The Beacon Message Board

Anyone out this eve?

Gary wrote:Anyone out this eve?

I will be and I'm sure a fair few others will be too.

A particularly nice ride this evening. Lovely, warm late summer's evening with a bit of adrenalin thrown in as the darkness drew in.
Dougie 'The Kingsheath Kamikaze' just taking the sprint ahead of Ian 'Tashkent Terror' Taylor.

Thanks for the company fellas.

Just to let everyone know we'll continue the Wednesday rides through the autumn and winter as last year, with (I hope) a sensible drop in pace and of course weather permitting. If there's ice around it's pipe and slippers.

Pedlo Mudguardo wrote:If there's ice around it's pipe and slippers.

A strange set of attire for the turbo?

And it has to be noted that the anti-clockwise through and off worked tonight all the way to the turn. This was the first time we have managed this without Matt '50 RPM' Regan banging it off the front! It was also done when it was getting a bit dark. Next week we'll have to do it again but keep it tighter.

Very enjoyable run last night gentelmen,
Mad init

It was for some reason one of my most enjoyable rides of the year, loved it last night. Oh and was quite quick again!

A most splendid edition last night, very enjoyable. Brilliant weather, nice relaxed atmosphere, good bunch of blokes and a spanking pace.

Compared with last summer we've been so lucky with conditions.

Won't be as nice tonight!

5 of the hardcore braved the rain last night. It must be said that the roads weren't too bad in the wet. Still managed 19+ average for the ride.
Got the winter bike out to do the ride, which is depressing, as the realisation stinks in that the summer looks over and all the dark, gloomy, wet nights are drawing in. Bollox!

Couldn't make last night... Hectic afternoon at work and a combination of no lights for my bike conspired against me....anyone got any advice re lights if I'm not willing to shell out £60+ on lezyne lights....

I went for lezyne power drive (i too thought £60+ was madness!) think you should be able to get for £40-50 it's v good but think super drive is def worth £59. Totally worth the cash as with anything less than powerdrive this ride in parts isn't safe (imho).

Mudguards for all as well is a good idea. Visability last night due to rain, spray and dark was v poor in places.

Despite the drastically different conditions it was a top ride though

ok. cheers mate... nic v's a n advocate of the lezyne's too... i'll check em out... you out sat morning?

I can't wait to use my new one!

Just bite the bullet, your saving on bottle cages lol

A few of is are doing this ride Saturday morning if anyone fancies joining, starting at half 8, may not be as quick as Wednesday but who knows!

What an eventful night that turned out to be, having had 2 **flat**s in quick succession and cleaned everyone out of long valved inner tubes It was time to call it quits approx 8 miles from home when I **flat**d for a 3rd time.

I'd like to thank all of the lads on the ride tonight for waiting and helping me out by giving me inner tubes. (Note to self, always check the valve size of a tube in the box when you buy it)!

It's definitely time for the Cross bike and chunkier tyres now.

Thanks to Andy Craddock for very kindly going home and returning with his car to pick me up.

Sorry about the crap car and rude boy exhaust (bought it like that) as you can see Id rather spend money on bike stuff than cars lol.

I think we should get toby to sort out the idea of a team car behind with wheels on the roof and everything

To add insult to injury I **flat**d on the way home. Had to walk that last bit as I didn't have any gas or a tube. Rob Tilling texted me later, he had a flat on the way back as well! 2 tubes, patches and winter tyres next week for defo.

Oh no, I'm so sorry Doug but truly grateful, you gave me you're last tube aswell. I owe you mate!

Defo going out next week fully tooled up, funny thing is no one will have a flat now?!

Nicks_77 wrote:
Defo going out next week fully tooled up

Its only a fun ride, no need to bring weapons

Doug what CO2 canisters are yours? Ill bring you a couple spares as I dont use them anymore.

Rode the route today in the daylight and no surprise people were getting ##flat## There is loads of crap on the surface and I ##**flat**d## just after Nicks first one. Then about a mile from the end noticed my other wheel had gone down, on inspection had a massive split in.

I would recomend ANYONE coming take off their summer tyres. If I can put plain black ones on that dont match (I am genuinely gutted now) then im sure others can.

Just a word of warning. Oh and Nick bring the right tubes

Getting into 'technical talk' territory but can I ask do contis gp4000s tyres count as winter tyres? I currently use year round. I've only had 3flats in 4years on them and two of those were after riding through glass

From the conti range I'd rather use 25mm GP 4 seasons for winter and 23mm GP4000s for summer.

I've just exhausted my stock of the discontinued Michelin Krylions and bought a pair of GP4 Seasons due to poor reports of Michelin's replacement.

Three people on our Saturday ride all suffered flats this morning, all using "summer" tyres.

While I rate the 4 Seasons very highly, I have to say that I rate the Vittoria Pave even higher. The ride quality is very impressive, if a touch on the expensive side.

That said I am also using the Michelin Krylon replacements, the Pro 4 Endurance on another set of wheels, and I am also very pleased and equally impressed with them.

Andy_Craddock wrote:Rode the route today in the daylight and no surprise people were getting ##flat## There is loads of crap on the surface and I ##**flat**d## just after Nicks first one. Then about a mile from the end noticed my other wheel had gone down, on inspection had a massive split in.

Alistair and I rode the route in reverse on Friday afternoon, just after the downpour that we had. That had caused a lot of debris to be on the road, but back on Wednesday I think I'm right in thinking that they were all pinch flats, so I think it's as much about slowing down a bit to avoid the potholes in the dark as it is about tyre choice.

Tim wrote:Getting into 'technical talk' territory but can I ask do contis gp4000s tyres count as winter tyres? I currently use year round. I've only had 3flats in 4years on them and two of those were after riding through glass

These are what I'm probably going for when I purchase some more. Had them on when first had the bike and only replaced to change for matching tyres

That's true Laurence, remember hearing nicks rims just hitting the holes. Not sure about the other guy that got one.

I use threaded bottles. I bought some extra on saturday.

Mine was a debris flat. I think it was all the smashed glass by the shops opposite Mc Ds.

I'm a big fan of Vittorias (rubino pros) or Huchinsons (anyone with Hard Skins). They are as good and usually cheaper than contis.

D

Anyone brave it tonight? Was going to but putting the bins out was a challenge. Will be back on it in the new year.

Anyone out tonight? Great weather for a few new year miles!

Actually don't think I will bother. The rain is now coming through the ceiling and dripping from a light fitting in the bedroom and coming under the kitchen door!!! Will research winter bikes and rollers instead

A wise decision Tim, good luck fixing the leak. I'm hoping to start attending the Wednesday rides next week.

Rob Tilling tells me he did the ride on his own last Wednesday. Of course, we only have his word on this and he can't make it tomorrow night. I intend to be outside the red lion unless the forecast rain is absolutely torrential at 6.45pm. Anyone else?

Rob is a truly hardcore individual, the weather once again was pants last Wednesday. It's been very frustrating over the last few weeks with the poor conditions, compared with last year when I think we only missed three rides during the entire winter period.

I'll be waiting on the weather tomorrow but if it's in any way reasonable I'll see you there Toby.
I need the miles as I appear to have entered a 305km audax.....

Dont forget to look out for a blue van in Lowsonford!

Too right Alan. Your recent experience has challenged my peaceful nature and I've had to deliberately refrain from commenting.
Our friend might think twice about engaging with a bunch of cyclists crazy enough to be out riding in the cold, wet, dark depths of winter even if they might be wearing tights.

Has anyone seen the film entitled Looking for Eric???

I can't make it tonight. Have a date with Jordan Rhodes on ITV

Tim wrote:I can't make it tonight. Have a date with Jordan Rhodes on ITV

Is that why he wasn't playing last night

Bit grim last night but on balance would rarther have the miles in the bank than not . 4 intrepid 'nutters' at the end

Ha ha. Nope he totally stood be up! Not even on the bench. Hands off Baggies! I should have been on the bike

Tim you made the right choice last night believe me. Matt, myself and Ben cut the ride short and only covered a 20mile loop. It was wet to say the least but as I couldn't see where I was going I could see it all going wrong.

Well done to the lads who completed the whole route.

First night back on a Weds ride & the weather was vile!

I did consider bailing when Nic, Matt & Ben did but figured I couldn't get any wetter than I already was so carried on.

Kudos to young James who rode with us on his first Weds night ride, a baptism of epic proportions.

My shoes will hopefully be dry by Sunday!

Who's mad enough to be out tonight??

Currently going through mental turmoil, I'll see how wet I get riding from work.

The rain is easing. Definitely. See you at 7

An excellent ride in average conditions.

Mad b#gg&^s
Chapeau

That's exactly what I was thinking whilst riding last night aswell Barry!

Does anyone know if the very large fallen tree just after Lowsonford has been shifted from the Wednesday route ?

Nick, just rode the Wednesday night route after work. Can confirm tree has gone.

Thanks Mark, got the message via Laurence earlier.
Apart from a couple of flats it was a nice ride this evening.

Apologies and thanks to the guys who waited and then turned back to look for me.