Search found 1277 matches

by Norman H
20 Feb 2024, 1:36pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: North coast Spain west, Santiago, Braganca, Potes
Replies: 22
Views: 899

Re: North coast Spain west, Santiago, Braganca, Potes

I spent 3 weeks cycling and walking in the Picos about 40 years ago. I can confirm that it was hilly, I don't suppose that much has changed. :)

One suggestion to avoid a hilly return to Potes is to check the various Camino de Santiago websites. There are companies that specialise in return transport for pilgrims and their luggage, including bicycles.
by Norman H
15 Feb 2024, 11:41am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Compact workstand?
Replies: 36
Views: 1966

Re: Compact workstand?

I’ve adapted a homemade bike rack to make an improvised work stand. It’s essentially a proprietary front fork rack fixed centrally to a piece of 3X2 timber about 60cm long. The 3X2 is itself fixed crosswise to a plywood base board about 200mmm wide and long enough to support the rear wheel.

Its primary use is to carry the bike in the back of my estate car but I’ve fashioned a short length of 3X2 with a V notch in one end which I can wedge vertically beneath the BB shell. It’s long enough to raise the rear wheel about 50mm off the base board to allow the cranks to turn and the rear wheel to spin. The whole lot can be lifted onto a bench or table and is useful for a number of maintenance tasks. It’s particularly handy for making adjustments to the front and rear derailleurs
by Norman H
13 Feb 2024, 8:44am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Will I get on the train?
Replies: 51
Views: 3149

Re: Will I get on the train?

Mick F recommends Gunnislake station car park when using Plymouth ferries.
by Norman H
7 Feb 2024, 8:19pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Herne Bay
Replies: 13
Views: 746

Re: Herne Bay

+1 for the Cantil Way

The Viking Way (regional route15) would make a nice circular ride around the North Foreland. Follow it east along the coast from Reculver and at Cliff’s End head inland to Minster and Saint Nicholas-at-Wade. Cross the A299 and then continue alongside it to return to Reculver .

If you want a longer circuit continue south at Cliffs End to Sandwich and then head inland to Canterbury on Route 1. From Canterbury the Crab and Winkle Way will take you back to Whitstable. If you go this way be sure to visit the Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre at Sandwich.

I’ve camped at Sea View View Holiday Park at Whitstable but I noticed that they also had camping pods. It’s a bit of a holiday camp atmosphere but with very good facilities and excellent value. The on site restaurant was very handy.
by Norman H
23 Jan 2024, 7:26pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Early alternative to the cotter pin
Replies: 14
Views: 956

Re: Early alternative to the cotter pin

531colin wrote: 23 Jan 2024, 5:33pm
Thats the TA one, TC.....I can't see how the "cone lock" one works?
From the photograph it looks as though the BB axle has two parallel flats.
by Norman H
23 Jan 2024, 12:26pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Early alternative to the cotter pin
Replies: 14
Views: 956

Re: Early alternative to the cotter pin

Back in the early 1960s I had an Olmo bike with a Gnutti cotterless chainset. It had a three arm drive side crank and I'm pretty sure the splines were tapered. My cousin made me a special tool to remove the cranks.
by Norman H
9 Jan 2024, 2:05pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Leather saddle?
Replies: 22
Views: 1934

Re: Leather saddle?

I've rescued a Brooks B17 saddle that had sagged quite badly, using the method described by Colin. I slackened off the adjuster completely then totally submerged the saddle in water for several hours. The wings of the saddle were were splaying outwards and I pulled it back into shape using a combination of cable ties and a G cramp. I used shaped blocks of wood to distribute the load of the G cramp. It was very successful but the cable ties left witness marks in the leather. If I were doing it again I'd use wider cable ties or place padding beneath them.
by Norman H
23 Dec 2023, 4:09pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Hearing Aid Advice
Replies: 23
Views: 1701

Re: Hearing Aid Advice

I’d go with the NHS option initially and see how they perform; I’m more than happy with mine. I no longer wear them when cycling after I dislodged one when removing my helmet whilst waiting at a railway station. I wasn’t aware that I’d lost it but fortunately my cycling buddy spotted it on the ground.

There are downsides to not wearing them when cycling; the most obvious is not hearing motorised traffic approaching from behind. A rear view mirror can help here. Another problem is being aware of any strange noises coming from the bike, chain rub and the like. A cycling buddy with good hearing comes in handy here. :)
by Norman H
8 Dec 2023, 12:29pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Carradice Bagman support quick release
Replies: 18
Views: 3211

Re: Carradice Bagman support quick release

PH wrote: 8 Dec 2023, 12:07pm ... the little levers at the bottom used to fall out and needed Loctite (They may have improved this).
Yes, Early models had a problem with the quick release mechanisms. The two black plastic coated operating levers were a screw fit into the spring loaded rods that secure the bag in place and they could loosen and become lost. On later models the threaded operating levers are replaced by roll pins.

I had this problem occur on an early rack that I had, and Carradice supplied the parts to convert to the later model FOC.
by Norman H
8 Dec 2023, 12:05pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Carradice Bagman support quick release
Replies: 18
Views: 3211

Re: Carradice Bagman support quick release

If you're contemplating using with a Camper Longflap I would opt for the expedition model. It has additional support struts that fix between the rack and conventional pannier braze-on mounts or a special seatpost collar.

I'm very happy with the couple of Expedition Bagman racks that I have. I use them with various bags, including a Nelson Long Flap. I also use the Bagman quick release clamps on bikes with conventional pannier racks. The weight of the bag is supported by the pannier rack and they make the transfer of saddle bags between bikes very easy.
by Norman H
3 Dec 2023, 9:33pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: How do you decide tyre pressures
Replies: 39
Views: 3799

Re: How do you decide tyre pressures

There are numerous on line calculators based on Frank Burto's original research which first appeared in Bicycle Quarterly magazine.

It assumes that the optimal pressure is one that results in the tyre compressing by 15% of its cross sectional diameter when loaded. You need to know the total weight of bike and rider and an estimation of the distribution of weight between front and rear axles. Treat the pressure recommendations you obtain as a guide and fine tune to suit your own circumstances.


This on line calculator is as good as any.
by Norman H
30 Nov 2023, 12:19pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike Mods for Stroke survivor
Replies: 31
Views: 1629

Re: Bike Mods for Stroke survivor

Revv wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 3:47pm .... i'll use clip ins with MTB shoes to keep my foot in place.
Presumably you'll be unclipping your good leg when coming to a halt but you may encounter problems on the rare occasions that the bike decides to topple the other way.

Will you be able as easily to unclip your weaker leg?
by Norman H
9 Nov 2023, 12:17pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Anyone tried the East Coast Easy Route?
Replies: 10
Views: 8401

Re: Anyone tried the East Coast Easy Route?

I quite like the idea of an east of Pennines route and if it ever happens I think I'd follow the Fosse Way through southern England. Originally built to link Exeter with Lincoln, by way of Bath, Cirencester and Leicester, the section beyond Bath looks to be the most useful for lejogers. Some bits are now busy trunk roads but there are plenty of quieter alternatives nearby.
by Norman H
3 Nov 2023, 11:09am
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: studland gravel route advice
Replies: 6
Views: 12635

Re: studland gravel route advice

To make a circular route explore the network of quiet roads to the west of the A351. The road over Creech Hill to Steeple and along the valley to Church Knowle and Corfe has great views and could be extended with a detour to Kimmeridge. Incidentally, as an alternative to the valley road, I've seen cyclists on the track that runs over Smedmore Hill towards Swyre Head and Kingston, it can be accessed from just behind the quarry above Kimmeridge village.

If you want less climbing then the route through Furzebrook and East Creech is a little easier. At the top of this climb you can descend to the valley or join the off road track that that follows the ridge of Knowle Hill, once again I've seen cyclists using this track.

From Corfe the obvious off road choice is the track over Brenscombe Hill and Nine Barrow Down to Ulwell but it might be muddy at this time of year. If you've any energy left you might also consider the track out along Ballard Down to Old Harry.

There are two on road alternatives, apart from the quite busy B3351. The quietest option is the back road through Woolgarston towards the outskirts of Swanage, either visit Swanage for refreshments or turn left for Ulwell and Studland. The other on road option is the B3069 through Kingston to Langton Matravers. The main attraction of this route is the Square and Compass at Worth Matravers, excellent ale, cider and home made pasties.
by Norman H
1 Nov 2023, 11:36am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: LEJOG May 2023: Review of Barrett Cicerone guide book, lessons learned
Replies: 6
Views: 10650

Re: LEJOG May 2023: Review of Barrett Cicerone guide book, lessons learned

mouwser58 wrote: 25 Oct 2023, 8:26pm LEJOG 2023: BARRETT CICERONE BOOK REVIEW AND LESSONS LEARNED

We averaged about 10 mph on the hilly days in Cornwall and Somerset.
Somerset should have been a welcome respite after the hills of Devon and Cornwall. Do you have a link to your route through Somerset?

Much of the county is flat but it does have some lumpy bits. The most obvious being the Quantocks and Mendips, the Exmoor national park which extends into the west of the county, and the Cadbury Hills north of Crediton, all of which are easily avoided.