The Beacon Message Board

AlanW

Philip Whiteman wrote: ....but I am already booked into the 2013 Sanity Check Clinic.

Fixed it for you.

AlanW

George wrote:I suggest a diet of chips and Coke.

Did you say that to Mat.....

AlanW

Philip Whiteman wrote:A local GP informs me that she has treated local amateur riders taking sports enhancing drugs to improve their competitive chances. For obvious reasons, she did not say whom.

I had a steriod injection in my shoulder yesterday morning, should I now be banned from the next Newport session?

AlanW

Its not a problem that I have ever come across, mainly due to the fact that I never follow courses. But its a bit poor if you cannot turn the function off isnt it?

AlanW

Philip Whiteman wrote: I would certainly ride this route again, possibly at eye-balls out pace.

Why....whats the point?

As a Audax man thats really in the spirit of Audaxing is it, why not just enter a road race?

AlanW

Indeed a very pleasant ride out on the bike, even if I rode the whole event on my own, its a long story! :cry: I got back just before 1pm but went to the Scout hut thinking it was the finish as usual, but it wasnt! You should have seen the look on the old peeps faces that were sat in there when I bu...

AlanW

Could you answer me one small practical question: does the fitting kit include one mount or two? The blurb seems to suggest one, but the promo pictures appear to include two. Or am I interpreting separate bits of the same fixing as two fixings? I know that the bracket is much easier to swap from on...

AlanW

However, that is really the only thing which the 500 has, which the 200 doesn't have, and which I care about. You may be lucky and not need to use reading glasses, in which case the customisable screen may not be of such interest. But even so the screen is still not very clear to view once you are ...

AlanW

The difference in price between the 200 and 500 is smaller than £60-70, I think (have been researching this myself of late). The 500 is £139 here . Agreed, if you shop around the difference is no where near that. I seem to recall I bought mine from Handtec, and there was a on line offer on at the t...

AlanW

Personally, I think that I would opt for updating it to a newer, faster version. Alan, I think you're right. I was impressed by the set-up you had at Phil's audax, and am inclined to go for something similar. Most of the time, I ride on familiar roads and use my Garmin simply to record/display stra...

AlanW

Personally, I think that I would opt for updating it to a newer, faster version.

AlanW

Philip Whiteman wrote:Any suggestions on cake stops? Aside for expensive and twee Bibury and Boughton-on-the-Water, I cannot find any sensible alternatives en-route.

Sorry, I have never stopped but I may be interested if anyone else knows of any?

AlanW

We are not worthy, well done Gary.

AlanW

Anyone else entered - THIS

AlanW

The toughest is the ascent of Belas Knap at the start I thought. It is quite tough not only because this climb is so soon after the start, but there is usually a large number of riders all together in one big group on a very narrow section of road. As it gets steeper towards the summit, some of the...

AlanW

You should be fine if you ride at your own pace and don't get drawn into riding with others that are faster than you are. But rest assured that there will always be someone slower than you for what ever reason. While it is not a particularly hilly event, it is very much up and down with a couple of ...

AlanW

HAZBRO wrote:is their an age limit to enter an event?

Actual age or mental age.....?

AlanW

Andy Terry wrote:Don't bin that triple, you might be glad of it when you get a bit older

Don worry, I have no plans to bin my triple. The compact is for one of my other bikes just to give it a bit more flexibilty and the compact route was the cheapest way to do it.

AlanW

THIS explains it all very well, plus a gear calculator.

But THIS gear calculator is nice and easy.

AlanW

Is it just me or is there anyone else who just doesnt get the gear ratios!?! Ive read articles on it in bike magazines, Alistair from BCC tried to explain it to me a few years back (he said go for a compact), have read this thread. And I still dont get the numbers! I had the dilema when getting my ...

AlanW

I see you took a couple of Strava KOMs - can't be bad. :lol: Both KOMs back to back within about 1/2 mile of each other and after a 50 mile ride to. I was going for a third. but as I turned the corner and started to wind it up, a flipping tractor appeared in the middle of the road cutting the hedge...

AlanW

Well in the end curiosity got the better of me and I bought a 50/34 compact chain set. :oops: I fitted it last night together with a 12/27 10sp cassette and I have just tried it out this morning on a 55 mile spin out. I have to say I have rather taken to it, although that said I'm not to sure what I...

AlanW

Thursday I visited 3 shops in search of new chains for Ultegra and 105 equipped bikes. When I came to fit the Ultegra one I found that the spec has changed since I last changed them and the new CN-6701 chains are not recommended for triples. Neither is CN 5701. I'll have to take them back and searc...

AlanW

Philip Whiteman wrote:Having heard you mention this event on various occasions, I have sent off an entry form. Better be good or else.

You will enjoy it, trust me.

Tip, if the weather has been bad or it is raining on the day, avoid the wooded section at the end!

AlanW

Starting from Winchcombe, this is a great little Audax that I have ridden for more years than I care to recall. Fair amount of climbing for a short event at 1750m, but the scenery is really worth the effort, honestly. More details and entry form - HERE Route details - HERE But this is for reference ...

AlanW

Having been the first entry to the Sunrise and Snowdrop Express for the past two years, Alan Weaver has lost the number one slot for 2013. The first entry was received yesterday! However, Alan will be relieved to learn that the revised route for next year will still incorporate a passage over Pries...

AlanW

On the flip side, I would 100% recommend using a proper specific turbo tyre, as it is a much softer compound, and will therefore not require as much tension between the tyre and the turbo trainer shaft. Two advantages here:- 1) With less friction it 'rolls' much better and feels more realistic to ri...

AlanW

I had the exact same problem but I went with the GP2 version about 2 years ago.

Hey presto.....no more numb fingers.

AlanW

Didn't there used to be a four leaf version once, as I'm sure that I rode it? In saying that I didn't finish it, as the weather was crap and the fact that we kept returning back to the HQ was to much of a temptation to DNF, which I did :oops: I remember the first few miles going up Snowshill so well...

AlanW

Tried different pedals Different shoes Another bottom bracket Removed and greased all the chain ring bolts Greased both wheel Q/Rs Checked cones and greased on both wheels Tried another set of wheels Removed and greased the headset, stem and handlebars Removed and greased the seat post and saddle D...

AlanW

Good to hear you've fixed it Alan, I imagine it was driving you quietly mad. I think if I'd have gone to those lengths and not resolved it I would have invested in some ear plugs I dont think that I have ever been so frustrated to be honest, which was probably why I ended up sitting on the garage f...

AlanW

For the last couple of weeks on every down stroke of the left hand crank when I am stood up there is a creaking noise? The noise was seemingly coming from the bottom bracket area and it made sense that it could be the bottom bracket bearing creaking when under load. So I replaced the bottom bracket ...

AlanW

martin mc wrote: Good luck in your quest to get them back Alan (ps sorry but i think i may be guilty for one of your lost titles

Yes you are Martin and certainly no need to apologise, as you say its all part of the fun trying to get it back again. But you have raised the bar you swine......

AlanW

Andy Terry wrote:I know someone (not local) who has been known to travel onto a mate's 'manor' to steal their KOMs.

To be fair, I think that we are all probably guilty of doing that at some point.

AlanW

Well done guys, as you will have seen I failed at only 54% complete. :cry: But as we were we going on holiday on the 21st July the plan was to ride down to Tenby and meet up with the family, which would have put me somewhere nearer to required amount of climbing in order to complete ithe challenge. ...

AlanW

Shirley, as others have suggested, the wise choice depends on what you'll use the bike for and where rather than any calculation or aesthetic consideration. Yes, but you have to do the calculations first in order to understand the comparisons. In truth I really think that I don't "need" one, but as...

AlanW

... will give me 33.1” bottom... What will I shelter behind? :wink: Cheeky. I use a triple on my winter bike and agree with Steve that it's very comfortable in the middle ring. On my best bike, it's a 50/36 compact. Like Paul, I spend most of my time in the big ring, particularly now I've fitted a ...

AlanW

My thoughts entirely Andy, but have you tried one?

Interesting read HERE

AlanW

Let me start by saying that for audax events I love my triple chain set (sometimes a 28T but mainly 30/39/52) as it gives me the range I require both at the top and bottom. Furthermore I can maintain a smooth cadence thanks to a fairly close ratio on the 10sp cassette, either 12/23 or 12/25. So my n...

AlanW

It was indeed a great evening entertainment, some very fast paced racing. Quite surprised not to see more local cyclists watching it? Top marks to Redditch RRPCC for organising it, but it needed more marshals ideally to help control some of the local drunken clowns as the evening progressed. :evil:

AlanW

Grogz wrote:Great day, thanks George and team. And the company was excellent, too! Oh, and I think I've fixed my front derailleur...until next time.

Dont forget to give your Nan her surgical stocking back Greg.

AlanW

CakeStop wrote:Thanks to George, Family and all helpers - another great day out on the bike.

What Steve said, oh yes........

Outstanding company today, thanks for a great day out chaps.

AlanW

Pedlo Mudguardo wrote:Myself, Matt and Ian will be riding together. It would be great to have you with us - if you can stand the bad jokes

I don't wish to worry you Nic, but according to the list that George has just posted, your down to ride the Expedition?

AlanW

Pedlo Mudguardo wrote:Myself, Matt and Ian will be riding together. It would be great to have you with us - if you can stand the bad jokes

Thanks Nic, looking forward to it, and the bad jokes I think?

AlanW

Are we going to organise a group like we did on the Sunrise/Snowdrop Express or is it every one for themselves?

AlanW

So.....after playing around, I can create a new course in bikeroutetoaster and with the appropriate boxes ticked it will automatically add direction course points. Tried it this morning and it worked really well. I can also import a pre made track as a .gpx file and then export it as a .tcx file, al...

AlanW

Sorry. I don't use turn by turn routing. I'm happy just following the yellow brick road :) ... http://andyterry.com/images/garmin1.jpg Neither do I as I tend to follow my purple line. However, I am curious to see if adding direction course points will improve my ride, but the novelty factor is rapi...

AlanW

I have found bikeroutetoaster.com site to be quite reliable for downloads to both file and my edge 900 gps. It recommends a .tcx file download for the Garmin edge units and it is capable of uploads and downloads in both .tcx and .gpx, so maybe you could try your file on this site to see if you get ...

AlanW

Andy Terry wrote: Would be interested to hear how this gpx looks when loaded into athe Edge 500 given the mapping capability (or lack of) equates to my old eTrex and the Forerunner 305.

http://andyterry.com/misc/test.gpx

It wouldn't load for what ever reason, but you could open it in EasyGPS?

AlanW

Andy Terry wrote:don't know for Edge 500 but Vista HCx can hold 1,000 waypoints

Bear with me, but aren't waypoints and course points slightly different things, ie a course point contains more detail? And as such files containing course points should ideally be in a .tcx format?

The Beacon Message Board

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