Search found 104 matches

by garibeet
25 Aug 2010, 7:24pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Should i get a trailer
Replies: 24
Views: 2657

Re: Should i get a trailer

I have a trailer form Edinburgh bicycle cooperative and really like it. I have used it for touring as well as for shopping etc.
I do have panniers and I have an Xtracycle now too but have no plans to part with it.
I find that it is easy to pack, so much easier than panniers, also it has so many uses, as I said already for shopping but I also use it for carrying my camera gear places that would be a long walk, around town etc.
I have had it for over a year and it's still going strong so well made I think, and was £150 so what can I say....
I can put a link to pics if anyone wants to see what it looks like.
Gari
by garibeet
23 Aug 2010, 9:36pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Western isles (Formerly Outer Hebrides) Mini tour
Replies: 53
Views: 7962

Re: Western isles (Formerly Outer Hebrides) Mini tour

I have just finished that very trip, I got home yesterday. The weather was appalling, rained a little at least every day and blew hard a few days too. The midges were something else, Sept will be a good time to go, the next time I go out will be April/may or Sept for definite.
I am fairly new to touring also and not as fit as I could be but managed 60-75 km most days with no problems, taking the scenic rather than direct route. Castlebay on Sun night and camped in the bay, but as has been mentioned there is a hostel a few hundred mtrs from the terminal. Barra ferry is around 9.00 and 11.00 then nothing 'til 4.00 and 6.00ish. I rode to Eligory(spelling?) and had a tea in the airport while watching planes land on the beach and got the 4.00 ferry, then up to Daliburgh. THe hostel there has been mentioned in another thread on here, I stayed there and the owners are really nice but it is an ex old folks home so is a little interesting to say the least. It is a rabbit warren inside, I got lost on the way to the showers a couple of times :oops:
Then up to Berneray via Benbecula and Uist. Counter-clockwise due to the wind direction. If you want to camp you could camp at the Gatliffe trust hostel, you can use the hostel facilities and camp in the garden effectively, which means you need a tent and sleeping bag, camp mat. I would suggest carrying a sleeping bag if you are using these hostels as they can be quite damp being blackhouses.
by garibeet
13 Jul 2010, 10:51pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: one piece MTB bars
Replies: 6
Views: 634

one piece MTB bars

I am currently using straight bars with bar ends on my touring bike and invariably ride with my hands on the bar ends for the majority of the time. My hands always rest on the clamp and I end up with a sore/numb spot. I have tried a couple of length bar ends to no avail.
I have recently been thinking about butterfly bars but the bar bag thing is a minor issue, but also that though they have lots of positions I will almost certainly end up in the "bar end" position. So does anyone still make one piece bars, they were all the go when I was mountain biking in the 90s!!!
I have been looking at these,http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Modolo-Modolo-Yuma-Mohican-Multi-Position-Hybrid-Bars--Black-20114.htm which are basically butterfly bars with the cut out in a different place, but before I commit, someone must make good old one peicers...anybody? :(

Gari
by garibeet
8 Jul 2010, 11:01pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: How do you carry French bread?
Replies: 38
Views: 2491

Re: How do you carry French bread?

Have you a picture of her rack?
ooh young man....
by garibeet
8 Jul 2010, 10:24pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: East side on Loch Ness
Replies: 8
Views: 844

Re: East side on Loch Ness

Actually the cycleway covers alot of the ground from Balachullish to Oban now, it's worth bearing in mind that the cycleway follows the old railway line, which the road follows for quite a way in places, so it will never be "complete" as such.
It crosses the road a few times and diverts around some lovely spots, it is well surfaced and is a very enjoyable ride.
The trickiest part is probably the last part which turns off at Dunbeg, toward Dunstaffnage castle and then turns south-ish to Ganavan. Not as well signposted as it could be but a little concentration will pay dividends.

Gari
by garibeet
22 Jun 2010, 4:36pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cheap accomodation in Fort William/Oban
Replies: 4
Views: 357

Re: Cheap accomodation in Fort William/Oban

oban hostel has availability on 16 for a dorm bed. You can book on 01631562025.

Gari
by garibeet
16 May 2010, 12:26pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: brooks saddle
Replies: 10
Views: 922

Re: brooks saddle

@hubgearfreak, you may well have a point there, if I sit with my clenched fist ON the bar, about an inch or two higher than The bars are set, that is more comfortable.
I tried to order a stem riser from Ed Bicycle Co-op but thay were out of stock. I have toyed with replacing the stem, for something slightly longer and with a little more rise.
Gari
by garibeet
16 May 2010, 12:17pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: brooks saddle
Replies: 10
Views: 922

Re: brooks saddle

Yeh, that certainly helped a little. It is more that I can slide about on it and am constantly having to slide back to where I am comfortable. If I raise the front anymore I am sure it will introduce itself to a pressure point I would rather not "antagonise" :)
Gari
by garibeet
16 May 2010, 12:11pm
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: ghyllside cycles
Replies: 3
Views: 3502

ghyllside cycles

I recently bought a full set of Ortleib luggage(roller cityF/R and HB bag) plus Tubus racks. I called them about a week prior to enquire as to the difference between city and classic etc and what racks may fit. I think it was Calvin, who was happy to chat openly about what would suit me inc racks that they do not sell, I had asked about the Avenir front rack which he said he was awaiting a delivery of one just to see if they would fit Ortlieb bags. No pressure, to sell or for me to get off the phone.


I called back a week later and ordered, he was quick to inform me that the rear city was out of stock but was imminent so I ordered the lot inc tubus racks(measure twice, cut once. I would only have ended up buying some eventually and then had a shed full of gear I don't use!!) having been asured that they could send the rears on when they got them. Everything arrived just as it should, two packages, one within a couple of days, the other about a week later. No prompting needed.

I had an issue with some Ortlieb inserts as the bags didn't seem to fit the racks very well, but when I got in touch they said that there should have been some small hooks in with the bags, if they were missing they would send me some out with the rear bags. In actual fact they were there, I just didn't see 'em the first time around :oops: but they did offer.

Good price too. I am very happy with the service I got..
by garibeet
16 May 2010, 9:40am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: brooks saddle
Replies: 10
Views: 922

brooks saddle

I bought a B17 a few weeks ago and found it very comfortable right out of the box. I haven't proofed it yet so that may be the thing to do next, but I find the saddle quite "slippery" when riding. I am constantly sliding backwards and forwards depending on wether going uphill etc. The saddle looks like a brand new pair of shoes, which to some degree I guess it is!, does this wear off? will proofing it help? It's not a major issue but when you are on a long stretch of road you know how easy it is to concentrate on the wrong thing :D
As I say, this aside I find it a revelation...

cheers
Gari
by garibeet
7 May 2010, 5:20pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: fitting panniers on rack
Replies: 4
Views: 461

Re: fitting panniers on rack

Hi folks, just finished heating up the humble pie in the microwave!! custard or cream?
@ groberts. yes...I did overlook that very fact :oops: I emailed the retailer who told me the same thing, even offered to send me some more if they had ommited to put them in.
So I went looking and found 'em lurking in the bottom of the box. Must have fallen out of the bags and I just didn't notice. All good now, thanks everyone for the input.
I am still pretty new to this, I used to do some touring in my early teens but stopped when I started travelling with work etc.

Gotta say this is a great resource and friendly to boot.
Gari
by garibeet
7 May 2010, 12:46pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: fitting panniers on rack
Replies: 4
Views: 461

fitting panniers on rack

I have just got a full luggage set of Tubus racks and Ortlieb bags.
I planned to use some gaffer tape or similar to "pad out" the difference in rack and pannier fitting diameters.
Problem is the fittings on the panniers are almost twice the dia of the rack!!! I am just about to go to town and look around the DIY stores for something like pipe lagging but with a little more resilience for instance.

But before I head out or can't find anytjing suitable, what solutions have folks here found, if any.

Bags, front roller classic( I have a rear set also, coming soon as they were out of stock) QL1 fittings
Racks, Tara and Vega.

Thanks in advance

Gari
by garibeet
5 Apr 2010, 12:04pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Oban youth hostel
Replies: 5
Views: 739

Re: Oban youth hostel

Hi Folks, I work at the oban hostel. We will indeed be closed for refurb from 1st Sept in the Oban Hostel building.
The plan is to use the OBAN LODGE building as dorms or rooms for this period. We do this most winters in fact as the older, main building is very expensive to heat etc in the depths of winter.
If you want to book a bed you need to got to the OBAN LODGE link, not OBAN HOSTEL, it is the OBAN HOSTEL that is closing and so is not available for booking, OBAN LODGE will remain open. I shall check when I go into work today what the status of booking dorm beds is at and chase it if it is still in progress.
You can of course call the hostel on 01631562025 and speak to a real person :D

For camping you can also camp by the beach at Ganavan, which is at the end of the new Sustrans west coast cycle path that links with Fort William and ultimately with the northern route to Inverness and all points further north.

Hope this helps.

Gari