Cycling UK Forum

Well, I suppose it's definately not a cycling question. Though as a mobile, broadband using cyclist, perhaps a tentative link does exist

As a "3" mobile broadband user, I'd be interested if anyone has anything positive to report about vodafone, t mobile et al, concerning mobile broadband services (Landline broadband being unuseable in my area)

HM Gvt used to provide me with an absurdly expensive remote access device/wires (or something), which did give me a decent link to the CTC forum. But I recall it took several engineers the best part of 3-4 days to install it all, including unravelling cables to some sort of a local exchange. While HM Gvt could spend 10-15k without concern to connect me to CTC (I rarely use the net at work), from a domestic financial point of view,it'd be a bit of a luxury (What with this credit crisis and all)

Personally I'd just get on a local train at Gard du Nord and take it several stops, until the urban sprawl comes to an end

I did enjoy cycling in Paris city centre back in the summer. But that was at 5.00am on a beautiful, traffic free, sunday morning, having caught a cheap overnight train from the south, prior to making my way via all the highlights to Gard du Nord. Even at that time of the day, the thought of 4-5 hours cycling through urban wasteland north of the city centre was not enticing

It doesn't take long to dismantle the bike (Unbolt pedals, cranks, sti's, deraileurs etc, etc).

Strap it all together with parcel tape (£0.50 a roll), leaving a bit of the frame to utilise as a carrying handle.

Wrap in clear plastic sheeting and/or bubblewrap (£4-5.00)

Unpack and bolt it back together at the other end

Actually I've no issue with modern hunting as such, given that drag hunting is perfectly legal and causes no harm to man or beast. And face it, banning hunting had little to do with effective animal welfare (As hubgear freak points out). And I'm quite happy to converse with intelligent, enthusiastic, decent followers, who choose to spend a wet, windy, cold November day out in the countryside, following a keen personal interest (Rather like a typical cyclist).

Though yesterday I couln't help but be amused by the stereotypical image of the high class hunt follower coming true, espcially when combined with the ironies implicit in a hunt quite happily blocking a public road in it's entity for some time, while some looked askance at the cyclist wishing to pass through

Perhaps I should clarify my original question; what's the most succesful approach to passing large groups of horse riders, without the cyclist or rider coming to harm. I've been told bells, whistles and horns scare the horse and while I habitually slow, at times to a halt, even clearing the throat appears to startle many riders. And as of yet, I cannot quite bring myself to shout at a moderate volume, "excuse me" to the horses rear end

Well, ran into my fourth hunting pack in three weeks today(on road). Hounds and horses everywhere, screams to edward, charles and james "it's a cyclist" and "it's that cyclist"

Given it's a fairly rural area, cyclists being unknown (I.e. the last cyclist I saw was 1500 miles ago back in september), I do take care; bells, whistles and horns are frowned upon (scares the horses), I tend to slow to to walking speed or a stop and rarely come within 20' of a horse, until they know I'm there. Little purpose served in being kicked by a 200kg animal

Yet still expressions of discontent are focused upon me and mutterings of "how you shouldn't be on these roads". Ironic really, when the 30-40 riders, 20 hounds and several land rovers obstruct the road in it's entity.

Whats the accepted convention in announcing to Henry and his horse, that a member of the lower class will be cycling by, without causing a panic

wallyone states "Sorry but gbnz is wrong". I have Coleman and Gaz stoves and they're very different and there are plenty of threads on this Forum detailing the difference".

Sorry I wasn’t referring to Coleman and Gaz (I presume Camping Gaz) stoves. In fact I made no reference to Camping Gaz in any respect

My statement “Ignore the proviso that you have to purchase the manufacturers own screw on cartridge I.e. coleman, primark, butane battery etc, etc. They're all to the same international standard” was in reference to screw on cartridges, in which the thread/connector complies with ISO EN417 (Perhaps the predominant screw on cartridge type). The International Standards Organisation (ISO), ensures essential elements of the screw on cartridge are internationally standardised. Thus the ISO EN417 cartridges I've used from 30+ manufacturers on three continents (I.e. Coleman, Primus, Butane Battery,MSR, Kovea,Snow Peak, Philgas, Go System etc, etc) have all fitted and operated correctly, as they're all to the same international standard. Though I suppose one could note the fuel mixes, cartridge materials and colour schemes can and do differ.

Camping Gaz self sealing cartridges tend to differ, as they utilise their own "clic on" cartridge system as a rule, not an ISO EN417 screw on cartridge. Though can't say I've ever tried to fit a ISO EN417 cartridge to my Camping Gaz equipment, given the systems are so obviously incompatible. However I would note that Camping Gaz also manufacture cartridges to the ISO EN417 standard, certainly available in France, can't say I've ever seen them in the UK. Thus a Camping Gaz cartridge will fit a Coleman Stove, subject to it being an ISO EN417 screw on cartridge.

Well, if you feel the need to ask the question, it's reasonable to believe you may be riding the wrong bike. Personally the thought of riding a mountain style bike horrifies me (though after my 5.10am start on a road bike yesterday, the thought of riding any bike at present is undesirable!!)

That said, it's easy to head down the route of becoming fanatical about an interest and thus justifying the purchase of bikes, bike gear,bike books, etc, etc

I'd approach it rationally. You could keep your current bike and spend £30 on fast, slick tyres. Purchasing a road bike won't solve the problem of too many gears, given even the cheapest new road bike will have 14-16. A chunky frame is off putting, but if weight is the issue, it's always possible a cheap road bike may be heavier (Though unlikely to be the 18kg of my original polish soviet era road bike - recycled last year)

Borrow/hire/trial a road bike and see if you like it. If so, buy one

Looks like a push on type/bayonet style cartridge (They're the same)

The advantage of the former push on /bayonet "older types"is they're cheap and available (within reason) anywhere. The advantage of the latter screw on type is that they're much safer, dismantle to a smaller size and available anywhere within the civilised world (I.e. europe, australisia, north america - apologies, technically this includes the usa)

Ignore the proviso that you have to purchase the manufacturers own screw on cartridge I.e. coleman, primark, butane battery etc, etc. They're all to the same international standard. Cartridges are available as cheap as £2.69 (Though you can spend £4.99 at independant stores)

If you're using an old stove and can't tell the difference between the basic cartridge types, I'd suggest a new, screw on cartridge stove is in order (£14.99). Gas stoves are simple devices, however basic maintenance/fitness for use I.e. operational o-rings, gas tight screw threads etc, etc is essential

I'd always take a chain tool, even locally. It's been used twice this year "in action"

In February 45 miles away from the nearest village on a mountain pass and 13 days ago locally- bent rear deraileur in two/3 spokes broke, used it to shorten and bypass the rear deraileur. Took an hour to get home, but still far better than a 5 hour walk

I eventually realised that any fool can go downhill quickly. Rather like those what do you call it, "motorists", who feel a need to prove their virtue by revving hard, desperately speeding up to overtake the cyclist who had the cheek to overtake them

It's much more satisfying to see the speed that can be obtained on the flat, under ones one power. It tends to improve ones own fitness, stamina and performance. Plus it has the major plus point, that when heavily loaded on tour over an alpine pass, one can wave at the foolhardy speed merchants on the £3500 road bikes, who laughed at the touring cyclist at the bottom of the hill, prior to being overtaken by the tourer on the up (Happened in June - I've never seen such a group of well equipped, overweight, wealthy road cyclists looking so embarrassed)

I had one supplied on a road bike in 2003

The ideas fine and I'd be happy with one on a plodding, sit upright, bike style, to potter into town

But I was uncomfortable with one on a road bike, given the entire handlebar set up can be subjected to considerable stress. Bolts do shear and ensuring the structural integrity of the entire handlebar set up relies on one bolt, didn't seem that fantastic an idea. I tested and and replaced it with a normal stem, set at a suitable angle

Two observations

Clearly your daughter and husband (who don't do much exercise), find it easy to dismiss your cycling as a non exercise option. Presumably they object to the indoor trainer, as it is a physical reminder that you a far fitter person (or will be). Objecting to your using it, is a clear subconscious defense mechanism on their part, in relation to their own lack of activity (Unless it's simply annoying, due to a squeaking roller etc, etc)

Secondly, it's not possible to determine whether 10 miles on an indoor trainer is more or less than 10 miles on a bike, without rationally assessing facts, relating to your work out. Power output meters are one approach, probably like many I use a heart rate monitor. If 10 miles on a bike gives you 15 minutes at a HRM bpm 150-155 and 10miles on an indoor trainer the same,the workout is of roughly equal cardio vascular value. That said, I've always found the bike can give a far better work out, with the work out varying in intensity, with far more low and high HRM rates and a better opportunity to develop leg muscle! (Vital for cycling)

You state you have some concern in considering this bike adapt for touring. I toured for several months on a Specialized Tricross (Nov '07 to July '08) mainly on sealed roads, with some unsealed gravel roads. It's quite ok, however I would note

1. I found it great loaded to 12-15kg, though it can carry more. However the frame is very flexible and unbalanced when loaded heavily and I found it far better carrying 13-15kg on a rear rack only, having removed the front rack entirely
2. The Specialized forks are appalling, with excess vibration and flexing. Particularly when braking, the fork would visibly vibrate back and forwards. I've changed it for a cheap steel fork
3. The Alex wheel rims were great, the Specialized hubs failed after 2000 miles on the back and 3500-4000 on the front (I.e. bearings cracked, bearing race cracked, cone nut thread disintegrated). If you've got the same, I'd use the rims and fit a decent set of shimano hubs

I didn't have any traffic issues when I was across there in June/July, though obviously I stayed off major routes such as the E70 (I'd hazard a guess cycling wouldn't be allowed on the motorway standard roads in any case). Of particular delight, was the fact that the true alpine roads I.e. col de la madeleine, bessans, col d' iseran were quiet (There were a fair few cars, but all tootling along, sightseeing). The cars were almost outnumbered by cyclists. I'd expected the col d-iseran route to be far busier, given it's the only direct link to Bourg St Maurice

The Iseran tunnels / rock shelters are fine, as long as you're not of a seriously nervous desposition. If you are, you could always push your bike through on foot, there's loads of space

Personally I wouldn't recommend cycling up dead ends to the ski resorts - if you've got the time stay on the through roads I.e. take the traditional passes over into Italy or Switzerland or just head north, there's months of decent cycling in the area

I'd jut get a map and go, however Cicerone do a guide for the area

The only word of warning I'd give, is don't free camp in the hills, without particular care. There a lot of cows,cowherds and some seriously nasty cow dogs! Heading over from Turin, I was extensively delayed and camped up on top of one of the passes (I thought it'd be ok, the road being closed to vehicular traffic due to landslides). It's the only time I've ever, ever had to make a very hasty departure at 4.30am in the morning, cow people and cow dogs being very aggresive. The cows themselves appeared quite ok with my presence

Thanks

Have ordered a new cassette (Should be here Monday/Tuesday), will fit it, short trial run and then I'm anticipating shortening the chain.

Whether I go out on the bike is debateable, given the 25-30mph wind forecast for the next four days.