Cycling UK Forum

With rail fares having risen and the virtual disappearance of the ultra cheap advance ticket, this year I have decided to do my week long jaunt back to home.

Edinburgh is an interesting place to start and spend a day. I reckon that there is enough scenery and challenge on the way back. South of Hadrian's wall I think I know where to go - skirt the west pennines , Western Dales, Forest of Bowland.
It is north of the Wall I am not sure of. Most of the way is on B roads. I don't like busy roads and I want to know how busy the B709 AND THE B6357 is.

Thanks

After 62 years of constant use, they take all the chrome off your nice 4 speed.

I have both.
Last year I did the Wales end to end with an Alfine 8 and a 42 and 30 chainring with a 22 on the rear. There were no problems. There were smooth shifts every time, although the lower gears seemed to have a little friction. The chainrings meant the large shift from 5th gear to 6th could be avoided.
This year, I liked the 8 so much, I bought the 11and went on a triangular tour of Northumberland. I would say there were at least 10 slips in 6th gear and although I used the" not quite matching yellow marker method." The cable kept needing slight adjustments and I seemed to lost 2nd gear. The gear was finefor most of the time and I had a good range of gears but I now wish I had waited until Shimergo sort these problems out.

I have cycled most of the established routes in Wales, but this year we did a circular tour of Northumberland [and a fair bit of Scotland]. Although it was one of the best tours - incorporting castles, forests, Roman remains, hills and some brilliant towns and villages, next year we will go back to Wales. There is a certain magic to the place, that I missed.
Your tour has given me some ideas. Thanks.

I had my bike with SON hub stolen and am hoping the shimani one is as good. I can't afford the prices SON are asking now. I wish I had gone to Rose but I do enjoy building wheels.
Note to self -- must get out more.

I know its still summer but I happen to think these are vfm

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/HUSHLXT665/shimano_lx_t665_6v_30w_dynamo_front_disc_hub

The nights ARE drawing in and my glass is half empty cos my touring season is over -- blah!

I am not in any way associated with one one bikes, they don't know me, but I have bought the above hub.

I have two bikes, one with 8 and the other an 11 Alfine hub. Rose Versand are by far the cheapest for Alfine hubs- AND include fitments unlike most dealers! I have never bought a table and was charged extra for the legs!
The 8 speed I have toured with.
I intend to tour with more temperamental 11 speed this year, but have been a bit naughty with the gearing. I have --*gasp*-- put a 32 on the front and a 20 on the back, a ratio of 1: 1.6.
I have done @700 miles so far - the only trouble is gear change from 7 to 6 - you really have to take pressure totally off the pedals. The good news is that the lower gears only require a slight taking off the pedal pressure, no more than you would with derailllers.
My point is. if someone bought the Nomad, what would stop a body from changing the chainring??

I did the Lon las Cymru last year with an Alfine 8 and a double front chainring. The rear has the more robust chain tensioners [there are two types]with the ability to move slightly from side to side. The front changer is a cheap one fron a fouldling scrap bike. The gears they go like this:-

Front ---- 42 and 32, back 22, against the recommendations. I think the bottom gear is 21inches with 26" wheels and 1.3cm tyres.
I had the easiest tour ever. Not one bad gear change and the 42 - 32 combination solves the problem of the large 5 - 6 gear change.

Merthyr Farm
Harlech
Gwynedd LL46 2TP

It is on the Lon Las Cymru
ItS 6 pounds 50 a night
is a working farm and is wonderfully informal
has showers and things but the shops are an incredible climb back from Harlech
Hence one of the best views ever...................

A firm called Ordnance Survey produce map @ 1 : 250 000 scale, printed on paper. These are very good for back roads and show nearly all tarmac roads.

If you use your common sense; eg. dont follow roads that link large settlements or link to motorway junctions, then you will be ok. They don't use much battery power although they can become soggy if not put in a waterproof case when it rains.
They show terrain and make excellent route planners because they show a whole region of the country; eg Wales or se England. Spread them out on the kitchen table, removing those curry stains before you lay the map out and in your mind you can travel for miles.

Using your hand you can, with a highlighter, mark your route onto the map. You can even change your route in an instant, without recourse to electrical devices.
I have been using them for years and find them dead handy. The 1: 50000 are even better!

I have the barcode tickets now. The problem was one of us is over 60 and you can't discount twice.
I will let you know if its any good! Thanks for the advice.

I think the instructions were on page 13.

Somebody [grrr]has thrown out my CTC mag and I dont know how to get the discount for the tickets. My memory tells me it was to put "CTC" in the discount box but this does not work. Will someone please tell me how to get the discount please? I have rail tickets and hotel booked but no outdoor tickets!

I went to Liverpool Blacks and they have an official Trangia gas burner for 30 pounds minus 25%. There is
only one left as this so- called meths fan bought the other one, to see what it was like.
Pretty fast.
I am ashamed to say I may be turning into a GAS PERSON!

Two Swedish tents on the Lon Las Cymru, at Llanthony Priory Campsite.