Some Observations by a YHA warden

[tridantri]

On the road I really don't think mud guards are all that important. I've never used them and also never wished I had used them.

If you're doing lots of off road cycling then it's a different matter...

[Mick F]

Don't agree.

I hate mudguards, but I love my bike. I hate getting wet and mucky, and I hate my bike getting wet and mucky too.

Mudguards help.

[eileithyia]

As a traditional tourist have always used mudguards except on race bikes, what's not to like?

Sneered at by a work colleague for being a tourist with my mudguards I watched her ride off on very wet roads (following a cloud burst) and get a very wet bum/back etc.
Now mudguards do not protect you from the stuff as it falls from the sky, but they do protect you from the stuff coming up off the roads.

The non use of mudguards is selfish to all other people, ie wet muddy bums on chairs means those after you also end up with wet dirty clothes.

[Cyril Haearn]

Why are they called mud-guards? They are water-guards mostly

[Warin61]

Why are they called mud-guards? They are water-guards mostly

Possibly the improvement of roads over the decades has changed the mostly mud to mostly water.

If the guards are for mud .. then the trailing edge should have at least double the clearance of the leading edge to allow the mud to ball up, roll and escape rather than jam the wheel under the clogged guard.

[gxaustin]

On the road I really don't think mud guards are all that important. I've never used them and also never wished I had used them.

if you came on one of my group rides I'd politely ask you to take the rear spot

[Cyril Haearn]

I want to read more observations by wardens, grrr!

My YHA story: December 197x I got the train to Ravenglass, cycled to Ennerdale, Derwentwater, Coniston Coppermines for Christmas! On the 25th a group climbed the Old Man (not me - no boots)
I conquered Hardknott , took a ride on l'al Ratty and got the train home

The wardens who did Christmas worked very hard, +1 (am I right to use the past tense?)

[Cyril Haearn]

So, hostelling is a bit like going to confession in a catholic church (after one has described ones sins one has to say some prayers)

Quite like asking the hostel chaplain/warden for a duty, I liked to volunteer to tidy up the cycle shed

What a shame duties are no longer used

[ChrisButch]

Possibly the improvement of roads over the decades has changed the mostly mud to mostly water.

??? Quite the reverse, surely, as road maintenance budgets have steadily, and recently steeply declined.

[pete75]

With mudguards you stop getting wet when it stops raining.

[Cyril Haearn]

This is supposed to be about hostelling
All hostels had efficient drying rooms back then, so getting wet at the end of the day was not so bad

[pete75]

This is supposed to be about hostelling
All hostels had efficient drying rooms back then, so getting wet at the end of the day was not so bad

No it's meant to be about observations by a YHA warden one of which is a recommendation to use mudguards.

[pete75]

This is supposed to be about hostelling
All hostels had efficient drying rooms back then, so getting wet at the end of the day was not so bad

No it's meant to be about observations by a YHA warden one of which is surprise that some riders don't use mudguards on Lejog..

[Cyril Haearn]

What else does the warder recommend?
Is a hostel more like a church or more like a prison?

[pete75]

What else does the warder recommend?
Is a hostel more like a church or more like a prison?

Perhaps you could read the OP and see for yourself.