Saturday 2 March 2024

Review: Carradice City Folder bag for Brompton

First off, I've been using Carradice bags since the mid eighties, both nylon and cotton duck and am a fan. I have a set of Overlander panniers, bar bag and stuff sack from the eighties, as well as a Super C rack pack and Moulton touring bag. I even have a Carradice waxed cotton cape which feels very luxurious in the rain. 

The bags are made in the UK in Nelson, Lancashire and each bag is signed by the person who made it which is a nice personal touch.

The City Folder is a cotton duck (waxed cotton) bag specifically for Brompton bicycle. Various colours and combinations are available. Mine is the black with white straps. 
It's a 25l bag with two large rear pockets which can take large water bottles or reusable coffee mugs. The Brompton luggage block is only rated for 10 kg, so don't go loading this bag to capacity with heavy objects.
There is also the pouch for the Brompton bag frame, which is secured underneath by two velcro straps.
On the front there is an open pocket under the flap as well as a zipped pocket for a phone or other valuables.

The  interior of the bag is well cavernous to be honest. There is plenty of room for a laptop, clothing, shopping or whatever you want to chuck in. Although in poor light it can be a bit of a black hole.
There is a lightly padded laptop sleeve which is secured with a couple of press studs. Neatly, when secured with the studs, it is suspended off the bag bottom which further protects a laptop from being banged about when cycling.

On the outside of the bag, there is a substantial nylon and  leather handle as well as a detachable shoulder strap. This is secured by four screws into the dowel reinforcement under the flap.
The rear pockets are secured with traditional leather straps and buckles. The straps for the front cover are a slightly odd combination of a traditional leather strap and buckle for adjusting, but has plastic clip buckles for securing the flap.

Personally I would have preferred using the plastic clip buckles and ditch the leather buckles which can be fiddly especially in the cold whilst wearing gloves.

The bag has the Carradice name and logo stamped on to a leather patch which is sown on to the flap. There is also a diamond shaped reflective patch stuck to each side and the top flap. The top flap reflective faces up rather than forward with even a partially full bag.

I would have liked to have seen a white  reflective strip around the base of the bag for added safety. I would have also liked a mesh socket or two so gloves etc can be stored for quick access. Whilst you can use the rear pockets, the buckles don't make for quick access.

In use though it's very well designed. It's well balanced and comfortable when being carried by the handle or the shoulder strap. It is very stable on the bike and feels very secure.



Saturday 25 March 2023

Sigma Rox 4.0 review

The sigma Rox 4.0 is my third GPS cycle computer. I've used a Lezyne Macro GPS for the last four years or so. For one reason and another I decided it was time for another. 

I'm a touring plodder and don't need a super duper computer that's really designed for racing and training. Connections to sensors such as heart rate are useful as a rough gauge of effort though.

I do use navigation on unfamiliar routes though so komoot integration is important to me. I also wanted a slightly bigger screen than the Lezyne, and better quicker syncing and activity uploading with a phone
In the end I settled on a Sigma Rox 4.0. I've used sigma wired and wireless computers before GPS and liked the design aesthetic and the reliability.

It uses a standard Garmin mount so there's plenty of choice for mounts.

The unit has three big buttons surrounding the bottom of the unit. They have a fairly light but positive action. You do have to be careful not to hit them and accidentally pause your ride though.

Depending on the sport chosen there are up to 6 pages where the display can be customised with different sets of data.
The usual speed, distance and elapsed time is bread an butter stuff and works as you would expect.
GPS lock is normally very quick too.

One small first  irritation to me is that the units selection is metric or imperial. I prefer distance etc in miles and temperature in centigrade.

Update 
unit settings for individual metrics such as speed, distance, temperature are changeable in the app when the unit is connected. 

When you are following a route be it from Strava, komoot or by the Sigma app itself, you get an arrow in the circle which also works as a countdown to the turn which is quite useful.
If the unit is synchronised to the phone app then you get the now usual SMS, email, and phone call alerts. 

There is no option to delete a ride on the device itself. You have to synchronise with the phone app and delete it on the phone. It you have auto-upload to Strava and Komot turned on, you have to delete from them too which is another minor irritation.

Synchronisation is the computer's downfall. I've tried with a couple of phones and even though the devices are paired correctly it only connects to the app the first time after a phone restart. When you dig into it it's not an isolated issue. Sigma unhelpfully just say to re-pair, but that doesn't help. I've had a several cheap smartwatches and fitness bands which just connect without issue so it seems to be an app issue rather than a phone incompatibility

Update
I was informed that the connection worked flawlessly on older versions of Android.
I checked this and it did.
Subsequent fiddling showed that there is a sequence that needs to be followed with Android 12
1. Install the Sigma Ride app.
2. Check and grant all permissions to the app.
3. Only then so you pair with the unit.

When I emailed sigma sport, they said just check permissions but not when in the process. 
Setting permissions before pairing the phone and unit seems to be the key to making connection work.

Connection for me is now reliable all the time.

Pros
✅Attractive design 
✅Good large display
✅Good integration with Strava and komoot maps
✅Uses standard Garmin mounts.
✅Ant+ and Bluetooth connection to sensors.
✅ USB C connector for pc connection and charging.
✅ Relatively cheap at £90 in the UK 

Cons
❌Not possible to delete an activity on device

Monday 2 January 2023

Book Review: Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne

This was a book I wasn't aware of until very recently, although I was aware that David Byrne cycles when on tour as I previously stumbled across his account of riding the banks of the Tyne and though the fab cycle tunnel. You can read that account here here

If you don't know, David was the lead singer and founder of the rock band Talking Heads and has done a lot of other art projects since.

Anyway back to the book. It's basically a series of explorations by bicycle though various cities from Buenos Aires to London and San Francisco to Manila. 

It's much more than a bunch of bike ride stories as David is a person of deep thought and curiosity and he delves deep into the culture and society in the various locations with musings on everything from art to urban planning. This makes for a very interesting and entertaining set of travelogues.

There's a short section at the back with some of David's cycling tips along with some bike stands he designed for New York, but it's not a book about bicycles and cycling. They are just the magic carpet for this zen like journey across the world and David's inner thoughts.




Friday 30 December 2022

Review - Topeak Javaslim adjustable cage

The Topeak Javaslim cage is marketed as an adjustable bottle cage which is really suited for insulated coffee cups, water bottles or other cylindrical objects such as  a bluetooth speaker.

It has an adjustable spine and bottom, and the top has a rubber strap to keep a cage secure.



All good you may think, as I did.
The problem is the top with the rubber strap. The plastic is moulded to accept a small diameter object, and isn't even wide enough to accept a standard water bottle without a struggle.
Whilst the bottom will expand to accept a bottle 85mm in diameter, the top will fight you all the way if the diameter is more than 55mm.

Topeak do make a similar cage with a larger top diameter, and if this design suits your needs then that's the one you should get. The Slim variant here is next to useless sadly.




Saturday 30 April 2022

Daycycle - Romans and a river

This ride starts at the Tyne cycling tunnels. There is plenty of car parking, and it's not too far from Jarrow metro station and the town centre too.

Ride through the tunnel
Once back above ground head to the main road then turn left and follow NCN72 west along the path beside the A187.
When it rejoins the road, cross at the crossing and then turn right into Cumberland terrace.
At the end through the bollards turn left into Norman Terrace.
At the next junction turn right then left to dogleg into Armstrong road. At the end turn right onto the path, through the barriers.
at the end of the path, rejoin the road and turn right heading downhill into Willington Dene.
The route heads left over the river, but it's always worth spending a few minutes admiring the splendor that is Willington railway viaduct. Now carrying the Tyne and wear metro. It was originally built in wood on top of the stone pillars in 1839, but was rebuilt in iron in 1867 matching the original design.
once across the bridge over the stream, there's a short but noticable climb out at which point the route joins the path along the road again for a short while.
Once past Hadrian road metro station, cross over the road at the toucan crossing and carry on until you reach the arch 

Follow the cycleway as it continues to follow the route of an old railway heading west.
after a while there is a left turn as NCN72 leaves the line and joins St Lawrences road to head down to the riverside.
The cyclehub is always a very good place for a pitstop and to take in the river views towards the city whilst enjoying some of their excellent drinks and food.
Continue west along the quayside towards the city centre. It can be bust with pedestrians along this stretch.
The Gateshead millennium bridge is one of only three tilting bridges in the world. Between May and September the bridge tilts every day at noon. If you've not seen it when it's worth timing your ride to watch it.

Cross over using the millennium bridge then turn left and follow the riverside path beside the Baltic art centre, which used to be one of a number of flour stores and mills along the tyne. After it was closed in the mid 80s it was converted into the world class arts centre it is today
Once past the hotel, join south shore road. At the end of the road join the path to bypass the bollards and carry on along a quiet riverside path.
On your left is the kittiwake tower, which is an artificial breeding site for kittiwakes , which was built for them when the refurbishment of the Baltic flour mill displaced them. 
The path will bring you to Friars Goose. It's so named as monks in the 11th century used to gather gorse, known as goose, hereabouts. It's also the site of an old ferry crossing across the Tyne.
Follow NCN14 through the car park and join Green lane heading uphill. As the road bends to the right head left then take the cyclepath.
Follow this path for quite a while until it joins Nest Road.
Turn left onto Nest road and follow the road until the junction with Abbotsford road where you turn left. At the end of the road continue on the path to Low Hedworth road.
At this point you can either turn left and follow the signed NCN14 route down to the river and along Tyne street.
Alternatively turn right, and then left into Gosforth terrace. Follow the road until the sharp right, and take the path to the left which leads to Bill Quay farm. The locals are friendly.
Once through the farm follow the road until you pass the Wardley arms and take the path adjoining the bus circle. Take a minute or two to soak in the view along the Tyne here
a little further along the path, the two alternatives merge again with some more impressive views of the river Tyne before dropping back down to the riverside at Hebburn marina
follow the road along the marina until you see the large blue sign when the road bends to climb away from the river.
Take the path which will keep you alongside the river for a little while longer before joining Ellison street.
Once at the top, take a left turn onto Lyon street then follow this back to the start at the Tyne cycling tunnels in Jarrow. The route at this point borders several old shipyards from when the Tyne was famous for ship building.
There are still some relics, such as these rails across the road which would have linked the shipyard with more works across the road.

Saturday 5 March 2022

Dayride - Tyne and Wear circular ride - 27 miles.

This is a 27 mile ride taking in the mouths of the rivers Wear and Tyne and the North east coast linking them. 

It is almost all traffic free, and approximately two thirds of it is on signed NCN routes. However some of the paths, especially along the coast can get busy and congested when it's busy. There are options to use the road in those circumstances although I won't mention them. There is also a possibility to short cut the southwestern corner of the route which will shave two or three miles of the route, but it's not all traffic free. Below is a map of the route and if you have komoot, then you can find the route here
The route starts at the southern end of the Tyne cycling tunnels which are one of the best bits of dedicated UK cycling infrastructure. If you've never walked or cycled them then it's well worth a few minutes to explore them. There is plenty of parking at the tunnels if you're using the car to get to the start.
If you've never experienced the tunnels, it's well worth spending a few minutes to ride through and back as they are unique in the UK.



From the tunnels follow NCN14 south, which takes you down a wide cycleway which is actually on the top of the vehicle Tyne tunnel. If you want refreshments or other supplies then Jarrow town centre is just a few metres to your right. It has supermarkets and other food outlets as well as a cafes. There is a rather wonderful statue commemorating the famous Jarrow march of 1937 just outside of Morrisons with cycle parking right alongside it. 

The first part of the route follows a new Cycleway which runs parallel to the A19 and is mostly traffic free shared use paths with a couple of short on road sections though quiet 20mph residential roads to the crossing at the A194. At the time of writing it still hasn't been signed so it may be best using a map or relying on a navigation app. Once over the A194, follow Edinburgh road, Glasgow road, and then Perth ave to the footbridge over the A19. Known locally as the banana bridge due to its curved profile, it is ridable, but has tight corners. Once across, follow the cycleway to the left, cross Hedworth lane, recross the A19 and then continue to follow the Cycleway south.

When you get to the bottom end and meet the A184 keep an eye open for the swans which take up residence every summer at the pond beside the road.

Once over the A184 you continue to head south on a bridleway which is the trackbed for the old Pontop and South Tyne railway which started above Stanhope in the Durham Dales and carried coal to the docks on the river Tyne in South Shields. Most of the railway is now NCN 7 heading west.  Use the large NMU bridge to cross over the A19 and follow the A1290, again on the route of the old railway pass Nissan, which is on the old Sunderland airfield. An interesting diversion at this point is the North East transport museum and it's collection which includes a Vulcan bomber. From Nissan follow Washington road and then Cherry Blossom way. After crossing Nissan way at the toucan crossing follow Barmston lane and then cross the A1231 at the footbridge. 

Once over the footbridge you'll join NCN7 which is part of the famous coast to coast route from Whitehaven to Sunderland. When the road dips down to the river, you'll be at the location of the old Hylton ferry which has history going back to the 1300s and possibly back to Roman times. 

Head east and keep following the NCN7 signs towards Sunderland.
You'll next pass the wreaked hulk of the Cretehawser which was a concrete boat built on the Wear in 1919.

As you carry on along NCN 7 you'll pass under the Northern Spire bridge which was completed in 2019. 

 As you pass through the centre of the huge roundabout at the north end of the Queen Victoria bridge, possibly without realising as the only signs are the two underpasses, check out the underpasses themselves as one is beautiful Victorian dressed red stone and the modern one is ugly brutal concrete.

Shortly after the second underpass, you have an option to keep straight or take a right down to the riverside. That's the path this guide takes as it's much more interesting and quieter. 

Once on the riverside keep an eye on the ground as there are numerous cast plaques set in the path surface commemorating the areas mining history. Below is one showing the main seams from Wearmouth colliery.
There's also other bits of Industrial heritage including the remains of coal staithes used for loading ships with coal from wearmouth colliery the site of which is now Sunderland's football stadium. 
Further along the path you'll pass under a short stretch which is roofed to protect against falling rocks and then under the twin rail and road bridges into the city centre.
Tucked away sheltering between the bridges is this. 

No, it's not a Martian war machine from The War Of The World's, but it's named Second Sun and is part of a wider installation. As you head east to the sea keep your eyes peeled for smaller signs illustrating the distance between the planets and the sun.
Once under the bridges it all opens out nicely and there are a number of pieces of public art as you pass the University of Sunderland.

Once past the National Glass centre which has an excellent cafe and a bike workstation, there's a short gentle climb away from the river. Once you meet the road at the top, turn right and head down to Sunderland marina. Where there's more public art. There is an excellent blog here which highlights more pieces and some background.
Follow the route skirting the marina. You can the first road on the left and shortcut straight to the seafront. Whilst the run around the shoreline is interesting, it can become congested with sea anglers. Be careful and alert if you head that way.
There's plenty of places for refreshments along the Roker front. 
The official C2C finish point is on the right just past Fausto Coffee.

Continue past the pier and there's a cycleway which zigzags up a gentle gradient  to Roker terrace. Once at the top head north along the cycleway which continues all the way along the seafront to Sea Lane.
Here there is an excellent seafood cafe and delicatessen, and also a coffee and ice cream kiosk.

Opposite the car park, If it's a clear day though, pause and look behind you as you'll be able to see Teesside and the North Yorkshire Moors beyond. Then take the gravel path which follows the cliff edge for a while before turning to pickup some back streets through Whitburn before popping out and joining the main road. 

Follow the cycleway north passing Whitburn windmill on the left. You'll then pass Souter lighthouse. The adjacent country park can be pleasant for a short walk or cycle, and the lighthouse has another good cafe for refreshments. 
The large grassed area just to the north of the lighthouse used to be Marsden village until it was abandoned in the 1960s and demolished.
On the right are the Marsden lime kilns which are grade 1 listed. 

Continue to follow the Cycleway north. The large grassed area is known as The Leas and is owned and managed by the National Trust. If the weather if good you can see north to Blyth and even the Cheviots in the distance.

If you want to avoid roads, then at the New Crown roundabout, NCN1 crosses and continues through the park before heading west on a traffic free path to join NCN14 at the other side of the town centre. 

My recommendation unless it is extremely busy is to turn right and follow the road along the South Shields sea front past all the usual seaside attractions including amusement arcade, fair etc. Both of the sea front parks have been extensively and expensively brought back to their Victorian splendour over the last few years and are well worth a visit.

Follow the road north. Just where the car parks end, there's another piece of public art just near the beach. This is Conversation Piece and is several groups of cast figures in small groups. It's affectionately known locally as the Weebles
Head the road around to the right as it now hugs the riverside. At the foot of the climb take the right fork onto Wapping street.
At the end of the row of buildings, stop as this is Comical Corner. So called as there used to be a tricky bend in the river for captains to navigate and crowds used to gather to watch.
You'll then pass through some old shipyard areas which have been revitalised and turned into housing. To celebrate the maritime history of there area, there is another piece of public art in one of the old docks called Fleet.
The terminal for the Shields ferry is then on your right. 
Follow the ncn signs to use the paths to get up beside the BT building and then across the roundabout. NCN14 takes you around the the back of some stores to Crossgate before crossing Station road and picking up a traffic free path.

Once at Laygate, NCN14 follows a road to Tyne dock where you will see more art. This time  statue of Sarah Milligan, alongside Norman Fay who ran a long established local cycle shop for many years and a Roman centurion.
Follow NCN14 as it skirts along the boundary of the Tyne Dock facility along the A194 and then the A185 back towards Jarrow.
If you have time take a short detour when you reach Church Bank and visit St Paul's monastery, which used to be the residence of the Venerable Bede.

From the monastery, there's not far to go to get back to the starting point. My recommendation would be to cross the road after leaving the church grounds and follow the path opposite. Which will then bring you to this lovely and almost secret mosiac. 
Take the right hand path, and this will lead you back to pick up NCN14 beside the A19, and follow it north back to the starting point..