Cycling UK Forum

eileithyia wrote:DIY? Book flight, accommodation, take bike and ride.
Tis pretty much what we do in Majorca, we do not bother booking via some of the training camps with ex-pros, mechanics, masseuse etc.

Thanks for the tip. The last time I went to crete was about 30 years ago and I found I met no other cyclists in a week of touring. From what you say things have changed since then!

Can anyone recommend any non profit cycle training camps in Crete or elsewhere?

Thanks, I did not notice the form on the back of the address label which I always throw away with any other junk enclosed with the mag. Whilst I approve of this paper saving approach I wonder how many other potential voters have done the same thing. I am now expecting a duplicate form from the CTC

This is beginning to sound serious. There are bound to be cases where people who would have voted will just be confused when they receive the ballot paper minus the magazine.
What is to be done?

Has anyone else not received any voting forms?

Who says tax is a bad thing? The purpose of paying tax is to fund things that the electorate and pressure groups, like ourselves, can pursuade politicians to provide. Tax is really a form of beneficial charity. We should be glad to pay tax and concentrate on campaigning to get the goverment to put its resources in directions we think are most desirable whilst continuing to be a club. The "Big Society" should allow clubs and politicians to do what they do best. We can be the ideas based on experience people and elected politicians can adapt our ideas with the help of professional civil servants to the real world. A much better state of affairs especially in this age of cutbacks and abolition of quangos including Cycle England.

John

I am also a member of the YHA which has also changed to charitable status some years ago. As a result it has become an agent for government policy rather than a club for members. I can see exactly the same thing happening with the CTC. If the government wants assistance with implementing policy it should employ the CTC and other cycling organisations as consultants. Like other members in the forum I want a club not a quango.
Whilst I like some of the work Sustrans has done to promote cycling I do not think anyone would describe it as a club. I do not want the CTC to go the same way.

HP Velo Fan wrote:I'm supposed to be off on tour at the end of August and can't find a used Grasshopper fx anywhere. (Saw one on ebay last week but I was on holiday at the time).

If anyone is selling/knows someone who is selling or thinking of selling or if you just see an advert for a used one can you please please get in touch.

Cheers,

Andy S

I am thinking of selling my SWB Harpoon recumbent for £550. Let me know if you are interested.
John

The problem is that the airlines insist that the tyres are made completly flat making a puncture or even rim damage likely.

Please can we stop this discussion as this thread has been fully explored.

What you say goes against common sense. If the spokes are loose the rim will have more give and flex more. This will inevitably give a softer less responsive ride. I think rather than dismiss something as hocus pocus you should give some explanation.

Where some spokes have ended up noticeably looser on the sproket side I would loosen the tighter spokes by say half a turn then true the wheel again by loosening the offside spokes. You can then continue truing by tightening the spocket side spokes to the required tension. The tighter the spokes the harder and more responsive the ride. To help you assess what tension you need try feeling spokes on other bikes similar to yours.
js
Ps You have not mentioned "dishing" the wheel. In the absence of a dishing tool I achieve this by reversing the wheel in the jig to see what dishing is required.
If the rim is a steel one it will be much more difficult to true properly.
If the rim is an old alloy rim you might like to try squeezing it between your thumb and finger to see if there is any give. If there is it might be sign that the rim is about to fail. You will then need to replace the rim.

I purchased the IQ fly without any extra features and powered it from 4AA batteries. It is very bright though I would prefer a larger lens and more sideways light. The only fault I have found is that if you allow a plastic map holder to rest against the lens, the lens will get scratched. Apparently the lens is completely unprotected. I complained to the importers and got no satisfaction that they accepted that this was a problem or that they would do anything about it.
Incidentally I get much more battery life than I expected partly because the light is very bright even when the batteries are almost completely discharged.
Thanks to CREPELLO, james and Phil for the T-cut, Brasso and toothpaste tips below.