Author Topic: Bicycles , ebikes , dirty pics and other stuff. (Read 39676 times)

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #120 on:** April 27, 2025, 19:03:10 »

Great photos there lads.
I had intended to get out on the bike this weekend (possibly using the Strom to go to Sherwood Pines) but sadly didn't pay off.
I did join a Garmin ride 20hrs in April challenge which will double the amount of riding I've done this year....

nigel s · « **Reply #121 on:** April 28, 2025, 04:57:09 »

Uk _Vstrom650,
Good luck with the challenge. Not heard of that so looked it up, seems a good way to focus the mind and keep it interesting

Rixington43,
Upside down forks ...nice , not seen that before on a mountain bike..

Your partners grin on that berm says it all, having a great time

Ho Hum

Rixington43 · « **Reply #122 on:** April 28, 2025, 09:15:06 »

If you think being upside down is odd then wait til you see the other side 🤣.
To be honest, this bike is too small for me and a bit of a nostalgia project that's swallowed a few quid over the years but I've wanted to try a 'Lefty' since I first saw them back in the 90s. Always starts a conversation....

nigel s · « **Reply #123 on:** April 28, 2025, 17:16:52 »

Love it . I can see why you take good care of it, bit special that . It could well end up being one of those bikes that will be worth more in time

Sizing is a problem for the taller gent. Some shops don't even stock the larger sizes ,yet advertise them

I was lucky with the gasgas , I am just at the upper edge at 6 foot 4 for the large I got. The XL they had went up to 7 foot

Both would fit me but the chances of selling the XL on later is slim, only 10%

of the population will fit it , and how many of them are looking for a bike ?
Another one of the problems of being someone that is not needing a step ladder often

Ho Hum

nigel s · « **Reply #124 on:** May 04, 2025, 15:13:49 »

Out on the gasgas again today, I started with a small detour to avoid the cut hawthorn hedges causing a puncture last time out. Paranoid...me...yep.
Rode over to near Wroxham and joined the Bure Valley Path that follows the small gauge railway to Aylsham. Some different sculptures as mile markers from those on Marriots Way that heads in the other direction.
Bit tight going on some sections due to overgrown hedges and wide handlebars, caught the bar ends a few times.
Lots of new fangled gravel bikes about...My boss has just got one....nice enough, but bit of a fad?? don't know?
Not been allowed to ride / crash his yet ... he knows me too well

As I rode into Aylsham the 12.00 was about to pull out , so had a snout round.
Looks like an old steam engine ( it is indeed steam ) , but chatting to one of the engineers is only 31 years old . Turns out he also had a E Mountain bike so we had a good natter as the train pulled out.
Across town to Weavers Way ( another railway , this time unused ) took me back home.
56 miles, windy , some showers and a bit dull all told , but nice out....And no punctures

Ho Hum

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #125 on:** May 07, 2025, 10:00:54 »

Yesterday was the first ride of May, 10 mile loop on the hardtail mtb. Discovered a new gravel path so did a bit of exploring but was short on time so will have to revisit.
Annoyingly I'd forgot to take the Garmin cycle computer so had to stop to check the phone for time/route etc which was a pain as couldn't go too far. Won't be making that mistake again.
Next week is a planned Peaks ride with some lads from work, so will be setting the Strom up for carrying the bike again.

nigel s · « **Reply #126 on:** July 19, 2025, 05:49:03 »

Heavy rain, thunder storms and maybe hail forecast in the East today.

So...

Out on the Gasgas at 3 am...ish...to get some two wheel time in . I could have used the CRF but didn't want to break the quiet feel to the day ?
The Cateye torch ( technically too bright to be legal on the road

) came into its own.
Some of the bridges across the trail , even with the torch, have to be taken with care , but all part of the fun.
Getting lighter as I came down the Coastal Path Trail for a stop near the lighthouse to watch the sunrise.
Dead calm sea..... no wind .....silent......bar the Rooks clattering in the church behind me.
I could see the promised thunderhead rolling up but stayed till it was near on top of me.
Glad I did. Got to see the seals playing. They seemed more intent on having fun than raiding the crab pots I could see flashing with their locator lights further out.
Twelve miles back home , a bit more road but still some trail ( it is actually quicker taking a 50/ 50 route than an all road one from there ) to make time before the rain hit. Lost 10 mins stopped listening to a pair of Skylarks , worth it....
Made it home dry ......I am set for whatever the day throws at me now.....

Ho Hum

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #127 on:** July 20, 2025, 00:18:47 »

Well done Nigel. Wish I had time to get up at 3am for a ride. Been a while since I did some night riding - last time was a few laps around Sherwood Pines red route at 9pm.

I intended to go out on the bike today but with the heavy rain and the bikes still being in my neighbours' garages, it was too much faff to get it out so ended up going for a walk instead.

nigel s · « **Reply #128 on:** August 02, 2025, 12:39:44 »

Blowing a hoolie , and wet with it, here. So did the obvious thing and took the gasgas out to checkout some Resticted Byways I spotted following a combine harvester slowly in Ludham , on the Broads, in the company van. I don't mind being stuck behind them when I get paid to

Quick check on the council highways site revealed a fair network of them I can cheekily connect with the odd footpath ( wern't me guv

)
35 miles odd, scratched to buggery by brambles, stung to shit by nettles...... don't have to worry about THEM on the CRF .
Did I get wet....yep...did I care nope... having too much fun.
30 mph head wind....I and my E bike laugh ..laugh I say ..at your 30 mph headwind....

Leap in the bath now to wash the mud off, some tcp on the scratches and get a beer on for the footy later...that's me done for the day..

Ho Hum

nigel s · « **Reply #129 on:** August 03, 2025, 14:46:19 »

Woke up this morning and not feeling it for a ride on an ICE bike

Rare for me.. but happens...
Out again on the Gasgas ,50 odd miles ,this time joining up some of yesterdays paths with the Marshes and then byways to Sea Palling , then tracks back home.
Itching to do some of them on the CRF...but no ..that would be ILLEGAL

Two days in a row...I have a feeling I will be a touch stiff tomorrow.

Ho Hum

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #130 on:** August 03, 2025, 18:47:35 »

You certainly are a dedicated cyclist, nice way to see the countryside too.

Rixington43 · « **Reply #131 on:** August 07, 2025, 20:23:30 »

Having been a bit slack on pedaling the last few years due to a combination of petrol powered 2 wheeling and general life getting in the way, it was 'nice' to get out for 20 or so miles round the Peaks in the evening sunshine.
My legs however are not what the used to be, still, progress and fun.

Rixington43 · « **Reply #132 on:** August 12, 2025, 20:35:13 »

Out again since the missus is at a gig and I had a free evening.
31 miles out to Rother Valley and back, damn was it warm.
Time for a cold shower and an ice cream I think.

Asmith61 · « **Reply #133 on:** August 31, 2025, 20:47:13 »

So I haven’t Rode my pushbike since I had my knee operation. ( 3 years ago )
So yesterday got it out from the back of the garage, and pumped up the tyres the rear would not take any Air, took out the tube and it had a big split in it.
So a visit to Halfords new Tube £4. Tyres still in good condition so all ready to go. Only a ride up and down our Road at first, and my knee felt OK so I will ease my self back in to it.

nigel s · « **Reply #134 on:** September 01, 2025, 07:28:30 »

Go for it, but as you say , ease into it.
My right knee is dodgy ( hence the highway pegs on the Stroms' crash bars

) and cycling definitely helps. It builds up the muscles around the knee , without any impact shocks as in running , say , which helps to support it.
And it is fun

nigel s · « **Reply #135 on:** September 04, 2025, 17:50:43 »

Showery ride. But the recent rain has softened the hard packed ruts and lumps and the going was good.
The gas gas makes light work of getting to the top of Water Tower Hill and the way down is even better.

Ho Hum

Asmith61 · « **Reply #136 on:** October 05, 2025, 20:22:42 »

As my previous post been riding just up & down the Road most afternoons or evenings taking it easy.
But this afternoon I rode round the block which included riding on the A130 for a couple of miles (some of it on the path) and the other on the road.
I felt a bit vulnerable to be honest and that I was in the way!!
I have not really rode a bike since lockdown 2020.
Maybe I need to take the bike in the car to Chelmsford and use the cycle paths
It’s a shame that I didn’t start doing this earlier in the year when we had the long light evenings

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #137 on:** October 12, 2025, 20:14:01 »

Today was the first road bike ride since 10 June. A short 30 mile loop, 974ft of elevation with a mix of road/off road sections in 3hrs 5mins. Lovely and sunny and roads were relatively quiet.
The rear gears still aren't right since I was knocked off the bike a couple of years ago, and I've not been using the road bike much since then however I think it's time to get them fixed so I can get out more.
Strava claims I got a few personal records today so I can't be too unfit...
Here's a pic of the bike in one of the usual photo spots.

nigel s · « **Reply #138 on:** October 13, 2025, 05:27:37 »

Nice ride UK_Vstrom650,

I am missing cycling to work now the new job means I have to commute 15 miles down the dual ( I am NOT , even if I was allowed , cycling down that

).....SO BORING.....Must try harder at weekends

Does your derailleur have a replacable hanger? I have had to replace a few over the years after offs , that no amount of adjusting would cure , to get the mech to shift right

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #139 on:** October 13, 2025, 07:23:15 »

Best avoid cycling on dual carriageways... you are allowed to - think time trial races tend to use them

(think it's only motorways you can't cycle on).
When I was 16, I cycled from York to Osmotherley down a dual carriageway which was horrid. Never again.

The bike does have a replaceable mech hanger but I replaced that and the shifting is awful in the middle and the top of the cassette so am thinking the derailleur is bent - it took an impact when I was knocked off.
I did buy a GRX derailleur which has a clutch to reduce chain slap on off-road sections, so I just need to get round to installing it / take it to a bike shop.
Incidentally, 'off-roading' on 25mm tyres at 90psi is a test of survival vs doing the same route on the MTB with 2.4inch tyres at 20psi which you wouldn't really class as off-road.