Forum | No Brake Levers or Gear Changers?

Oh, and to add — for the UK the Production model gets a front brake — something to do with law… 

Angus said:

has anybody ever achieved “Lands End 2 John O Groats on a Guvnor or vice versa? 

Regards. Angus 

Did this ever get answered? Elsewhere? Any one know?

Post edited 9:51 am — Jun 9, 2011 by Biscuit

I too would like the challenge.….….….….….

I have studied the logistics of a LEJOG/JOGLE for about three/four years now (for bicycle) and have some publications relating to same. The CTC forum and a chap called MickF in particular on that very forum  is an incredible resource for it.

 I think a chap called Edinburgh Fixed tried it on a fixed gear (i think first attempt ended due to knee problem) and I think it has been done on an ‘Ordinary’.

I’m not sure if the ‘studying logistics’ is procrastination or an actual — subliminal at times - move towards it.

I think once committed i.e. time off work booked, return plans costed and booked then it is a bit like ‘The Marathon’ crack on with training and then just get it completed.

The biggest challenge for me (and I guess anyone) is racking up the miles to train as you lead up to it. Work, life and everything gets in the way. Thats what dealt the Ice Qnt powered attempt for me.

It would be an 11 day trip for me if I ever were to do it. Shortest route, avoiding as many hills as possible (but not all ), unfortunately the aformentioned criteria are mutually incompatible. Thats about 850/900 mi with a day of rest in middle. Av 85/90ish mi a day (apologies for stating the obvious).

I think the shortest route, get it over with tack is based on the; its either a box to be ticked or an enjoyable tour type challenge. If its a tour then you might as well do it over a month or seperate legs over a year. If its a ‘box tick’ then its head down and pedal, day after day, after day, after day.….….….…., after day, after day.….……after day, after day, after day, after day , after day.….….….….….….….….….… ooh yes with a day off in there somewhere (can you see where my potential career in sales floundered)

I probably wont ever do a L’Eroica (I think the Guv’ is now outwith the eligibility criteria anyway) but a LEJOG/JOGLE.….…… who knows. See what the New Forest rattler tells me  

Dick Senior said:

Biscuit said:

… I probably wont ever do a L’Eroica (I think the Guv’ is now outwith the eligibility criteria anyway) …  

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Oh, I didn’t realise that the Guv’nor is now no longer eligible for L’Eroica… That’s a shame, it is one of my dreams to have a crack at this one day. However, maybe my single speed Guv is not the ideal machine anyway, especially with my legs!

Has anybody started something similar to this in Blighty? L’Eroica Inglese? (please excuse my non-existant Italiano)

Just so you can see the evidence rather than just believe another Guv’norista (although obviously my word is my bond) — extract from here http://www.eroica-ciclismo.it/.….to_eng.pdf“Art. 6 – Admission’s rules

Only cyclists with “Bici eroiche” will be admitted to the race.…“Bici eroiche”…

external brake wires. The Organisation would allow other types of bikes with new looms but with vintage characteristics and assembled with

original old components (switch, handlebars, pedals, etc.). It is allowed to adapt the wheel ratio to the difficulties of the runs.

Upon request, the Organisation would grant exceptions on bikes for people with disabilities.

Only for short run 38 km will be accepted other historical bikes, such as work bikes, postman bikes, etc, but

Bikes with different characteristics will not be accepted at the starting line.

‐ Historical bikes means all road race bikes built before 1987, with switch lever on the oblique loom tube, toe clips and belts.… 

The riders who try to violate this rule, will not be admitted at the race.

We suggest to have the right sportwear, following the historical style of the event.

The organization will not admit riders with farcical or ironic clothing or behaviour.

… Riders

with irregular documentations will not join the groups, in case of accident will be denounced to the Police Authority.”

All in all reading the above it sounds like its not just the ride that wouldve been a trial but not being able to wear ‘farcical or ironic clothing’ wouldve been a little difficult i had intended wearing this little number http://www.dashingtweeds.co.uk.….fits-sub1/ I certainly wouldnt have wanted to have had an undignified ‘heated discussion’ with with one of our Italian cousins at the start line trying to explain that it wasnt farcical or ironic! I wonder if I would have needed to read out the inside page of my passport “Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretarty of State requires etc blah blah…“And god help me if I’d had an accident without correct docs… I dont think I’ve been denounced in my life!

Oh well PendleWitches looks ‘interesting’.

Adam said:

Mr. Senior I keep missing this event http://www.pendlewitchesvintag.….index.html an all together more home brew affair but from little acorns and all that.

Yes, Sir, I would probably prefer the climate of the continental event, but the Pendle Witches Ride looks like it has a nice vibe.

Thank you for the technical information Mr. Wheeler, Yes I believe it would be very foolish to rush into L’Eroica without some good preparation. The ‘farcical or ironic clothing’ clause is particularly ambiguous and worrying. I would certainly have to ditch my clip-in pedals also!

Thank you Mr. Biscuit, but I am not sure I will risk it this year… I would have thought they would be extremely strict to bar a single speed Guv’nor… Maybe in 2012… 

MGCycleChap said:

Chaps… I thought about doing the Pendle Witches this year myself but to be honest it looked a tad hilly to me for a Guv (maybe I’m just getting old)

MGcC

Sir — I concur, when I said ‘interesting’, I meant just that. In the same way as climbing Everest looks ‘interesting’.….….… Every now and then I think maybe I’ll gear the Guv down and go beyond considering an event like PW but I quite like the current ratios overall.

Any road up, I’ll see hiow the legs develop over the next few months maybe it will be one of those things to do before 50 that have a high risk of making one ill 

Adam,

Fine words indeed… but have you seen the blow-up diagram of the interior of an SA hub gear?  Scary amount going on in there!

Alex

What ho chaps,

 I have one of messers Sturmey & Archer’s hubs on my desk , and there is actually not that many parts to it

very simple actually a bit like yours truly

 Toodle pip

 Ade