Cycling UK Forum

A lesser coverage version, called 'splats'

http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/mu ... air/60-053

I like my Cateye Strada Wireless, everything except max speed works fine.
Hi tension lines and other rf messes up the max speed reading sometimes,
I really don't think I've reached 64mph on the flats recently.

Note: metal fenders will play hob with it, I could never get it to work
reliably on a bike with Berthoud stainless fenders.

aek wrote:In the rest of the posts you are just bragging about your touring achievements. I'm not saying it's not ok to be modest,[snip]

Taking 43 days for a 26 day route is quite modest, the speedy ones ride it in 18 days.

If you like to get across the USA quickly, Pactour is very good.

http://www.pactour.com/
Look at the Southern Transcontinental.

I've gone to their Arizona Camps and had a good time.

hubgearfreak wrote:

[XAP]Bob wrote:Or of course something like http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/fiber-fix-em ... prod20155/

i've not tried that, but it looks to me like it'd just provide an hours distraction/frustration/entertainment between your spoke snapping and you getting it replaced by a spoke

I have tried fiberfix, pretty easy to install, you don't need to remove the cassette.
On touring@bikelist.org people have left them installed for hundreds of miles.

I don't think you can build a business just selling zip ties, P-clamps and duct tape.
Tourist are by far the stingiest of cyclists, most are quite proud of the fact
the have spent less than 100 quid on their complete touring rig.

Along with British Airways check British Midlands, they flew my bike a couple years ago for no charge.
Virgin Rail was fairly easy to deal with, they had limited bike accommodation and required a
reservation for the bike. British road signage is weak on the smaller roads, the good news
is the drivers are much nicer even when you are on the larger roads compared to the US.
I stayed in Pubs mostly, good accommodation, friendly and passable curries, gastro-pubs
are higher zoot, but tended not to have rooms.

Publicans don't speak American, they speak English, so stick to French you'll be better understood.

In Petrol stations look for 'flapjacks', it English for powerbar, safer than the dodgy plastic wrapped
sandwiches of indeterminate age.

It sounds like the best choice for the wife is Iron Donkey, the trade off is not being able to reroute when
you find a neat little town by accident.

The panniers as luggage, I handle by using a duffle bag to hold two panniers.
I have Ortliebs so all the hardware bits come off and get packed side the panniers.

Take a look at Rivendell Quickbeam aka Simpleone, a single speed with four gears.
You have to get off the bike to flip the wheel or move the chain between the two front
chain rings.

Might give you some ideas on how to setup a multi geared bike without a derailer.
http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/quickbeam/50-150

Also there are two speed freewheels, pricey but will stand up to the muck better.
http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/wh ... eel/13-082

There is also a two speed fixed cogs
http://surlybikes.com/parts/dingle_cog/

Remember what the other Polar explorer said, "Adventure is just bad planning" Roald Amundsen

The Palmy (ryhmes with balmy) Aluminum D Lock

http://store.somafab.com/paalu.html

I suppose if you removed the logos it would be a good visual deterrent,
certainly more formidable looking than a cheap cable lock.

Has anyone ever seen a Ti d-lock ?, a 6-4Ti version of an Abus would
be a good lock for the Raphaista.

2: What makes you take part in cycle tours? and why is it that you ride?
On a bike you are more approachable than in a car, easier to talk to people, simpler to stop
and look around. Bikes can be carried on airplanes, cars require awkward negotiations with
the local Airforce to move long distances.

4: Are you a member of a club or organisation such as the CTC for example?
Yes, the Veteran Cycle Club and my local club.

boblo wrote:Ha ha, It's vee/canti only as well - thank Christ! €€€€'s!!

Where will I find a welder who can handle Ti in the middle of Africa?

The same African who has Rohloff oil and disc rotors. ???

More on topic, Salsa Fargo, a clubmate rode Cairo to Capetown on one, held up nice nicely,
monster tires are your friend. If you have the skills to setup discs so they don't rub,
you can figure out cantilever geometry, Paul touring cantilevers.

Ortlieb, nothing is quite so satisfying as putting on dry clothes after
a day of riding in the rain.

The knock on Ortlieb is abrasion damage from leaning against rock walls etc.

Another vote for rollers, fixed is very nice on rollers.
You have a lovely smooth pedal stroke come spring.

That said, they're the most boring, mind numbing thing you can do.

Bruce Gordon racks have fender mounts on them.

http://www.bgcycles.com/racks.html