Search found 59 matches

by meejozzz
28 Sep 2023, 12:28pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Used ebike - worth it?
Replies: 5
Views: 3963

Used ebike - worth it?

I’m lucky I’ve got a bike for every occasion. I do a bit of everything from commuting, touring holidays, sportives - on road and off-road. Having suffered with long covid over the past 2 years I’m finding an ebike increasingly appealing, and I’d like to be near the front instead of at the back for a change.

Is a second hand ebike worth the risk? How reliable is a motor with 7000 miles on the clock? Do the batteries die after certain amount of time? I’m a capable mechanic but I know nothing of batteries and motors.

I’m thinking of selling one of my gravel bikes as I’ve seen a few hardtail Giant’s, Cube’s and Haibikes for around a grand in my area. Am I asking for trouble? Or should I bite the bullet and buy a brand new one?
by meejozzz
27 Jan 2023, 8:12am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Campsites for cyclists in Germany
Replies: 22
Views: 5629

Re: Campsites for cyclists in Germany

+1 for Archie’s Camping app.

We used this when we went touring around Düsseldorf for the TDF a few years ago. We just aimed for a place around 50-70 miles away, looked up Archie’s for potential spots then cross referenced with a quick look on the internet. Not that we ever got turned away from anywhere either. All of site owners were incredibly helpful and accommodating.
by meejozzz
29 Sep 2022, 8:38pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Newcastle - Bridlington
Replies: 11
Views: 837

Re: Newcastle - Bridlington

Yes it’s a pity the Transporter Bridge was closed as that may have brightened it up a bit and cut off a few miles of chemical plant.
by meejozzz
29 Sep 2022, 6:05pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Newcastle - Bridlington
Replies: 11
Views: 837

Re: Newcastle - Bridlington

Thanks to everyone who added a comment and apologies in advance for the lengthy post.

I did the ride over last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. Basically, to cut a long story short, I’ve had long covid and this was a ride I didn’t think I was going to do, but thanks to an accidental cure I managed to do it.

The route, from my home north of Newcastle called in at establishments at Seaton Carew, Robin Hoods Bay, Bridlington then York. We got the train back to Newcastle from there. We tried where possible to stick to cycle paths and quiet roads. Hardly any of it was on busy roads.

Day 1 - glorious weather, through the pedestrian Tyne Tunnel, South Shields, Sunderland then fish n chips at Seaham next to the impressive Tommy statue. Then inland on NCN 1 and back out via NCN 14 with a great and slightly downhill section through the woods to Hartlepool, we stayed at the Staincliffe Hotel in Seaton Carew who kindly stored our bikes in their ballroom. To this point this was my longest ride of the year and my double leg cramp in the bar was most amusing to my mates, the bar staff and the other customers.
50 miles.

Day 2 - the glorious weather was no more. Enter monsoon conditions. Not to worry though I was kept perfectly dry with my Carradice Rain Cape, much to everyone’s amusement. I was dry, they were drenched. A nice green ride until the outskirts of Middlesbrough where it turned into the worst kind of industrial estate complete with smoke belching chimneys. We got a bit lost in ‘Boro although the sun came out so we headed out to Redcar past the huge former steel plant. Managed to have lunch at Saltburn-By-The-Sea and watched the splendid funicular railway in action. Then it got seriously hilly and the mechanical problems started. The rim on my mates wheel collapsed. Totally beyond repair. Thankfully Cycle Scene in Guisborough was only (!) a 12 mile round trip away and they provided a new wheel, tube and tyre on our arrival. We were seriously behind schedule and the hills just kept coming. Fast downhills followed by grinding uphills. The climb out of Skinningate was brutal. I could’ve picked blackberries on the way up, I was going that slow. Punctures started to occur. 3 with a couple of miles and it wouldn’t be long before it was dark. Whitby came and went but we had no time to stop. We eventually got the YHA at Robin Hoods Bay in pitch darkness via the fantastic Cinder Track after wading though a ford. The kitchen was almost closed for the night but thankfully they took pity on us and quickly rattled up some great home made pizzas. Basic accommodation made homely by some very friendly and helpful staff. Keycoded bike shed was great.
60 miles.

Day 3 - Back on the Cinder Track along the cliff tops to Scarborough. Fantastic. Definitely gravel bike terrain. We wanted to arrive in Bridlington a bit earlier so we just pushed on down NCN 1. We stayed in the Lobster Pot which is almost identical to Premier Inn. They let us keep our bikes in the rooms as there was plenty of space. Bridlington pubs on a Sunday night are a a delight. The record for a round of 4 pints was broken twice in consecutive pubs, the record now stands at £9.90.
35 miles.

Day 4 - Bridlington - York. Hill after hill after hill and some real whoppers too. We’d planned a quiet route thinking there’d by tea shops and country pubs all over. There were none. We kept asking locals who just looked at us as if we were mad. The downhill into York was well earned. Thankfully we were staying in a pub, The White Horse, they were brilliant. Allowing us to store our bikes in their cellar.
50 miles.

Total including the cycle to home from the station was just over 200 miles. If you’d said I could do that in July after 7 miserable months of long covid I’d have thought you were certifiable. A great trip and a great adventure right from our doorsteps. The off-road sections were superb and the on-road sections were very quiet. Quite wet and windy at times but we did go later in the season than usual. Accommodation all were welcoming of cyclists. Overall a grand few days.
by meejozzz
13 Sep 2022, 7:13pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Newcastle - Bridlington
Replies: 11
Views: 837

Re: Newcastle - Bridlington

Yes, definitely fancy the Cinder Track. Hayburn Wyke is now in the list!
by meejozzz
13 Sep 2022, 6:19pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Newcastle - Bridlington
Replies: 11
Views: 837

Newcastle - Bridlington

At the end of this month I’ve got my bnb’s booked for my first post long covid cycling trip. A little (a lot) less distance than usual but you’ve got to start somewhere.

4 days and the route is roughly Newcastle - Seaton Carew - Robin Hoods Bay - Bridlington -York then train back to Newcastle. It’s only 50 miles a day so I’ll have plenty of time to stop. Mostly cycle paths and quiet roads.

Despite living in Newcastle I rarely head south as Northumberland is right on my doorstep so are there any points of interest down the east coast anyone can recommend? I’ve got the Tommy monument in Seaburn on my list and I’d hoped to use the Transporter bridge in Middlesbrough but it looks like it’s out of action. Any decent pubs to look out for?
by meejozzz
17 Jun 2022, 7:57pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: South from Newcastle
Replies: 5
Views: 400

Re: South from Newcastle

Thanks for the replies. I'd kind of assumed I'd be following the coast most of the way from South Shields to Hartlepool but that inland traffic free railway route sounds like my kind of riding, at the minute at least.

I just hope this mediation keeps working!!!
by meejozzz
16 Jun 2022, 8:44am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: South from Newcastle
Replies: 5
Views: 400

South from Newcastle

I’m on the long road to recovery from long covid. I’d usually be doing a week long camping tour in France somewhere but it’s a bit much at the minute. I am keen to do something so I am planning a short 3 or 4 day tour in September, starting from my front door.

I live in Newcastle upon Tyne and my usual instinct would be to head into Northumberland or up the coast towards Edinburgh or head west on the C2C, Hadrian’s or Reivers route.

However, I wouldn’t usually think of heading south. Maybe Newcastle-Hartlepool-Whitby-Bridlington-York. Covid has restricted my distances to maybe 45/50 miles per day. I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of surfaces the NCN1 and 14 might be?

For once I’ll be travelling light and doing B&Bs (Carradice saddlebag) and either on my Dawes Galaxy or Salsa gravel bike. Any insights would be great fully received.
by meejozzz
10 Feb 2021, 2:42pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Small Shimano parts.
Replies: 7
Views: 589

Re: Small Shimano parts.

Thank you for the pointers guys. I’m tempted to paint them until, or if, I can source some. Either some spray on Hammerite or I’ll get my daughter to do a nicely buffed patterned ones when she’s doing her nails! :mrgreen:
by meejozzz
9 Feb 2021, 1:20pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Small Shimano parts.
Replies: 7
Views: 589

Small Shimano parts.

I’ve got an old set of Shimano 5600 10 speed brifters which I’ll be using on a lockdown project. The shifters are in excellent mechanical condition, the only thing that lets them down are the nose nameplates which are scratched to bits.
I’ve checked with SJS who usually stock this kind of thing but with no luck. Does anyone have any ideas where to find replacements? Or is there no hope?
by meejozzz
5 Dec 2020, 10:52pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 21 Hole Hub?
Replies: 14
Views: 2024

Re: 21 Hole Hub?

Thanks for the replies and the advice guys. I would gladly take up your offer of a 21 hole hub rovingrowe but as mine is a gravel wheel it’s for a disc brake rather than a rim brake. I’m guessing your Campag is a rim brake? If it’s for a disc then a handsome donation is imminent!!!
by meejozzz
4 Dec 2020, 11:06am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimano Catalogues etc.
Replies: 22
Views: 2280

Re: Shimano Catalogues etc.

Wow! There’s some effort gone into compiling that! Excellent reference library.
by meejozzz
3 Dec 2020, 5:43pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 21 Hole Hub?
Replies: 14
Views: 2024

Re: 21 Hole Hub?

Thanks Brucy, it’s simple 7 x table when you put it like that! :shock:
by meejozzz
3 Dec 2020, 5:24pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 21 Hole Hub?
Replies: 14
Views: 2024

21 Hole Hub?

I’m after a replacement rear hub for my Fulcrum Racing Sport DB wheels which have been gracing my gravel/commuter bike (Giant Revolt).

The existing hub is beyond repair and I thought a straight replacement would be relatively simple - how wrong can you be?! I’ve never had a wheel with 21 spokes before, 7 spokes left and 14 spokes right. I don’t want to buy a new pair of wheels as the front one is just fine. The old hub is an unbranded effort which makes it tricky as I can’t find a replacement Fulcrum hub.

Daft question, but would it be possible to use a hub with ‘more’ holes and lace it to the existing rim?

Any advice would be gratefully received.
by meejozzz
3 Aug 2020, 2:45am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Would my hybrid bike be suitable on these tracks?
Replies: 21
Views: 892

Re: Would my hybrid bike be suitable on these tracks?

I would take a chance on the wider gravel tyres - purely as they’ll give your rims a little more protection on landing. I’d imagine a Whyte cross/hybrid type frame will allow quite a wide tyre choice anyway. Looks fun! I’d have loved that kind of track when I was a kid!