Search found 131 matches

by Slow Loris
6 Sep 2016, 11:45pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Milton Keynes / Hertford Ride Suggestions
Replies: 9
Views: 780

Re: Milton Keynes / Hertford Ride Suggestions

Hi All

Many thanks for these suggestions - lots of options to try. I'm heading out to Milton Keynes tomorrow and plan to camp at the YHA while I work out some routes. Newport Pagnell and Salcey Forest look like good destinations. I'm considering riding back to London afterwards over a few more days, either detouring east via Hertford,or going south through the Chilterns. Lovely area but pretty hilly! Any thoughts?
by Slow Loris
5 Sep 2016, 8:03pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Milton Keynes / Hertford Ride Suggestions
Replies: 9
Views: 780

Re: Milton Keynes / Hertford Ride Suggestions

Many thanks for the suggestions, Vorpal.

We've had some discussions and the group is pretty settled on exploring the area around either Milton Keynes or Hertford. Hostelling/self-catering in the Lea Valley would suit my style of touring, however, the majority like their creature comforts so it's definitely hotels/B&B with everyone responsible for their own accommodation. Our maximum is around 45miles round trip. St Albans and the Lea south of Hertford are already familiar territories so we're looking for somewhere a bit further out with options for sightseeing and shorter rides. We won't have children with us, but some of our older members have health problems, and others may just prefer a more leisurely weekend.

I have toured solo through North Essex to Suffolk/Norfolk and there are certainly lovely routes going east, which is why I thought Hertford could work as a base to radiate out. The location does need to be accessible via trains running north from Euston and Kings Cross stations as our membership covers a wide area from North London to South Herts, and people are able to get to those stations. I believe Essex trains are only via Liverpool Street which is more difficult. I appreciate this limits our options but would still welcome further ideas to boost my research. I'm looking forward to packing up my bike for a recce!

Thanks, again.
by Slow Loris
5 Sep 2016, 1:50pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Milton Keynes / Hertford Ride Suggestions
Replies: 9
Views: 780

Milton Keynes / Hertford Ride Suggestions

Hi All

Calling any local groups and solo riders: Do you have a favourite ride?

My group is in the early stages of planning a long weekend in May/June next year. We're looking at places easy to get to by train from North London with a good amount of hotel/B&B accommodation. We often have a large turnout (20-30 people) so we're considering either Milton Keynes or Hertford as bases.

I plan to check out some routes for day rides within the next two weeks and am interested in hearing from anyone with local knowledge. I'm looking for rural/semi-rural routes we can access with minimal town riding. We generally do 25-45miles at a leisurely pace on a mixture of roads and well-surfaced off-road, with stops for lunch and tea. It would be nice to have a place of interest on the way. Most of us will be on touring/hybrid bikes. Members are a wide range of ages and abilities so variety is appreciated. All ideas welcome :)

Many thanks in advance.
by Slow Loris
7 Jun 2015, 8:10am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Total Newbie - Cycling Training Question
Replies: 6
Views: 695

Re: Total Newbie - Cycling Training Question

Welcome :) . It can be daunting starting out but it definitely gets easier with confidence. Some suggestions:

Some councils offer free one to one cycle training for adults. If not, the Bikability website should list trainers local to you. They will give you a good grounding in road skills.

Have a practice round a local park or quiet roads. Now that it's summer, you can get out early on a weekend and avoid the traffic.

Locate some off-road routes. Your council should have information on cycle ways, and an OS Explorer map of your area will show you bridleways and byways where you can pedal in peace.

Find a bike buddy. Is there anyone you know who could take you out? If you want to ride to work or college in the future, there may be a colleague willing to accompany you.

Lastly, for fun and improving bike handling skills, mountain biking courses could be worth a look.

Good luck!
by Slow Loris
18 May 2015, 3:11pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What bike would you suggest as a tourer and every day use
Replies: 20
Views: 1582

Re: What bike would you suggest as a tourer and every day us

Thistle wrote:I got a bit carried away with dreams of a LHT, they are way out of my price range, even used. I think I will look out for an old 531st tourer on ebay and ride the heck out of it.


Yup – Surly bikes seem to hold their value. I abandoned looking for one as I could never find one small enough for me second hand. It sounds like you don't need a small size so you should find a wider choice. Since you're in a low risk area for theft, I'd go for the best tourer you can afford and buy two good locks for shopping/commuting (make at least one a high rated D lock).

Do come back with a pic of your purchase :P .
by Slow Loris
18 May 2015, 11:24am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What bike would you suggest as a tourer and every day use
Replies: 20
Views: 1582

Re: What bike would you suggest as a tourer and every day us

mercalia wrote:2 bikes or a dog . hmm thats a tough :cry: one


Perhaps not. Keep dog, ditch partner and kids, plenty of room for 2+ bikes and trailer :wink:
by Slow Loris
18 May 2015, 9:21am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: camping pet hates
Replies: 93
Views: 7564

Re: camping pet hates

Many thanks for this - Compton Farm site duly noted! It looks better than the two sites I stayed at. My second was Heathfield Farm which had luke-warm showers that didn't run for very long - grrr. This thread is turning into the camping equivalent of radio 4's You and Yours :mrgreen:
by Slow Loris
18 May 2015, 9:10am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What bike would you suggest as a tourer and every day use
Replies: 20
Views: 1582

Re: What bike would you suggest as a tourer and every day us

Just to add to the advice above:

As already mentioned, you could keep the shopper and replace the road bike with a good tourer. If you're able to bide your time, a second hand one in good condition will often be better value for money. If the shopper is tatty enough, can it be kept on the ground floor in a communal hallway or storage area? Perhaps with a wall/floor ring to chain it to? Otherwise, there are all sorts of ways to store bikes in small flats – wall hung racks or ceiling mounts etc, if your landlord is agreeable (assuming you're renting).

For one bike, you could look for a second hand rigid mountain bike (i.e no suspension) as these can make very good tourers providing the frame has mounts for full mudguards and a rack, and you change the knobbly tyres to slicks. This may be less attractive to thieves.

Folders, as also mentioned, are a good space-saving solution. You haven't mentioned your budget and they can be expensive but you could find a good deal second hand. I use a Dahon Helios P8 20" wheel as my runaround and it's great. Depending on what type of touring you want to do, it would also make a very practical tourer with light loads.

Edit: just seen your post. You might want to investigate the 2nd hand mountain bike idea for a tight budget. Good luck!
by Slow Loris
18 May 2015, 8:14am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: camping pet hates
Replies: 93
Views: 7564

Re: camping pet hates

It was Calbourne Mill. A nice site, bar the noisy rooks and peacocks! Stoats Farm is on my list for next time round. Lovely pub opposite.
by Slow Loris
17 May 2015, 8:33am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: camping pet hates
Replies: 93
Views: 7564

Re: camping pet hates

Si wrote:And another - having your tent invaded by a rather loud peacock.....having one of them screech in your ear at 4 in the morning is not a good way to start the day!


:lol: You weren't by any chance at this Isle of Wight site? I was chased by the pesky things for three days :shock: .
by Slow Loris
21 Apr 2015, 7:16pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: I rode off-road - fun, finding routes and how do you dress
Replies: 28
Views: 4648

Re: I rode off-road - fun, finding routes and how do you dre

samsbike wrote:Slow Loris I am in Ruislip


Ah. I'm quite a bit further east and am not familiar with Ruislip. The TFL local cycle guide 3 covers your area - it shows some off road tracks that may or may not be decent for cycling on. If you don't already have this map (free from TFL) it could be worth checking out.

If you make your way east towards Watford or Bushey and cross over the M1, there are some good off-road paths between there and Radlett – Otterspool and Bricket Wood common are very pleasant. You could combine these with some quiet lanes to make a circular route.
by Slow Loris
21 Apr 2015, 4:45pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: I rode off-road - fun, finding routes and how do you dress
Replies: 28
Views: 4648

Re: I rode off-road - fun, finding routes and how do you dre

samsbike wrote: Unfortunately my commute home is through London which is no fun and I despise the canal path.

I just need to find something around NWLondon and Bucks that has a reasonable loop.


To the OP – whereabouts in NW London are you? I may be able to give you some pointers. If you're near Harrow/Watford it would be worth getting OS Landranger map 166 – there are a few off-road routes around West Herts / Chilterns which are non-technical and very pleasant when it's dry. As others have said, one of the best ways to find suitable routes is to go out exploring.

For Bucks, Wendover Woods is popular for MTB trails and easily accessible by train - Chiltern rail to Wendover. Another option is to hop on the Metropolitan line to Amersham or Chesham and check out the bridleways and byways there. The OS Explorer maps are ideal for those as they have more detail than the Landranger series. The Ridgeway has already been mentioned – it would be a long slog but there are great views from the top of Ivinghoe Beacon. I've no experience of off-roading in the Chilterns but I've often seen riders when I've been out walking.
by Slow Loris
10 Apr 2015, 11:16am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: low bulk but very warm blankets
Replies: 43
Views: 2589

Re: low bulk but very warm blankets

I've been following this thread with interest – there's a wealth of information here, so thank you very much for these posts. I'm going to try out some of the suggestions with a bivvy in the garden before my next camping trip. I already have a large peanut supply :) .
by Slow Loris
9 Apr 2015, 12:53pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: low bulk but very warm blankets
Replies: 43
Views: 2589

Re: low bulk but very warm blankets

mercalia wrote:my cold problem was not the body/arms or head but legs and feet


What mat are you using and do your legs stick out? You could try some additional ground insulation, maybe foam or newspaper? I use a thermarest prolite 4 short length and have poor circulation in my feet so my legs below the knee can get very cold. I carry a 500ml aluminium Sigg-style bottle from a pound shop which makes a great hot water bottle at the bottom of the bag. A buff or armwarmer is just the right size for a cover.
by Slow Loris
9 Apr 2015, 10:40am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: low bulk but very warm blankets
Replies: 43
Views: 2589

Re: low bulk but very warm blankets

mercalia wrote: has any one tried this?

http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/practical/XA107.html


No experience of this product, but it's something I've been interested in, too – mainly to boost the warmth of my 2 season down bag when necessary. Most of the time I find merino longjohns and a silk liner the best way to increase warmth without bulk.

For frosty nights, I've been considering using two large wool shawls bought in Nepal – they are smaller than a standard blanket and a very tight weave, so very warm. If you can find something similar, that could be an option – although you may get funny looks from the ladies in M&S :) .

If you can spare the cash, I'd second the suggestion of a down quilt or perhaps a top bag – both can be expensive but you may find a deal second hand. Top bags are essentially a quilt with a sewn in sheet underneath for your mat – great for small people like me but you may find it too constricted.