We rent our student house privately (and not through an agency), and our landlord does most of the maintenance himself and then just calls in professionals when necessary. Seems to work well.

I’ve got my entry in (sorry for the hassle with the extra 2p charge, hadn’t realised you could change the delivery!)

can’t wait to get the series underway!

An hour on the mtb round the local woods this morning, not too fast as I was testing my wrist, but felt good and found a couple of new bit sof singletrack which is always good!

I’ve just bought (ebay) a canon eos 350d, it was an accident to be honest as I was expecting to be outbid but hey, it should be here before next weekend!

I think some sort of zoom lens will probably be first on my list as a good chunk of my photography at the moment is sport and wildlife – in both cases a zoom is pretty handy. I’ll definitely look into the 50mm lenses as well!

Space waiting to be filled I’m afraid!

Bookshops and pubs are the places to be then 😛

I had a look on a couple of dating sites once, saw some potentially interesting people but it seems rather expensive to get the proper membership and be able to communicate with people!

And relationships blossomed because of STW? 😛

I know 2 people with those frames, both cracked (although not sure where), sounds like there has been a problem somewhere along the line! At least it is still under warranty.

If I get a dslr I’ll be choosing my new phone based on something which has a reasonable camera for spur of the moment things. Currently I find my camera is too big to be taking everywhere with me anyway, but although it takes good photos, and my skill most definitely has room for improvement, I feel I need something with features like manual focus.

Its just something I’m thinking about at the moment, want an idea of how many lenses I would need to maintain the same performance, and how much its likely to cost. I also need to develop an understanding of the various focal lengths and what they actually mean (might be useful to know before I start looking at lenses 😛 )

Cheers molgrips, that is rather good value!

I guess I’ll use the standard lens it comes with for a while, and can buy lenses as I need them – not too fussed about having to own multiple lenses if it means I can take better photos, especially as I tend to go out with a subject in mind so won’t need to go out with a huge bag of kit!

only got 3 candles I’m afraid 😛

maybe because a fork has 2 “legs”?

I’ve just put some xtr brakes on my new bike, having had avids on the old one. Don’t think I’ll be going back to avid!

I had some of the shims but in my sora brakes, but they only make a difference when on the drops, and even then its not much of a difference.

But yes, they are available, my LBS seems to have a box of them!

either be in Cannock or revising I expect!

think watching some coverage of the wedding is going to be unavoidable though!

My 1L corsa seems to put me well under the average insurance prices, due for renewal again, now with 2 years no claim and it has come down to £500 from £750 (for the year) in the could of years I’ve been driving it – I was 18 when I first got it insured.

Thats with Directline, they came in considerably cheaper than quotes I got from confused.com and comparethemarket

Sunny and hot all day, no sign of a storm yet – hope we get one soon cus I love thunderstorms 😛

Work in a bike shop – was manic on the hire today, expect the same tomorrow (have sunday off) and then back in for monday (and tuesday!)

A cheap kahuna thing from Argos, I like it…someone once told me “its like a mans watch, but more feminine”. Has a reasonable waterproofness, and has a metal bracelet so don’t have to worry about it getting damaged. The battery died after 2 years so I went to Timpson who do the buy one battery and we’ll replace it for free thing (and keep the seals waterproof and stuff when fitting).

Well…at least thats what I would be wearing if I could remember where I left the bloody thing!

Everyone seems to have lots fo fun sounding things planned!

I’m working Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday and then some sort of (bikeless) family day trip on the Sunday. Probably for the best cus my wrist isn’t working at the moment! 🙁

Working in a bike shop means I still get to enjoy the sunshine though 😛

I was just thinking the very same question – just heard someone on the radio talking about the race for life “there are still spaces left, you don’t even have to run, you could jog if you like”, thought it sounded a bit strange!

I have racing ralphs, although I ran them all through winter as well 😳

If you’re on call but with camping with no car you must be reasonably close to civilisation? use a pub 😛

I would suggest a combination of spare batteries and a wind up charger might be the best bet though.

I’ve just gone from being stretch on a 16″ inbred (with tiny stem, and backwards layback seatpost) to a 14″ scandal, makes so much difference being that little bit shorter!

I know thats not steel but has the same geometry as the inbred doesn’t it?

Thats a lot better than many of the biking videos out there. My only criticism (as someone thats never tried to make a real video!) is that the transitions between each clip were very noticeable, rather than flowing into each other.

Other than that, very good!

now Northampton….and I love the Firs (followed up by the Adelaide)

I love the firs too, just not the same with all the logging 🙁

Smarty – I’m jealous!

Looking at the good photos on here and the sunshine outside I might have to get my camera out, feeling inspired 😛

Here’s one I took the other day that I was happy with:

Anyone know how Brian the snail is getting on?

he was hoping to do a mile a day wasn’t he? so slowly I guess 😛

Becky, you’re probably right and I guess, that’ll probably be the right thing to do. It’s just that, well, she’s my little girl…

Don’t have to buy her lots of expensive presents, take her out – go to a farm and show her the lambs and calfs and stuff (pick a good farm and might even get to help feed lambs!), then could have a picnic and help her fly a kite etc.

Hope you all have a good day!

Yes I’m sure there are many nice ones (and cheeky bits coming off of them!), flat is fine on the whole – but a few corners or a bit of flow would be nice 😛

I’m just north of Northampton

I can just about run a mile in under 6 minutes, but only 1 mile! Like to think I’d be able to do a marathon one day…but then I think why, I hate running… 😛

Having gone out yesterday, I can see why people like it, but with the bridleways and stuff near me, it seems to be lacking the excitement that I need from most rides!

Did he look better pre-beard?

Does he like the beard enough that it’ll be a really long term thing?

You could always get him to shave it off for the holiday on the pretense of keeping his face cool 😛

I assume they go faster? And more chance of hitting their head should trouble arise?

Mind you…already seen at least 1 runner trip over the mat things!

EDIT: oops so excited I said it twice!

Everyone said he’d never get on the podium…well he’s done it!

Don’t remember watching a grand prix that had me so gripped!

*wonders if the 35 miles off road today counts as good riding*

where where where? 😛

If I wasn’t a student (with an interest free over draft) I suspect I’d take advantage of one of the numerous interest free finance deals about when its new bike time 😛

Although nothing more satisfactory than holding a big chunk of cash if you’ve saved up!

Northamptonshire here as well, as far as I can tell we don’t have any good off road riding to share 🙁

glad I’m not the only one struggling to find places to ride!

PeterPoddy – Member
Hmmmm.

Do you mean “where are you from” or “where do you live”?

Where do you live is the more accurate question 😛 Didn’t occur to me as the the 2 places are the same for me!

Just buy her some small toys / games / clothes / drawing things, as long as they’re wrapped up and I expect she’ll be really happy! she’s too young to really want anything, and won’t remember last year so nothing to compare it to!