Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
Thehairs1970
Posts: 603
Joined: 11 Aug 2018, 9:30am

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Thehairs1970 »

Psamathe wrote: 16 May 2021, 5:32pm
Paulatic wrote: 16 May 2021, 3:40pm
RevDonkBonkers wrote: 15 May 2021, 12:34pm visited a specialist cycling shop this morning (highly recommended by a few cyclists) and told them what I planned on doing
Specialist my aunt :roll: Whoever recommended those two bikes for what you want to do has not a clue. Do not go back.
You are going around the coast and there are hills some very steep. You need low gears.
You are carry a load, quite big I imagine, you need low gears.
You intend to ride this bike every day you need to be comfortable on it. I doubt you’ll achieve that on anything with the handlebars 4” lower than the saddle.
I would agree. Not a shop to take advice from given their "input".

Maybe post your general location and how far you'd be happy to travel and people could suggest genuine "specialist" bike suppliers. There certainly are a few around but not that many. My personal opinion is that you are planning a fairly long trip so most appropriate bike possible will be a big help.

Gearing for the ride will be very important and both those have (IMO) very unsuitable gearing (which raises questions about those suggesting it - I would wonder about them appreciating what you intend or if they have the experience to know what is suitable).

More controversially (and others will hold differing but valid opinions) is that I like disk brakes but for touring (particularly extended touring) I'd avoid hydraulic disks (or stick to rim brakes). I don't have experience of them but I like to be able to maintain as much of the bike as possible under way and hydraulic brakes is something you can't generally do yourself roadside.

Ian
Good point re hydraulics to a point. However, the stopping power is higher and the chances of losing both are very slim indeed. If you go down the rim brakes route, get the cartridge kind and take some spare pads.
RevDonkBonkers
Posts: 52
Joined: 4 May 2021, 9:14pm

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by RevDonkBonkers »

Again everyone's advice is overwhelming, thank you.

I had no knowledge about gears at all, so thank you thirdcrank for that info, will be handy when I go into bike shops from now on.

In terms of a daily budget, maybe around £25 a day. Factoring in wild camping, cooking for myself, using warm showers along with the occasional night in a B&B, a beer (or two) and decent meals. Have no idea if that is going to be accurate or not.

As for location I am in West Kent, nearest towns are Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Maidstone.
Psamathe
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Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:56pm

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Psamathe »

RevDonkBonkers wrote: 17 May 2021, 10:16am Again everyone's advice is overwhelming, thank you.

I had no knowledge about gears at all, so thank you thirdcrank for that info, will be handy when I go into bike shops from now on.

In terms of a daily budget, maybe around £25 a day. Factoring in wild camping, cooking for myself, using warm showers along with the occasional night in a B&B, a beer (or two) and decent meals. Have no idea if that is going to be accurate or not.

As for location I am in West Kent, nearest towns are Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Maidstone.
When I resumed cycling (8 years ago) the bike I got had a "Compact Double" which was great for local rides in flatlandia (Norfolk). But before I went loaded touring I replaced the drive for a triple but I liked STI so whilst the replacement was much better (for touring) it was still not really low enough but it worked (and I got off and pushed on occasions which was no big deal).

Gearing system on my newest acquisition is far lower (following advice from others on this forum).

Ian
Bonefishblues
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Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Bonefishblues »

Paulatic wrote: 16 May 2021, 3:40pm
RevDonkBonkers wrote: 15 May 2021, 12:34pm visited a specialist cycling shop this morning (highly recommended by a few cyclists) and told them what I planned on doing
Specialist my aunt :roll: Whoever recommended those two bikes for what you want to do has not a clue. Do not go back.
You are going around the coast and there are hills some very steep. You need low gears.
You are carry a load, quite big I imagine, you need low gears.
You intend to ride this bike every day you need to be comfortable on it. I doubt you’ll achieve that on anything with the handlebars 4” lower than the saddle.
Specialist my aunt indeed. I would have used a slightly more intimate, sitting-related 4 letter word.

Q. I want a bike to do X.

A. Here are two great gravel bikes.

Is not service.
jo' bo
Posts: 121
Joined: 8 May 2021, 8:21pm

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by jo' bo »

Thehairs1970 wrote: 16 May 2021, 8:26pm
Psamathe wrote: 16 May 2021, 5:32pm
Paulatic wrote: 16 May 2021, 3:40pm
Specialist my aunt :roll: Whoever recommended those two bikes for what you want to do has not a clue. Do not go back.
You are going around the coast and there are hills some very steep. You need low gears.
You are carry a load, quite big I imagine, you need low gears.
You intend to ride this bike every day you need to be comfortable on it. I doubt you’ll achieve that on anything with the handlebars 4” lower than the saddle.
I would agree. Not a shop to take advice from given their "input".

Maybe post your general location and how far you'd be happy to travel and people could suggest genuine "specialist" bike suppliers. There certainly are a few around but not that many. My personal opinion is that you are planning a fairly long trip so most appropriate bike possible will be a big help.

Gearing for the ride will be very important and both those have (IMO) very unsuitable gearing (which raises questions about those suggesting it - I would wonder about them appreciating what you intend or if they have the experience to know what is suitable).

More controversially (and others will hold differing but valid opinions) is that I like disk brakes but for touring (particularly extended touring) I'd avoid hydraulic disks (or stick to rim brakes). I don't have experience of them but I like to be able to maintain as much of the bike as possible under way and hydraulic brakes is something you can't generally do yourself roadside.

Ian
Good point re hydraulics to a point. However, the stopping power is higher and the chances of losing both are very slim indeed. If you go down the rim brakes route, get the cartridge kind and take some spare pads.
I've never been convinced that that is true, I can lock my rim brake and or do stoppies/ fly over the handle bars quite easily

There is a case that you can achieve that level of braking with less lever pressure, but the actual stopping power doesnt seem to be greatly increased, other than perhaps wading through mud

I've found in a non scientific test, that rim brakes are better than cable discs, better than cheap hydraulics, about the same as decent hydraulics and no where near as good as 4 pot hydraulics

It may be different if your descending the Alps at speed
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Paulatic
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Location: 24 Hours from Lands End

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Paulatic »

I like my hydraulic brakes on one of my bikes. However I’ve just had to replace the pads, a very easy job, but looking at the odometer the originals haven’t done 2000 mls!
All my other bikes I measure brake pad life in years. The winner being some red coolstop which lasted 20 years and saw three bikes.
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life

https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
jo' bo
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Joined: 8 May 2021, 8:21pm

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by jo' bo »

Paulatic wrote: 17 May 2021, 12:16pm I like my hydraulic brakes on one of my bikes. However I’ve just had to replace the pads, a very easy job, but looking at the odometer the originals haven’t done 2000 mls!
All my other bikes I measure brake pad life in years. The winner being some red coolstop which lasted 20 years and saw three bikes.
Yea, they also seem to require fluid that costs 80 quid per litre, you could get a good champagne for that
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Paulatic
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Location: 24 Hours from Lands End

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Paulatic »

jo' bo wrote: 17 May 2021, 12:28pm Yea, they also seem to require fluid that costs 80 quid per litre, you could get a good champagne for that
Citreon LDS suspension fluid £15/ litre. :D
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life

https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
Bonefishblues
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Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Bonefishblues »

jo' bo wrote: 17 May 2021, 12:28pm
Paulatic wrote: 17 May 2021, 12:16pm I like my hydraulic brakes on one of my bikes. However I’ve just had to replace the pads, a very easy job, but looking at the odometer the originals haven’t done 2000 mls!
All my other bikes I measure brake pad life in years. The winner being some red coolstop which lasted 20 years and saw three bikes.
Yea, they also seem to require fluid that costs 80 quid per litre, you could get a good champagne for that
All round to yours then :shock:
jo' bo
Posts: 121
Joined: 8 May 2021, 8:21pm

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by jo' bo »

Paulatic wrote: 17 May 2021, 1:13pm
jo' bo wrote: 17 May 2021, 12:28pm Yea, they also seem to require fluid that costs 80 quid per litre, you could get a good champagne for that
Citreon LDS suspension fluid £15/ litre. :D
Yes I know, but that only if you ignore the manufactures hysterical warnings of grave catastrophe if you use any thing other than OE fuid

Mine are currently running on car power steering fluid, at 5 quid a litre, coz I really am a tight wad and I already owned some
RevDonkBonkers
Posts: 52
Joined: 4 May 2021, 9:14pm

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by RevDonkBonkers »

Thank you everyone for your advice on this question I posted last year. I have my bike, have done a couple of mini trips on it and now plan to leave to cycle around the UK in April.
rjb
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Joined: 11 Jan 2007, 10:25am
Location: Somerset (originally 60/70's Plymouth)

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by rjb »

Has anyone mentioned this guide. Lots of stuff here to help you.
https://thegreattour.co.uk/the-route/
enjoy and good luck.
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840 :D
rareposter
Posts: 1992
Joined: 27 Aug 2014, 2:40pm

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by rareposter »

RevDonkBonkers wrote: 6 Jan 2022, 11:21am Thank you everyone for your advice on this question I posted last year. I have my bike, have done a couple of mini trips on it and now plan to leave to cycle around the UK in April.
Read "One Man and His Bike" by Mike Carter. He did exactly that - just set off without much in the way of planning or "touring knowledge" and did more or less what you're planning.
If you can't find a copy, PM me on here, I'll send you mine free of charge.

EDIT: just looking back through the thread in more detail, I see you've already read it so ignore me!
Last edited by rareposter on 6 Jan 2022, 3:17pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Jdsk »

RevDonkBonkers wrote: 6 Jan 2022, 11:21amI have my bike, have done a couple of mini trips on it and now plan to leave to cycle around the UK in April.
Have fun.

Jonathan
RevDonkBonkers
Posts: 52
Joined: 4 May 2021, 9:14pm

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by RevDonkBonkers »

rareposter wrote: 6 Jan 2022, 3:15pm Read "One Man and His Bike" by Mike Carter. He did exactly that - just set off without much in the way of planning or "touring knowledge" and did more or less what you're planning.
Yep that book inspired me to do something like this - I loved it!
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