Cycling UK Forum

Glad you enjoyed the ride. Although with weather and the route, I think that was a given. Your photographs really do justice to the scenery and the terrain. Perhaps you now see why we questioned your schedule. I frequently come across groups doing the Winchester to Eastbourne route, sometimes in a day or over a few days, camping or in hotels or like yourself in sections. Judging by your bike you had good conditions, because sometimes I can't see there bike for mud. Which bit next ?

A word of warning Mick. Once after cycling to Kings Cross, to catch a train to Leeds, I arrived at the station in plenty of time but the train was very late arriving. When finally allowed to board it was like a Rugby scrum and I was putting my bike in the cycle space and removing my bar bag. You could not access the carriages from the cycle van. As soon as I stepped down onto the platform to get to the passenger door, the doors shut and locked automatically and despite my frantic waving the train pulled out with my bike on board. They had done a quick turn around to make up time. It was an advance ticket but was allowed on the next train. I was assured we would be at Leeds in time to recover my bike before the train returned to London' However we got delayed on the way North and it became obvious we would not make it. They offered to leave my bike at Leeds but as I had put a lock on, this wouldn.t work. In the end I got off at Wakefield and waited for the original train on its return journey to London. Nipped on whilst it stopped and recovered my bike. Then continued journey by bike as it seemed safer. Ps I normally cable tie ticket to stem extension.

The South Downs Way runs mainly along the ridge of the chalk hills, so they drain quite well and dry quickly in good weather. Rather than deep mud you get stony track with a slime top if wet. I rode the Amberley end last week on my Dawes tourer, with no problem. Without guards spray could make a mess. Amberley is an unmanned station with no waiting room so can be a bit draughty but there is a pub 200 yards away. The weather looks good for next week, have a good ride. Your timing doesn't look totally leisurely to me, but I am 73,

Been a Yorkshire person, living on the south coast, I make the London - York trip several times a year. I have used Grand central several times and found them excellent and usually my bike was the only one. Virgin has been patchy, with some good and some poor trips. If going when expecting more bikes, ( York Rally or Tour of Yorkshire ) I use Hull Trains, which run from Kings Cross to Hull. Not many trains a day but you can still book bikes online. I get of at Howden and cycle a flat 20 miles through the lanes to York.

Whilst working for the Holdsworthy Company during 1970, Campagnolo brakes were just becoming available. My bike was full record, apart from the brakes. I decided I couldn't justify a weeks wages for a pair of brakes. From my price list, here are the prices.
campag record £22.50 , Universal 61 £5.50, Mafac Racer £4.38, Weinman 999 £3.70, GB 88 £3.40. Although Campagnolo had a brilliant reputation, at over four times the price of its nearest rival, it was still a hard sell. I remember my dad looking in amazement at the price of my karrimor saddlebag,
again a weeks wages for a 16 year old in 1962, However the bag far outlived my dad. At least those names live on, unlike so many others. Incidentally the price of a set of three, Reynolds butted frame tubes was £1.08 in 1971, you were paying for the skill of the builder.

In October 2016 they had a stand at the Birmingham Cycle Show. I paid a years subscription as they gave me a decent cycle helmet. I received about three issues, then no more. I tried to chase them up, but got nowhere. I was surprised to see they had a stand at this years show. When confronted they said distributor had not sent out copies and when he folded, they found his warehouse full of all the magazines. I declined to renew until they had sent me the back issues or a refund. Of course I have had neither. I was given a personal contact email but didn't bother as I did not believe what I was been told.

I had a similar incident, when a police failed to stop at a T junction and took me out at high speed. My Galaxy (£800 ) was a write off and my clothing (£500) was torn or cut off by the medical. I was looking for £1300 to put me back on the road. Although they accepted total liability, they insisted on receipts and offered me £850, due to depreciation for wear and tear. Cycling UK solicitors were not very encouraging. I refused to accept and was approached by a cycling solicitor ( I think the LBS had sent them details ) I went ahead, on a no win no fee. I received £4500 and they also had to pay the solicitors about £4000 costs (The barrister charged £168 per hour) It cost them £8500 instead of paying me £1300. They charged for transport as I had no bike, loss of confidence in traffic, pain and suffering etc. I was just glad to be alive. I kept the old bike. I would go for repair as the most expensive option and let them come back, with replacement as a cheaper option. Best of luck.

Hi Ken Hope my reply is not too late. We often ride sections of the Downs Link on Cycling Uk West Sussex section rides. The surface is mainly hard packed earth with a few sections, having fine gravel. I agree with Graham, the route would be very challenging on narrow wheels. There are sections that become very soft after rain. I ride it ok on a Galaxy with 32/35 but it is very weather dependant. On road there are plenty of lanes for top half i.e. Dunsfold , Wisborough Green. Henfield is very difficult as you can't go West because of river Adur and North/ South only accessed by A road. Very detailed description of whole route in ~Cycling Days Out, South East England~ by Dierdre Huston. Good luck and enjoy your ride.

Despite attending cycle shows, races and rallies many times a year, York Rally remains a favourite for me. The first York Rally I attended in 1961, steered me towards a decent bike, joining a cycle club and touring and racing. This year I rode 300 miles over 3 days, staying at Youth Hostels to attend and have already put next years dates on the calendar. However I understand that the CTC tourist of the past is an ageing breed. The volunteers have done an excellent job and have my sincere thanks for keeping this event going. I try and support the exhibitors, buying products at the show or later. The best part though is the interesting and friendly cyclists that one chats to. I am sure the committee will look at some of the ideas and comments, on this site, for some fresh ideas. Long may it continue.

I travelled from Oxford to Littlehampton on Saturday and included in the route was Thatcham Station, Bishop Green, Echinswell, Watership Down. Laverstoke, Michelover Station, Arlresford, West and East Meon, Buriton, Rowlands Castle, from where it is any easy run to Portsmouth. I use a garmin which I am very happy with but it took me a couple of months to get used to it and to tweak the settings to give me all day battery life. I plan my routes on garmin connect but also have ordnance survey paper maps as I get a better feel of the terrain. (you can borrow them from most libraries.) I also have Sustrans area maps, such as Thames Valley (10) and try and incorporate them in the route, but as mentioned the green off road sections can vary from good cycle tracks to impossible ruts. You can check the Sustrans web site. Good luck

Thanks Andy for the route information. Will give it a try when solo. Best of luck with the National Trust. A lot of the parks are such special places of calm and beauty we need to try and keep access. Not guilty of Hungry Guest. Petworth House was our official stop, before heading over Black Down.

Our local section ride, had morning coffee at Petworth House, audit house café yesterday, before heading west along A272 and then north at Tillington. Our ride leader is very experienced and takes every opportunity to get off road, frequently to the annoyance of those on light road bikes. I am sure if there was a way, he would know it and would have taken it. Sorry didn't see your post earlier, would have been able to check it out We have had similar problems are Parham Deer Park, which used to be a route to avoid an A road, Now they have no cycling signs which they enforce.

Having retired I am able to cycle more and have lost three stone since February. As doing a couple of club rides a week, plus one or two long solos i decided not to go on a diet, as I agree with the post from *flat tyre*, your body becomes more efficient at using fuel, so it is harder to loose weight. Instead I cut out treats and for normal eating try and pick a lower calorie alternative. Also agree with the post about tours been good. Rode up to York Rally via Hostels and found it hard to get enough food to keep going. When working and commuting ,I found I had to work hard to loose weight and kept a food and calorie diary. If I listened to my Garmin calories burnt, I should be like a stick insect. Set yourself some targets, stick to them and cycling becomes easier, especially hills. You will become faster, fitter and look and feel better.

Have used Halfords several times recently, especially for emergency purchase as they are open till 8pm. Have always got discount on either CUK or British Cycling although staff usually need to look up list or ask. Have had it on car and camping also, of any brand. Not available on line, which includes click and collect.

Looking forward once again to the Rally and Chris Juden's talk. Will be traveling the 300 miles by bike, from the south coast. Have been most years, since it converted me in 1962 from a teenager who went on the odd bike ride, into a " proper " cyclist. Have now mellowed and glad to see anybody on any bike. Big thanks Peter to you and the committee for saving the rally and taking it forward. Will be staying at York YHA. Wish they could do a CTC and change the name. I feel a fraud, in a YOUTH hostel at 72 years of age.