Search found 966 matches

by Slowroad
24 Mar 2024, 8:40pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Dental Implant Cost (vs Problem Root Canal)
Replies: 40
Views: 6061

Re: Dental Implant Cost (vs Problem Root Canal)

On the dental theme, I've recently been seeing a dental hygienist for periodontal disease, after years at a different practice where they told me I was lying when I said I flossed twice every day. Only 5 years ago, according to the hygeinist, the dental world admitted that around 25% of serious gum disease is caused by the immune system over-reacting, not by poor dental hygiene. Explained a lot! This hygeinist - and my dentist - are the first people who have bothered to really go into detail about using floss and those little brushes. It's made a massive difference.
The connection is that I too lost a front tooth recently - so far I am ok with a nice crown, still cost as much as a decent commuting bike!
by Slowroad
18 Mar 2024, 8:15pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Avenue Verte (French section)
Replies: 11
Views: 522

Re: Avenue Verte (French section)

I did there and back in 2019, so the whole French route except the bit right into central Paris. Routefinding was mostly fine, though there was a bit of off-road which I would have been happy to miss out another time. Campsites near Paris were a bit tricky, and one ex-municipal had been taken over by a membership group and cost an arm & a leg. Was a bit hillier than I expected.
Really enjoyed it! Would do the area again for sure.
I'd be happy to share more details if needed.
by Slowroad
10 Mar 2024, 8:53pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Best Camping & Caravan Club sites for cycling
Replies: 26
Views: 4035

Re: Best Camping & Caravan Club sites for cycling

I've been looking at staying at C&CC sites over Whitsun - maybe the Norfolk sites. I trust them to be well-run over a busy holiday time, the only time I can get away.
There's been excitement locally about a new club site - not far from me in Nottingham: https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.c ... club-site/ It should be good for cycling in the Notts wolds area without having to trog out and back from the city. Hoping to try it out soon after it opens!
by Slowroad
10 Mar 2024, 8:45pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Old tourists
Replies: 16
Views: 1416

Re: Old tourists

I've never considered myself as a real cyclist just a traveller who finds riding a bike the best way of travelling. Given that this travelling by bike has been such a large part of my life for the last 25 years I'm a little concerned what I will do if I am unable to tour anymore...........but while there's still breath.
Sounds like the definition of a real cyclist to me (there's a topic for another day...)
Really heartening thread, thanks all of you. I'm 60-nearly-61, still loving daily commuting and occasional rides out and touring when I can, which is not often enough! (I was tempted to put the last part of that sentence in capitals!) Increasingly vulnerable family, self-employment (lovely work but difficult to take time off from) mean weekends away are tricky and a week away only just about possible - plus a sneaky underlying health condition making me realise I need to go NOW!
by Slowroad
10 Mar 2024, 8:36pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: West coast France tour April 2024 camping
Replies: 12
Views: 568

Re: West coast France tour April 2024 camping

Have a look at cycle.travel
https://cycle.travel/
You can search for campsites along the route using the site.
It's a great website! The campsites link to Archies Camping, now only available as an app according to this https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/di ... readPage=1 Not sure which cycle.travel links to.
by Slowroad
10 Mar 2024, 8:29pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tour Plans for 2024
Replies: 76
Views: 9514

Re: Tour Plans for 2024

For the third year in a row I'm hoping to get abroad again. Hopefully third time lucky - didn't manage it the last couple of years... Maybe Belgium and The Netherlands, nothing too dramatic... As it's been 5 years since I've been abroad, and a few things have changed, I'm going to need to research travel insurance with an existing health condition, and any extra paperwork due to Brexit
Well, I really shouldn't have tempted fate... looks like I won't be going abroad this year due to family issues. Fortunately I have lots of tours I'd like to do in the UK! I have several half-planned on cycle.travel - not as organised as MrsHJ though... Currently trying to wangle a tour of Norfolk as my other great interest is wild plants and there are some great places to visit in the county. Plus, after 40-odd years of cycle touring, I've not actually done a tour in that beginner's touring county!
by Slowroad
25 Feb 2024, 8:26pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Best Camping & Caravan Club sites for cycling
Replies: 26
Views: 4035

Re: Best Camping & Caravan Club sites for cycling

We are off to the Moreton in Marsh Caravan and Motorhome Club site tomorrow. It’s just outside the town, off the A44 but only about 10 minutes walk into the town centre. We’ve been there before and it’s a good site for exploring the northern Cotswolds by bike. We have the Goldeneye Cotswolds Cycling Map and there are several routes that start near or pass close to Moreton.
Hope you are having/have had a good time! Did you use a caravan or motorhome or are you hardy tent campers? I wasn't aware that they took tents so I just had a look at their website and I'm no clearer!
by Slowroad
12 Feb 2024, 8:36pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: How do you carry big shopping?
Replies: 68
Views: 4513

Re: How do you carry big shopping?

Normally attached to a Revolution Trailfinder but this photo appeared first...
IMG_20230414_091016307.jpg
by Slowroad
28 Jan 2024, 8:44pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger
Replies: 25
Views: 2392

Re: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger

Slowroad wrote: ↑21 Jan 2024, 8:28pm

I recently looked at Rail & Sail and now it seems to only include the rail tickets to and from Harwich, not the days' travel in the Netherlands. A shame but still good value.

Are you on/in Greater Anglia train region?
Website text suggests I have to pay to get myself to LIverpool Street (I'm west of London!) before using their deal:

DUTCHFLYER RAIL & SAIL IS THE EASIEST WAY TO GET FROM LONDON TO HOOK OF HOLLAND IN COMFORT AND STYLE
Stena Line's Dutchflyer provides combined rail and ferry travel for passengers wishing to travel from Britain to Holland. Depart from any Greater Anglia station to our Hook of Holland Port from as little as £58 one-way.

Train services from Greater Anglia stations take you to Harwich International Port where you can board one of Stena Line's two Superferries to Holland
Yes, I wasn't clear enough, was I? I have to buy a ticket to St Pancras and cycle to London Liverpool Street! The prices have gone up but are still good.
by Slowroad
28 Jan 2024, 8:31pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Amsterdam to Essen
Replies: 6
Views: 563

Re: Amsterdam to Essen

Assuming that's the German Essen? (I didn't know there were others until I put it into cycle.travel!) But it's a long way...
Goes through Arnhem and Nijmegen, and could follow the Rhine. Duisburg Nord Landschafts Park is worth a visit, its an old steelworks turned into a park.
by Slowroad
21 Jan 2024, 8:28pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger
Replies: 25
Views: 2392

Re: Stena line to Holland with a Brompton as foot passenger

Catching up with this again...
I've been on that route with a Brompton several times, and with a non-folding bike. With the Brompton I was with the foot passengers so completely separate and no stairs were involved.
I recently looked at Rail & Sail and now it seems to only include the rail tickets to and from Harwich, not the days' travel in the Netherlands. A shame but still good value.
by Slowroad
17 Jan 2024, 4:01pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Train fare hikes in school holiday
Replies: 10
Views: 734

Re: Train fare hikes in school holiday

Thanks both! Why does it have to be so complicated? :roll:
by Slowroad
17 Jan 2024, 3:58pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Does endurance sport harm your heart?
Replies: 62
Views: 3810

Does endurance sport harm your heart?

I listen to podcasts of radio programmes, and just caught this one from More Or Less in early December: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct5b7d
Cycling was mentioned so I thought others might be interested.
by Slowroad
16 Jan 2024, 8:01pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Train fare hikes in school holiday
Replies: 10
Views: 734

Re: Train fare hikes in school holiday

Thanks - I've looked again and it has all changed. Looking more closely, this is all about the new National Rail Journey Planner. I had not realised that what it calls a 'standard' ticket turns out to be either an advance or another type of ticket if advance are not available yet. I really don't like the new journey Planner and I think I shall use The Trainline in future - also you can book ahead as far as the end of May - without the advance option of course...
by Slowroad
14 Jan 2024, 8:29pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Train fare hikes in school holiday
Replies: 10
Views: 734

Train fare hikes in school holiday

Hi, not totally a cycling issue, but is if you have to tour in school holidays. I've been scoping out a trip to France in the May/June half term, and as it's too far ahead I've been looking at train times in March. Surprised to see that a return from London to the south coast nearly doubles in late March, presumably due to it being the school holidays? I don't think it is the scheduled fare rise as that's earlier in March and 5 or 6%.
Any knowledge of this? I've never noticed it before.