Cycling UK Forum

Thanks! Encouraging in the main!
No compelling reasons for "March" - partly that much further away than that and I'll tend to lose interest/motivation and partly that the supported rides begin early-April and I rather assume more difficult to secure accommodation.
I hope that if I keep up my usual 100-125 miles per week now til January and then up it to 150-175 including two 50 milers I'll not die en route! And I don't mind walking when I have to...

Watch the Classifieds on here, other places and ebay.
I've just bought a VERY nice steel (501 Butted) Raleigh Pioneer from an ad in this Forum. Once I've sold the sprung Brooks that it was wearing the net cost will about 20 quid. Lots of margin to spend on improving whatever bits might need it.
Probably wasn't called a "hybrid" when new, but I suppose that that would be the closest contemporary term.

I've decided/determined to pedal Hadrian's Wall C2C (the real one sounds too difficult!) next year. It will be my first such venture. I've found what I suppose is the best site for info (forgotten the link - but the many-paged site!) and searched on here....any other sign-posts/advice/info etc etc welcome. Would like to do it end-March - is that too early in weather terms (B&B not camping!).
Anyone else planning similar in route terms/first-timer? Comparing notes/preparation might be helpful!
Seems to be 175 miles: how "fit" do I need to be to do it in 3 days?
All comments (derisory included!) welcome.

PS This is the site that seems most useful I think:

http://www.cycle-routes.org/hadrianscycleway

I know not my place to disagree with the expert(s), but IMO/E single-side pulls (whayever age) are a poor excuse for braking compared with modern offerings - even centre pull Weinmanns (with V brake blocks) are a much better long-drop solution. And usually pick them up for a tenner a pair. The "750s" will reach just about anything.

Thanks for confirming my resolve to do this route next year! Looks excellent.
Never done any actual cycle touring before and at 60 time I started! Had a glance at the supported offers, but herself has convinced me that THAT would be just too easy (I think she's found the life insurance...). As would B&B. I reckon if I allow 4 days might make it!
Just need to study the gradients before I decide on fixed or gears.

"Beginning to wonder if this was such a bargain after all!"

Depends what you paid for it! Below 50 then OK as long as frame is SOUND!

There is (or possibly "has been") a Raleigh "exhibition" on at the D H Lawrence Pavillion at the University Campus. I gather however that as always Raleigh has contributed nothing - the Company has never shown much interest in its history as far as I can tell. And I assume what records there were went missing at the time of the ownership and move away from Triumph Road debacle!

IF the exhibition is still on and IF you are really really interested there might find a link to some local archivists.

"BUT why on earth did someone fit callipers ??"

Easier to fit/adjust the pads?

I assume that someone has simply replaced the original cantilevers with side pull calipers. The levers would no doubt pull the former - but almost certainly NOT vs. If you are keeping the d/t shifters, then "all" you need are some of the drops for Vs mentioned above!

Point taken! Simply that the only bits of any bike (within reason!) that I find repeatedly and without warning fail are the damn inner tubes - and NO expense will end that!
Hub gears - yes! For the last 5 winters I've cycled near enough every day. Most used and most reliable has been fixed or single speed. Except for the 4 months or so that I used almost exclusively a Carrera Subway 8 (with slimed tubes I never even had a deflationary moment!). OK, probably won't last as long as a Rohloff, but hey a new one every year for 6 years would still be cheaper. And added benefit of internal brakes.
Much searching has failed to find ANY alternative (except maybe the 3 speed Centrum)m so come H'fords sale I suppose I'll have to get another one!
I'd lay out say a grand for a NICER equivalent Nexus 8, preferably with discs, but awfully thin on the ground.
And IMO Ti is the best investment by far if you want a bike for life.

I don't think that "worksop built" of significance really. After all, Raleigh (and thus TI) had owned Carlton for many years by time of closure!

"In the winter you can pick up a good racer for the price of a round of drinks."

Expensive round then! Rare for owt worth having to sell for less than a ton these days (these parts, anyway).

There's been one for sale in local Notts Ad Mag for some weeks! Last time I noticed it, it was down to a ton!

IF determined to go with the expense and (alleged) longevity of a Rohloff then IMO really might as well go the whole way and have titanium!

Personally I can't imagine anything more boring than a bike for life but each to thier own.

Don't think built at Worksop in 1984:

"The Worksop Guardian for 29th May 1981 had the following:

No more will the famous Carlton be made in Worksop.
Carlton Cycles, one of Worksop's oldest factories, finally ground to a halt on Friday.
And now the building on Kilton Road which in its heydey was occupied by 300 workers and even kept going through the recession-hit thirties will be put up for sale.
TI Raleigh, the parent company, in Nottingham, decided some weeks ago to close the plant and give notice to the 202 employees.
On Friday the last batch of them - 50 from the production department - finally left."

The "W" clue is a bit misleading because "Even though not produced at Worksop any more, Raleigh continued to use the initial W letter on the frame number for Nottingham built Carlton frames."

Source Jeremy Mortimer.

AFAIR the "w" continued in use for Carlton and Raleigh (badged) frames built at Ilkeston and the SPD for quite some time.