Advice sought regarding trans-pennine and bike!
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm just looking to see if anyone here has done the Trans Pennine Trail - starting at Hornsea on the East coast and ending in Southport on the west?
http://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/
I've signed up to do it with a number of mates for a charity which is close at heart to my best man.
I used to ride a bit when I was younger, but haven't ridden properly for a good ten years! I've got till August 2013 to prepare, so I'm confident that I'll get the hours in ensure it's not hellish!
Two things really - firstly, has anyone done this before - do you have any advice/tips etc.
Secondly, I'm a big guy, 6'4" & 114Kg (not a company director, not a trace of stubble!). I've been looking at hybrid bikes, as I believe these would be best suited to this trail. Does anyone recommend a manufacturer that wont snap under my bulk! Looking to spend circa £500.
ETA - Would I be right in thinking I need a frame at least 22"?
Is it also possible to swap the rims/tyres of a hybrid to a suit more off-road stuff too?
Appreciate your help gents.
I'm just looking to see if anyone here has done the Trans Pennine Trail - starting at Hornsea on the East coast and ending in Southport on the west?
http://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/
I've signed up to do it with a number of mates for a charity which is close at heart to my best man.
I used to ride a bit when I was younger, but haven't ridden properly for a good ten years! I've got till August 2013 to prepare, so I'm confident that I'll get the hours in ensure it's not hellish!
Two things really - firstly, has anyone done this before - do you have any advice/tips etc.
Secondly, I'm a big guy, 6'4" & 114Kg (not a company director, not a trace of stubble!). I've been looking at hybrid bikes, as I believe these would be best suited to this trail. Does anyone recommend a manufacturer that wont snap under my bulk! Looking to spend circa £500.
ETA - Would I be right in thinking I need a frame at least 22"?
Is it also possible to swap the rims/tyres of a hybrid to a suit more off-road stuff too?
Appreciate your help gents.
Edited by col2e on Thursday 20th December 11:07
Hi I did this two years ago in the other direction. I did it on a Boardman Hybrid with solid forks with 700 x 28 tyres. Some bits are a bit rough but we cycled it all with care. Lots of old railway lines. Enjoyed it immensely. Bike with suspension forks but road / semi slick tyres would be perfect,
For a road bike you'd probably need a 60-62 cm to ensure the drop - seat to bar - isn't huge, which is important for distance riding. TBH I wouldn't bother with a hybrid, I'd go full road bike - the trail isn't tough - and just use some bigger kevlar protected. We used to regularly ride to Hornsea and back as kids on our 5 speed racers.
Just be careful round Hull / Hornsea; lots of glass due to the scumbags that live there. Hence to kevlar tyre suggestion.
For MTB, you'd need a 21" frame.
I'm 6'5" and those are the sizes I use. Make sure you demo whatever you buy properly though.
Just be careful round Hull / Hornsea; lots of glass due to the scumbags that live there. Hence to kevlar tyre suggestion.
For MTB, you'd need a 21" frame.
I'm 6'5" and those are the sizes I use. Make sure you demo whatever you buy properly though.
Thanks for the advice guys.
I've bought a second hand Specilised cross trail from eBay. Seems to be a decent spec/ condition for the money - and in the right size too! I'm picking it up Sunday and will probably put a little update on here. Will need advice on the best training too....
I've bought a second hand Specilised cross trail from eBay. Seems to be a decent spec/ condition for the money - and in the right size too! I'm picking it up Sunday and will probably put a little update on here. Will need advice on the best training too....
Hi all,
Bit of a revival of this..
A knee injury from playing rugby has meant I've hardly done any miles yet, which doesn't bode we'll considering I'm doing this ride in just 10 weeks, with 70% of my weekends already booked up with holidays/stag do/weddings etc.
Anyway, I was out last night, and got 18 miles done, but I got a pain in my shoulders/neck. Where the blades and neck meet really.. Would that be a symptom of a bad riding position? It feels like my seat might be a tad high. Can anyone recommend a good rule of thumb for bike set up?
I've had a quick google but though I'd throw it to the masses on here too.
Bit of a revival of this..
A knee injury from playing rugby has meant I've hardly done any miles yet, which doesn't bode we'll considering I'm doing this ride in just 10 weeks, with 70% of my weekends already booked up with holidays/stag do/weddings etc.
Anyway, I was out last night, and got 18 miles done, but I got a pain in my shoulders/neck. Where the blades and neck meet really.. Would that be a symptom of a bad riding position? It feels like my seat might be a tad high. Can anyone recommend a good rule of thumb for bike set up?
I've had a quick google but though I'd throw it to the masses on here too.
This might help with a few pointers...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAl_5e7bIHk
I found that the stem on my bike was too long so I fitted a 30mm shorter one. I've also taken the peak off my helmet to convert it to "road spec" so I dont have to lift my head up so much to see far ahead.
I'm still getting slight pain in thumbs though so I've booked in at my LBS for a pro fitting session next week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAl_5e7bIHk
I found that the stem on my bike was too long so I fitted a 30mm shorter one. I've also taken the peak off my helmet to convert it to "road spec" so I dont have to lift my head up so much to see far ahead.
I'm still getting slight pain in thumbs though so I've booked in at my LBS for a pro fitting session next week.
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