Cycling UK Forum

This is mainly an idea of getting my BobYak on the train as a boxed bag.

Now the East Coast Website state
Please ensure you are familiar with our luggage allowances before travelling:
You can bring up to three pieces of luggage – two larger items (90x70x30 cm) and one piece of hand luggage.
You will need to be able to handle your own luggage, unless you have booked assistance.
Please note oversized and extra luggage may be charged.

Extra luggage is classed as:
each item in excess of the free allowance (as shown above),
any item with dimensions exceeding 90 x 70 x 30 cm.





now, the Scotrail website states

Items for which charges are payable: each additional item of luggage over the free allowance, each additional dog, cat or other small animal above the free allowance, each article exceeding 1 metre in any dimension but which must be capable of being carried by one person.

So one company has a different set of rules to the other. its no wonder this country's rail network is a laughing stock.


I was looking to take my BobYak as a boxed parcel (dimensions 1m x 30cm x 50cm), bike and 'stuff' from Doncaster to Thurso via Edinburgh.
Question is, is it worth it?
Anyone else done this recently?

has anyone sent there things up via parcel force to be picked up from the post office?

It would be interesting to hear your thoughts.

What about the b862 and b852 on the east side?

I have done all 3. A82, great glen way and the b852

All have their plus and negative points. The a82 as previous posts have said - fast traffic and a major trunk road from Inverness. To the untrained and non battle hardened cyclist I would say stay away. You can easily get the scenery on the b862. Using the GGW will also take you past me prunes staircase at fort Augustus and also at fort William.

My views on the a82 after fort William are mixed. It is the only way of getting to glencoe and the onwards. It's the onwards part I didn't like with regards to single lane traffic and again it's still the trunk road until Glasgow. The last ride I did was taking the a828 to Oban and using some of the cycle routes. This by far was better the Loch Lomond. Better (smaller) traffic. Single lanes but not as bad, and the scenery was just as good as the Loch Lomond route.

If you have 30" plus tires go on the Great Glen Way - but watch out for the midges - but that's another thread

just to give an update on my bike. Just had is 1st service from Cyclesence in Tadcaster after the first year and a bot of using her. A great bike and I especially love the Rohloff Hub. Takes some time to get used to it but its well worth it. I am finding the gear ratios better for when i am climbing the hills, especially with panniers.

I haven't had the opportunity to use my BobYak yet as this means taking off the rear rack which is something I have not done yet because I would have to disconnect the rear dymo light.

I was about to comment until I noticed tithe initial date, but it looks like you are still looking so let me throw my 2 penny worth into the mould.

Last year (November 2012) I took delivery of my Koga Signature with rohloff. Now this kit does cost but this is the bike for life situation so I took the plunge.

I had my doubts of buying the bike via the internet but for some reason (and after lots of revision) I felt I could trust Koga which are a Dutch company.

I was also a little worried whether to buy a rohloff hub (weight, price and style in mind)

Also I had to travel 35 mile to the closest bike shop that is licensed by Koga.


Well after 1 year and 4 months of continuous use for the daily commute and an End to End I can truly say it's well worth it. The bike rides smoothly in all conditions. There are plenty of ways to set your bike up and the quality is beyond my expectations. I have gone for the brooks b17 black saddle which is as comfortable on a short ride or a long ride. The butterfly bars with leather cover is extremely comfortable and warm to touch even on cold days. The frame is beautiful and stiff but yet still smooth to rid on and wired and wonderful combination.

Now to go rohloff or not? I would say if you have the money, the right bike and don't mind the extra 400 ish grams, then I would definitely go for it. It takes a while to get used to the gear changes and difference in gear ratios but believe me once you have it you will find going up hills is much better because find the right gear is very quicker and less fiddly when you need it, especially when you are starting from standing as you can change gear without pedalling. (I sometime swap to go to work on my pinarello and the difference in not messing with all the gear changes is a nice feeling)

The bike shop I used was cyclesense at Tadcaster. From start to finish my contact there was/is Dave. The service is impeccable and everything was done to do everything possible in my requests. Indeed when I requested panniers AFTER my bike order I still got them at the price I would have. And when I was delivered my pannier minus 1 rear one cyclesense sorted this out very quickly

Thanks very much.


So bottom line is put Koga on your list, I was not disappointed.

I was looking at the Garmin verb elite. Very beautiful piece of kit, even if a tad expensive. Though I don't think I will buy it as the only use I would have it for is to record any incidents while on the road.

However saying that I have made my own.

Using my old Nokia n95, a light bulb cardboard box and black duck tape I have constructed an almost waterproof camcorder which is small enough to fit on the back of my helmet. Looking to add some black/yellow tape so it stands out.

Cost: nowt. For a Yorkshireman that's pure gold!!

Just watched the episode what a load of tripe. I am sick and tired of Clarkson making fun of cyclists in this stupid way which no one benefits from. There's no wounded he was boasting about all the space on the road he was getting / that was purely down to the fact a people carrier was trailing them most of the way (obviusly their film crew) and the motor bike cameras

Just a pity he didn't fall off

Jerk

its quite interesting when you read the letter, it states "The cyclist would be invited to sit in the drivers seat (as to understand the world from the drivers point of view) IN A STATIONARY BUS whilst the bus driver cycles passed.

now forgive me if I am wrong, your youtube shows you and the bus traveling through a pinch point, with the bus driver obviously at fault.

I would write back with highlighting the body of text as above and state what the hell are they talking about. (I am assuming you provided a copy of the video).

you are certainly right they are (from their letter) pointing the blame away from their driver.

Ridiculous

Don't take the lock
Look after your bike in the day when popping into the shops by one staying with them. You should need them at night. Just tie the tent line around your bike so that the tent falls down if someone where to help themselves.

If you are on a budget and need a stove then extra weight and space will be needed if you are carrying food which most likely you will. Don't forget the water you will need for cooking also.

Trip the compass, there are plenty of signs along the roads between jog and lands end

When are you going? If warm time then a tarp will protect you from the rain, but not rain. It would only save you around 500g to 1kg, generally they cost around £30

I also would take heavy tools , just a multi spanner, puncture tepair and small pump.

Just mark on your map where cycle shops are in case you need them, they may even let you pump your tires using a track pump

And they make a difference ???

Don't seam much extra there

I can't express how brilliant this story is

Go back to customer services and ask if there service has changed since you were able to book it?

Maybe you spoke to a numpty?

Interesting you raise the ASL BOX as this morning (not the only time though ) a car had stopping just over the white lines and into the box. I simply pulled alongside and safely into the front of the car. I looked back with a long stare with that 'tut tut look' that only a parent can give and just to show the driver I was there and I knew that he knew that I knew, you know what I mean.

However I didn't mention anything to the driver or gesticulate for the dry fact that they may have stopped there because they were forced to by being held up - that's ok in my book. However I am sure as previous point point to that most drivers and I repeat most drivers, do try to push the rules in many ways

I think the only reason that a) we know is because we see this more often that no, and b) I don't believe that bad driving is limited to the minority (unfortunately)

I am sure that for every 5 drivers who drive at least 2 of them are pushing the boundaries of the rules of the road.

Has anyone cycled along and seen people's behaviour around them suddenly change when there is a presence of a police car in close proximity? If so. That's my thoughts and points put into practice.

It's the old saying "give an inch, they take a mile"

pugwash. i assume you are speaking about what a self employed person would identify to the tax man what their earnings were for the past year?

if so, i have come across many, many people that i have spoken to in my previous job who have on a recorded call admitted to just that.

taxi drivers (if they do) are not alone in this activity.


as far as the white line situation of the law, it doesn't matter if the road limit is say 40-50 mph, the law is the law, if you are doing over 10 mph then the car behind is doing the same and should know not to overtake. (unless they do not slow down to check if it is safe to overtake) which could be seen as driving without due care and attention.

Andrewwoods

I think you are right. Problem is where to mount the light. With my question about the bob yak, this can be done (indeed with any trailer) but with no trailer there isn't any room except if you have a pannier rack. However the frame for this will be thin and finding something to clamp onto would be very difficult