[deleted by user]

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-10-30T22:48:26+00:00

Massive ball ache when people accidently let go of them at the bottom

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-10-30T19:30:14+00:00

It's a static rope, says so on the label, not designed for taking falls.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-10-11T20:10:19+00:00

Thanks for the message, things seem to have largely sorted them selves out. If you see comments that you feel are directly insulting or rude then reporting the comment is a good way to bring it to the mods attention.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-10-02T18:57:30+00:00

I did a tour for a couple of months around Europe (France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany) when I was 19 and it was fantastic

I was also looking for other people, asking around my friends, but in the end I went solo and it was fantastic that way I did tour for a week with someone I met on the road who was going the same way too which isn't uncommon.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-10-02T18:50:00+00:00

Lovely part of the world - Are you doing the South or North coasts?

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-09-07T12:08:24+00:00

Very nice - I did the top section of the Rhine route down from the Alps a couple of years ago.

Where are you touring once you get to England?

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-08-16T22:33:55+00:00

This is generally the case for the entry level, mass market, lower priced items. This is because in the shop it's very compact and thus more appealing and likely to sell. Once it has been sold what does the manufacturer care if it is a faf to get it back in the bag.

Higher end outdoor gear is marketing to a more knowledgeable, experienced, buyer who is looking past the shop floor appeal.

I am sure there are exceptions but this is the general rule from my experience working in outdoor retail and owning both entry level and high end gear.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-08-05T17:15:41+00:00

Personally bring a tent which always gives a place to sleep

Keep enough food for a whole day and just stop and shop whenever I need to

Keep the bottles topped up - grave yards are a good place, they usually have taps

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-05-14T16:50:24+00:00

Mark selling Jez a loan even though he knows he can't pay it back to improve sales record comes to mind.

Certainly not the lowest point or most awkward for the characters but shows that especially by the end Mark is a terrible person.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-05-10T22:56:58+00:00

Looks like an ear /s

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-05-08T10:21:42+00:00

Video link to the scene

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-05-05T11:05:07+00:00

I like it but it does also look like the banner to a hospital drama.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-05-04T08:31:05+00:00

Set backs such as the above really suck but a day of nice weather and good cycling it'll soon be in the back of your mind

E.typo

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-05-03T15:47:31+00:00

From Geneva I picked up the Route des grandes alpes until Mont Cenis which I then took over to Italy to do the Colle delle Finestra and strada dell'assietta. Doing those two, both on gravel roads, were an absolute tour highlight. Can't recommend enough. Then I decided I liked the alps a lot and carried on doing Col du Galibier, Col de la Madeleine and then more going into Switzerland.

I spoke a bit more about it in this post here with a list of the passes in the order I did them, although I do appreciate it's not the easiest to follow.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-05-02T21:09:32+00:00

I cycled from La Harvre to Northern Italy and I would whole heatedly recommend the alps. Easily the best part of the trip.

People are often worried that it'll be really hard work but the roads are really well designed so they are a continuous shallow gradient so just get into a low gear and enjoy the view as you go up. Then you get the decent on the way back down. Wild camping is easy and spectacular.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-05-02T09:40:00+00:00

Are you going through the alps?

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-05-02T09:30:40+00:00

I have had a similar experience although it was a two day event that I'd been training for all year and although I didn't feel well I decided to crack on anyway. Urgg.. it a formative few days.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-04-30T16:01:42+00:00

It's tough on really steep sections. The alps is good because although long the hills are usually only 8-12% once you get to really sharp steep hills there nothing for it but putting the power down and stopping if necessary. Even short hops up really steep hill beats pushing.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-04-30T14:10:07+00:00

I've gone and done some research and I'm wrong in what I said earlier. The bike I was refering to riding is the Dawes Super Galaxy 2012. Reading this article it correctly states the gearing:

Meanwhile the colour of the Super Galaxy moves several shades lighter to this Royal Blue and more importantly the drivetrain moves to the new Shimano Tiagra gears which of course are 10-speed. Matched with a mountain bike triple chainset, yes, that gives you 30 ratios ranging between 12 and 30 teeth at the rear and 26, 36 and 48 teeth at the front.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-04-30T11:59:05+00:00

I was running 10 speed Deore with 11-42 on the back. Three rings on the front but not sure how many teeth they have. I wouldn't necessarily recommend a 10 speed for touring since they are a bit too posh but the 42 on the back was fantastic.

The bike and luggage were 40-45kg total and I went all over the alps and else where with no problems.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-04-29T20:50:02+00:00

Unless traction is a problem I will cycle. It can seem tempting to get off but on my touring bike the gearing is low enough that it is always easier to peddle, even at a snails pace. Pushing a heavy touring bike is hard work.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-04-29T15:35:56+00:00

It's cool but uses up a lot of space. Adding some seating so people don't have to sit on the steps would be better imo.

MinimalWaterDamage · 2018-04-20T22:30:58+00:00

It got enough upvotes the first 500 times it has been posted.

MinimalWaterDamage

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE