Search found 622 matches

by brianleach
4 Nov 2019, 1:56pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Solar panel
Replies: 19
Views: 1480

Re: Solar panel

I've tried all sorts of solar panels over the years with very limited results.

Consequently, and I know this is not environmentally friendly, I also take a battery charger. This uses 4 AA batteries which could be rechargeable but as my trips are usually quite short I don't usually use more than a set of 4 each trip. I vary between these two

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Powertraveller ... B00DQQLMCK

Black Diamond Moji Charging Station Lantern × 1
by brianleach
16 Sep 2019, 3:24pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Can anyone recommend to me a breathable, brightly coloured & reflective waterproof jacket?
Replies: 72
Views: 7201

Re: Can anyone recommend to me a breathable, brightly coloured & reflective waterproof jacket?

Strangely enough John I also have the Vulpine Harrington in blue. It's a very good jacket and it is my go to for social/town/shopping riding. However it is quite heavy ie hot and I am not sure how long it would stay waterproof for!!
by brianleach
12 Jul 2019, 4:28pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bikes on Trains UK - what do I need to know
Replies: 42
Views: 4071

Re: Bikes on Trains UK - what do I need to know

I had this on a Cross Country service from Sheffield to Winchester last year.

I stood the whole way moving my bike from side to side as necessary at each station.

Apparently I became famous as each guard called ahead to his replacement to let them know I was on the train!!

I gave my seat reservation to another passenger as it was obvious I wouldn't be needing it.

It is luck of the draw however as this year I used the same company from Winchester to Manchester Piccadilly en route to the Cycle Touring Festival in Clitheroe and the booking system worked perfectly (except having to remove panniers etc)
by brianleach
18 Apr 2019, 6:16pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: German wants to reserve bikespace
Replies: 63
Views: 4838

Re: German wants to reserve bikespace

Perhaps we're talking about different stock. I meant in terms of convenience travelling with a bike. I went from Kings X to Edinburgh last year. As I recall up to 6 bike spaces in the engine behind the driver. Standing on the floor and no need to remove panniers unless all 6 racks full. The door is then locked and the bike collected at Edinburgh.

I've travelled on the GWR Azuma's recently admittedly not with my bike and the bike spaces double up as luggage space. Hence only accepting bikes with bookings otherwise the space will be full of suitcases.

In addition it is hanging space, all panniers will need to be removed and I seriously doubt if you can get more than 1 touring bike in the space. Time will tell. I hope I'm wrong.

I shall probably take the folder to Manchester at the end of May as I don't fancy standing all the way to Winchester with my bike as I did from Shefgield last year!!
by brianleach
18 Apr 2019, 2:37pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: German wants to reserve bikespace
Replies: 63
Views: 4838

Re: German wants to reserve bikespace

I may have missed this in the thread but I use the GWR web site for all journeys. My experience is that you can book the tickets and the bike spaces at the same time. Not always easy to travel though especially CrossCountry.

Reverting to the Scottish journeys my understanding is that the lovely old Virgin trains on the east coast line have been replaced by new Hitachi units which have a combined luggage/bike space per 5? car unit. Supposed to take 2 bikes (hanging of course) but that looks dubious to me.
by brianleach
3 Apr 2019, 3:59pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Oxford to Portsmouth: how to book trains
Replies: 27
Views: 4878

Re: Oxford to Portsmouth: how to book trains

I think that is the best you can do but as I live in Winchester I might have changed trains there. SWR should not be a problem and if you are lucky you may not even need to remove panniers.

Cross Country trains are always a lottery leaving aside having to take everything off the bike to hang it. Getting two bikes on will always be a challenge even if you've book two spaces. I stood from Sheffield to Winchester last year holding my bike even though I had reserved a place!!
by brianleach
21 Jun 2018, 2:25pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Another bad train company
Replies: 7
Views: 946

Re: Another bad train company

Many thanks,that is very helpful.

Brian
by brianleach
21 Jun 2018, 8:53am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Another bad train company
Replies: 7
Views: 946

Re: Another bad train company

+1 for using the GWR web site which enables bike booking at the same time as ticket booking.

I see furbo says that it is 2 bike spaces per 2 coach train. Can someone tell me how this is organised please. I recently travelled to and from Sheffield by Cross Country trains but will not be doing so in the future having stood from Sheffield to Winchester on the return journey.

I was proposing to travel via London in the future but was interested on what the cycle provision is on the East Midlands trains. eg do you have to hang them from a hook, do panniers have to be removed etc. Any information would be helpful. Thanks.
by brianleach
6 Jun 2018, 3:24pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Anyone taken their bicycle on the portsmouth-bilbao ferry?
Replies: 17
Views: 4949

Re: Anyone taken their bicycle on the portsmouth-bilbao ferry?

The last time I was on this ferry I was not in a good state following a crash so my information will obviously be out of date.

The Brittany Ferries cabin policy is however the same as it has always been. As you say it is per cabin not per person. Personally I always have a cabin on day and night crossings as I travel alone and it means I do not have to carry my valuables about throughout the journey. Extravagant I know.

The journey very much depends on which ship you get it seems. I would never travel to or from Santander on the Economie ferry. Facliities are very limited and it is a small ship for a long journey. I like to think you get what you pay for but perhaps not in your case.
by brianleach
16 Apr 2018, 12:34pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Distance on battery
Replies: 43
Views: 5399

Re: Distance on battery

I think that is absolutely right from my experience and the sales promotions are rather misleading.

Until battery life improves I rather doubt that they are much use for touring except for short distances. Having had heart issues recently I thought an ebike conversion would be a way of still being able to tour.

I now do not think that this is practical even with a spare battery. Leaving aside the weight charging two batteries overnight would be a challange.

Fortunately the heart issues have improved following what the press seems to describe as "heart surgery" so I have booked a weekend in France in July to see whether I am up to non electric touring!!!

I shall continue to experiment with my converted hybrid in the meantime.
by brianleach
16 Apr 2018, 7:31am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Distance on battery
Replies: 43
Views: 5399

Re: Distance on battery

I don't know how the GTech works. Do you switch the power on and off or is it on all the time under 25?

If it was on all the time it was presumably using power even on the flat in which case I would have thought 21 was pretty good. As I said in my previous post I reckon I only get 12 to 17 k of use.
by brianleach
26 Mar 2018, 7:43am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Distance on battery
Replies: 43
Views: 5399

Re: Distance on battery

Silly question I know but are the figures shown just the time using the motor or the total distance travelled.

I ask because I have had my bike converted recently and using a fairly low level of assistance I would think I am lucky to get 15 miles on power but that is about 1/2 to a 1/3 of the total distance.

I was hoping to use it for touring but the range just isn't enough.
by brianleach
9 Apr 2017, 9:12am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Anyone taken their bicycle on the portsmouth-bilbao ferry?
Replies: 17
Views: 4949

Re: Anyone taken their bicycle on the portsmouth-bilbao ferry?

I presume you mean the booking process not being easy as boarding is usually very straightforward and cycles often board before cars (as an aside I will always remember cycling up the ferry ramp in spendid isolation on a beautiful afternoon in Ouistreham). I would only travel on the economy service again if there was not alternative. The food is pretty basic and it is a very small ferry to be on for about 24 hours hence the high cost. In fact as you have to have a cabin this is usually more that the actual ferry fare!! It is certainly different to a short cross channel hop.
by brianleach
28 Mar 2017, 11:57am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Anyone taken their bicycle on the portsmouth-bilbao ferry?
Replies: 17
Views: 4949

Re: Anyone taken their bicycle on the portsmouth-bilbao ferry?

Forgot to say in my previous post that I did sail back from Bilbao in 2011 after a serious crash and as far as I can remember I just booked on line as normal then so I was surprised with the response in 2015.