Search found 371 matches

by PaulB
28 Jan 2016, 9:45pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Anyone from Carlisle?
Replies: 5
Views: 1023

Re: Anyone from Carlisle?

I live a short walk from Scotby Cycles and, yes, they were flooded again and are currently closed ahead of a refurbishment sale.

They suffered the same fate when the area was flooded 11 years ago and had to sell off a lot of stock including top end bikes. They will be announcing their sale soon.
by PaulB
26 Jan 2016, 2:03pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Role model: who is yours?
Replies: 193
Views: 18623

Re: Role model: who is yours?

I agree with Audax67 and Mick F.

I've never understood the concept of 'Role Models'. I am me and try to be as nice a person as possible but why would I want to be like someone else. People who need role models must feel somehow inferior and need guidance through life. As has been said; I can admire someone's achievements but I don't necessarily want to be like them.

I think I may have wanted to be like the cowboy Roy Rogers when I was about 7 years old (that dates me!) but as an adult I want to live my own life and not become a pale imitation of someone else.
by PaulB
24 Jan 2016, 1:37pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Garmin Edge 200 - That Black Bar...
Replies: 4
Views: 725

Re: Garmin Edge 200 - That Black Bar...

I have a Garmin 200 and have always assumed that the black bar was to show battery charge.

You are right about the manual - it only gives scant information about set up and use. There are one or two tutorials (not made by Garmin) on YouTube about the 200 that I found informative. One even shows how you can race against yourself!
by PaulB
22 Jan 2016, 9:06pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Its like childbirth
Replies: 3
Views: 823

Re: Its like childbirth

A friend of mine was winding up some of the women in the office. They'd been saying that if men could give birth they would only have one child as giving birth was the most painful thing you can experience.

My friend said it was nothing compared to a man being kicked in his "male department". When challenged he said a couple of years after giving birth women want to do the whole thing again but he had yet to meet a man who wanted to be kicked in the b***s again!
by PaulB
16 Jan 2016, 5:22pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: ATOC Survey: Multi-mode cycle/train journeys.
Replies: 28
Views: 1771

Re: ATOC Survey: Multi-mode cycle/train journeys.

I see the first question it asks is which organisation linked to the survey and lists the Cyclist Touring Club. As that no longer exists, as I recognise it, I went no further.
by PaulB
15 Jan 2016, 11:00pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: simpler cycling
Replies: 36
Views: 3086

Re: simpler cycling

Get a copy of Grant Peterson's book - "Just Ride" - and see how cycle racing has turned us into gear freaks.

I've ridden bikes for about 60 years and well remember my early models having just one free-wheel gear and flat bars plus flat pedals. We spent hours riding them to school and for leisure and loved them. When we hit a hill that was too steep we got off and walked - it was all very simple.

I love the new models and can lust after the latest carbon fibre Bianchi with full Campagnolo group set but know that for the riding I do it would be a waste of money. I like my folding bike and my alloy Bianchi but am starting to get back to basics and just enjoy riding for pleasure. That means in normal clothes on a bike that does what I need.

We can get obsessed with tech and fashion and be influenced by the sporting side of cycling. Sometimes it's nice just to step back and regain your initial love of cycling rather than love of bikes.
by PaulB
11 Jan 2016, 11:45pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Fontain Pens and ink.
Replies: 40
Views: 2036

Re: Fontain Pens and ink.

I remember the old 'dip-in' pens from school. Then we had fountain pens and then the new fangled cartridge pens.

Being left handed I could never get away with ink pens as my hand would cover the word just written and smudge the ink. I believe that special nibs for left handers were made but I didn't come across any.

My daughter bought me a special 'space age' pen, developed by NASA, for my birthday. It will write on any surface in any position and even in outer space where there is no gravity. I heard that the Americans spent several million dollars developing the pen. The Russians just used a pencil!
by PaulB
11 Jan 2016, 11:35pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Time to give up?
Replies: 31
Views: 1418

Re: Time to give up?

Here in Cumbria it seems to have rained non-stop since the middle of October. You will have seen the floods on TV.

My bike hasn't been out of the shed for weeks because of the weather. I don't enjoy riding in a downpour but I will do it if the mood takes me. My problem is, I have no where under cover to work on my bike and clean it following a ride. If I arrive home wet through with a dirty bike the machine has to be put away in that condition without being wiped down and lubed. With the weather we've had it could be days or even weeks before I could get the bike out to clean it and we all know what state the chain and gears would be in.

I've been swimming (in a pool - not the floods) and walking a bit to keep fit and get out of the house but I am getting frustrated at my lack of cycling.
by PaulB
2 Dec 2015, 9:26pm
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Neuro surgeon states helmets saves lives!
Replies: 41
Views: 2203

Re: Neuro surgeon states helmets saves lives!

As Woody Allan said, "I'm not afraid of dying, I just don't want to be there when it happens"!
by PaulB
30 Nov 2015, 8:28pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Photos with the theme, Down the Road
Replies: 68
Views: 5220

Re: Photos with the theme, Down the Road

SSCN5195.JPG


At the entrance to "Rose Castle" the former home of the Bishop of Carlisle.

SSCN5181.JPG


Taking a break at Thursby near Carlisle.
by PaulB
7 Nov 2015, 7:17pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycling mags
Replies: 51
Views: 3364

Re: Cycling mags

There have been several threads on the subject of Cycling Magazines over the years and they all appear to agree that; unless you wear Lycra, ride Sportives or race, obsess about the weight of your bike and your own weight and want to buy the latest carbon fibre bicycle, there is no magazine aimed at you. Those of us who simply enjoy riding bikes - of all sorts - are not catered for on newsagents' shelves.

I no longer buy any of the UK monthly bike publications unless I'm going on holiday and want something to flick through. I do subscribe to VeloVision and enjoy reading about the 'left of centre' cycling world. I also subscribe to the American magazine Road Bike Action which is very well written and covers developments in cycling with a nod to the sporting side. Ride Quarterly is full of reading but could do with increasing the size of its font on some pages. The best for general riding and touring is another American magazine called Adventure Cyclist which is published by the Adventure Cycling Association. The layout is very clear with black print on white paper and the whole appearance is easy on the eyes. It deals with touring, often on a grand scale, and is always a good read.

Previous posters have mentioned the cluttered layouts of many UK magazines with printing over photographs and 'in-your-face' graphics. I cannot look at those publications anymore as they are hard work to read. I found the CTC magazine of little interest and generally put it in the recycling bag the day it arrived. I am no longer a member of CTC and do not miss the magazine.
by PaulB
9 Oct 2015, 12:57pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: If you don't like dogs you shouldn't walk on the beach
Replies: 71
Views: 2922

Re: If you don't like dogs you shouldn't walk on the beach

I don't have a dog because it wouldn't fit in with my lifestyle and I can do without the hassle. My sister has two, well trained, dogs and gets great pleasure from their company. I've been to Crufts (as part of my job) and chatted to real "doggy people" who care about their animals in ways I cannot imagine! I quite like dogs but I am becoming tired of the number I see around.

Like earlier posts, my 10 year old grandson is nervous around dogs. He had several unfortunate run-ins with them when he was younger. If there is a dog around he cannot take his eyes of it and cannot relax. As a cyclist I am naturally wary of dogs - especially farm Border Collies! To be fair, one of my regular rides takes me along a shared use path where people walk their dogs. Many owners will call their pets to heel and hold them as I ride past. I always slow down and thank them - I'm never in that much of a hurry. The number of dog owners who assume that everyone will love their Fido as much as they do seems to be increasing. Those people may be more than happy to have their clothes covered in dog hair and muddy paw prints but I am not.

As for tourist areas; Keswick in the Lake District, is one of my favourite towns and is only a 40 minute drive from my home. Unfortunately it now advertises itself as a "dog friendly" town and in busy periods the dogs almost outnumber people! The centre of Keswick can be an obstacle course of fury creatures barking at each other while wrapping their extending leads around people's legs. I am amazed at just how many dogs some people have with them. I now try to avoid Keswick during holiday seasons.

Own a dog by all means but take responsibility for it and be aware that other members of society have the right to enjoy the open spaces without being harassed by an out of control animal.
by PaulB
9 Oct 2015, 12:13pm
Forum: Cycling UK Topics and Discussions
Topic: No diversity in Cycle magazine
Replies: 14
Views: 1432

Re: No diversity in Cycle magazine

Cycle magazine has a "closed readership" in that it is only available to CTC members. It therefore has little or no influence outside of the organisation. It doesn't matter how many photographs of minority groups it publishes the affect will be very limited as people from the groups featured will not see the images.

There is nothing to stop anyone from any background riding a bike or going for a walk. If they want to do it they can. We live in the UK which offers people the freedom of choice. I do not agree with those who support "multi-cultural" ideals. If you are living in the UK you are British and free to be part of the shared experience that is the British way of life. Yes, there are inequalities but some of those are self imposed by minority groups who have the remedies in their own hands. I could join a football supporters club but I am not the slightest bit interested in that sport, so I don't. Trying to artificially change the make up of cycling in this country, purely for political correct reasons, is a big mistake. Cycling will attract different people for different reasons and it is up to individuals to make themselves inclusive - or not.
by PaulB
5 Oct 2015, 9:18pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: National Anthem . . is it time for change ?
Replies: 128
Views: 4505

Re: National Anthem . . is it time for change ?

I agree with comedian Billy Connolly; he said the national anthem should be the theme from the radio series "The Archers"!
by PaulB
30 Sep 2015, 8:48pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Pictures of your bike(s)
Replies: 1924
Views: 584033

Re: Pictures of your bike(s)

SSCN5195.JPG
Image

I just love the autumn when you get clear sunny days that are made for cycling.

Bianchi C2C Nirone 7 (alloy frame with carbon/kevlar forks) with Campagnolo Centaur compact group set and Campagnolo Proton wheels. FSA compact 'bar and FSA stem plus Fizik saddle