Cycling UK Forum

willswitchengage wrote:It hasn't gone well since I wrote that post earlier this morning.

I received two confirmation numbers, one by phone as my bike reservation and one on the confirmation email.

Waited two hours as the email suggested before trying to collect my tickets.

As predicted the tickets worked fine and I now have these in my wallet, but the bike reservation code was not recognised by the ticket machine. Look forward to more phone calls with LNER (outsourced call centre too).

I should reiterate that I have bought numerous bike reservations online before (not for a year or so mind), but for whatever reason this useful functionality has been removed. There have been loopholes in the past where one random TOC will allow you to book bike reservations on their website, i.e. I used to use East Coast to buy Virgin tickets for example, but AFAIK none of them now offer this service.

I use the GWR website to book bikes on the LNER (or whatever it's called now) KGX-NCL route.

ajj wrote:My Visa debit, credit and pre-paid cards were refused in two different Aldi branches in the Netherlands last summer.

I had Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard declined in a buthcers in Belgium - and the shop didn't accept cash.

I have quite a lot of experience in video cameras in the day job.

The low light performance is mainly affected by sensor and lens aperture size - you need to get photons in large enough numbers in to the camera to be able to sense them. You could reduce the frame rate, to allow longer between sensor readings (and hence more photons), but this would significantly increase the motion blur.

I tend to use mine for recreational video rather than evidential, but I've had luck with the Xiaomi range over the years - although I tend to hack the firmware to make them operate slightly differently to normal. But to get a range of shots, I have a chest mount, handlebar mount, mount on each axle and a gorrilapod I can use to grab footage of us cycling past.

For the handlebar mount, I fabricated something a bit like: https://www.ebay.ie/itm/CNC-Anti-Vibrat ... 3726496525

One thing though if you're using the footage for evidence - don't edit it.

Compared to other smart helmets, £40 is cheap. I saw one at IFA for £200. Only difference is it had bone conduction headphones and mic built in to the straps.

mercalia wrote:New one has a brake light - the rear has 3 leds so I assume normal is 1 led and brake light is all 3 on?
how on earth does the brake light work?
£7 increase seems a lot to pay for such a gimic?
They only have the £20 ones in Streatham

Quite a lot of German bikes have a brake light based on dynohub AC frequency.

Could there be a switch in the pack that goes in the brake? I've seen those too.

Most main stations in Germany will have a bookshop which will sell either Bikeline or Komapss maps/guides for main Cycle routes, normally on waterproof paper (wetterfest).

You're looking for Radtourenbücher (Bike Tour Book) or Radkarten (Bike Map).

Or Amazon.de will have them all available to order.

It involved a small mushroom cloud, some shrapnel and some singed tents.

Luckily canvas otherwise they would have melted on to the occupants.

bigjim wrote:

Sweep wrote:Can I ask where you got that adaptor bigjim?

Do you have a link?

Do youuse it a lot - ie - is it reliable/safe?

I have an adaptor which does the same thing but not like yours - it just goes on top (OK - side when it is laid down) of the cartridge but doesn't ensure that it's outlet stays the right way up as yours seems to do.

Ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Outdoor-Camping-Gas-Stove-Adapter-Three-Leg-Transfer-Head-Nozzle-Screwgatel-S-K/362496129040?hash=item546673f810:g:R8cAAOSwn5RZiqTA
I have used it a lot on tour. A few times a day. I often stop for a brew up as well as morning and evening meals. Never had a problem with it. It's pretty simple. I bought a spare as well. I found that it makes the stove even more stable.

Presumably the canister can only fit in one way up?

I used to work at a Scout campsite and can vividly remember the time a lad dropped a full canister into a fire to see what would happen.

Looks similar to the DHL courier bike.

That's where the main east-west cycle superhighway is, so many drop down to the Embankment for ease.

Just thought of one more example that may affect my touring. I had intended to do the Rhein Radweg with some German friends next year. We would meet in Paris then take the bikes by train to Switzerland.

In the event of a no deal exit, the EU visa waiver scheme has been offered to the UK provided we reciprocate, i.e. open our borders to EU citizens.

If that doesn't happen, the I will need a Schengen Visa to do the trip, but, you can't immediately apply for a multi entry visa, you have to build up trust on Single Entry visas. So with a single entry visa, under our planned tour, I would enter France, exit in to Switzerland and then could not enter back in to Germany. Not insurmountable, but annoying and expensive.

Vorpal wrote:The Brexit discussion has been moved to the appropriate thread. Please reserve this thread specifically for discussion of the impacts on cycle touring.

Thank you.

Not sure they can be separated. The entirety of Brexit will affect touring.

For example:

I work a lot in the EU, I therefore may not have enough time in Schengen available to me to cycle tour there any more.

Germany currently requires a Carnet De Permis for vehicles, there is no UK issuer.

Most of the equipment I use for work will need an ATA Carnet, which means I'll have periods where capital is in bond and may not be able to afford to travel. (I work in Switzerland too, so am well used to Carnets)

Looking at yesterday's announcement re: reciprocal healthcare, I'm sure many will need to look at more comprehensive medical insurance when abroad.

I would add that my North American friends do find the entire siesta thing a bit odd. Don't plan on shops/businesses being open in the heat of the early afternoon (restaurants will be). And large shops are limited to the number of Sundays per year they can open, so expect closures without any explanation.

Southern Spain is a beautiful country, with lots of history and vibrant places to see - plus some large concrete beach resorts.

I would also ask how you're getting from Spain to Southern Italy. There's a ferry from Barcelona to Cittavechia near Rome.

Can anyone recommend a decent set to try? Not too expensive. Would love to try butterfly bars.