Having got an Epic Evo recently as the first move from a hardtail it’s been difficult to work out whether I really prefer having a full susser but the Command Post aspect is the no-brainer. That said, I’m probably a more nervous rider and it gives me the confidence pointing downhill without the faff of stopping to drop the seat.

p.s. have had to set up a bit of old inner tube to stop grit getting in the mechanism as it got sticky very quickly to the point it felt the handlebar switch was so stiff I though it would snap off.

http://www.hartsofstur.com/acatalog/Cuisinart_Espresso_Coffee_Maker.html

+

http://www.hartsofstur.com/acatalog/Cuisinart_Coffee_Burr_Mill.html

+

http://www.animalcoffee.com/products.php?cat=14

(I can’t claim to have tried the combination!)

Blog~ish, I found this one quite inspiring. I’d be signing up for a similiar event if a new mini-Chaos wasn’t imminent.

http://www.cyclistno1.co.uk/features/racing/amateur-racing-mtb-marathons-part1.htm

(there’s also a more official blog on the site)

domestic goods as presents for wimmin?

never goes down well!

Any small kids in the family?

Fingerprint jewellery is very popular as a gift for parents/grandparents. Pendants, cuff-links, charm bracelets, etc.

P.S. Order asap as they take time to make (and short of kidnapping, you have to arrange the print-taking with at least one of the parents!). Though can be done mail-order to a degree where they send you a kit to take the print and send back.

Not quite the answer you’re looking for but I’d steer clear of Lexmark printers. Not found them very reliable and rather than a simple printer driver you end up having to install a load of rubbish on your PC.

Unbranded cartridge refills can be fine and a lot cheaper with the caveat that you get less information on how quickly they are emptying.

Primera Sports in Poole/Bournemouth[/url]?

Square and Compass +1 (though it’d be even better without the rainbow-jumpered crusties letting their dogs sh*t in the garden)

Bankes Arms is another post-Purbecks favourite. Great local beers.

Give this lot a call for some good advice and deals – Webtogs[/url]

I love my Mountain Equipment jacket – they do come up quite close fitting though if you’re planning to wear more than light fleece under.

Tank Museum

I know, I know. Found out too late!

I’ve tried making multiple sacrificial brews to re-impregnate it as you suggest but I think it’s too far gone unfortunately.

To be honest I stick to tea now with proper coffee being a treat when I go out somewhere. But there again, the wife did ask what I wanted for Christmas.

Perhaps a burr grinder / Steel Bialetti combination?

This any good?

Cuisinart Coffee Burr Mill

the aluminium ones corrode and make the coffe taste funny.

What are you doing to them? Never clean them. I had friends in Italy who had their alu ones for years with no problems.

Had this myself and am fairly sure it was the dishwasher that did it.

Anyone tried one of the lighter weight Buffalo tops as a single layer for winter?

e.g. http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/Teclite_Cycle_Top.htm

I was wondering if it would still be too hot (the standard Buffalo definitely would be)

Definitely helps if you have a metal container to froth it in. Ceramic/plastic just doesn’t seem to help create the same creaminess of foam

Just found their online bit:

https://www.surf-sales.com/surfshop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=55&cat=Software+

Where’s GRF when you need him on the forum?

AKA head-honcho at Dakine Importers – http://www.surf-sales.com/contact.asp

Trumpers Shaving Tips

Worth a read…

The thing I liked about the T4 and T5 that I’ve had was that they were that little bit narrower than a Transit/Trafic/Vivaro which makes parking/navigation up narrow streets/into car parks/etc not only easier but in some cases possible where wider vans simply don’t fit.
I imagine the Hi-Ace won’t have that problem though.

I was given some Assam from Tea Palace[/url] which was excellent, at least in comparison to Twinings, Tesco Finest and Co-ops Assam, though the latter were tea bags to be fair.

Not sure it’s the cheapest, though the refills will be better if you already have containers.

Nope, for the young sailor who wants to take it forwards there’s windsurfing.

David – have you tried the openmtbmap.org maps? Should be a notch up from the OSM ones. Certainly good for the Purbecks but that’s the only place I’ve really tried them so far.

http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/%5B/url%5D

Wade through that website and you’ll have a better idea of what to look for (or use the guys own ebay store).

As long as you don’t teach him this little game

What worked for me were doing plenty of eccentric contraction exercises – i.e. going one step further than basic stretches and actually strengthening the tendon.

If you scroll about half-way down the following link you’ll find the heel drop exercises that well and truly sorted mine out.

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/achilles-tendon-injuries-a-full-guide-to-causes-symptoms-prevention-techniques-and-treatments-41361

Good luck!

I can usually make it from Poole to Ealing in around 2 hours so the Purbecks could be an option if the roads aren’t too stuffed. If they are then stop off at Winchester and do the first section of the South Downs Way?

Beware of strange men in bushes in Horsenden Hill area! Used to go there with the running club for evening hill sessions. Definitely felt a bit uncomfortable on your own in the evening though I think it would be ok on the bike.

Can’t help directly but at 5’9″ I was initially recommended Small but once I had input 32″ inside leg and relatively long arms for my height I then just scraped into the Medium size on their sizing calculator. Shortening the arm length by a centimetre put me back onto Small.

I expect it depends on your relative leg/arm/torso length so make sure you put them in accurately.

At the moment I have a Medium on order but am getting tempted by some of the 2011 model sales starting to appear in the local shops here in Poole who ultimately I would prefer to support, and have the backup of, so I may cancel it.

I don’t have any compunction in cancelling a german direct-sales manufacturer order!

A huge help is to make sure you have something hot to eat before bed,a hot drink too

But not coffee. 1) for the obvious reason it’ll keep you awake, 2) caffeine constricts your blood vessels leading to colder extremities. (so it applies to feeling cold in the daytime as well)

Is there anything to be saved in building it up yourself, or is that recommendation from a couple of you really about being able to choose from a more exotic range of frames?

I’m a similar decision situation, though not because of redundancy, and have decided to go off the peg with a Canyon XC based on what seems to be the amazing value of getting full XTR and top end shocks/forks/etc for under £3k. Full XTR having always been something of a dream!

But… I can always cancel given delivery is still a few weeks away, go for nice carbon frame instead and just make do with cheaper components which would prob be gradually upgraded over the years anyway :-)

Never built a bike but have replaced drivetrain and it can’t be that hard with a bit of advice from y’all and might actually be more satisfying.

VW centres might be able to rent you a ‘Window Van’, i.e. a Transporter with extra seats and windows.

Look out for extra charges for high mileage whoever you end up going with though.

It does get a lot of comments!

We were lucky to find one at half-price with a bit of shop damage as they are a little expensive. That said I think the re-sale price will be good and in any case we’re hoping there’ll be a No. 2 who’ll take it on. (it was suitable from around 18 months or so I think)

Look up ‘Skipper Balance Scooter’ if you’re interested.

Our 3-yr old has been very happy with one of these.

Height-adjustable seat so he doesn’t grow out of it too soon and, usefully, the handlebars can’t turn too far so he doesn’t do the classic 90 degree handlebar turn and subsequent face plant.