The Fridays Tour

[dellzeqq]

The only place I'm mildly concerned about is York. I'm reckoning that a tandem locked to several solos in a discreet place will be reasonably secure - and if not, the van will be only a few minutes away.

That said, we'll have a D-lock plus cable in our overnight bag (definitely not designed to go on a bike - I'm relying on the goodwill of the van crew to pick up luggage, I'm afraid). And an incredibly high security (for the benefit of casing bike thieves) cable lock with us during the day.

you're staying at the same place as us - apparently they have a yard at the back

 

[dellzeqq]

Which day are you coming through Rutland? Can you post the route from Kettering onwards?? Had a bit of a trawl through this thread as suggested by TMN on the Rutland ride a few days ago but it's too big! If I am around I/we will say hello. I'm off to Wymondham shortly, it's less than 7 moles from home and the owners of the bike shop are friends of ours so I guess they might remember which day you are arriving. If I do make it at least I can get some pictures for you with no one out of the frame.

we aim to get to Wymondham about midday - the cafe is expecting us and the bike shop has offered to do emergency repairs

 

[StuartG]

My new GatorSkin arrived today. Is it worth bringing the old as a 'get you home' spare or will the van be bulging with 700x23 stuff already?
I've new brake blocks too ... anything else that's OK now but might not be after 1000km? (apart from me legs!).

 

[GrumpyGregry]

My new GatorSkin arrived today. Is it worth bringing the old as a 'get you home' spare or will the van be bulging with 700x23 stuff already?
I've new brake blocks too ... anything else that's OK now but might not be after 1000km? (apart from me legs!).

arse?

 

[dellzeqq]

that's no way to speak to Mr. G!!!!!

We should be ok for tyres. I'm fitting new ones to our bikes, which means that there will be four or five 4Seasons tyres in the van.

 

[StuartG]

arse?

Good point. Mr L recommends being creamed. However, I've never had a problem in that department. But then my longest tour to date is only 3 days / 275 miles ... decisions, decisions ...

 

[theclaud]

Mr L recommends being creamed.

I simply don't know what to say to that.

 

[dellzeqq]

Good point. Mr L recommends being creamed. However, I've never had a problem in that department. But then my longest tour to date is only 3 days / 275 miles ... decisions, decisions ...

personally I never touch the stuff - but I do think that a decent pair of shorts, preferably clean each day, makes a huge difference. And socks. I'm going to be taking seven new pairs of socks with me, and I reckon that will make a difference.

 

[StuartG]

I simply don't know what to say to that.

Well I did try Morris Dancing and that didn't work out. When you get to my age you have to ... well p'rps not!

 

[srw]

We'll have new tyres. I'll look at the brake blocks, and probably replace them. The transmission is pretty new, and currently well-adjusted (and is high spec). I'll clean the chain and relubricate it (and probably bring lube with us).

I will try and make sense of the instructions for the disc brake, and try and locate a replacement disc. We've got replacement pads. The instructions promise me that replacement brake fluid is easily available from corner garages (but not from bike shops).

Anything else?

And I'm with Simon on clean shorts every day. A full body stretch regime at the end of every day, a cold shower on my legs and a 20-minute walk every evening should take care of the muscles.

 

[CharlieB]

I was watching the Hitchcock 39 Steps (the best version, imho) over the long weekend. Seeing the shots of the Forth railway bridge (Robert Donat clambering over the ironwork) made me wonder if we get a reasonable view of it from the road bridge?

 

[dellzeqq]

you'll be having lunch underneath it. Every train raises a clanking fit to beat the band.

 

[mcshroom]

If we cross on the East side you get excellent views. The views from the west are still good but not as good as the cycleway drops slightly below the road surface on the bridge itself.

My bike has new tyres on it .I'm going to put a new chain and rear cassette on before next weekend, and check the brake blocks Other than that it's ready to go for LonJOG and my tour back round the coast. Now do I turn up with this bike (front rack and all) tomorrow night in Manchester

I'm going to be solo touring for the week after so I'll be carrying spare tubes, a spare tyre (35mm), v-brake pads, chain lube and possibly a spare chain, but most of that is probably overkill for people. I think the chain lube might be useful to have though, especially if there's any rain. I had to buy some on my last tour as the chain was getting worryingly squeaky.

 

[mcshroom]

Oh and for creaming - I recommend a small amount of sudocreme either to ward of soreness or to do some repair work overnight (or both )

 

[StuartG]

Oh and for creaming - I recommend a small amount of sudocrem

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