Not sure that really helps with things mate sadly… sorry.

No problem, it was just a thought.

I’m interested as to why, though – although it’s obviously primarily intended for music, the implication is that it can be used as a handsfree kit, the same as an in car unit would work – just without the car…

What about starting with a bluetooth speaker? Mobile fun (just for example) have several that incorporate a microphone.

This, for example, with one, nice big, button for operation.

You should be able to get them from Pipedream – I did for my Sirius.

Something from BeerBabe?

Good call Simon 🙂

Biggest issue I see with them is getting your seat height right – I’m pretty sensitive to seat height and can’t see how it will ever be spot on if it’s constantly moving…

I’m sure someone has tried them and will have a more informed opinion, though…

I’m pretty sure Rohloff have stop quoting the minimum ration now, anyway…

Not seen the Microspikes in the flesh, so can’t evaluate that side, lemonysam.

That said, my yaktrax have done The Grand Canyon twice and several winters of walking to work in the snow in the UK, so for the £20 or so they cost, I’m quite happy that they are value for money.

Have a look at YakTrax as well.

Similar idea but about a quarter of the cost! And man enough that I used my first pair on the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails in the Grand Canyon – lots of snow and ice for the upper third to half of the height in February / March.

They go on and off very easily, too, so for a changing trail they’re ideal.

And, yes, they definitely work!

That winter morning ride when you’ve been psyching yourself up for a properly grim, muddy ride, only to find a hard frost and it’s frozen solid: Summer speeds here we come!

Oh, and what mintimperial said 🙂

Put one thumbnail in the thread of one of the pedals and turn the axle with the other hand. If clockwise makes it “screw in” that’s the RH pedal…

Similar to trial and error but with no risk of the ham fisted messing up their cranks…

Try Glen at Velo House in Tunbridge Wells.

Velo House[/url]

A second for Tom Clancy, I like most of his but Without Remorse is definitely one of the best.

Also have a look for the Charlie Fox books by Zoe Sharp.

I went to the US last year with only a month or so to run. So long as your passport is valid for the duration of your stay it’s fine.

I printed out the FCO advice & check in did make a call to confirm, but no problem.

Guys, sorry for the slow response, insane week…

Thanks for all the suggestions, I didn’t have as much time as I thought so just did a bit of a tour around Stratford, mixed Road and towpath.
Appreciated the suggestions, though 🙂

Thanks for the invitation, but I’m only there for a weekend with my girlfriend – she’s seeing several plays, so I’ve got the Saturday afternoon to go ride…

Thanks for the invitation, but I’m only there for a weekend with my girlfriend – she’s seeing several plays, so I’ve got the Saturday afternoon to go ride…

Someone on here actually has a Curta?

Actually two people on here have a Curta!

My late father had one, still in the case, which is mine now…

Kefalonia is a good option. I’ve been with Sea Kayaking Kefalonia[/url].

Very good, very professional, very competent. And I’m a BCU 3* Paddler, and formerly a Trainee Instructor, so have an idea what I’m talking about…

I guess it partly depends on what you’ve got locally, but I’ve done it from Kent for a day trip – that’s over 3 hours each way.

Does that tell you enough?

I’ve had Thule hang on, MaxRaxx, Mottez and now a Thule Euroclassic.

The Euroclassic is by far and away the quickest to fit, the most secure and the easiest and quickest to fit the bikes to.

It is also the easiest for different frame types, too.

It’s so quick I use it for just one bike, where previously I’d had put the seats down and put it inside. One of the reasons I bought it was so I didn’t do this in my new car!

Where are you, Tacopowell?

We actually have trouble disposing of all the scrap pallet wood from my workplace in Kent. Because we get a lot of stuff on custom sized pallets it all ends up going to a local to be burnt!

If you’re near enough you can have as much pallet wood as you like!

I use an SMS app on my Android called Handcent which certainly permits this. Don’t know if it’s available for iOS – worth a look.

I don’t use the repeat feature (but it is there) but I do use the scheduled message feature as you can set up a message as soon as you think of it but set it to arrive when the other person needs to see it!

Surely those are springs from sofa bed or similar? Just with a nice new coat of paint…

Don’t forget the circlip holding the inboard bearing in…

(I think, unless they changed the design since I last had to do this job…)

It’s not that long a drive that you’d have to share the driving. I drove all the way there when I went 18 months ago.

Only caveat, I guess, is that I live in Kent, so an early train didn’t mean too early a start.

I think we got a train at around 6-7 am, and arrived at about 6pm after a fairly leisurely journey.

Not an overnight solution, but try joining the Institute of advanced motorists. It means passing an advanced test and an annual membership – but once you’re in their insurance deals are excellent!

Do non – Kindle readers sync as seamlessly with Amazon? Obviously you aren’t tied to Amazon in the same way, but if I was replacing my Kindle I’d want to be able to get at everything I’ve purchased….

Fronts are cross compatible. It’s rears that aren’t.

Not taking the clamps off may be a bit optimistic.

I find it easiest to get the bike on the carrier with the wheel straps loose, then position the clamp to suit the frame. Second bike on, then feed the next clamp through the frame of the first bike in a position that suits the second.

The clamps do go on and off pretty easily…

Can’t find a useful picture.

As liftman says, though, biggest bike first…

Try the clamps in different positions on the rack hoop, and clamp the bike frame differently – on the seat tube or down tube, doesn’t have to be on the top tube.

Also, I find it easier to put the wheel straps on first but leave them loose so you can move the bikes to get the clamps on, then tighten the straps.

Not sure if I have a photo of my Thule rack loaded, I’ll have a look.

I would substitute “sh1t” for “limited”.

It’s only a small area which they’ve actually done quite a lot with. There’s a basic blue loop (very easy) with a number of red sections off it which are very enjoyable.

There are also 2 black sections, the first being a very tricky rock garden and the second having a moderately tricky descending turn.

There’s very little altitude change, just a few short climbs.

Laps are very short, so there’s not much more than an hour or so of amusement but if you’re nearby I’d say it’s worth a visit.

If you’re less nearby then maybe Bedgebury if you haven’t been there before. There’s a lot more there.

I really enjoy Cyclo Park, it’s good for set up testing if nothing else!

I’ve had this Halfords one for a good 15 years!

Most people that have used it have commented on how easy it is to attach (the head accepts Schraeder or Presta without alteration).

The pressure gauge is easier to see than a Joe Blow as it’s mounted at the top of the pump.

If all else fails, I have a 6 month old Zanussi 600mm cooker that I haven’t got round to advertising…

We bought it in January then moved to house with an existing cooker in June.

Drop me a line if you’re interested alaricdarmon@gmail.com

Alaric.

Brechfa & Cwm Rhaedr? It’s a bit of a drive from Merthyr, but well worth it!

I had the same experience of Egg Beaters a few years ago.

Also frustrating having to pay extra for “Premium cleats” to get any vaguely reasonable life out of them and also having the pedal eat into my shoe sole! Oh, and replace bearings every few months…

Changed to Time I’ve never replaced a cleat or bearing. I’ve killed one pedal by wearing through the plastic body (most models now have metal at this wear point) and that took about 5 years…

Do it!

Try Devon Cycle Tours

I knew Andy before he started his business and I’ve not been away with him.

However, having ridden with him quite a bit in the past I would expect him to provide his customers with an excellent experience, and probably the sort of thing you’re looking for.

More likely you need to re-align the caliper.

Post or IS mount? (do the mounting bolts screw into the caliper or the fork?).

I used to (I’ve moved now). Biggest problem was that for 8 months of the year it meant either arriving at work covered in mud or stung to s**t from the undergrowth!