Search found 599 matches

by Thehairs1970
19 Mar 2022, 9:38pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rear cantilever hanger thingy.
Replies: 7
Views: 598

Re: Rear cantilever hanger thingy.

Thanks for replies so far. Re the lost braze on point. I’ll take some p-clips just in case.
by Thehairs1970
19 Mar 2022, 5:11pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rear cantilever hanger thingy.
Replies: 7
Views: 598

Rear cantilever hanger thingy.

Anyone any idea which cantilever hanger I would need for my Dawes Galaxy rear end? Year? Not sure. Early 90’s maybe. The callipers are Devore LX with Diacompe levers.
by Thehairs1970
19 Mar 2022, 2:39pm
Forum: Family Cycling
Topic: Family trip to Outer Hebrides
Replies: 12
Views: 8246

Re: Family trip to Outer Hebrides

How far north are you planning on going? We, wife and I and ‘kids’ of 17 and 20, did the Hebridean way in both directions this summer. Loved it. We were camping and spent about 10 days doing it. Some areas are flat, some rolling with a steep one north of Tarbert. S to N is the steeper one which levels off somewhat but essentially goes up for a long while. Bear in mind the flat sections can be demanding in a head wind. We had 40mph+ for a day and it was pretty tough esp for the youngest.

Warm in Scotland means anything above zero so dress for warm.

Food - there a few roadside trailer eateries that serve some good food. Taste ‘n’ sea overlooking Seaforth Island on the main road is a particularly good stop and very popular.

Enjoy. I’m jealous. Hopefully no midges for you.
by Thehairs1970
16 Mar 2022, 9:48pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Deflating SUV Tyres
Replies: 370
Views: 17834

Re: Deflating SUV Tyres

I wonder how many commentators on this post have a van or fly on holiday etc etc.

We all have our levels we go to in order to be green. Some will run SUVs for good reason, many due to fashion but whatever the reason, advocating damaging a legally owned vehicle CANNOT be seen as being a good thing to do. Otherwise those who feel mountain bikers are a blight on the countryside or road riders do not have a place on the roads also have a right to damage trails, bikes etc etc.

If this thread became public knowledge it would set us back years.
by Thehairs1970
13 Mar 2022, 12:21pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: New Tent for ‘22 suggestions
Replies: 15
Views: 2112

Re: New Tent for ‘22 suggestions

Just spent ages looking at tents and finally settled on a Big Agnes Copper Spur Backpacking. We were looking at a three person for two but the extra space you would get would be similar in a two person for one. We have only put it up in the front room so far - it didn’t really fit! First impressions are that it is incredibly roomy with good size vestibules and some great features. As the materials are thin to get the weight low, we also purchased the footprint. The advantage of the backpacking model is the shorter pack size achieved through shorter pole sections.

For us the decision came down to weight against liveable volume. We have a Wild Country Hoolie 3 etc which is enormous and great if we are going somewhere where rain or midges are expected as the ‘kids’ (21&18) can join us for dips, drinks and cards but the payoff is 3.8+kg weight. While we might miss the enormous porch occasionally, we are planning a warmer climes holiday and hopefully will spend more of the evening outside.

We used https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ who seemed to be the cheapest, were great with communicating and quick on delivery.

Good luck.
by Thehairs1970
12 Mar 2022, 4:08pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Funding or Subsidy for Cycling Infrastructure
Replies: 25
Views: 1626

Re: Funding or Subsidy for Cycling Infrastructure

I love these forums but…

Why when someone asks an innocent question about funding for showers etc at a workplace do some of the users feel a need to tell the OP he doesn’t need it? If he wants a shower, let him have one. The question was about funding not what are your opinions on whether he needs to shower.
by Thehairs1970
9 Mar 2022, 5:35pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tents: Nigor/Bach vs Big Agnes for touring
Replies: 33
Views: 2659

Re: Tents: Nigor/Bach vs Big Agnes for touring

bikepacker wrote: 9 Mar 2022, 9:02am
There is a lot of advice regarding this trip on previous threads so have a look.

Having not cycled this area for about 5 years I am a little out of date but I was not aware of a train between Santander and Irun. You would have at least one maybe two changes and with children and bikes that can cause problems. Also have a closer look at your Roscoff suggestion as Brittany is very hilly and would be really tough for small children. If I was doing a similar route with children I would look at; after crossing the Gironde to Royan head towards Caen and get the ferry from there. Much easier on children's legs.
There is an old railway line route that runs from Morlaix south. The surface is a bit too gravelly for my liking but it is flat. It takes you to Carhaix but can’t remember if it extends further…
by Thehairs1970
6 Mar 2022, 1:36pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: New Tent for ‘22 suggestions
Replies: 15
Views: 2112

Re: New Tent for ‘22 suggestions

What’s reasonable?
by Thehairs1970
6 Mar 2022, 1:35pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Europe 2022
Replies: 357
Views: 26016

Re: Europe 2022

Psamathe wrote: 5 Mar 2022, 7:59pm Is the test requirement in any EU country is based on where you have been iin the last 14(?) days. e.g. enter France, spend a few weeks there and can you them travel through Belgium into NL without tests? i.e. I would asume tests based on risk based on where you've been rather than the country of your passport.

Earlier on in the pandemic during lockdowns I did read about some EU countries re-instigating borders (with officials at those borders). Have these ended (if they ever existed or were they a UK press fantasy)?

Ian
I’m also wondering this. We have planned (well, plan A) to do a tour this summer. We will drive through France to Germany, then cycle from Lake Constance, through the foothills, into Austria, down to Lichtenstein and back to Germany all in two weeks. Will we have to test to visit each country?! Hope not. Perhaps someone can clarify.
by Thehairs1970
2 Mar 2022, 7:43pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bavaria
Replies: 25
Views: 1828

Re: Bavaria

Great tips regarding zeltplatz and canoe clubs.

However, we haven’t been able to find either. Is the region we are going to just more of a holiday one and therefore more catering to the car and camp crowd?
by Thehairs1970
1 Mar 2022, 10:07pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tents: Nigor/Bach vs Big Agnes for touring
Replies: 33
Views: 2659

Re: Tents: Nigor/Bach vs Big Agnes for touring

One of our tents is aWild Country Hoolie 3etc. It weighs in at 3.8kg but has sooo much room.

The vestibule is the same size as the inner tent giving heaps of storage and ‘entertainment’ room. Although only my wife and I sleep in it, it was purchased to be big enough for four people to sit in. We could easily have another person sleep in the inner with us but at the moment we use the extra space for kit .

While we are keeping it for times when we want more space still, we are currently purchasing a Copper Spur 3 to use in warmer and dryer times when it will be more than likely just the two of us. We watched LOADS of videos, read reviews and asked on these forums before making the decision. And of course, we’ll send it back if we don’t like it.

Good luck.
by Thehairs1970
28 Feb 2022, 8:56pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bavaria
Replies: 25
Views: 1828

Re: Bavaria

st599_uk wrote: 28 Feb 2022, 8:52pm

As for price, make sure you're looking at Kl. Zeltplatz prices (small hiking tent) rather than Campingplatz which are for big tents/caravans.
Good top tips. Thanks
by Thehairs1970
28 Feb 2022, 8:55pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bavaria
Replies: 25
Views: 1828

Re: Bavaria

Great diary!

Unfortunately I think prices have changed. Lapsed is now charging €20 pp plus €17 pitch; Baldansee is €12pp plus €12 per pitch plus taxes. Whatever happened to camping being cheap?
by Thehairs1970
27 Feb 2022, 8:18pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bavaria
Replies: 25
Views: 1828

Re: Bavaria

So, an update. Our route as we are planned at the moment.

Lindau - Fussen - Ehrwald - Landeck - Bludenz (via Silvretta High Alpine Rd) - Feldkirch - Vaduz -Lindau

Hoping to do in around 10 days.

Still struggling with campsites, particularly the Lindau to Fussen section. Most of the ones I have found are going to cost €50+. Any suggestIons?

Is there a German CTC? We have also used the Natuurkamperterrain sites in Holland. Does Germany have the equivalent?
by Thehairs1970
18 Feb 2022, 10:34pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Europe 2022
Replies: 357
Views: 26016

Re: Europe 2022

willem jongman wrote: 16 Feb 2022, 3:07pm Infections are coming down now in the Netherlands, and over the next two weeks most relevant restrictions will be lifted. My hunch when looking at the numbers is that by now nearly everyone has either been vaccinated or infected. The latest sampling by our national blood transfusion service shows that 97% of their donors have an immune response. Of course, this is not necessarily representative of the national population (there are probably fewer anti vaxers among them), but even so. Nobody knows how boosted immunity will decline over time, but the government has announced that it will closely monitor the numbers, and offer booster shots if and when necessary.once So for now it looks as if cycle touring in the Netherlands will be perfectly feasible once the weather turns. Bring a face mask for use on public transport, and make sure your vaccination status is up to date, and that will probably be all for as long as no new and nasty mutation turns up.
Have a b&b mini tour planned for Easter so fingers crossed we can come.