Search found 30 matches

by SteveGray
4 Oct 2023, 10:15pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Cycle Caravans
Replies: 36
Views: 6897

Cycle Caravans

Hello all,

I stumbled onto cycle towed caravans on you tube. Some available to buy, many you buy plans for and make yourself.

Paul Elkins seems particularly gifted in his designs and recycling. Foldavan is another option.

They sadly remind me of what cycling COULD be like here. In Tyneside the immediate issue is the barriers on the multi user off road routes. On road ? not that brave.

Has anyone tried this form of touring in the UK or made their own cycle caravan ?

On the sites, I hope the Camping and Caravanning Club accept them on tent spaces. On the Caravan and Motorhome Club sites, I do suspect they will prohibit this form of green caravan. Not nearly big or polluting enough ?.I would love to be wrong here.

I wonder if anyone has experiences to share ?

Steve Gray
by SteveGray
3 Jun 2023, 10:01pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Extension for Shimano Gear Shift Lever
Replies: 19
Views: 1452

Re: Extension for Shimano Gear Shift Lever

First a big thank you to everybody for their efforts and suggestions.

I like the last posting particularly, as I hope to keep the existing components.

Now looking for some aluminium or copper tube to try this out.

Steve Gray
by SteveGray
31 May 2023, 1:37pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Extension for Shimano Gear Shift Lever
Replies: 19
Views: 1452

Extension for Shimano Gear Shift Lever

I now have some arthritis in my right hand, in the base of my thumb. Now riding my Cube Reaction Race 500 E bike, causes increased pain in this joint, due to repeated gear changing. The bike has what I think a "Rapidfire" double levers. Changing up is fine as the spring does the work. Changing down takes a lot more force.

Applying my school physics, a longer lever will spread the work over a longer distance and reduce the force needed to change gear, resulting in less pain I hope.

Has anyone invented a reliable lever extension ?

Initial thoughts are copper water pipe, flattened to fit closely over the existing lever.

Out of interest, my second e bike, a KTM Ventura has the excellent Shimano STEPS hub gear with electronic shifting. The Cube is however better for rougher ground and offers more assistance.

I can't be the only older rider, 65 soon, with this problem.

Steve Gray
by SteveGray
31 Mar 2023, 10:00pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Anyone Had Success with Newcastle City Council on Cycling ?
Replies: 11
Views: 1506

Re: Anyone Had Success with Newcastle City Council on Cycling ?

Thanks Gaz for this very helpful information.

Current score Gaz 10 Newcastle City Council Nil
by SteveGray
24 Mar 2023, 8:50pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Anyone Had Success with Newcastle City Council on Cycling ?
Replies: 11
Views: 1506

Re: Anyone Had Success with Newcastle City Council on Cycling ?

Hello Gaz,

Thanks for the update. I had heard about this work at St. Peters.

Just for the record, still ZERO response from my letter to the Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council on the condition of NCR 72.

Yes I agree the glass on this route is a real problem as well.

I would choose neither the uplifted tarmac nor the broken glass. Drivers don't have either usually.

My starting point is always that cyclists are not secondary to drivers.

Steve Gray
by SteveGray
26 Jan 2023, 8:41pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Anyone Had Success with Newcastle City Council on Cycling ?
Replies: 11
Views: 1506

Re: Anyone Had Success with Newcastle City Council on Cycling ?

Thanks for all replies.

I always wear a helmet, but never thought of the reason suggested.

Police and Crime Commissioner, would appear to have nothing to do with multi user route repairs, but you never know.

Still zero response from Newcastle City Council. Does anyone else fancy a try ?

Steve Gray
by SteveGray
8 Jan 2023, 8:29pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Anyone Had Success with Newcastle City Council on Cycling ?
Replies: 11
Views: 1506

Anyone Had Success with Newcastle City Council on Cycling ?

Has anybody had dealings with Newcastle City Council on cycling matters? . More specifically, reporting of disrepair issues on the multi user routes ?

I have tried writing letters, e mailing councillors and finally writing to the Chief Executive.

The general level of response has been nil. The Chief Executive also nil acknowledgement let alone response to my concerns.

The issues I have attempted to raise are regarding Hadrian's Way, east of the city centre. The St. Peter's area is especially bad, with the all too typical (read cheap) tarmac finish, broken and raised by the (compulsory) adjacent shallow rooted trees. Much care has to be excercised here at all times.

I was about to refer this to the Local Government Ombundsman but their website advises using the council's own complaints procedure first.

Finding that on Newcastle City Council's website was challenging too.

No doubt the same council will pride themselves on their active travel policies.

I should also mention I e mailed the Newcastle City MP, nil response.

Inaction in action you may conclude.

Steve Gray
by SteveGray
29 Dec 2022, 10:54pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: The Sun, Page 10, Thursday December 22
Replies: 5
Views: 873

Re: The Sun, Page 10, Thursday December 22

Thanks Jonothan,

It seems to differ from the AA and RAC view somewhat.
by SteveGray
29 Dec 2022, 10:29pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: The Sun, Page 10, Thursday December 22
Replies: 5
Views: 873

The Sun, Page 10, Thursday December 22

Please be assured I don't buy this. I do sometimes take copies from a communal recycling bin, to scrunch up and add carbon to my compost bin. Now that's out of the way......

Page 10 has an article by Howard Cox, Fair Fuel UK Founder.

Briefly it describes a planned 23% increase in vehicle fuel duty in April 2023.

Among other interesting snippets are :-

1) The absurdity of even raising fuel duty is clear to the majority of us. But not to those green, Lycra clad government special advisors, who see increased taxation and vehicle bans as the only way to save the planet. (an earlier paragraph explains that the proposed tax increase will affect 37 million motorists, SOME BAN I SAY !

2) Londoners spend two thirds less on petrol and diesel compared with the rest of us. As a result, a rise in fuel duty is very much a tax imposed by London on the regions.

Will those green, Lycra clad government special advisors identify themselves please ? (My words )

Point two gives much of the game away fortunately. Yes London has an extensive public transport network with year on year investment, we in the North east, for example can't imagine here. Similarly there are more routes for utility cycling in London.

Add the congestion charging and clean air zones in London and you do create some modal shift.

Far too good for the regions, Mr Cox seems to argue. We need more of what we already have. Low investment in active travel and public transport, inactivity, obesity, poor air quality, road traffic noise pollution and congested streets.

The expected graph showing road fuel tax in 10 European countries is included. No context of course. What is their income tax rate, local taxes, VAT etc ?

Just getting ready for my interview at the Department for (Road) Transport as special advisor in 2 weeks. Don't wear lycra for my e bike transport, but it seems I will have to. Which pays the most though ? Sun columnist or special advisor.

Steve Gray
by SteveGray
20 Nov 2022, 10:41pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Dangerous e-scooters?
Replies: 41
Views: 3122

Re: Dangerous e-scooters?

Two observations on the non hire e scooter users in Tyneside.

1) I have ONLY seen younger people on them and ALL acting unsafely. How many offences can you find at the same time ? One exampleI saw was a youth on an illegal e scooter, smoking cannabis with headphones on. Riding in daylight in a built up area. Chances of being caught by seemingly non existent police ? almost zero. Punishment if caught, almost zero.

2) As they are illegal anyway, would I legalise them ?. Well yes, with legal enforcement of construction and use regulations and safe use.

Don't even mention the epidemic of texting at the wheel. I think the detection rate by police must be say 1 in 1,000 here. Would anybody like to disagree ?

Perhaps a quote attributed to Demonax the Cynic is appropriate ...." Probley all laws are useless; for good men do not need laws at all and bad men are made no better by them"

My simplified view is that the HM Governments should stop writing laws on paper (more correctly vellum) UNLESS they are going to enforce them. Every time there is more law, without any reasonable enforcement, the whole process is devalued.

Rant over.

I have several legal e bikes and no car.
by SteveGray
14 Nov 2022, 12:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: INOC Merino Mid layer from Aldi
Replies: 7
Views: 1452

Re: INOC Merino Mid layer from Aldi

Thanks for advice. This is an on line only item.
by SteveGray
12 Nov 2022, 10:51pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: INOC Merino Mid layer from Aldi
Replies: 7
Views: 1452

INOC Merino Mid layer from Aldi

Hello All,

I am contemplating buying an Aldi INOC merino mid layer for cycling. I wonder if anyone has already bought one and some idea of the sizing would be good. I would be wearing two layers under it. Medium is my size, but large sounds right for this use.

I am chest 38 and waist 33.

Product is on line only.

Thanks in advance
by SteveGray
26 Oct 2022, 10:16pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Any Decent Kickstands For E Bike ?
Replies: 7
Views: 525

Re: Any Decent Kickstands For E Bike ?

An update. Bought and fitted the Plescher. It is Swiss manufactured and appears well engineered, with a solid feel. Certainly worth £30.

Steve Gray
by SteveGray
21 Oct 2022, 12:22pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Any Decent Kickstands For E Bike ?
Replies: 7
Views: 525

Re: Any Decent Kickstands For E Bike ?

Thanks to you all for replies. The models which fix to both chainstay and seatstay look better than the ones I have used, without success.

I will leave the Swedish one for now, but thanks for the kind offer.

Steve Gray
by SteveGray
20 Oct 2022, 5:18pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Any Decent Kickstands For E Bike ?
Replies: 7
Views: 525

Any Decent Kickstands For E Bike ?

Hello all,

I have a KTM Venture E bike which is often well laden with shopping, being my car replacement.

The original factory fitted kickstand failed, due to the fixing bolts wearing away the aluminium alloy frame holes.

I have now used up 3 Chinese kickstands, which attach to the chainstay with clamps. The steel is like toffee and always snaps after little use.

They are ridiculously cheap on line at around £8.

I am happy to pay more for something of quality and reliability.

In my experience Tiawanese products are superior or something so old it's made in England !

Has anybody found a good after market kickstand for e Bikes ?

Steve Gray