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by Vorpal
10 Apr 2024, 8:52am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: touring energy honey
Replies: 22
Views: 924

Re: touring energy honey

Carlton green wrote: 9 Apr 2024, 3:37pm

I’d have thought that JDSK would be best placed to comment on the associated health issues. From my poorly informed perspective honey is near enough neat sugar and consuming neat sugar is probably unwise and so for several reasons. I don’t believe in (instant) energy bars but rather something that’s essentially slow / slower release is what I aim for and to eat something before the dreaded ‘bonk’ actually hits you.
There area a few studies that suggest otherwise
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 5214000327
https://www.jmchemsci.com/article_156203.html

Regarding the energy, many people find it beneficial to have a combination of quick & slow release carbohydrates, along with some fat & protein. This one reason that things like flap jacks are good. They have sugar (or honey!), oats and butter or oil. Energy bars do the same thing, possibly with a more scientific approach to determine how much of which.
by Vorpal
9 Apr 2024, 9:45am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: "Why is the right at war with cyclists?... "
Replies: 51
Views: 3794

Re: "Why is the right at war with cyclists?... "

Airsporter1st wrote: 26 Mar 2024, 6:46am I would hazard a guess that the author of that piece lives in or around London, where the majority of cyclists, especially commuters and delivery riders, seem to behave in such a way as to invite the negativity.
And that's why 20 years ago in rural Suffolk, I had idiots shouting obscenities at me for the crime of... riding in the middle of the lane? Or maybe it was because I was pulling a trailer?
Pebble wrote: 9 Apr 2024, 9:14am Its just utter nonsense that the dislike of cyclists is a left/right sort of thing.
Of course it is. But politicians have long disagreed upon how to encourage more cycling and whether it should be at the expense of driving. The 'culture war' politics of the like of the Brexit Party, the Reform Party, and some elements in the Conservatives have driven a wedge in where there was previously mere disagreement.

Social media trolls have made this worse, and now there are more idiots shouting obscenities, and fewer folks in the middle, finding compromises, or politely agreeing to disagree.
by Vorpal
9 Apr 2024, 9:26am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Techniques for braking on steep descents
Replies: 57
Views: 2027

Re: Techniques for braking on steep descents

Pebble wrote: 8 Apr 2024, 3:02pm
why would periodic braking help ?
On a long steady slope
a) holding brakes at constant pressure so as speed remains at a constant 20mph
b) repeatedly letting it go up to 25 then braking down to 15
c) alternate harder braking from front to rear brakes but keep speed at constant 20

It is the same amount of kinetic energy being transferred into heat.
Yes, but if you brake for a couple seconds, then cool for a few seconds, you can dissipate the heat more readily. If you drag the brakes, they are constantly generating heat, and have less surface areas to dissipate it.

I do b), though my speed probably varies a bit more than that. If know the descent, I tend to freewheel where I have a long straight section, then brake hard enough before a bend, both for keeping my speed reasonable, and taking the bend. I probably go a bit more slowly through bends than some folks would do, but I am not a fast descender.
by Vorpal
8 Apr 2024, 11:42am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bad adjustment or normality ?
Replies: 38
Views: 1846

Re: Bad adjustment or normality ?

ncutler wrote: 8 Apr 2024, 9:36am
AndyK wrote: 4 Apr 2024, 11:29am (a) would perhaps be excusable; (b) would be a sloppy mechanic in a hurry.
The state of the chainwheel bolt after replacing the out-of-spec chainwheel would I suggest dispell any doubt about whether (a) or (b) is correct:
:evil: I would definitely register a complaint.
by Vorpal
8 Apr 2024, 11:18am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Techniques for braking on steep descents
Replies: 57
Views: 2027

Re: Techniques for braking on steep descents

531colin wrote: 8 Apr 2024, 10:33am Am I right to be cynical about finned pads? The fins are on the metal backing, but it’s the friction surface which gets hot?
Interesting, the post above has the opposite advice!!
Fins increase the surface area for heat dissipation. The heat spreads through the metal first, so that's a good place to dissipate heat. Obviously, it would be better to do it on the braking surface, but that's the part that's generating the heat.

Fins on the metal backing will do the most good during braking. When not braking, the the pads themselves will be cooled by the air.

edited to add: that said, fins need to be designed properly to be worth the extra weight. the principle works well in other areas; I do not have direct experience with finned pads on disk brakes
by Vorpal
8 Apr 2024, 10:06am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Techniques for braking on steep descents
Replies: 57
Views: 2027

Re: Techniques for braking on steep descents

I have ridden a loaded tandem + trailer down long Norwegian descents with only rim brakes.

What I do is
-alternate between front and rear braking and do it periodically instead of constantly or 'feathering' (so my speed can vary somewhat)
-never letting speed get too high
-I try to be aware of how the brakes feel & stop for a cool down if there is any change in the braking performance
-become a slow descender 8)

Some people just stop periodically & feel the rims (or discs). You obviously have to be careful with this, as you can burn your fingers. Discs both get hotter and can withstand more heat
by Vorpal
8 Apr 2024, 8:33am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shoes for flat pedals
Replies: 22
Views: 1110

Re: Shoes for flat pedals

I don't find that many brands fit me well, so I am maybe not the best person to answer this.

But among the shoes that I've worn that work well for flat pedals are Timberland lightweight walking / trail running shoes, and Decathlon MTB shoes.

Decathlon's shoes have generally been good value for money for me. They have a couple of MTB shoes made for flats. Giro do some, too, though I haven't tried them.
by Vorpal
8 Apr 2024, 8:19am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Severe lung issues and Indoor Cycling
Replies: 5
Views: 655

Re: Severe lung issues and Indoor Cycling

I would honestly think that an exercise bike might be better than the turbo? They are a lot easier to get on & off, and easier to use, as well.

Just put it on a light exercise setting and pedal as long as he wants, or use a preset program. No faffing about with gears or turbo setup.
by Vorpal
17 Mar 2024, 12:20am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycling motivation survey - looking for participants
Replies: 24
Views: 1148

Re: Cycling motivation survey - looking for participants

SwiftyDoesIt has been banned for violating forum guidelines, and a couple of posts removed.
by Vorpal
15 Mar 2024, 12:27pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: The "Royals" Thread
Replies: 1350
Views: 55717

Re: The "Royals" Thread

A few posts have been removed from this thread. Please argue nicely, folks :)
by Vorpal
14 Mar 2024, 8:17am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tour Plans for 2024
Replies: 79
Views: 10416

Re: Tour Plans for 2024

Littlest, who will soon be 15 :shock: wants to have a go at touring this year. He has outgrown my hybrid (yes, he's taller than me now), so we need to get something suitable for him, but then I think we will head south along the coast of the Oslofjord, as it is the flattest and has the best weather. It has the additional advantages of reasonably spaced campgrounds, and I know a fair amount of the route.
by Vorpal
13 Mar 2024, 12:57pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2185
Views: 112997

Re: BEVs

Carlton green wrote: 13 Mar 2024, 11:20am

I see your logic yet is it not flawed? Comparing fossil fuel powered cars with battery ones only works well if the capabilities stay near the same over their whole operating range. I suspect that fossil fuel cars do use more fuel in winter (ie. give less mileage) but don’t suffer as much as BEV’s do. Marketing people and others overlook such differences and the trying to be informed customer can be mislead, surely that’s something that needs to be better considered and noted.
While I mainly meant that the *tests* are of the same nature, they are not allowed to mislead customers, and the companies that have been accused of this, have changed their training for staff, and made efforts to be clearer in the information they provide.

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-revie ... crossover/
by Vorpal
13 Mar 2024, 11:08am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2185
Views: 112997

Re: BEVs

al_yrpal wrote: 13 Mar 2024, 10:55am Emissions scandal, and now this? Manufacturers need to be honest about their products, top marks for What Car for these revalations.

Al

Should they be honest about the range in hilly conditions? Flat? Winter? Summer? Rural driving? City? Motorway? Italy? Sweden? England? Wales? Aggressive driver? Careful driver?

Or should they maybe use a standard test of some sort?

While the manufacturer's published ranges are optimistic, I don't know how else they should determine range than the prescribed (and sometimes legally required) tests. It's no different that way than fuel economy.They use published processes to determine the range. They also advise buyers that the range is reduced by cold weather. The 1/3rd reduction for winter range found by What Car is typical.

Not revelations.
by Vorpal
13 Mar 2024, 10:56am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2185
Views: 112997

Re: BEVs

Jdsk wrote: 12 Mar 2024, 3:02pm
NB date.

"How did Norway become the electric car superpower? Oil money, civil disobedience – and Morten from a-ha":
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyl ... -from-a-ha

Jonathan
Nice article. I guess it was inspired by a shorter version of the story on BBC Scotland https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dvbc

Apparently the story is fairly well-known in Norway. I wasn't aware.
by Vorpal
11 Mar 2024, 8:26am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Knee protection please
Replies: 39
Views: 2255

Re: Knee protection please

Jdsk wrote: 10 Mar 2024, 9:17am
Pinhead wrote: 9 Mar 2024, 2:42pm ...
Knee protection, I see many professionals use knee protection, I also ride on places such as the video, any advice please on reasonable knee protection, eg what about these, (or similar) can I have advice from "users" please.
...
Efficient pedalling requires flexion at the knee.

Are there protectors that have multiple separate horizontal bars which allow easy flexion while still providing protection from external impact?

Jonathan
There are knee protectors for BMX. They are either built into trousers, or they tend to be sheath type, lycra tubes with knee pads built in. They work best in conjunction with other BMX clothes. They are also dear, and require a good fit to be comfortable, and not bunch up.

here is an example; I am not familiar with the shop

https://www.skatepro.uk/498-40446.htm

and a slightly cheaper example; again, I am not familiar with the shop

https://crucialbmxshop.com/g-form-pro-x-knee-pads