Cycling UK Forum

https://www.puffincruiseslymington.com

I have used this a couple of time, bikes go free too

Always found this place good

http://www.relais-du-mont-ventoux.com/

I have helicopter taped the frame but my set up is in line with frame, I fear a ding off road.

It's horses for courses really, I have shifters from SRAM and Shimano on my road bikes, but have planned a tour to Kyrgyzstan and like the simplicity, and don't mind the shifting.
I have ridden 50k off road today and enjoyed the bike and shifters, only changed gear with my knee once but worry about denting my new frame.

Hi all
I have gone back to bar end shifters on my touring bike, does anyone have any ideas to protect my top tube from the shifters.

Just back from a great week staying at The Astoria Playa. All arranged by Wheelssport. Picked up at the airport, the best cycling facilities I have come across including a full time mechanic and tools to use if required,rental bikes fastidiously maintained.Friendly advice and support from staff throughout.
An absolutely superb hotel and staff too.

http://wheelssport.net/#about_us

I am in a Birmingam cycle club Beacon Roads, I would avoid both Sustrans routes Coventry is horrendous. Have you any mapping Garmin ect. Map yourself through Warwickshire aiming at Meridon as a way mark, good cafe too. Using lanes and B roads.
Think it about more as a journey than 100miles. The journey is the achievement then.
Training wise I would aim at regular 100k building to 120 k before the day, local Sunday's with a club will achieve this and tick many other boxes, and you will not be alone.

Join your local cycle club, they should be full of route, local knowledge and training advice.
These look good
http://www.bc-clubs.co.uk/aylesburycc/

Find and join your local cycle club, regular Sunday rides, and the members should have plenty of route knowledge and training advice

Much of this debate brings to mind, when I bought a Specialized Roubaix in 2010 equipped with the then new SRAM apex. For example Carbon is brittle and will never last, chain line, wear, gaps in gearing. 42,000 miles later, ridden all over Europe the group is superb for both reliability and shifting, and the bike still looks and handles as it did when it left the shop.

I am aiming at doing the Tour divide in 2019, reading of the high number of riders using 1X12 encouraged me to look at this this group, the winner finished with his spare chain still in his bag. Surely this is an ultimate test of endurance and kit.
I have also managed 20k on a friends CX bike using up to 1X12 cassette off road, it felt liberating having a single ring on the front.
Perhaps the world is changing and this is the way to go, probobly fitted to a Salsa frameset.
My Mercian will remain in traditional spec.

I know it's sacralige but I am considering fitting this group to my Mercian, I would like to ask if any one else had tried this on a tourer.
https://www.merlincycles.com/sram-gx-ea ... 07871.html

Thanks for all the replays on this thread.
I'm just back from my Oncology check up,in remission following more treatment, after my initial post. The waiting room today contained patients from late tean age years up to Octoganeirians. All with Cancer related skin conditions.
Also another club cyclist I know from Audax.
I can't stress enough how uncomfortable and unseatling being treated for skin Cancer is.

There is plenty of good advice around though.

https://www.shponline.co.uk/the-hidden- ... un-creams/
https://www.nhs.uk/video/pages/how-to-a ... creen.aspx

http://wheelssport.net/#about_us

no worries here, sorted transfers and hotel too

I am planning a couple of weeks touring in California to in 2019. I would like to ask if any one on the forum has experiance of this tour. What time of year, and route would be best. I was thinking of starting in San Fransisco.