2006 Marin first “proper” MTB still in service (and ridden yesterday), with every part except frame and cranks changed 2-3 times

2003 Giant road bike – wheels changed a couple of times, but mostly still good (9 speed Ultegra seems to go on and on). Last ridden on Monday.

2012 Pompetamine Alfine. Don’t ride this as much as I’d like.

That’s a healthy looking baby. Congratulations!

Another endorsement for the new Deore brakes – they seem excellent.

On bleeding – I followed the Epic instructions above for shortening the hoses, and they didn’t need bleeding. I did have an Epic bleeding kit to hand just in case.

I’ve been tubeless for 3 years or so. However, I’m using UST rims and tyres, and whilst it’s not the lightest set-up (though it’s lighter than the cheap OEM wheels that came with the bike), it’s very easy to manage.

Top up the Stans sealant once a year (which was this weekend), and reinflate with a track pump (first time, every time).
One puncture (which sealed itself after a bit of air loss) in three years, running 25psi or so.

Wouldn’t go back to tubes on the MTB. Now need to convert the CX bike.

We’ve had two versions of the Santa Fe, both 7 seat automatic diesels. Plasticky inside, but very practical. It’s like an MPV in that the rear seats fold into the boot floor.

The 2007 version was pretty good at towing, especially with the self-levelling suspension on 7 seat versions. However the 2012 model we now have is in a different league. 194bhp and 436Nm of torque make it effortless.

Overall pretty reliable. What minor things broke were fixed promptly under warranty. Have used them off road and in the snow, and it’s been fine, no drama. Full size alloy spare wheel is also a big plus.

EDIT: Fuel consumption is a bit rubbish at 35-40mpg.

I have a Garmin Forerunner 220 as well. It’s a nice bit of kit, and the indoor mode is useful if you run on a treadmill. GPS seems to work well, and the stride length feature is nice.

I use one of these to monitor heart rate – I’m not a huge fan of chest straps.
Mio Link

The Forerunner 220 is waterproof by the way, but it doesn’t have a cycling mode – you need to change the activity on Garmin Connect after synch. The more expensive 620 does now have a simple cycling mode apparently.

For me, the two seem to work hand in hand. BUPA through work by the way.

Knee problem, see GP, ask for private referral to local BUPA hospital, get approval from BUPA (two consultant visits plus MRI approved straight away), appointment for < 1 week later, MRI next day.

There is an excess to pay, which in our case is 200 pounds.

EDIT: Had my other knee serviced 10 years ago. The overall bill was about 8000 pounds, of which I paid 100 pounds as the excess at the time.

25 initially, plus bank holidays. Rising to 30 after 5 years of service (which I have).

Need to keep 3-4 days back for the mandatory Christmas break though. Overall, I’m happy with this.

My old Decathlon track pump works well with road tyres, and was very cheap.

Always assume all other road users are blind, stupid, psychopaths and ride accordingly. But when they turn out not to be, don’t forget to be polite

This is what I do. I’m rarely surprised. I’ve started an experiment – choose a type of car for the day, and wave in a friendly manner at oncoming cars of that type. Hopefully, they’ll think that the cyclist is someone they know, and think twice before making a stupid move. Hopefully…

We had a Nissan Almera for 8 years when we needed fixed price motoring when we had small children. One bulb and a small section of exhaust in that time.

1.6 petrol by the way. Dull, dull, dull – but started every day without fail.

I hope carbon bars are worth it. Just put a pair of Easton EC70s on my bike, but have yet to ride them in anger. They are incredibly light compared to the stock alu ones.

I had a call yesterday from a company asking if I had any kind of hearing loss….. on a terrible line from a noisy room.

I asked them if it was some kind of joke. Apparently not. Reported to TPS in any case.

Durham is my favourite, mainly for the interior decoration. Early attempt, and each column is different.

Liverpool for the position and the sheer domination of it’s surroundings (and it’s local). The interior of the bell tower is monumental in its scale.

I bought a set of the Merlin M615 Deore brakes a couple of weeks ago. First outing last night, and they’re really good. Plenty of power and they stayed very consistent.

Shortened both hoses, no problems as long as you follow the instructions on the Epic website. No vice here, but was careful to get everything together beforehand, so could keep the hoses upright.

Really good. Quick road ride this morning, lots of worm wrangling this afternoon means the garden looks tidy, and a roast dinner cooked by my lovely wife this evening. Had a surprisingly nice English sparkling wine with the food, which was a bonus.

Last couple of days also good. Running and circuits plus dinner out with friends. Rest of week off, which is a bonus.

Oddly, I saw one in the flesh near Chester today. Looked great

Mio Link wrist strap heart rate monitor to go with my Garmin Forerunner. I’m a bit sick of chest straps breaking after a few months, so I thought I’d give this a try.

I have a set of John Lewis stainless steel pans that we bought when we got married 20 years ago. Used them tonight – good as new. I expect them to outlast me comfortably.

Clever design with a hollow handle spot welded to the pan. Never gets hot and no screws to come loose.

EDIT: looks like they still make something similar

I bought the GTX 750 Ti on endurogangster’s recommendation, and it’s a revelation! What was unplayable is now playing in HD incredibly smoothly. It also didn’t need an extra 6 pin cable from the power supply.

Thanks STW for the recommendation.

Polycarbonate (which I think is what sunglasses are made from) doesn’t transmit UV, whether you buy genuine or fake ones.

The rear should slide freely. The front can also be moved, but it needs the allen bolts loosening.

All from memory as I’m away right now and can’t check. However, I’m 99% sure of the above.

Nice one sir!

Currently on holiday in the USA, and the number of crispy people around is frightening. We’ve all got our hats, plus factor 50 sunblock, and are still pasty white :-)

I’m the one in Endura shorts and an On-One t-shirt (a walking STW cliche)

Couple of On-One t-shirts from Sports Pursuit

That last card looks great as it will be fine with the 350W PSU we’ve got, and it doesn’t need an extra power lead.

Thanks for the help

I still have one of these (though not used any more) – still think it was an awesome idea. PCMCIA calendar and address book. No good for inputting, but synchonised with Outlook 15 years ago. Also got a box full of Palm Pilots (V, Vx, Tungsten). I had some really early TomTom software on the Tungsten, with an eTrex connected by a cable. Could only hold part of a country at any one time though.

Was just reading a piece in the CTC magazine about disc equipped road bikes, and noticed that the author was Steve Worland. Nicely written, and felt rather sad reading it.

Condolences to his family and friends.

Got a sales call a few months ago about getting a Times subscription. Told them to check the postcode and never call me back. No shouting at the poor telesales lady, just said they wouldn’t have much luck around here.

Grammar duly critiqued :-)
Good luck!

Awesome! Further updates very welcome as you have them.

Great post, thanks.

My docs brought me in for a well man test (full bloods, BP etc) at 40, and they were happy to do it again age 43. Just wanted to make the point that it’s available on the NHS. Happily no issues for me.

However, about 12 years ago, when I was 5 stone heavier than I am now, I had a real scare when my arm and half my face went numb. Cue ambulance, blue lights, panic etc. ECG found nothing, and it just went away with no after effects. Was the wake up call I needed. Bought a bike (first of many :-) ) and now consider myself a sensible weight and just ran a 1:35 half marathon

Totally agree. They’re great together. Always liked Peter’s sceptical “hmm” when he doesn’t believe someone.

I’m near Neston – 5-6 miles from the A55/M56, park outside our house if you want. Message me if interested.

Yep, dodgy contact points. Try licking them before putting the belt on (yuk!) or using some conductive gel.

My Suunto did this a fair amount, my Garmin less so.

A neighbour of mine Weddings, kids, horses etc.[/url]

Currently looking to buy either a mk2 Escort estate or a mk3 Cortina

Saw a mint condition mk3 Cortina this morning. Took me back to when my Dad had one as a company car :-)

We had a Nissan Almera when we needed a reliable car (i.e. small kids). In 8 years it had a light bulb and a section of exhaust. Way better than any car, before or since.

It was extremely dull though, but actually very nice to drive.

Did a weekend in Rome a couple of years ago. Unusually the cheap flights airport (Ciampino) is closer to the centre than the main airport, and a taxi into the centre is a fixed 30 Euros.

Get to the Vatican as early as you can – queues for the Vatican Museums (which includes the Sistine chapel) form quickly.

Rather than queuing up at the Colosseum, buy a combined ticket for the Palatine Hill/Forum/Colosseum at the Palatine Hill or Forum – saves lots of time.

Having said that, I really like Berlin – real sense of much more recent history, and it’s a fairly cheap city.

Very sad news. Best wishes to his family and friends.

43 yo here (44 this week). Makes you think…

She is beautiful. Congratulations to you and your missus