That Future Islands clip above – wow!!!!!!

Not come across them before, but I’ll definitely be checking more of their stuff out.

It’s certainly rolling, but not hilly. If you come back the same way there is a longish climb (about 4-5% for maybe two miles) but that’s about it.

Over the old Severn bridge, past Chepstow and turn left onto the Usk road by the Budgens supermarket. Follow that (lovely) road through to Usk – turn right in Usk for Aber, follow road to the Steel Horse cafe (worth popping in for a cuppa if you have time), then left into Aber.

I thInk you’ll enjoy it!

Very true. Knowing how I’ve always driven hire / courtesy cars there is no way I’d ever buy one s/h.

Cathedral school, so: Deans (my house), Abbots, Canons, and Priors.

Yep enjoying it. Agree with binners, they’ve done it well.

Had three in my left ear lobe, done when I was 15/16. Now 52 and haven’t worn ear rings since my late 30’s. One hole (the first) still open, other two closed over but visible.

I have the 2015 version, non boost but still quite wide chainstays due to the rear caliper being inboard of the seat stay. Size 9 feet but ride slightly toe-in so only catch my heel on the right hand chainstay very occasionally.

Overall though I can highly recommend the bike, it might be “short travel” by today’s standards but I’ve never felt the need for more – very confidence inspiring bike. Fine for the Reds at BPW (albeit at my somewhat mincing pace).

Pbmagforum is one of the best. Bunch of gents.

Been in Barcelona for the last 11 days on holiday with my wife and two teenage daughters. Flew home today, was on Las Ramblas this morning. My wife and daughters were mooching about exactly where the attack happened yesterday afternoon, I’d gone back to the apartment to drink beer in the cool tub. Bloody scary stuff

Thoughts to all those involved and hope the number of fatalities doesn’t rise.

allthegear – Member
Erm – there are a *lot* of electronics in an R nine T! Exactly the same electronics as in my S1000XR, except the cornering ABS.

Rachel

Nope. No traction control, no anti wheelie, no leccy suspension, no fly by wire, no cruise control. Pretty basic, which I like. 2017 model has basic TC as an option.

Been riding 35 years. Done sportsbikes and supernakeds, my two current bikes are air cooled with no electronics which seems to work for me these days.

BMW R NineT:

Triumph Bonneville:

Currently off work with a really vicious flu bug – worst I’ve ever had. As well as all the usual flu fun I woke up this morning (after very little sleep due to alternate burning up / freezing), yawned, stretched, and shat the bed.

<sighs>

A couple of previous bikes:

Been riding since 1981. Done sportsbikes, done supernakeds, loved them all, but these days I’ve gone full Luddite and both my bikes are air cooled. The highest tech is the ABS on the Beemer.

2016 BMW R NineT
2013 Triumph Bonneville

Never really had any kind of relationship with my dad. Most memories are of him shouting and ranting at me for the slightest reason, with plenty of slaps when I was younger. Some good memories, he could be good fun occasionally, but most of the time he was so full of anger, never really worked out why.

My two girls, 17 and 15 still want to do stuff and spend time with me, so if nothing else I figure I’ve been a better parent than him.

He never really seemed to take much pleasure from his (4) kids, whereas I regard mine as best mates. Rather be like me than him.

I’ve had my iPhone 6 Plus for 2 years (almost to the day) and it lives in my jeans front pockets, smart work trousers pocket, Camelbak, and inside pocket of motorbike leathers. Never had any issues with it or cracks, though I’m always careful that there is nothing else in there with it (money, keys etc).

Congrats

30 years on December the 8th for us, got together at a works Christmas do. Married 25 years, house, mortgage, two teenage daughters, and a fine selection of bicycles and motorbikes 🙂

Just got back from a weekend there (on motorbikes rather than bicycles this time). The pubs and cafes in Porlock are all very dog friendly and let them in. In terms of livestock, not a dog owner myself, but a lot of sheep about so I’d have though you need to be careful about letting the hound off the lead. On coastal paths etc probably less of a problem.

An early evening in Gloucester is merely lairy and depressing.

Then the Forresters turn up.

Turn. Run. Run as fast as you can. Don’t look back.

Cheltenham is nice, Bath is really lovely. Apart from a beautiful cathedral Gloucester has no redeeming features.

Commencal Meta Trail fits your criteria to a T:

http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=17774255

I bought one this time last year and it’s a brilliant all round trail bike.

If you”re not sure about buying direct from Commencal (I had no problems at all) CRC also stock them, though you’ll pay slightly more.

No, not when you can get decent carbon bars cheaply. I bought these (I got them for £40) 6 months ago and they’ve been great- can’t fault them:

http://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/products/raleigh-rsp-carbon-ego-dh-riser-bar-780mm-208g?CAWELAID=620001070002469161&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=16156088124&CATCI=pla-131667829764&catargetid=620001070002475006&cadevice=t&gclid=CMv9_srIxs4CFYyRGwodBnkMag

Can we make Weston Super Mare super again please.

I’m the man of the house (male moggie doesn’t count) therefore I have to have the TV / DVD / cable box remotes lined up on the beer table next to MY chair for use as I see fit. It’s the law.

The garage is for motorbikes and bicycles only. The other detritus of family life lives in the cellar or the shed. It’s the law.

Ridden motorbikes for 35 years (scarily!).

I’d say Triumph Street Triple. Small, lightish, easy to ride, fine for a beginner but enough power and ability to grow into and not get bored as you gain experience.

After decades of thinking cleaning / lubing motorcycle chains with the engine running and in gear was a stupid idea, I tried it a few years back and found it made the whole palava so much easier that now I do it all the time.

This thread reminds me of the potential downsides……

Heal quick!

A piece of boiled fish and some rice for lunch (all I’m allowed, joy) then sachet No.2.

Sure I’ve lost about a stone already.

All fairly calm for the last hour, but I suspect there’s more to come.

Round 1 over. Feeling depleted.

Eye of a needle springs to mind.

And we’re out of the traps. Blimey……

😀 😀

On a conference call and really need to sprint upstairs soon, discussing pretty crucial stuff so I’m going slightly cross-eyed hoping the call ends soon.

Well, ominous rumblings are heard at frequent intervals, but no arse action as yet. I am WFH today and have warned my colleagues that I have calls booked in with that if they hear a pained whimper and I suddenly drop off the call there will be a reason for it..

Daughters 16 & 14 here. Wife and I started doing stuff together again after a 12 year break and I was a bit worried that we wouldn’t still have anything in common. All good, we often go out for a local pub crawl together and bring the girls back a takeaway. Just got back from a few days in Barcelona together.

I do miss having young kids though (pain in the arse though it is) and when the time comes that they move out I know I’ll be in pieces.

Thanks all. Good call on booking tickets in advance, hadn’t thought of that.

Sounds reasonable to me. When i’m on one of my motorbikes or bicycles I’m always aware that my behaviour / riding affects drivers’ perception of two wheeled road users. Ride assertively sure, but not like a dick.

Good work PP.

I will sometimes ease off and enjoy the view when on the motorbike, but to the extent of being overtaken by a car???? The shame is only comparable to attaching stick on bunny ears or a Mohawk to your helmet.

Ro5ey – Member
Take the Mrs and younger daughter over to stratford with you … have a mooch about the Oly park… have a swim or at least a look in the Oly pool is pretty damn cool then food and shopping at Westfield it’s right by Oly stadium
See you there … taking my almost 6 year old lad
For those about to ROCK …. we salute you….

Good call on Westfield – I hadn’t realised it was so close. I reckon there’s enough there to keep them occupied. Enjoy the gig, hope your son enjoys it too 🙂

Re: Justpark – yep, discovered them today and booked 24 hours secure parking near Paddington station for £27 which I reckon is a good deal. I’ll use them again.

Thanks all. Based on the above I’ve now booked a secure parking space 10 mins walk from the hotel in Paddington so we can drive straight in and pick up Oyster cards for the girls (their debit cards aren’t contactless) at the station to get across town.

Cheers all.

My daughters (16 & 14) both have debit cards but not sure if they’re contactless- I’ll check and if not get Oyster cards at the station for them.