Milkie,

Don’t have a downhill bike, so I don’t know.
The hardtail is a large frame and it goes in the TVR fine, always surprises people when I lift it out or pack it away.

As we are now doing “any car goes”.

JTD. I used to get a similar thing especially climbing at the start of a ride. Just unable to convert breathing into energy.
I now know my problem was lack of blood flow to the heart. It’s been said many times on here,your doctor is qualified to make a diagnosis, most of us aren’t.

I put it down to lack of fitness and just kept going, then I had a heart attack.

For a long bow you need a cross section of heartwood and sapwood. They behave differently under tension and compression but formed correctly the bow works. Imagine a cross section through the trunk, bow staves are cut to incorporate the two woods.

Jock,

One more for you from a few months ago.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/any-rider-with-heart-problems-who-ride-on-here

Like you I have noticed more cardiac related threads over recent years, but then you do pick up on these things having had a near miss.

There are probably and sadly a few that will no longer be contributing to threads as they didn’t make it.

Speedy as a speedy thing !
Thanks Peter.

The ones z1ppy has linked to work fine.

I’ve used them with different torches and they stay put although I have got into the habit of checking the clamp bolts every now and then.

If you mount the torch facing the “other way” towards the cutaway section on the clamp it removes the tendency for the whole assembly to tip towards the ground as the whole mass is equally balanced over the handle bar. (I know that’s not a great explanation, sorry.)

The torches I have are a snug fit in the clamp diameter so the end caps have to be screwed on when they are in the clamp, that’s positive as there is no way they can slide out.

This is all fascinating stuff, I have no knowlege of all this technology as I drive cars that are ancient and basic.

I certainly don’t fit into the STW demographic.

And another cancelled.
I’ll start looking for an alternative distance challenge.

Thank you.

I looked at them and found the inside was just too small. Ended up buying a 10 year old 3 door Grand Vitara which is like half a size up from the Jimmy but more space, bigger engine and whilst it’s as basic as a basic thing, it rolls over everything and is fine on motorways.
Bikes fit on the back fine too.

NW will be the NorthWind set up I guess.

On that front, NW thanks for the link, I’ll copy your work that’s really neat.

SLX mech ordered, bargain price on Merlin today.

Northwind,

You can stick a Shimano 10-speed clutchy on a 9-speed SRAM shifter, just needs a wee spacer. Using this on 3 of my bikes, lovely.

Having just had an X9 mech damaged I’m keen to try this, could you explain where the spacer is required ?

Had Durin (I think) forks on one bike for 7 years. I say I think because the stickers are long gone but the forks are excellent. All I do is adjust the pressure every now and again.
I removed the Albert lock out because I really didn’t notice any difference and it was superfluous.
I don’t have many forks to compare them with but they handle the knocks, well built and are reliable. I’ve known people pay a lot for top end forks that have failed meanwhile I’m still on the trails. Would buy again.

Another good one is what we know as Tom’s Swedish testicle game.
Framework about 1m wide by 1.5 high with three horizontal bars. 2 drilled golf balls either end of 300mm length of rope.

Each player has 3 sets of balls, objective is to throw their balls so they wrap around and stay on the horizontal bars. Top bar 3 points, middle 2 points, bottom bar 1 point.

I have photos if your interested.

Viking Kubb is excellent. Involves two people , or teams throwing batons at their opponents pieces. These pieces, kubbs, are lumps of wood stood on end. Google it for the rules. Described as Viking chess and is a good strategic game but easy to play.

I made two sets from fence posts which cost about £30 for a weekend party, excellent value and people really enjoyed it.

Also had this on and off since November. Mentioned it to a neighbour who said “try this” and gave me a Velcro strap for the forearm.

Idea is that is applies pressure to the tendons and stops them breaking free.(excuse non medical explanation. )

Anyway, three days use and far far less pain and better use of the arm.

Ton,

Forgot to mention that I user rollers a lot to build up stamina which really helped with breathing and heart rate.

Has the advantage that you can accurately increase time, gearing and make small steady improvements.

Did this last year to build up for London Brighton off road and that was probably the best long ride I’ve ever done.

If you can manage 50 / 60 miles on the road you are “fitter” than most people out there, which is a big positive.

Ton,

Heart Attack three years ago. Now have two stents, part of my heart is scar tissue so does not work too well.
My technique was a very steady progression from riding on flat trails to routes I know, initially I made sure I had someone with me plus a phone as a large part was overcoming the fear of pushing things too much.

For a long time I used a heart rate monitor with an audible alarm at 140 bpm, I knew when my heart rate was going up but this told me when to back off and anyone with me also knew.

I found it was a very gradual progress discovering what your body is comfortable with, too much and my heart aches for the next day and I’m certainly far slower up hills as I don’t push my bpm too much past 140.

Now riding with a group of guys who are about 15 years younger than me, two hour off road rides that I consider hard and certainly the level of what I have done in fitter times, There is no way I can keep up on the climbs but I’m not always last and on the flat / downhills I do OK. I don’t talk much as I need the breath. Always carry GTN spray with me and a phone with emergency contact details.
The person leading the ride knows my history but everyone else just assumes I’m unfit and old.

I’ve got one. But can only comment on a 26er,
I fold the back seats flat down, take off both wheels and then lay the bike in the back with the wheels on top. No problems.

Having said that I usually use a rack off the back door as it keeps the mud outside.

mos, I suspect I’ve got a similar light. Light mounted on the top of my helmet, battery pack on the back.
Initially I notice it when I put the helmet on but within a few minutes no problem. Only way to find out is give it a go.
Big advantage is that the cables are kept out of the way.

Of Legolam’s hitlist I was fine on the first 4, mixture of family history and stress that got me. I hit the deck four days before I was due at the Great North Run, really lucky because I would have had a problem getting out of all those people.

Retrospectively I always had problems getting going at the start of a ride, especially uphill. No pain, just out of breath and legs going to jelly.

Since realised (through rehab sessions) that this was probably down to the arteries to my heart not being properly dilated and therefore not getting enough oxygenated blood to the heart.
As I was “fairly fit” I ignored this and just thought I had to get fitter.
Simultaneously I was struggling to achieve more than a 10 mile run, again put this down to fitness and age. No pain just out of breath and stamina.

I now have a proper warm up before relatively hard exercise and use a HRM to make sure I don’t push things too hard.

I know people whose symptoms were picked up in time, have had angioplasty and stents and are in good shape again. If you think you have an issue please get checked out before you hit the deck, otherwise the recovery is far longer and you may not get back to the same level of fitness, I know I never will.

Yes, decent suspension post will be ideal for that.

I have USE shokposts on two hardtails, takes out the worst of the rocky, rutted trails, Adjustable for how much bounce you want and for different rider weights.

I found the “alien” fixings a right pain, the “sumo” ones are far better. Not cheap but they work. About 40mm total travel I think.

Probably have to shim it up to fit the frame, so check the sizings.

Always read the recurring cardiac threads and can tell you Simon will benefit from all encouragment on his journey to recovery. Don’t know him but core fitness and good medical care go a long way, keep up the good work!

geetee1972

Can any medics comment on the nature of a heart attack in someone who is a regular cyclist and therefore likely to be pretty fit? I think it would be a useful discussion here and help raise awareness of potential heart conditions that fitness won’t prevent but could help reduce the impact of.

geetee1972. If you start the thread mentioned above I’ve got some observations from the point of view of someone of reasonable fitness who has had a heart attack. It was a year before I was back on the bike. Retrospectively there were plenty of signs, which I would recognise now but I largely ignored these until it was too late.
Only last week one of the group I was with was behind everyone else on the first hill, very little warm up and he ended up turning back, I need to speak to him.

Recently upgraded to an HTC one mini, no charge.
Not the vast size of other phones and whilst I’m no phone geek, after two weeks I’m very happy with it.

Tim,

Posting here incase you didn’t get my email.
Let me know if you want those parts with an address and I’ll get them in the post.

Tim, just emailed you.
If you can reply with your address I’ll get the box of parts in the post to you.

Tim,
Here are photos of the brake parts from my old parts drawer.
Only one set of cantilevers but the springs are there and a set of levers. Two sets of V Brakes are XTs and loads of washers, cable guides, bolts to cobble them together.

Hope pictures are self explanatory, yours if you want them, just let me know.

I’ll dig out what I’ve got and post pictures here. Will be tommorow now.

tp, I’ve got a box full of V brakes if they are any good to you.
Not sure about the levers, happy to take a look in the depths of the old parts drawer and post parts to you. No charge, I’d be pleased to free up the space and for someone to use them.

http://www.broadmeadow.info/

OK I give up !
Speed of delivery and reliability have always been excellent but after two days I have failed to place an order.

Admittedly one skewer isn’t going to make much difference but it sounds like sales are being driven away.

Stoner, don’t recognise the name or car. Thought I knew most of the local owners, there are not too many ! Does he go to the month end meetings at Kemble AV8 ?

Running costs. 12000 mile service about £550.

Last set of 4 Tyres £310 total.

Windscreens and sterring racks are rare and can be expensive.

Fuel consumption, you don’t buy a TVR if this is a high priority but going to work, 40 miles each way on the M5 steady 70ish I get over 25mpg, that’s on standard unleaded.
Put your foot down and that’s soon 20mpg.
On a track, don’t even ask !!

Mark,

I had the same though 8 years ago and made the right decision, I bought it and have never regretted it.

Mines a 98 Chimaera 400, they are excellent value for money and whilst they are getting on many of the bad ones are dead meat and the remaining ones have been sorted. Mine has never missed a beat, I drive it every week and last week it spent a day on the track in 30 degrees heat being driven by my two daughters. First time they had driven it and both surprised how easy it was.

I don’t concern myself with the speed, it’s faster and more capable than I am, sounds awesome and people love them. So many people have said to me I wish I had bought one, so do it but don’t rush in.

If you use Pistonheads to find local owners they will show you round their cars and what to look out for, if you’re near Gloucestershire I’ll be happy to do so.

British Heart Foundation website has some links to insurers that cover heart conditions.

I took out travel insurance last year, two years after having a heart attack and stents, it was very expensive but cheaper than the bill I would have got from a Spanish hospital.

I spent literally hours on the phone to insurers going through medical details and medication only to be told, sorry we can’t cover you.
If you start with the BHF links at least your Dad may avoid this.

Annual insurance is way cheaper on a pro rata basis but that’s only relevant if you are planning more than one trip.

Andy,

The delay in the shower coming on is possible down to the flow switch which starts the pump.

You usually only have a flow switch on one side of the pump and it requires a certain flow rate to activate. If yours is on the hot side of the pump turning the hot tap on would give more flow than the shower (because it’s got a greater head of pressure and is probably less resistive to flow). Flow switch activates, pump starts, shower…..

Most thermostatic showers have a maximum temperature stop built into the temp control knob as a safety feature. If this has been set too low on your loft shower you will not be able to get the outlet temperature up despite a high hot inlet temp.

2 bar pressure from the pump should be fine, however depending on the pump type this can drop rapidly as the flow rate increases. Regardless you should be able to achieve a higher temperature regardless of flow rate unless you have emptied the hot cylinder.

I would start by removing the temperature control knob on the loft shower and looking for the max temperature stop. This is usually a mechanical stop fitted to the splined shaft and between the outer knob that can be adjusted to allow greater or reduced rotation and therefore temperature.

Search the internet for the Installation and Maintenance instructions for the shower valve, that should contain details.

Are you sober now ? Yesterday’s post is a non issue.

Brakes, don’t know how many people there were last year, many hundreds. Worth getting to the start early as you are briefed and sent off in batches of about 50. This takes quite a while so you could be queuing a long time.