CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News

Not the best start to LEJOG

(13 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by Wilmington's Cow
  • Latest reply from recombodna

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  1. Bumped into a chap I knew from the Sheep Heid the other day (he would occasionally work behind the bar before the refurb). He had LEJOG planned with his wife, but came home with a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder.

    He'd got his bike serviced at EBC before going, and said it came back worse than it had gone in (I'm not going to act surprised) but it was too late to do anything about it. There was a rattlnig coming from the bike that, as they rode from Penzance to Land's End to begin the ride he diagnosed as the rack having been replaced with the legs 'inside' the frame at the back, and one of the bolts not actually tightened at all. Sorted, fine, that annoying rattle is gone.

    Riding away from Land's End a new rattle appeared as he was riding downhill. What he did next was very very silly. He reckons in a stressed state (sounds like a lot was going on in his life at the time, and the poor service of the bike had added to his annoyance) he simply didn't think, and perceiving the noise to be coming from his front mudguard he bent down to check, whereupon his hand... Caught in his spokes... Locked the front wheel as his arm halted the wheels progress against the forks... And pitched him overboard.

    The dislocated shoulder actually went undiagnosed down south, and it was only a few days later at ERI that they pointed out that it was a very serious injury, and he's now held together by nuts and bolts.

    They're attempting the ride again in late summer. He's done some bike maintenance courses since getting back up and about.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  2. Dave
    Member

    Holy moses...

    Seems to be a semi-cursed route, I gave up with exploding knees years ago, then friends of ours needed a helicopter ride to A&E after a pannier-related crash. They at least have been back to redo the whole thing, I can't imagine I'll ever have the motivation. Bits of it are nasty.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  3. Zenfrozt
    Member

    eeep, my bike is booked into EBC today, getting my chainboard/guard replaced after some moron at uni kicked it in.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  4. amir
    Member

    Wow, that's really nasty and a warning about attempting bicycle maintenance on the move :(

    Posted 12 years ago #
  5. I'm really keen to try it some time. I've got a strange notion to do it on a Larry v. Harry Bullitt (or some such similar) to carry tent, camera, IT equipment etc... Have tried to find out if someone has done it by cargobike yet (can't believe no-one has) but drawn a blank so far.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  6. SRD
    Moderator

    Zenfrost, I've never had _bad_ experiences at EBC, but I've always had GOOD ones at The bike works (Argyle place).

    Posted 12 years ago #
  7. amir
    Member

    I'd quite like to do LEJOG light with someone else carrying the luggage.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  8. Uberuce
    Member

    I want to do LEJOG on a sedan chair carried by four burly loinclothed men on unicycles. Dare to dream, I say.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  9. crowriver
    Member

    Ouch! Hope he gets better soon.

    Problem with cargo bikes is they are quite heavy. I noticed this cruising around town on the Ute the other day. For a cargo bike, it's pretty light in fact (easily lifted up/down stairs). Maybe it was the soaking rain or my mood or a general lack of fitness, but the bike seemed heavier than I remember. I wasn't carrying much either, just a second hand wheelset for the single speed (current back wheel rim starting to crack around spokes).

    LEJOG probably possible and quite comfy on the Ute, but wouldn't be quick! Can't imagine it would be speedy on a Bullitt either.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  10. SRD
    Moderator

    My colleague did it on her Brompton!

    Posted 12 years ago #
  11. crowriver
    Member

    Folding bike very practical for a ride like that. No parking security issues overnight, easy to take on the train to Penzance, and back from Thurso. No need for a c*r.

    There is the problem of small wheels, not great at absorbing road shock. 20" or larger wheels would help (most Dahons are 20", Airnimals are 24", or full sized wheels on some folders), or suspension (eg. Moulton). Small wheels are very strong though, good for carrying luggage.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  12. ruggtomcat
    Member

    Nice image Ubruce, I might be able to get enough unicyclists together for an attempt...

    Posted 12 years ago #
  13. recombodna
    Member

    EBC tut tut tut! If you want a job doing well....etc etc!!

    Posted 12 years ago #

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