The Beacon Message Board

Si-D

Went out yesterday on a bit of an epic journey from Stratford down into the heart of Cotswalds country. To ensure a complete change of scenery and allow me to venture out much further than usual I threw the bike in the car and drove down to Stratford Greenway. Free parking only 2 miles out of town, ...

Si-D

Brilliant & entertaining write up John. Captured the torment just right!! I've shared it on my Facebook page, hope you don't mind. Reading your previous blog about your ongoing battle with the LMTT was also a great read. There truly is something special about this event which attracts us back for mo...

Si-D

Which end is it unravelling from Phil?? I'd never attempted it until recently, and followed a guy on YouTube and got it reasonably right 1st time. One big thing which affects things is the direction of the wrap. I can't remember off the top of my head but switching the direction at the point you wra...

Si-D

Pop in and see Ben at Venture Bikes on Pershore Rd, Stirchley - he's meant to be a very good wheel builder.

Si-D

Cheers Paul. Just ordered one too free!!

Si-D

Excellent stuff!!

All sorted. I now have full mapping detail within Training Centre & Mapsource.

Thank you Steve.

Si-D

Thanks for this info Steve. I had a go at loading up a spare micrSD Card with the updated map, and after a bit of tweaking, have that working on my 705. Whether it will accurately follow my existing routes we'll have to wait and see, but there appears to be more detail on the map (contours/canal det...

Si-D

Good one Dave! I bought a classic bike horn from a shop in town last year and attached it to my MTB for those trips on the canals/River Rea Valley etc, and it certainly brought some amused chuckles and startled pedestrians as I rode by giving it a good old comedy 'honk-honk'! :o I lost it at V Fest ...

Si-D

I'm currently using a pair of CASTELLI Long Fingered Gloves. Very lightweight (in comparison to the thicker, bulkier winter gloves you can get) but warm enough for most winter rides at training pace. http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C0340 http://www.probikekit.com/_img_500x640/C0340.jpg

Si-D

Hi Steve.
The site asks for gpx files, but my Garmin stores my routes as a tcx file.
What to do??

Si-D

I use the Continental Ultra Gotor Duraskins throughout the winter months. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Continental_Ultra_Gator_Duraskin_Road_Tyres/5300002585/ Made the switch to 25's too this year and it's amazing how much more comfy they are to ride on. Nice and grippy too. Oh, and so far, nev...

Si-D

Incidentally, does anyone know whether I could use a bike-specific GPS such as Garmin 705 for walking (off-road), if I purchased the appropriate mapping? Can you use the same unit , but load different mapping onto it for different uses? Should be fine with the 705. Apart from it having every functi...

Si-D

The really, really, important point is to never attempt to take the shifter apart Never a more true word spoken. Risk this at your peril. ...have to also agree there! I had problems with my 'simple' indexed bar end shifters on my TT Bike and decided to undo the nut which holds them together. Severa...

Si-D

I absolutely love my Garmin 705! Buy the package which comes with the pre-loaded memory card with all the mapping data. That has every single lane in the entire UK. I use it for navigation on audaxes & sportives, and make up my own routes which are easily downloaded to the device. It's great for log...

Si-D

GrahamGamblin wrote:Birmingham City Cycles has a bum-measuring stool as well.

He'll probably try and sell you one!!

Si-D

I've been using the Specialized BodyGeometry 'AVATAR' saddle on both my MTB & Road Bike for a while now. It has that wierd cut-out in the middle, which really does help relieve that numb-knob syndrome. There's also a nice gel padding, and it's available in 3 different widths. Pop into Speeds, or the...

Si-D

cm59 wrote:made a difference in the time trial

...it made almost 3 whole minutes difference Chris!!

Amazing ride mate, well done.

Si-D

Not in any way cheap I'm afraid, but probably one of the best, lightest, and most adjustable clip-ons around -
http://www.tri-1st.co.uk/product_PROFILESTRYKE.htm

Si-D

I also swear by the use of the ASSOS Creme (or 'minty arse lard' as I heard it called once!) Rubbing it into the Chamois after each wash, and applying direct to the skin before your ride. If your shorts have a seam thats a bit rough and rubbing you then I'm not sure whether any amount of 'lube' will...

Si-D

No tips on alternatives, but I purchased the EXPOSURE RACE MAXX2 (the 2 bulbed version) and it's pretty damn impressive!! Extremely bright, and extremely lightweight. You get 3 power settings, the brightest just strong enough to light an unlit lane safely enough to navigate. There's an extra, really...

Si-D

Interesting site Phil.
On the same subject - what was the name of that training book you recommended at the weekend??

Thanks.
Si.

Si-D

WHOA!!!!
Have you seen the profile of that 1st one??!!

Look like good routes tho, I'd be up for 'em.

By the way, what's a 'permanent'??

Si-D

On the subject of using Tubulars - I've just realised I have absolutely NO idea how to change one!!! My TT Bike has them, but I've never seen one until now, let alone tried replacing/fitting one! I presume there's a special technique? And what the chuff do you do if you **flat**?? :shock: Are they a...

Si-D

A-ha!
The Beacon Cotswold Expedition.
It's in my diary.

For a minute there I thought it may have been this years alternative to The Malverns?

Si-D

Hope to be testing the new bike the end of next week it is now being assembled by Gavin & Ross at Speeds decided to go for Vittoria Crono Evo CS Tubs looking forward to riding it with this steep seat angle 78%which might tak a while to adapt to 8) Me too! I bagged myself a Planet X off ebay last we...

Si-D

CakeStop wrote:And here's an example route http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=3777

Steve, is that your next B Run??!!

Think I'm busy that weekend.

Si-D

Ringo wrote:there's a new contender....

http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?ty ... 27&ID=2191

Looks like they've head butted an abandoned wasps nest!!

On the subject of helmets I need to get one of those wierd, pointy ones for use in TT's.
Any recommendations??

Si-D

Does everyone use 23's for winter/training use, or are 25's a better choice??

Si-D

I have the Specialized 2D Lid - it's extremely light and comfy, so much so it doesn't feel like you're really wearing one.
You can still pick up the '08 model, in red.
I think the S-Works came in a nice red & black combo, and I'm sure I've seen a Beaconite sporting one.

Si-D

The set I was looking at are Clinchers, and have the alloy braking surface. I'd be using them to replace my existing Ultegra wheels on my Specialized Roubaix, for anything from Club Runs and training rides, to Sportives and Time Trials. Hoping to do some more Time Trials this year, but can't afford ...

Si-D

Anyone got any reservations about these wheels before I part with £500??

http://www.pro-lite.net/index.php?optio ... &Itemid=49

Si-D

I live in a mid-terrace, and don't have a shed/garage, so my Turbo Trainer has to go in the front room. The problem is the noise it produces on my wooden floor, and a not-so-friendly neighbour. Only just started using one, and I've been searching the internet for a good shock absorbing/vibration dea...

Si-D

Yeah, that's fair comment, it probably should of read 'the media' instead of 'him',
tho I'm sure he'll still use it to his advantage for the aforementioned reasons.

Si-D

First of all I do like Lance, what he has achieved is pretty amazing stuff. I also see why he annoys people too - his overconfident, cocky ameriCAN attitude, and total devotion to only The Tour for starters. But does anyone else think he's been secretly locked away in his garage for the last 18 mont...

Si-D

I agree Neil.

Providing he doesn't sign to Astana we could see a Lemond/Fignon style battle between him and Contador.

How good would that be??!!

Si-D

Thanks Fred. I definitely feel another expensive purchase coming on soon! Just one more question: What mapping software is it compatible with? ie what do you use on your PC to actually set up a route you want to do? I currently have Memory Map, which is as detailed as any OS Map, and is great for dr...

Si-D

Fred, interesting list of functions on the Garmin. I've been toying with getting either the 605 or 705 for ages now. The main uses I'd want it to perform well at is a pre-planned route. Although I do love 'exploring' the country lanes and finding new routes by getting temporarily lost, I would find ...

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