Cycling UK Forum

thanks for all the the links and advice.
Having read many articles and given my elementary electronics knowledge I think it may be some time before I venture down this road.

Chris

Are you using specific capacity AA's - how long do you get on one set of AA's?

I am contemplating getting one of these Tesco torches as I have heard good reports. Also maybe a Fenix torch.

I would like to convert a Lumicycle halogen light head into a LED headlamp sufficiently bright and focussed to use on unlit roads and run off my 12v NiCd battery. Has anyone else successfully done this?

Alternately does anyone have instructions on building a lamp from scratch?

thanks

Watched Ian Stannard ride solo up Streatley Hill with the peleton just over a minute behind him. The 16% section had them out of the saddle and grunting with effort - but riding much faster than we have ever ridden it!!! It may have been a short hill by TdF standard but the riders at the back looked uncomfortable.
Great to see a good turn out of cyclists to cheer them on.

sun was shining for the first time in weeks so we went out on the tandem on Saturday - unfortunately it was the most stressful ride for a long time:
1, on single track lane an approaching BMW5 comes tanking round the bend - up on the verge to miss wiping us out
2. 5 miles up the road on narrow lane approaching car decides to overtake approaching cyclist by forcing us off the road
3. signalling and turning right a 4x4 decides to overtake us on the junction
4. on return journey car overtakes us and wing mirror mm from leg
5. several overtaking cars appear to be seeing how close the can pass by
6. lovely evening so stopped in Henley for a sit on abench by the river and struck up a great discussion with another cyclist and he bought us a beer
7. fortunately we arrived home safe

some drivers just don't care

it will pass the end of our road then through the village on Monday - signs have been up for 2 weeks and the locals are asking questions - local rag said roads will be closed for 15 minute intervals through the day - confused the hell out of our neighbours!!!

should be good - and it is on ITV4 each night at 8pm

What a great debate - I am amazed how many different views have been expressed. Having used clipless pedals for over 10 years I personally would never go back to clips but if it suits your riding then use them. Regarding efficiency then clipless win every time. If your feet come out on the up stroke then they are too slack - you should tighten them. Pedalling efficiency is essential when racing - I do not know any road racer who uses clips. Track is different - many riders use both clipless and straps together - the clipless gives the platform and connection with the strap ensuring there will be no pullout when sprinting hard.

Choice is yours

having enjoyed the brilliant show put on GB cycling team these past few days I need a rest! - Olympic inspired PB's on Monday's and Tuesday's commute to work have taken their toll and a recovery ride is called for.
To win 7 out of 10 golds on offer on the track is a fantastic achievement, plus Cookes road gold too. Here's to speedy Readey for the BMX gold too.

I am looking to try and fit some touring onto a business trip to Capetown in early November.
Can anyone offer advice on routes, safety, maybe organised tours.
Cheers

I stayed at Clun YHA with my son - it was our final night of a Welsh mountain tour before heading to Shrewsbury. Fantastic place - we cooked a monster meal, sat in the evening sunshine and had a long discussion with the brilliant volunteer wardens - a real gem of a place.

London Heathrow is easy

get the CTCinfo leaflet - we hae cycled from Hayes Harlington station in and out of the airport - on one occasion straight into the terminal building!! The approach tunnels are OK and there are cycle path provision.

An example of a cycle lane Chinese style - photo taken in Shekou a suburb of Shenzen, across from Hong Kong

thinking of taking our bikes to Cuba on tour - read a post about bikes going missing at the airport after checkin - any one have any experience of flying out of Cuba with their bikes?

cheers

If you have just arrived from Seattle the ride from LHR to Guildford may be too much.
Try the Central bus station in LHR - you may be able to take your bike on the bus. If not then an alternate you may wish to consider is to ride to Hayes & Harlington station (about 3 miles on cycle paths) where you can take a train to Reading and then change onto a train to Guildford. The CTC have an excellent leaflet giving instructions for riding in & out of LHR. We used it last year and were surprised how easy it was. Good luck

......does the ctc not issue memberdhip cards to family members?
Every year we receive one card and the statement saying some committee decided to stop issuing family cards and you have to ring the 0870 number. So you do this, then wait for ages racking up the phone bill before a very helpful person eventually answers and arranges for the other cards to be dispatched. THEN THEY NEVER ARRIVE!!!!
So you go through the process again.....and still they do not arrive.




Why is it so difficult?