Search found 56 matches

by Eton Rifle
23 Feb 2018, 2:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Anyone like their Garmin Edge 25?
Replies: 34
Views: 2785

Re: Anyone like their Garmin Edge 25?

Thanks, Mick. That makes sense.
by Eton Rifle
22 Feb 2018, 9:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Anyone like their Garmin Edge 25?
Replies: 34
Views: 2785

Re: Anyone like their Garmin Edge 25?

busb wrote:A shame it's no longer available - they even had an IOS version. The problem with the Edge's av speed calculation is the threshold is too high so miscalculates on short commutes where I start & stop constantly. The longer the journey, the greater the accuracy. I was climbing up a very steep hill last year at a fairly leisurely pace - it went into pause!


Could you elaborate a bit, please? I've got an Edge 25 and the battery life is indeed [inappropriate word removed] but I do wonder why it goes into auto pause briefly for no apparent reason. I'm rolling along quite happily and it will suddenly auto-pause and then auto-resume. No idea why.
by Eton Rifle
24 Dec 2017, 8:41am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Vege, Vegan or Carnivore
Replies: 100
Views: 7640

Re: Vege, Vegan or Carnivore

mattsccm wrote:Genuine question, never really answered. To those who don't eat meat for "humanitarian" or environmental reasons. Is there any objections to natural or accidentally dead animals? Seems to me that to waste it is not morally defensible. Let's think road kill deer maybe? Perfectly good to eat.


Same thing applies to e.g. oysters. Bi-valves have no central nervous system and, therefore, don't feel pain or fear. They are also easy to farm with negligible environmental impact, so why don't vegans and vegetarians eat them?
by Eton Rifle
10 Dec 2017, 9:13pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: How much YOU have spent This year on Bike related stuff?
Replies: 123
Views: 8921

Re: How much YOU have spent This year on Bike related stuff?

As someone who doesn't buy high end bikes, I have to say that the cost of clothing seems to stack up quite quickly. Now, before anyone starts in with how it's perfectly fine to cycle to evensong in a tweed suit, I'm talking about being comfortable for commuting in all weathers.

Of course there's a learning curve involved but, starting from scratch, I've really tried quite a few base layers, jerseys, gloves, glasses etc in order to find the ones that work for me. I've got a pair of Gore Bike Wear overtrousers that I've worn precisely once because the constriction and sweatiness outweighed the waterproofing.

I reckon I've spent over a grand on clothing over the last year. I firmly believe that this will fall over the following years...
by Eton Rifle
10 Dec 2017, 9:01pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Cycling hater
Replies: 31
Views: 2058

Re: Cycling hater

Indeed. You should be feeling sorry for the poor chap's illiteracy, more than anything, you callous [inappropriate term removed] :D.
by Eton Rifle
8 Dec 2017, 11:06pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Is Trump Mad?
Replies: 2055
Views: 94192

Re: Is Trump Mad?

bovlomov wrote:
Psamathe wrote:
bigjim wrote:He may be mad, I'm not qualified to judge, but I doubt any decision is made by him alone. I would have thought there is a lot of manipualtion going on and the powers that be, not necessarily POTUS, know exactly what they are doing and the likely reaction.

It has been reported that in the case of recognising Jerusalem, he was advised by his son-in-law Jared Kushner (longtime family friend of Mr Netanyahu, and his parents have contributed to Israeli settlements in territories in dispute with Palestinians)

The Christian Right's enthusiasm for Jewish causes is rather complicated and not much to do with respect. Some Israelis might see a short term benefit in sucking up to Trump, but I think they are playing a very dangerous game. Among Trump's friends and supporters are many who would welcome another holocaust (I say 'another', but of course many don't recognise that it happened in the first place).


It's always rather puzzled me. Go back a few decades and the Septics were squarely against Israel - look at their intervention in the Suez Crisis and their embargo on selling weapons to Israel.

Then Realpolitik took hold and the Yanks needed a bulwark against Soviet influence in the Middle East and the associated threat to cheap oil, so Tel Aviv becomes best buddy, despite Israeli aggression in the region.

However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, I really don't understand why the Americans went on supporting Israel. Had the myth of armed Israelis being modern day cowboys against Palestinian "Indians" simply become too entrenched to reverse? Baffling.
by Eton Rifle
6 Dec 2017, 7:39am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Best Lightweight sleeping bag/ good quality.
Replies: 33
Views: 4331

Re: Best Lightweight sleeping bag/ good quality.

pjclinch wrote:
crazydave789 wrote:I'd stay away from down for summer use unless as mentioned it's cold otherwise they stink up pretty quickly


They do? The main reason I like a liner in a down bag is to keep it clean. I'm more interested in that in summer as I'm more likely to be sweaty (or if it's sea paddling, encrusted in salt and sun cream), but as long as you use a liner and keep that clean I don't see why this should be much of an issue.

Pete.


I've been using down bags for years and never noticed a problem with odour. In any case, why would the filling be a factor in this? I do always wear a silk base layer and liner socks to sleep in.
by Eton Rifle
26 Nov 2017, 11:31am
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Government consultation on compulsory Helmets & Hivis for cyclists
Replies: 54
Views: 3525

Re: Government consultation on compulsory Helmets & Hivis for cyclists

bovlomov wrote:
Psamathe wrote:And disappointed that the Green Party (?) person did not mention that a helmet can make some accidents worse (or rather make the riders injury worse).

And while quoting a load of stats will probably put people off, if she had been half briefed, she could have demolished many of his claims. Wark accidentally asked Mr Headway a relevant question, at which point he started waffling about the Highway Code. Any journalist would have picked up on that diversionary tactic. She didn't.


Yes, very poor journalism indeed. Kirsty Wark has gone right down in my estimation.

Thing is, both of those interviewees were terrible. The Green Party lass rambled on ineffectually, utterly failing to construct an argument and the smarmy guy from Headway blatantly lied. Wark failed to hold either of them to account.

The tragedy is that I get the feeling that Jesse Norman is even more stupid and weak than Kirsty Wark and simply does not have either the brains or balls to be trusted with this farcical 'review'. The government is bankrupt of both ideas and cash and bread and circus rubbish like helmets and hi-vis will seem very attractive options for pretending to be seen to be doing something.
by Eton Rifle
24 Nov 2017, 4:59pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Recommend me a head torch
Replies: 93
Views: 6267

Re: Recommend me a head torch

I don't intend to ride at night whilst touring, so don't bother to pack cycle lights, instead taking a headtorch that can double as a front light.

I've just bought a Petzl Aktik and really like it. Three white light modes with maximum 200 lumens. Red light setting including strobe. Only £28 from Millets.

I do take a tiny rear light just in case - a Lezyne powered by a couple of watch batteries. I can either attach it to the seat post or to the back of the Petzl's headband I'd the rear rack is piled with shopping.
by Eton Rifle
18 Nov 2017, 3:44pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: School trying to make numberplates compulsory
Replies: 14
Views: 1875

Re: School trying to make numberplates compulsory

Bloody ridiculous. The headmaster is clearly exceeding his authority. He has no right to interfere in how pupils get to school. Travel to and from school occurs outside school hours and off school premises.

The wretched scheme is unworkable anyway. What's to stop a pupil simply removing the stupid "numberplate" from his bike as soon as he leaves school and reattaching it at the school gate the following morning.
by Eton Rifle
14 Oct 2017, 1:38am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Jetboil or Trangia
Replies: 36
Views: 9179

Re: Jetboil or Trangia

Horses for courses, really.

A Jetboil is a great lightweight job for boiling water; I take mine on day walks as it weighs about the same as a flask but is much more versatile. You can't really cook with it.

Trangia heavier and more bulky but can be used for proper cooking. I use mine with the gas burner option as I don't get on with meths.
by Eton Rifle
6 Oct 2017, 6:41pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: What sleeping bag? (oh not again!)
Replies: 49
Views: 4977

Re: What sleeping bag? (oh not again!)

yostumpy wrote:Hmm, what do folks wear in bed then? At home, I always sleep naked, even in v cold weather in a chilly bedroom. I find that my body heat warms the air in the bed v quickly, but if I wear a t shirt etc, I find I stay cold, as every time I move I get chilled by the cold air in the bed, as my body is not warming it up, but warming my t shirt, if that makes sense. Is this the same with bags?


Some folk use a liner (usually silk) but I can't get on with them. I always end up getting twisted up in them and wake up feeling like I'm in a straitjacket. My solution is a silk baselayer - top and longjohns weigh a little more than a liner but are far more versatile. You can sit up and get a brew on without getting your top half cold and of course they double as a spare baselayer. Mine are made by Patras and pack down to nothing. I also wear coolmax liner socks but don't bother with gloves - your hands have a very small surface area compared to the rest of your body, so sweat and body oil getting on the inside of the bag from your paws is minimal. The other advantage of a silk baselayer is that it adds quite a bit of warmth if you're sitting outside with a drink and a book on a cool evening.
by Eton Rifle
6 Oct 2017, 10:29am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Shared path guidance
Replies: 16
Views: 1548

Re: Shared path guidance

I have a similar problem.

Although quite happy to cycle on roads in rush hour traffic, my commute takes me under a narrow rail bridge. I'm not happy continuing in the road under the bridge as it is quite narrow and I have to turn right immediately afterwards to get onto a segregated path.

So I join the shared path under the bridge. It is only wide enough for two people to pass each other, whether pedestrians or cyclists. I always take the traffic side of the path, leaving pedestrians to take the safer side, ring the bell and, of course, slow right down. Usually any pedestrians will move over to the non-traffic side of the path and I thank them as I pass.

Nevertheless, I have seen pedestrians verbally harassing cyclists doing the same things that I do. Some of them seem to think that cyclists should stop completely or something. It certainly makes no sense to dismount as a dismounted cyclist takes up even more of the already narrow path.

There is a blue sign that reads "Cyclists please give way to pedestrians" but I really don't know what that means in practice. Wait until the underpass is completely clear of pedestrians before proceeding? That's madness at rush hour. Is the sign compulsory or only advisory? Any advice gratefully received.
by Eton Rifle
15 Sep 2017, 1:46pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Pedestrian/Cyclist collision on Oxford Street
Replies: 33
Views: 3035

Re: Pedestrian/Cyclist collision on Oxford Street

LollyKat wrote:There is a photo of the bike here: https://twitter.com/BBCTomEdwards/statu ... 0507288576 . It has flat bars, disc brakes and appears to have a camera so it may be possible to find out what happened.


Jeez, there are some right [ silly persons ] commenting on that twitter thread. I filled my bingo card after about five tweets.