Cycling UK Forum

It looks like a man’s version of my old Raleigh Weekender Lady. It was my very first “proper” bike on which I toured all round Scotland and the Yorkshire Dales amongst many other places. Built out of gas pipes I think but still being used. My only problem with it is that the Sachs Huret front derailleur has snapped in two so its now a 6 gear. If you don’t want the gears........ It has a triple chainwheel like yours, SR SunTour 170mm cranks and frame luges. The only thing I did to mine was to have a new set of lightweight wheels made for her several decades ago. BTW, my gear changer is on the stem (no crossbar).


Janet

I have always taken a bike with me on holiday and this always necessitated a car rack of some sort. Back in the ‘70’s I had a Ford Escort (mk2). With this car I used a roof rack and my method of getting the bike up there was to stand on the wing, hoist the bike up then “walk” it up the windscreen onto the roof. Then I stood on the roof to secure it to the rack (I’m under 5ft). Can’t do that with cars nowadays!
I’ve just bought a Saris Bones1 but haven’t tried it with the bike yet. I had a divel of a job getting the top hooks attached to my VW Golf. I may go down the route of ‘hatch-huggers’. Thanks for the tip. I have been putting the bike in the car (minus the front wheel) on the back seat but I’m wrecking my car. My previous hatch rack is ancient and still going strong but didn’t fit when I changed my car to a Golf. I use so many bungees that a crook would have great difficulty removing the bike (takes me an age!) but I like my bikes where I can see them. I have never had any problems with stability although they occasionally moved sideways a bit.

Janet

I use a Trixie (medium size) dog trailer. I weighed it and it’s 14kg and when my dog is in it that adds up to “bloody heavy” . I (car) camp with him by myself and leave him by himself tied up outside the loos/showers where he invariably acquires an audience (he’s cute and little girls seem to find him irresistible). In my home town I leave him outside supermarkets and have never had a problem. It is a worry though but short of staying at home all the time there is not much else I can do (can’t afford kennels). We tend to camp at Camping & Caravanning Sites which usually have a small shop. One thing he does not do is run beside the bike worst luck!

Janet

I have to say I’m with Scunnered. I have always used gas. I have an old Epigas stove (don’t know what flavour) which uses 440g butane/propane mix canisters, that I have used for decades. Last year I bought myself a new (orange) Vango folding stove in a dinky box. Scared the life out of me by flaring ever time I use it. Have gone back to my old dependable Epigas which lives (with the gas canister attached ready for action) in the rear pocket of my old Karrimor panniers. Never had a problem with it or with getting gas (in the UK).

Tabby

Ladies of a certain age have this problem as well but it’s more awkward for us. I’ve always used a Pot Noodle pot (having eat the PotNoodle obviously). After I’ve had a comfort break I put it outside the fly (away from spying eyes) and empty it/wash it out in the morning. I then use it during the day for spent teabags.
What do other ladies do?

Tabby

You’ve got me thinking about my Helinox chair. I thought it was a Chair One when I got it last year prior to going to the York Rally. I thought it was a bit small but as I’m small myself I found it very comfortable and I was able to sit in my tent porch to read and cook etc. Never gave it another thought.......until now.
After reading this thread I realised my Chair seemed to be a bit on the light side at 500g. I’ve only gone and bought the kiddies version! Just as well my bum fits


Tabby

I go into Liverpool fairly often. I use Moorfields which is towards the Pier Head. I also use Central Station but the lifts are more of a squeeze - bike has to go in diagonal.
Sorry, can’t comment on across the water in Birkenhead.

Tabby

I find Alpkit excellent. I’ve had one of their down jackets for a couple of years and wear it all the time (even in summer). I find it very good to cycle in because it’s quite close fitting. I’ve also bought merino wool jumpers which are good under cycling shirts in winter.
Definitely a go-to online shop for me.

Tabby

Hi All,

I’ve got two Thorn's. When I bought the first one, an off the peg, already made up Raven Sports Tour, I was nervous about the frame being made in Taiwan. But when I got the bike I was very impressed with the frame. The brazing is excellent and the fit (geometry) just right for me (difficult for the designer because I am so short). My only problem was the weight but this is mainly because it has a Rohloff hub gear. I was sufficiently impressed with the bike to have them build me an Audax and again the quality is brilliant. Now my only problem is which bike do I ride

Tabby