Search found 30 matches

by Mattoid
14 Mar 2011 12:41
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Frame respray
Replies: 12
Views: 6549

AlanW wrote:Mercian Cycles maybe?
Though they would of course do a top job, i fear i would be paying far more for that than i will be for the powder coating at Bournes!
by Mattoid
13 Mar 2011 00:49
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Frame respray
Replies: 12
Views: 6549

Good to hear positive feedback regarding Bournes, i have been meaning to visit them for a quote. I very much doubt that they would lug line though (!) - can anyone recommend someone who would carry out finishing details?? Ta.
by Mattoid
02 Feb 2011 13:16
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

Ride Journal issue 5 is out. Get it! www.theridejournal.com

Another nice production, Boneshaker magazine www.boneshakermag.com - issue 4 coming soon, issue 1 available as pdf download.
by Mattoid
28 Jan 2011 09:20
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Learning to ride a fixed wheel
Replies: 24
Views: 11209

Re: Learning to ride a fixed wheel

Dave Cox wrote:Keeping going through potholes or blowouts looks to be the biggest challenge.
Brain needs to be engaged when tackling speed humps too!
by Mattoid
29 Oct 2010 08:51
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: dhb winter tops
Replies: 16
Views: 7297

Neil, if you have a spare £20, why dont you order both and then send back the one you do not want. I have applied this process a few times and have found Wiggle pretty quick in refunding.
by Mattoid
01 Sep 2010 09:17
Forum: Pro Racing
Topic: Laurent Fignon
Replies: 3
Views: 4027

Sad news indeed. The Professor was one of my cycling heroes as a teenager, and i wore my Systeme U top with pride. He stuck to his guns which certainly rocked many a boat, but that only added to his distinguishing character. Hard working, on and off the bike, his palmares is lengthy aswell as his bu...
by Mattoid
13 May 2010 13:19
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

...and back to cycling literature...

In prep for the release of issue 4 of The Ride Journal on the 31st of this month, issue 2 is now available as a free PDF download.

http://www.theridejournal.com/index.html
by Mattoid
20 Apr 2010 16:51
Forum: Audaxes & Cyclosportives
Topic: Audax Digest
Replies: 105
Views: 892347

Re: Shenstone 160km “Derbyshire Dalesâ€￾

CakeStop wrote:Shenstone 160km “Derbyshire Dalesâ€￾

Mid-late April
Route sheet accurate but poorly formatted and without distances
Controls at Village Halls in Ipstones & Wyaston plus 2 info controls. Coffee & cakes only at controls – take extra food or get some in Hartington, nice cafe down hill just off route apparently.
1680m climbing. Long hill towards & beyond first control plus further long hills in middle section across Peak National Park.
A bit monotonous from Yoxall back to Lichfield on fairly busy roads otherwise mainly quiet roads – section through Peak National Park particularly scenic.
Take care on steep descent towards Lower Tean, tight bend half way down, I nearly went off-road.
Starts at village hall - parking at train station or near local shops
Other distances 102km & 213km
Was equally surprised to find route sheet without distances. Bikehike + Excel soon resolved this.
Due to slight route change only 1 info control.
A tad hairy sharing some roads in the Dales with sunday morning motorbikers.
Not too challenging a route, 3rd section pancake like.
Surprised to see Steve use 'cakes only' as a negative :wink:
by Mattoid
12 Apr 2010 09:23
Forum: Audaxes & Cyclosportives
Topic: Audax Digest
Replies: 105
Views: 892347

Re: Leominster 122km "Welsh Marches"

Leominster 122km "Welsh Marches" Mid April Start @ Monkland Village Hall Well organised with good food at start & finish - good cafe controls. Clear & accurate route sheet. Lumpy first section to Grosmont. Middle section includes climb of Gospel Pass to the second stop at Hay on Wye. Beautiful pano...
by Mattoid
29 Mar 2010 14:27
Forum: Audaxes & Cyclosportives
Topic: Audax Digest
Replies: 105
Views: 892347

Re: Picklescott 102km "Long Mynd 2000"￾

CakeStop wrote:Picklescott 102km "Long Mynd 2000"￾

Late March / early April
Good route sheet
Control at Bishops Castle café plus four roadside controls
Briefly into Wales - over Kerry Ridgeway to Sarn and then back to Anchor
Big climbs start middle & end - 1880m total
Don't hang around at start - first control after 10km with steep climbs
Also best not to stop too long in Bishops Castle - long climb to 3rd control
Long mainly descending section after 3rd control
Route varies taking either Asterton Bank or Burway up to Long Mynd
Start at village hall - parking tight but alternative parking signed
Other distances: 59km
Steve says it all really, nothing has really changed, just thought i would add my personal experiences :-
This is a hard event; do not be fooled by the 102km distance. Totally underestimated it and fell apart dramatically on The Burway (walked part). Ok, 4 hours sleep the previous night was not the best prep. Shame it rained day before making some descents even more dangerous with gravel and mud. Road side controls had excellent home made food available. Hard as all the climbing is, the rewarding views over this beautiful part of the country sooth the pain momentarily!
Recommended for its shockability!
by Mattoid
10 Feb 2010 08:50
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: long fingered racing gloves.
Replies: 14
Views: 9026

A good question Adrian. I used a pair of Endura Full Monty gloves last year, but as they and many long fingered gloves are MTB specific, the padding design does not cater for the multi hand positions of drop bars, so i found them uncomfortable on long rides. So i suggest trying on pairs in shops rat...
by Mattoid
04 Feb 2010 13:55
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

Bradley Wiggins - In Pursuit of Glory I dont usually follow professional cycling, only getting my annual fixation via the TdF showdown. Last years certainly got my attention when the newly christened Twiggo caught many an armchair professional cyclist unawares. I will never forget the clip of him '...
by Mattoid
04 Feb 2010 13:14
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

CakeStop wrote:I don't suppose anybody has a copy of "A Peiper's Tale" that I could borrow do they?
Had a copy for Chrimble, Steve. Nearly finished, will bring it to Brecon.
by Mattoid
20 Nov 2009 16:24
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Wrong tool for the job?
Replies: 19
Views: 12389

Thanks for all comments and observations. There is certainly a lesson learnt in buying particular parts second hand (and not know exactly what i am buying :oops: )
The thing now is to get it sorted, as i miss it!
by Mattoid
18 Nov 2009 09:37
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Wrong tool for the job?
Replies: 19
Views: 12389

You do usually need shorter bolts though. Is it possible that you used the double bolts and there was consequently a bit of play, leading to fatigue? Otherwise, maybe it was just a defective ring, and would have happened regardless of the set-up. I had no choice but to install shorter bolts. The ch...
by Mattoid
17 Nov 2009 19:30
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Wrong tool for the job?
Replies: 19
Views: 12389

is that a 1/18 chain on a 3/32 chainring? Good question Paul, i really dont know :oops: is that a known cause for this type of failure? I'm amazed, I didn't realise that the inner ring was so important in maintaining the strength of the chainset. Hope you were'nt hurt My dads engineering knowledge ...
by Mattoid
17 Nov 2009 12:58
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Wrong tool for the job?
Replies: 19
Views: 12389

Wrong tool for the job?

http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/gallery/members/pgcs.jpg A little problem i had on my commute to work last week. For winter duty, i have converted my original steel steed into a single speed so not to worry too much about maintenance. Keeping cost down i have used the existing chainwheel and just remov...
by Mattoid
31 Oct 2009 20:25
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

Trying to think of some way we could collect the various books we've read into a club library for people to dip into, but can't come up with a solution as to where it would be kept in order to be accessible... Never mind. Nice idea, Lisa. I too am short on thoughts of how to pool the books, but at ...
by Mattoid
06 Oct 2009 21:16
Forum: Audaxes & Cyclosportives
Topic: Audax Digest
Replies: 105
Views: 892347

Upton Magna "Discovering Shropshire" 118km

Upton Magna "Discovering Shropshire" 118km Late September (Sun 27th 09) Organised by John Hamilton Clear and accurate route sheet One checkpoint - The Bicycle Hub, Ironbridge (card stamp only, no refreshments) Two Controls - Rays Farm and Acton Scott Farm (free drink at each) HQ excellent - drinks ...
by Mattoid
26 Jun 2009 08:33
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Another miracle cure for the saddle bag
Replies: 8
Views: 5453

does anyone here actually carry Sudocream with them for saddle sores? I have heard this too. After suffering saddle sore for the first time on the Etape Caledonia (though i think the early rain contributed) i thought i'd best take precautions for the 200k audax. So i tried out DZNuts and had no pro...
by Mattoid
26 Jun 2009 08:17
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Saddles
Replies: 19
Views: 11676

Agree totally with above comments regarding differing anatomy and overall bike set up. Its a toughy to get right and can cause discomfort in the rear and the wallet when trying to solve. In an ideal world the saddle would be a try before you buy (for many miles) item. I have been using a Charge Spoo...
by Mattoid
29 May 2009 12:51
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

"The Man Who Cycled World" by Mark Beaumont Not a review (yet), but a notice that this was published last week. I thoroughly enjoyed the series, which was only a snap shot of his amazing feat, so look forward to getting the full 'story'. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Man-Who-Cycled-World/dp/0593062337/ref...
by Mattoid
05 Apr 2009 21:16
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

The Ride is a magazine. But don't be put off. It's not like any other cycling magazine you ever read. The articles are written by people passionate about the sport, from all over the world from the lowly club member to world champions. What they have in common is that they bring an insight into ele...
by Mattoid
02 Apr 2009 13:20
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

Rough Ride? not sure if it would be everyones cup of tea. Indeed. An uncomfortable read at times, as PK's dreams of becoming a pro were certainly broken as he discovered what was potentially required to compete with the best. He felt cheated, not by the pro peleton, but by the system, and as we all...
by Mattoid
02 Apr 2009 12:58
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

Lisa, you can borrow my copy of... Long Cloud Ride Josie Dew Another one in the series of books by Josie recording her worldly travels by velo. This time around New Zealand. For me, this was a good read as it brought back many memories of travelling around this wonderful country nearly 10 years ago ...
by Mattoid
20 Mar 2009 12:40
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

Tomorow We Ride - Jean Bobet . A great book about 2 brother riding Paris-Roubaix. Its quite hard to find but is well worth reading. i have had this in my amazon wishlist for a while, after reading Brian Palmers positive review over at http://www.thewashingmachinepost.net/archive/archivepost271.html...
by Mattoid
13 Mar 2009 12:00
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Chain + Freewheel
Replies: 24
Views: 13529

GrahamGamblin wrote:Haven't bought from SJS myself before but I believe they are okay.
Cannot fault SJS - i have bought many items from them including a frame, and most recently my new Thorn Audax! They have a vast, varying selection of kit, and the customer service whilst selecting the Thorn was excellent.
by Mattoid
12 Mar 2009 10:24
Forum: Technical Talk
Topic: Chain + Freewheel
Replies: 24
Views: 13529

Unfortunately, i am clueless on your chain problem... I have come across the website before Neil, whilst surfing for various products, but i have not purchased from them. i wouldnt have any issues buying from them, but take note on the delivery - they only post to address where credit/debit card is ...
by Mattoid
09 Oct 2008 13:48
Forum: Pro Racing
Topic: Lance comeback
Replies: 327
Views: 3274608

As he is such a nice man, they are bending the rules for him now...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 641299.stm
by Mattoid
26 Aug 2008 19:19
Forum: Cafe Stop
Topic: A great read
Replies: 153
Views: 2976553

Some residents of my bookshelf.... Put Me Back On My Bike - In Search of Tom Simpson William Fotheringham Probably goes without saying that this is an essential read, if not only about the man himself, but to be educated about the history of drugs in cycling. In Search of Robert Millar Richard Moore...