All posts by Andy Henderson

Update to venues and café list

When we first built the site, most ride destinations were expressed as villages or towns. Most riders took a picnic lunch. It therefore made sense to keep a café list separate from ride destinations.

These days, ride leaders are more likely to nominate specific outlets. I have therefore merged the café list into the list of ride venues which now specify:

  • Whether a venue should appear in the café list; and
  • Whether it is open or closed

I also took the opportunity to prune some entries.

All new cafés, restaurants, pubs, etc added to ride venues will get added to the café list automatically. Please continue to use the forums to let ride leaders know about new places you discover.

Please let me know if you find a venue has closed. I can update our entry and that will flag a warning to ride leaders thinking of going there. If you think we're missing a venue, you can now check the café map in case you have misspelt the name, or the name has changed.

Andy

Puncture repair crib sheet

These notes are intended as a reminder of what to do if you get a puncture on a ride. They are not intended as a tutorial - there are plenty on the Internet and we run occasional hands-on sessions. For simplicity we have not attempted to describe repairs to tubeless tyres.

We strongly suggest you practice at home before you get an issue on a ride. In particular, make sure you have the tools you need for the job.

What you need

You will need:

  • Pump - ideally one with a gauge to make sure your tyre has a decent pressure. Most pumps can work with the two common types of valve:
    Presta (the ones that don't look like a car tyre valve) and Shrader (the ones that do) however, make sure your pump works with your valves and leave it configured correctly for when you need it. It's worth an occasional check to see if the pump is working if you don't use it at home regularly.
  • Optionally, A CO2 inflator. It is a faster and easier way to inflate your tyre but there's no indication of how much 'puff' remains, so you could be left with an under-inflated tyre. In any case, you might run out of CO2 if you have multiple punctures. Best practice - especially if you're riding on your own - is to carry a pump even if you use CO2.
  • Tyre levers - you don't want cheap, floppy tyre levers. Instead they should be rigid plastic or metal.
  • Spare inner tube(s) - best practice is to carry at least two with you in case of multiple punctures. You need to be sure they are the right size for your tyre. Our general practice is to replace inner tubes rather than repair them on the road. That saves time for the ride. You can then repair them at home, or discard them.
  • A sharp point - to help remove objects embedded in a tyre.
  • Spanner/Allen key - necessary only if you need one to release your wheels.
  • Optionally, a Specialist tyre seating tool - there are a variety of tools to help you get that last bit of tyre over your wheel rim. Practice at home will tell you if you need one.
  • Patches - a bit "belt and braces" but, if you run out of inner tubes, self-adhesive patches give you a quick fix.
  • Not necessary for simple repairs, but a tyre boot might get you home if you get a bad cut in one of your tyres. I carry a stout piece of inner tube; alternatives are a £5 note (any other denomination will do) or a piece of toothpaste tube (see here for more details).

If you are unsure what you need, please ask for help before it becomes an issue for you.

If you get stuck...

If you are on one of our rides, someone will usually stay with you to help out if necessary. If you are uncertain, it's important you try to fix the puncture yourself - that's how you learn.

If you are on your own, consider asking a passing cyclist for help. Look for someone that appears to have bags that might contain tools. Most people will be happy to stop and help if they can.

Use the crib sheet without the internet

The page you are reading now works as long as you are connected to the internet.

We have provided a version that runs on a mobile phone even if it is not connected to the internet. To use it go to this page on your phone:

www.portsmouthctc.org.uk/unpuncture

That will automatically load the page into your phone. You will also see instructions for creating a shortcut from your phone's home screens so you can quickly get back to it when you need to.

Answer these questions to see the document tailored to your replies...

Virgin Media/NTLWorld issue

I'm seeing a lot of rejected emails from Virgin Media and NTLWorld - they're the same thing.

It didn't take a lot of googling to find that it's a general problem, not specific to us. Bounce messages say the Virgin Media/NTLworld email servers aren't responding.

Bearing in mind that:

It could be time to switch email providers.

Setting up your own email address with its own domain allows you to switch broadband suppliers without having to change your email address. I've had the same address for decades having switched several times.

There are loads of suppliers that can provide the service. FWIW, I use IONOS. A big benefit is that it sends me a daily email telling me about any messages that have gone to spam.

Portsmouth CTC AGM 2024 - Papers

I've added some detail to the AGM event description here.

If you are attending the AGM next Tuesday, please take a moment to read through:

We will not be presenting the detailed minutes/reports at the meeting.

There will be a brief presentation from Alex Cuppleditch of Cycling UK (and a PCTC member) following the AGM. She will summarise this presentation and answer any questions you might have. Please take time to page through the slides before the meeting.

Click the 'Open in new window' button to see the presentation full screen.

If you'd like to order a meal for the following social, we can offer:

  • Haddock and chips: £6.99
  • Cod and chips: £12.99
  • Sausage and chips: £6.98
  • Veggie burger and chips: £9.58

In hindsight we should have rounded those amounts up to whole pounds. Please bring exact money with you or be prepared to lose 1 or 2p.

You have until Friday to let Ian Hewitt know what you'd like either by email ihewitt8@btinternet.com or at 023 9241 2941. Alternatively you can bring your own.

Andy Henderson
Secretary, Portsmouth CTC

Change to club jerseys

At the last committee meeting we agreed to investigate an alternative supplier for our club jerseys.

Up to now we've used Force GB, but we have been increasingly concerned about its viability:

  • It's advertised sales email address doesn't work
  • It's web site is no longer available
  • Production of the jerseys was reliant on a single individual and has ceased while he's not available
  • We've been told we need to order a larger number of items per order - meaning a longer wait for people ordering jerseys while we accumulate an order

As an alternative, we're investigating Owayo:

  • A long-established supplier
  • Allows ordering of single items
  • Allows you to order items directly
  • Many of us have the Hayling Cycle Ride jerseys supplied by Owayo, and the quality is good

Owayo has a different product range to Force GB. You can see the jersey range here, and the gilet and jacket range here. Those pages also provide specs for the available clothing.

Continue reading

2023/24 Photo competition results

Members who attended to vote on the entries found their decisions particularly difficult this year as photos were to a high standard.

The winners were:

  • First place: Wilf Forrow who also wins the photographic competition trophy
  • Second and third place: Paul Hailwood

Wilf won by a single point!

You can see the winning entries below. Click any image to see a larger version.

Wilf Forrow's entry

Paul Hailwood's second place entry

Paul Hailwood's third place entry

Bonking and cycling don't mix

Andy Henderson describes a potentially dangerous condition you might encounter, what to do about it and ways to prevent it.

In cycling we talk about 'bonking', in running they talk about 'hitting the wall', the medical term is Hypoglycaemia. Your body runs out of readily usable fuel. You are close to fainting on the bike, with all the dangers that could result. It's a condition that usually happens on rides that are demanding because of length, hilliness, weather, or maybe all three. Or, maybe, you just ride too long without stopping.

When you get close to bonking there are a number of symptoms. The main one is extreme weariness. You might be pedalling on the flat but you feel like you're going up a steep hill. Any effort is difficult - even just turning the pedals. I get a nasty feeling in my stomach - a lot like nausea. You feel like you can't carry on. The feeling is hard to explain but, once encountered, it is unmistakeable. It can come on suddenly without warning. Although I've not encountered them, sites also list symptoms including:

  • Loss of focus
  • Loss of vision or impairment
  • Cold flashes throughout the body
  • Shaking
  • Sweating
  • Heart palpitations

Please take action...

... if you see someone weaving for no reason and they're complaining of extreme tiredness, maybe they're even incoherent. They might be about to faint.

The problem needs to be tackled, and the rider might not be in a good state to recognise what is happening.

You need to stop and get off the road as soon as it is safe to do so. Ideally, someone should stay with you. This is not a good time to be on your own.

When you bonk, your body has got very low on glycogen. It has little left to run on - and wants to shut down. You need some quickly-absorbed carbohydrate. I carry fruit pastilles (not the sugar-free kind). Energy gels will also help (but I can't stand them). A can of coke will also work. Basically anything with easily-absorbed sugar. If you’re lucky enough to bonk within a stone's throw of a café then that’s another option.

Obviously you shouldn't try to get going again until you've given your body time to get some glucose into your bloodstream. When you do get going, keep another rider behind you (if possible) looking out for a recurrence. Take it very easy. If you are a long way out, consider finding a railway station or calling for a pick-up. Otherwise, go straight home.

Avoiding the condition

If you Google "cycling bonking" you'll find plenty of good advice some of which does not apply to the type of cycling we do. The basics are simple:

  • Fuel up before you start the ride
  • Top up your energy as you go
  • Drink plenty

Giving blood...

... can result in similar symptoms to bonking. Although blood plasma is quickly regenerated, your red blood cells (which carry oxygen around the body) take longer. And that time increases with age. In effect it is reverse EPO. It's not the same condition as Hypoglycaemia, but it has similar effects.

Have a decent breakfast that includes slow and fast release carbohydrates. Starting a demanding ride on an empty stomach is asking for trouble. Many use porridge with sugar or syrup. If it's a long ride you'll need to have a decent lunch (not a lot of fatty food, however, that can slow glucose absorption). I know some riders have a pint of coke (virtually liquid sugar).

Take something with you to top up your energy as you go. And take every opportunity to drink - small, frequent sips are best - gulps of water tend to trigger the 'pee response'.

Some use energy gels. I use this stuff added to my water bottles. That's a triple whammy:

  • Hydration
  • Energy supplement
  • Replacement of electrolytes (lost through sweat)

In summary

Please don't let any of the above put you off distance riding. As long as you are comfortable on your bike and you are aware of your body's needs, bonking won't be an issue for you.

Take care of your fellow riders and be on the look-out for problems they might be having.

And enjoy the ride.

2022/23 Photo competition results

The competition was, once again, to a very high standard.

After voting by the members who attended, the winners were:

  • First place: Keith Wileman who also wins the photographic competition trophy
  • Second place: Anthony Beggs
  • Third place: Joy Forrow

Spike Hinsley deserves a special mention as his entry was just one point below Joy's.

You can see the winning entries below. Click any image to see a larger version.

Keith Wileman's entry

Anthony Beggs' entry

Joy Forrow's entry