Raven on the TdF

[geocycle]

Had a weekend away with the bike in the Yorkshire Dales.  Parts of the route are being used by the TdF as it kicks off in Yorkshire in 2014. The new road surfaces on the TdF sections are excellent.   Here are some shots at the top of Swaledale at about 520m and I finished by a well deserved Brewery trip.

[Danneaux]

Ohhh, pittsures! 

Geo', the bike is looking wonderful in these shots, complete with Hebie Chainglider. Absolutely gorgeous countryside in your photos and so picturesque.

Parts of the route are being used by the TdF as it kicks off in Yorkshire in 2014.

D'you think the other competitors will protest your early pre-running of the route as an unfair advantage? 

The new road surfaces on the TdF sections are excellent.

Hmm. No coincidence there, methinks. D'you remember the hue and cry when the peloton encountered some real cobbles in Belgium? "Too rough!" they cried. Whatever happened to the Iron Men of Cycling that used to be? I know! They're not riding Thorns, bikes capable of handling rough roads without resurfacing!

Wonderful photos, Geo'; thanks so much for sharing. Just like being there for those of us far away.

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

Wow fantastic make me feel like jumping on me bike.the road surfaces here in Ireland are dire, Sean Kelly (ME BROTHER) said he liked training on the heavy roads of Ireland  made for fast cycling when  he hit the smooth stuff
huh never worked for me

excellent photos thanks for posting.

[Swislon]

Oh my thats just up the road from me!
Wonderful Geo. I must do the full route before next summer.
We have loads of roadies ending up here in Harrogate nearly every day having ridden the full route. Do they look knackered when I see them!
But have a really big smile on their faces.

I must get round to auctioning camping spaces on our lawn.......

Steve

[jags]

the second pic love to pitch a tent there for a few summer days and explore the area.

[geocycle]

Yes, it s a great area and i was fortunate to be working near penrith so could make a weekend of it. I've not been across the pass from kirby Stephen to swaledale before (Nateby) but it is stunning as are the uppermost parts of the dale.  There are some challenging gradients and swooping descents. Had a great lunch at the dales bike centre near reeth.  After masham I was heading back west but diverted to Harrogate and took a train due to the change in the weather....

[Matt2matt2002]

Great snap. As a fellow Raven rider may I ask about your chain cover, please?
Make model and opinion.
Matt

[lewis noble]

Hello Geocycle!!

Bike still looks good - you may remember guiding me out of Lancaster back in 2008 or thereabouts as I began the Trans Pennine Trail??  I am back on a Thorn again, a Ripio, very pleased with it.  The Raven I was riding that trip has been ridden to Cambodia or around there.

Regards

Lewis - Sheffield

[geocycle]

Great snap. As a fellow Raven rider may I ask about your chain cover, please?
Make model and opinion.
Matt

Yes of course! It is a Hebie Chainglider and followed a suggestion by Andre Jute who tested a range of chain guards with rohloffs.  See the thread here for detailed comments http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=6813.0. I've had it for about 500 miles and I am pleased to say it works well. It is very easy to fit and remove if needed. I didn't have to cut it at all. It is a loose fit and as the name suggest glides on the chain.  I don't notice drag. I am a bit OCD about noises and I find it tolerable.  Some of the time it is silent, at others there is a noise like a slightly rattling mudguard depending where the guard has shifted to.  It's covered in mud at the moment that would otherwise be on the chain.  I will remove it in a few weeks and see what state the chain is in.

[geocycle]

Hello Geocycle!!

Bike still looks good - you may remember guiding me out of Lancaster back in 2008 or thereabouts as I began the Trans Pennine Trail??  I am back on a Thorn again, a Ripio, very pleased with it.  The Raven I was riding that trip has been ridden to Cambodia or around there.

Regards

Lewis - Sheffield

Hi Lewis, yes I have been following your bike purchases with interest. Glad you are pleased with the Ripio. Is that another 26" wheel? Any plans for longer rides?

[Andre Jute]

Beautiful scenery, especially the Black Sheep (!) Brewery. Every time I see your bike, Geo, I'm struck by how businesslike it looks. Attached as I am to sunflower yellow, black really is a super colour for a Thorn.

[Fred A-M]

Great pics Geocycle - I know this route fairly well having cycled it a few times and will be there on the day in question.  Next year's TDF start brings together several strands of my life story as a Frenchman who moved to Yorkshire as a 3 year old (and since moved away, but not before having been fettered to a life-long bond of supporting Leeds Utd).  As a long-suffering TDF fan (from a french perspective at least), I've cycled many TDF climbs/roads in my time, but really look forward to seeing the TDF live for the first time ever - my step-uncle lives just down the road, literally 10 yards from the road in question, so will be spending the said day in a deck chair in prime position, with beer and camera in hand.  :-)

[Danneaux]

...will be spending the said day in a deck chair in prime position, with beer and camera in hand.

Wonderful! Watch it in person for those of us who can't, Fred (and thanks in advance for the photos -- they'll be great, I know!)

All the best,

Dan. (...who also hopes a Frenchman can take the next Tour to even things out a bit)

[Matt2matt2002]

Many thanks. I recall that has far as having to cut the chain glider or not, one factor is the size of front and rear cog.
May I know yours, please? If they are the same as mine, then it could be an easy job.

Matt

Yes of course! It is a Hebie Chainglider and followed a suggestion by Andre Jute who tested a range of chain guards with rohloffs.  See the thread here for detailed comments http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=6813.0. I've had it for about 500 miles and I am pleased to say it works well. It is very easy to fit and remove if needed. I didn't have to cut it at all. It is a loose fit and as the name suggest glides on the chain.  I don't notice drag. I am a bit OCD about noises and I find it tolerable.  Some of the time it is silent, at others there is a noise like a slightly rattling mudguard depending where the guard has shifted to.  It's covered in mud at the moment that would otherwise be on the chain.  I will remove it in a few weeks and see what state the chain is in.

[lewis noble]

Hello geocycle

Yes, 26 inch wheel, bike as a whole suits me well and I will be posting more about it - Snowdonia this weekend I hope.  Sloping top tube / crossbar suits me very well on unpredictable trail rides, joints getting a bit reluctant to get over 'level' top tubes, good range of gears, and with the mileages I do Dérailleur is fine.

Lewis