Cycling UK Forum

Sweep wrote: ↑3 May 2021, 10:05am

leftpoole wrote: ↑2 May 2021, 11:48am I was a Member for over 15 years. No more. It is based on older people with older ideas and equipment. I am now old myself, but modern in mind and deed including types of equipment....

Am confused leftpoole - why would the age of the other members and whatever they chose to camp in/with be an issue/cramp anyone's style? I thought it was a club to find sites that might not otherwise be available, camping on their own trips, not as part of a club trip.
I have considered it, especially these days as I don't like crowded campsites and I reckon they will be particularly crowded this year.

Well, in answer. I was in the Club for Farm pitches only. Magazine too.
The magazine for the first couple of years was interesting. After that not much use really.
The Farm pitch lists vary Year to Year and are hit and miss.
Older much more ingrained in the Club-rule-the roost. Mention a new Hilleberg or such plus a Titanium stove and it is ignored in the main by others. (Unlike bicycle riders!)
All (most) get togethers are in the North. attended by hard and fast walkers. Cyclists get a mention from time to time.
The Club is worth joining to get those Farm pitch lists and magazine. But 12 months membership is all that is required. £20 I believe.

I was a Member for over 15 years. No more. It is based on older people with older ideas and equipment. I am now old myself, but modern in mind and deed including types of equipment....
The 'Club' is for people of very like minds. Not me. It caters mostly for Wild Camping and walking long distance paths etc.
I found the cycling side of things pretty dire.
Main concentration is for the North in particular Scotland and Yorkshire dales.
Cheap fees and a 4 times per annum magazine (very small)

MarcusT wrote: ↑29 Apr 2021, 5:47am I agree, it looks like a stem extender, but I must say, that is an ugly bike

Not a very nice thing to say!

I have been under the impression the extra length can be removed 'cut down' to allow an option to fit an A-head stem.
I recall being told this by another Moulton owner. It is not my assumption.
As a Moulton owner I have a great opinion of these bicycles but admit that Alex Moulton had some silly options on his designs. He did admit once that his designs were always being changed as he found better answers.
Currently the factory is building and has a very long waiting list.
I believe alterations come as and when a better solution is 'discovered'.

horizon wrote: ↑28 Apr 2021, 1:38pm

drossall wrote: ↑28 Apr 2021, 12:43pm

KTHSullivan wrote: ↑27 Apr 2021, 11:41amPersonally I prefer Meths. First thing out of the pannier/backpack at camp is the stove, brew on, then the tent etc goes up.

I had to read that twice, as I've always taken great care to prevent the tent going up when I light the stove.

Which brings us neatly to the question, "Which would you rather use inside your tent: a meths Trangia, a gas Trangia or another gas stove?".

Meths every time.

KTHSullivan wrote: ↑27 Apr 2021, 11:41am

Personally I prefer Meths. First thing out of the pannier/backpack at camp is the stove, brew on, then the tent etc goes up.

Obviously other preferences are available.

My first choice always!

I hope that the following is of assistance?

Holidays in England are allowed from 12th April.

There are two opening dates for the camping, glamping and caravan sector: most campsites will be opening on the later date, 17th May, because shared shower blocks are provided.

The above is copied from 'Pitchup' a very good source of information for Campers in UK.

gbnz wrote: ↑26 Apr 2021, 8:03am Anyone know whether we can now "legally" head off cycling?

Have to admit I'm a bit bemused; having always taken the pragmatic approach that cycling and/or walking locally in empty countryside risks neither myself nor anyone else , I now find that the locals who've hidden away are back to normal routine. So I now find myself a bit concerned about walking into town, due to crowds of people hanging around, never mind travelling on a bus (Buses had been empty throughout, they're now busy).

So are long weekends cycling down to the Dales, over to the Lakes now legally OK?

Responsible. Educated. Cyclists?
Heading out as above-into-Countryside is usually an excellent thing. BUT-NOTE- Pandemic-full Hospitals-no beds-have an accident on bicycle or fall. Where oh where does common sense go?
Put Paramedics at risk-put others-at risk.
Rules are there for a reason and the reason is NOT to be broken. I sometimes despair, in fact I often despair.

I just looked at that link. All dimensions etc including weight are shown,
Regarding colour-red-what is not to like?

jimlews wrote: ↑24 Apr 2021, 8:55am

leftpoole wrote: ↑23 Apr 2021, 10:11am I owned a brand new Galaxy in 1995. It was green (of course) it was beautiful-I loved it and used it. The real reason I no longer own it is because I have a poor spine. The Galaxy top tube was always a little too long for me (and possibly other people). If Dawes had made either a shorter version or a shorter top tube, I would still have it (probably). But I went over the Thorn. No argument, just great bikes. Still have Thorn bikes now.
Sorry Dawes but over the years you did not keep up. The period with Unicrown forks made me shudder.
Best to all Galaxy owners!

I understand that certain Thorn models were indeed "rebranded" Dawes Galaxies. Some early 'Club Tour' for instance

I had one of those and it had a shorter top tube. I have been 'with' Thorn ever since-except my Moulton. My Brompton-my Van Nicholas.....

I tried (I am pretty good at fitting bar tape) but decided, after fitting one side to remove. I ended with standard tape. No stretch to go around brake levers and even on the bends (sounds nasty) it showed signs of imbalance (?).....Wrinkled looked horrid. Sorry Brooks!

I owned a brand new Galaxy in 1995. It was green (of course) it was beautiful-I loved it and used it. The real reason I no longer own it is because I have a poor spine. The Galaxy top tube was always a little too long for me (and possibly other people). If Dawes had made either a shorter version or a shorter top tube, I would still have it (probably). But I went over the Thorn. No argument, just great bikes. Still have Thorn bikes now.
Sorry Dawes but over the years you did not keep up. The period with Unicrown forks made me shudder.
Best to all Galaxy owners!

pjclinch wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 3:50pm

leftpoole wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 2:20pm Try the struggle getting into and out of simply to pitch it! Then struggle to get out in the morning particularly if it’s raining. Try cooking in the porch.

I suspect you're not actually that familiar with the tents in question. They're easy to pitch, they're easy to strike, they're easy in and out, and there's masses of space in the (twin) porches to cook and get out of wet gear.

Not quite as clean up as my Hilles which are all-in-one rather than fly-first and have a specific design point of being able to be pitched by one person in a blizzard wearing mittens, but you can say that about just about most other tents, certainly anything "ultralight"

Pete.

Pete,
I had a Jetpacker and then a Spacepacker . Both good at the time. But, as you, time passes, age catches up, tents get better and easier to pitch as you mentioned all in one. Saunders were very good at the time.
I’ve only got one tent now! A Hilleberg Niak.
If tye person who has been using a Basepacker or whatever for 30 years, then sure it’s worn out by now? I think they should watch a few Hilleberg YouTube videos of people pitching tents, or even Force Ten (Vango)

Try the struggle getting into and out of simply to pitch it! Then struggle to get out in the morning particularly if it’s raining. Try cooking in the porch.
In fact try looking at newer more sensible options.
I Alfred if something works, that it’s good to keep using it, but the Saunders tents are well past decent use by date even if only for the weight , quality and ease of pitch.
Modern quality tents are fabulous to use.
Modern tents cost. Modern tent from cheap outlets are a big improvement.
All I’m trying to put across, is that the tent being used by the particular person, is a struggle to use.
It’s gas it’s life hasn’t it?

Jdsk wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 10:23am

leftpoole wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 9:59am

iandusud wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 8:10am We still have our Saunders Spacepacker Plus which has had regular use over the years...

I am in awe of people who have managed to keep any Saunders tent going for so long!
Why?
What is the point?
Why not buy more modern more easy to use much lighter and larger tent?

We're happy with our late 70s Base Packer. It does what we ask of it. How would anything newer be easier to use?

Thanks

Jonathan

How? Simply read and absorbe anything on a website such as Hilleberg.
Saunders are very old hat out of date. At the time they came into existence were indeed, very good, but now.......