Cycling Thread - pleasure peddlers to serious cyclists sign in here!

I love it up there, I go every year when the kids are with their dad :) I have lots of relations up there still, and want to explore the islands properly. Instead of spending all my time in the pub!

Oooh, years ago I did a mini-tour of the western isles, we got the ferry from Uig to North Uist, did a circuit of that island, then a short trip to Berneray, the most amazing ferry trip over to Harris zig-zagging between the skerries and sandbanks and then worked our way up to Tarbert and then got the ferry back to Uig. It was amazing. So many happy and quirky memories, DH and I still have many funny 'quotes' from that holiday that we trip out when appropriate. We only did about 25miles a day. Very happy memories!

There are some fab YouTube videos of people cycle touring the western isles. Check them out if you haven't seen them, they're very inspiring. Glad you're ok.

I'm fine, so is my bike I didn't realise how much I would enjoy cycling again. What I hope to do is cycle across south uist, benbecula and north uist. Quite daunting as its so hilly. Will start looking at lightweight gear after Christmas :) Going to carry on with my mtb too, think it will be better suited to what I have planned.

Cycling the western isles would be fab. I've just bought a lightweight pack packing tent with the intention of touring next year. I think first tour is going to be Bath to London, flat along a canal. Maybe the western isles the following year!

Hope you're ok and that the bike is too.

Will try again next Sunday, if the weather is decent. I use the cycle path up alongside Loch Lomond, it's breathtakingly beautiful I plan to try and build myself up over the winter months and into spring so I can ultimately be fit enough to cycle some of the western isles. A huge challenge, but I would love to do it :)

Huge jump for me only made 25 miles, I crashed Glad we have a good bus service, and wonderful bus drivers who offered me a lift to the hospital haha. My pride was hurt more than anything else

If the weather is nice and I have the time I go for a long ride.

If the weather isn't as good then a shorter one.

40 miles does sound very impressive!

Dd and I went out for our 10 mile ride & I wanted to make it under an hour (I'm very slow!)... Did it in 1 hour & 27 seconds... quite pleased!

The most I've done so far is a 23 mile loop. It took me ages, but I didn't stop.

Does everyone alternate longer rides with short speedy ones, or just go with whatever you feel like on the day? We tend to do whatever, but I would love to go a bit faster! :)

40 miles is impressive. How far do you normally currently cycle? Is it a big jump?

Hello all, I'm just getting ready to head out and do a 40 mile cycle bedore the weather breaks (Im in scotland). Furthest I've done since I was a teenager

The only comment I would make about Lidl cycle clothing (don't know about Aldi) is that it is not at all very breathable and it can get so wet inside that you need to turn it inside out after a ride on broad sunshine so that it can dry out . To be fair, it's very cheap, so you can't expect much.

It's been a lovely day for biking. I've done 20 miles this morning, longest I've ever done!

What a lovely morning! I think the mountain bikes, Bracknell Forest and some childish fun are the order of the day

Ruby, I didn't know that, thanks!

um, yes. Must get round to finding the frame number on newest bike... good reminder.

No, its something that some people might not have thought of. Good tip!

I've taken a photo of my frame number and saved it on the PC.

I use my house insurance too. It covers up to 2k per bike. I did ring them up to ask about it the other day and they didn't mention no payout if worth more than 2k. I am worried now as my full sus mountain bike is worth significantly more than that new. I am hoping it won't get nicked as insurance will not allow me to pay extra to cover it.

The bike marking thing we had done at the weekend adds a code to the bottom of the frame visible under UV light, which is noted along with all your details and the frame number and then put on an online database accessible by all police forces. It's really worth contacting your local station to get it done as it adds an extra layer of security, and means you can find your frame number when you need it just by logging on to the database!

Hi Lawrence,
Mine are on my household insurance. With the policy I've got, If they are stolen from home they are covered. If they are stolen away from home then, provided they were locked/ secured appropriately, they are covered up to £1k unless it is a named bike with a value that I pay an additional premium for. (and yes, if bike is worth over £1k you get nothing, I'd always assumed £1k towards cost of bike.) I had a good chat with the insurers as unfortunately I had to test the policy two years ago. The insurers were really helpful, but it was surprising once we started adding extras on (different tyres, kids seat and trailer fittings etc) how much the bike was worth! All sorted in the end though as the police found the bikes (and convicted the offenders). The insurers paid for us to have the bikes serviced instead to make sure they hadn't been damaged. Thankyou Priveleged!
I now have a 4 point locking garage door and we've cemented ground anchors in our garage floor to lock the bikes to.
I have had bikes stolen 3 times in my life :( once every 8 or 9 years or so. Twice from my own garage!

I may have to take the kids on a pre-school trip down to our nearest one!