Search found 42 matches

by indy
15 Feb 2013, 6:19pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Route planning
Replies: 11
Views: 989

Route planning

Sticking with the UK how are people planning multi day tours in terms of there actual route?

I've just been on Google maps which seems to have a half decent cycle route planner as does cyclestreets.net If using one of these how do you translate it to getting directions when on the bike?

Are things like the Garmin Edge 810 popular? If so is it possible to keep it properly charged? Or is trekking GPS with AA batteries a better option?
by indy
15 Feb 2013, 5:57pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: London to Dover - friday p.m. - what to do ??
Replies: 7
Views: 772

London to Dover - friday p.m. - what to do ??

You disembark your train at Kings Cross London 3pm on a Friday in October headed for France do you -

1) Spend the night in London for an early Saturday morning cycle to Dover?

2) Push on towards Dover with a night stopover about half way?

3) Hammer it to Dover with a kip on the ferry and an early first night in France?

All 3 have there plus and minus points so was wondering what most people do.
Thanks
by indy
15 Feb 2013, 5:39pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: winter camping on tour
Replies: 62
Views: 9100

Re: winter camping on tour

bretonbikes wrote:Storms and -10 though... Sounds like a fun cycling holiday:-)


Was thinking more along the lines of the sorts of weather we've had over the past couple of weeks. Strong winds, sub zero temps with snow and sleet
by indy
15 Feb 2013, 5:35pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: winter camping on tour
Replies: 62
Views: 9100

Re: winter camping on tour

pjclinch wrote:Tent... I'm a fan of Hillebergs which are reasonably light, more than reasonably strong for their weight and sensibly comfortable to live in. The 4 season ones are all designed with extended sessions in Arctic Scandinavia in mind. It helps to sit down.......


Some great advice there PJ but wanted to take you up on the tents. Its hard not to see buying a Hilleberg tent for UK usage as a bit like buying a £500 mountain jacket to walk the dog round the park on a rainy day. Yes it'll get the job done unless you've got oodles of money its a bit OTT.

Having a quick look at The North Face (the peoples outdoor company) website they do a tent called a VE 25. Reading the notes the tent seems to be just as bomb proof as the Hilleberg equivalent but with a £200 cheaper street price.

Anyway back on track not looking to buy a full on mountain tent.
Like the versatility of a 3 man tent but wondering about the practicalities when its only me.
At £230 TNF Tadpole looks good as do Lightwave tents but right on my budget limit.

Anyone have anything good/bad to say about Rab or Mountain Hardwear sleeping bags?

Finally should I bite the bullet dump down and get synthetic?
by indy
13 Feb 2013, 11:23am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: winter camping on tour
Replies: 62
Views: 9100

winter camping on tour

Was wondering what people use in terms of tent & sleeping bag at this time of year while out cycle touring.

Peoblem I'm currently having is finding a good cycle compatible storm proof tent and sleeping bag that that will deal with temps down to -10.

I have suitable backpacking gear but getting a 2.2kg down bag to fit into pannier is a problem.

Thoughts appreciated.
by indy
10 Feb 2013, 4:24pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Finally finished my Blog
Replies: 10
Views: 1322

Re: Finally finished my Blog

Apologies for the belatedness of this reply but what was your thinking behind using a CX bike to do the LEJOG?

Is it as simple as that's the bike you own?

Did you have any issues problems specific to the CX bike? I noticed from your images that you didn't seem to have much luggage on the bike or mud guards etc.
Cheers
by indy
15 Apr 2012, 4:45pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Thatcher
Replies: 235
Views: 21492

Re: Thatcher

3 Problems with the Welfare State...

1) There appears to be an assumption that its only PEOPLE that abuse the welfare system but the biggest scandal are the ways that large corporations are able to milk it. There was an article in one of the broadsheets a few years ago giving the % of people that worked for Tesco's who were claiming low income related benefits. Tesco's makes BILLIONS of £'s a year and by all accounts has very good a Tax minimisation dept YET it is able to get away with paying its staff so little that the UK Tax payer is in effect subsidising Tesco's share holders via welfare payment wage top ups.

2) The age of Entitlement, the huge number of people that believe that for the consideration of a National Insurance payment the State is obligated to write them a lifetime's worth of welfare blank cheque.

3) This might be controversial but its hard not to see that the large influx of foreign workers hasn't had an impact on wages for unskilled employment leading at least a section of the working population being better off on benefits.
by indy
15 Apr 2012, 3:32pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: 10 day route advice.
Replies: 9
Views: 8511

Re: 10 day route advice.

Just looking at the route you took and noticed that your one of the very few people I've seen that regularly completes 100 miles a day. Was it your intention to do this sort of mileage?
by indy
15 Apr 2012, 1:35pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Advice on Dawes Ultra Galaxy
Replies: 11
Views: 4137

Re: Advice on Dawes Ultra Galaxy

Do the "unfortunate circumstances" have anything to do with the bike?

I'd add the year of manufacture so people can look up the full spec and check RRP also an image and general description of its condition i.e. like new or well used etc would be helpful. Might also be worth adding what sort of price you'd expect as this is the time of year when the new bikes are out for the year and older models are sold off at a discount, 2010 Ultra Galaxy's are going for £900ish
by indy
9 Mar 2012, 5:54pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: A good read
Replies: 20
Views: 5920

A good read

Can anyone recommend any good books about cycling (hopefully compatible with the kindle?
Cheers
by indy
9 Mar 2012, 4:57pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: The frustration of a (long distance) bike buyer...
Replies: 77
Views: 16969

Re: The frustration of a (long distance) bike buyer...

O.K, theres been loads of advice here so I've been able to get together a list of possibilities. The Ultra isn't out/available for a month so it'll give me time to have a talk to each company and hopefully allow me to whittle my choice down to 3 but hopefully 2 bikes for a final decision.

I just quickly want to address some points made since yesterday...

I've not known any other person have a 'decent' bike stolen (although my Super G was only worth maybe £150??) but after my initial feelings of anger and thoughts that it wasn't worth getting a similar replacement my attitude has mellowed with time. I don't think that there are many people these days that can drop a decent amount of money on a new bike without thought and I'll admit there's going to be some belt tightening and looking where savings can be made in other bits of our budget but I do honestly feel that a decent replacement is the way to go. I'd be interested to hear from anyone thats had a decent/costly bike stolen and how they moved on.

A number of people have suggested a much cheaper non-tourer bike i.e. TerryH and nmnm to name just a couple. I'll be brutally honest and say I haven't got any rational reasoning for not doing that. The Edinburgh Cycles Tourer looks great at least on paper.

Anyway thanks for all the advice information and thoughts people its been much appreciated.

I'll post a follow up when I've made a decision/purchase or if its really close I might just ask for a bit more help!
Cheers
by indy
9 Mar 2012, 4:20pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 2011 Ultra Galaxy clearance
Replies: 30
Views: 4145

Re: 2011 Ultra Galaxy clearance

You Sir, are a very scary individual
by indy
8 Mar 2012, 10:03pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: The frustration of a (long distance) bike buyer...
Replies: 77
Views: 16969

Re: The frustration of a (long distance) bike buyer...

When I mentioned a dyno hub on the Dawes to a dealer the guy recoiled in horror citing the cost of 'rebuilding' the wheel. Do you in general know whats involved in fitting these hubs? and also the value of them over other dyno options i.e. a bottom bracket roller?
Cheers
by indy
8 Mar 2012, 9:51pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 2011 Ultra Galaxy clearance
Replies: 30
Views: 4145

Re: 2011 Ultra Galaxy clearance

If you look at my OP there is no mention of Spa it was only after another person links to the Spa site also thinking they had the stock as advertised that I mention my dealing with them.

Your seeing malice where there is none!
by indy
8 Mar 2012, 9:44pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: The frustration of a (long distance) bike buyer...
Replies: 77
Views: 16969

Re: The frustration of a (long distance) bike buyer...

With regards Spa I mearly mentioned that after trying to order an item costing £1200 from them which they had listed as in stock right up to an including me inputting my credit card details I then find out via a phone call that he item was in actual fact out of stock. The error on the website was left un-rectified for quite some time.

Are you saying that this sort of thing is good practice?

>I feel that both threads are a very, very subtle attack by subterfuge on Spa Cycles
maybe another 'very' would be appropriate :?

I have no agenda here other than getting the best touring bike I can.