Search found 8068 matches

by Sweep
8 Apr 2024, 10:46pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Is Europe the best place in the world to tour?
Replies: 20
Views: 870

Re: Is Europe the best place in the world to tour?

Interesting post OP - I tend to agree.

I know cyclists are supposed to age well/have a longer active life, but we still only all have one/a single life.

And no one except the seriously driven has a hope in hell of experiencing the entire planet.

europe will fill most folks' lifetimes I think.

I also don't necessarily agree with the idea that travel/wide wide travel broadens broadens the mind. Too many these days are I fear more interested in selfie propaganda rather than broadening their minds.

Broadening the mind often lies closer to home home than many people think/care to think.
by Sweep
8 Apr 2024, 10:18pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Olio app
Replies: 1
Views: 193

Olio app

Anyone used it?

(a googleplay search will soon find it).

Have only very recently discovered it - very late to the game, as I am on most things.

But it strikes me that if you pay the subs for the map-based log of free food, it might be rather good for cycle tourists famous/notorious for rustling up innovative non fussy feasts on their Trangias or whatever from motley by chance acquired ingredients, plus a few bits of packed flavourings.
by Sweep
29 Mar 2024, 9:59am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: GPX devices...Garmin alternative
Replies: 42
Views: 2116

Re: GPX devices...Garmin alternative

tim-b wrote: 29 Mar 2024, 7:12am
Regarding plugging it in - all units will need a connection to "home base" at some point, that's how they get map updates. It's done through Garmin Express (a separate, but related, portal to Garmin Connect).
That isn't wholly true, my Etrex30 uses free mapping and I copy it direct to the MicroSD card as explained here... https://www.openfietsmap.nl/tips-tricks/installation

You don't have to install the map for a whole region, you can install only those map "tiles" that you need
quite - and means I don't need any garmin software to do it.
I find the garmin express/connect a right old drag - have to get the old windows PC out of the wardrobe every now and again when I want to update the "Extras" on waypoints.
by Sweep
28 Mar 2024, 1:50pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Garmin connect beta
Replies: 8
Views: 468

Re: Garmin connect beta

Fair to assume that this only runs on Windows?
by Sweep
24 Mar 2024, 1:50pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: GPX devices...Garmin alternative
Replies: 42
Views: 2116

Re: GPX devices...Garmin alternative

Must admit I like the simplicity of the mass storage transfer - I know where to drop stuff for my etrexes to work.
Problem with dedicated device specific file transfer systems is that they can sometimes misbehave, or get broken by "improvement updates" or the march of tech/marketing. Simple file transfer is always going to work. I use a compact chromebook but you can also do the same thing with many tablets.
by Sweep
18 Mar 2024, 10:49pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Old tourists
Replies: 16
Views: 1564

Re: Old tourists

Inspiring thread.
Thanks to OP and all who have posted.
by Sweep
18 Mar 2024, 9:37pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Openfietsmap - map data updates
Replies: 46
Views: 6200

Re: Openfietsmap - map data updates

gom wrote: 18 Mar 2024, 5:08pm 2024 updates have appeared!
:D
thanks for the good news.
spring is here. :)
by Sweep
17 Mar 2024, 8:04pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tourer for gentle off-roading?
Replies: 145
Views: 7078

Re: Tourer for gentle off-roading?

Since we've veered into the wonders of 26 inch wheel bikes (not quite yet dead I think) can I put in a word for the Ridgeback Expedition?

As in here:

https://tomsbiketrip.com/ridgeback-expedition-review/

Am not even sure if it's still made.

Mine is a 2016 flat bar version (see bottom of that piece) I picked up for about £700/750 as end of line from a wonderful bike shop in Cambridge.

I think it's great.

Note - the spec was ever evolving I think - even pre-launch for any given year - not criticising Tom, but my 2016 flat bar actually has V brakes, not cantis, and the BB is Octalink not (unfortunately) square taper, though I can live with Octalink for now.

Brilliant bike I think.

After 2016 it went to discs I think and a far less fetching (IMHO) colourscheme.

I have the idea that it wasn't a big seller but they still turn up now and again second hand.

If the frame ever fails I'll look for a mid/late 90s steel Ridgeback MTB - I rather stupidly passed on once going for £30. Should have bought to stash away.
by Sweep
17 Mar 2024, 7:53pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why are bike tyres so expensive?
Replies: 56
Views: 3293

Re: Why are bike tyres so expensive?

I'm just mourning the passing of the old PlanetX - not the new one - used to be very easy to get good tyres for under a tenner - Brucey I believe got some far cheaper - though had to settle for brown.
We will not see their like again I fear.
by Sweep
16 Mar 2024, 1:01pm
Forum: Offered for Free
Topic: 700c Touring Tyres
Replies: 6
Views: 718

Re: 700c Touring Tyres

Interested.
Have PMed.
but where are you?
by Sweep
8 Mar 2024, 8:58am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tourer for gentle off-roading?
Replies: 145
Views: 7078

Re: Tourer for gentle off-roading?

Cowsham wrote: 8 Mar 2024, 8:27am I'd bet you could buy a really nice second hand bike with very high end caliper brakes -- something I'm increasingly getting more interested in ( my bikes are all hydraulic disc ) cos I've never actually had really nice caliper brakes and don't know what to look for.
why not V brakes? I have fitted them to several second hand bikes for general and touring use.

I agree with your inclination to go (quality) second hand and then fiddle/adapt.
by Sweep
26 Feb 2024, 3:35pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Anyone been camping yet?
Replies: 18
Views: 1152

Re: Anyone been camping yet?

mine looks kinda similar to this, same company, though is red and cost me about £6.
I find it more comfortable than bigger pillows I have used. Doddle to inflate, weighs next to nothing. Tiny when deflated.

https://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/pr ... tat-pillow
by Sweep
26 Feb 2024, 1:10pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Anyone been camping yet?
Replies: 18
Views: 1152

Re: Anyone been camping yet?

Bmblbzzz wrote: 26 Feb 2024, 12:59pm For a pillow, I use a cotton pillowcase from home. Actually, it's a pillowcase cut in half and sewn up again. Into this I stuff my fluffy jacket. This is, for me, far comfier than any inflatable, and avoids extra weight and volume.
well yep but I stress that I don't carry the air for inflating with me.
by Sweep
26 Feb 2024, 10:02am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Anyone been camping yet?
Replies: 18
Views: 1152

Re: Anyone been camping yet?

in4time wrote: 26 Feb 2024, 3:49am Did my first shake-down ride last weekend. Reproofed the tent in situ. My ME Dragonfly XT is quite old now but it’s been such a good touring tent and the extension is much appreciated.
Forgot I’d left the lighters in Portugal but the fire stick always works.
Don’t over inflate the Thermarest, to avoid the ironing board experience.
Ground was fair to soggy
Although the dark still arrives early I quite enjoyed the longer sleep, peppered with podcasts.
The sleeping bag was a bit minty but thankfully warm.
Must buy a pillow this year.
yep I quite enjoy the long darkness - not necessarily a problem. If wild camping long long evenings can be a bit of a problem in summer I think - you might be tired, fancy kipping down but have to hang around waiting for the comforting cover of darkness.
By now, late Feb, amount of darkness is just fine I think - 12 hours or so not much more of real dark.
Decathlon do a nice pillow - I have one but for winter camping prefer a small Mountain Equipment one I picked up cheap as it fits neatly INSIDE the hood of my winter sleeping bag for a snug cocoon effect - no leaking of cold air into the bag.
by Sweep
20 Feb 2024, 8:58pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: End of train franchises
Replies: 55
Views: 3343

Re: End of train franchises

Jdsk wrote: 20 Feb 2024, 6:21pm "Rail Reform Bill (Draft)":
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... m-bill.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mini ... eform-bill

The background, and why it probably won't be enacted:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... abour-says

Wolmar:
"Clear message to Labour...put this in the bin!"
https://twitter.com/christianwolmar/sta ... 6401348667

Jonathan
the sad truth is that Blair's labour could have put the entire rail privatisation "experiment" in the bin if they had chosen to.

They chose not to.