Carrera Vulcan: First ride in 2 years. Phew!

[@likeher9]

Derek out on a none Ebike? You've obviously lost a bet with Helen, or maybe fell downstairs.... In a bungalow? Well you must of banged your head somewhere! I thought you did very well Derek, especially down hill, however We as your audience we're completely out of breath watching you climb them hills! I went quite peeky at one stage. By the way, the next time you're out on the Carrera, just turn the gear change adjuster on the left hand gear changer just small turns at a time one way or the other and you will be able to access the large crank cog giving you 8 more gears. Anyway very well done Derek, I will watch you fitting the Scott cassette tomorrow Cheers mate

[@derektaylor6713]

Hi Likerher9. Wow. A comment! Rarer these days than a deported Albanian. Call it a moment of madness but as I said there's no point in keeping the bike if I don't use it. Yes, going downhill is no problem. It's going back up again that I see as weak point on non e bikes and therefore wouldn't recommend them. I do actually know about the gears on the crank but it won't change properly. I've fiddled and fiddled and messed about and it just goes worse. It really needs three new crank wheels and who knows - a new gear change mechanism and bike mechanic to sort it out but seeing as I don't use it often it's not worth it. The brakes are normally good and it does have fairly new disc pads but when I fitted them they squeaked so I put a tiny bit of copper grease behind them and the squeak stopped but I think somehow it's contaminated the pad material. That's an easy fix and not too dear. You'll probably like the next video. This went on KZbin amazingly in record time. It's a longer video than the previous two but processed the HD version in only one hour. Cheers.

[@garylivesey7571]

Hi Derek i enjoyed your video as always, it might be an idea to keep the vulcan for a training bike just to keep those hill climbing leg muscles toned every now and again? Anyway looking to your upcoming videos in 2023 and hopefully a peddle out with you, kind regards, Gary.

[@derektaylor6713]

Hi Gary. Yes, but, but, but -erm a taining bike! lol. You are of course right. The trouble is round here, as you know, is hills. Most of the Vulcan's miles were done in and around Aviemore and the many, many tracks in that area and it's hilly there as well. I have actually pedalled up Buckstones Rd, right to the top on the Vulcan a few years ago. It took me nearly 25 minutes but I managed it. I wouldn't like to try that again. But in Scotland, we used to take things more slowly and stop more often than just riding at a break neck speed. A ride over the Ryvoan Pass was a five or six hours affair instead of a couple of hours. I keep this bike simply because I'm attached to it with all it's memories. We did go everywhere around there on non e bikes including the Burma Road ride which was a killer. Feshie Bridge a few times and not forgetting the Cairngorm's carpark. They used to have a thing that if you pedalled up there they would give you a free ride to the top on the funicular railway right up to the very top. I think that's been abandonned now. Keeping videos coming is difficult as we tend to be going back to familiar places and I've covered a lot of local rides round here. In a month or two we will get out together as I'd like to meet you and have a look at your bike. Cheers.

[@garylivesey7571]

@@derektaylor6713 Cheers Derek Thanks for your reply i completely understand ithat, re the Highlands i love it up there My mate and regular cycling pal moved up there several years ago and has invited me to join him on several rides and as you know the munroes have some very steep roads and tracks to tackle but its worth it as you can appreciate for the views and wildlife along the way last april we did a charity ride from Lairg to Durness on the road bikes which was challenging but really enjoyable, looking forward to hooking up for a peddle and a Blether, kind regards.