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Rohloff Internal Hub Gears / Re: Thorn sterling
« Last post by PH on Today at 09:49:16 PM »Absolutely love my Sterling.That's a pretty glowing recommendation.
Almost makes me want one!!
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Almost makes me want one!!
2
Cycle Tours / Re: Foolish Thoughts and Stupid Ideas
« Last post by PH on Today at 09:34:49 PM »Well done, if I remember rightly there's a fair climb out of Aviemore, but nothing like the climbing you've done today. Then that's it, the hardest parts of Scotland are behind you, enjoy the remaining days.
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Cycle Tours / Re: Foolish Thoughts and Stupid Ideas
« Last post by Rgill on Today at 08:24:07 PM »Day 18, 16 of cycling, Pitlochry to Aviemore, 59.1 miles, 4 hours 41 mins, 2762 feet of ascent.
I woke myself up snoring last night, and listened to the pouring rain - glad that we were not cycling. I had to lie on my back last night, as it was the only comfortable position for my aching legs and knees. I don’t normally snore, I think!
Porridge for breakfast at last - not quite the Scottish experience I was hoping for, and not as good as John Allison’s porridge, but at last we have had porridge in Scotland. At breakfast Gareth was telling us about the “little old lady” in the room next door to them. Her son has cycled 6000 miles across Canada. We always seem to be outdone. Now that must be hard.
Quick mention of Butt creams - we have now changed flavour and no longer have menthol, which is a vast improvement, as I no longer feel as if I need to go to the toilet for the first half an hour after putting it on.I would recommend checking yours if you have some. Ravi had told me that my sit bones would toughen up. There is still no sign of that happening, so I am wearing a double chamois for a bit more padding, as if I need that, I hear you say. Slightly more comfortable.
I have also found another use for sudocrem - my nose. Richard and I have both had colds, and the combination of constant blowing and lots of wind and sun has rendered us both looking a bit like Rudolph. I had thought today might be slightly less sunny, but the sun beat down on us all day - we have been incredibly lucky with the weather so far.
We set off and for the first time immediately saw a sign for where we were headed - Aviemore, 60 miles. I found the first part really tough - uphill on roads, my back and legs aching and lacking in motivation. Ravi is still taking it easy, his leg strapped up, and so I tucked in behind him and started my usual Buttocks up the hill, which became shortened to Butts - really does help to concentrate the mind. This became Big Butts, and Ravi then invited me to follow his Big Black Butt - he was wearing black cycling shorts (he also has a purple one which I much prefer, but Big Purple Butt wouldn’t have been so satisfying), so the chant became Big Black Butt, which quickly changed to Blig Black Blutts until we got to the top of the hill.
Thankfully we went off the road onto the old A9, which is now a cycle path which follows the River Garry - absolutely gorgeous. The incredible views and the noise of the river lifted our mood, as well as getting away from the traffic on the road. We steadily climbed up to 1500 feet, with the train line beside us. This was the train that Richard and Ravi had taken after dropping off the cars, but they had seen none of the views we were treated to on the cycle path. At the top we met a couple on a tandem cycling down from John O’Groats to Lands End, towing a trailer with their camping gear. Must be hard.
From there is was sort of downhill - it is never completely downhill, always up and down, down and up. We stopped for lunch at Dalwhinnie, which I believe is famous for whisky.
As we approach Inverness both Ravi and Richard relax a little. The cars are slumbering in a long stay car park. Ravi has resisted the urge to check on his Tesla to see if it is still there, as he doesn’t want to wake it up. We had thought that if his leg gets any worse, he would collect the Tesla and follow us playing loud drum and bass to keep us going. Hopefully this won’t be necessary, as if we go at a reasonable pace, his leg seems to be okay. It is my turn to constantly check on him, although he still feeds me bits of his flapjacks.
The afternoon was beautiful -long stretches of views of the mountains, which I hope we are going between and not over. We stopped following the cycle path to Aviemore and went on the road, as the cycle path adds an extra few thousand feet of climbing, which we didn’t fancy.
We arrived at our guest house in good time, to be told that last night they had someone who had taken 12 days from Lands End to get here and looked broken, and is doing the rest in just 2 days.
There has been a lot of talk over dinners about how tough the next few days are going to be. I prefer not to think any further than tomorrow - but now only 3 days to go. Gareth thinks this has gone very quickly, for me it feels like we have doing this forever. It’s a bit like Groundhog Day - but the end is in sight.
I woke myself up snoring last night, and listened to the pouring rain - glad that we were not cycling. I had to lie on my back last night, as it was the only comfortable position for my aching legs and knees. I don’t normally snore, I think!
Porridge for breakfast at last - not quite the Scottish experience I was hoping for, and not as good as John Allison’s porridge, but at last we have had porridge in Scotland. At breakfast Gareth was telling us about the “little old lady” in the room next door to them. Her son has cycled 6000 miles across Canada. We always seem to be outdone. Now that must be hard.
Quick mention of Butt creams - we have now changed flavour and no longer have menthol, which is a vast improvement, as I no longer feel as if I need to go to the toilet for the first half an hour after putting it on.I would recommend checking yours if you have some. Ravi had told me that my sit bones would toughen up. There is still no sign of that happening, so I am wearing a double chamois for a bit more padding, as if I need that, I hear you say. Slightly more comfortable.
I have also found another use for sudocrem - my nose. Richard and I have both had colds, and the combination of constant blowing and lots of wind and sun has rendered us both looking a bit like Rudolph. I had thought today might be slightly less sunny, but the sun beat down on us all day - we have been incredibly lucky with the weather so far.
We set off and for the first time immediately saw a sign for where we were headed - Aviemore, 60 miles. I found the first part really tough - uphill on roads, my back and legs aching and lacking in motivation. Ravi is still taking it easy, his leg strapped up, and so I tucked in behind him and started my usual Buttocks up the hill, which became shortened to Butts - really does help to concentrate the mind. This became Big Butts, and Ravi then invited me to follow his Big Black Butt - he was wearing black cycling shorts (he also has a purple one which I much prefer, but Big Purple Butt wouldn’t have been so satisfying), so the chant became Big Black Butt, which quickly changed to Blig Black Blutts until we got to the top of the hill.
Thankfully we went off the road onto the old A9, which is now a cycle path which follows the River Garry - absolutely gorgeous. The incredible views and the noise of the river lifted our mood, as well as getting away from the traffic on the road. We steadily climbed up to 1500 feet, with the train line beside us. This was the train that Richard and Ravi had taken after dropping off the cars, but they had seen none of the views we were treated to on the cycle path. At the top we met a couple on a tandem cycling down from John O’Groats to Lands End, towing a trailer with their camping gear. Must be hard.
From there is was sort of downhill - it is never completely downhill, always up and down, down and up. We stopped for lunch at Dalwhinnie, which I believe is famous for whisky.
As we approach Inverness both Ravi and Richard relax a little. The cars are slumbering in a long stay car park. Ravi has resisted the urge to check on his Tesla to see if it is still there, as he doesn’t want to wake it up. We had thought that if his leg gets any worse, he would collect the Tesla and follow us playing loud drum and bass to keep us going. Hopefully this won’t be necessary, as if we go at a reasonable pace, his leg seems to be okay. It is my turn to constantly check on him, although he still feeds me bits of his flapjacks.
The afternoon was beautiful -long stretches of views of the mountains, which I hope we are going between and not over. We stopped following the cycle path to Aviemore and went on the road, as the cycle path adds an extra few thousand feet of climbing, which we didn’t fancy.
We arrived at our guest house in good time, to be told that last night they had someone who had taken 12 days from Lands End to get here and looked broken, and is doing the rest in just 2 days.
There has been a lot of talk over dinners about how tough the next few days are going to be. I prefer not to think any further than tomorrow - but now only 3 days to go. Gareth thinks this has gone very quickly, for me it feels like we have doing this forever. It’s a bit like Groundhog Day - but the end is in sight.
5
Rohloff Internal Hub Gears / Re: Thorn sterling
« Last post by Clive. on Today at 12:59:56 PM »Absolutely love my Sterling. I bought it for two purposes - it's my MTB (for the fairly easy and non-technical off-roading I do), which means I wanted discs, and was intended for a supported trip to West Africa, where luggage requirements were limited ie carried for me! and I was OK with discs given support would never be that far away. Anyway, covid stopped that, but I am delighted with the bike nonetheless.
I was intending to get a Mt Tura fork, but in the end I decided that I would never actually spend a half hour switching over (to include disc to V-brake) and back. SJS did have a couple left a year or two ago, but I can see all gone now.
The later brochures only show two sizes (S/M and M/L), but the earlier ones (as Danneaux' link) do include the L 610 - I wonder if low sales meant that the last production runs were the smaller sizes only.
Shortish chainstays mean I've never got a pannier to fit without heel-strike, but a Topeak rack and rack bag work well.
I was intending to get a Mt Tura fork, but in the end I decided that I would never actually spend a half hour switching over (to include disc to V-brake) and back. SJS did have a couple left a year or two ago, but I can see all gone now.
The later brochures only show two sizes (S/M and M/L), but the earlier ones (as Danneaux' link) do include the L 610 - I wonder if low sales meant that the last production runs were the smaller sizes only.
Shortish chainstays mean I've never got a pannier to fit without heel-strike, but a Topeak rack and rack bag work well.
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Rohloff Internal Hub Gears / Re: Thorn sterling
« Last post by KDean on Today at 09:10:42 AM »Comparing my 620L to my Ribble I much prefer the ride , The only issue I have would be lifting it over things like gates etc . I'm keeping an eye on Thorns stock for now . Plus I just love the Rohloff .I've got some top of the range Sram 1 x12 on the Ribble & the sound gets on my nerves .
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Cycle Tours / Re: Foolish Thoughts and Stupid Ideas
« Last post by Rgill on June 23, 2022, 06:09:13 PM »Back in the saddle today, fairly sure its a minor left medial quad strain, RICE yesterday seemed to have helped. Today was a bit sore at times but the scenery , voltarol , tape (a bite bit at times ) and most importantly kate and my cycling companions got me through. Will see how it feels tomorrow.
Kate views below
Day 17, 15 of cycling, Kinross to Pitlochry, 47.1 miles, 4 hours 23 minutes and 2598 feet of ascent. Ravi Rides Again!
After an afternoon of rest, icing his leg, anti inflammatories and massage, Ravi felt he could cycle today slowly, tentatively trying it out for the first few miles while our support crew were on hand if needed. Bright sunshine from the start, but a very inadequate breakfast - in our rooms with a choice of fruit yoghurt and cornflakes. The only coffee was a sachet of Nescafé, and as I have boycotted this for 34 years (Baby Milk Action) decided now was not the time to have one. Richard and Debbie of course had cafetiere coffee in their room as they packed light and brought their own coffee.
We cycled through Perth city centre, through beautiful parks and impressive buildings. We stopped to have a well needed coffee, and Ravi bought some strapping tape and bound up his leg to try and support it. We must add that to the packing list next time (?!!). Perth is also on my list of must return to places - beautiful, especially in the sunshine.
A few miles after Perth we needed to stop for Ravi to readjust his strapping, only to find a man covered in blood having tripped over the pavement. Debbie the District Nurse came into her own, and brought out all sorts of things from one of her panniers - she seems to be carrying an entire medical kit. Medical care and advice was delivered, and one of the other ladies helping - Gareth would describe her as a little old lady - asked what we are doing. We really should stop telling people, as of course her son had tried to do LeJOG in 4 days, 200 miles per day, but had to stop as he tore a muscle avoiding a pothole. The direct route is in fact 800 miles on the main roads. The lady herself had done it on a tandem in 12 days - she must have had Chris Hoy on the back.
A few evenings ago Debbie had said that she thinks about what she would take to a desert island as she is cycling along. Her book of choice would be The Shipping News, and her music would be an opera by Puccini. Her luxury item would be a horse. I asked if I would be allowed a series of books, so my choice would be the Boudicca series by Manda Scott - I love them, and on an island I would have a chance to work out who everyone is. I have been pondering the music, and definitely would not want an opera. My parents took me to an opera when I was quite young, and I couldn’t see anything and understood nothing. My initial response was something by Kate Bush, as I love her, but I think if that was all I was listening to she might drive me bonkers. I might ask if I am allowed a mixed tape. My luxury item the other evening was very unimaginatively Lip Balm - my lips are sore from the wind and sun. However, I have since decided to ask for a fully equipped motorhome with a comfy bed, toilet and shower, and a bike rack. Preferably when I am chugging up a very long hill.
From there we carried on through incredible scenery and several houses I could easily choose as my dream house. We came over a bridge over the River Tay with beautiful views with the village of Dunkeld nestled on it’s banks. We stopped to have a drink and ice cream watching the water rush past, and the birds crying and swooping over the river. Absolutely idyllic.
We had 15 miles to go, most of which was along the river, all on National Cycle network paths, and onto Pitlochry via some very nasty hills. One hill was immediately after a right hand turn, so a standing start, and was so steep that even in Turbo my cadence went down to 35. I thought I wasn’t going to make it, which when clipped in is very tricky. I have only once before on this journey thought I wasn’t going to make it up a hill in Cornwall, and eyed up a nice soft bank of grass I might have to fall onto - when going up a hill, to unclip loses momentum. The grass turned to nettles, so I dug deep and carried on. Today I had no choice as no soft landings, so again drove hard to get up - knees hurting a little as a consequence, but they only have 4 more days to go. Almost there!!
Highlight of the day was watching 4 baby swallows sitting on a telephone wire, being fed by their parents, who were swooping over the fields of rippling grass. Magic.
Kate views below
Day 17, 15 of cycling, Kinross to Pitlochry, 47.1 miles, 4 hours 23 minutes and 2598 feet of ascent. Ravi Rides Again!
After an afternoon of rest, icing his leg, anti inflammatories and massage, Ravi felt he could cycle today slowly, tentatively trying it out for the first few miles while our support crew were on hand if needed. Bright sunshine from the start, but a very inadequate breakfast - in our rooms with a choice of fruit yoghurt and cornflakes. The only coffee was a sachet of Nescafé, and as I have boycotted this for 34 years (Baby Milk Action) decided now was not the time to have one. Richard and Debbie of course had cafetiere coffee in their room as they packed light and brought their own coffee.
We cycled through Perth city centre, through beautiful parks and impressive buildings. We stopped to have a well needed coffee, and Ravi bought some strapping tape and bound up his leg to try and support it. We must add that to the packing list next time (?!!). Perth is also on my list of must return to places - beautiful, especially in the sunshine.
A few miles after Perth we needed to stop for Ravi to readjust his strapping, only to find a man covered in blood having tripped over the pavement. Debbie the District Nurse came into her own, and brought out all sorts of things from one of her panniers - she seems to be carrying an entire medical kit. Medical care and advice was delivered, and one of the other ladies helping - Gareth would describe her as a little old lady - asked what we are doing. We really should stop telling people, as of course her son had tried to do LeJOG in 4 days, 200 miles per day, but had to stop as he tore a muscle avoiding a pothole. The direct route is in fact 800 miles on the main roads. The lady herself had done it on a tandem in 12 days - she must have had Chris Hoy on the back.
A few evenings ago Debbie had said that she thinks about what she would take to a desert island as she is cycling along. Her book of choice would be The Shipping News, and her music would be an opera by Puccini. Her luxury item would be a horse. I asked if I would be allowed a series of books, so my choice would be the Boudicca series by Manda Scott - I love them, and on an island I would have a chance to work out who everyone is. I have been pondering the music, and definitely would not want an opera. My parents took me to an opera when I was quite young, and I couldn’t see anything and understood nothing. My initial response was something by Kate Bush, as I love her, but I think if that was all I was listening to she might drive me bonkers. I might ask if I am allowed a mixed tape. My luxury item the other evening was very unimaginatively Lip Balm - my lips are sore from the wind and sun. However, I have since decided to ask for a fully equipped motorhome with a comfy bed, toilet and shower, and a bike rack. Preferably when I am chugging up a very long hill.
From there we carried on through incredible scenery and several houses I could easily choose as my dream house. We came over a bridge over the River Tay with beautiful views with the village of Dunkeld nestled on it’s banks. We stopped to have a drink and ice cream watching the water rush past, and the birds crying and swooping over the river. Absolutely idyllic.
We had 15 miles to go, most of which was along the river, all on National Cycle network paths, and onto Pitlochry via some very nasty hills. One hill was immediately after a right hand turn, so a standing start, and was so steep that even in Turbo my cadence went down to 35. I thought I wasn’t going to make it, which when clipped in is very tricky. I have only once before on this journey thought I wasn’t going to make it up a hill in Cornwall, and eyed up a nice soft bank of grass I might have to fall onto - when going up a hill, to unclip loses momentum. The grass turned to nettles, so I dug deep and carried on. Today I had no choice as no soft landings, so again drove hard to get up - knees hurting a little as a consequence, but they only have 4 more days to go. Almost there!!
Highlight of the day was watching 4 baby swallows sitting on a telephone wire, being fed by their parents, who were swooping over the fields of rippling grass. Magic.
8
Rohloff Internal Hub Gears / Re: Thorn sterling
« Last post by PH on June 23, 2022, 05:12:39 PM »That's a shame if it was what you wanted.
While waiting for your perfect bike to come along, why not strip down the Nomad and see how that handles such usage? I haven't ridden the KAW yet, I've seen some video and although the surfaces are tricky in places, it isn't particularly technical. I'll probably use my 16kg Surly Ogre, depending on the weather I might strip a kg or two off that, then of course the luggage which I doubt I'll get below 10kg. My tyre choice is the one thing that concerns me. Set up right I can't see your Nomad would be much disadvantaged in any way.
Nothing wrong with additional bikes of course, I'm in no position to criticise! My bike errors over the years, and there's been a few, have mostly resulted in too much overlap, even my current four" bikes could easily be two. If I were looking for something from the Thorn range for light and fast non technical off road, it would be a 650b Mercury, stripped down to the minimal spec. That would be even more so for a rider a bit lighter than myself. My 700c Alfine Mercury comes in at 11.5kg, it's the largest 610L size and I wasn't really trying.
*I'm not counting my work E-bike and two folders...
While waiting for your perfect bike to come along, why not strip down the Nomad and see how that handles such usage? I haven't ridden the KAW yet, I've seen some video and although the surfaces are tricky in places, it isn't particularly technical. I'll probably use my 16kg Surly Ogre, depending on the weather I might strip a kg or two off that, then of course the luggage which I doubt I'll get below 10kg. My tyre choice is the one thing that concerns me. Set up right I can't see your Nomad would be much disadvantaged in any way.
Nothing wrong with additional bikes of course, I'm in no position to criticise! My bike errors over the years, and there's been a few, have mostly resulted in too much overlap, even my current four" bikes could easily be two. If I were looking for something from the Thorn range for light and fast non technical off road, it would be a 650b Mercury, stripped down to the minimal spec. That would be even more so for a rider a bit lighter than myself. My 700c Alfine Mercury comes in at 11.5kg, it's the largest 610L size and I wasn't really trying.
*I'm not counting my work E-bike and two folders...
9
Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) / Re: Complexities of selling a Thorn Audax bike.
« Last post by tyreon on June 23, 2022, 03:53:24 PM »I defer to your greater knowledge PH: and I do so with no sarcasm. Just because I no longer attned or attempt any audax riding theseadays I guess I presume no one else does,or few! 
Lots of times now I find out lottsa things I know little about or find myself in error. Me: "That coffee bar will shut down in within one year. No one wants to have a coffee in that place facing a car park" It later turns out that the coffee house(part ofa chain)is the most profitable coffee house with the cities suburbs!
I dont know if you can ride an audax with an e bike,even if you can spot an e bike theseadays. My new olde friends are those about 80 going about 20 mph.
PC incorrect but...I thought modern man would now be expected to put in more hours doing household chores and having family-time as was was in the olden times,wherein the men went out all day doing their own thing whilst the ladies stayed indoors.
Times change. As do bikes,I guess
Lots of times now I find out lottsa things I know little about or find myself in error. Me: "That coffee bar will shut down in within one year. No one wants to have a coffee in that place facing a car park" It later turns out that the coffee house(part ofa chain)is the most profitable coffee house with the cities suburbs!I dont know if you can ride an audax with an e bike,even if you can spot an e bike theseadays. My new olde friends are those about 80 going about 20 mph.
PC incorrect but...I thought modern man would now be expected to put in more hours doing household chores and having family-time as was was in the olden times,wherein the men went out all day doing their own thing whilst the ladies stayed indoors.
Times change. As do bikes,I guess10
Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) / Re: Complexities of selling a Thorn Audax bike.
« Last post by PH on June 23, 2022, 02:33:55 PM »My guess is the audax bike touring scene is pretty niche and small compared to all the other competing cycling that is going on out there. And,really,is there that much cycling being done 'ou there' anyways?I think there is a lot more leisure cycling going on than there was a decade or so ago, of all sorts, and the move away from copying the road racing pro's opens up all sorts of equipment opportunities for the willing buyers. Some good, some bad, I appreciate the added choice.
Audax in particular has hugely increased in popularity, those events that used to struggle to get the entrants into double figures, are often now fully booked at 100+. It's changed along the way, the participants and their bikes, as has on many events the level of service and the entry fees to cover that. The light steel tourer, what might have been called a Clubman's bike before Audax came to the UK, that used to make up 90% of the machines entered, is now in the minority. Among other factors, with such a choice of wide fast tyres not many people want to be restricted to the 28mm's deep drop caliper brakes dictate.
Quote
Nowadays I keep finding myself looking at Bromptons: tho I dont think I want one!I never wanted one, then a couple of years ago I had a short work contract where the most practical commuting option across several sites was a Brompton and public transport, with occasional site to site trips by minibus. I doubt it's done a hundred miles since the end of that contract, but all of those would have been trips awkward by any other means, I think every household should have a small folding bike.