Cycling UK Forum

It looks like it's the good old favourites of Solvol, Brasso and elbow grease then!

What else is there left to do now that one is retired with lots of time on ones hands than to polish ones front derailleur..
Rod

I'm getting keen on restoring old bikes and obviously the components are visually not in the best condition at times..
The easiest way of course is to buy NOS which can turn out pricey.
So can anyone recommend tried and tested rejuvenating methods and any cleaning/polishing products that actually work.
Thanks
Rod

A long ride nowadays (I'm 67) leaves me quite tired for several days afterwards.
I know it's all part of getting older but I still don't like it and to a great extent neither does my wife.
Anyone got any ideas on improving/ speeding up the recovery time?
The call of the open road is strong..
Rod

I went there this year, not cycling tho, but the good bit is you can apply for the visa online here in the UK.

Balloon flight over Bagan is a must do!!

Rod

There's a saying I read once about the joy of motorcycling which goes:-

Now I know why a dog sticks it's head out of a car window!

It's the joy and adrenalin rush of the open road!

Parp parp!

Here! Here! It's a celebration of cycling not a purists convention!
Plus an interest in real ale is definitely a positive! A glass of 'malted post ride recovery beverage' after a ride is always welcome (rule 47)
Some may be put off by all these 'young people' getting interested in bicycles but this 66 year old thinks it's brilliant..
Rod

I did it last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, already signed up for this year too. My wife, a non cyclist, enjoyed it too!!
A great weekend and lots of fun out on the road with lots of very jolly people!
Just make sure your bike conforms with the rules. Once you've done one retro rally you'll be gagging to go to the next one. Retro Ronde, Eroica Gaiola, Anjou Vintage Velo etc etc
Get signed up now and see you on the road...

Rod

How about:

The Monuments. The grit and glory of cycling's greatest one day races. By Peter Cossins. Bloomsbury Press

Two great coffee table books with lots of pictures are:
The Spring Classics. Cycling's greatest one day races. By Bouvet, Brunel, Callewaert, Gatellier, Laget. VeloPress
Paris-Roubaix. A journey thru hell. By the above. VeloPress.

A great Merckx book with lots of pictures is:-
Mercx 69. Celebrating the worlds greatest cyclist in his finest year. By Tonny Strouken and Jan Maes. Bloomsbury Press.

I'm a sucker for old pictures and the last three books have plenty!

Rod

With my motorcyclists hat I wouldn't recommend the B6047 at the weekend as its a favourite for bikers. Lots of twists and turns, ups and downs make it a great ride on a motorbike but not so good for a cyclist. I've had a few frights with sportsbikes coming up from behind at speed! Makes you jump out of your skin!
Follow the route thru the villages as suggested earlier, much nicer!
Rod

Off topic but interesting all the same.

I've just come back from Myanmar (Burma) where an expat told me that a while back bicycles or anything on two wheels (scooters,mopeds,etc) had been banned in the country.
Apparently there was an attempt on a General's life by some characters on a motorbike so he banned anything on two wheels from the country. There are quite a few trike bike taxis (three wheels, thats all right).
There are a few 'daring' people on bikes in Yangon and quite a few out into the rural areas.
Needless to say Yangon is one big traffic jam!

Rod

As for maps I would thoroughly recommend the Touring Club Italiano maps, they're 1:200,000 and show every back road you could possibly ride down. You might need quite a few for your journey tho!
I've used them a lot when touring Italy by motorcycle and by car.
What's especially good about them is they're waterproof and plasticised so almost indestructible. Great for map reading on a motorbike or cycle.
Check out Stanfords map and travel guide shop in Covent Garden for them. You can order online from their website.
I could spend all day in the shop 'reading' their maps and guides.....
Rod

A happy Christmas to all CTC riders especially to all the lovely people I've met on the road this year and passed a few moments with chatting about bikes, life, the universe and everything.

Best wishes
Rod

PH
No, I can't get over it! I'll just keep on waving and smiling like an idiot....
What a poor, miserable world this is turning into if we can't nod to or acknowledge some else's existence.
Rod x

There was a time, and there still is, when most people out on the road would give each other a cheery wave. If you were overtaking someone or v.v you'd pass the time of day, where are you going, how far, have a little boasting, etc. even ride together for a few miles having a chat about life, the universe and everything. That's what makes cycling so good!
Today a group of 10-12 London Dynamo riders glided (?) past me , eyes straight ahead, not a word. How sad is that.
I'll be out there again tomorrow so give me a wave or at least a shy smile.....
Rod

Frank,

Are you still there?

If you are, can you give us some good ideas to make sure that the Police take us seriously when we report a stolen bike?
Looking at the "stolen bike uk" website there does seem to be a lack of interest at times. I'm sure the police are very busy but....

Rod