@gooner666

The cycle to work scheme (the tax mechanism) is set up so you don’t own the cycle. I recall the wording is “the employee doesn’t own the cycle and there is no expectation of ownership.” the reason for this is that it would count as a benefit and be taxable if you owned it.

That ownership bit is the price you’re paying for the tax benefit.

While there is the legal possibility of an employer taking the cycle back, I believe that part of the deal is that you have access to the cycle for the duration of the loan period. Aside from that, why would they do it? They just end up with an asset that’s deprecating.

Everything above is correct.

There is no maximum amount in the c2w legislation. Avoid any scheme that has one, it’ll be rubbish.

The sign up procedure will vary by provider.

No, not all suppliers (bike shop) are on every scheme. But nearly all of them are on the good ones.

I always recommend the Green Commute Initiative. They appear liked by suppliers and employers.

As @bails says, your employer buys the package (you’re entitled to add things like lights, helmet & panniers but not computers). You then lease the package for repayments that add up to the purchase value of the package.

At the end of that period you can choose to purchase the package for an HMRC-mandated percentage of its value or extend the loan. This will take you to the point where HMRC determines it has no value any more, so you can pay a nominal sum to take ownership of the package.

There is a lot of guff spoken about needing to ride to work. The scheme operates on the basis that at least 50% of its use will be qualifying journeys. They include going to the shops and leisure at the weekend. The test is also deemed to be fulfilled unless there is evidence to the contrary, and your employer is not entitled to to go looking for it.

Happy to give you more details, but I’ve gone on long enough.

I guess the QECP work is the two skills loops put in last summer, but I can check.

Thanks for the suggestions @mathsmc. I did the Llangorse & Talgarth stuff back in 2019 which was quite good fun. I’ll keep it in the back pocket as we ended up in Llangorse last May and did chunks of that on foot and it might be too soon. I did the Taff trail in April this year and, as you say, it’s a lot of gravel.

@chrisdavids gold star for working out exactly where we’re staying. That shorter version might be a go-er, but I’ll need to find a significant mid-ride re-fuel opportunity or at least one of us is likely to have a sense of perspective failure.

Going through the tunnel never occurred to me. Saw it in April and it looked a bit of an undertaking. Riding through knee-deep water isn’t high on Mrs Shan’s holiday shortlist.

Looking at the OS, there’s some bridleways around the head of Dyffryn Crawnon. Are any of those any good?

I can’t see a link. Am I missing something?

Seems like there are (no-no, no-no-no) no limits to which their marketing department will go to!

My wife has suggested. That the suspension ready version will be travel-limited.

 

That’s right…

 

They’re saying “no Lyriks” can be fitted to it.

Thank you.

I was somehow finding an older version of the FAQ which only talked about the mtb maps and then didn’t fix the issue.

No idea how you found the right advice, but the issue appears to be sorted.

Except now my contour lines have disappeared. Oh well, I thought I was there.

Yeah, it’s not been a whole lot better with the consultation for the M3 A34 junction. We got in at an earlier stage, and have the added weight of a National Park, but there’s still a feeling that they’re doing what they feel like.

 

Sadly the story of changing personnel is a familiar one as well. We get one set of staff clued in and they move on, so we’re back to square one again.

Well done on putting together an article that understands the planning system and cuts through the raised emotions on this story.

I feel genuinely more informed about the situation now.

 

Thank you.

Thanks again for all the responses. I’ve learned a load already.

Now for more questions:

While I’m thinking about frame, seat and bar bags; if I’m taking less stuff, which do I take off first? I’m thinking in terms of which bags to buy first.

Are all dry bags much of a muchness? ie  double-ended bags for the bars, is there any point going with more expensive ones? I assume that for seat bags, there’s an advantage in buying a set so the shapes match?

Wilcat stuff looks really nice, will the straps on the Lion play OK with full mudguards?

The equivalent Alpkit, the Kanga, is cheaper and looks similar. What advantages are there to the wildcat? Would the kanga fit drop bars? I didn’t see a measurement anywhere.

On half frame bags the Wildcat has elasticated straps for the top tube? Anyone have experience of that setup vs velcro?

Also, should I be focussing on frame bags that are waterproof, or is “weatherproof” enough?

There will probably be more questions. But this will do for now.

Dear Green coffee is really nice. Good to see them getting some exposure.

Not just because the owner is a friend of a friend.

Thanks for the rapid responses. This is going to be something of a bulk response.

I’ll go away and have a look at what I’m thinking of taking. In all honesty, I’m likely to be booking accommodation to begin with, so I can get away with fairly light. But I’m also a terrible packer…so maybe not.

I’ve got Ortlieb rear bags for work. They’re great, for commuting, shopping and other errands.  I did the Cantii way 18 months ago, and the rattle of the bag on my rack during the off road sections was deafening!  I’d like to move into more adventurous terrain and I’m not sure they’re up to it. That, and I want to make sure I don’t destroy the bags I use to get to work on a weekend adventure.

Additionally, they won’t go on the full-bouncer if I choose to take that on a longer trip.

If I am buying bags, what features should I be looking for? Are there things I should avoid?

Another vote for ortlieb from me.

They’re waterproof, resilient and reliable.

If I were asking for the moon on a stick, I’d like a few more internal dividers. But it’s not a massive issue.

I quite happily ride with 1 or both depending on what I need to carry. Never been an issue.

I’ll leave an empty pannier on the bike. I suspect it’s the contents that make it appealing to steal.

Another Camino fan here.
Bought mine through cycle to work in 2019. It’s done just under 8,000km. Use it for commuting, going to meetings, picking up the shopping, once for going to jersey for a week and, occasionally, just riding.
Mine takes 37mm tyres inside full mudguards. I run it with a pannier rack, usually with bags on.
It’s almost never put a foot wrong, and almost never the wrong bike wherever I take it.
Can’t rate it highly enough.

A quick note to say thank you again to everyone who helped with suggestions for our trip to the Quantocks.

I’ve finally managed to put together a wee film of our ride in case anyone is interested:

https://youtu.be/XBySjw5of6E

Autoeroticism?

Chapeau. That is simultaneously awful, and perfect.

One thing I will say is they’re no better for my reynauds than woolen socks as they don’t tend to stay warm particularly well. Even the knee length ones need silk socks underneath** for me to stand a chance of my toes not going white and then completely dead within ten minutes.

That’s disappointing, but useful to know.

Oh I forgot to add – over the depths of winter I’ve found the number one key way to keep your feet dry (and thus warm) is not the socks used – but wearing trousers!

Yeah, I’m pretty much in trousers (I refuse to call them pants) until spring now.

OS online has a fly through option when you plot routes. You could use that and a screen recorder to get a video of it. 

I say could as it would Almost certainly infringe Crown Copyright.

If you’re OK with satellite rather than OS, then take a look at Google earth studio. You need at apply to use it, but it’s free. You can import gpx into it to get a line and then fly through it like a drone.

It’s easy ish to get something OK. It’s quite an art to get something good 

Example is the TAP thing on helmet lights (where you just tap the body of the light to go through the H-M-L beams). It sounds like a gimmick but it’s a lot quicker and easier than fumbling for a small button on the back of the helmet light while attempting to ride singletrack

To back up @Crazy-legs statement about different opinions, I turned the TAP feature off because it was too sensitive. Even on the least sensitive setting, hitting roots at speed would dim the light. The gravel bike on bad tarmac was like being in a disco.

The reflex feature (auto bright/dim) on the other hand is a nice, but subtle, feature. 

I’m be gone from Impacts to 2FO DHs (and another repair of Roosts). I’ll never be buying the big, heavy, sponges again

Yeah, the Impacts are a massive sponge. The Pros are a very different beast: slimmer, lighter and less absorbant.

£80 Impact Pro Mid available in a range of sizes from the Evans Cycles sales

How on earth did I miss that? I could have sworn I looked at Evans. 🤦.

Does anyone have experience of the mids? They look like they might be a good choice for winter, but might be a bit restricted in ankle movement?

Edit: they’re actually £48: https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/five-ten/impact-pro-mid-mountain-bike-shoes-140092

I’ve got a five (I think) year old Six Pack, and I’ve never regretted it.

Yes, it was ferociously expensive. But…

It’s plenty bright enough on the third highest setting for most singletrack riding I do. That means, when everyone else’s lights inevitably get brighter, I can turn it up so I’m not riding in my own shadow. On high at that setting it’s got about 10 hours battery so, when it goes into the red I’ve still got a whole evening ride in the tank. It’s also got spare for in case something goes wrong: I can light the situation for as long as it takes and not worry about running out of juice. Oh, and the beam pattern is really good.

It’s also still going strong after five years, so it gets cheaper every year it still works.

You can’t go wrong with the MaxD but, once you’ve gone that expensive, the leap to the mahoosive light isn’t that great.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and made suggestions. I got back from Somerset last night and can safely say that everyone on the weekend is planning to go back soon. A bunch of mainly South Downs riders have been seduced by the delights of the Quantocks*

Everyone had a great time and really loved it. I’ve been before but managed a couple of new trails, but most were experiencing it for the first time. The ride wouldn’t have been half as good if I’d been planning it on my own, and lots of the tips here will be on my *next* ride. So thank you.

We didn’t get as much done as we’d have liked: everyone was tired from a day in Exmoor that included a detour to casevac a fallen rider (nothing broken, thankfully, but lots of pain & swelling).

Thank you for being a cracking bunch of people.

What we ended up with was: Five Lords/Bincombe, Frog Combe, Weacombe, Stert/Somerton/Hodder’s Combe. Loads more to do next time.

*though one member of the party said it “reminds me of Afan” but some people have no imagination…

I’ve also got a camino. I use it for getting to work as well as going to meetings and things. I’ve put in a lot of miles on it. 

1x is great. It hits a good sweet spot of low maintenance vs solid performance. I only run out of gears on longer downhills and it goes low enough to cope with most bridleway climbs.

I can’t comment on sizing as I’m 6’2″ and usually on the biggest bike I can get. Nor on seatposts. I’ve never thought “this would be much nicer with a suspension post” but I often wish for a dropper.

I’ve had my camino over 4 years and it’s been a faithful sidekick for all kinds of utility and fun riding

There is also a track from Kings Hostel to Dolgellau which looks rideable. West to east would be best I reckon

That’s a path we’re thinking of

I can confirm that the ferry does, indeed take bikes, for a princely £2 each way. 

Made a fun ride into an adventure. Day off tomorrow before having a poke round some of the ORPAs and byways on the north side of Cader.

Already thinking of a return trip when we’re in a better place.

Bear in mind Barmouth bridge is shut till mid Nov.

Oh arse. I had completely failed to spot that. I’m guessing the ferry doesn’t take bikes?

Covid visitors treating the place like a tip/party location, meant the owners blocked access.

That rules that out then. We’re thinking of taking Llyn Cau on our way up/down Cader Idris (on foot). Anyone got any experience of it?

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

ShanAndy sounds like your group are more of the hoop n holler jumpy persuasion otherwise I would have off ered to show you round 😞

@oldfart we’re the absolute opposite of that.

We’re (mostly) old South Downs riders with delusions of gnarr and a wide variety of skill levels, but none of the Combe riding is beyond us. If I’ve given a different impression, that’s my mistake. Some of us could only be described as “jumpy” if we were taken by surprise…

What I’m looking for is a “Quantocks best bits” ride that takes in the highlights of the area. We’re starting from our accommodation in Doniford, so will be entering via West Quantoxhead, and probably finishing down Weacombe. I’m willing to take any local recommendations over my vague memory of what’s good from previous visits.

So any suggestions of a route would be gratefully received. being showed around has some appeal too.

When I lived there and rode the q’s 3/4 times a week, the only time I rode smiths was if someone came to visit and had read the latest rehashed mbuk/mbr quantocks route guide.

So you’d avoid it and do another combe somewhere else with the energy? If so, what would you suggest?

Thanks for all the food recommendations, they really help.

Another request: beyond the obvious “in the sea” answer, are there any good swimming spots in the area? Bonus points if they’re accessible by bike.

Thanks to everyone for replying. For a bit of context, Mrs Shan is managing ~20km in the local woods in the South Downs. A sea of loose, steep rocks has a good chance of causing confidence issues. We’re looking to help her get her mojo back.

Apologies for not being able to quote properly. Not sure what I’m doing wrong.

The Mawddach estuary cycle path is worth considering with mussels and chips for lunch in Barmouth. Also nice pizza at the Isis Cafe – no affiliation to the terrorists.

No tech but the view are ace.

Thanks @mrchrist, that one’s definitely on our list. Mussel and chips? That’s definitely pertinent to my interests.

Black road above King’s Youth Hostel.

@ambrose I wonder if that might work to make the Mawddach estuary into a bit of a loop (though dropping onto the trail from Kings might be a wee bit tricky without taking some access liberties.

On Pont Scethin, is it possible to stitch something together that stays on the Mawddach side of the ridge without going right up to the ridge line?

Worth riding NCN to CYB from Dolgellau too.

Given that I work for Sustrans, it would be remiss of me not to ride a chunk of NCN while I’m there.

@jam-bo Smith’s Combe is rubbish? I recall it being quite good fun, and I was thinking of starting with it.

@d42dom Thanks for that link. Any we should seek out?

Another very content Vitus Escarpe owner here. I got one of the blinger ones last year on special.

Right enough it’s more than I need for weekday rides in the south downs, but not to the point of making them boring. It just goes a lot quicker on anything downhill than my 2014 stumpy evo 29.

The few trips I’ve been able to make to more bumpy and rocky places have made me really happy to be riding it. It’s in its happy place as things get gnarly.

I haven’t regretted it since opening the box.

23/32 including recognising my own bike (to my relief). I’ll take that

On the subject of re-branding.

I’ve got some fairly niche hobbies (I play folk music and roleplaying games) and am perfectly happy doing something that’s poorly understood. So why does off-road cycling need a re-brand?

Here’s why it will help. Off-road cycling usually happens in shared spaces such as rights-of-way and forest parks. It only happens conflict-free because of the consent of other users* and landowners. In the same way as walkers, equestrians and dog-walkers rely on our consent to go about their activities in peace. Like it or not, many other users & landowners feel threatened by people cycling off-road. Other users having a better understanding of what we do (and why) means they are much more likely to consent and support our activity.

Why does growing the hobby help? Because the more people who do it, the more normal it is, the more people will consent to cycling happening as part of the normal trail mix.

For the record, I like “wild cycling” I think it’s a nice catch-all for quite a variety of activities.

*they can’t stop people cycling, it’s a right of way, but they can make it really unpleasant to the point of making it unappealing.

That’s ace.

Some nice work behind the camera too. Couple of really nice angles & shots.

I really wanted to like the nuke proofs. I tried two different sizes, but I’m just too tall for them. And I’m not that tall, it would be nice to get a choice of leg length in riding trousers

I also run pretty hot (apart from extremities, bloody reynauds) so this is pertinent to my interests. My riding tends to be fairly pedally, so I need freedom of movement from My riding trousers.

Endura mt500s have done a couple of winters, they’re robust, have dwr and are fine to ride in. In the south downs, they’re plenty warm enough all winter but can get pretty toasty spring & autumn. I really rate them.

Just got a set of rapha fast and light trousers (trail pants were out of stock). Do what they say on the tin, almost invisible to pedal in but seem solid enough. At rrp, they are outside your budget.

I’ve tried both fox & nukeproof trousers, both seemed fine but were a couple of inches too short for me (I’m 6’2″) so both got sent straight back.

@gecko76 why didn’t I think of that..?

I fitted a mudhugger to my FS winter of 2020 and never got round to taking it off. It does make it look like I’ve borrowed it from Eval kineval, but I’m so used to it that it’s an integral part of my mental image of the bike.

@prettygreenparrot is right about getting it in the back of the car though. We put ours in the boot wheels off, upside down and the mudhugger does get in the way.

I’d agree with @clubby about velcro. There’s quite a lot of leverage at bottom out on hits trying to pull the guard off the stays. It takes very little slack for it to start rattling and that means frame rub.

I’ve got helicopter tape under mine and that seems to stop too much frame damage.