On your Bike

[NewcastleFalcon]

Has to be electric in 2024

Neil

[CitroJim]

Yep, a Derney is a small motorcycle used in motor-paced cycle racing. Getting on the wheel of a Derney (i.e. getting in its slipstream and shelter) a cyclist can achieve and maintain high speeds. They are/were made for the job and are generally not an 'off the shelf' machine.

Traditionally a small two-stroke but now electric. Following right up the chuff of a smelly, smoky Derney back in the day must have been appalling.

They were traditionally ridded by superannuated racing cyclists, often ones who were no longer in the top echelons of fitness.

The Keirin is an interesting genre of bike racking; originally Japanese and there it's on a par with horse racing and conducted in a similar way with bookies taking bets and so on. The riders have their 'colours' in the same way as jockeys do. It's thrilling but brutal stuff!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Of the track cycling races I like the eliminator (if that's the right name for it) the best where the field is reduced lap by lap until only two remain to battle it out to the finish. The Keirin is also good but is over in a flash.

I noticed some of the GB Bikes maybe all of them were emblazoned with "Lotus". Whether that's proper makers name or just sponsorship I dont know. China's Geely of course own the car brand Lotus now.

I found Chris Hoy and Laura Kenny excellent "guests" to have on the BBC coverage. Chris did a decent explanation of the shattered carbon fibre all over the track after one incident, and its properties of strength, and lightness in a particular plane on racing cycles but its fragility in side impacts or something like that!

Neil

[CitroJim]

Indeed, the downside of carbon fibre There are specialist who will repair a damaged frame although they know how to charge for it...

[mickthemaverick]

Bertie came out for dinner!!

MTMO

[NewcastleFalcon]

Ahh yes, that'll be one of your non-return valves Neil... Without it working, whatever you pump into the tyre just leaks out again past that faulty valve.

After a fashion...the pump works in that it can pump up the tyre. Plenty of pressure generated on the downstroke of the pump after bulking out the O-ring groove on the plunger with fine string wrapping so that the O-ring had a bit of a bulge outside the circumference of the plunger "piston".

Downside too much suckage on the up stroke, and more effort than necessary to get enough air into the tyre.
Before giving up the attempt, I wonder if a cheap (it would have to be) one way valve could be inserted in line to rubber outlet air hose to bring back its original functionality.

Neil

[bobins]

Penny farthing uphill time trial rides into Sussex

'ere, Jim, you like cycling uphill and a good biking challenge - one for you next year then !

"What is billed as the world's only uphill penny farthing race is taking place later in East Sussex.
The Beachy Head World Championship Penny Farthing Hill Climb Time Trial sets off on Sunday morning for the seventh year. "

More at the Beeb: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rw8rxvljro



And then there's this from when the only stimulant a cyclist took before a race was a strong cup of beef tea

[CitroJim]

Penny farthing uphill time trial rides into Sussex

'ere, Jim, you like cycling uphill and a good biking challenge - one for you next year then !

That could be fun!

I'd have to learn to ride a penny-farthing first

Still, I would have a year to do so and hopefully get competent (ish)

And a cup of beef tea is compelling

[NewcastleFalcon]

Tandem week over at Alnwick Rugby Club this week as the Tandem Club UK centre their week long National Rally 2024 at Alnwick.

Rally T-shirt...slogan quite appropriate for Alnwick as Barter Books in the town were responsible for the "revival" of the "keep calm and carry on" design, and its adaptions The story of keep calm and carry on viewtopic.php?p=809531#p809531

Worth resurrecting this. The riders of this e-tandem here turned out to be Steve and Angela featured on Escape to The Chateau DIY Se2 Ep4 with their e-tandem business. Photographed outside Marksies at Alnwick in 2021.

Neil

[CitroJim]

'Keep Calm and Pedal On' is good... A trip out on a bike on a fine day can be very calming

That top is useless for cycling - it has no pockets on the back... That's essential in any cycling apparel

Mind you, my tri skinsuit is pocketless and when wearing it I use a running belt to hold my mobile phone, keys, a soft pouch of water and the obligatory sugary snack in case of a bonk

[NewcastleFalcon]

That top is useless for cycling - it has no pockets on the back... That's essential in any cycling apparel

Jeans and a red t-shirt just like that without the words, was all I needed today on my bike escapades today.

As luck would have it I did come across a group of tandem stragglers, but the planned ride-out was not a race and they set off from their HQ in Alnwick much later than the rest. I was pleased to find out that the club was inclusive and e-tandems were welcome. The couple I was speaking too had the conventional all manual tandem but didnt mind in the slightest dismounting and pushing up the more challenging gradients of which there are many in the Alnwick area.

Neil

[CitroJim]

That top is useless for cycling - it has no pockets on the back... That's essential in any cycling apparel

Jeans and a red t-shirt just like that without the words, was all I needed today on my bike escapades today.

But where do you carry your essentials Neil?

[NewcastleFalcon]

That top is useless for cycling - it has no pockets on the back... That's essential in any cycling apparel

Jeans and a red t-shirt just like that without the words, was all I needed today on my bike escapades today.

But where do you carry your essentials Neil?

I don't go far enough to need essentials! Camera in the back pocket of the jeans today, sometimes in the front pocket, sometimes in my shirt pocket

Neil

[RichardW]

Riding a penny farthing is easy...getting on and off less so...! I can confirm, from painful experience, that it is a long way down over the bars when you get the dismount timing wrong

[CitroJim]

Riding a penny farthing is easy...getting on and off less so...! I can confirm, from painful experience, that it is a long way down over the bars when you get the dismount timing wrong

Good head and gravel rash protection essential then Richard!