Pannier racks with disc brakes

I've been under the misapprehension that fitting a rear rack to a bike with disc brakes is virtually impossible. I came across this adaptation on a bike locked up outside my work. Looks quite ingenious although I'd worry about it being a bit unstable with 2 well loaded panniers.

Seen near Waitrose

I recently saw this lad grinding along on his bike; grinding being the operative word here as it was making a horrible noise as he struggled along. He stopped and chained it up near Waitrose supermarket and walked off. Me being me, my curiosity got the better of me and so I wandered over to have a looksie.

Oh dear! Maybe I should have left a note.

Becoming a 'happier' cyclist.

Sometimes its easy to forget about enjoying cycling for cycling's sake. I do that too often so have come up with a (far from exhaustive) list of tips/stuff to do that might lead to happier cycling. I think we should all try to do at least some of these once in a while.

1. Don't attach a cycle computer to your bike.


2. Just pootle. What's wrong with doing a 15 mile ride that takes 3 hours because you've stopped at a cafe and a pub? Nothing.


3. Say 'hello' to people as you pass them/they pass you.


4. Ignore the temptation to chase down the cyclist 200 yards in front of you. Just chill.


5. Similarly, if you notice someone behind you who is trying to catch you, don't try and speed up.


6. Fit some cheap platform pedals to your bike and go for a ride in an ordinary pair of shoes.


7. Go for a ride on a good bike in 'non-cycling' gear.


8. Don't think that spending £200 on a particular component will make you go significantly faster (or even faster at all).


9. Stop and take photos regularly.


10. Go for a ride in a the pouring rain.


11. Own a bike that you don't mind riding in a downpour.


12. Learn how to build a wheel (it really isn't difficult).


13. Always take a pump, spare inner tube and repair kit on a ride.


14. Feel comfortable about mixing and matching stuff on your bike(s).


15. Always stop and ask if another cyclist is OK if they are stopped at the side of the road.


16. Do a time-trial on a touring bike with panniers attached :-) At least you'll beat your time next time out.


17. Vary your commuting route often.


18. Just GO for a ride one morning and don't come back til dusk. No planning. No maps. No GPS. Just follow your nose.


19. Go for a night ride.


20. Go cycle camping for a night.


21. Make sure you spend (much) more time riding your bike than cleaning/fettling it.


22. Never sneer at another person's bike.


23. Ride down a big hill with your feet off the pedals, shouting 'wheeeeeeee'.


24. Buy stuff in your local bike shop(s) rather than from t'interweb.


25. Resist the temptation to become obsessive and a 'cycle-bore'.

Love your backside

What makes a cycling tour comfortable?
Originally uploaded by rob.appleyard

Saddles are definitely personal but for me the Brooks B17 is the only thing I'm happy sticking my arse on. I can cope with other saddles up to about 50-60 miles but I can ride on one of these all day with NO problems whatsoever.

I'm lucky in that I find them comfortable straight away - even before they have moulded themselves properly to my backside. OK, they aren't light, they need a modicum of TLC and I HATE it when I get them wet but look after them and they last years. Why sit on anything else?

Photos from my tour

Can be found here.

Rob's Tour de North part 7

Spent the next day fishing and drinking. When I say fishing I actually mean sat relaxing at the edge of a lake with a few beers and sharing a bottle of brandy. In nearly 12 hours we caught nowt but put that down to the fact that the lake was still swollen after the recent heavy rain. Didn't mind one jot. Just happy to relax for a day and enjoy the wildlife.

The following day was back to Sheffield. Dad kindly gave me a lift back to near Dunham Bridge and I cycled back home from there on a lovely afternoon. Another 39.6 miles to finish off my trip.

392 miles this week and all but a few of them extremely enjoyable. Can't wait for my next tour.

Rob's Tour de North part 6 (27/07/07)

What a day! Longest day in the saddle. Furthest I've ever ridden in a day. First ever century ride. I was chuffed and knackered in equal measure at the end of it. Nearly 126 miles and that into a strong head/cross wind on a loaded touring bike.

The original plan was to stop in Hornsea/Withernsea area or Hull (if my old friend Martin was around for beer). He wasn't and I felt strong so I decided to keep going to my Dad's house in Horncastle, Lincolnshire.

A marvellous breakfast at the Youth Hostel prepared me for the long day and I was soon climbing up on to the edges of the North York Moors. Lots of ups and downs for the 1st 15 miles with some steep bits chucked in to keep you on your toes (or out of your saddle would be more apt). More of an issue was the traffic on the A171. Busy and not very nice. Lovely to see the heather in bloom though. Dropped into Scarborough (my fave seaside resort) for my 1st cuppa and a cake and then climbed out and stuck to the main road to Bridlington. Another stop for a drink and then onwards to Hornsea at which point I'd made my mind up to press on down into Lincolnshire. Stopped at Hornsea Mere (like going back in time) for lunch and topped up my water bottles.

Looking down towards Scarborough

North beach at Scarborough

Hornsea Mere cafe

Then on towards Hull into the teeth of the wind with no shelter. I was pleasantly surprised by the centre of Hull. Very nice indeed. It was the 'Wilberforce weekend' and lots going on but I wasn't stopping. On towards the Humber Bridge along the Hessle Road. The bridge is free for bikes of course and I took the west path so it didn't feel like I was going to be blown into the water below. And then it started to rain.

Followed NCN route 1 on quiet roads towards Caistor. Stopped for a pee at about 90 miles and it hurt like hell!! A shortish 10% climb approaching Caistor and then the computer ticks over to 100.00. Yeah. Feels good. But still another 25 miles to go and I'v e run out of water. Oh well. There'll be a garage on the way though. Or a pub. Or a late shop. Was there bollocks! Climbed up on to the Wolds and then its rural roads and nothing til Horncastle. Bloody puncture near the Belmont transmitter mast with only 10 miles to go. A thorn! Actually, my arms were aching more than my legs or arse and so it took a bit of effort to get sufficient pressure in the tyre before I could set off again. Very thirsty by now but not long to go.




A long day

Rolled into Dads at about 8.20pm and very ready for a drink, a shower and something to eat. Feel quite knackered. Dad had cooked a wonderful roast beef dinner and plied me with bottles of real ale so I was a happy bunny. Good on him.

Todays stats:

Mileage: 125.6 miles
Max speed: 43.9mph
Av speed: 13.1 mph
Soakings: 1
Mechanicals: 1 puncture

Rob's Tour de North part 5 (26/07/07)

Well today (from South Shields to Whitby) was a bit of a slog. Nearly 64 miles into a headwind and heavy rain for the last half. Oh, and some bloody steep hills chucked in for good measure as well.

A few spots of rain as I packed everything away and I took advantage of the hot shower facility then waited 20 mins to retrieve my bike from the locked laundry room. Open at 8.30am my arse!

Still, on the go fairly early but soon noticed the headwind as I made my way back to Sunderland. Followed NCN route 1 out of the place, grabbing a sarnie and a cake for brekkie on the way. The first part also constitutes route 7 (C2C route) so at least I can say I cycled the WHOLE of that route.

To be fair I was NOT sad to be leaving Sunderland. In my opinion it's dire (sorry any Wearsiders reading this). Can't think of ONE redeeming feature. And the route out to the South is crap. Convoluted, not that well signed and mostly strewn with broken glass or parked cars.

The route south took in Seaham, Easington (where they filmed Billy Elliot I think) and I can't remember much more. It was all a bit drab and depressing. Especially after the scenery of the Pennines.

I didn't trust myself to find my way through Hartlepool, Stockton and Middlesbrough so opted for the train from Hartlepool to Redcar. A good move I think. The guard was a bit of a miserable bugger but I'll give him his due - he managed to get 6 (yes SIX) bikes on a busy 2 carriage train. Well done that man.

At Redcar it started to rain and it just got heavier and heavier as the journey went on. You'll note that there are very few photos of today. This reflects the fact that there was bugger all worth photographing for the 1st half and too wet to get the camera out for the 2nd half!

The hills started from Saltburn. First a steep drag up to Brotton followed by a little descent into a tiny coastal village called Skinninggrove. The climb out of here on a minor road towards Staithes was a git! Very steep. In fact the steepest road so far on my trip. first part was half a mile or so of about 25% Ouch!! From Staithes to Whitby was up and down and quite depressing on the main A174 but it did include a 25% descent at Lythe Bank. Unfortunately I couldn't get too gung ho on it as it was very wet and there were lots of manhole covers that could have resulted in a nasty crash. Was getting really hungry now and didn'y fancy another 12 hilly miles to my planned stop so decided to go for the excellent Youth Hostel at Whitby Abbey and enjoy a dry night (at least in one sense of the word!). Ate fish and chips in a skanky Whitby bus shelter to avoid the torential rain. Blimey they were good fish and chips.

Later on the rain stopped and I wandered into Whitby for 3 pints at the Black Horse (very nice real ale pub) before collapsing in bed.

The STEEP hill back up top Whitby Abbey. Glad you are not allowed to cycle up here. I couldn't

Todays stats:

Mileage: 63.9
Max speed: 37.6 mph
Av speed: 11.0 mph (bloody headwind)
Pints: 3
Soakings: 1 very long one
Mechanicals: 0

Rob 's Tour de North part 4 (25/07/07)

Today was a much easier day and yet at the end of it I felt really quite tired?! Maybe yesterdays hills were catching up?

Didn't sleep brilliantly again either. Woken by a screeching owl at 2.00am and then again by the rain at 4.00am. Did manage to get a few hours after that though.

The kind and talkative lady at the Old Vicarage made me a bacon sandwich and a pot of tea which set me up a treat. £7.50 for camping and brekkie is great value I reckon. Again - I'd recommend this place very strongly.

Weather looked a bit ominous and so after packing away I donned the rain jacket and set off a bit later than I'd expected. I was straight into a climb out of Rookhope that dragged on for a bit up to the moors. I'm sure the views would have been lovely but the clouds were down. Nice descent into Stanhope and then Crawleyside Bank awaits. It isn't called CRAWLyside for nothing. 3 miles up to Parkhead and a long stretch of 17% that, on a loaded touring bike, you have to winch yourself up. Again, very desolate and beautiful on the North Pennine moors but surprisingly cold and windy!


Cafe at Parkhead

At Parkhead there is a fantastic cafe that is another cyclists' haven on the C2C. It was only a few miles into the days ride but I decided to escape the elements for a while and stopped for 2 pots of tea and a toasted teacake. The owners are very friendly and the whole place is set up for cyclists.

From here it is nearly all downhill or flat to the coast!! Wow. The first section is the Waskerley Way (on which I saw no wascaley wabbits) - a long downhill on a smooth, well surfaced (compacted cinders) disused rail line. A highlight was Hownsgill Viaduct with great views across the surrounding countryside. It was also a site for potential suicides given the large notices with telephone numbers for The Samaritans. Unfortunately, flowers tied to the railing suggest that for at least one individual, these were ignored.


Hownsgill Viaduct

Onwards towards Consett and all around here were massive, magnificent sculptures; some constructed from remnants of the old steelworks. More amazing sculptures - this time grazing cows made from scrap iron, huge chains and bits of a JCB - near Beamish. Took a detour here ot visit the open air museum but was put off by the £16 admission.



Transformers. Robots in disguise!


Grazing cows at Beamish

Got chatting to a couple of local MTBers out for a spin and rode with them to the outskirts of Sunderland. Nice tracks alongside the Wear but then got lost in Sunderland itself. Must have missed a sign. Resorted to main roads to get to the marina and the coast where there were the obligatory photos.



Finished the C2C at Roker Pier

Followed NCN route 1 to South Shields to a campsite at Lizard Lane directly opposite the famous Marsden Rock, grotto and cliffs. After pitching the tent I cycled into South Shields for fish and chips which I ate far too quickly whilst enjoying the views across the sands to the sea. Then enjoyed a couple of cans of Stella sat atop the cliffs on a glorious evening. Got my bike locked up in the campsite laundry room and ready for an early night. A very noisy family 'next door' managed to keep me awake for a while though.

Old WW2 gun I tried to aim at a passing Ferry. I missed :-)


Marsden Rock. No longer with its iconic natural arch

Todays stats:

Mileage: 62.4
Max speed: 38.2 mph
Av speed: 11.2 mph (all those bloody access controls plus getting lost in Sunderland)
Pints: 2 cans Stella
Soakings: 0
Mechanicals: 0

Rob's Tour de North part 3 (24/07/07)

Today was quite a tough day in the saddle. Enjoyable - very - but a lot of hills and many of them hard. The scenery in the North Pennines is magnificent though and it was a fantastic day.

Up before 6, as couldn't sleep very well, on another overcast day and sat (feeling cold) drinking tea. On the road by about 8.30 and into Penrith. Cornish pasty and a Belgian bun for breakfast and sent a couple of postcards. Couldn't find Penrith Tea Rooms and so couldn't take the opportunity to order the finest wines known to humanity and have them NOW (won't mean a thing unless you've seen Withnail and I).

From Penrith the road starts to climb to Langwathby and then undulates with some sharp pitches to Renwick. Weather looking gloomy over Hartside and I was hoping it would clear. It did :-) Came across a massive dead badger on the roadside and it looked as though it had only just been hit :-(

Then hit the first big climb of the day up to Hartside Fell. Over 400m of climbing in about 4 miles. Its actually a nice gradient and you can get into a rhythm and keep spinning. Not really that difficult. Took me 36 minutes to get to the top. The cafe at the top is a welcoming sight and it was about lunchtime anyway. Stuffed down a huge plate of ham, egg and chips and lots of tea and off we go again. Nice long downhill followed by a short climb and then more downhill Garrigill and the 2nd major hill of the day. This one is a bastard though. No warning on the map and you are straight into a 25% climb that kills your legs before a really long drag to the top. I think the worst part of the climb was the bloody flies. Loads of them and you can't go fast enough to outrun the buggers! Anyway, managed to keep going fine and no need to stop for any breathers. A VERY fast descent into Nenthead with some blind corners that rush up at you and then straight into the 3rd big hill of the day up to Black Hill (the highest point of the route) and the border with Northumberland. Its fairly steep but not as bad as the last one.




From here ...


To here (4 miles later) took 36 minutes


Bloody right I'll be using a low gear.

Seen lots of C2C'ers today and haven't (yet) been passed by anyone. I am the King of the Mountains (I wish).



Top of Black Hill


Yes I do look a bit sweaty. There's a good reason

After enjoying the views from Black Hill another descent before climbing steeply again and then a fast descent into Allenheads. I imagine you get the picture for today :-) Couple of pints of Blacksheep and then the final big climb of the day up to Currick and the border with Co. Durham at 536m. From here it was an exhilarating and fast 4 mile downhill to Rookhope and my stop for the day. This descent through desolate but glorious moorland at 35-40mph was definitely the highlight of the day for me. I can honestly say I'll always remember it and the surrounding scenery. I'd love to live here but imagine any commute by bike would be challenging!

Crossing into Co. Durham

On the descent into Rookhope

As I rolled into the Old Vicarage at Rookhope, where they welcome C2C campers, I got a front wheel puncture. No worries. Fixed it whilst letting the tent dry off. Weather glorious by now. A shower at the site - bliss - and a chance to wash some cycling kit. Then walked back into Rookhope for food and beer. Walked back at 10.30 with just enough light to find my tent and get in. In doing so I must have let a small army of mozzies in as well. Bugger!

Overall, not a high mileage day but definitely one of my more memorable and challenging days on the bike.

Todays stats:

Mileage: 48.8
Max speed: 45.4 mph
Av speed: 10.9 mph (hey, I walked my bike round Penrith for ages)
Pints: 7!
Soakings: 0
Mechanicals: Puncture and minor gear cable adjustment

Rob's Tour de North part 2 (23/07/07)

Woke up to an overcast but dry morning and stocked up with unhealthy calories with a fantastic cooked breakfast. Rolled back into the harbour area for the obligatory photo next to the C2C artwork. An obliging old lady with a Jack Russell did the deed. The photo that is. I'm not suggesting that she got jiggy with her dog.


Ready for the off



You're supposed to dip your back wheel in the Irish Sea on the slipway. What they don't tell you is that it isn't called a SLIPway for nowt! It was very greasy at the bottom and there was a danger that I'd be more submerging the whole bike AND me rather than dipping the wheel. Contented myself with the wheel touching the salty water and seagull shit on the slipway and off I went.

The first section through Whitehaven is a bit drab and the cycle paths are, typically, strewn with broken glass in places. However, I was soon on to a disused railway line that was well tarmaced and it was lovely. Lots of artwork on the route to enjoy and its not long before you can see the North Lakeland Fells in the distance.

Example of artwork on the early part of the route






Lakeland Fells loom

Lots of wildlife. Highlights included a buzzard flying very close by and a red squirrel.


Looking across to Grassmoor

The first 10 miles or so are all flat and then there are only a few short hills to contend with before a steeper, longer climb up Whinlatter pass. This gets me sweating a bit and breathing harder but its not that difficult and not steep enough to require the use of the granny ring. Passed a group of 3 doing the C2C. Two of them were carrying huge rucksacks on their backs. I bet that got sweaty and painful before too long. Stopped at Whinlatter visitor centre for tea and stodgy ginger cake (nice). Its a beautiful place inhabited by birdwatchers and for good reason. Handy tip number 1: don't park your bike under a tree with loads of birds heling themselves to nuts and seeds. Not if you don't want bird shit on your saddle that is!




Very welcoming but cover your saddle!

The road from the visitor centre was steep and rough (just as the map indicated) and I was on the brakes most of the way down. From the bottom it was secluded country lanes all the way to Keswick. Very picturesque and under the shadow of Skiddaw. Came across the 3 lads again who must have taken the road rather than the C2C track. Good call as the guy loaded up with panniers and a tent had wheels that were very sparsely spoked!! In Keswick I should have visited a cashpoint but forgot. From here it was another disused railway line that criss-crossed the river on its way to Threlkeld. It was fantastic. As was the pint of Jennings at the Horse and Farrier in Threlkeld! Then more cycle lanes and tracks avoiding the main A66.

About 8 miles before my campsite in Greystoke the Heavens opened dramatically. Took some shelter but carried on when it eased. Amazingly, 3 miles later the road went from wet ... to dry immediately. Thats the Lake District for you.

Greystoke cycling cafe is wonderful. A cyclists' oasis where you can make yourself tea and enjoy some excellent home made cake (blackberry and apple flapjack for me). There are towels to dry yourself off and even a radiator on which you can dry wet kit. Its not officially a campsite but the very friendly owner was more than happy to let me pitch my tent on the lawn. I'd strongly recommend it to anyone cycling in the area. Oh, and the cats are friendly too.




Squinty the cat gets friendly




Greystoke cycle cafe


Wandered a mile or so to 'The Crown' in the next village (Blencow). Huge portion of liver, bacon and onions and 3 pints of Black Sheep. Just what the Doctor ordered.

Todays stats:

Mileage: 51.8
Max speed: 36 mph
Av. speed: 11.5 mph
Pints: 4
Soakings: 1
Mechanicals: 0

Rob's Tour de North part 1 (22/07/07)

My plan for the week was to do the C2C (Whitehaven to Sunderland) and then carry on down the Yorkshire coast and in to Lincolnshire before heading back to Sheffield.

Caught the 10.54 Virgin train to Newcastle (and then connections to Carlisle and Whitehaven) and by golly it was on time. That boded well as Virgin trains are often tardier than a disorganised woman on her wedding day. And it was sunny for the first time in ages too. Wondered if I'd be leaving that behind.

Some of the countryside between Carlisle and Whitehaven was lovely. Firstly you could see Skiddaw in the distance on your left hand side and looking imposing, then the Irish sea with the Scottish coast across the Solway Firth. All bathed in glorious sunlight.

View from the train across the Irish Sea

From the station at Whitehaven I cycled a mile or so up a hill to the Glen Ard guest house which was to be my only planned B&B for the week (camping the rest). Proprietors very friendly and for £22 I had no complaints. After watching the final, exciting few holes of The Open at Carnoustie I wandered into town to find something to eat and drink as well as identifying the start of the C2C route itself. Whitehaven is an odd, mixed up sort of place. The waterfront/marina is lovely (save the tons of seagull shit everywhere) and has obviously had shedloads of cash spent on it. The centre of town, on the other hand, was a chav magnet and best avoided. Steak and chips and 3 pints of Jennings Cocker Hoop. Lovely.

Whitehaven Marina

Some nice artwork amongst the seagull shit

The start point

Looking forward to tomorrow.