Search found 26 matches

by AndrewClark
27 Jun 2015, 10:43am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: CTC Poly Bike Bag and Easyjet Questions
Replies: 47
Views: 8174

Re: CTC Poly Bike Bag and Easyjet Questions

I flew home from Nice to Liverpool yesterday. I've done this 3 times before using the CTC poly bag with no problems.

This time an Easyjet rep came up to me in the check in queue and told me that I wouldn't be allowed to check my bike in as it was (padded with a cheap foam mat & CTC bag) and would have to use a box. He was polite, but insistent that they wouldn't take the bike.

I had to sprint down to the next level where a very helpful chap charged me €14 for a used box. I had to rip the poly bag apart & remove my frony wheel to make it fit. He taped the box up for me, but it looked very flimsy.

They then demanded to know the weight of the bike (never been asked that before!) They didn't have a problem with taking 2 rear panniers lashed together as luggage. I'd payed £10 for a seat with extra legroom and this let me take the stuffsac with my tent & some other kit as cabin baggage along with my bar bag. (I was a bit worried about the tent poles being allowed on).

I was still in lycra & the cleats on my shimano sandals beeped the metal detector and earned me a pat down.

By the time I got onto the plane I was a dirty, sweaty mess and in a foul mood.

I saw the luggage waiting to be loaded , the bike box was on its own trailer.

At Liverpool the box came through on the conveyor, I removed the bike, no obvious damage (front mudguard wrecked, but that was my fault). Removed the foam padding , pumped up the tyres & rode home.
by AndrewClark
26 Mar 2015, 7:32pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Trangia in USA
Replies: 7
Views: 4844

Re: Trangia in USA

I used my Trangia for Seattle to San Francisco & for Arizona & Utah.

Denatured alcohol is available from places such as Home Depot (same as B&Q) in large towns.

Heet (methanol) is widely available from garages.

I used mainly Heet on my tours with no ill effects.

More info here http://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.co. ... -fuel.html
by AndrewClark
23 Mar 2015, 10:11pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: maps for the west of USA
Replies: 21
Views: 5703

Re: maps for the west of USA

When I did my last trip to the USA (Nevada, Arizona & Utah) I bought Delorme / Rand McNally road atlases & just cut the sheets I wanted for my trip out with a Stanley knife. This was OK for a road based trip, if you intend to go off road you'd probably need to get stuff locally.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=dp_byline ... evancerank

I used the ACA maps when I did Seattle to San Fran, they are very good if you are just following one of their routes.

Plenty of GPS maps out there as well. I was able to download decent quality stuff to cover my trip & pre plotted my route at home.
by AndrewClark
1 May 2014, 10:39pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Recommended Las vegas hotel/motel/accom??
Replies: 9
Views: 1641

Re: Recommended Las vegas hotel/motel/accom??

As Galloper said. Motel 6 on Tropicana was cheap & convenient. There is a small store & a adjacent diner.

I used it as the start & end point of a trip to the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches & Zion. They kept my bike bag for me as well :-)

I hated Vegas ! Just not my sort of place.
by AndrewClark
4 Dec 2012, 10:23pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Cycle mag cover
Replies: 17
Views: 1601

Re: Cycle mag cover

ferrit worrier wrote:
cycleruk wrote:Is she a real cyclist. Page 4 of the link above shows her mending a puncture with the bike upside down. :lol: (See other post - viewtopic.php?f=7&t=70703 )


I think she's being PC ......proper cyclist


Cara is most definitely a real cyclist, and a very nice one as well. I did the Manali to Leh route with her and Cass when they were leading trips, and had a wonderful time. I was slowest in the group and she was always looking out for me

Image
by AndrewClark
22 Aug 2012, 6:35pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Rudy Project - spare parts ?
Replies: 6
Views: 4231

Re: Rudy Project - spare parts ?

My Rydons were bought in 2009 , and until this happened have been entirely trouble free.

Tim Wood at Echelon Cycles has been in touch and is seeing if he can source the part for me.

Update - Both Echelon & RX Bikes came back to me, thanks for that gents. Rob Masters at Yellow emailed me earlier and will put a replacement in the post for me tomorrow :)
by AndrewClark
20 Aug 2012, 6:58pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Rudy Project - spare parts ?
Replies: 6
Views: 4231

Rudy Project - spare parts ?

Has anyone had any luck getting hold of spares for Rudy Project kit ?

I've lost the _tiny_ nut that holds one arm of my Rydons in place.

I've emailed the UK distributor www.yellow-limited.com and also the manufacturer, quoting the part number. Neither of them have replied >:(
by AndrewClark
16 Jul 2012, 9:54pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Western Isles & West Coast Cycle Tour 2012 - incl St Kilda
Replies: 35
Views: 12788

Re: Western Isles & West Coast Cycle Tour 2012 - incl St Kil

Beautiful! I was up there in May and it was gorgeous as well.
by AndrewClark
4 Jul 2012, 7:36pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bike Bags - Virgin Airlines - Las Vegas McCarran Airport
Replies: 0
Views: 1953

Bike Bags - Virgin Airlines - Las Vegas McCarran Airport

I'll be arriving at Las Vegas for the start of a circular tour in October. I'm hoping I'll be able to bring my bike in a CTC plastic bike bag as shown here http://travellingtwo.com/resources/flyi ... ic-ctc-bag

I've used similar bags for European flights many times, with only the occasional dent as a result. I've no real concern about getting it on the plane in the UK, as I've always found staff at Manchester airport to be very helpful (for BA flights, are Virgin OK ?)

What is McCarran like for bike handling ? In my experience it's the ground staff rather than the individual airlines who can cause trouble. Are they OK ?

The bike can be a bit too big for some X-ray machines and I've had to have it manually swabbed for explosives a few times!

I've got a backup in the form of S&S couplings and a case, but that means I can't ride away from the airport and also that I need to find somewhere to stash the case for 4 weeks.

All advice welcome.
by AndrewClark
28 Aug 2011, 12:12pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycle camping in the Low Countries - September
Replies: 1
Views: 403

Cycle camping in the Low Countries - September

I've got the last 2 weeks in September booked as leave and have tickets for the Dover - Dunkerque ferry.

Rough idea is to cross into Belgium and then do a circular tour, possible crossing into Holland or even Germany. I usually average 50ish miles per day.

How are Belgium & Holland for camping ? Am I likely to find sites shutting down for the end of the season ? Are the sites indicated on maps or is there a website with details ?

What are the best maps to use ? I've already downloaded http://sites.google.com/site/openfietsmap/ for my GPS.

All suggestions for routes, destinations, "must see's" welcome ...
by AndrewClark
30 Jun 2011, 11:44pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bruges to Amsterdam/Amsterdam to Bruges
Replies: 19
Views: 10963

Re: Bruges to Amsterdam/Amsterdam to Bruges

I've visited Holland several times and Brugge twice, usually travelling by train and staying in hostels. I did hire a bike and ride along the canal to Sluis and the coast once.

What's camping like over there ? Is there a network of small sites similar to the French Camping Municipal ?
by AndrewClark
6 Dec 2010, 5:49pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: telescopic fishing rods
Replies: 11
Views: 2892

Re: telescopic fishing rods

I saw this review on another site, it may be of interest.

http://www.hikinginfinland.com/2010/04/ ... -gear.html
by AndrewClark
19 Mar 2010, 10:44pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: FLYING WITH BIKES
Replies: 19
Views: 5379

Re: FLYING WITH BIKES

I've flown many times using the big poly bag method. A few times I've had to argue that it is a proper bike bag. Take a printout of the page from the bikeshop showing it in use, or even better one from the airline, if you can find one.

An Arno strap is useful for sealing the end of the bag. Pipe lagging or bubble wrap for protecting the frame, I rode Geneva to Nice with the main triangle covered in pipe lagging, it weighed nothing, didn't interfere with pedaling so why remove it?

A big stuffsac to put your panniers in is a good idea, some airlines charge per item. I've got around this by lashing things together in the past but the bag is easier.

If you are doing a circular tour, try to find somewhere (campsite/hostel) to dump the packing on the first day and pick it up when you return.

An assembled, bagged bike can be too big to fit throough the X Ray machine. No problem at Manchester, they gave it a manual swab for explosives then sent me on my way. Geneva insisted I removed the from wheel so it woud fit through the machine. That was the only time I had damage, someone put something heavy on top and the rim dented my frame.
by AndrewClark
12 Jan 2010, 10:23pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycle to SA world cup-solo female
Replies: 30
Views: 3243

Re: Cycle to SA world cup-solo female

It sounds like a wonderful trip but I'm too much of a coward to quit my job & kiss the pension goodbye :oops:

If you haven't already read it take a look at Al Humphries "Moods of Future Joys" detailing his ride to South Africa and onwards. Ted Simon's books (motorcycling) are also worth reading.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1903 ... d_i=468294

I think Al posts on BikeMagic, ThornTree and possibly BikeRadar. ThornTree may be the best site for serious overland touring. Also check out the American "Adventure Cycling" site, they have a forum with a "partners wanted" section.

Hope you have a wonderful time and a safe journey.

Andrew
by AndrewClark
3 Jul 2009, 10:15pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring for a beginner(In Iran).
Replies: 5
Views: 620

Re: Touring for a beginner(In Iran).

It's a turbulent part of the world, read as much recent history as you can before you go.

It's good to know how to fix your bike. Either find a local maintenance course, or buy a decent book and work through it, systematically stripping & rebuilding you bike before you go.

Look for info at Crazy Guy, I think there is also some at the Trento Bike Pages.

Lonely Planet's "Thorn Tree" forum would be another valuable source of info. They have a cycling section, some hard core tourists are frequent posters.

ISTR reading that cycling was quite a popular sport in Iran and have personally met 2 or 3 Iranian couples on bike tours, so the concept of touring is not unknown over there.

Only book I've read that covered touring in Iran was "Full Tilt" by Dervla Murphy. Written in the (50's/60's?) but essential reading for every cycle tourist.

As for distances covered in a day, I was averaging 50+ miles a day on the hilly US101 carrying full camping gear. I doubt you would be camping in Iran but due to the expected high temps wouldn't expect to be doing much more than that.

The "Adventure Cycle Touring Handbook" does not cover Iran, but is also a recommended read.