Search found 996 matches

by phil parker
18 Dec 2018, 2:01pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: LEJOG tattoo?
Replies: 76
Views: 25540

Re: LEJOG tattoo?

Vorpal wrote:Mine was a divorce gift to myself.

My ex was adamantly against them, and felt they were a sort of 'white trash' thing to do. So it was my rebellion against his prejudice.

20 years later, I still like it.

p.s. If I were to get another it would probably be cycling related.


Hey, well done - I hope it annoyed him?!
by phil parker
4 Dec 2018, 11:05pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: LEJOG tattoo?
Replies: 76
Views: 25540

Re: LEJOG tattoo?

Syd wrote:How about this blokes?

https://goo.gl/images/VqVXQX

The Shut Up Legs bit is optional :lol:


I have to admit that this is a very clever design and a nice tattoo, but I'm with Mick F on this one, think carefully for the future. However, having said that - if you were adamant to get a tattoo, then one like this on the calf would be the place to go.

Good Luck!
by phil parker
27 Jan 2018, 8:14pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Quickest way out of Burnham on sea?
Replies: 23
Views: 4579

Re: Quickest way out of Burnham on sea?

This was my route - going through Clifton and re-joining the A38, but obviously, local knowledge is best!

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/780758780
by phil parker
27 Jan 2018, 9:31am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Quickest way out of Burnham on sea?
Replies: 23
Views: 4579

Re: Quickest way out of Burnham on sea?

Mick F wrote:My vote is through the middle of Bristol and head up the A38. Fast and easy north of Bristol.


+1

The last time I did the route I camped near the village of Mark and then got back on the A 38 with no problems at all to get through Bristol and beyond to the next campsite at Malvern.
by phil parker
26 Jan 2018, 2:14pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Type of Tyres for LLC
Replies: 24
Views: 1504

Re: What Type of Tyres for LLC

honesty wrote: You can read about in my blog linked in my signature


Thanks, I will read at the weekend!
by phil parker
26 Jan 2018, 2:10pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Type of Tyres for LLC
Replies: 24
Views: 1504

Re: What Type of Tyres for LLC

robing wrote:Wild camping or campsite?


Campsite - I really need and enjoy my shower in the evening as well as security for all my equipment whilst I go to the pub in the evening!
by phil parker
25 Jan 2018, 9:50pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Type of Tyres for LLC
Replies: 24
Views: 1504

Re: What Type of Tyres for LLC

robing wrote:Will you be keeping a blog for your trip? I'm also doing LLC Holyhead to Chepstow but in May. I also carry 17kg of gear!
Are you planning to camp or stay indoors overnight?


I've not done blogs before, although I've considered it; I don't really partake in social media, but I will be taking a decent camera and may do a YouTube montage. (which I've done before)

I will be camping, I always do and I prefer early starts so I can't be bothered waiting for breakfast time! I will be cycling from Hants/Wilts to the North coast of Wales over about 3 days, nice and leisurely of about 60 - 65 miles a day, then around the coast line to Bangor and then pick up the route. My mate will join me from N Manchester, we haven't decided where, yet, and we will part company at Chepstow. If I have enough time I will visit another cycling buddy near Burnham on Sea, then cycle home from there.

reohn2 wrote:I can recommend Hypers and if you have the clearances under you mudguards go for a 35 or 38, enjoy the comfort without any speed loss, especially on rough road surfaces and gravel tracks :)


35mm is just too big, despite manuacturer quotes, I got great advice from another rider on this forum, 5 years ago, and he was spot on - 32mm max. So I have pulled the trigger and bought the Hyper 32mm's, slightly more expensive than the 35mm's or the brown tyres, but still a good price. I need new tyres anyway, but will try and use up my current tyres for training, which starts in earnest next week after an awful bout of flu.
by phil parker
25 Jan 2018, 4:50pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Type of Tyres for LLC
Replies: 24
Views: 1504

Re: What Type of Tyres for LLC

That's a very good price, Mm... I might just have to have a look at them - and whatever else they've got in their sale!
by phil parker
25 Jan 2018, 4:28pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Type of Tyres for LLC
Replies: 24
Views: 1504

Re: What Type of Tyres for LLC

Thanks again, I'm getting reassurance to use my Croix de Fer with 32mm's on - I might even treat myself to a new pair of Marathon Supremes for the trip as the Gaitorskin Hards are looking a bit worn - good enough or training though.

Captain Offensive - thanks for the link to you blog, I shall have a read this weekend!
by phil parker
17 Jan 2018, 2:23pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Type of Tyres for LLC
Replies: 24
Views: 1504

Re: What Type of Tyres for LLC

Thanks, again, that's useful information, I also intend on visiting Harlech Castle. I can make either bike capable of going off-road, but I will also be covering a few hundred miles of road cycling and I don't really want to carry an alternative set of tyres. I'm not bothered about substituting some sections of rough track for road, but I am also looking forward to some traffic free sections as well and of course doing something different from my normal mile-munching tours.

If I was on my own, I wouldn't hesitate to use my Thorn Exped, which is considerable slower over a set mileage on the road, but a friend will join me somewhere in N Wales and I don't want to slow him down too much as he will probably be on an Airborne Zeppelin, of which my Croix de Fer could probably keep up, fitness difference aside! If I do use the Thorn, I will retain the Marathon Supremes.
by phil parker
17 Jan 2018, 9:25am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Type of Tyres for LLC
Replies: 24
Views: 1504

Re: What Type of Tyres for LLC

Thanks all for the replies so far. I already have Marathon Supremes fitted to my Thorn Exped, which are in great condition. I am always particular about tyre pressures and tour with a decent pump and gauge. I do have some Marathon originals, which are much more resilient and puncture proof, but it's like riding on sand for rolling resistance.

I will read the link to the preview topic as soon as I get chance this morning.
by phil parker
17 Jan 2018, 8:23am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What Type of Tyres for LLC
Replies: 24
Views: 1504

What Type of Tyres for LLC

I'm going to cycle the Lon Las Cymru around Easter time and will cycle by road only from Hants/Wilts to the north coast of Wales around the coast to Bangor then join the LLC from there to Chepstow. It will then be road only again perhaps via a friend in Somerset then back home.

I see on YT that many cyclists complete the route on touring bikes without special tyres, but when I see some sections of the track I'm not sure my touring tyres would be up to it especially when wet?

I've not yet decided whether I will use my Thorn Exped with 26" fairly wide tyres or my Genesis Croix de Fer with up to 700x32, but I will be camping and expect about 17kgs of luggage all including.

Has anyone got any recommendations regarding tyre choice? Any other advice welcome!
by phil parker
20 Mar 2017, 7:53pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Ullapool to Dingwall A835
Replies: 6
Views: 993

Re: Ullapool to Dingwall A835

I thought I had some photos of how nice that road is, but I don't! I cycled from Ullapool to Inverness after my Western Isles tour and I really enjoyed that road - yes, it was quiet...very quiet by England standards, once you get away from the ferry traffic and climb the long hill, you have so much down hill - it is very enjoyable!!
by phil parker
10 Mar 2017, 10:31pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Tents inclusive ground sheet - why bother?
Replies: 29
Views: 3555

Re: Tents inclusive ground sheet - why bother?

Yes, it was with the Scout Group that I learnt that practice (of digging troughs - around Nijers) and I took that practice with me on my earlier camping escapades. Indeed, one trip to Borrowdale, where that practice was still commonplace, especially on sloping ground, and having campfires wasn't discouraged, I erected my new [second hand] Good Companion Major, for the three of us - we dug a trench around the tent and it worked from the inclement weather that greeted our first night. I woke up in the morning marvelling at how big the tent was, not realising that I had slid down slope, in my sleeping bag, with more than half of my torso on the outside of the tent - because you didn't have fully zipped doors then as well, just tie cords, and I had slid downwards out of the tent during the night!!

So, after sewn-in ground sheet - came fully zipped doors?! Also great for keeping out the elements and the insects?!
by phil parker
10 Mar 2017, 9:22pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Tents inclusive ground sheet - why bother?
Replies: 29
Views: 3555

Re: Tents inclusive ground sheet - why bother?

mercalia wrote:why do tents all come with sewn in ground sheets? They mean extra weight and are usually flimsy meaning you have to use a footprint of some kind that couyld roll up at the edges inside?


I think you'll be in the minority when it comes to extolling the virtues of tents without sewn-in ground sheets - many of which I used as a youngster in the 1970s or when sleeping under tarps or in bivi's etc. That's not to say they don't have their place, but I have experienced all of the above, especially with insects and rain (or rivers flowing through the tent). I even remember back from my earliest time of camping when in some instances you would dig a trough around the tent to prevent the water from flowing through!!