Cycling UK Forum

I have often wondered if Botany Bay (near Enfield, Middlesex) is named after the more well known Botany Bay in Australia. Seems unlikely, but how else did it get its name?

Back to the original topic. The correct way (???) to tow another bike is of course to use a bicycle towing bracket. I have never seen one, but an old timer of my acquaintance told of using one to take his track bike to the Paddington track (1950s). Probably home made. The front wheel is taken out of the towed bike, and put on a sprint carrier on the front axle of the towing bike. The towing bracket fits to the rear axle of the tower. The front forks of the towed bike are secured to the upper part of the bracket, probably using a spare hub and q/r skewer.

No idea what the lighting regulations might be!

Hope this is not too far off topic: I am wondering if anyone has any information on Startin's Cycles of Smithdown Lane? I don't know whether they made frames, but I had a pair of wheels built there in the 1960s.
Thanks,
Pete.

Can anyone recommend a bike hire place in Alcudia, Majorca? We would be looking for a mix of road bikes and others for a small group. Thank you.

Referring to Scurragh Lane, one possible answer answer might be a horse and cycle bridge like this one http://goo.gl/maps/zAcjk on the A1 about 200 miles further south, which was put up about 20or 30 years ago when the central reservation was closed. This one too has a major interchange about a mile to the North, but fortunately we are not forced to use it instead of crossing here. I do not know the story behind the decision to put this bridge up.

I agree entirely that it is the motorised traffic that should take the detour.

Just starting off in a time trial, I heard a bang behind me. Next, I was overtaken by a car wheel, which bounded up the
road. More noise behind, as a car on 3 wheels came to a halt!

I used the Blackburn FL-1 front low rider rack with Carradice front panniers for a number of tours (although presently I am using a
Tubus rack). I had to elongate the holes in the rack with a file, so that the catch part of the clip will pass through. So Carradice
are correct, unless you modify the rack.
Peter

Hi spen
I did this in 2001, from North London to the York Rally, 4 days. Route as best as I can recollect it was via Hatfield, Woolmer Green, Aston, Ashwell (all Herts), Gamlingay, Eltisley, St. Ives, Warboys,
Ramsey (stayed in a B&B somewhere), Whittlesey, Crowland, Spalding, Sleaford, probably Metheringham, Lincoln (camped), Saxilby, Gainsborough, Epworth, Hatfield, Thorne (camped), Fishlake I think, and then you can find your way to the Trans-Pennine trail and through to Selby. Then partly cycle track to Cawood and onto York. Hope that helps. About 240 miles from Barnet, Herts. Have a good ride! Mostly quiet roads apart from a stretch near Gainsborough.
blue_shorter.

Seen in a French seaside resort a few days ago: child sat on rear carrier, with feet in rear panniers. I don't know
the relevant French law, but would that count as 'adapted' here?

Really enjoyable, this thread.

I have type 2, diagnosed 19 years ago.

Clearly, riding keeps my blood sugar levels down. I used to not take my medication on hard days - 50 miles with camping gear - and
arrive at say say 5.5 mmol/l, but later I found this stopped working, and it was better to take the tablets.

I have noticed this happening while stationary near traffic lights. Must be electrical interference.

Getting the pawl springs back in: the way I used to do it 40 years ago, was to use a piece of thread. Tie it round the
pawls with a slip knot. Assemble the freewheel, then pull the end of the thread in order to remove it. HTH.