A Heavy Sake Jar

update please?

dodgy part of Manchester.

mid north done

cuudly cod

wrapped up the pubs today.

nice day's riding. even managed a stop at Matlock Bath for a healthy spring roll

Bikers Bistro - Millenium Cycles

enjoyed a nice cold drink in the sun. there are some nice bikes there too.

Back on the tags after a long break. life getting in the way of riding.

My Dad came over from Oz. So glad to of shared ride this with him

Seafront Chippy Hornsea

I'm in Sheffield. Please feel free to contact me if you want to go out for a ride.

Hello riders,

What are the best heated grips?

I've seen Oxford Premium, Oxford Essential Commuters, Daytona Heated Grips.

But there is very little info on comparisons.

Hoping you all can advise.

Oxford Rainex Cover, (large for a CBR1000f)

Price= £60(ish) - price varies according to size purchased.

Bought 12month ago

Good points:

The cover is used every day/night on a bike parked out side. It has kept the bike dry and has never blown off or blown my bike over.

It has kept the bike dry and in good condition over the last winter, which included moderate to heavy snow. (I’m sure people will say it snowed more back in my day).

The cover has a soft lining which is designed to prevent scratching of paint. It also has heat resistant material to prevent melting. Both features have worked as intended.

The seams are taped to prevent leakage.

There are loop holes (eyelets) at both ends of the bike where security chains, cables etc can be thread through the wheels. There are also pockets where you can store the padlock to keep it off the ground. My personal preferance is to thread both ends of the chain through each loophole / eyelet so that it keeps the lock under the cover. More effort involved but certainly keeps the lock dry, off the ground and in better condition.

I have not encountered any issues of condensation or moisture on the bike and it has stood up to heavy down pours of rain, snow and pools of water. The cover also protected the bike in heavy hail storms.

There are ventilation flaps on each side of the bike. I have not gone out of my way to open these up in hot or cold wet weather. So technically I cant say they work, but like I say, I havent had condensation or moisture on the bike.

There is elastic around the bottom and an adjustable belly strap to keep it tight. If you really wanted the bees knees, it could do with another adjustable belly strap just infront of the rear wheel. But thats my opinion, and may not better the product....

It has performed well under the English sun and remained in good condition. No cracking or perishing of the material.

There is a pouch for a solar battery panel with wire access holes. (I’ve not used this).

The cover dries quickly and nearly all the water can be shaken off before hanging up to dry.

It even folds back up to fit in its original plastic case.

Bad points,

I have noted that the tape on the seams that run directly over the side mirrors are slightly lifting. I’ll see if this causes problems over the coming winter. all other seam tapes are firmly glued and intact.

But this is the only bad point about this cover.

Recommendation.

I dont know what the additional benefits the Oxford Stormex has over the Oxford Rainex, but if you want a reliable bike cover that does the job all year round, then I recommend the Oxford Rainex.

seems like a lot of people were not at work today.

Salt Box Cafe followed by a great ride in the peak district back to Sheffield

I've just noticed on the list of Pubs that the THE CROWN & ANCHOR has been changed to the CROWN.

When did this happen?

upon further investigation, i have found out when it was changed!

the pub list entry was last edited by GoG on the 28th.

Last edited by Grumpy Old Git on Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:04 pm, edited 12 times in total.

and to add further evidence GOG got a pic of "The Crown' on the 28th.

Crown

Attachment:

The Crown.jpg [ 299.04 KiB | Viewed 72 times ]

had a great day's ride in Yorkshire.

Crown & Anchor, near Thirsk

Blue Lion, East Whitton

Stainforth Bridge

Elaine's Tea rooms

found this on a ride to another work site. Always packin' my number.

Black Bull

hi folks, anyone want to join me on Sat 7th starting at SMC bike in sheffield at 8.30am. the aim is to get 7 tags for the UKchallenge 100. weather forecast is looks like there'll be sunshine

the route is pictured below. its about 335miles,

if anyone wants to come please make a reply on here so i'll know to call into SMC bikes before i head north.

Hello winter riders,

As we near the end of Feb and supposedly move closer to the start of spring, just want to get feedback from you about how your winter gloves have gone/ are going. do they do the job? would you get them again or would you look for something else.

i got Alpinestars Apex DS gloves. they've kept my hands dry and warm for most of the winter. but i've needed to buy a pair of Lowe Alpine thinsulate gloves to keep my fingers warmish when it was really cold. they are good gloves, not too bulky but not quite warm enough for the fingers. I have a RST Paragon IV textile jacket that the sleeve fits snug around the outside of the glove.

I'm going to be looking for some warmer ones for next winter.

Had great day out in very fine weather.

Aubourn Hall is a funny one. The owners came and asked me a load of questions about why i was taking a photo out side their gate. its basically a very posh large house behind a gate. it is a quite random spot.

I gave a brief explanation so they'll be expecting more bikes turning up

Flo's Cafe

Yardbird at Grimsby. there's a bike shop opposite as well. friendly owner.

Caenby Corner

Aubourn Hall

a sneeky mid week tag..

Nice to see the sun again...

The Cock Inn

I second the Paragon IV

Great jacket.

I bought the cheaper version textile jeans 'Blade' to go with it.

I've been wearing them through the icey weathers lately and been warm and dry.

I'm interested in this trip. let me know when dates have been confirmed and then i'll run it by my bosses, (domestic (wife) and employer).

I'll be a first time tourer so this looks like a great opportunity, Thanks.

#UKchallenge100 rewards for the day. After a very windy ride in hail and sleet i managed to climb up to Blue Johns Cavern and then retreated to a warm fire at the Grindy Cafe.

Grindleford Cafe

the wind kept blowing the sign off the bike so i had to do a dreaded selfie.

Loads of ice and black ice on roads to Blue Johns Cafe. I don't fancy Winnats Pass in these conditions. Aborted #UKchallenge100 tag run.

Winter sucks.

the vine and royal oak. both pubs pretty run down..

the royal oak

the vine

the white swan

The White Swan

started out today. did 4 sites but having IT issues making the pictures small enough

the ship

a question of clarification please.

the listed pub called THE COCK, would The Cock Inn be acceptable?

Thanks for all your comments. Getting very frustrated not being able to ride. And if got no money for retail therapy as a alternative. My only joy was to go to a bike shop today and sit on a few bikes.