Cycling UK Forum

Sheldon Brown(e), Park Tools & various cycling forums are useful websites. Sheldon covers a lot of things others wouldn't even dream of.

Other cyclist may want to comment on this one.
The problem of splitting rims has been talked about before, in the CTC magazine. Co-incidentally, the rims mentioned there were also Mavics, but I don't myself believe that Mavics are worse than any others - I always have Mavic rims, and I have 4 sets of whels in action at the moment, all with Mavic rims, and I have used nothing but Mavics for at least 25 years, with no problem so far. In my part of the world, there is hardley any level ground, and it seems to be climbing or braking all the time, and we find that wheel rims, therefore, don't give the mileage that someone, say, in the fens would expect, but 25,000 miles in all weathers is the time to seriously start watching for wear and concave rim faces.
With respect to the splitting, I discussed this with the my wheel-builder having seen the CTC magazine article, and he told me that he had come across the phenomenon himself. In his experience this is a fairly recent phenomenon, and he thought that it could be partly caused by the extreme wheel dishing necessary due to increasingly wide blocks (eight/nine speed) - he said that, in order to get enough tension on the spokes on the left side of the wheel, you have to put incredible tension on the block side, and he wondered if Mavic have taken this board yet.
Does anyone know any more - I mean deffinite, informed information rather than anecdotal?
For myself, I have several screw-on Campag Super Record and Dura-Ace rear hubs and I will continue to use these until either the supply of spare spindles dries up, or the bearing cups wear out. I am about to have a Campag Super Record hubs re-rimmed for the fourth time.
My wheels don't have an easy life - I ride about 10,000 mile a year (8425 so far this year), and my "everything" bike has to be out in all weathers on work as well as leisure duty.
I hope that something here is helpful, but surely other responses and experiences would be helpful.

I'm in the ride on the road camp. I live in a rural area. Some cycle paths exist in the market towns but they are ridiculous. Some are no more than a >1m wide strip of red road surface which just stops when the road becomes too narrow. Others are part of the (already too narrow) footpath.

Motorists seem to be surprised to see me on the road.

As an aside, I have got quite good at deducing the gender of drivers as they approach from behind me. A revving car right on my back wheel is usually male, single occupant, got off the same commuter train as me, and been stuck in traffic whilst I have made the same speed as always through the town. A gentle purring quite a way back from my bike (but usually sitting there much longer than the need to) is probable female, maybe with others in the car. Both worry me equally: the macho-man coz he may try to get past at an inappropriate time on the narrow roads. The cautious ones coz I really don't know when they will try to get past plus they will be holding up the next Mr Impatient ho then becomes Mr Really-Impatient and follows the first car past me without really considerding how much road space there is.

Education of ALL road users is the answer. I have cycled nigh on all my life and been a driver (and motorcyclist) for over 2/3 of it. As far as I can recall, I've not had a day's training (education?) on cycling on the road. I've learnt a few things the hard way, I've learnt some things from the unfortunate incidents involving others. I know some schools have cycle training for the children as they get to about age 11. Why not all? Why not have general road awareness training for children (and those adults that seem to have no idea about the lethality of pedestrian/cycle/horse rider/motor vehicle mixes)?

Back to the topic. Cycle paths have their uses, especially in urban areas where there may be old rail tracks that can be used for longer commutes. But they have to be properly designed and implemented. Half-hearted attempts by councils to get their "cycle paths" stats up should not be used. I especially detest the shared use foot and cycle paths that seem to be used a lot around here.

Carl

If you are a long distance speed cyclists rather than endurance, I can't see any alternative to using the main trunk roads. You would be much safer on the French roads. I agree entirely that on the track and racing alongside others who may well knock you off by their actions, helmets are absolutely essential. Aren't there some who still don't wear them in the tour?
The front wheel of a racing bike is all in all a precision tool,/instrument and base over apex fall at speed will save you from most injury , and even from up coming motors.

The collisons and accidents which are highlighted a dozen times after a tour étape are just the sort of thing that make Mummy say
"Oh you must wear a helemt! Is is so dangerous!" to children going out onto the quiet street/common to play.

The previous comment and comparison between cycling and Mcycling for the purpose of Music and helmets was, I thought, Instructive, even if a bit of it was mine.

one problem with wireless computers. If you are riding in a group and others also have a wireless computer you can get interference from other computers. You will know it is happening when you computer goes crazy!

Oh, my god...people will be queuing up to offer you advice about what to buy to get you back to touring. the choice is pretty wide and it's going to be a difficult task to narrow your field down. I suggest lightweight steel frame, drops or butterfly bars, plenty of low gears, brooks leather saddle, cantilever brakes, gearshifts at your fingertips...none of the old downtube friction levers, plenty of clearance on the frame for mudguards (the chromoplasic type with those fittings on the front 'guard which shear if you get something trapped in the wheel and stop you going over the handlebars). I could go on and i'm sure that others will develop the theme!!...

The question of Yearling bottom and others rights of way like it is the whole point of the current bill before parliament which we are campaigning for

It will improve County Cycle ways immensely;
they are well used and the Bill should be supported vigorously by us all. Yearling bottom is just one example is Dorset, half a mile from my home. I don't believe the planning appeal has yet been decided, and if has not it would make a good model for the DEFRA minister, James Knight MP to examine, especially since it is in his constituency.

The arguments are obscure but if they are finely argued with a proper understanding of what is needed then safe Cycling in the counties will be improved... by the county authorities

Gareth Howell

I'll second that! I upgraded from a sidewall dynamo to a SON last month. I run 2 headlights and a tail lamp (It's very dark where I live!). I get enough light to see at any speed I can achieve, oncoming cars dip their headlights as soon as I see them, I can switch them on or off on the move (handy for going through woods etc.) and can't feel any drag. Well worth the money and one of the best things I've bought this year (the others are a Brooks saddle and a mirror)

Take a look at www.fietsplatform.nl Click on the English version at bottom of the Home page, this will give you information on maps and cycle routes. I have never used any publications listing campsites, always seeming to find one where and when I wanted one. Camp sites are of high standard and reasonable cost. The V V V is a tourist information organisation with branches in many towns in Holland where you can pick up cycle route maps etc, Also the ANWB offices are a map source, something similar to our AA or RAC.
The natives are definitely friendly and nearly all speak English.
Without knowing your interests, it is difficult to say what might interest you.
There are canals "everywhere", some scenic, with pleasure craft, others busy with commercial traffic. Great expanses of sandy beaches, opportunities for bird and nature spotting. Interesting even just to see the great variety of bicycles. You can have peace and quiet or the bustle of the city in Holland.
Highly recommended!

I would take issue with the idea thet Scottish roads are worse than any others in the UK. My experience of them is limited to those North of Oban/Inverness, but I have yet to find a bad one. Even the route to Cape Wrath lighthouse has been patched more recently than some of my local roads.

I bought a used Brompton last year and do very little mileage on it but wouldn't get rid of it. Here in rural wales the lack of gear range and effective brakes can be a disadvantage but in a flat place like Cardiff the short wheelbase makes it very nimble and little wheels let me accelerate away from lights faster than on my tourer. It really does only take 30 seconds to fold and the front pannier (or in my case an old laptop bag strapped to the frame) is a bonus. It's the only folder I've ever owned so I can't advise how it compares with others but for a regular commute it's probably the best

The quality is appaling.

MIni is near rubbed off from being in my wallet like many others though in my case that is acedemic as the number was quite wrong to start with.

It's a rather poor example to have to produce to show one is a member. It should be a glowing advert for the CTC not an embarassment.

Great idea, I think we really need some joined up thinking about cycling these days.

When I look at all the peple riding on pavements I think "are these people too scarred to ride on the roads" and "is it lack of training"

I would love to learn to ride correctly and, indeed, learn to teach others to do the same.

Well done.

The Touraeg people are not known to be sensitive to others, but don't involve me in race remarks!

VW? what's that?

The only criteria I apply to any trip by bike is to choose the safest route available.
If there is a cycle path next to an A road, I'll use it, if there is a route through a park, I'll use it, if the A road is the only real option, I'll use it.
If there is an off-road option, I'll take my MTB, as long as it isn't too muddy, as arriving at work plastered in mud isn't something I enjoy.

I suppose it also depends on how confident you are on the road. Some people refuse to cycle at all because of the perceived danger, while others, couriers for instance, will cycle in all conditions with inpunity.
After an enforced lay-off due to an injury some years ago, my confidence on the road was reduced by the inactivity.
The more you cycle, the more confident you become.
My own accident was in part due to OVER confidence and a feeling of invincibility. It was a painful lesson to learn.