Cycling UK Forum

Thanks for that one, looks an interesting option.

mattsccm wrote:Forest Gate motel in Lydney.
Probably a bit souless as its fairly new. Never stayed there as I live not far away.
How close to Chepstow and which side would you prefer?

I'm not too familiar with Chepstow ( been once ! ) - Having entered an Audax event starting from there I was just seeking accomodation options... would probably even consider a campsite !

Anyone recommend a Cyclist friendly B&B near Chepstow?

simon1975 wrote:Yes it really is just like riding a bike...

I did 500 miles up the Scottish West Coast last year on this:


Low 42:18 gearing, very steady pace but quite a few decent hills.

Now that's what I call a bike lock !

There are also some quieter & less busy roads / passable bridleways away from the 'honeypots'...

I do have a pair of the Conti Winter tyres, but have only used them in fresh snow ( 1-2cm) in which they were excellent. HOWEVER I'm both wary & a bit of a coward to try them when there's a mixture of hardpacked snow/ice !

enigmatic wrote:Perhaps http://www.shropshirehighlandschallenge.co.uk/ ??

That's the one ! Thanks Enigmatic.

How do these tyres compare in the snow ? Just interested in any feedback - I've been very impressed with the studded Schwalbe Winter Marathons in previous winter snow - However the dumping we've just had this weekend seems a bit more powdery & I'm finding the Marathons seem to be slipping/drifting occassionally causing me to almost lose my steering/control ! Wrong kind of snow?

Would the 'studdless' Conti Top Contact Winter tyres fare anybetter??

No... more of a low-key club event - Maybe not run anymore(?) Thanks for the link though, still in the right area maybe worth an entry.

Thanks Ayesha, but I don't recall it being an audax event & I think it was/is held in May...

I was talking to a cyclist a couple of years ago who mentioned an event that explored many of the small unclassified roads ( & greenlanes?) around the LongMynd area - about 60miles long. Anybody have any idea which event it may be & if it is still running?

Spent Sunday riding across the Trough of Bowland to Slaidburn. Conditions included Snow, hardpacked / Soft & plenty of ice. Tyres performed flawlesy. Highly recomended.

Replacement studs ARE available for Schwalbe Marathon Winters. I've kindly been sent some from Schwalbe uk. They fit quite easily with longnose pliers, though the studs have a large round base which needs to be squeezed into the smaller hole in the tyre - very easy to slip and see the stud ricochet across the room ! - Thinking of fitting the "front" tyre on the rear for the bedding in process - hopefully keeping the full quota of studs!

Despite following Schwalbes guidelines for bedding in their Marathon Winter studded tyres ( I covered 40 miles on normal road conditions ) I've lost 8 studs from the front tyre & just 2 from the rear. This is my second pair as last winters tyres lost many more & were replaced under warranty ! I'm puzzled as to why the front loses more studs & a little miffed to be losing studs... Schwalbe are happy to send me replacement studs, BUT will the replacements stay put ? Anyone successfully replaced studs on winter tyres??

Can't really go wrong with the Raven Tour - the 100 day money back offer is the unique as far as I'm aware. I've been very pleased with my Sport Tour & would quite like their Nomad model too.