Search found 138 matches

by ElaineB
27 Nov 2023, 9:34am
Forum: People, Events & Rides
Topic: Leaden Roding, Essex, Cycle jumble 9th Dec 23
Replies: 0
Views: 2716

Leaden Roding, Essex, Cycle jumble 9th Dec 23

Leaden Roding Cycle jumble, Saturday 9th December 2023.
Leaden Roding Village Hall, on A1060, Leaden Roding, Essex.
CM4 1RB
9am buyers entry £1. Before 9am £3.
Refreshments available.
Lots of cycling bargains, don’t miss out!
by ElaineB
21 Oct 2023, 11:35am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Another sleeping mat question.
Replies: 37
Views: 6752

Re: Another sleeping mat question.

Hi,
If you search on eBay for ‘reflective emergency blanket’ you will find very small lightweight foil blankets that can be put under your sleeping mat to reflect your body heat back. It is true, as someone earlier said that you lose heat very quickly through the ground. Something so small can make all the difference between enjoying a good nights sleep camping or not!
by ElaineB
6 Jun 2023, 2:36pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: British Hostels
Replies: 70
Views: 5175

Re: Recent experiences of youth hostelling

Yha’s still have a place in todays world. The schools use them a lot and there are probably many children who never get to go away. It’s easy to think that it’s all about cheapish accommodation but the experience the youngsters have during a week away from home is priceless. If it helps them become more resilient and think for themselves and others, it’s a very good start. A week away from an inner city school, hopefully in the countryside is probably something they will remember for the rest of their lives. Is easy to become cynical as adults but children don’t mind sharing a dormitory and maybe not washing for a week! I personally can’t think of anything worse but I’m no longer a child! My best memories of the yha were the people I met, some better than others of course. I can’t say the Premier Inns give you that same experience, so long live the yha, I say.
by ElaineB
15 May 2023, 8:56pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: British Hostels
Replies: 70
Views: 5175

Re: Recent experiences of youth hostelling

Sadly the YHA had to adapt to compete with the Premier Inns and Travel Lodges. The rooms are very expensive now, as a solo cyclist I recently booked a four bedded room with en-suite all for myself at £50 per night, just for the room. The dormitory beds used to be £13 per night but quite a lot of Yha’s don’t offer them now.
Last week I booked a B&B for £60 single en-suite which included breakfast, kettle with tea and coffee, fridge and flat screen tv. I used to love staying at the YHA but now you can book on bookings.com, the people staying there are quite often workers who stay long term and are often found watching films on their laptops with earphones in.
I’ve met some fantastic people, cyclists, walkers, visitors from abroad who were always happy to chat and exchange ideas but now the Yha’s are more interested in families and school parties. I was also told recently that they struggle to get staff and quite a few hostels have limited opening times in the winter season. They prefer to let out the whole hostel too, it’s really all about finance and the ethos has changed with it. The school holiday summer months can be horrendously noisy but out of season you can still enjoy peace and quiet and if you are lucky meet like minded souls but it’s getting much harder and expensive, sadly. I’m not sure I will be renewing my yha membership this year, but that said I still have some very happy memories of past stays at the yha, so it’s not quite RIP YHA!
by ElaineB
16 Mar 2023, 6:00pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Solo tours any strategies for the evenings ?
Replies: 49
Views: 4278

Re: Solo tours any strategies for the evenings ?

Yes, I totally agree with the last two posts. I once took 1/2 an hour to get over to the shower block as I had a long discussion with a very interesting chap about how he kept meat fresh using wet cloths which he draped over the meat in cold water. I told him about using a j cloth to stand on when I got out of the shower to not only prevent slipping over but also to dry my feet. People are SO interesting, once you break the ice and get chatting, you can learn so much from them, and they from you. Chat to people when you first pitch up and you will invariably get offered a cup of tea, as I did once at Devizes in Wiltshire, the lovely lady also gave me a large piece of homemade bread pudding! Her husband was a retired Chief Police Constable and was busy putting up the caravan awning, I offered to help but he wanted to do it on his own, I’ve never heard so much swearing! Wonderful people are out there, just talk to them.
by ElaineB
26 Feb 2023, 5:39pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Solo tours any strategies for the evenings ?
Replies: 49
Views: 4278

Re: Solo tours any strategies for the evenings ?

Hi Paul,
I came to this thread a bit late but I have cycle camped alone a few times and I have found camping at Yha’s was the answer, if you are in the uk. I met some great people and there are usually a few who are also on their own and are happy to have company. Most tend to be active people and are happy to meet other like minded souls. I’ve had some great fun, the next day most go their own separate ways but others take their place. Yha’s are best out of school holidays and can get quite noisy but if you are camping you can just zip yourself in your tent and open a book! All the best.
by ElaineB
28 Apr 2022, 5:00pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: A cold night ride to Whitstable that brought on Covid
Replies: 38
Views: 2654

Re: A cold night ride to Whitstable that brought on Covid

Feeling very cold and unable to get warm is usually an indicator that you may have a fever coming on.
I could not get warm before I got covid, when I gave in and went to bed I sweated for England. I’d say you already had the virus in your system when you started the ride. LF texts don’t always pick up the virus until a few days in. At least now you have a few more antibodies, look on the bright side!
by ElaineB
17 May 2021, 3:26pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Who ate all the pies
Replies: 31
Views: 4355

Re: Who ate all the pies

That is how I lost weight over Christmas.
I would do a ride with a small flask of coffee, stop briefly and ride home.
The lockdown really helped, it forced me to keep riding and not to stop for a snack.
It’s all in the snacking, it seems!
by ElaineB
16 May 2021, 7:17pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Best wishes for Brucey
Replies: 613
Views: 73482

Re: Best wishes for Brucey

Absolutely, loud and proud!
I shall join in but mine only goes ping.
by ElaineB
16 May 2021, 4:31pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Best wishes for Brucey
Replies: 613
Views: 73482

Re: Best wishes for Brucey

I am so enjoying reading all these wonderful messages for Brucey!
They are full of respect, admiration and affection for the chap.

And so well deserved.

Carry on the good fight Brucey and know we are all rooting for you.

Hip, hip hooray x3 and we throw our helmets in the air!

Elaine b. x
by ElaineB
16 May 2021, 4:20pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Who ate all the pies
Replies: 31
Views: 4355

Re: Who ate all the pies

Oh sorry to hear that.
I had it last February (2020) and when I went for a ride it knocked me for six.
It seems to be a slow recovery for some but hopefully you will get there.
Do what you can but don’t overdo it, your health is more important.
Hopefully you have a decent GP, once you get to see him or her, it seems to be the same everywhere at the moment.
Good times are ahead, once the summer arrives, I’m sure we will have more energy then.
If you still feel unwell don’t think about dieting at the moment.
All the best to you and your family.
by ElaineB
16 May 2021, 1:03pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Who ate all the pies
Replies: 31
Views: 4355

Re: Who ate all the pies

Just dieting, doesn’t work.
It has to be a lifestyle change now, according to all the latest science.
I do think extending the times between eating does help, they say 13-14 hours overnight.
Eat less, less often and keep peddling and it should fall off you.
Only do the HIT full on stuff if you have checked first with your GP.
Long slowish rides can help to burn fat, it doesn’t have to be like the pro’s do.
Find what works for you and just stick with it, the slower you lose it, the better.
Having something to aim for, like a beach holiday can work for some people!
Personally, I would think of your health and how much better you both will feel and how much safer you could be.
Being overweight in our Covid world is not considered safe, losing weight could be a life saver.
That would be enough for me to really be serious about shedding even a few pounds.
by ElaineB
16 May 2021, 9:21am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Who ate all the pies
Replies: 31
Views: 4355

Re: Who ate all the pies

My friend bought herself a new pair of cropped jeans in a size 12, she is now a size 14!
Women like nothing more than dieting to ‘fit in to something new’.
It may sound daft but it’s a motivational tool, it’s something nice to aim for.
Try it, you never know, it may work!
by ElaineB
16 May 2021, 8:49am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Who ate all the pies
Replies: 31
Views: 4355

Re: Who ate all the pies

I lost weight over Christmas, who looses weight then! I think the way to go is small portions + I cut out carbs and sugar, only having half a banana on my tablespoon of muesli, with a few blueberries. In the evening fish and a salad.
It’s a great time to lose weight now as every meal can be a salad! Just don’t snack.
We tend to forget as we get older that we don’t need the same amount of calories as when we were younger. I also kept cycling each day but not great distances.
Your GP may do a blood test for your thyroid, as that can be a cause if your thyroxine production is low.
I feel so much better for losing some weight, some is better than none and it keeps you motivated.
The hardest thing about losing weight, is not putting it back on again!
Keep going, it’s well worth it.
Good luck.
by ElaineB
12 May 2021, 6:23pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Best wishes for Brucey
Replies: 613
Views: 73482

Re: Best wishes for Brucey

Brucey it was great to hear from you, as always!

You have been greatly missed and I wish you all the best.

Kind regards,

Elaine b. x