Search found 579 matches

by crazydave789
2 Oct 2018, 10:09pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Birmingham canals at night
Replies: 42
Views: 3641

Re: Birmingham canals at night

Sweep wrote:
Cyril Haearn wrote:ConRAD has an interesting thread about cycling at night too

Probably more scenic locale than Wolverhampton though :)


wolverhampton is scenic with its gently rolling hills up to telfordcester. pop up the wreakin for its stunning views
by crazydave789
2 Oct 2018, 9:59pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Advice and options turning mtb's into touring ones
Replies: 9
Views: 969

Re: Advice and options turning mtb's into touring ones

you do not need high end anything, you might want high end but that doesn't mean you need it.

if that is their budget then that is their budget. many people tour europe on 300 quid bikes with a few bits bolted on.
by crazydave789
1 Oct 2018, 8:53pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Advice and options turning mtb's into touring ones
Replies: 9
Views: 969

Re: Advice and options turning mtb's into touring ones

Grrr windows update wiped out my first reply.

mid range bike - not a problem and spares are easier to get, worst case get a new one sent out. they are also less weight conscious which often makes the parts stronger and more up to abuse
alu frame - shouldn't be an issue as there's thousands of people using them everyday for high miles on loaded bikes or gnarly downhills
suspension forks - common enough and they lock out which is good.

spend a few weeks reading the crazyguy on a bike forum and journals because a lot of folks have done that or similar.

my only concerns are any odd sized kit like tyres and wheels you might have, in which case take spare folding tyres zip tied to your forks and know where you can get new kit from and sent out fedex/ups/dhl etc... being able to Mgyver fixes with coke cans and zip ties is very handy. being a pessimist helps in my opinion. schwalbe seem to be the goto make for tyres for longevity and puncture resistance.

know your bikes and how to service/maintain/fix them, the worst thing will be a frame break which is why most overseas tourists take steel frames.

most tourists don't need any of that beyond a puncture repair kit, others have stuggled with endless broken spokes and bearings.

mounting panniers to suspension forks is trickier than regular forks usually needing better bigger brackets, I ended up custom making some for mine but you could look at the thule pack n pedal racks which have the benefit of a decent resale value.

handlebars you can ride what you know with a couple of sets of bar ends or switch to butterfly bars for something different.
by crazydave789
10 Sep 2018, 9:24am
Forum: Family Cycling
Topic: Persuading a reluctant 5yo
Replies: 48
Views: 7922

Re: Persuading a reluctant 5yo

Xilter wrote:Sigh. Can’t help you. My daughter is 14years old and she breaks down and cries if I even suggest she should try sitting on one while it’s still in a rack at the store


that implies she will need councelling when she leaves home and chauffeur service is no longer available.
by crazydave789
10 Sep 2018, 9:23am
Forum: Family Cycling
Topic: Persuading a reluctant 5yo
Replies: 48
Views: 7922

Re: Persuading a reluctant 5yo

give it time, peer pressure usually helps.

try raising the stabilisers a bit.
by crazydave789
10 Sep 2018, 9:18am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Question on tarps and bivvys
Replies: 46
Views: 2567

Re: Question on tarps and bivvys

freiston wrote:
Tangled Metal wrote:Are you hiking or cycling? If hiking in the hills trekking poles might be helpful. If not your thing then replace the trekking poles with something like msr tarp poles.
A bicycle held upright with guy-ropes could be used to form a shelter with a tarp.


and it helps with security.

someone used to make a tent based on that idea. I wonder what happened to it?
by crazydave789
10 Sep 2018, 12:08am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: How do you workout the "legal" age of a bike?.
Replies: 32
Views: 3644

Re: How do you workout the "legal" age of a bike?.

seeing as anyone with SPDs is morelikely to have reflective shoes on does that not count? they are after all atteatched to the pedals.
by crazydave789
9 Sep 2018, 11:55pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: On tour need urgent help with Brakes NOW RESOLVED
Replies: 9
Views: 904

Re: On tour need urgent help with Brakes

a local amazon site with a specified delivery address might work. just let the hotel know to save them.

from a quick oogle though they are listed as TRP, Tektro and shimano so I'd try an LBS or decathlon appear to have something that fits.

2 decathlons in genoa

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=decat ... :1,lf_ui:4
by crazydave789
9 Sep 2018, 1:15pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: UPDATE - went!!! Budget touring : seeking advice on equipment
Replies: 168
Views: 8965

Re: Budget touring : seeking advice on equipment

Vantage wrote:I'm hoping to be really really dead when in my coffin so won't hear a thing.


so why do they soundproof them with all that padding?
by crazydave789
9 Sep 2018, 1:14pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Question on tarps and bivvys
Replies: 46
Views: 2567

Re: Question on tarps and bivvys

1982john wrote:
random37 wrote:Living as I did on a narrowboat for 12 years meant they were a constant fixture.

Nets over everything, or accept being bitten. Either is fine!

I used to own a mosquito tent, which was quite good. I'd have no problem sleeping in that under a tarp.

Bivvy bags are too much like a shroud for me nowadays though. I like more room, and not having anything over my face.



Yes I've always used tent and want to try tarp w/o bivvy to get more of an outdoor/adventure feel. I think with a tarp you get better weather protection and it's about the same weight anyway.

The downside with a tarp seems to be you need either trees or hiking poles.

Maybe I'm being over cautious but I think the buggers have a penchant for my odours!


but to find those trees you have to into the wilds and unmowed areas. military nets are designed to tie off inside a basha giving you a defined space. you can buy bivvy poles now which are quite light and compact allowing you to pitch like a tent.
by crazydave789
9 Sep 2018, 1:02am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Please suggest a good 1-person tent
Replies: 63
Views: 6992

Re: Please suggest a good 1-person tent

andrew_s wrote:
pjclinch wrote:it might well be worth spending some extra to give you a better range of pegs
....
I like ClamCleat Line Loks for guys and replace anything that isn't those with those. They're easier to set, move and hold better than anything else I've come across, well worth the few pounds a bag will cost when you're trying to set guys in wind and rain with numb fingers.

It's worth taking a variety of peg types to cope best with different ground at different sites.
The full quota for my tent is 10 pegs, but I take 4 each of Y, V and nail (at least), and use the most appropriate type on the most important peg locations (considering wind direction etc). It also gives a couple of spares, and I can use them, along with some spare guy line, to peg the bike upright.

Agreed on the line-loks.
I got a bag of white/gitd ones so I could replace the black ones at one end of my tent, which meant I could tell which end of the tent was which, and knew whether to unroll upwind or downwind when pitching in stormy weather.


aye tent pegs are a funny thing last year I spent three days pitched on decking so had to use my twizzle pegs to help keep it upright.
by crazydave789
9 Sep 2018, 12:29am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Question on tarps and bivvys
Replies: 46
Views: 2567

Re: Question on tarps and bivvys

midges if you are unlucky to be an area infested is probably better to move. but a headnet saves the irritation unless you react badly to bites.

with mossies a headnet to sleep in will suffice but you can string a bug net inside them which also acts as a modesty curtain. camping away from still water and in a light breeze is usually enough.

skin so soft does a decent enough job of keeping them away without melting your gear.

wrapping up in a jungle hammock keeps everything at bay though.
by crazydave789
8 Sep 2018, 6:25pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Women's sleeping mat?
Replies: 9
Views: 895

Re: Women's sleeping mat?

if my missus is anything to go by it is 6-12 inches thick or she complains her hips hurt.

and wimmins ones are pink.
by crazydave789
8 Sep 2018, 3:05pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Birmingham canals at night
Replies: 42
Views: 3641

Re: Birmingham canals at night

Sweep wrote:
crazydave789 wrote:moor street isn't far from gas street though brum can be confusing.

I assume you aren't intending to do it in one go? I was looking at a similar route to get to liverpool to do the liverpool to leeds canal ride.

google maps tends to show the canals up better for route planning.

early october cool, might have to come and say hello and maybe ride along for a bit.


Yes I am planning to do it in one go Dave?

Mad?

Am heading up towards the Ribble Valley.

Am hoping my home-made cycle snack and espresso stops in furtive places will see me through.

If it all goes pear shaped I can always bale at Manchester and train the rest though I would really hate to do that for all sorts of reasons.


I used to prefer doing long rides at night to avoid traffic and cut down on fluid loss. 12+ hours though I'd still prepare to bivvy up and have a nap through the pre dawn chill.

if the moon wind and weather are in your favour though it should be a pleasant trip, if you have a waterways key to keep topped up wi watter.

so this lit up like a xmas tree, do you mean like the solar powered fairy lights we currently have at the botton of the garden? I never considered using them that way
by crazydave789
8 Sep 2018, 2:53pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: UPDATE - went!!! Budget touring : seeking advice on equipment
Replies: 168
Views: 8965

Re: Budget touring : seeking advice on equipment

if you carry an extra 20l of water in your panniers then tip it out for the way home you will feel much fitter and have a sense of acheivement. :shock: