The Sprocket & Cog Café- off-topic chat

[TheLongRider]

Welcome to the Sprocket & Cog Café, a place to pull up a virtual chair, check out the cake menu and discuss the finer things in life.

200km with 3,400m (11,000ft) climbing in the bag. I knew that 2,400m in the site linked to above was not enough. I may just be a little bit tired...

Well, DH vetoed our trip yesterday morning. Probably right to do so but I was up for it. I had some pretty crap blood results last week and am on a two week referral (appts this week) to see what the problem is. Ovarian cancer has been mentioned but I am in complete denial until anything is confirmed.

Lovely to see all your photos even if I can't join in!

I might have a trial on the tandem this afternoon, just down the lane if the Controller agrees. Ours is a touring thing rather than anything speedy Flavia. DD loved it, I tried it in the garden for a few metres when we first got it and hated the corners. Maybe a small space wasn't the best place.

Oh, Barchester, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope it doesn't turn out to be that

I don't really go on proper speedy sportives, just local charity ones for the craic, one of the people on one of the tandems had their leg in a cast I think perhaps the person on the front was doing most of the work!

TheLongRider wow! Not surprised you're tired, that's an amazing ride! Lovely picture too. Congratulations! 🎉

I went up Divis mountain for a view over Belfast, the climb wasn't too bad until the last little kick to the top which was like this / maybe slight exaggeration and since DH wasn't sure I'd be able to do it, I came home feeling smug and ate his ice cream. That'll teach him not to have faith in me

Barchester Good luck with the health issues, it's worrying when you know something's up but you don't know what it is.
Flavia Ha! Well done and more icecream eating! Haagen Dazs is the drug of choice I our house, usually when it's on special offer. I like the nutty ones, DH the chocolate and DC the vanilla.

If you ever fancy a not fast 200km with Torr Head thrown in, I'd recommend this one.www.audaxireland.org/events-calendar/gazetteer/200km-events/titanic-torr-200/

I'll get up there and ride it someday.

Oh crikey, Torr Head is something else. I've driven up it and my car has struggled

I'm doing lap the lough this year which is about 150k and mostly flatish. It's a lovely day out and a nice social one. I haven't done that distance since before DS was born so I'm working up to it!

Yes, it was Haggen Dazs praline crush. Delicious

I did it .... only to the post box, 4 mile round trip 😂😂.

Flipping heck it was odd, but fun.

V strange not being in control of gears, brakes and steering. Not being able to see in front of you either, v strange but you do get to admire the view.

My pilot was slightly rubbish at communicating because it was me and not DD but I informed him of the error of his ways.

We are cycling in France for a long weekend next month. I would rather be on the tandem than not there! 🇫🇷

sounds like fun. A long weekend cycling in France, jealous that'll be gorgeous...

How do you get over? Do you take the tandem on the train?

We have got a rack on top of the car that takes the tandem, just sits next to the Thule things - we just drive to the ports and park there, taking our bikes on the ferry.

A lot of UK train companies won't take tandems. We did think about having S&S couplings on it but didn't think about it until after we had had it resprayed, as we were saving it for old lady pub rides we parked that idea. 😀.

We have booked cycling holidays to the Netherlands and Italy this summer too, not being up to it isn't part of the plan at all (flying with a tandem isn't part of it either!).

Ah, cool, I didn't know you could get racks for them! I love the idea of old lady pub rides on a tandem

Fingers crossed for you that you'll be back to normal plans shortly!

We actually bought it from a couple who had it made for them in their late 60s and were selling it 8 years later because the woman had two hip replacements and couldn't get on it any more. They were fab, had cycled around the world at 62.

Even though DD isn't interested it owes us nothing, we had great fun with it. She might still use it now and then.

I think elderly pub rides are perfect.😀