Search found 2071 matches

by Big T
24 Dec 2013, 10:08am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Giving up cycling for winter
Replies: 35
Views: 10195

Re: Giving up cycling for winter

I've cycled right through the last 3 winters. If it's icy then I stick to gritted routes but I still go out. Fresh fallen snow will usually stop me but it doesn't last too long and the main roads are usually clear within a day or so. If you pick your times to go out then it's not too bad. I usually 400-500 miles in december and often more in Jan and Feb. I'm just under 6000 miles for the year so far.
by Big T
24 Dec 2013, 9:46am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: tempted towards direct action...
Replies: 18
Views: 12838

Re: tempted towards direct action...

I've often thought that it would be good to have some statistical evidence of traffic violations. This could be done by standing at various junctions and merely recording the number of drivers that commit offences during an hour. You could also do this for cyclists, so when the argument is raised that cyclists all RLJ you can say "Well actually....only X% do this, whilst Y% of drivers infringe the ASL, Z% speed (there's plenty of indicative speed signs about now) W% use a mobile phone whilst driving, etc.

If anyone queries what you are doing, you can then say that you are just gathering statistics.
by Big T
23 Dec 2013, 10:40am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Good brand rims? (700c, 36h)
Replies: 43
Views: 49617

Re: Good brand rims? (700c, 36h)

Yes, true, I'm a big lad - 18st and 6ft 2. But aren't touring wheels built to take a bit of weight? I've broken spokes whilst commuting, not fully loaded touring - carrying my lunch and a clean shirt totalling about 2lb. My audax wheels seem to be able to cope with my ample girth (Tiagra on Open Pro's and only 32 spokes!).

The spokes on my Spa wheel seem quite thin compared to my other wheels. is their standard build not up to the job?

As for contacting the shop, what are they going to say? Send it back and we'll sort it out? I really can't be bothered with the hassle of sending it back and what am I supposed to use in the meantime? No, i'll cut my losses and buy a wheel from elsewhere - perhaps even get the local shop to build me one, then I can take it back if it goes wrong.

That's the trouble with buying things over the internet. It's fine until something goes wrong, then it's a hassle getting it fixed.
by Big T
21 Dec 2013, 8:36pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BBC Priorities
Replies: 19
Views: 4215

Re: BBC Priorities

fluffybunnyuk wrote:What struck me most before the incident was the thought that Pan-Am would last forever. I dont think I've ever seen something that made any company disappear so fast.


Townsend Thoreson?
by Big T
21 Dec 2013, 8:24pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: mixing Campag and Shimano.
Replies: 6
Views: 878

Re: mixing Campag and Shimano.

You can use a Campag 9 or 10 speed derailleur with 8 speed levers. Until very recently, my wife was using this set up on her winter bike. You have to use a 9 speed chain to stop it catching on the sides of the rear mech, but it works perfectly well. She was running Xenon 9 speed rear, square taper triple with a 9 speed Veloce triple front mech and her 8 speed Athena Ergo's.

She then upgraded to 9 speed ergo's, then bought a new winter bike. My daughter's boyfriend now has a her old winter bike, still with the Campag triple set up.
by Big T
21 Dec 2013, 8:15pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Road Caliper Brakes for Mudguards
Replies: 23
Views: 10365

Re: Road Caliper Brakes for Mudguards

I have the Tektro's and they aren't the best, to be honest. Not as good as the Tiagra brakes on my summer bike, even with upgraded brake blocks/shoes.
by Big T
17 Dec 2013, 7:26pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Suggestions for a Better Cycle Network
Replies: 39
Views: 7254

Re: Suggestions for a Better Cycle Network

Things I'd like to see:

The existing network should be regularly swept. One of my biggest bugbears is glass, stones and debris on the paths. And that it gets gritted when it's icy/snowy.

Advance traffic lights for cyclists - extending the idea of the ASL, so that you can be away and clear of the junction before the motor traffic starts off.

Cyclepaths always have priority over side roads.

Entry and exit kerbs are flush. It really bugs me to have to bump up and down one inch kerbs on cycle paths.

Cycle routes should take the most direct route.

Minimum width 1.5m for a one way route and 3m for 2 way.

And that it's all properly funded and not done on the cheap, like so much existing infrastructure.
by Big T
17 Dec 2013, 12:48pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Flying home from a tour - luggage
Replies: 11
Views: 58087

Re: Flying home from a tour - luggage

Just a thought. Can you put kitchen equipment in your hand luggage? Wouldn't things like knives/forks be classed as weapons?
by Big T
16 Dec 2013, 1:10pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Good brand rims? (700c, 36h)
Replies: 43
Views: 49617

Re: Good brand rims? (700c, 36h)

andrewk wrote:Spa cycles hand built wheels using 36h sputnik rims are a bomb proof wheel, might be worth a look.


Erm...no they are not. I have a Spa built rear Sputnik on a Deore hub and it sheds spokes regularly, interestingly on the non-drive side. Meanwhile my wife's machine built Rigida Zac 2000's are still doing sterling service after 5 years of daily commuting and touring.
by Big T
13 Dec 2013, 4:19pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Where next after Provence ?
Replies: 7
Views: 34393

Re: Where next after Provence ?

Fly to Geneva and head south into the Alps to see how far you get.

A few years ago we did a 2 week tour in this area, including a loop around the north side of Lac Leman, into the Jura mountains, then down to Montreux, Aigle and Martigny and back over to Chamonix, then Megeve, Flumet, Beaufort and Bourg St Maurice taking in the Col de Saisses and Cormet de Roseland, then over the Col d'Iseran and down to Briancon, then Cols de Lauteret, Galibier, Madelaine, up to Albertville and Annecy and back to Geneva. You may not get as far south as we did if you only have 8 days.

You said you don't mind a bit of climbing :D .
by Big T
11 Dec 2013, 10:17pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Wedmore to Plymouth help please.
Replies: 13
Views: 2319

Re: Wedmore to Plymouth help please.

I save my routes on GarminConnect. I don't think that site will be stopping anytime soon.

We went through Wedmore on our JOGLE, cut across the Somerset levels to Bridgewater, then along the canal to Taunton, then A38 to Sampford Peverill (Travelodge), then B3181 through Willand and Cullompton to Exeter. Then pick up the old A30 (follow signs to Moretonhampstead and turn right just before the new A30). Follow the old A30 to Okehampton via Tedburn, Cherton Bishop and Sticklepath, then the A386 to Tavistock and Plymouth.
by Big T
11 Dec 2013, 3:28pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: When to change chain ring or cassette
Replies: 40
Views: 3723

Re: When to change chain ring or cassette

mig wrote:
Mick F wrote: I use ALL my cogs and rings in equal amounts.


as it happens Mick i do exactly this all winter.


But here in Flatlandia, my 13, 14 and 15 sprockets get much more use than my 27. Also, my 39 ring gets more use than the 30 or the 52.
by Big T
7 Dec 2013, 12:55pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Precednece when vehicle is looking a t x roads
Replies: 10
Views: 1732

Re: Precednece when vehicle is looking a t x roads

pete75 wrote:If a vehicle is blocking your route of course you have to wait for it to move. If you can pass without it moving then it isn't blocking you is it?


Yes but what if it starts to move while you are passing in front of it?

Who has priority in this situation? The other driver is facing a red light and you have a green, but he's already passed the stop line for the red light.
by Big T
6 Dec 2013, 7:21pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Transport select comittee
Replies: 30
Views: 10871

Re: Transport select comittee

ArMoRothair wrote:
MartinC wrote:I think cyclists in London could stop the traffic simply by not cycling and going by car.


One of my regular cycling buddies advocates that as well. It would only work if we all carried/displayed a print-out explaining it.

Chris Boardman claimed on an interview recently that if all the cyclists in London chose to drive the resulting tail-back would be 2,500 kms. If his figures are even half accurate it would result in an historical grid-lock.


Not everyone has access to a car and even for those that do, using it would be madness. My son commutes daily by bike from Leytonstone to Oxford St by bike. He wouldn't dream of undertaking this journey by car. His car remains parked on his drive all week.
by Big T
3 Dec 2013, 10:20pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Aldi - did anyone buy the kit last week?
Replies: 16
Views: 5530

Re: Aldi - did anyone buy the kit last week?

mick skinner wrote:Ilkeston Aldi doesn't seem to stock merino wool kit any more, is this the same in other Aldis?


They don't keep it in stock all the time. They get cycling clothing for 1 week in Autumn and Spring and once it has sold, that's it for 6 months.