Cycling

Looks like a really nice bike. I've never tried belt drive but I guess theres less chance of a 'mechanical' than with a traditional chain. I see its in the list of best tourers in cyclist. If you find it's too pricey both Cube and Trek do tourers, I mention those two brands because J. C Cooks are stockists for both.

Sounds like a great trip and I hope the weather stays fine for you. Take some great photos and maybe put some on here. We may need something nice to take our minds off other things.

Never heard of these bikes you mention. I have a 40 odd year old Raleigh Randonneur. Was the bees knees when I bought it.

Yes I had a Cube mountain bike from Cooks cycles a few years back, I used the cycle to work scheme with my employer, it was a good bike with decent spec on it, it was supposed to be £1100 but I got it for £1000 (the maximum for the cycle to work scheme) I would definitely consider a Cube again.

I’m looking at the north coast next year (due to the planning of it) this year may be uncertain due to lockdown etc but I will send you some photos not a problem mate.

Quoted from cmackenzie4

I’ve never really been a road cyclist but I have had some decent bikes over the years, I’m more into cycle touring bikes, I’m looking at one at the moment the “Tout terrain Silkroad” it’s a bit of a price but looks exactly what I’m after, I still have all my gear (regarding panniers etc) I’m going to go round the north cost of Scotland from John o’ Groats to Fort William over a 7-10 day period, I also like photography so it will give me plenty of time to take some great photos of the Sea/Mountains.

That looks a nice bike Chris, I was tempted to go for the Oxford expedition custom made, but very expensive maybe in a few years when I know for sure it will get used.
How do you normally get all your gear up north? I was thinking about taking my bike on the train but not looked into properly yet.

I’ve been dropped off and picked up before HC, i’d happily do it on the train, it would need a bit of forward planning that though but easily doable mate. I like the look of that bike. 👍

Quoted from ginnywings

If your wife works, she could take a look at the cycle to work scheme, which makes bikes more affordable.

I have an ATB, which I'm looking to add a motor to, to make my own e-bike. In fact, this thread has given me a reminder, as I had forgotten all about it. Good time to do it with time on my hands.

I've thought about getting an e-scooter for the campervan. Not really enough room for bikes unless we hang them on the back doors, but that takes us into a dearer bracket for ferries, which soon adds up as we go Island hopping in Scotland.

Slightly off topic but did you buy a campervan or a van and do a self conversion?  I am thinking to do the latter when restrictions ease a bit

Quoted from BlackandWhiteBarmy2

The wife is work free at the minute and I've just been made redundant so the cycle to work scheme, although very good, is out.

Have you looked at Swytch for an e-bike conversion

https://www.swytchbike.com/

Sorry to hear you've been made redundant hope you get a job soon.

Ginny how much would you pay for a van like that, as it is in the video mate ?

In some ways I wish there had been electric bikes when I started work with a 5 mile each way commute across Grimsby in the 60s. But the choices were push bike or queueing for a place on the disease incubators. It was galling to see people sitting smug in cars dry and warm while I struggled soaking and sweating to or from work. As soon as I could pass my test as save up I was off to buy a 1959 Ford Pop in green to join the smug gang.

Just before I got the car I was sorely tempted by the previous incarnation of an electric bike, the moped. A mate was selling a nearly new one for the same money as the Ford Pop. A few weeks after I got the car I was coming home on a December teatime down Weelsby Road when there was an almighty bang. A moped rider had turned left out of Park Drive and front wheel skidded into the path of a car on the main road, a right mess.

That is what bothers me about powered cycles and scooters. I am sure the people on here know what they are doing and how to ride them but some get into the hands of people who don’t and the consequences can be disastrous. I have nothing against electric cycles but I do feel there should be some specific testing and licensing for these machines.

I’m looking at buying one but it won’t be till I receive my railway pension at 60 (I’ll buy it out of my lump sum) I was expecting a price of £40,000 for a camper so wasn’t far wrong, I know a friend who lives in one, I was actually speaking to a couple in Cafe Nero (Louth) around 2 years ago who sold everything and bought a camper to live in (travelling through Europe) and occasionally staying at their daughters in Louth, they loved it and seemed happy.