Search found 3468 matches

by TrevA
18 Mar 2024, 8:36pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New Bike New Rubber...?
Replies: 8
Views: 251

Re: New Bike New Rubber...?

Treks usually come with Bontrager tyres. Whilst not the best, they are far from being the worst tyres. I ran Bontragers R1’s on my Domane until they wore out, my wife is still running an R1 on her winter bike as nothing much else will fit due to tight clearances.

If you want speed, Continental GP5000’s are a proven fast tyre with reasonable puncture protection. I’m currently running them on my summer bike. If you want a bit more puncture protection then Conti GP4Seasons, Gatorskins or Grand Prix GT. Vitoria tyres are cheaper and I’ve used Rubino Pro’s in the past with good results. Pirelli are newer to the cycle market but I’ve no experience of them.
by TrevA
12 Mar 2024, 3:26pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Filthy bridleway
Replies: 56
Views: 2111

Re: Filthy bridleway

A work colleague of mine got fined for cycling on the pavement on the Nottingham Ring Road, ironically, on the only part of it that is not a shared use pathway - near St Leodigarius Church in Basford, where there is a bridge over the railway. The cycle path ends just before, and throws you back into the main traffic flow of the Ring Road at one of its busiest and most dangerous junctions.
by TrevA
11 Mar 2024, 4:03pm
Forum: Racing, Olympics, TdF, Competitive cycling
Topic: Death of a Pirate
Replies: 4
Views: 3978

Re: Death of a Pirate

I recently went to see The Accidental Death of a Cyclist, a film about the life and death of Pantani, at the Nottingham Broadway Cinema. There was a Q&A afterwards with Matt Randell. I think it has been available on Netflix, but isn’t currently. It’s well worth a watch if you can get to see it somewhere.
by TrevA
11 Mar 2024, 3:51pm
Forum: Racing, Olympics, TdF, Competitive cycling
Topic: Saint Piran
Replies: 3
Views: 314

Re: Saint Piran

carlislemike wrote: 19 Feb 2024, 1:04pm Okay, I’m new to this part of the website so pardon what may be an ignorant question. Why are Saint Piran so dominant as a road team here in the UK. Better sponsorship and team development, lack of competition! Any suggestions may help Mr Confused aka myself.
A combination of the above. They’ve been around a few years and gradually got better over time, with more sponsorship and the opportunity to race abroad. There’s only one other British Mens UCI Continental team, Trinity, and they seem to be more of a development squad. St Piran aren’t having it all their own way though as they didn’t win either the Soens or the Jock Wadley over the weekend.
by TrevA
8 Mar 2024, 1:05pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycle Show 2024 Cancelled. Alternatives
Replies: 18
Views: 1401

Re: Cycle Show 2024 Cancelled. Alternatives

I agree regarding the speakers. I watched a Q&A with Kirsten Wild and even got to ask her a couple of questions.
by TrevA
7 Mar 2024, 8:51am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Belts and chains
Replies: 23
Views: 1158

Re: Belts and chains

I’ve found that fitting SKS Longboard mudguards means much less muck and salt get thrown up onto the chain and bottom bracket area. When cleaning our bikes, mine has no dirt in the BB area, my wife’s bike with normal mudguards has a coating of muck around the BB shell.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 10:11pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Routing online or via "knowledge" ?
Replies: 30
Views: 1900

Re: Routing online or via "knowledge" ?

Years ago when we were doing JOGLE and in Lancashire, so unable to use local knowledge, we were following the Lancashire Cycleway. We noticed that it followed minor roads, that inevitably meant more climbing, while the main road followed the valley floor. Eventually, we had enough of the incessant hills and joined the main road and followed it for the rest of the day. Hills and minor roads are nice to ride on, but sometimes you just need to make progress.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 9:45pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Crossing the River Trent near Bingham
Replies: 1
Views: 230

Re: Crossing the River Trent near Bingham

I live in Bingham and regularly ride this route. There’s a cycle path alongside part of the A6097 from Gunthorpe to Lowdham. There are a couple of ways to get to Gunthorpe Bridge (over the Rivet Trent) without having to ride on the main A6097 road, which does get very busy, as it’s the only Trent crossing for 10 miles each way.

1) Either leave Bingham via Chapel Lane, then turn right at Margidunum Island. Go past the Garden Centre, then take the next left, over the bridge over the A46 and into East Bridgford. At the crossroads by the Church, go straight on down Trent Lane, this will bring you to Gunthorpe Bridge.
2) Leave Bingham on Nottingham Road, cross over the Old Fosse Road and follow the cyclepath over the bridge over the A46. After the bridge, turn right and follow the bridle path to Newton. On the Newton Road continue NE, then turn left into Newton village. Continue on, then take the right turn to East Bridgford. Cross over the A6097 at the traffic lights and continue into East Bridgford. At the crossroads by the church, turn left down Trent Lane which will take you to Gunthorpe bridge.

You can ride on the footpath over the bridge to avoid having ride on the road. Not strictly legal, but everyone does it. Or you could walk over as it’s only about 50 yards.

Once you are over Gunthorpe bridge, turn immediately right into Gunthorpe village, then left and carry on through the village. As you come back to the main road, you’ll see the cycle path (converted and shared pavement) on your right. Join the cyclepath and follow it to Lowdham, where you can then access minor roads on your onward journey.

If you need any further route advice, let me know, as I’m local to the area and know the roads well.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 7:02pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why are bike tyres so expensive?
Replies: 56
Views: 2758

Re: Why are bike tyres so expensive?

rareposter wrote: 5 Mar 2024, 5:54pm
axel_knutt wrote: 2 Mar 2024, 12:22pm I've had 14,000-15,000 miles out of Marathon HS368s, I've also had little more than a few hundred miles out of cheapies.
I had some really rather expensive tyres once that had "road race use only" written on the side and they were only good for a few hundred miles or so - maybe up to 1000 on smoother tarmac.
They were however very very fast and ridiculously grippy - could lean them at really quite extreme angles and they'd hold on perfectly. Which was also why they wore out quickly - very soft compound.
Back when people used to race on tubs, the absolute ultimate in speed were silk Clement Seta Extras, which were actually meant for track racing. They would be worn out after one 25 Mile TT.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 5:37pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: "The Political Influence of Motorists"
Replies: 28
Views: 1654

Re: "The Political Influence of Motorists"

mattheus wrote: 5 Mar 2024, 4:40pm

Buses are only £2 in many parts of England now. Of course that 2021 chart doesn't take that into account!
I do hope they keep the £2 fare. The deadline for ending it keeps getting extended. My daughter used to drive into the office and pay £5 per day to park. She now takes the bus as it’s cheaper and easier (bus stops outside her office, car park is 5 mins walk away). When I get my bus pass next year, then we will use the bus for all of our local journeys as it’s just not worth taking the car and paying to park it. For 2 people, the car v bus cost balance isn’t quite there yet.

We are lucky to have a decent bus service - every 10 mins to the city, every hour or half hour to other local towns.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 4:41pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Best Camping & Caravan Club sites for cycling
Replies: 26
Views: 3966

Re: Best Camping & Caravan Club sites for cycling

Slowroad wrote: 25 Feb 2024, 8:26pm
We are off to the Moreton in Marsh Caravan and Motorhome Club site tomorrow. It’s just outside the town, off the A44 but only about 10 minutes walk into the town centre. We’ve been there before and it’s a good site for exploring the northern Cotswolds by bike. We have the Goldeneye Cotswolds Cycling Map and there are several routes that start near or pass close to Moreton.
Hope you are having/have had a good time! Did you use a caravan or motorhome or are you hardy tent campers? I wasn't aware that they took tents so I just had a look at their website and I'm no clearer!
Campervan. We didn’t take bikes this time as my wife has been quite ill. Weather was a bit iffy - went to Bourton on the Water and Stow on the Wold on the bus and it was very wet for much of the day. Went to Cirencester and Burford the next day. Cirencester is an interesting old Roman town, I’d never been before. Went to London on the train on the Saturday and Batsford Arboretum on the Sunday before returning home.

No they don’t take tents at this site, though the one at Abbey Wood in SE London does.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 3:39pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling using trains (in UK and EU)
Replies: 587
Views: 61418

Re: Cycling using trains (in UK and EU)

gbnz wrote: 4 Mar 2024, 10:16pm Hmm, last minute check last night. As a partially disabled cyclist, c/w disabled rail card, multiple journey options to my destination 191 miles away, on a quiet Sunday, mainline service, several days in advance, for £18.90. Returned to book it tonight

It's now £125.7 for the cheapest ticket. With next to no services available. The reality of travelling with a disability in the UK, in the 21st century. Thank God for the van, bus, 4/4, HGV drivers, c/w "we wouldn't leave you" approach.
Any sort of railcard is worth having and will pay for itself in no time. We often travel to London to see our son and grandson, most recently from Moreton in Marsh - advance day return travelling on specific trains - £17 each with a 2 Together Railcard, compared to £68 each for an off peak return without a railcard.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 3:35pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Whether to split the thread 'Cycling using trains (in UK and EU)'
Replies: 6
Views: 281

Re: Cycling using trains (in UK and EU)

Jdsk wrote: 3 Mar 2024, 5:23pm Thanks for the dates, very helpful.

Jonathan

PS: But the UK is still part of Europe. : - )
Yes, but having such a massive thread means useful information gets lost. Best to have a separate thread for UK and Europe, indeed you could even have separate threads for France, Netherlands, etc and inter-country.
by TrevA
4 Mar 2024, 10:15am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycle Show 2024 Cancelled. Alternatives
Replies: 18
Views: 1401

Re: Cycle Show 2024 Cancelled. Alternatives

I think the NEC one is still on.

https://nationalcyclingshow.com/

Though the last time I went, it was mostly obscure Chinese e-bikes, not much to interest the road and touring market.
by TrevA
3 Mar 2024, 1:50pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why are bike tyres so expensive?
Replies: 56
Views: 2758

Re: Why are bike tyres so expensive?

I didn’t mind paying £20-25 for a new bike tyre, but getting on for £40 now is pushing it a bit. That’s for a Gatorskin, not a super-duper racing tyre, so I’ve started to look round for something a bit cheaper. My last purchase was a Durano Double Defense, that was £26 from Halfords.