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by Audax67
14 Jan 2014, 1:25pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Need a trick for fitting rim tape
Replies: 15
Views: 6847

Need a trick for fitting rim tape

The tape in my back wheel split so I replaced it yesterday with the elasticky plastic kind. All went very nicely until I eased the last foot over the edge: it snapped down into the well and landed off-centre. Now nothing I can do will budge it - the well has a slightly raised edge where it becomes the rim-wall and I can't push it over this. Worse still, trying hard with various implements has left little peaks standing up at the edge of the tape, that could wear through a tube.

I have another tape, but before fitting it I'd like to ask if anyone has a nifty trick for getting the things to snap into the right position first time off.

I could get some self-adhesive tape, but it would mean a 50k drive and two hours lost.

TIA.
by Audax67
14 Jan 2014, 1:10pm
Forum: Fun & Games
Topic: Three Word Story Game (again)
Replies: 8855
Views: 433100

Re: Three Word Story Game (again)

Hell Purple Rain turned to snow with icy patches over both eyes, flooding the valley - bottom up and tail wagging, but dripping wet. However the number9 bus arrived sideways up at heaven's gate and drove over St. Peter Cyclist's left foot before Madonna del Ghisallo could say "Voodoo something to me, I'll do something in fifty shades of black before I die!" The frog croaked, the platoon of bell ringing idiots became cycling campanologists (Campagnologists?) and Shimanologists but they got SRAMmed at reduced prices, and everyone knows nothing about Benelux Countries' taxation regimes.

So into the braw bricht moonlicht evening, the ragged riders rode relentlessly towards the Red Lion for a Dram and beetroot - sorry, B. Traven - or bee honey with cheese and digestive biscuit, fresh water mussels, and a gypsy tart stroked her long tall trucker, while the hedgehog scarpered carrying off a damson in distress. "Plummy pudding!" exclaimed the pixie with the one-track mind often getting side-tracked by bacon butties. The pixies clamoured red mud pie fell out of favour with the wooden spoon brigade.

Several aeons later, King George MMCCLXVII discovered, to his grate Sir prize, that Nigel Molesworth (MP for Huyton) had eaten his Gannex and cancelled
by Audax67
14 Jan 2014, 9:02am
Forum: Fun & Games
Topic: Three Word Story Game (again)
Replies: 8855
Views: 433100

Re: Three Word Story Game (again)

Hell Purple Rain turned to snow with icy patches over both eyes, flooding the valley - bottom up and tail wagging, but dripping wet. However the number9 bus arrived sideways up at heaven's gate and drove over St. Peter Cyclist's left foot before Madonna del Ghisallo could say "Voodoo something to me, I'll do something in fifty shades of black before I die!" The frog croaked, the platoon of bell ringing idiots became cycling campanologists (Campagnologists?) and Shimanologists but they got SRAMmed at reduced prices, and everyone knows nothing about Benelux Countries' taxation regimes.

So into the braw bricht moonlicht evening, the ragged riders rode relentlessly towards the Red Lion for a Dram and beetroot - sorry, B. Traven - or bee honey with cheese and digestive biscuit, fresh water mussels, and a gypsy tart stroked her long tall trucker, while the hedgehog scarpered carrying off a damson in distress. "Plummy pudding!" exclaimed the pixie with the one-track mind often getting side-tracked by bacon butties. The pixies clamoured red mud pie fell out of favour with the wooden spoon brigade.

Several aeons later, King George MMCCLXVII discovered, to his grate Sir prize, that Nigel Molesworth (MP for Huyton)
by Audax67
13 Jan 2014, 9:14pm
Forum: Fun & Games
Topic: Three Word Story Game (again)
Replies: 8855
Views: 433100

Re: Three Word Story Game (again)

Hell Purple Rain turned to snow with icy patches over both eyes, flooding the valley - bottom up and tail wagging, but dripping wet. However the number9 bus arrived sideways up at heaven's gate and drove over St. Peter Cyclist's left foot before Madonna del Ghisallo could say "Voodoo something to me, I'll do something in fifty shades of black before I die!" The frog croaked, the platoon of bell ringing idiots became cycling campanologists (Campagnologists?) and Shimanologists but they got SRAMmed at reduced prices, and everyone knows nothing about Benelux Countries' taxation regimes.

So into the braw bricht moonlicht evening, the ragged riders rode relentlessly towards the Red Lion for a Dram and beetroot - sorry, B. Traven - or bee honey with cheese and digestive biscuit, fresh water mussels, and a gypsy tart stroked her long tall trucker, while the hedgehog scarpered carrying off a damson in distress. "Plummy pudding!" exclaimed the pixie with the one-track mind often getting side-tracked by bacon butties. The pixies clamoured red mud pie fell out of favour with the wooden spoon brigade.

Several aeons later,
by Audax67
13 Jan 2014, 2:18pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring - Lightweight or Heavyweight?
Replies: 29
Views: 38215

Re: Touring - Lightweight or Heavyweight?

mjr wrote:This is definitely lightweight: http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.co.uk/ - less than 12kg including the bike on some trips.


Like it! Do like to carry spare jersey & shorts on 1000+ km Audax, though - makes one more acceptable in tea-shops.
by Audax67
13 Jan 2014, 1:50pm
Forum: Fun & Games
Topic: Three Word Story Game (again)
Replies: 8855
Views: 433100

Re: Three Word Story Game (again)

Hell Purple Rain turned to snow with icy patches over both eyes, flooding the valley - bottom up and tail wagging, but dripping wet. However the number9 bus arrived sideways up at heaven's gate and drove over St. Peter Cyclist's left foot before Madonna del Ghisallo could say "Voodoo something to me, I'll do something in fifty shades of black before I die!" The frog croaked, the platoon of bell ringing idiots became cycling campanologists (Campagnologists?) and Shimanologists but they got SRAMmed at reduced prices, and everyone knows nothing about Benelux Countries' taxation regimes.

So into the braw bricht moonlicht evening, the ragged riders rode relentlessly towards the Red Lion for a Dram and beetroot - sorry, B. Traven - or bee honey with cheese and digestive biscuit, fresh water mussels, and a gypsy tart stroked her long tall trucker, while the hedgehog scarpered carrying off a damson in distress. "Plummy pudding!" exclaimed the pixie with the one-track mind often getting side-tracked by bacon butties. The pixies clamoured red mud pie fell out of
by Audax67
12 Jan 2014, 9:20pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Handlebar failure how long should a pair of bars last
Replies: 53
Views: 12132

Re: Handlebar failure HOw long should a pair of bars last

Crikey, and I've been using my el cheapo ally bars since 2002.
by Audax67
12 Jan 2014, 5:58pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: What constitutes a "hilly" route
Replies: 32
Views: 17971

Re: What constitutes a "hilly" route

Hum. 100ft/mile works out at almost 2%. I'd certainly call that hilly. The usual here for a Sunday 100k event is around 1%, and I've noticed that people start bellyaching at around 1.5%. The Paris-Nice race is around 4% - one of the toughest in France. My ride today only averaged 1%, but I did it on an LHT so I'm reasonably chuffed.
by Audax67
12 Jan 2014, 11:11am
Forum: Fun & Games
Topic: Three Word Story Game (again)
Replies: 8855
Views: 433100

Re: Three Word Story Game (again)

"To be, or smoke a cigar?" asked Carlos Fandango. "C'est du Belge!" "Voilà!" exclaimed Hercule Poirot, Sustrans' chief inspecteur de tickets, complete with Bradshawes, Bradawls, Bandsaws and Banshees. Screaming Lord of the Flies, sutch a raving Monster Loony (official), trumpetted his conch and his cornet plummeted, ice-cream downwards, landing flake first and fudge last.

Hell Purple Rain turned to snow with icy patches over both eyes, flooding the valley - bottom up and tail wagging, but dripping wet. However the number9 bus arrived sideways up at heaven's gate and drove over St. Peter Cyclist's left foot before Madonna del Ghisallo could say "Voodoo something to me, I'll do something in fifty shades of black before I die!" The frog croaked, the platoon of bell ringing idiots became cycling campanologists (Campagnologists?) and Shimanologists but they got SRAMmed at reduced prices, and everyone knows nothing about Benelux Countries' taxation regimes.

So into the braw bricht moonlicht evening, the ragged riders rode relentlessly towards the Red Lion for a Dram and beetroot - sorry, B. Traven - or bee honey with cheese and digestive biscuit, fresh water mussels, and a gypsy tart stroked her long tall trucker, while the hedgehog scarpered carrying off a damson in distress. "Plummy pudding!" exclaimed the pixie with the one-track mind.
by Audax67
12 Jan 2014, 8:50am
Forum: Fun & Games
Topic: Three Word Story Game (again)
Replies: 8855
Views: 433100

Re: Three Word Story Game (again)

"To be, or smoke a cigar?" asked Carlos Fandango. "C'est du Belge!" "Voilà!" exclaimed Hercule Poirot, Sustrans' chief inspecteur de tickets, complete with Bradshawes, Bradawls, Bandsaws and Banshees. Screaming Lord of the Flies, sutch a raving Monster Loony (official), trumpetted his conch and his cornet plummeted, ice-cream downwards, landing flake first and fudge last.

Hell Purple Rain turned to snow with icy patches over both eyes, flooding the valley - bottom up and tail wagging, but dripping wet. However the number9 bus arrived sideways up at heaven's gate and drove over St. Peter Cyclist's left foot before Madonna del Ghisallo could say "Voodoo something to me, I'll do something in fifty shades of black before I die!" The frog croaked, the platoon of bell ringing idiots became cycling campanologists (Campagnologists?) and Shimanologists but they got SRAMmed at reduced prices, and everyone knows nothing about Benelux Countries' taxation regimes.

So into the braw bricht moonlicht evening, the ragged riders rode relentlessly towards the Red Lion for a Dram and beetroot - sorry, B. Traven - or bee honey with cheese and digestive biscuit, fresh water mussels, and a gypsy tart stroked her long tall trucker, while the hedgehog scarpered carrying off a damson in distress.
by Audax67
11 Jan 2014, 5:52pm
Forum: Fun & Games
Topic: Three Word Story Game (again)
Replies: 8855
Views: 433100

Re: Three Word Story Game (again)

"To be, or smoke a cigar?" asked Carlos Fandango. "C'est du Belge!" "Voilà!" exclaimed Hercule Poirot, Sustrans' chief inspecteur de tickets, complete with Bradshawes, Bradawls, Bandsaws and Banshees. Screaming Lord of the Flies, sutch a raving Monster Loony (official), trumpetted his conch and his cornet plummeted, ice-cream downwards, landing flake first and fudge last.

Hell Purple Rain turned to snow with icy patches over both eyes, flooding the valley - bottom up and tail wagging, but dripping wet. However the number9 bus arrived sideways up at heaven's gate and drove over St. Peter Cyclist's left foot before Madonna del Ghisallo could say "Voodoo something to me, I'll do something in fifty shades of black before I die!" The frog croaked, the platoon of bell ringing idiots became cycling campanologists (Campagnologists?) and Shimanologists but they got SRAMmed at reduced prices, and everyone knows nothing about Benelux Countries' taxation regimes.

So into the braw bricht moonlicht evening, the ragged riders rode relentlessly towards the Red Lion for a Dram and beetroot - sorry, B. Traven - or bee honey with cheese and digestive biscuit, fresh water mussels, and a gypsy tart stroked her long tall trucker, while
by Audax67
11 Jan 2014, 5:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Phunny blow-out
Replies: 5
Views: 2416

Re: Phunny blow-out

I was only 5k from home and it was getting dark, so I called the missus.

I suppose it could have been a catch, but doing 100k on a catch seems a wee bit unlikely.

Ah well, it all helps to keep Michelin in business.
by Audax67
11 Jan 2014, 3:59pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Phunny blow-out
Replies: 5
Views: 2416

Phunny blow-out

Wednesday the tube in my back tyre (700c x 23) blew like the crack of doom (assuming doom has .22 calibre), making my ears ring. I finally howked it apart today & inspected the insult. It looks the way I'd expect a spontaneous blow-out to look: a hole about 1 x 0.5 mm with fissures radiating out from it. It really looks as if the bit of rubber from the hole has been blown out.

Here's the curious bit: the blow-out is halfway up the side-wall of the tyre. I thought at first it was a pinch flat, but I had blown it up to 7.5 bar before setting out. Then I thought that a slow puncture elsewhere had let it down until a pinch flat was possible, but (a) why then the bang and (b) there isn't a second puncture. In any case, I hadn't ridden over anything that might have pinched it.

The tube was new. I had put it in at the roadside after a run-of-the-mill flat ten days earlier, and it had done ~100 km since. I change tubes in the classic manner, i.e. slightly inflated, tube in tyre carcass before putting tyre on wheel, and no levers. I can't imagine that it was caught between bead and rim - or if it was, I would have expected it to blow a lot earlier.

The tyre (GP4000) tread is a wee bit old and I'm not fitting it again, but there are no signs of wear or damage at the blow-out area, inside or out.

My only explanation is that when I fixed the puncture I might have got a bit of grit caught between tube & tyre, and it has slowly worn through: but there are no signs of rubbing anywhere. I used a CO2 inflater a the roadside and didn't immediately deflate & reinflate on getting home, but AFAIK CO2 doesn't attack the rubber.

Kinda puzzled.
by Audax67
9 Jan 2014, 9:31pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Signs for joint use paths
Replies: 11
Views: 26996

Re: Signs for joint use paths

Oh. That kind of joint.
by Audax67
9 Jan 2014, 9:29pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: off the bike for a bit
Replies: 39
Views: 24913

Re: off the bike for a bit

Ray wrote:
Audax67 wrote:I am looking (hah!) at a month off for a cataract op in the near future.

That sounds rather excessive - but, of course, there may be special reasons in your particular case.
I've had intra-ocular implants (?) in both eyes, and was riding gently within a few days in each case, wearing safety glasses and avoiding sweat running into my eyes. Having said that, you should obviously listen carefully to medical advice before deciding what to do. Rightly or wrongly, I was as concerned about the danger of fitness meltdown as I was of damaging my eyes.


As it happens, you were right about excessive: ophthalmo says 2 weeks. One month was what a chum was ordered by his ophthalmo, so I assumed it'd be the same.