Search found 131 matches

by grufty
12 Mar 2024, 7:45am
Forum: For Sale - bits of bikes, etc.
Topic: SOLD Brompton saddle / SOLDPanaracer Gravel King 650b
Replies: 2
Views: 186

Re: Brompton saddle / Panaracer Gravel King 650b

Hi Brumster,
I'd like the Brompton saddle please, will PM.
by grufty
25 Jan 2024, 1:29pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Frame for Rohloff (with disc brakes)....
Replies: 30
Views: 1321

Re: Frame for Rohloff (with disc brakes)....

I didn't want a chain tensioner on my Alfine 8 disc trucker, however, it works fine with one. One advantage with a vertical dropout may be that the brakes are more likely to stay in adjustment?
Cleverer people than me will mention the possibility of 'magic' ratios involving hard sums and perhaps half links.
by grufty
23 Jan 2024, 1:03pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: New hiking boots
Replies: 23
Views: 1265

Re: New hiking boots

I'm a fan of Scarpa boots because they fit my "frog" feet, that is, wide forefoot and narrow heel.
I prefer Scarpa Ranger (womens'), they have a fairly stiff shank and I've used them with articulated crampons.
May be worth a look if the OP has previously used Scarpa boots....
by grufty
23 Dec 2023, 2:39pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Hearing Aid Advice
Replies: 23
Views: 1736

Re: Hearing Aid Advice

Jdsk wrote: 23 Dec 2023, 9:21am If:
• You have the most common type of hearing loss
• You're happy with behind the ear devices
• You don't want Bluetooth reception
then I'd also recommend trying the NHS offering.

Jonathan

PS: As well as the birdsong and the rustling of leaves look forward to discovering a few mores squeaks and groans from the bike! : - )
I was fitted with NHS hearing aids in June which are Bluetooth enabled, so great for phone calls etc.

They can be a mixed blessing in very noisy environments, and if you wear them with glasses and a hat, they can pinch your ears a bit.
by grufty
21 Dec 2023, 3:58pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Access around Thirlmere reservoir
Replies: 53
Views: 10859

Re: Access around Thirlmere reservoir

thirdcrank wrote: 21 Dec 2023, 3:38pm I'm no expert on rights of way etc., but it seems to me that in what might be called the court of common sense, banning people from using a road where they are at danger from falling rocks is a "no brainer." The fact that the means the authorities have chosen - making a TRO - has the anomaly of not banning people riding horses doesn't change the underlying logic.

However, to divert people from one alleged danger to another ie using an A road without suitable safety provision seems impossible to justify. A suitable speed limit (with proper enforcement) seems appropriate and in that court of common sense, another "no brainer."

I fancy that if that course were to be adopted, pressure from road transport interests etc., would get things sorted much more quickly
In my objection to the local council, I did, perhaps a little tongue in cheek,suggest a 20mph limit for that stretch of road. After the road was closed as a consequence of storm Desmond, the speed limit was reduced from 50mph to 40mph.
Perhaps closing one carriageway for the use of vulnerable users , and operating a traffic light system on the other might be an option?
by grufty
21 Dec 2023, 1:23pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Access around Thirlmere reservoir
Replies: 53
Views: 10859

Re: Access around Thirlmere reservoir

Will horses be required to wear hard hats and safety boots /hooves?
by grufty
20 Dec 2023, 9:16pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Access around Thirlmere reservoir
Replies: 53
Views: 10859

Re: Access around Thirlmere reservoir

Pantomime horse costumes seeing increased demand in Grasmere and Keswick ;)
by grufty
13 Dec 2023, 1:19pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Why are most bikes still derailleur?
Replies: 137
Views: 46049

Re: Why are most bikes still derailleur?

I'm another fan of hubgeared, and hub braked (including disc) bikes.
In my experience, the solution to worrying about rear wheel punctures, is to learn how to fix a puncture on the bike, without wheel removal. The other advantage is that it removes the risk of having to realign the brake pads.
Another poster has mentioned Pashley bikes as contenders for the OP, might I also suggest the Boardman URB 8.9 with belt drive?
by grufty
23 Nov 2023, 9:01pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: How can I carry a Brompton on another bike?
Replies: 16
Views: 1951

Re: How can I carry a Brompton on another bike?

Perhaps a single wheel, follow-me type trailer. Or a folding trailer , the Circe Atlas is neat.
by grufty
1 Nov 2023, 9:50pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Access around Thirlmere reservoir
Replies: 53
Views: 10859

Re: Access around Thirlmere reservoir

U7003 Thirlmere rally on Sunday 5th November

https://m.facebook.com/groups/6174752405981452/
by grufty
1 Aug 2023, 3:20pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Old motorcycle accident and bad knee!
Replies: 14
Views: 5496

Re: Old motorcycle accident and bad knee!

I've gone for shorter cranks, having had similar problems. Shorter, square-taper cranks are available from Spa Cycles or SJS (Thorn). Shorter cranks may require the saddle to be raised, to enable full extension on the "down" leg.
As JDSK mentions, pendulum or swing cranks are also available, which I believe are designed to cope with knee problems.
Islabikes currently has some good deals on step through bikes with low gearing and shorter cranks.

As other posters have suggested, shorter cranks may be worth trying first. I would also suggest that if you have access to hub gears, it avoids having to start off in the gear that you stopped in!
by grufty
29 Jul 2023, 3:08pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Access around Thirlmere reservoir
Replies: 53
Views: 10859

Re: Access around Thirlmere reservoir

Let's not forget that the road under threat is(was?) part of Sustrans' NCN6, and can be part of a LEJOG route, as has been documented on this forum.
Where are the Sustrans, LDNPA and CUK responses to this threat?
by grufty
28 Jul 2023, 5:32pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Access around Thirlmere reservoir
Replies: 53
Views: 10859

Re: Access around Thirlmere reservoir

xerxes wrote: 28 Jul 2023, 1:39pm It's a pleasant road to ride along, and it would be a shame if it were closed. But I think that '...a major impact on cycling in the Lakes' is over-egging it a bit. It's only a 3 or 4 mile stretch after all, a fraction of the distance on that road that must be travelled by anyone cycling say from Keswick to Ambleside.

Much of that stretch of the road has double white lines, and I find that positioning oneself in the centre of the lane feels perfectly safe. But I will sign the petition anyway.
"Over-egging it a bit", I don't know, perhaps. What I do know is that the route over Dunmail Raise is arguably the main north- south route in the central Lakes. I admire your courage for taking the lane on that ~10km stretch. Those of us of a more nervous disposition, or slow, or family riders, might welcome a quieter and more relaxed option. There is only one 2km section of the A591 between Dunmail Raise and Town End which is unavoidable if you are travelling from Keswick to Ambleside.
It comes down to choices. Fast riders might prefer the A591 option, more leisurely riders, perhaps not so much.
by grufty
28 Jul 2023, 4:19pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Access around Thirlmere reservoir
Replies: 53
Views: 10859

Re: Access around Thirlmere reservoir

CathM wrote: 28 Jul 2023, 12:11pm Alpine and Scandinavian countries manage to deal with the threat of rockfall on roads; we seem unable to.
The Scots, too, can "Rest and be thankful" that they have the engineering skills to deal with similar problems! ;)
by grufty
27 Jul 2023, 6:11pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Access around Thirlmere reservoir
Replies: 53
Views: 10859

Access around Thirlmere reservoir

I have just received an email from my local cycling group. It seems that United Utilities have applied to Cumberland Council for a permanent closure of a section of the road on the west shore. If this is the case then it could have a major impact on cycling in the Lakes, as the alternative is riding on the busy A591 on the east side.
There is a petition...
https://www.change.org/p/keep-thirlmere ... _dashboard