Cycling UK Forum

UrbanManc wrote:

geocycle wrote:I now have Ortlieb bike packers and they fit A4 files, laptops, spare work clothes, academic gown, business suit and shoes, tuxedo, diy supplies and a weeks shopping (not quite all at the same time of course). The mesh external pocket is useful for bits and pieces, the internal sleeve keeps papers straight. Oh, and they are waterproof. The only downside is the expense.

What about the cuddly toy and the conveyor belt ?

Nice one! I've now added wellington boots, floor tiles and life jackets to the list of bizarre things that I've carried!

Good point Si. It does depend on the nature of the offroading. Personally, I'd rather leave the bike at home when things get that extreme and just backpack. As an alternative, I met some guys in Glentrool who were doing some pretty serious routes using BOB single wheel trailers.

First skim through the mag and I thought it was quite interesting, particularly the cross over between mtb and touring. But what did anyone make of the recommendation to carry your kit in backpacking size rucksacks -that can't be pleasant

mine lasted 150 miles before the sidewall split - not impressed

I sheared a pitlock security skewer earlier this year when reassembliing after a puncture. It was my fault through overtightening but I was suprised how easily it broke. Fortunately I was able to ride 25 hilly miles from the middle of the moors to the nearest halfords with the wheel held in place by a vertical drop out, a very strongly built frame and thin air! I had to disconnect the back brake but the rohloff worked fine. In hindsight I realise that the tension needed on a skewer is not as great as I imagined.

My first tour was camping on North York Moors 25 years ago riding a 5 speed Viking Superstar. All the weight was bungeed onto the rear rack and I have vivid memories of exiting backwards on some of the hills! They also still had guards vans on trains.

After lots of commuting my next tour was the C2C using B+Bs in 2004 and I've done a few short tours every year since. The sustrans routes gave me the confidence to start touring again and I now build my own routes, sometimes based on signed routes, sometimes completely independently.

Be warned that the sustans route here is incomplete and you can end up with a nasty mile into Ambleside with a large queue of irate motorists behind you along a narrow road. You then have a fairly unpleasant stretch through Grasmere to Thirlmere. Unless you really like hills (Kirkstone Pass!)

On balance I'd second Andrew s's minor road route ie NCR6 Kendal to Windermere, Ferry and then head north along the east shore of Windermere. You still get the joys of Red Bank but you avoid most of the traffic. Dunmail rise is not very nice but is still the only tarmaced way north from Grasmere. I last rode this two years ago so more cycle provision may have been added.

Sods law, says that odd noises usually eminate from the last thing you check...! After checking chain, sprocket, chainwheel bolts, removing cranks, pedals, eccentric BB, I traced my latest irritating noise to a pedal bearing. I managed to take it (shimano 324 SPD) to bits, bung it with grease and so far so good....

It's a common problem. I still get it a bit in my left hand but have minimised it by (i) lowering saddle a few mm to shift weight from bars (ii) ergon grips and bar ends (iii) spesh bg gloves/mitts (iv) consciously changing position. There is no simple solution as this poll from Crazy Guy shows:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/po ... poll_id=27

I really enjoyed it, especially around Hadrian's wall. I did Kendal to Berwick using the Sustrans guide book and map in 2005. I took it very easy and stayed in Appleby, Haltwhistle, Bellingham and Wooller. This resulted in some shortish days but lots of time at places like Vindolanda. I found the cycling easier than the C2C with some great offroad variations possible. Wark Forest was a highlight for me. The only tricky sections were overgrown footbridges around some of the fords -these might be quite deep this year!

I'd recommend Ashcroft B and B in Haltwhistle and the Black Bull for food. The only substantial hill on this section is hartside, but that is well graded. Signage is adequate but you'll need a map as well.

See also:
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4573&highlight=

I've just got a Schmidt (SON) hub and a B+M IQ fly -brilliant! I can't comment on longevity yet but it worked great in the rain this morning.

For the last few years I have done a tour in the last week of March/first week of April. These have included the lakes, C2C, W2W, parts of Hadrians and Reivers routes. The weather has always been mixed, some excellent days, some wet but never dangerous. That said, late snow has been a feature of the last few years in northern England and early march has seen some significant falls on high ground that rarely lasts but could be a problem for a short period. I've tended to monitor the local reports and web cams to check out the specific routes before embarking. So I don't think you'll have major problems in late March but you just need to be prepared. The Hadrian's wall route is not as remote as the others and there are plenty of bail-out options on the train and even the bus.

A nice report. You must have had a tough day 2 from Penrith to Parkhead. I was pleased to stop at Allenheads and have a slightly longer third day which is mainly downhill anyway. Well done for conquering hartside without stopping! I imagine your new bike performed well.

What's next? Walney to Whitby, Reivers???

Sent my rohloff hub to SJS for rebuilding into new rim on wednesday, they received it Thursday, dispatched it back along with new bespoke front wheel on Friday. All arrived in excellent conditions with superb workmanship. I was back on the bike on Monday.

In my view SJS are not just another online retailer. They do have strong opinions about the products they sell and they are not the cheapest but I've had excellent service so far.

I know what you mean about the rohloff. It does need some getting used to. But, shifting when stationary or jumping a handful of gears when faced with an unexpected hill is brilliant. The noise is now only apparent on mine in gear 7 and to a lesser extent in 6, the rest are silky smooth and quiet. It does take a few thousand miles and an oil change to really notice a difference though.

I have to say your van nic is really one of the best looking and best specced bikes I've seen on this forum. It was high on my list when I bought my thorn but way beyond my pocket. Enjoy!