Tour de Pistonheads 2015
Discussion
So that metalic pinging sound from the front of the car wasn't as I suspected a heat shield loose, just lost Power Steering, guess it was the sound of a failing tensioner...BH weekend, fortunately the garage opposite work is a SAAB specialist and I'll go bribe them with some wine to clear a ramp and leap-frog anyone waiting, just hope they can get the part and get her ready for Thursday morning.
I've got a back-up plan so it's not panic time.
On the plus side it means I have to actually ride my bike for a few days so I'll be getting a good 100 miles in which will be ideal practise for all that sitting in laybys catching up on novels
I've got a back-up plan so it's not panic time.
On the plus side it means I have to actually ride my bike for a few days so I'll be getting a good 100 miles in which will be ideal practise for all that sitting in laybys catching up on novels
Edited by JustinF on Saturday 2nd May 23:39
Not wanting to get caught out by more train related issued I called Northern rail on Friday to check about bikes on trains, his reply was:
"The 10th is a Sunday isn't it... that's the weekend.... there are no restrictions for bikes at weekends, just take it on with you"
That will do for me.
"The 10th is a Sunday isn't it... that's the weekend.... there are no restrictions for bikes at weekends, just take it on with you"
That will do for me.
Gruffy said:
I need to fine tune the Strava routes for stray waypoints and the exact start/finish points. I'll try to do that tonight so that you all have the most accurate files to work with.
Ignore if it's too late, especially as it's of little significance, but I just overlaid your route with (what I had for) the official and it seems there's a little detour you made at Birds Green (km93), to go through Beauchamp Roding, on the way to Moreton. It only adds a couple of km to the route though. But in case it wasn't deliberate, and you'd like to know, here's the section:
Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey. Terms of use
richardxjr said:
This week's leader board will have some much bigger numbers than usual by Sunday night 
Bloomin wind forecast is not playing ball though (for Sun at least)
Pardon??Bloomin wind forecast is not playing ball though (for Sun at least)
Cambridge airport 8knots gusting 10 in a southerly, dropping to 5knots soutH westrly, i would have thought pretty good!
JustinF said:
About to drive the car with no alternator belt 12 miles to the garage on 225 section tyres with no power steering...wish me luck!
Wondering which will run out first, the battery or my ability to turn the wheel.
Are you going to be there at the end in London Justin ?Wondering which will run out first, the battery or my ability to turn the wheel.
Just that i would like to bring some extra bits in my rucksack but obviously don't want to lug it on my back for 100 miles .
Black can man said:
Are you going to be there at the end in London Justin ?
Just that i would like to bring some extra bits in my rucksack but obviously don't want to lug it on my back for 100 miles .
Yes mate, I will indeed. What car I'll be in is a mystery to even me at this stage though. the no alt-belt experiment was abandoned after 5 miles as I saw the temp gauge rising and it's dawned on me that no belt+no water pump!Just that i would like to bring some extra bits in my rucksack but obviously don't want to lug it on my back for 100 miles .
JustinF said:
Yes mate, I will indeed. What car I'll be in is a mystery to even me at this stage though. the no alt-belt experiment was abandoned after 5 miles as I saw the temp gauge rising and it's dawned on me that no belt+no water pump!
I wondered about cooling when I read you earlier post, but that would have been after you'd left. Sounds like we need a PHer to tow you. I'm north of London but if there are no other volunteers I could come down to Sussex. I thought the other option could be a DIY belt change on your drive but, having searched and seen what would be involved on a 9-5 Aero Hot, that would be way beyond my limited spannering ability.So, I did a 130mile supported ride on Sunday (final big one in training for this weekend. idiot).
Anyway...it was utterly freezing in the morning - truly horrid. The things I learned, particularly on a supported ride;
1) Bring a shed load of clothing. I didn't know it was going to be supported, so only took what was on me. If I'd have known, it would have been full on hardshell in morning, and short sleeves in afternoon. I was brutally, horribly cold as a result (I'm very skinny, so don't have much insulation!). Also, bring clothing (big jackets) to put on when stopped, to take off again when we set off.
2) Tea. The ladies in the van were worried about me as I was so cold, so every time there was the slightest of stops, they came out with a cup of tea for me (I was REALLY cold!). Not to suggest that should happen, but how feasible would a flask boiled in the morning be, I wonder?
3) Little and often. We spoke about that before in this thread; but we ended up with a stop every 25miles and I thought that was just right.
4) EPO.
Anyway...it was utterly freezing in the morning - truly horrid. The things I learned, particularly on a supported ride;
1) Bring a shed load of clothing. I didn't know it was going to be supported, so only took what was on me. If I'd have known, it would have been full on hardshell in morning, and short sleeves in afternoon. I was brutally, horribly cold as a result (I'm very skinny, so don't have much insulation!). Also, bring clothing (big jackets) to put on when stopped, to take off again when we set off.
2) Tea. The ladies in the van were worried about me as I was so cold, so every time there was the slightest of stops, they came out with a cup of tea for me (I was REALLY cold!). Not to suggest that should happen, but how feasible would a flask boiled in the morning be, I wonder?
3) Little and often. We spoke about that before in this thread; but we ended up with a stop every 25miles and I thought that was just right.
4) EPO.
I'll be bringing pretty much every bit of cycle clothing I own to cover all bases, especially with the current forecast for stage 2 (heavy rain and a 15mph headwind). I like a challenge but I'm so grateful to have Justin supporting us and giving us the luxury of having the right gear for the conditions.
Tony, get yourself an Ass Saver before the weekend.
Tony, get yourself an Ass Saver before the weekend.
It's surprising just how welcome they were.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff