Search found 25 matches

by zed
26 Aug 2018, 9:03pm
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Geraint Thomas....
Replies: 216
Views: 10435

Re: Geraint Thomas....

I wonder how many of those killed in London over the last few years were wearing helmets? Go to the Netherlands and the only helmets you'll see will be on lycra-clads or holidaying Brits. The idea that a cycle helmet will save my life when hit by a ton or more of steel moving at anything from 30 to 60(+?) mph (virtually all my cycling is on country roads) is quite preposterous. Still, I suppose forcing us to wear helmets will be a far more attractive option to the politicians than shelling out for a safer cycling infrastructure.
by zed
12 Oct 2015, 10:24pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Vrienden op de Fiets
Replies: 7
Views: 1879

Re: Vrienden op de Fiets

It always amuses me the various different experiences people have with things like this. Our first cycling holiday was in Holland about 4 or 5 years ago, mainly to persuade Mrs Z that she might enjoy cycle touring. We used Vrienden exclusively, met some very interesting people (several had cycled all over the world), in a wide variety of accommodation (but always good), and never with more than 2 days notice, (except for our first night after coming off the ferry at Ijmouden, which we were able to book in advance), since we couldn't be sure enough of our daily mileage to be able to do otherwise. We were never turned down once! This was in May.
by zed
16 Jun 2015, 2:35pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: inputing odometer reading into cateye computer
Replies: 10
Views: 3244

Re: inputing odometer reading into cateye computer

You've probably had it, unfortunately. My Cateye Enduro instructions state you should record your odo reading before changing the battery, as you can input this afterwards. However Mrs Z's Velo 8 instructions don't mention this possibility when referring to battery replacement.
by zed
29 Mar 2015, 9:43pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Trangia in USA
Replies: 7
Views: 4845

Re: Trangia in USA

Thanks Iviehoff. Interesting Wiki article, and take the point regarding safe usage. Somewhat re-assured by the statement later in the 'adventuresinstoving' article which says: 'It's not like you hear about a lot of through hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT), where yellow HEET is easy to get and very popular, getting stricken with methanol poisoning.'

Experience has taught that petrol is not without some hazards!
by zed
28 Mar 2015, 8:06pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Trangia in USA
Replies: 7
Views: 4845

Re: Trangia in USA

Thanks for that Des. Yes, we've got similar warnings from Canadian Affair about having clean components. Makes you laugh really when you think of all that duty-free alcohol sitting just above you in the overhead lockers.
by zed
26 Mar 2015, 8:52pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Trangia in USA
Replies: 7
Views: 4845

Re: Trangia in USA

Good stuff Andrew, many thanks for that.
by zed
26 Mar 2015, 6:06pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Trangia in USA
Replies: 7
Views: 4845

Trangia in USA

Planning to do U.S. Pacific Coast from the end of July. Would prefer to take the trusty Trangia, so is meths widely available over there?
by zed
27 Feb 2015, 11:31am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: hub dynamo and iphones
Replies: 21
Views: 2383

Re: hub dynamo and iphones

We bought a Biologic Reecharge for my wife's 3G iPhone - it wouldn't charge. The manufacturer sent us an adaptor that should have helped, but that didn't work either. So caveat emptor! She now has a Motorola android thingy and that seems to charge up ok.
by zed
31 Oct 2014, 3:40pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: eurovelo 1
Replies: 5
Views: 2235

Re: eurovelo 1

We were planning to do Faro to Huelva earlier this year (then head up the Camino de la Plata), but had to cancel for family reasons. We thought we'd found a reasonable route running parallel to the coast most of the way just using the Michelin 1:400,000 maps and Google streetview to check availability of bike paths/lanes. Didn't look too daunting! Others who have actually done it might know better!
by zed
10 Aug 2014, 10:42pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Horse Riders
Replies: 50
Views: 4416

Re: Horse Riders

Wonderful resource can be the internet! There's actually a British Horse Society code of practice for horse dung! It includes a section on shared use paths.

http://www.bhsscotland.org.uk/uploads/5 ... e_2010.pdf

Enjoy.
by zed
10 Aug 2014, 6:16pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Horse Riders
Replies: 50
Views: 4416

Re: Horse Riders

And how is it that dog owners have to pick up all their animal's poo, when horse owners can leave great steaming piles of the stuff anywhere their animal pleases? I was cycling along the beautiful new stretch of tarmacked cycle track that now links Balquidder and Strathyre just after it opened and had to negotiate just such stuff. When I worked at a big hotel which has an equestrian centre there were signs telling riders to 'Scoop your poop'. I've also seen in other countries horses with little bags under their rear ends for catching the stuff.

Hmphh - that feels better.
by zed
10 Aug 2014, 4:57pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: How to prevent saddle soreness?
Replies: 45
Views: 3729

Re: How to prevent saddle soreness?

Funny you should say that, Bikepacker, I've found the same thing. Thought I'd try my luck with a B17 and was disappointed with still getting a sore bum, so I ditched the padded shorts and like you just ride now in normal shreddies and shorts and problem solved. Only thing is an occasional tendency for undies to try and strangle the crown jewels, but that only takes seconds to sort.
by zed
8 May 2014, 8:54am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Replacing cables
Replies: 18
Views: 3303

Re: Replacing cables

I like that idea about soldering ends of cable inners, Brucey. Will it work on stainless? If so, what sort of flux do you use?
by zed
20 Apr 2014, 2:58pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Giant CRS4
Replies: 3
Views: 1660

Re: Giant CRS4

Mrs Zed ( a 'traditionally built' wifey) has a 2009 CRS4 which has carried her and panniers through Holland, Germany and France as far as Lyon, (where I came off my Surly LHT and broke a wrist) - that was in 2012. Last year we managed to get from Dieppe to the Med, via the Rhone, and back up along the Canal du Midi to Bordeaux. If that bike can take her and panniers on the dreadful stretch of towpath from the Med to Toulouse then in my estimation that's a pretty sturdy touring bike! We've had no problems at all with it (the odd puncture notwithstanding), although I did put a smaller chainset on it to give her a bit more purchase on the hills. Go forth and tour!
by zed
16 Nov 2013, 2:47pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Conflict between cyclists and lorries
Replies: 142
Views: 14604

Re: Lorry fodder

[quote="meic"]I can see the logic in that but the driving environment is outside of the driver's control unlike an electrician who can control his environment.

The driving environment may be outside the driver's control, but that is their professional environment, to which they have to be alert. By their training and responsibility they should be able to deal with it.

That said, I can well believe that many of these people are compelled or incentivated (?) to operate to an impractical workload.