Urban75 Home About Offline BrixtonBuzz Contact

The Cycling Chat Thread

Some more:


So the last image gives some hints at a lot of the terrain - many sharp, slippy rocks, some sand. And sections of flat rock as in image 3... Coped pretty damn well with all of them. I'm running 700c 38s I think. Pos 40. Brain no work, can't be arsed to stand up and look. Too much pressure in them, but still managed everything. I can certainly see the advantage of 650B... But I'll stick with these for now, as I do like the fitness aspect of riding to where the trails are, and that has some nasty climbs (well, nasty for me). Overall it was fucking immense fun... There are some MTB trails in the same place, and I think I might give them a go next time.
is that near Mam Tor?
 
Gave the bike a scrub today, been a year or two so it's always a shock how much dirt actually comes off :facepalm:

Think I need a new chainset though, all looking bit worn
 
Interview with the guy who started it on Francis Cade's channel:



Fuck me... that has a clip of him getting pulled for smelling of weed. He's in full road gear... They barely look at the people he's with (who are white).
 
Last edited:
Well, first step might just be to pump them up now and leave overnight, see if it deflates. It's technically easy to change an inner tube. Technically. But it can be an absolute sod. And you need tire levers.



Well ive managed take the tyre off without breaking anything and have located a pretty obvious hole by the valve on the inner tube. Hopefully this repair kit does the trick. Thanks again
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cid
Well ive managed take the tyre off without breaking anything and have located a pretty obvious hole by the valve on the inner tube. Hopefully this repair kit does the trick. Thanks again

You should get a few spares in any case. It will say on the tire what size you need. Well, it’ll say the size of the tire anyway.
 
Just done 30 miles in 30 degree heat. I think I’ve lost about half a stone in weight.

riding the 5 miles back from work was bad enough, I don't enjoy cycling in this heat... it's better than walking though, which I had to do for the last half mile probably after getting a puncture... second in two weeks after two years of none, didn't find any reason last time so now I'm suspecting the wheel has an issue... also got a broken spoke on the front wheel so in for a service in a week. Possibly the wheels, which are the ones which came with the bike, need replacing, it's been three and a half years and they are bontrager wheels so idk, I'd think they'd last longer than that, I don't do huge numbers of miles, 50 miles/week commuting and maybe 10-20 visiting friends/going out/whatever. We'll see what they say at the service.
 
Spare repair kits, inner tubes or both?
I'm actually quite proud of myself, though I had to faff about getting the chain back on the wheel.

Well, dunno about repair kits. But definitely keep spare tubes - better for if you get a puncture out and about.
 
riding the 5 miles back from work was bad enough, I don't enjoy cycling in this heat... it's better than walking though, which I had to do for the last half mile probably after getting a puncture... second in two weeks after two years of none, didn't find any reason last time so now I'm suspecting the wheel has an issue... also got a broken spoke on the front wheel so in for a service in a week. Possibly the wheels, which are the ones which came with the bike, need replacing, it's been three and a half years and they are bontrager wheels so idk, I'd think they'd last longer than that, I don't do huge numbers of miles, 50 miles/week commuting and maybe 10-20 visiting friends/going out/whatever. We'll see what they say at the service.

If your spokes gone might be one of the others poking through?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cid
I'm absolutely bloody loving this whole cycling lark I have to say. Having had a little go on a friend's 2k gravel bike at the weekend, I've realised that my bike's a very heavy clunky old thing with shit brakes and er eccentric gears but like Emily with Bagpuss; I love him.

I reckon it's like wearing drag shorts when swim training though; if/when I get a modern bike, I'm going to be brilliant.

I've been toying with the idea of commuting by bike for years but never quite had the bottle....loads of reasons not to: I like sleeping; I don't want to arrive at work all knackered and sweaty; I've got too much to carry; it'll take too long; I'll probably die etc.

I've been riding to work for the last 3 or 4 weeks though. Obviously covid has played a part; less traffic; less need to be at work so early; less shit to carry. Also the weather's been great. I do arrive at work like a sweaty knacker but a change of clothes and a "Brit shower" as an Aus mate calls it (splash pits + spray down with right guard), and I'm ready. On a good day, I can stop gasping for breath and requiring immediate medical attention within about 20 minutes.

As Cid said upthread (and thanks again for the encouragement), the improvement is relatively quick. I finally got up a hill that's fucked with me on every commute yesterday. My legs were jelly and I considered stopping at the defibrillator by the shops but still. Other hills* that i couldn't get up 3 weeks ago I've realised aren't actually hills but just long slopes.

So yeh, cycling eh, brilliant.

Screenshot_20200624-194131_Guardian.jpg


*Hills that Northern posters would utterly piss themselves laughing at obviously :D
 
Last edited:
Interview with the guy who started it on Francis Cade's channel:



Fuck me... that has a clip of him getting pulled for smelling of weed. He's in full road gear... They barely look at the people he's with (who are white).

Yeah watched that too, it's completely mad. Inspirational guy who set the BCN up
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cid
Chances of you having anything are pretty low if you've been isolating right? And its not like you'll be breathing directly into anyone's face whilst cycling
I haven't been isolating. i read something about needing to keep 30ft away from others when cycling
 
I haven't been isolating. i read something about needing to keep 30ft away from others when cycling

30ft seems excessive to me and quite possibly said when things were at its peak? If the majority have been isolating surely risks must be lower. Maybe you can put it on as much as you can over the next two weeks.
 
30ft seems excessive to me and quite possibly said when things were at its peak? If the majority have been isolating surely risks must be lower. Maybe you can put it on as much as you can over the next two weeks.
it hasn't gone away! i'm wearing a mask outside the house for the foreseeable feature - i just hope the weather improves soon
 
Im actually quite pissed. Thought id located the one and only hole, so not sure why its deflating now? New inner tube?

I mean obviously I have no idea... but could be more than one hole, could be the repair wasn't perfect. When you change your tube, you should also run your hand around the inside of the tire and rim, in case there's a bit of glass or something floating about - that's a common cause of secondary punctures. I think - this was a while ago - I stopped using repair kits just because I had a couple that didn't quite work, and chasing down the problems didn't seem worth the money. But like I say, I've generally not punctured often... Decent tires help (though they are expensive), and good riding technique. E.g a couple of weeks ago I managed to get a cheap alu road bike just for use on my indoor trainer. Took it for a bit of a spin and after about 50 meters misjudged a kerb and popped the front tube. So yeah, pressure, technique and tire choice all play a part.
 
I mean obviously I have no idea... but could be more than one hole, could be the repair wasn't perfect. When you change your tube, you should also run your hand around the inside of the tire and rim, in case there's a bit of glass or something floating about - that's a common cause of secondary punctures. I think - this was a while ago - I stopped using repair kits just because I had a couple that didn't quite work, and chasing down the problems didn't seem worth the money. But like I say, I've generally not punctured often... Decent tires help (though they are expensive), and good riding technique. E.g a couple of weeks ago I managed to get a cheap alu road bike just for use on my indoor trainer. Took it for a bit of a spin and after about 50 meters misjudged a kerb and popped the front tube. So yeah, pressure, technique and tire choice all play a part.

Your input is much appreciated. Gonna have another look tonight and hope I find something. I did cycle along a particularly sharp, gravely path on Monday, with no particular technique whatsoever, so...

Edit: Bit in bold - after another water submerge, there is still air coming through the seal I put in earlier. Ill cover it up with the remaining stickers and check in the morning.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom