Cycling UK Forum

Manx Cat wrote:Stupid question time. Do OS maps all have the cycle routes on them? The only OS map I have is an IOM one, and of course we dont have any cycle routes so I cannot tell.

I have the latest OS mapping through memory map and about 75% of route 90 (the northern route) is marked on it. It stops abruptly at Cross o Greet and then can be picked up again from Longridge. Route 91 is also marked but may have some gaps. It would be pretty easy to fill in the gaps from the flyer. That said, the northern route is really well signed so i doubt you'll have much trouble.

If you want to extend the route 90 to 200 miles then it's easy to head up to the dales.....

Shame the Inglewhite cafe has closed. I also like the cafe at hest bank -i think it's called The Shore? Great cakes and nice people.

I've go the same set up as Graham, a fly IQ on a dynohub with a fenix torch. Mine's the tiny L1D Q5 with 120 lumens. I use it as a backup in case of a dynamo problem (not yet known!) or when offroad in total darkness. It's very flexible eg. last week my rear light broke so I put the red filter on and used it on the back. It can be mounted on anything including the helmet. I also use it when touring, or as an all-round torch. Brightness is comparable to the fly but much more focussed -it is not really enough on its own. It is difficult to see it from the side eg at junctions and I would recommend using it alongside a cheap light with a large reflector to be seen by - and to satisfy legalities.

One other thing to note - the descent from Tatham fell is indeed fantastic, but don't be fooled into thinking it's downhill all the way to Slaidburn - there's a nasty little climb in there too!

You're right Andy! I'd forgotten that one above the reservoir.

I've done the northern loop which is very attractive. From Heysham port head to Heysham village and ride up the prom through morecambe all the way to hest bank. Join the canal at HB and pick up route 90 in Carnforth. Carnforth and Silverdale is undulating but beautiful, you then cut across the Lune valley to hornby and Wray (Bridge tea room, or stay at the New Inn -very nice). From Wray you climb over the Tatham fells reachin cross 'o' Greet at about 425masl. This is quite a long climb. You then hurtle down to Slaidburn with accomodation and tea shops. The pub in Slaidburn is good -Hark to Bounty. From there you go over to Clitheroe and Whalley. Whalley Abbey and the Roman site at Ribchester are worth looking at. Then Inglewhite (tea rooms good), and across to the Fylde - all very flat. I'd stick on route 90 to Cockerham (Wallings farm tea rooms and pudding club) and then head along the main road for a mile to Condor Green (Stork Pub does B and B). From Condor green you can follow route 6 into lancaster on an old railway line to Lancaster. Cross the Lune at Lancaster (millennium cycle bridge), follow the cycle way to Morecambe and then you are back on the prom to Heysham.

I only used the pdf and the signs without much bother. Most of the route is on the latest OS maps as green dots.

Hi Julk, can you confirm these don't have rattle-prone-inards? Is it a spring mechanism?

I'd concur with the raven sport recommendation for your use. I have the raven tour which is fantastic for load carrying, mixed surfaces, do anything, go anywhere and everyday hammering, but is probably at the 'landrover' end of the touring spectrum. The sport should do most of this except for heavy load carrying and would probably be be a bit more sprightly. I bought mine unseen after several long phone calls to SJS, lots of web research and with the reassurance of the 100 day trial period. Other than adjusting the saddle height it was perfect out of the box. I'm sure either bike would give a lot of pleasure.

Just got a Barley saddlebag made by 'Sue'. It's beautiful! The rest of my luggage kit is Ortlieb which is functionally superb, but the Barley is craft(wo)manship at its very best.

HH I agree with you about the choice of bell. I had one of the traditional style which worked well but the rattling drove me mad on an otherwise silent bike. I now have one of the black ones you illustrate and it is fine except folk don't pick it up easily. As I use shared paths I find a bell very useful. If anyone could suggest one of the traditional style that doesn't rattle I'd be grateful.

stewartpratt wrote:Haven't you lot knocked this one on the head yet?

Blimey, I thought we were moving onto h*****s

What I want to know is - is the range good? Is it efficient? Is the gap between the gears small enough so I have choice? Is it reliable? Is it really maintenance free?

I find the range great and use all the gears from 1-14. I do spin out on 14 going downhill and I might add a few teeth to the chainring to up the gearing slightly.

Efficiency is comparable to a derailleur system, better in some gears eg direct drive 11, worse in others eg. 1-3, but it doesn't deteriorate when caked in mud. See here for data and a discussion: http://www.ihpva.org/HParchive/PDF/hp55/hp55p11-15.pdf

Maintenance free? Mine's done 6k miles. I've changed the oil twice and wipe the chain down once a month. I tighten the eccentric every 6 months or so. I've also reversed the rear sprocket. It's used every day. I will change the cables at 10k miles.

It depends what kind of riding you do. I need a bomb-proof load-carrying commuter and something I can use to tour on. I ride a lot of offroad tracks and hate digging crud out of derailleurs. I have worn out a lot of bikes and wanted something that will take this kind of use for 10 years or more. If you only ride on roads, are happy to keep your drive chain as clean as Mick's(!) and want a traditional British tourer then there are possibly better and certainly cheaper options. I've no regrets and wouldn't go back to derailleurs.

Things are pretty quiet at the moment. I'm sure you'll be OK at Christmas (if the weather is good!). Even when it's busy it's really only the main roads of the central section that are unpleasant because of traffic and you can still pick some good routes eg. east shore of Coniston, and west of Thirlmere. There's a good north-south route promoted by a B+B in Keswick called Cumbria Cycle Way from Ulverston to Carlisle that picks up these roads http://www.cumbriawaycycleroute.co.uk/ Personally I like the routes around the periphery eg. Grange - Broughton in Furness to eskdale -Cockermouth - Hesket - Eden Valley. Trains can be used to connect and Northern rail are reasonably good with cyclists.

glueman wrote:Unless they're well used Sustans type trails can make riders feel vulnerable. Near built up areas you are better off on the roads.

I agree. I ride a lot of sustrans routes alone and really enjoy the mixed road, and varied offroad surfaces, in remote parts of the UK. I am not afraid of riding A roads but they are also not my idea of a good time when out on a bike. But, when entering a major town I abandon segregated routes and use the main roads through the town. My perception is that main roads will be safer and easier to navigate. although I doubt there is any evidence to back up that feeling.

More importantly on tour I also feel you get a better impression of a city from the main road rather than from backstreets and paths. That said, in my own town, I am grateful for segregated paths which make my commute both quicker and easier by avoiding a dreadful one-way system.

These people in Haltwhistle were very friendly:

http://www.ashcroftguesthouse.co.uk/prices.htm

I had a fantastic ride through Glentrool forest. I used the offroad sustrans route which was superb, but even the road route would be fun.

If you want a B+B in Castle Douglas try The Brake Pad run by some cycling enthusiasts -very high quality and nice people.