Search found 51 matches

by Cachao
19 Feb 2012, 11:17am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Anyone know a good route for London to Cornwall?
Replies: 19
Views: 3988

Re: Anyone know a good route for London to Cornwall?

South Exmoor is excellent. Not too hilly and there's a fantastic ridge road north of Bampton. Watch out for the hills on the Cornwall coast.
by Cachao
27 Aug 2011, 2:31pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Best Cycle Service in Bristol
Replies: 6
Views: 962

Re: Best Cycle Service in Bristol

I've decided I'll go to Bools to true my wheel, and then ask if anything else needs doing. It was this page that settled it for me:
http://www.boolsbicycles.co.uk/vintage.htm

Thanks everyone.
by Cachao
25 Aug 2011, 2:09pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Best Cycle Service in Bristol
Replies: 6
Views: 962

Best Cycle Service in Bristol

I've just finished LEJOG on my 1982/83 Claud Butler Dalesman and the back wheel is a bit buckled and the whole bike feels like it needs a good service.
Where is the best place in and around Bristol for me to get this done? I don't want some kid from a chain-store mucking about with my bike, I want someone who is well-experienced, especially in older bikes.
by Cachao
4 Aug 2011, 2:57pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Altura pannier feet
Replies: 2
Views: 323

Altura pannier feet

Hello,

One of the rubber foot-pads on my Altura Orkney panniers is coming off.

What's the best way to fix it? Stitching? (Bearing in mind I can't get through to the other side.) Or superglue?

This will need to last for Land's End to John O' Groats

Thanks :)

Cachao
by Cachao
25 Jul 2011, 10:31pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110964

Re: Cut That Kit!

The zip ties are now on the list.

Any more suggestions would be much appreciated. We leave in two weeks.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... pJYL#gid=0
by Cachao
25 Jul 2011, 10:21pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Flying from Wick?
Replies: 8
Views: 8075

Re: Flying from Wick?

Anyone got any other ideas for getting back from John O' Groats? Apparently there are some companies that take a bike back for you?

Thanks,
by Cachao
5 Jul 2011, 6:42pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110964

Re: Cut That Kit!

I've ordered the Mirrcycle Original. The 'Longs' on the list are tracksuit bottoms. Any advice on soap? We'd really like all-purpose soap but without the price tag, which looks like shower gel at the moment.

Thanks,

Cachao
by Cachao
3 Jul 2011, 2:11pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110964

Re: Cut That Kit!

Can anyone beat this? http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mirrycle-ori ... s-prod658/
I am now set on taking a mirror.

Any more advice on soap? I would really like one type to do pots and pans, clothes, shaving and showering.
Sun-cream-wise I'll stick to what we have. If we need more, we can buy more; but we've cut so much that I don't want to carry more than is absolutely necessary at that moment. We both have 750ml water bottles
Tonyf33 wrote:Some observations:
I'd say 4 cycle tops = about 1kg
If you've bike lights do you really need head torches especially given the time of year.
Mirror, don't. IMO pointless, do you use one normally, if not why consider one now?
Headphones instead of speakers, the speakers will be tinny anyhow, no?
25g of suncream doesn't seem a lot for two of you. I'd suggest taking a full tube, last thing you need is to get burnt & even in low light you're going to be out for long hours. Get factor 20 unless you like to go for the half arm deep brown adonis look :lol:
If you ride in just shorts maybe take a spare pair or are you going to wash/dry them each night?
You've put down underwear, what are you wearing on top of them or is that just for night-time in the sleeping bag. What about taking a normal pair of walking shorts to wear rather than the sweaty cycling shorts at the end of each day(or do you plan to sit in your undies 8) :lol:
If I had a choice I'd take a bar of soap rather than shower gel, it makes it easier to wash your shorts with too.
Are you taking washing up liquid or you just rinsing stuff out where you're camping?
Are the pumps the little mini dudes? Have you tried pumping up a tyre from flat to 100psi with one before? Is yours capable of doing that in any case?
If you've got a map & a phone why the need for a compass?

Just some thoughts anyway


We are taking four cycle tops (I don't think that's made clear on the spreadsheet).
We tried going without just one head-torch (I had argued for none) and it was very difficult. They are essential at night.
As mentioned above, I am definitely getting a mirror
The speaker allows us to move around
As mentioned above, the suncream should be fine
We don't generally sit around in the evening, so just cycling shorts should be fine - and we will wash them every evening.
As mentioned above, I am still clueless about soap
We can pump up our tyres to good pressure (eventually) with our mini pumps
When we're lost, the compass is good for 'just go north' and working out which road we're on.

Cachao
by Cachao
2 Jul 2011, 4:28pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: A82-how busy
Replies: 32
Views: 5517

Re: A82-how busy

What is the advice for a mirror that works with drop handlebars and panniers?
by Cachao
2 Jul 2011, 3:56pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110964

Re: Cut That Kit!

ossie wrote:Get a mirror if you can. I got one at the last minute from a mate who runs a bike shop. One of these : fitted it to my drops

http://www.awcycles.co.uk/brands/Zefal/ ... index.aspx

It was fantastic for me in France. I was able to see HGVS and traffic coming from a long distance back and slow down, adjust my speed etc to assist traffic flow past me on some really tight roads. Would thoroughly recommend it. Thought it would be 'nerdish' but has to go down as one of my best purchases yet.


I think I will get a mirror, but I'm worried about its view being obscured by the panniers as I have seen no pictures of one actually on a bike. Any recommendations?

(just a reminder the kit list is on page 4 and here https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... pJYL#gid=0 further suggestions would be appreciated)
by Cachao
2 Jul 2011, 3:47pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tour kit planning
Replies: 39
Views: 3379

Re: Tour kit planning

Take a look through my most recent kitlist on my thread 'Cut that kit'. We've found that sufficient and nice and lightweight. I wouldn't recommend taking any food, try and buy only what you need, then eat it all, taking only snacks and water with you. I would also cut one inner tube, the brake blocks, folding chair, towel and the pillow (use spare clothes instead), replace zipties with velcro ties (reusable) and add a first aid kit (once you fall off, you're be glad).

Cachao
by Cachao
29 Jun 2011, 6:56pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Shaving en Tour
Replies: 40
Views: 2434

Re: Shaving en Tour

I will only be shaving when we are at campsites with hot running water.

BeeKeeper wrote:On a vaguely related note try Tesco for small size washing things for travel. Our Tesco has a complete section made up of things like little bottles of shower gel plus little empty bottles which I use for olive oil for cooking while camping. They also do a small cannister of shaving gel which I used on a recent camping trip.

I have tried the Bic razors and they just cut lumps out of me. I use WS Mach 3 blades but I agree they do clog and need frequent rinsing but this should not be a problem if you are staying in places with sinks and running water - i.e. not wild camping.

If you are staying where there are hot showers then try shaving in the shower using shower gel.


I'll look out for that miniature section next time I go to Tesco. I'm not prepared to take specific shaving gel, but which soaps are better for shaving that work well on pots and pans as well? I doubt shower gel would work well for shaving and vice versa for Dove moisturiser soap.

Thanks :D
by Cachao
28 Jun 2011, 10:44pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Leaving bike overnight when camping?
Replies: 39
Views: 7465

Re: Leaving bike overnight when camping?

One point no-one seems to have mentioned is that if possible, it's always a good idea to lock up near something much more attractive, i.e. a badly locked, brand new bike etc.
by Cachao
28 Jun 2011, 10:37pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Pannier weight
Replies: 7
Views: 838

Re: Pannier weight

I somehow find the opposite...remember to pack them slimly, there is a surprising amount of wind resistance generated by panniers, so the more you reduce that the better. Also spreading the weight makes cycling much easier (lo-riders are recommended if you carry a lot)
by Cachao
28 Jun 2011, 10:19pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Shaving en Tour
Replies: 40
Views: 2434

Re: Shaving en Tour

As appealing as this desert island luxury is, the electric shaver is a solid no I'm afraid. Shaving well doesn't matter to me. Shaving without cutting my face to pieces and drying out my skin does.

So I see the BIC is unanimously favoured, but what about soap? Is there a way I'd be able to use the same soap (efficiently and effectively) for normal washing, shaving and pots and pans?

Thanks :)