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

Mine, 1983 Dawes Galaxy, Forest Green & rust, doesn't bear photographing, rides well. A bit like Triggers Broom, totally original, apart from its had 4 new heads and five new handles. Thinking about getting it stripped, resprayed and refurbished.
 
One week into our two weeks with Gracie round France. One Cannondale, one Focus third campsite. 7B865E1B-D834-4815-A73E-392B5442DDDC.jpegB8CCD46C-4540-468D-B6F3-57634D81A550.jpeg50469CFC-47F4-48B6-A7C6-A35DEBC867F5.jpegD0242A63-92F6-4DA9-A431-325501AA133E.jpeg38B6783F-E245-4A7C-B09C-9E66D2C44C01.jpegB8CCD46C-4540-468D-B6F3-57634D81A550.jpeg
 
We like to mix the road with a bit of gravel, so for van bikes, I'm on a Trek Domane atm and the gf has just had a shiny new Canyon Roadlite.

I'd not want my summer bike on the back of the van, but even having these two relatively 'cheap' bikes strapped to the rack makes me a little nervous overnight and when travelling.

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Saturday ride:
Vitus, Transition and Pivot
 
I see chicken strips!!!!
 
I see chicken strips!!!!
On the KTM you would do as it was less than an hour old when that was taken

I have just returned from a week in the Picos and trust me there are no chicken strips now
 
I run a 2018 YT Industries Capra Pro Race - factory standard other than swapped out the air shock for a coil:
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I tend to only use this for trips away, generally Wales, Forrest of Dean, Surrey Hills, Rogate, Tidworth etc. She’s pretty burly for a single crown fork with 170mm front and rear.

my go to steed is my Ragley Bigwig - British steel hardtail with Hope pro 4 hubs, Burgtec cockpit and flats, Fox 130mm 34s and a few other upgrades:


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I also have a Genesis Croix De Fer steel road bike, and a Charge Plug single speed. They do a mix of town commutes, and a bit of road when I’m with the family or right for time.
 
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A recent trip to East Norfolk staying at the Two Mills site near North Walsham.
We did a ride down to Potter Heigham on the Broads,

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then out to the coast to Happisburgh. Here’s the famous lighthouse
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First use of the towel rail in anger today. Without the Thule bar it would have been pretty useless for my bikes. No chance with the 1 tie arm but the second tie worked well although a tad high for sub 6ft 5inchers. Because of the ground I was on tip toes to unscrew this.

Bike was secure and I can recommend the Thule 982 "Ladies" Bike Adapter

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First use of the towel rail in anger today. Without the Thule bar it would have been pretty useless for my bikes. No chance with the 1 tie arm but the second tie worked well although a tad high for sub 6ft 5inchers. Because of the ground I was on tip toes to unscrew this.

Bike was secure and I can recommend the Thule 982 "Ladies" Bike Adapter

View attachment 52955
Front wheel off and the fork attached to an adapted Thule anchor will keep your bikes almost below 2M. I've noticed almost 20% increase in consumption when I have bikes on (with 4 bikes), so that's my next project. Forum search function will take you to those who've done it.
 
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First use of the towel rail in anger today. Without the Thule bar it would have been pretty useless for my bikes. No chance with the 1 tie arm but the second tie worked well although a tad high for sub 6ft 5inchers. Because of the ground I was on tip toes to unscrew this.

Bike was secure and I can recommend the Thule 982 "Ladies" Bike Adapter
I find bigger bikes better further out on say the 3rd rail then clamp to the seat tube which a
First use of the towel rail in anger today. Without the Thule bar it would have been pretty useless for my bikes. No chance with the 1 tie arm but the second tie worked well although a tad high for sub 6ft 5inchers. Because of the ground I was on tip toes to unscrew this.

Bike was secure and I can recommend the Thule 982 "Ladies" Bike Adapter

I put full suspension MTB's on the rails that are further away from the van and clamp to the seat tube to make them easier to reach & no need for any extra adaptors.
 
First use of the towel rail in anger today. Without the Thule bar it would have been pretty useless for my bikes. No chance with the 1 tie arm but the second tie worked well although a tad high for sub 6ft 5inchers. Because of the ground I was on tip toes to unscrew this.

Bike was secure and I can recommend the Thule 982 "Ladies" Bike Adapter

View attachment 52955
Hi
Do you wild camping and leave your bike on the back still?
I’m looking at getting a new bike but wild camping loads and a bit worried about having such an expensive bike on the back.
 
I don't wild camp any more but it wouldn't worry me because I sleep very lightly. I would also put a cover over the bike so out of sight out of mind.

I took my old Alloy 2013 Scalpel away with me a few weeks back. I left the bike locked on the back in public places but was more concerned that someone might damage the van if stealing the bike. So I put it in the van when we were parked in Keswick for a few hours.
 
I don't wild camp any more but it wouldn't worry me because I sleep very lightly. I would also put a cover over the bike so out of sight out of mind.

I took my old Alloy 2013 Scalpel away with me a few weeks back. I left the bike locked on the back in public places but was more concerned that someone might damage the van if stealing the bike. So I put it in the van when we were parked in Keswick for a few hours.
I have an old Cannondale which is pretty beat up and wasn’t that expensive so don’t worry about that, but I have been toying with a Cannondale ebike.
They are silly money!
I like parking up in very remove places and thought of something that expensive left on the back or even inside puts me off.
Think I may stick to peddle power and k9!
 
I would say it would be quite a lift for a E bike depending on its weight and your height.

I really like the rack and don't know why I didn't buy one in the first instance. Takes me a few minutes from having rack stacked to bike on and away.

Stick with leg power for as long as you can.
 
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