2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[stompandgo]

If it's an official bridleway or footpath you have right of way.

I figured as much. It must be fun to ride in those areas.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Tommy's Becoming A Serious Cyclist!

Apart from the work, a ride to the pharmacy and the nearest InPost parcel locker (I'm sure Charge can see more and more of these in England, too!), I also have found time to meet Tommy who rode up my place today afternoon. Tommy is now my main riding mate, and I am dedicated to make him comfortable on our long rides. Tommy is a huge man riding an XXL bike but he complained on assorted aches: butt, lower back, numb hands. We have modified his Marin Muirwoods stepwise:

• Installed a long stem inverted at -12 degrees
• Moved his saddle far backwards
• Installed comfortable generic grips with short bar-ends
• And now we installed SQlab Innerbarends 411.

Tommy's riding position has shifted forward, which relieved his butt and the spine. He stopped complaining on the numb hands! And he has options to ride upwind (Innerbarends) or downwind (bar-ends). Meanwhile, I patiently convinced him having an aerobar was a bad idea (especially on group rides) and eventually he had to remove a hysterically big bike bell

I hope everybody would agree this is a proper riding position? (Tommy was testing the orientation of the handlebar controls helmetless but he always wears a helmet otherwise).

His cockpit, the latest iteration.

Very similar cockpits, innit

 

[stompandgo]

That position would be against regulations if he was racing a sanctioned race. You cannot lay your hands on the bars. They must be gripping them. It's also dangerous when riding in a group.

 

[edobici_forza]

@Stefan Mikes, looks like a fun ride with your gravel gang. Nice to see your DSLR photos, such a different feel from phone photos with the default focus to infinity. I have been meaning to dust off camera and bring on a ride. I have a mini harness for my micro four thirds that I used on travel only.

 

[stompandgo]

Otherwise, his fit looks good from that one photo.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

That position would be against regulations if he was racing a sanctioned race. You cannot lay your hands on the bars. They must be gripping them. It's also dangerous when riding in a group.

It is flat handlebars. The Innerbarends are a very well known thing.

• They are positioning the hands as if they were the drop handlebar hoods
• The palm rests on the grip
• IBE ensure the instant access to the brake levers (the fingers rest loosely on the levers)

Stomp, don't tell me gravel cyclists grab the hoods. They rest their hand on the handlebar hood.
There are many EBR members who have used Innerbarends and can vouch for them.

Otherwise, his fit looks good from that one photo.

I haven't seen him as happy as today before

@Stefan Mikes, looks like a fun ride with your gravel gang. Nice to see your DSLR photos, such a different feel from phone photos with the default focus to infinity. I have been meaning to dust off camera and bring on a ride. I have a mini harness for my micro four thirds that I used on travel only.

Oh Ed, a Micro Four-Thirds. Must be a lightweight camera? An Olympus perhaps?

 

[Chargeride]

All new pains will develop

 

[Chargeride]

It is flat handlebars. The Innerbarends are a very well known thing.

• They are positioning the hands as if they were the drop handlebar hoods
• The palm rests on the grip
• IBE ensure the instant access to the brake levers (the fingers rest loosely on the levers)

Stomp, don't tell me gravel cyclists grab the hoods. They rest their hand on the handlebar hood.
There are many EBR members who have used Innerbarends and can vouch for them.


I haven't seen him as happy as today before


Oh Ed, a Micro Four-Thirds. Must be a lightweight camera? An Olympus perhaps?

Yes, but you can put in post very easily these AI days

 

[edobici_forza]

It is flat handlebars. The Innerbarends are a very well known thing.

• They are positioning the hands as if they were the drop handlebar hoods
• The palm rests on the grip
• IBE ensure the instant access to the brake levers (the fingers rest loosely on the levers)

Stomp, don't tell me gravel cyclists grab the hoods. They rest their hand on the handlebar hood.
There are many EBR members who have used Innerbarends and can vouch for them.


I haven't seen him as happy as today before


Oh Ed, a Micro Four-Thirds. Must be a lightweight camera? An Olympus perhaps?

@Stefan Mikes I have an old Panasonic GX-7. likely succeeded by a few generations by now. I am not been following photo equipment since then.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I figured as much. It must be fun to ride in those areas.

It's all over the UK. Ancient rights of way. And yes I love exploring, checking on the map when I see a dirt lane I've not gone done before - "oh I see if I go down there, through that farm, I come out on that road, lets try it!" Great fun.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Tommy's Becoming A Serious Cyclist!

Apart from the work, a ride to the pharmacy and the nearest InPost parcel locker (I'm sure Charge can see more and more of these in England, too!), I also have found time to meet Tommy who rode up my place today afternoon. Tommy is now my main riding mate, and I am dedicated to make him comfortable on our long rides. Tommy is a huge man riding an XXL bike but he complained on assorted aches: butt, lower back, numb hands. We have modified his Marin Muirwoods stepwise:

• Installed a long stem inverted at -12 degrees
• Moved his saddle far backwards
• Installed comfortable generic grips with short bar-ends
• And now we installed SQlab Innerbarends 411.

Tommy's riding position has shifted forward, which relieved his butt and the spine. He stopped complaining on the numb hands! And he has options to ride upwind (Innerbarends) or downwind (bar-ends). Meanwhile, I patiently convinced him having an aerobar was a bad idea (especially on group rides) and eventually he had to remove a hysterically big bike bell

View attachment 207667
I hope everybody would agree this is a proper riding position? (Tommy was testing the orientation of the handlebar controls helmetless but he always wears a helmet otherwise).

View attachment 207668
His cockpit, the latest iteration.

View attachment 207669
Very similar cockpits, innit

Very wide bars - going mountain biking?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Very wide bars - going mountain biking?

I'm not responsible for his Marin XXL bike design "and I'm not responsible for the outbreak of WW2 either" (as my late wife used to say) The handlebar width in that bike (and size) is 700 mm (while the handlebars in my Vados are 680 mm, almost the same). MTB bars are 780 or 800 mm wide. It could be an optical illusion caused by the man's sheer size

Anyway, Tommy will certainly benefit from reducing his arms' spread. (Only 1 cm real estate was left on the 22.2 mm part on the right. The Optical Gear Indicators steal the handlebar space!)