Search found 465 matches

by LinusR
9 Mar 2023, 1:44pm
Forum: Cycling UK Member Groups and Affiliates
Topic: Ride leaders wanted for around London
Replies: 0
Views: 6281

Ride leaders wanted for around London

I run the easy section of Central London CTC, a member club of Cycling UK. We have a shortage of ride leaders willing to lead the easy group. Rides usually start from a train station just outside London with riders arriving by train to meet the leader. We usually have about five riders attending.

If you live in London, or in one of the home counties, and are a paid up Cycling UK / CTC member and are registered with Cycling UK as a leader could you consider offering to lead an easy ride of between 40k and 50k. See our website for more information https://www.centrallondonctc.org.uk/for ... -spring/p1
by LinusR
27 Feb 2023, 11:32am
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Tyre pressures
Replies: 21
Views: 8281

Re: Tyre pressures

I'm 80kg. I run about 28 on the rear and 24 on the front with 29 x 2.3 inch with tubes on a hardtail.
by LinusR
27 Feb 2023, 11:23am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Could you give our updated journey planner a quick test?
Replies: 49
Views: 2340

Re: Could you give our updated journey planner a quick test?

I gave it a quick test. Using Chrome browser on GNU/Linux Ubuntu 20.04.5 LTS. Tried a few routes. Not able to drag route via a preferred village or town. The route does not flag up sections of off-road. I would just stick with Cycle.Travel. I usually use the free version of Ride With GPS. I use it for both road and off-road planning. I see no advantage to using the CUK route planner, only disadvantages, sorry.
by LinusR
27 Feb 2023, 11:17am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Could you give our updated journey planner a quick test?
Replies: 49
Views: 2340

Re: Could you give our updated journey planner a quick test?

emleyman wrote: 27 Feb 2023, 11:08am It doesn't work at all for me. There's no map displayed.

using Firefox on Ubuntu 22.04.
Worked for me using Firefox on Ubuntu 20.04.5 LTS. Have you done

Code: Select all

sudo apt update
then

Code: Select all

sudo apt dist-upgrade
? It did load very slowly, though.
by LinusR
23 Nov 2022, 7:03pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bari - Pisa or further
Replies: 9
Views: 1165

Re: Bari - Pisa or further

Squibnocket wrote: 3 Nov 2022, 9:53pm Looking into cycle camping/ hostels with minimal gear next June from Bari - Pisa, mainly following the coast with some inland detours.
Done a quick search for campsites etc and not had much luck. Can anybody offer advice etc or recommend sites they've been to ?
Any advice would be great.
Grazie
I cycled from Pescara to Bari (part of a longer tour) nearly 25 years ago and it was difficult to find a place to camp and even find any accommodation that was available due to it being high season. I ended up sleeping on the beach a few times which turned out to be lovely. I just picked a spot out of the way or near some fishermen and just slept in my sleeping bag on my Thermarest.

Part of the rest of my journey was between Firenze (Florence) and Pescara. There were some good campsites and also some Hostel Internationals (HI) in some interesting old buildings including former monasteries and convents. Italy is not cheap, though. But very enjoyable.
by LinusR
28 Sep 2021, 3:29pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Why am I eating through chains so fast?
Replies: 38
Views: 2963

Re: Why am I eating through chains so fast?

Psamathe wrote: 28 Sep 2021, 12:05pm

So when using white spirit...
Don't use white spirit. In the winter use a wet lube but wipe off excess after lubing. Don't over lube.
Clean the chain (and the rest of the bike) little and often with warm soapy water (I use cheap washing up liquid in a very weak solution). Don't let crud and grime build up. Keep the bike clean. Don't jet wash it. (I use a gentle, hand-pumped garden spray.)
After washing spray with GT85 or WD40 (edit: just the chain, not the whole bike!). I spray GT85 onto a cloth and run the chain though it. Then lube as normal. Don't overlube, and wipe off excess lube.

In the drier months use a dry lube. Clean little and often as above.

Some observations. Winter riding in a city in all weathers will wear out chain and components very quickly. City roads are filthy and this will will wear out bike components along with road salt. Full mudguards will help. I now ride a cheap, single-speed, fixed-gear bike with full mudguards in London all year round. The chain and single cog lasts several years. So do the brake blocks (front and rear). Tyres get replaced more often than chains.
by LinusR
27 Sep 2021, 7:16pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Why am I eating through chains so fast?
Replies: 38
Views: 2963

Re: Why am I eating through chains so fast?

Duradulo wrote: 27 Sep 2021, 2:57pm This time I made an effort to clean more regularly, using two chains and swapping over once a week, with the not-in-use one being shaken up with white spirit before drying and re-lubing.
White spirit? You might be making things worse by cleaning with such a harsh degreaser. If is better to lightly clean more frequently; without deep cleaning, which will rid the inner bearing faces of lubricant which are also difficult to get lube into.

The winter wear could be acceptable. But using in a wet lubricant in the spring and summer may also make things worse as it attracts grime. Use a dry lube little and often. However, it does sound like an odd amount of wear for a 7-speed chain.
by LinusR
27 Sep 2021, 1:32pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Spoke broken by chain - autopsy and plan of action
Replies: 21
Views: 1148

Re: Spoke broken by chain - autopsy and plan of action

doffcocker wrote: 27 Sep 2021, 1:19pm

Also, going forward, do I need to review the indexing of my gears? Generally speaking they have been working like a dream this last month in every way, there has only been a few occasions where this has happened. The chain sort of goes flying into the spokes - not from the largest cog - but from 2nd and maybe 3rd, mainly when I'm climbing the gears quite rapidly and maybe putting too much force into the pedals?
Yes. You should turn clockwise the "L" limit screw (low) on the mech so that the chain does not overshoot the largest cog. It is best to err on the side of caution and adjust it so that the chain will only just shift to the largest cog. Turn it clockwise a 1/4 turn at a time until it won't shift from 2nd to 1st. Then turn it counterclockwise a 1/8 of a turn at a time until it shifts properly.
by LinusR
27 Sep 2021, 11:01am
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Today I realised my true mountain bike rides are over
Replies: 30
Views: 10556

Re: Today I realised my true mountain bike rides are over

FREDO wrote: 26 Sep 2021, 2:52pm It seems my days on the gravel sections are over and are too much for me with the lack of traction and the extra effort required being too tiring, so at the age of 72 I have had my last Cannock Chase ride and will now do canal and bike path rides on my mountain bike and my road bike.
I'm more than ten years younger than you and I frequently have trouble getting up the steeper and more slippery sections on my rides. My solution? Get off and walk. I use flat pedals on my MTB and prefer this to being clipped in and the shoes are easier to walk in. I'm a relative latecomer to cycling off-road and I enjoy every minute of it. Mind you, I draw the line at excessively muddy routes. We all have our limitations and different pleasures. Happy riding!
by LinusR
5 Aug 2021, 9:31pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Aug/Sept Cycling UK mag
Replies: 51
Views: 3546

Re: Aug/Sept Cycling UK mag

Yes, today.
by LinusR
5 Aug 2021, 1:47pm
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Cycle mag, CTC finally caved in re helmets & sold us out?
Replies: 518
Views: 38151

Re: Cycle mag, CTC finally caved in re helmets & sold us out?

Jdsk wrote: 5 Aug 2021, 1:24pm
If you do write please could you ask about what "advertorial" means in general? Thanks.

Jonathan
It matters more what it means to readers...

ASA states in guidance:

"Most ads and other marketing communications are obviously recognisable as advertising purely by virtue of their content and the context in which they appear e.g. display ads in newspapers, ‘promoted’ posts on social media, leaflets, etc. One type of advertising that, due to its close resemblance to editorial content, may be less readily identifiable is ‘advertorial’ or ‘advertisement features’. This material may appear, for example, as long-form copy presented in a similar way as the editorial content within a publication, or as influencer marketing posts. "

And

"Where the overall presentation doesn’t make sufficiently clear that it’s an advertisement, as opposed to regular editorial content, a label is a straightforward way of indicating this to consumers. The CAP Code specifically refers to “Advertisement Feature” as an appropriate label for ‘advertorial’ content. The labels “Ad”, “Advert”, “Advertising”, “Advertisement”, “Ad Feature” and similar are all very likely to be considered acceptable labels, as long as they are displayed in a noticeable place." https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/re ... tures.html

Note although ASA use the term "advertorial" it is not listed as an appropriate label. But Cycling UK, in my view, must hold itself to a higher standard as the subject of helmets is directly related to its policy and readers look to the organisation for impartial advice.
by LinusR
5 Aug 2021, 1:10pm
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Cycle mag, CTC finally caved in re helmets & sold us out?
Replies: 518
Views: 38151

Re: Cycle mag, CTC finally caved in re helmets & sold us out?

cycle-august-2021-2000px.jpg
Screenshot from 2021-08-09 12-22-52.png
(edit: added a screen shot to show where readers are taken from the link https://mobil.abus.com/ in the advertorial.)

I have a real problem with this "advertising feature" in the latest Cycle. It is clearly labelled as "advertorial" (twice) but many readers will read it as journalism - not an advert. It may not breach the ASA's guidance but in my view it breaches CTC/CUK's policy on helmets by promoting their use in its own magazine. And it does so without a note about CUK's policy on helmets, which states they are against the promotion of helmets and that "there are serious doubts about the effectiveness of helmets. They are, and can only be, designed to withstand minor knocks and falls, not serious traffic collisions. Some evidence suggests they may in fact increase the risk of cyclists having falls or collisions in the first place, or suffering neck injuries". https://www.cyclinguk.org/campaigning/v ... le-helmets

But many readers are not to know this and will read the sentences which describe the helmets as "intended to help reduce rotational force to the head during impacts, potentially minimising injuries"; and "reduce the risks associated with impact and rotation injuries" as advice from Cycling UK. In other words, it looks like CUK is promoting the use of helmets.

Cycling UK states: "Individuals should be free to make their own decisions about whether or not to wear helmets, with parents making these decisions in the case of younger children. Their decisions should be informed by clear information about the uncertainties over the benefits or otherwise of helmets."

Cycling UK through its Cycle magazine has failed to properly inform its readers by omitting its own policy advice. At the very least the article should have been labelled "Advertising features" and carried a statement saying:

"Cycling UK is pro-choice on helmets but is opposed to both cycle helmet laws and to helmet promotion campaigns because these are almost certainly detrimental to public health. There are serious doubts about the effectiveness of helmets. They are, and can only be, designed to withstand minor knocks and falls, not serious traffic collisions. Some evidence suggests they may in fact increase the risk of cyclists having falls or collisions in the first place, or suffering neck injuries."

I'm minded to make an official complaint to CTC about this.
by LinusR
27 Jul 2021, 9:53pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Bivvi bags - advice please
Replies: 126
Views: 12677

Re: Bivvi bags - advice please

mattheus wrote: 27 Jul 2021, 10:52am
nsew wrote: 25 Jul 2021, 8:36pm Those Thermarest compressible pillows are super comfortable.
Interesting that it's the biggest packed-down item in that photo!
More a case of my bad photography. The largest and heaviest item is the sleeping bag. The pillow is very light and will squash down a lot smaller in my pannier. I did buy an inflatable pillow that packs down to a fraction of the size but it just doesn't have the comfort of the Thermarest pillow so I left it at home.

I don't sleep particularly well but the combination of the Thermarest pillow and the Venture mat gave me a very comfortable night, and I slept very well for the four nights I spent on the beach - and the 90 minute siesta I had everyday under a tree in a nearby copse.
by LinusR
25 Jul 2021, 10:56am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Bivvi bags - advice please
Replies: 126
Views: 12677

Re: Bivvi bags - advice please

More adventures in bivvi bags this past week. I spent four nights sleeping on a shingle beach in Hampshire.
IMG_20210725_095853904.jpg
Pictured is my complete sleeping system from top to bottom: Thermarest pillow, Lifesystems midge and mozzie headnet, Snugpack Softie 3 Merlin sleeping bag (standard size), Thermarest Neoair Venture (large), Hunka XL bivvi bag, and a Blue Mountain groundsheet cut to size.

The sleeping bag, mat, and bivvi were all a recent purchase and this was a huge improvement over my previous set up. The Thermarest Venture mat in a large size (I'm 77kg and 186cm [6'1"]) was very comfortable and the extra width and length made all the difference. I placed the mat on top of the groundsheet and the bivvi bag on top of that. This was the most comfortable set up and I slept very well.

There was some condensation on the inside of the Hunka bivvi bag but mostly along the taped seems. Bear in mind that the nights over the past week have been hot and humid, although it was a great deal cooler on the coast. Sunday night (18 July) was so warm I didn't even bother with the bivvy bag. However, a heavy dew settled and the top of the sleeping bag was damp in the morning. I don't think think the Hunka is a huge improvement over the Mountain Warehouse bag but it is a well designed and simple bag. I like the way it stuffs into its own pocket. The Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin sleeping bag is very comfortable and very well made - to match the relatively high price (I paid £120 but it can be had much cheaper). The Thermarest Neoair Venture (large) mat is very comfortable and is made of fairly tough material. It is worth the slightly extra weight.

Bivvi https://alpkit.com/products/hunka-xl
Sleeping bag https://www.snugpak.com/sleeping/softie-3
Mat https://www.thermarest.com/ie/sleeping- ... nture.html

Other equipment I used:

MSR DragonFly liquid fuel stove https://www.msrgear.com/ie/products/sto ... 11776.html I bought this 20 years ago and I've only replaced the fuel pump. Boils water fast for morning coffee, and can simmer very low for cooking porridge. I use Coleman fuel or Primus Power fuel (both are refined petrol). I've also used Aspen 4 fuel and unleaded petrol in the past.
Firesteel https://lightmyfire.com/en/swedish-fire ... -army-2in1 to light the stove.
MSR cooking pot set https://www.msrgear.com/ie/cookware/sta ... 21720.html Bought these 20 years ago. Durable and easy to clean. DragonFly and pump fits inside.
bivv-on-beach.jpg
by LinusR
15 Jun 2021, 3:17pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Apps/route planners for off road cycling?
Replies: 28
Views: 9407

Re: Apps/route planners for off road cycling?

RayK wrote: 29 May 2021, 10:01am the Sankey Valley trail which covers most of the route (and I think is a well known cycle route).
Screenshot from 2021-06-15 15-12-20.png
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ You can ride on the bridleways and byways public rights of way. Footpaths will have gates and stiles in your way and should not, generally speaking, be cycled along but you can usually do so if you are not crossing private land.