Huddersfield is no different to anywhere else. Has it’s rough parts and has some lovely parts.

Slaithwate, Pole Moor, Scapegoat, Outlane, Scammonden all put you on the right side of Huddersfield to venture into some lovely riding.

+1 also for Calderdale, as there’s loads very close to Huddersfield that put you 10 minutes from Hudds town centre. Look at Stainland, Blackley, Sowood as examples.

I live 100 yards over the Hudds border into Calderdale and have some of the best riding on my doorstep.

We’ve been through it and are very fortunate to have our son as a result, after 1 round followed by a 2nd frozen transfer round.

Nothing prepared me or my wife for the process and how ‘hard’ it was. From the never ending appointments, to over stimulation and my wife getting to a seriously ill state during the whole process.

Stick with it. Hopefully the hard work will result in a positive outcome for you.

My wife found the whole journey so poorly supported, that she quit her job and now works to create better patient experiences for those going through IVF.

She creates a lot of content, speaks on behalf of patients to the big medical companies, works with clinics to improve things for patients and has created various support groups and a book to help patients.

Her book is at https://positivityplanners.com/ and her support group is on Facebook as “TTC Support UK” and is a really positive community for those trying to conceive.

On the cycling front, the doctor told me to ride. He said there’s some evidence to say being in the saddle lots (and he stressed lots) may have a negative impact, but it was outweighed by the health benefits of being fit by riding.

Good luck on your journey!

You can get them at any major supermarket if you know what you’re looking for.

Wood pellet cat litter is exactly the same stuff. It will be more expensive due to VAT, but if you need it quickly that’s your best option.

Would recommend chatting with Alan at Cycle Britain.

I haven’t ridden with him as a paid ride, but he gifted us his route, advice and planning for a charity Lejog over 14 days the other year.

His route was excellent, mainly quiet roads for the entire length of the country and some brilliant planning.

https://cycle-britain.co.uk/

From experience of doing this this year, do not pay up front.

Any decent tradesman should have credit at his supplier and 30 day terms for payment. If he can’t get credit for such a small job there are bigger problems behind the scenes.

We had a builder taking payment up front for materials. He had come highly recommended. Turns out our cash was paying for materials on other jobs, work on ours then stalled as he was skint and we lost £££ which we are now chasing through courts.

The only scenario I would consider is paying his supplier directly for materials to be delivered to your house. That way if he runs off, you at least own the materials and get get another tradesman to fit for you.

I’d say if you do it, expect a long drawn out process.

A family member bought a house, after a structural survey, and then found heavy subsidence.

The surveyor admitted fault very quickly, but then followed 5 years of drawn out, and expensive, legal work to settle on the damages.

I believe over £200k in legal and professional fees, lots of stress and a risk of not even getting costs covered if they won.

They won in the end, but the stress it caused was immense. If you can suck it up and move on, I would.

Had one around 2013 for 3 years and it was the best car I’ve ever had. Never used it for towing but the car was faultless as my daily driver.

Been in Audi A4 or A6 estates since and had just ordered a new Touareg for delivery in Jan 23 based on my previous experience.

However, with fuel costs going the way they are I’ve just cancelled the order yesterday as a 3 litre, 30mpg diesel does not seem like a smart move right now.

I’d say a bike fit, from a good bike fitter is essential, but maybe not the only way of solving your problem.

Under carriage pain on the turbo is pretty common. You’re not moving in the same way you do on the road and are much more static in the saddle. Use a good chamois cream to ease friction and look at a rocker plate for your turbo.

As for a bike fit, if you’re in West Yorkshire, speak with James at http://www.fit2ride.cc/

I’ve been to James twice and his knowledge, patience, expertise and attention to detail are second to none. Things that made a huge difference to my ride were saddle angle (very minor tweak), saddle and custom insoles (a huge difference).

At my second visit I went to get insoles for new shoes and check some overall fit issues due to a knee injury. Rather than just take my money for a full appointment, he explained why my choice in shoes was completely wrong, made a minor tweak to a wedge in my existing shoe and also my cleats. He charged me a fraction of what a full fit would have cost and solved my issues.

A good fitter makes a huge difference.

I’ve never gone skiing there, but travel to the region regularly.

Fly directly to Granada, grab an air BnB off the mountain on the Granada side and drive up each day.

Food up there is pretty poor in choice and pricey, but Granada is full of places and there’s a huge food court at the Nevada Shopping Centre 30 mins from the ski resort with 15-20 food places.

I’ve been in a similar position with £6k damage.

We had a guarantor on the contract, threatened small claims action and got paid in full.

Despite what others have said, threatening and being prepared to go through with legal action, can work.

You can apply to the skin, chamois pad or both.

Cheaper creams will just soak in, but the thicker more premium ones should still be visible on the pad after a ride.

Makes a massive difference especially if you’re riding on a turbo.

https://veloskin.cc/ is another great option. Thicker and longer lasting than ASSOS and Muc Off

Free samples available also – just pay postage https://veloskin.cc/products/have-a-ride-on-veloskin

The product supplier would be liable for what is known legally as “consequential losses”.

IANAL but used to be ops director for an online bathrooms retailer and this came up quite a lot with customers.

The quality is by far the best I’ve got.

Short sleeve jerseys are well cut and great quality, long sleeved core all weather top is totally windproof and breathable and their Aventus shorts are the most comfy I’ve ridden due to the chamois pad they’ve used.

Just waiting on the winter thermal stuff to be delivered.

And no I don’t work for them….

They do play the pricing game and run regular discounts and 3 for 2s so don’t rush in and buy at full price.

https://chooseally.com/ are fully tested, and machine washable/reusable

Very good quality.

Would singletrack members be interested in Chamois Cream from us at https://veloskin.cc/.

We don’t yet have a deal in place with Singletrack, but if there’s interest we’d be happy to do one. We are based just up the road in Halifax, so it would be great to help a local business in this way.

Avocet ABS locks are great, however Ultion are more secure.

Ultion was set up by the guys that used to run ABS a few years back.

Not many places will show prices for them online, but I know these guys are one of the cheaper places and post them out the next day – https://www.upvchardwaredirect.com/ultion-locks–keys-208-c.asp

You want one of these – self install, smartphone enabled and does everything ADT does but with no monthly costs.

Fully extendable to add more PIRs, door contacts, cameras etc…

VeloSkin Chamois Cream – https://www.veloskin.cc
See.Sense rear lights – https://seesense.cc/
Veloforte nutrition – https://veloforte.cc/

Speak to his bank about Third Party Access/Authority. I manage my Gran’s money this way and my own card and access to it via my own online banking log in.

Some info on this at https://www.barclays.co.uk/power-of-attorney/

Thanks everyone. Some food for thought.

This is also worth a look. Certainly the best I’ve used.

Veloskin Chamois Cream

Calibrate your Turbo. It’s usually done with an app from your Turbo manufacturer.

After properly calibrating mine, my power was much more accurate and consistent.

If Gmail SMart Reply is freaking you out, you’d best not use their latest feature then.

Gmail Autocomplete

I’m not that bothered about privacy at this level personally. The benefits of the features outweigh any concerns I have, and the new autocomplete stuff saves me loads of time.

I’m out.  How hard is it to publish a price for a lock?  It’s not like it’s an area with multiple variables where I might need someone to come measure up and give me a quote.

They’re not allowed to show their prices publicly as Ulteon don’t want the prices being crashed through the floor online

I’d only go for Ulteon locks .

ABS are a great product but I believe Ulteon is the newer product and from the guy originally behind ABS locks.

Uoteon can be bought online from https://www.upvchardwaredirect.com/ultion-locks–keys-208-c.asp

They get back to you with a price after contacting them .

In a new build house with high security locks, high security handles, Yale alarm, PIR external lights, fully lit garden on night timers and CCTV .

The ****ts just threw a patio flag through my patio door and stole the car last year.

No matter how secure it is, unfortunately if they want something they’ll get it .

Would love to see a comeback of the C456. My favourite bike out of all the ones I’ve had.

Brant – you don’t seem to have a pic of one of these, so here you go – https://www.instagram.com/andybanks/p/XcIu-zGt_H/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=bkdkdklmxa7y

Word of warning on the Yale ones. Yale have full central access to your alarm when you have one.

They can arm, disarm, change your config and take photos/videos through your camera PIRs without your permission .

We had numerous issues with the control panel and had a break in where the alarm didn’t even trigger despite the burglar walking straight through a PIR covered area.

The alarm now seems to work OK after Yale replaced most of the system at their cost, but if I was putting a new alarm in I’d not chose this system .

Take a look at ERA alarms instead for self install wireless or for proper peace of mind get a pro in .

Don’t worry about he finance and tax changes.

Put it in a ltd company and the changes don’t apply.

Works well if you’re new to BTL.

Well that was a brutal ride!

Tip for anyone next year – take a full suss, not a hardtail if oonoy for the extra traction on the climbs .

I’m riding this on Saturday also and just taking my 26″ hardtail.

I assume that will do the job just fine.

What are the offroad sections like? I’m on a well-worn set of On One smorgasbord tyres, which are great at the moment on the dry trails. Stick with these or get a fresh set on with some grip? I’m not sure what the terrain/conditions are like over there.

I’m quite a bad sufferer and this year has been pretty different with the heat.

As a rule for me though, I find the rain makes it worse and I flare up in evenings when it cools rather than the day when it’s hot. Don’t know why – that’s just how it seems to be.

This year it’s been great. No real hayfever until the last couple of weeks once the temp has dropped off.

Medication typically doesn’t work for me, but things that I have found helpful are:

– Cycling. In years where I’ve ridden lots and been fit, I’ve suffered less. I’ve put it down to either becoming acclimatised to the pollen by riding all year round, or the increased lung capacity making it less noticeable.

– Otrivine Sinusitis Spray. The last few weeks have been bad for me, and the pharmacist recommended this to shift some congestion. It’s amazing. Quick spray and 30s later it’s like I’ve got new nostrils!

+1 for Player FM

Castbox looks good as well

Anker Sound Surge. Way better than the price suggests.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071GNH9MT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Feel free to send me the £80 you’ll save.

That’s a pretty expensive window cleaner.

That would pay for my window cleaner nearly 20 times over….

Just noticed ExpressVPN do a referral scheme as well

ExpressVPN works really well. Been using it for a couple.of weeks in China .

Have you tried looking at this from a different angle?

Is retail design really dying out, or just changing? Retailers are struggling, and the high street is a tough place to be, but the big retailers still need to invest heavily to win that battle.

In and amongst the retail doom and gloom of store closures in the last 3-6 months, my business has invested heavily in store refurbs to gain some traction. Someone somewhere is doing that work for us, and even after we complete our refurbs some other retailer will be doing there’s.

The industry you’re in is getting tougher no doubt – but how do you fight it out? You’re small and agile and in theory well positioned to beat the big guys.

Let’s say the industry is dying though and you’re right… your skills will be highly transferable. How could your traditional retail skills apply to the online world? That market’s growing by 15%-20% per year and struggling with a talent shortage. I’d value someone with a good traditional retail background to be on my e-commerce team, providing they could show an ability to learn quickly.

It doesn’t seem like you really need to get out – just adapt quick enough.

https://simplypaving.com/ – founded and run by part of the Marshalls family