Cycling UK Forum

Do you never leave your bike unattended when shopping then? I always lock and secure my bike when on long distance trains. Used Long distance and local trains very frequently. Never had a problem.

I've recently changed my Dawes Super Galaxy for a Cinelli Gazetta Del Strada. I've only done one 'Big' tour on the Cinelli so far (5 days in the Somme area last Sept) and generally I'm very satisfied. However, on Saturday I did a short ride in the Yorkshire Dales (about 25 miles) from Ilkley to Colne. I really struggled on some of the hills. in fact, had to push a couple of times. Now, this may be due to advancing years and diminishing fitness, but I never seemed to struggled on the Dawes and was wondering if this was because it had a triple chainset. The Cinelli has a compact double. Does anyone know if I could fit a triple to the Cinelli and if there would be any benefits over a double if I did.

Many thanks

Tom

I had a Dawes Super Galaxy for many years and was very happy with it. However the geometry wasn't quite right for me and I used to get a bit of neck ache after about 60 miles.

With the current CTW scheme I decided to get another touring bike. After plenty of research I opted for the Cinelli Gazatta della strada. I have to say I'm very happy with my choice. It is an extremely comfortable ride and seems pretty robust. I've just taken the bike on a week's tour of France and jt held up all. I was concerned about going from a triple to a compact chainset but the gearing was fine and I didn't struggle on even steepish climbs.

I'll miss my Dawes but not as much as I thought I would.

I've just come back from a tour in France and went out via Dunkirk. I was averaging about 50 or so miles a day and went down to the Somme area to see the battlefields. I stayed in hotels. Ibis budget or Formula 1 hotels. These hotels are about £25 a night and you can get up to 3 people in the room with a double bed and a bunk bed. I stayed in Bethune, Cambrai, Amiens and Berck Plage coming home via Calais. It was a great trip but a word of caution. The sign posts out of Dunkirk are awful and I was riding round for ages trying to find the right road.

It was a great trip and I loved every minute even though the weather could have been better. The French were I increadibly friendly and the sites were very moving. If you are not interested in the First World war the scenery was very nice.

Brilliant and sensible advice. Thanks guys. I've toured before using maps and a Cateye cycle computer and it has stood me in good stead but you know what its like when you get a new toy!

I will take your advice. Phone in pocket and keep charged for emergencies.

Tom

I've just purchased a new phone and I've gone for a Smartphone to replace my Blackberry.

There are loads of apps that you can get relevant for cycling and I've downloaded GPS for bike and map my ride. Trouble is, I've been looking for a decent holder / mount for handlebars and I can't seem to see anything worthwhile.

I obviously need something that will protect the handset in case of spill and this needs to be waterproof.

Has anyone got any suggestions on which is best please?

Also, I'm off to France in a few weeks to do a mini Giro of the pas de Calais- Picardy regions. Has anyone used a Galaxy for such a tour and how long is the battery life?

Cheers

Tom

Thanks for the useful tips and advice guys. Have just posted the bike on the For Sale board on this forum and have attached some pics (once I discovered how to compress the file!) I agree about delivery but I can certainly deliver to your nearest station if needed, as long as it is reasonable travel from Peterborough (Wick or Thurso is a bit of a push! )

I'd rather it go to a good home as it is a splendid bike and I will really miss her.

Cheers

Tom

My God! I feel stupid now! I've been using this site for years and never realised that there was a sales bit!

Thanks Phil (for the advice and for letting everyone know how dumb I am! )

I'm selling my (beloved) Dawes Super Galaxy. I purchased on-line a few years ago (about 2008 I think) and although it is a 53cm frame, it is just a bit too big for me. I've just taken advantage of the Cycle to Work scheme and got a Cinelli Gazetta della Strada. Now, reluctantly I have to let the Dawes go to a good home. It's in very good condition and probably done less than 2,500 miles.

What is the best forum for me to sell? I'm a bit loathe to use ebay, (not sure why!) and obviously if I put it in the local free ads paper, I doubt if I could get a true and reasonable price for it.

I'm sure that many on here have experience of selling bikes, so any advice will be really appreciated.

Cheers

Tom

I'm a recreational cyclist and I've been putting a few miles in this year when weather permits, averaging 50 miles on a training run. Done a few 65 milers this year already with an aim of doing 100 miler by the end of summer.

Well, the weather wasn't great today in the Peterborough area but went for a little spin. Ended up doing a 25 miler in 1hour 30 mins (Average speed 16mph) but I did the first 10 miles in just over 35 minutes. I know it's no record but at almost 53 I thought it was a pretty decent time.

I was really buzzing when I got back (still am!) and it got me thinking. Is that a decent time for a 10 mile Time trial for my age and if I entered an open race, would I be laughed at?

"I don't think (but don't know) they are wider gauge (the tracks), but the trains are definitely wider in the cabin area. "


Yes, Spanish railway does have a significantly broader gauge than the rest of Europe and the Standard gauge. It is called Iberian gauge and is 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 2⁄3 in) compared to Standard Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in).

I enjoyed the cycling show but the displays were somewhat limited. I had absolutely no interest in the Outdoor show or Boat Show but did go to the Travel section. However, I thought the price was far too much considering it is basically a Sales event. £10 would have been more than sufficient charge. With myself and wife attending, plus travel and lunch, it wasn’t a cheap day and I can't really say that the hour or so in the Cycling show was worth it.

Awesome! many thanks. I'd not seen this ansd there is a Hire Centre near me (Terry Wright Cycles!) I'll pop in Saturday and have a chat.

Cheers

I'm off to Portugal in February and want to take my new Carbon Road bike. I'm a bit apprehensive as I have never taken a bike on a plane before. I was looking at buying a padded bag, but I'm not sure how much protection these would afford. I then did a bit of trawling on the web and found a couple of companies that hire hard cases on a weekly basis. I think I would feel more comfortable with one of them. Has anybody used these hire companies?

I was diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic in June 2009, 2 months before my 50th. I never had the classic symptoms of diabetes (micturating, thirst etc) I had a trapped nerve in my shoulder and the Dr did a blood test. I didn't know it then, but neuropathy (nerve damage) is a side-effect of diabetes. My blood sugar level was 9.7 at the initial diagnoses. I was, at the time a cyclist, but an occasional one. The first thing I did was to go on the Diabetes UK website and get some ideas for recipes. I also visited my GP clinic Dietician and she was very helpful. I started to look at food in a new way. I cut out all the cakes, chocolate and sweets. I was a terrible chocoholic and would do 3 bars a day. I thought I would miss it, but I haven't. The only thing I miss is the odd biscuit. Like a previous poster, I started to read labels on food. I like the 'traffic-light' system and never eat anything above 10% sugar, but obviously the lower the better.

Anyway, I got on my bike a bit more regularly and started to go out about 3 times a week at least. I average about 25 miles a time but on the odd occasion I will do a 50 or so.

Within 3 months, I had lost a stone and a half (I was overweight like most middle aged blokes, but I wasn't really 'fat'!) and my HBA1C went down to 6.8. All my other vital functions are excellent. Good BP, low cholesterol etc and the Doctor was really pleased.

I have continued in this vain for 2 years now and I'm still medication free. Its all about taking control of the illness and not let it get to you. I still have a pint and the odd 'treat', but I've never felt better.

As a reward to myself , I've just bought a new road bike to go with my Dawes tourer. I wouldn't say cycling saved my life, but it has certainly helped me manage my diabetes. And reading the other posters, there evidence to suggest that my experience is not unique.