Agree Pete, disc brakes are a revelation. I would add thumbshifters. I used to hate fiddling with tube mounted levers. Also for downhill MTB's, seatpost droppers are a game changer.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
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Agree Pete, disc brakes are a revelation. I would add thumbshifters. I used to hate fiddling with tube mounted levers. Also for downhill MTB's, seatpost droppers are a game changer.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
Whilst I can't compete with my three mile, less than 100 feet of ascent, ride to Lichfield Trent Valley High Level, I can trump you on the ralway content - as this is the photograph I took there at 14:30 today (55009 Alycidon)Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f2873118_b.jpg
Woo hoo from an English Electric two-tone air horn to you Graham :)
Very good. Ugly brutes but they pulled me between Leeds/ London many times before the arrival of HSTs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Great sound as well as loads of character, nothing much of interest in todays bland offerings.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
I was a little disappointed by the sound. The photo was taken at Lichfield Trent Valley High Level signal box, where the chord from the west coast mainline allows southbound traffic to climb up to the old South Staffordshire line to Burton upon Trent and Derby.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigfella
It's a tight bend, and an incline of around 1 in 30, so you would expect some noise - especially as it was pulling a class 57 (the reserve engine in case of failure). Somewhat different to last time I saw one move, screaming down the east coast mainline at 100mph pulling an express train - probably with Graham in 1st class :)
Had no idea what a "chord" related to in railway terms.
Thanks Marco.
Every day a school day :)
Well I did travel from Leeds to London return every week for two years and since I wasn't paying...:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Railway Herald has a similar photograph this week, explaining why it was there and identifying the 57/0 diesel behind it as 57012 - but perhaps you know all this?Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
“Railway Herald”? What a sheltered life away from railways I have led, I looked it up to see if it was real.
I understand train spotters often do the same over something called The Fellrunner? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
It won't surprise you that I did know this; I got a hot tip from my elder brother.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
I came from a family where second sons were very much second-rate, (and don't get me started on the position of women in the hierarchy), and I was therefore expected to go everywhere my brother did and do everything he did. When he acquired an unhealthy obsession with railways, around the age of 10, I got dragged around the railway depots and works of the UK. Fifty years on, he still has an unhealthy obsession with railways, and I have been left with a deeply ingrained interest.
In the spirit of 'anything you can do, I can do better', here is the photo he took at Stafford station, an hour before it reached me. And yes, you can see 57012 behind, hitched up for the ride.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9760bbe6_b.jpg
I'd love to get a look inside one of them. I once saw a cutaway of the Deltic lump and was unable to fathom out how the hell it worked, it appeared to have three sets of boxer pistons arranged as per the greek letter Delta.
Please don't encourage them MrB ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
I know, what's next? They'll be hanging them off the roof of the masters lounge before long.Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
Perhaps we could invite Rod Stewart round to the lounge to give a talk on model railways, followed by a sing-song.
That should boost the Saturday night membership.
I got an invite to corporate meet and greet with Elton John this week. I turned it down but with hindsight he could have been in there banging out a few tunes as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
Yes. I understand he has a weakness for models...but usually leggy and blonde.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
My new tubeless tyres arrived for the road bike so put it on yesterday. I say it because the first one went on no probs, just pumped it up and it seated first time 👍. Easy peasy, on to the other wheel and a couple of hours swearing later and I'm no further forward with it, even trying a method with a strap that has worked well before.
A mate in the village has a high pressure cylinder thing so taking it round to his place late afternoon, that has worked before as it's the tool for the job. Another of those gadgets that one wants but don't want to spend loads of cash on to use once every 2 years. That's cycling for you.
Alas I fear you are already behind the curve.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
The current thing is a device whereby you lower the tyre pressure while riding on, say, cobbles and then raise it again for the smooth tarmac - all from a lever on your handlebars.
Oh do keep up!:)
So how does that work Graham? How do you deflate a rotating bike wheel, and then pump it up again whilst still moving.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
Checking my calendar carefully, it was April 2nd when you posted that
I’m sure you could sell that concept to the triathletes, presuming it came in pretty colours.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
I took my other tyre round to my friend this evening, taken it off the wheel and cleaned everything up first ( out of respect to someone who knows what they are doing).
He inspected it, put the tyre on and pumped it up first go, just like I did with the first tyre. I explained that I had spent 2 hours cursing it and getting nowhere.
He had the good grace to say “I would like to say it was skill, but it is just how it goes sometimes”. I still felt like a novice prat. Which I am of course.
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/team-...essure-system/Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Yesterday was a double celebratory ride. My first ride on the Boardman ADV for a couple of months after its return with new chain, bottom bracket and brake pads; and with my replacement Garmin 520 Plus. I must have overwhelmed the other after a mere three years of use.
Only a criss cross 37 miles and 3100 feet circuit of the River Wharfe would do so through or past Addingham, Bolton Abbey, Skyreholme, down to Dibble's Bridge to test my new brake pads, Grassington/Threshfield, my favourite quarry in Cracoe, Rylestone, Mr B's favourite Craven Heifer pub, Embsay steam railway: all in the company of hundreds of cyclists, bikers and tourists out in the Spring sunshine.
And the Tour of Flanders waiting for when I got home.
Thanks, but no thanks. I read the price - €4,299 for wheels alone, and thought "That is probably greater than my lifetime cycling spending to date, and I don't ride on cobbles" and swiftly moved on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
I still don't get it, as in the days of Merckx et al they just used to change bikes.
A man was killed on his bike in Ilkley last week around 5 pm on Sunday and reading the report rather concentrated my mind as I set off for a 35 miles/3000 feet of climb tour of Blubberhouses Moor by way of Norwood Edge (one of Simon Warren's Cycling Climbs of Yorkshire). I was half way up the climb deep in thought when I heard chatter behind and in due course a few pleasantries were exchanged as the duo passed. However I then kept up with them to the top of the climb and for the next few miles until we went our separate ways. Funny thing motivation eh?
And the death? A 59 year old (so unlikely to be the type to do wheelies down the white line) was turning right onto the bridge over the river on Denton Road - a narrowish country road. There was a Skoda behind the rider and an Audi Q2 behind the Skoda. The rider had signalled to turn right but the Audi decided to overtake the Skoda and then hit and killed the rider. The two men in the car have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
They are aged 24 and 19.
This is both very bad, and far too common. Only four Sundays ago I was in Lichfield and about to turn right. I turned my head and gave the driver behind a very good look, put my right arm out horizontally, (I was wearing a brightly coloured long sleeve top and it was sunny), and moved out into the middle of the road less than 25m from the turn. I then heard a loud whine and the car behind, a SUV milk float (electric car) passed me on my right hand side, causing me to have to quickly retract my arm to avoid being hit by the wing mirror.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
Worse still, there was a speed hump arrangement ahead, and the 'milk float' then cut across me and braked causing me to brake. At this point I lifted both hands off the 'bars so I could call him (and it was a him) a t**t using my full, unrestricted, lung capacity. Amazingly, he then did an emergency stop in front of me and wound down his window to try and argue that it was my fault. I just swung round him and turned right as we'd reached the turn now - re-iterating my opinion of him twice, just in case anyone in East Lichfield missed it the first time.
The moral of this tale is that there are bad drivers everywhere; when you're using the roads as a cyclist or pedestrian don't assume that the car drivers are intelligent or sober, or know the Highway Code or the laws of the road
The Spring sunshine had me making my longest ride of the year so far; in fact, my longest ride for several years. OK, so it was only 45 miles.
After the Good Friday service, our church had arranged to meet for a picnic lunch in Bradgate Park, so I cycled there. After lunch I continued southward, as far as Stoney Stanton, making a point of including Watery Gate Lane. The watery gate was closed, not surprisingly since the gauge was showing the water depth in the ford to be nearly 3 feet (I have now found out that the gate was only installed about three years ago, to stop idiots getting stuck: https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/n...famous-3724713 ). There is a footbridge that accommodates cyclists as well as walkers, so no problem for me.
Later, taking the direct route from Kirkby Mallory to Desford, I did actually cycle through the little ford on the section beyond the "Unsuitable for motors" sign -- and then got off the bike to circumvent the soft mud beyond the ford.
The problem with cycling in this direction is the inevitable climb over Charnwood Forest on the way home, whichever route I take, just when I'm feeling tired. But it went well, and the cyclist who passed me on the climb near Cliffe Hill quarry even slowed down for a chat before disappearing into the distance.
Nope, i must stress i do not drink at this watering hole, my favourite is The Craven Arms, Appletreewick.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
Paris - Roubaix
As always - well worth watching!
Got out yesterday on the road bike but on a time constraint to be home for family gathering - no excuses for being late.
Building up slowly and managed 23 miles with 3000ft, dry but becoming very windy. I'm liking the new narrow road tyres (that's 28 for me) and feeling more confident on them, to the extent I'm getting braver round bends and tried to wizz round one (open ground so full visibility); but I was being too brave and overshot the bend heading acrose the road, just retrieved the bike before the ditch, very close 😱.
A painless reminder not to be silly!
I have not run since The Wrekin ten days ago as I have a sore heel which I have self diagnosed as Plantar Fasciitis. Very frustrating, as no pain other than when I put weight on it.
Going stir crazy so the bike it has been.
Good Friday was lovely road ride out to the Goyt Valley, Cat and Fiddle, Flash, The Mermaid down to Warslow, Hartington and home. 50 miles, 4'650 feet in 3hr 39 min.
Easter Sunday another lovely road ride, this time through the Hafren Forest, Dylife, back to Staylittle, Y Fan and home to Llanidloes. In addition to hundreds of lambs, a fantastic selection of birds spotted including Osprey, Buzzard, Red Kite, Curlew and Lapwing. 32 miles, 3'658 feet in 2hr 22 min.
Today, a tarmac and trail ride from home. Cool and very breezy up to Chelmorton and on to the High Peak Trail. Along it to Parsley Hay then Biggin on the Tissington Trail. Over to Minninglow on the High Peak Trail via Cardlemere Lane and back to Parsley Hay where I had a latte at the Blueberry Kiosk. They told me that they are now open every day until the winter. Back along the trail and home via Taddington. 40 miles, 2'326 feet in dead on 3hrs.
I am hoping the total of 122 miles and 10,634 feet on the bike will enable my lungs and legs to get me around Cribyn on Saturday and if it keeps pissing down until then it'll be nice and soft underfoot which my heel will prefer!
Fifty miles to Malham - and given the tourist honey-pot that is Malham this could only be to do one of the two savage climbs that leave to the North past the Cove towards Malham Tarn. Naturally I did the tougher of the two referred to in Simon Warren's "Cycling Climbs..." with bits of 1 in 5. This explains some of the 4000 feet of climb today.
From the base of Malham Cove emerges the source of the River Aire and I did think of dropping a plastic duck in the stream and chasing it back to Ilkley - but since Ilkley is on the River Wharfe I had second thoughts.:)
I’m getting into velodrome cycling and enjoying the training. I went to the over 40s morning session on Tuesday as my daughter was doing a session outside in the morning and then on the track in the afternoon.
There was an older chap with a sponsor’s kit and rainbow stripes on the sleeves and collar. I then just about managed to hold his wheel on various drills etc…he was a beast, and obviously well respected by the coach and other riders.
I glanced his name on his top tube and made a note to Google later: Geoff Cooke. Quite a legend of British Cycling and 33 years my senior. Massive Respect!
Legend he is. Quite an amazing palmarez and certainly someone we should all seek to inspire us in later life
Before departing to view 27 Vermeers in Amsterdam (but too late for Amstel Gold) and watch Liege - Bastogne - Liege in...Liege, I did another 50 miles this week through Settle and over High Hill Lane to Airton. The sign at the bottom said 12.5% but that is not what I remember and Veloviewer confirms it peaks at 17%. Such a mild climb is probably why I caught a rider up who had a dinner plate on his rear wheel but not wanting to humiliate one so young I just followed 20 yards behind for 6 miles and then whoosh! in Airton.
I think my generosity of spirit has always held me back in life. It'll be different next time round.:)
My 14th ride of 2023 and slowly progressing, 34 miles with 4370ft ascent, I took it steady and it was pretty slow but I was happy to make it on the loop.
Despite that I took a big chunk off a couple of V70 segment records on the Strava :cool: , up a climb and down the other side. I am happy to bask in the glory, even if only 3 other V70 (strava) riders had ever been over there.
I think you're selling yourself short here, Graham. According to my mapping software, the climb peaks at 20.6 percent. The 1:25000 OS map gives it a double chevron (1:5 or steeper) at this point too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
For what it's worth, I would have sat down, stuck it in the 25T sprocket (the biggest I own), and attacked early on my 38t inner ring. The earlier you go, the more time you gain. If you leave it late there's a chance they will not lose much and, worse still, may catch you on the descent!
On rare occasions I slow down and have a chat with riders in a case like this. It depends a lot on how much I'd have to slow down, and if I'm feeling competitive. It doesn't happen often.
Last night's forecast was for 0 percent chance of rain and 10 degrees C at 09:00 this morning with cloudy sun. And what did we get? About 8 degrees and rain, lots of it.
Was a bit surprised that anyone else turned up at the meeting point, but there were 5 of us (which quickly became 4 when one man's tubeless tyre punctured and wouldn't hold air put into it). There was one guy who currently still races, two of us who used to race, and a guy younger than me built like a brick out-house. None of us with mudguards, or anything approaching substantially waterproof clothing.
After 4 miles of flat riding at speeds of over 20mph, on saturated roads with puddles over half the width of the road, I decided that discretion is the better part of valour (or something like that) and turned around. The other three continued on into the rain
It took longer to clean and dry the bike when I got back than I was actually riding it, and it's stopped raining now and it looks like the sun might come out :mad:
Thank you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
It was my son's Veloviewer data from when he did it. Perhaps he reduced it to 17% for me in case I got too full of myself?:)
If you suspect that your son might be downgrading your achievements, you could always get your own route mapping software. Here is what the free, and excellent, https://cycle.travel/map makes of it. Just select your start and end points and then click on the 'Mountain' icon to get the profile. Works on footpaths too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5094a5e4_b.jpg