blamed their sub-contractors (Kier) who said they'd followed all the Council procedures and requirements. By this tine I was arguing with the Council Legal Department (no longer Highways) so I said I'd be taking them to Small Claims Court (where they could not normally recover costs whatever the outcome). But they said fine and that they would be defending the claim and undoubtedly would be sending legal people on the day ... all despite the fact that cost of replacing my shoes was far cheaper than the unrecoverable costs they'd spend defending the claim. But they need so send a message to everybody else who might think of taking them to court that they wont just give-up when you say "I'll take you to court" so many others get that message and give-up so long term they expect it saves them money (fairness and justice seems not the issue).

Ian

How could you possibly prove a pair of shoes fell apart because of 1 stretch of road,and rule out every other possibility.No wonder you lost,it is a nonsence claim.
by durhambiker
9 May 2019, 3:50pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions
Replies: 133
Views: 10923

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Polisman wrote:Despite the reservations of Psamanthe above, I would definitely take this all the way. Include everything, any expense you can think of , down to lost accommodation and rebooking fees. These are the kind of odd stories that appeal to broadsheet journalists who are having a quiet news day (this happens a lot more often than you might imagine). Get one on board, get all their contact details and pass that on to RA. I guarantee they'll make things right for you. Marketing at this level is all about what looks best for the company, and minimising any damaging critique. They end up looking like great guys and you will certainly get a very nice holiday out of it. Once there's even a whiff of tangible press blow back, they'll fold like a cheap deck of cards.. I've a friend took a high street travel operator to court and got a nice 4 figure settlement, just to keep it out of the press.

If it all goes pear shaped,you could end up seriously stressed,in debt,or both..
by durhambiker
9 May 2019, 3:48pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions
Replies: 133
Views: 10923

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Bonefishblues wrote:
al_yrpal wrote:Small claims court should sort it. Inexpensive and effective.

Al

How do you rate OP's prospects of success?

Nil
by durhambiker
7 May 2019, 1:30pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: scotland cycle tour suggestions - first time to scotland
Replies: 27
Views: 1930

Re: scotland cycle tour suggestions - first time to scotland

Navrig wrote:Unfortunately the predicting of midge activity is not that accurate. AS you will be aware this type of monster rely on water for hatching and hence they can appear anywhere near standing water. That could be a loch or it could just be an area of sodden peatland, neither of which are hard to find in the Scottish highlands. Hence the proliferation of midges in Scotland. A cold/dry winter helps. A dry spring and summer also help as fewer hatch.

How you will react to them is difficult to tell until you have experienced them. They are not like mosquitoes where you can squash that one in your room/tent and know you should be OK. They are more like a mist of niggling little bites which cumulatively can be annoying or painful and/or excruciatingly itchy. My wife is annoyed by them. I react very badly and scratch like mad resulting in sores.

The worst I have experienced was at a particular campsite on Arran but I would not deter you from visiting Arran. It is a most beautiful place and worth a visit with quiet roads great for cycling. We spent a few days there last year cycling in the south. As last year was hot and dry the midge population was down but the clegg population was up. (https://www.scotslanguage.com/articles/view/id/4801) There is always something that will get you.

If you or your kids react to bites then I suggest you start taking a daily antihistamine about 2 weeks before you leave home and continue taking them until a week after getting back. Lots of people recommend Avon Skin So Soft as an anti-midge application. Works for some and not for others.
Image

I would also recommend sticking to the south west corner of Scotland for your first trip. A number of reasons:

Bike hire should be easy in Glasgow
Arran is generally accessible from Glasgow
Arran is fantastic
Ferry from Arran (Lochcranza) to Mull of Kintyre (Claonaig) is easy - just roll up with your bikes
Cycling and scenery on Mull of Kintyre is lovely - quiet roads which are safe (hilly)
Easy to get back to Glasgow
Well away from the North Coast 500 (Google that for info) which is too busy for a family cycle trip IMHO

As far as the "west" is concerned that generally refers to the west coast of Scotland which is well known for its natural beauty and attractions along its entire length although west coast often refers to the northerly parts of the west coast. However Scotland is also beautiful inland both in the west and the east.

Lol....indeed,,they make mozzies seem positively delightful little creatures!
by durhambiker
3 May 2019, 4:31pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Can you help me find my dream bike?
Replies: 69
Views: 2603

Re: Can you help me find my dream bike?

m-gineering wrote:
durhambiker wrote:
m-gineering wrote:
Sure, not to difficult. Don't fit a ringlock, stands, leather saddle , multiposition adjustable handlebars , suspension seatpost, el cheapo suspension forks and those terrible +1kg Marathon plus tyres.

Swapped the bars on a Koga once for something sensible. Saved 1 kilo! Many bikes are made to be sold to bikeshops, who feel they need as many features as possible to be able to sell the bike to the uninformed. Once on the road most of those desirables are dead weight, and could be money better spent on improving the basic function of the bike or equipment
.
Is the above your attempt at tongue in cheek wit???..Please do not tell you are serious!!!.


You're welcome to disagree with me ;)

Thankyou kind sir...Assuming you are serious then..Is your advice based on experience.? Because touring without stands,lock,leather saddle etc is do able for some types of touring,but considerably detracts from the experience for other types of bicycle touring.