Cycling UK Forum

..and to rohloff! That's close to my ideal bike although I've not used those butterfly bars. I hope you like the gearing. The rohloff shifter looks OK mounted on the butterfly bars.

Just buy a good lock and some security skewers for the wheels!

I think you've certainly got a bike for life there.

I tried to get some SD60s but without success so I am now using the three strapped SD65s. On the plus side they are very good on the bike offerring good support with no chafing over long distances and you can walk fine in them. They've been fine this 'summer' where a more enclosed sandal is probably an advantage. However, I can't claim they look cool! In fact one colleague thought they were orthopedic supports.

The majority of the reivers is on roads or can be done by selecting alternative road options. Details are on the web site and the route map. It's a very enjoyable route, probably better than the C2C IMO as I like the away from it all feeling and and wide-open spaces. This is about as good as it gets in England.

However, the highlight for me was Kielder forest which involved long stretches on at times rough forest roads. You could stick to the roads via Saughtree and Newcastleton but that would IMO be a bit of a shame. Below are some pictures to give you a flavour from late March this year. The second picture was the most challenging stretch of offroad lasting about a mile which had me pushing on one steep section.

Thanks John, that was my thought but then I read this:

'Schmidt make the most efficient hub dynamos. The SON 20R is designed for 20'' wheels (which turn very fast), but with a 700C rim it will produce enough current for diode lights. http://www.nabendynamo.de/'

From here:
http://www.australiancyclist.com.au/art ... ?aeid=5857

Has anyone used the lighter Schmidt dynohub 20R? It looks the business and I'm considering having it built into a 26 inch wheel. Other than having slightly thinner flanges and so being a little weaker (?) can anyone think of any major problems with this plan?

It's a good route. I did most of it in two halves (Troon-Carlisle and Balloch to Inverness). Highlights included the offroad in Glentrool forest and callander to Pitlochry. There are some big hills eg Drumochter but all are well graded and rideable.

Trains back from inverness were good but you HAVE to reserve. I met some pretty officious staff at Inverness station.

Are you camping or using B and Bs?

From Heysham you have to cross the Lune at Lancaster. To do this I'd head into Heysham village and then use the refurbished cycle-friendly promenade into Morecambe where you pick up the Morecambe-Lancaster greenway after the newly re-opened Midland Hotel that leads to a dedicated cycle bridge over the Lune. The A683 is quicker but unpleasant (fast traffic and lorries) and utilitarian, the B5273 also cuts a corner but is very busy and narrow.

After Lancaster I'd use the NCR6 to Preston where you cross the Ribble. This is a nice rolling signed route with some well surfaced old railway tracks out of Lancaster, good views (cafes at Scorton and Inglewhite). If you are in more of a hurry the A6 is ridable but wouldn't be my first choice. You can mix and match as NCR runs close to the A6 in places. I'm not very familiar with area south of Preston.

If cunobelin's instructions don't work try the memory map forum. There are some good faqs and some helpful folk.

http://www.memory-map.co.uk/board/

I have the 324s and they've just done about 5000 miles. I find they stay in the orientation I have last used them which 99% of the time is spd. However, I do like the ability to wear other shoes as I only run one bike for everything. Neil f makes a good point about the flat being useful off road. I'm sure its my lack of skill/nerve but on rocky decents I like the security of being able to get my foot down pdq.

The cleats they use are multi-release (release in both horizontal directions), I'm not sure if all the pedals mentioned above take the same cleat?

Geocycle makes a very good point about it being winter - hence I've chosen the lowest route. Oh and by the way - that ain't a snow plough in the picture, it's a taxi for ferrying the hardened drinkers to and from the pub during winter I kid you not.

I was invited to help myself to the bar and just keep a note of what I'd had! I shared the space with various cats, dogs and lambs.... As I staggered in out of the thick mist completely shatterered from the climb, I was greeted by a rousing 'you mad b*****d!!!'The place is an institution in the best possible sense of the word

I concur with Dean regarding the sleightholme moor section, I really enjoyed it on my Walney to Whitby but definitely a rough unmade farm track (April 2007).


I'd be cautious about planning a high level route at Christmas or you might need these snow ploughs!

Glad you enjoyed it. It's one of my favourite of the 3 or 4 sea to sea routes across England. The hills of the N york moors were an unexpected challenge but very beautiful.

...and thanks to byegad and co for the signage. Your efforts are much appreciated.

The number/% is important as there are some start up costs, however the saving in employers NI contribution can help offset if you get enough take up. My employer are soon introducing it as a bundle with a whole load of tax efficient benefits for child care, health insurance etc). I assume this makes the administration of the scheme more streamlined. As fatbat says such benefits could help staff retention, employees health, as well as easing parking and ticking the environmental responsibility box.

Raph, I agree with you about the velcro mounts. They are really simple and very solid, I've not had a problem in the wet. I like the fact that you can put them on the forks, bars, even the bar-bag mount when not in use.... I bought three as they are really useful for other bits and pieces on tour. I've used them for temporary mounting d-locks as well.

My point about side illumination was not the spread of light, that's OK, more that you can walk to within 90 degrees of the light and not know it's on unless you can see the pool of light in front on the road or some other reflection. Mine is the single AA so I accept that the double could be different. In contrast most bike commuter lights have 'windows' to enable them to be seen from most directions.

Both the torch and the light fit my criteria that I try to apply to all kit of being simple and multi-functional. I got mine from the photon shop http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page13.htm who know their products very well and offerred a good service (the contact address has changed since I ordered though).

Just got my 11 year old a Trek 3500 mtb style bike for £200. Comes in a range of sizes, will take a rack and most importantly has rigid forks. Very tough but no unecessary weight.