"Bike Porn"-your rides and how/where you use them

[AlternativeKim]

I am joking before any toys get thrown out the pram

 

[Looby]

Great thread, I've been enjoying it since it started.

Fab action shot, Robcouncil.

I thought I'd post a picture of my soon to be Cali bike.
It's an inherited steed which I've had for many years but only started riding it more 4 years ago. We do regular 30 mile round trips taking in a cafe of course. It's been great on mud tracks, canal paths, roads etc and I always have a big a smile when riding it. It weighs a fair bit and my 'suitcase' on the back doesn't help but I figure that makes road rides on the other bike seem easier.

This photo was taken a couple of years ago at Musselburgh after cycling part of the John Muir Way from Yellowcraig, North Berwick.
Last year I changed the pedals to ones which have spd's on one side and despite being very uncertain about adding them, I now don't like cycling without using them.

Here she is

 

[choplee]

Down in the new forest camping this weekend on the wiggle sportive .....plenty of bike porn let hope the weather holds out and you may see my cali there ...

 

[MKRW]

Fun little ride at the new local trail centre with our kids yesterday.

Our five year old is coming on in leaps and bounds; now tackling the blue runs and some fairly steep climbs.

The three year old whizzes round on her little balance bike!

Hi KernowLad,
We're bringing the bikes down this weekend to Cornwall, any advice on the trail centre or other rides you mention. We need mixed ability for all the family and have done the camel trail a few times, so any new suggestions greatly received.

I've also not yet made a call on upgrading my Trek for a 29' so still open to suggestions. I saw the whyte bikes in snow and rock this week. But I think I am leaning towards a new upgraded trek or possibly giant....

 

[RodCouncil]

I rode Haldon trail centre in Devon, loads of options for little ones and accomplished MTB riders, Its a really fun TC and I'd rate it up there with the Welsh ones.

Let me know how you go as I'm down there on May bank holiday for R2 of the British National MTB Series in Redruth so will be after camping site tips if we do the whole weekend.

 

[owen_h]

Down in the new forest camping this weekend on the wiggle sportive .....plenty of bike porn let hope the weather holds out and you may see my cali there ...

Will keep an eye out for you then. Sportive is over a lot of my regular routes. Local press & NIMBYs much quieter about the event this year so hopefully should be a good ride.

 

[choplee]

Re: "Bike Porn"-your rides and how/where you use them

Great day on the new forest sportive ride and weather once again did us proud ... Time to eat and afew beers as all the campsite have done the ride to and then crash out in the Cali ..

 

[KernowLad]

I rode Haldon trail centre in Devon, loads of options for little ones and accomplished MTB riders, Its a really fun TC and I'd rate it up there with the Welsh ones.

Let me know how you go as I'm down there on May bank holiday for R2 of the British National MTB Series in Redruth so will be after camping site tips if we do the whole weekend.

My old stomping ground; some great trails around there!

Nice ride at the new trail centre yesterday; conditions are ideal - dry but not dusty.

 

[david white]

I am after some advice I want to buy a mountain bike but only have £300 to
Spend in total can I get anything near decent for that money if so what :?:

 

[Cali1]

What kind of riding are you wanting to do?

There are so many bikes to choose form depending on what you want it for,do you need full sus,do you need suspension at all?Is it for hitting the trails or gentle rides on the cycle track?

A 300 new will get you a bike to commute to work on,ride on the cycle track,get you out in the hills,it will not be as fancy and light as a more expensive one.It will give you a couple of years of hard service,things likely to go wrong if you "mountain bike" with it ,wheels will be damaged fairly early,breaks will wear down fairly quick and the gears won't have the range of the more expensive bikes.
There always sales out there,500 bikes dropping down to 300 ect,alternatively you could look at single track.com and they have lots of second hand bikes that you could get for 300. I would advise you have someone look over them.

Bikes like the calis,you get what you pay for.But you also pay for what you need!

Any questions fire away will try help.
Andy

 

[Cali1]

My work bike for my daily 7km loop when I'm away from home.
Its now approaching grand old age of nine years,still going strong.Took off the suspension,work in the middle of nowhere need it to be easy as possible to work on.

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[david white]

Thanks for your reply Andy. Its just for pottering around on I am now 70 and thought as I have a bike rack it might be nice when camping to do a bit of cycling. Down to the pub :laugh2 would you buy a new cheaper bike or would you buy a better second hand bike :?: I am fairly good with a spanner but mainly on tractor engines what should I look for if I go second hand and what makes of bike are best :?: sorry for all the questions
David

 

[Cali1]

Hi David,

I would go for a new one.If its for pottering around,heading to the pub it would work just fine.
Question without been personal.With mountain bikes they have a large stand over height,which means you have to swing your leg over the cross bar,not sure if it is an issue for the more senior gentleman!
If so there are small commuter bikes,A friend of mine rides a ladies frame,these are step throughs.

If you have a good bike shop local go see them,tell them what you would like and hopefully they can sort you out.Just becareful they dont sell you what they have in stock as opposed to what you want.

Try not to get anything to flash if you intend on leaving outside the pub,drab colours and a decent lock will help.
Mudguards and a set of lights would be a good idea,for those longer evenings.
Tyres stay away from full mud/nobbly tyres,these will just slow you down and make you work harder.
Brakes come in varies modes.Disc brakes are better,not only because they are stronger,but if you do damage your wheel going over a hole,it means the brake callipers won't rub on the rim on the ride home.You will be looking at cable disc brakes within this price bracket which again will be fine.
Side stands are a welcome addition.
Sometimes you get bits thrown in when purchasing,I would always recommend a helmet,even for those small pub rides.I have picked up too many cyclists with avoidable head injuries if they had worn a helmet.

I would personably go for a hybrid bike,a cross between a road bike and mountain bike.
Halfords have a good range on line at the moment,50% of some of them.(i do not work for them).
I would always try to use your local shop,but sometimes they do not stock quantity and therefore offer the discount as the bigger companies.

I really hope when hit the your age of 70 I'm still riding,hope for us all.
Hope this helps.
Andy

 

[david white]

Thanks for the advice I have opted for this one http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1

 

[choplee]

Thanks for the advice I have opted for this one http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1

I wouldn't normally recommend a carrera ,as there are afew other makes out there at the same price point ,but that is cheap as chips david and the spec isn't bad at all ... Make sure you get the right size ,as halfords have not the best salesman and most would sell you anything you take an interest in ....have a quick look at you tube for a basic bike sizing ,so you have an idea before you buy ...

 

[david white]

Thanks choplee I took your advice and went to halfords armed and read.ordered the carrera
Collecting next week they need to set it up for me and add some lights etc.

 

[choplee]

Re: "Bike Porn"-your rides and how/where you use them

Thanks choplee I took your advice and went to halfords armed and read.ordered the carrera
Collecting next week they need to set it up for me and add some lights etc.

Nice one Dave keep us updated on this
Glad to see your taking to pedal power .... I use it for fitness,recreation, transport ,training and I do love looking at bikes lol

 

[extentdweller]

Only just noticed this thread, can I join in?
Current list:

Canyon Torque FR
Santa Cruz V10
Commencal Ti flame VIP for XC duties, but the wife has claimed it, so I now need to get myself a Kinesis Maxlight Sync.

Cheers,

ETD.

 

[KernowLad]

Great ride yesterday at the local trail centre; only 14 miles but 2000 feet of climbing.
Went to buy a parking ticket; a guy gave me his all day one.
Dropped a glove; a guy ran and gave it back to me.
I was starving after the ride but had no money for a snack; I found a tenner in my cycle shorts.
Perfect conditions, the crowds arrived just as I was leaving.

As da kidz would say "a day full of win!"

 

[MKRW]

Great ride yesterday at the local trail centre; only 14 miles but 2000 feet of climbing.
Went to buy a parking ticket; a guy gave me his all day one.
Dropped a glove; a guy ran and gave it back to me.
I was starving after the ride but had no money for a snack; I found a tenner in my cycle shorts.
Perfect conditions, the crowds arrived just as I was leaving.

As da kidz would say "a day full of win!"

What a perfect day, we have also had some fun this week around cornwall.

Lanhydrock - an interesting mix of trails for the family, but wow it was busy. Our 2 year old loved the push track and the 8 and 11 year old the entry trails. I just need to go and investigate the bigger forest trails around Bodmin.

Coast to coast route (surprisingly flat....!)

Camel Trail yesterday (not quite the M25 but definitely the M6)

The best bit was finding a quiet beach for some coasteering as the surf was not upto much.
:hello

 

[Cali1]

Thanks choplee I took your advice and went to halfords armed and read.ordered the carrera
Collecting next week they need to set it up for me and add some lights etc.

Good choice,and even better got to try to get the correct one.Happy riding.

 

[Cali1]

Great ride yesterday at the local trail centre; only 14 miles but 2000 feet of climbing.
Went to buy a parking ticket; a guy gave me his all day one.
Dropped a glove; a guy ran and gave it back to me.
I was starving after the ride but had no money for a snack; I found a tenner in my cycle shorts.
Perfect conditions, the crowds arrived just as I was leaving.

As da kidz would say "a day full of win!"

What trail centre are you using?
That was a very productive day,somedays it all goes so smoothly!!!

 

[choplee]

Only just noticed this thread, can I join in?
Current list:

Canyon Torque FR
Santa Cruz V10
Commencal Ti flame VIP for XC duties, but the wife has claimed it, so I now need to get myself a Kinesis Maxlight Sync.

Cheers,

ETD.

very impressive and serious current bike list ETD ...

more chat the merrier ...welcome to bike porn

 

[KernowLad]

Great ride yesterday at the local trail centre; only 14 miles but 2000 feet of climbing.
Went to buy a parking ticket; a guy gave me his all day one.
Dropped a glove; a guy ran and gave it back to me.
I was starving after the ride but had no money for a snack; I found a tenner in my cycle shorts.
Perfect conditions, the crowds arrived just as I was leaving.

As da kidz would say "a day full of win!"

What trail centre are you using?
That was a very productive day,somedays it all goes so smoothly!!!

This was Cardinham, just two miles from Lanhydrock where MKRW was (ridden there lots too!) near Bodmin.

It's more of a workout than Lanhydrock (wife's uncle is head gardener of the main house there!) and not so kid friendly but there's a great play area and awesome cafe too!

The red route known as Hells Teeth is properly challenging; the initial climb has most people off and pushing, the DH section is pretty severe in parts!

 

[MKRW]

Hi Kernowlad,

We drove through Cardinham trying to avoid the traffic on the A303 traffic today. We always say it but never do it. 7 hour drive back home today. But hey the Cali made it much easier with a cup of Tea!

I had recommendations to visit there from the guys on the Camel trail and also my Cousin in Exeter so its definitely on the list for our next visit.

Very Jealous of your location....

Cheers
M