Cycling UK Forum

bikepacker

I gave up totally in 1990 if I hadn't, I would not be here now. My advice to the OP would be if you are able to keep it to moderate drinking and enjoying your tipple, carry on. If you start to feel the need to constantly drink, seek help. Mine was very much the latter.

bikepacker

If you have an Ischial Bursitis problem, you will not be able to sit on a hard leather saddle. I have suffered with this for over 12 years and have never found a really comfortable saddle. At the present time I am riding a Selle Italia Man Gel Flow (the older model still available from Bikesters) and is one I get some degree of comfort. The only one to totally cure the problem is the Infinity, I tried one, it did ease the soreness, but I couldn't get on with it. In my collection of saddles I have two Brooks set up on seatposts and occasionally I will do a ride with one in the hope that the problem has gone. Never had such luck but I hope you find your saddle.

bikepacker

Mine came with a groundsheet for the vestibule but I purchased a full-length footprint which I found to be much better. IMO the Galaxy 300 would serve you much better than a tepee style which some have recommended.

bikepacker

When I was at my worst with PMR when I had problems getting up from the floor, I used a Galaxy 200. It was a nice tent, although heavier and bulkier that my other tents it was carriable on the bike. It would actually fit in my Backpacker Plus pannier but most times I carried it on top of the rack.

Unfortunately I took a good offer for mine once the PMR cleared up and I had no further use for it. However, on reflection I wished I had kept it.

bikepacker

Carrick on Suir the one on the left as you leave town for Tipperary between the road and the riverside cyclepath. Unless it has changed ownership in the last 5 years don't believe the write ups, it is a tip. I stayed there for one night with "jags" of this parish and we could not get away quick enough the next morning. Showers were broken and unusable, the toilet (it only had one) was cracked and badly soiled not having been cleaned in a long time, I would not even risk sitting down on the toilet seat. There was no hot water and the cold was a mere dripple not even enough for a good basic wash. The camping area grass had not been cut for a while and there were feral cats roaming the site. To rub salt in our wounds, they had the nerve to charge us 10 euros each for the night and that was 5 years ago prices.

bikepacker

Thanks again for the information it still could all come in useful because my wife has always wanted to re-visit Castle Coch and we may do that before going to Tonypandy.

We have however had to change our plans slightly. I have been waiting for an hospital appointment for over a year and it has come through for the 21st of this month. As were intended to tour hotel or B&B we shall now start out after that date.

bikepacker

Thanks for the info. We shall not be following the trail south after Merthyr, we shall be heading to Tonypandy to visit an old friend. After we shall head further west.

bikepacker

Thanks for the information it seems like nothing has changed in the last 8 years. The road past Talybont reservoir will now be my favoured option. Is the viaduct near Merthyr on the Taff Trail route still ridable, my wife wants to ride over it if possible?

bikepacker

My wife and I are going to be doing a tour of South Wales in the next few weeks and would appreciate some up to date information. It has been about 8 years since I last rode the Taff Trail and I remember the section from Talybont on Usk towards Merthyr was quite bad and very uncomfortable riding on touring bikes. What I would like to know if anything has been done to improve the surface on this section?

bikepacker

HI
I had a lift down to Skibbereen nearest town to Mizen for the start of a M2M. At the time there was a bus from Cork to Skibbereen and it did take bikes. Here is the link to my brief notes from the ride hope they help: http://www.bikepacker.co.uk/irelandtour.html

bikepacker

There was a discussion on this forum about saddles and a recommendation for a Selle SMP TRK. My local Halfords was showing one in stock so I called to have a look. Showing some interest I was told I could buy the saddle ride it and if it didn't suit bring it back within 28 days and get my money back. True to their word that is exactly what happened.

bikepacker

Cugel wrote: ↑15 Aug 2022, 2:13pm
Gee wrote: ↑15 Aug 2022, 9:15am
Cugel wrote: ↑15 Aug 2022, 8:39am

How is pushing the seat back going to take weight off your hands? Surely it'll do the opposite as you'll have to lean forward more .... ?

Your seat position is best determined by how it positions you above the bottom bracket & pedals for efficient power delivery. You generally alter the degree of your lean-forward (and hence the weight on your hands) by altering the stem length and rise.

It helps to start with a frame having the size and geometry that suits the position you want to achieve given your body's dimensions. But if you have to adapt an existing bike the stem is the most likely component that can change your "uprightness".

Cugel
Because it moves your centre of gravity further back. Just try it while you’re stood up. If you bend right over you naturally push your butt out behind you - or put your hands on the floor so you don’t topple forward. It’s the same (similar) on a bike. Butt back means less weight on hands.
Somehow this seems wrong.

Firstly, one isn't standing but sitting on the bike seat. If you sit vertically, there's no weight acting through your hands. If you could grasp the bars in that position then lean gradually forward (with the bars) more and more of your weight would be acting through your hands. The greater the lean, the more weight acts through your hands.

In practice, moving the seat back means you need to lean more forward to reach the handlebars, which are in a fixed position in front of you. Surely this will transfer more weight to your hands. It's the centre of gravity of your upper body that moves forward. Your bum is sitting on a supporting seat so moving it back and forwards won't alter the centre of gravity of your upper body in the same way as it would if you were standing only on your feet. ....... ?

Secondly, the seat position should be determined by how it arranges the position of your legs for pedalling at best efficiency. (Power but also sustainability). If you move the seat forward or back from the ideal position to change your reach to the bars, you're going to end up in a less than optimum position for pedalling. So why not alter the stem length/angle instead?

Cugel

I am with you Cugel on this theory and it is a theory which has been discussed in a previous thread. IMO it is a theory of an American guy who just wants to make himself different to other bike fitters and in practice it does not work. As you state, get you saddle position correct and measured from a vertical datum from the centre of the BB if you arms do not feel right alter stem length.

If the theory was remotely correct everyone who rides and upright bike would be suffering with very tired or painful arms.

bikepacker

If it is of help or interest to anyone this is a write up of my first East to West I wrote it for a club newsletter. http://www.bikepacker.co.uk/reports/e2w.htm

bikepacker

It is something I have always done and none of my tents have ever appeared to deteriorate as a result.

bikepacker

Jamesh wrote: ↑11 Aug 2022, 11:43pm https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/biking-bargain ... dle/p53847

Definitely worth a try....

Called in my local Lidl on the way home from my morning ride to have a look at these saddles. Kindest way to describe them is "naff". They are the equivalent to the ones manufacturers put on their cheaper range of bikes.

Cycling UK Forum

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Re: Giving up alcohol

Re: Another saddle problem; Bursitis?

Re: Basecamp tent

Re: Basecamp tent

Re: Worst Campsite - Experiences

Re: Taff Trail - Talybont on Usk

Re: Taff Trail - Talybont on Usk

Re: Taff Trail - Talybont on Usk

Taff Trail - Talybont on Usk

Re: Mizen Head

Re: Halfords - A positive thread

Re: Seatpost with a bit more setback

Re: Lowestoft - Ardnamurchan: anyone done the full east-west?

Re: Wiping Down A Wet Tent To Help It Dry - Bad Iade?

Re: Best long distance saddle