Author Archives: Mark Bradshaw

Great Weston Ride 2016

News No Comments
The club has decided to support the GWR event this year. Some members are cycling from Priory School to the event start at long Ashton park and ride. Some are using the event transport to travel up and some are making their own way. If we could all meet up and set off together that would be great. Club jerseys are available at The Independent Bike Co in town at the special members price of £30 Hope to see you all there Calendar link here

Click below for event Website to join

11e27cad-0428-4976-90f6-d9ecc4106df8

Send Us Your Wheelers History

History No Comments
We are actively seeking old photos, from any era, and information about the Wheelers [contact-form to='secretary.weston.wheelers@gmail.com' subject='Weston Wheelers - History'][contact-field label='Name' type='name' required='1'/][contact-field label='Email' type='email' required='1'/][contact-field label='Comment' type='textarea' required='1'/][/contact-form]

Park Tool CM5.2 Cyclone Chain Cleaner

Reviews 2 Comments
To make sure I always have a constant supply of Haribo I buy a cycle tool once a month from the obvious mail-order bike retailer, last month that meant I finally got round to buying a Chain Cleaner.
Park Tool CM5.2 Chain Cleaner

Park Tool CM5.2 Chain Cleaner

I had something similar many years ago, but a cheaper, none branded version, and it wasn't very good, I think it lasted one or two uses before I broke it. Ever since I have been a bit old-school and tend to split the chain and clean it in a jar of degreaser before rinsing it, replacing it and lubing up. That's not a quick job though, so in winter, when the commutes are long and the available bike fettling time is short it tends to mean I can go a couple of weeks before cleaning the drivetrain, not good for chain and chainring life. This time the chain cleaner is way better than I had hoped, it's a job of 5 minutes to get the chain cleaned from start to finish. It might not be as perfect a deep clean as I get when I do it manually but I'm more likely to do it at least once a week which is really necessary with all these dirty, wet, rides. It's a simple matter of filling the cleaner with degreaser to the fill-line, fitting it to the chain and fastening the clips, then giving it a few spins backwards. I'm not one for following instructions so I tend to pedal it forwards too, no idea why, I reckon if one direction is good then both directions is better! After a few spins it's a case of wiping the chain and drivetrain with a rag, a quick spray with WD40/GT85 and then leaving it for 20 minutes or so before lubing up. I'm converted, I'll still give it a 'proper' clean when I have a spare hour or so, but this is something I can do once a week without any hassle at all. I got it from Wiggle for £14.99, I reckon that's a bargain if I get a bit more life out of my chains and the rest of the drivetrain.

Genesis Croix de Fer 2014 Model

Reviews No Comments
Genesis Croix de Fer after two years of commuting

Genesis Croix de Fer after two years of commuting

What is it? Its a Genesis Croix de Fer 2014 What sort of bike is that? Reynolds 725 steel adventure bike How old is it? It’s a 2014 model, I got it in November 2014 and have commuted on it since. How much does it cost? About £1050 pounds, although the specs have changed since, there is more choice Why did you choose it? I like the feeling of a steel frame, I like that I can crash it in the dark winter nights without worrying that it might break, and I think it is a great looking bike. At the time it was the best choice for a steel disc brake adventure bike under about £2000. What is the best thing about it? It rolls beautifully, it’s not the lightest bike but when you get it up to speed it is great. What is the worst thing about it? I don’t know that I can think of anything that is ‘worst’ about it. The cable disc brake at the rear can ice up in the worst weather, that’s not great when it first happens, but that’s not the bike’s fault - I probably don’t look after the cables well enough. What have you changed? I changed the saddle to a nice leather Bill Amberg studio model from Charge, and I changed the big chainwheel when it wore out. I put an older model Tiagra one on, one that looks less like a dinner plate. I have gone through plenty of tyres, currently it has huge heavy 37mm Vittoria tractor tyres on, great for the commute. What would you change if you could? If I was going to spend any money on it I would go to hydraulic discs to prevent the one or two times a year that the cables freeze up. If I was going to spend lots of money I’d be tempted to go to Di2. Spec: Frame: Reynolds 725, disc-specific, w/ rack & mudguard eyelets Fork: Double Butted Cr-Mo Unicrown w/ double eyelets & lowrider bosses Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra 4600 10sp Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra 4601 10sp Number of Gears: 20 Shifters: Shimano Tiagra 4600 10sp Chainset: Shimano Tiagra FC-4650 Chainrings: 50/34T Bottom Bracket: Shimano HollowTech II Cassette: Shimano CS-4600 12-30T 10sp Chain: Shimano CN-4601 10sp Pedals: VP-363S w/ Toeclip Brakeset: Hayes CX Expert w/ L1 160mm Lightweight Rotor Brake Levers: Shimano Tiagra 4600 Handlebars: Genesis Road 0.3 Compact, 125mm drop x 70mm reach Stem: Genesis Road 0.2, 31.8mm, +/-7 degrees Rise Headset: M:Part Elite 1-1/8” Sealed Cartridge Grips: Microfiber Anti-Slip w/ Silicon Gel Rims: Alex XD-Lite, Disc, 32H Front Hub: Shimano Deore M525, 6-Bolt, 32H Rear Hub: Shimano Deore M525, 6-Bolt, 32H Spokes: Double Butted Stainless Silver w/ Brass Nipples Front Tyre: Continental Cyclocross Speed 700 × 35c Rear Tyre: Continental Cyclocross Speed 700 × 35c Saddle: Madison Prime Seatpost: Genesis Road 0.2, 27.2 × 350mm Weight: Not Supplied

Two-Day Cycle Race at Weston (1957)

History No Comments
2daycyclerace1957 The Grand Prix d’Angleterre two-day cycle race started from Knightstone Theatre at 11 a.m. today at Weston-super-Mare. The first day of the race was due to be completed at Windwhistle Road at 2.45 p.m. this afternoon. Tomorrow competitors will again start from Knightstone Theatre at 10.30 a.m. and the event will finish at Windwhistle Road at 3.45 p.m. The winners will be those with the lowest times over the two days and prizes will be awarded to teams individually and to stage winners. Competitors, who number 50 strong, represent Birmingham, Bristol, Blindfold, Cardiff, Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton, and Worcester. The prizes will be presented by Mrs. R. F. Bastin, president of the Western Section of the British League of Racing Cyclists and the presentations will be made outside the Knightstone Baths soon after the finish. E.W 22/6/1957

The French Brothers and the Wheelers (1936)

History No Comments
A couple of shots of the Wheelers and the French brothers, the photos come from the newspaper so are low quality. As ever, we'd love to see any photos of the Wheelers you might have, or any other information about the club through the years.

Festival of Cycling for Weston Announced (1983)

History No Comments

Festival of Cycling for Weston

To celebrate their 50 years in cycling, Weston Wheelers are promoting a Festival of Cycle Racing over three days - June 10 - 12. The festival begins at 6.30 on the Friday evening at the A370 Bleadon-Uphill crossroads when a 10-mile time trial has a total prize value of £75. A time trial is a test of speed where riders, setting off at minute intervals, race against the clock. Riders on that first evening will travel the five miles to East Brent roundabout and return to finish opposite the start. On the following evening, again at 6.30 on the Bleadon-Uphill crossroads, a 25-mile time trial is offering prizes totalling £130. This time the riders will have to go as far as Dunhill roundabout and back. Many spectators are expected to be watching on the Sunday (the 12th) when, for the third successive year, Weston Wheelers will be putting on their fast and skillful criterium - races of short duration - on the promenade. There is a programme of 10 events from 12.30 to 5 pm. Every one is sponsored, the total value of prizes amounting to £500. Mr Ron Hayes, Weston Wheelers’ President, has announced that the Weston Mercury Buy-a-Bed campaign for the new Weston hospital will benefit from this festival and from a non-stop sponsored cycle ride Land’s End to Weston. It is hoped to raise £400. Weston Wheelers, planning to hold these events on a regular basis, invite new membership. Anyone interested should contact the secretary, Mr Paul Goodrich, on Burnham-on-Sea ******.

Cheddar Cycle Store

Member Benefits No Comments
Cheddar Cycle Store have kindly offered to give WWCC members a 7% discount on items purchased from the store subject to the following terms and conditions ..
  • Excludes items already reduced and those being purchased on a cycle to work scheme.
  • Discount cannot be given in conjunction with any other offer and the discount percentage will be lower and in some cases will not apply to work-shop items, repairs, workshop labour or special order items or special order bikes.
  • Cheddar Cycle Store reserves the right to withdraw any offer or discount at any time and without prior notice.