One of my friends has the Boardman FS Team in the link above – seems amazing for the money. Had a go myself and it seems great.

Of course Halfords set the shock and fork up with completely the wrong pressures (and it came without a shock pump), but once we sorted this out it’s been great.

My one and only MTB holiday was with Joyriders in June last year and they get the thumbs up from me. Friendly people, great trails, excellent accommodation etc.

I have one – bought an ex-demo 57 plate a few years ago, now on 70k miles. 7 seat diesel auto in the mid level CDX trim (so leather, cruise control, heated seats, self levelling suspension etc.). Use it for towing, bike duties (it’s fairly tall, so need a step to get the bikes on the roof).

Bad points:
– Radio is crap, non-RDS in 2007 for goodness sake. I listen to music or radio 5 (on MW) and cricket on LW, so not a massive issue for me. The RDS thing was was fixed on post 2010 versions I believe. CD autochanger will read CDs with MP3s, so large capacity, and it sounds pretty good (power amp under the driver’s seat).
– Interior is plasticky compared to a more expensive car (I came from a SAAB 95 estate) – it has stood up to my kids for almost 4 years though.
– Fuel consumption is mid 30s mpg (it is a 7 seat auto weighing nearly 2 tonnes though)

Good points:
– The diesel engine with auto gearbox is very good. Very easy and relaxing to drive. Post 2010 versions got a big power boost (with less emissions)
– Very good on long journeys – quiet and comfortable.
– The 4WD system only comes on when it needs to (or when you set it), and it works really well in the snow and ice we had over the last couple of years – no dramas in slippery car parks.
– Very flexible – all 5 rear seats fold into the floor. Rearmost seats OK for medium sized adults for shorter journeys
– Proper spare wheel fitted, which I like.

Overall, it’s a big family car that doesn’t fall into the £400 VED bracket (unlike the XC90 and Discovery, which I also looked at). The minor issues I’ve had have been fixed without quibble under the 5 year warranty. The acid test is – would I buy another one now if I was replacing it, and I would.

Not sure about other people, but I get taxed on my car allowance as if it’s part of my salary.

As a person who finds it tough to sleep sometimes, I find that associating something with sleep helps. For me it’s a particular podcast – started this a few years ago, and now I go to sleep after a few minutes of listening.

As I said above, mine was easy. However, mate had his done under a general anaesthetic. He had shaved beforehand, but woke up to find himself shaved from chest to knee, and he’s the gorilla type. I suspect there’s picture of this on a noticeboard somewhere. He was very relieved a few days later to find out that the aching and high temperature was proper flu rather than his bits.

Another friend passed out after getting a huge infection. He should have known better as a pharmacist.

having said all that, I have no regrets. Wish I’d had it done a few years before. The comment above about black (and purple) balls is dead on.

Funnily enough I asked on here for recommendations, and Life Cycles was one of the suggestions. Ordered some Mavic 819 rims on Hope Pro2 hubs. Used and abused for a year now and still OK. They arrived when they said they would (about 3 weeks I think).

1 week before a gentle run, 2 weeks off the bike. Small shaved area, and anaesthetic cream 1 hour before (if I remember correctly), so no pain at all until later (frozen peas in a tea towel etc.).

Worst bit was the smell of burning tubes as they sealed them off with the machine, and both the (attractive) nurse and doctor both being female.

All worth it though.

The other complication will be the length of the steerer tube, likely way too long. You could try cutting this yourself, or do what I do and measure it (very, very carefully) and take it to the local bike shop who will cut it neatly for a fiver. Instructions below – basically, top of steerer tube needs to be around 3mm below top of stem:

Park website

May I have an invite too? E-mail address in profile – thanks.

Predictably, I’m going to say Islabike. My 10 year old rides a Beinn 24, and rode a Beinn 20 up to this year. Both bikes have been through 2 kids relatively unscathed.

Controls are light and sized to a child’s hand, and the bike is very light. No fancy bits, just a bike. When we go camping, all the other kids on the campsite want to ride the Islabikes, because they’re so fast. Friend’s (tall) daughter had a Beinn 26 small when she was 9, and that fitted well.

And when you’re ready to sell, they’re easy to resell for a decent price.

Wife has a C Max, it’s been pretty reliable in the 4 years we’ve had it (petrol 1.8). Only issue has been a failed alternator during the really cold snap 18 months ago. Several people at work with C Max’s also had their alternator fail at the same time, so maybe a bit of a weakness.

Looks like Postman Pat’s van, but it drives quite nicely.

Mate of mine had the wrong engine delivered (in an Espace I think). Dealer’s mistake, they tried to get him to accept it, but he rejected the car in the end – so this does happen.

For me it’s sip (rather than gulp) an electrolyte drink and have something salty to eat (nuts, Bombay mix etc.)

The Buff tip above is also good. Spain last year was 35+ degrees, and the buff seemed to absorb the sweat and help it evaporate. It also stopped the sweat mixed with sunblock getting in my eyes.

Bit left field, but a quick google turns up a Kia Sorento for £4500. Proper 4×4 with ladder chassis and low range. No image at all, so cheap to buy used.

Father in law has had two, and no issues with either (apart from a turbo pipe coming loose).

I have an Olympus Mju Tough 8010, and it does auto focus pretty well whilst in video mode.

Not sure about Disney (it’s been a few years), but at Universal we just bought a souvenir cup (between the 4 of us) for $7.99 I think. Kiosks then refilled it for $0.79 for sodas and water/ice for free. Supposed to be on day of purchase only, but nobody cared or checked.

Just got back – echo the comment on trying to avoid the theme parks for eating (though of course it’s unavoidable sometimes). Quite liked Bubba Gump in Universal Citywalk though (but expensive). Was craving veggies and salad after a few days

I like the Cheesecake Factory. As well as the obvious cheesecake, there’s a pretty nice menu. Be aware, the portions are huge (we ended up with 4 doggy bags (boxes actually), so plan this for a night when you can reheat the night after (assuming you have a fridge).

Born in Wallasey, Merseyside (when it was Cheshire). After living in North Wales, Africa, London, Buckinghamshire, Sheffield, Leicester (I think that’s it), I’m now back in Cheshire (South Wirral). Less than 10 miles from where I was born.

I get my work shirts from Charles Tyrwhitt. They normally have a “4 for £80” deal going. They have slim fit as well.

Moss had some nice linen jacket last time I was there.

Nice wide shelf by the front window, actually wide enough for the flat screen tv/dvd combo that came with the caravan. There’s a mains socket there as well to run it. Handy place to put stuff on to charge.

Agree that it’s been fairly tough to get the noseweight to the right level with the Pegasus. Lightweight gas bottles, no chest of drawers (don’t miss them at all) and careful packing enable us to just get to the limit of the car. 2010 version by the way.

Mol – we tow our Pegasus (fixed bed with large-ish rear bathroom across the back by the way) with a Hyundai Santa Fe auto. 7 seat version so self levelling rear suspension, which is handy when loaded up with an awning and towing.

We have a Bailey Pegasus, and can’t really fault it after a year with it. Build quality seems very good, and it tows very well (behind a pretty big car mind).

Seemed like a big step up in quality from the Swift we had before.

Our best move was to go to a caravan show (bit grim) and look at lots of different layouts in one go.

Liverpool half marathon this morning. Lunch in Liverpool with family, then pootling around with work stuff this afternoon.

Not a bad day all in all.

Got hit this morning for a few small tester transactions. Card company called me – which was good of them.

Credit card order to CRC on 6th March – card only used abroad apart from this transaction (scammed transactions were domestic BTW).

Amusingly, the fraudulent transactions seem to be from a provider of payment services for adult sites.

The man is holding unused fuel pellets – not especially dangerous. They make these just down the road from me, and I’m not worried. Once the uranium is in a reactor and the chain reaction starts, you get lots of nasty fission products – these are very radioactive, hence all the fuss about storage of spent fuel rods we’re having at the moment – highly radioactive for thousands of years.

Edit: I do wonder about the wisdom of putting lots of nuclear reactors in a highly active earthquake zone.

Clockwork – I live in Willaston, station is currently being refurbished. You in the village?

The cool thing in the context of this forum is that it’s now the start (almost) of the Wirral Way cycle (and foot and horse) path.

I’m lucky enough to live near this house.

Been to Calais Vins a few times. Tell the owners the kind of wines you like, and they’ll direct you. They have samples (stored under nitrogen I think) to taste, and they won’t try to steer you to the expensive stuff (at least in my experience). They also speak pretty good English.

Have also heard good things about Majestic from friends who’ve been there.

Paul

Looks in nice condition, and includes the bits you need. As always, it’s damp that kills a caravan, so make sure it’s been checked recently (or get it checked).

I find towing more relaxing than driving solo. Automatic car, cruise control set to 60mph and just sit and steer (especially in France). Just remember to steer wide round corners.

Spooky is completely correct on the towing weights. If you’re lucky enough to be less than about 30 (assuming you passed your test at 17), you need to take an extra test. Given that older people can just hook up a 7-8m long trailer and tow with no experience, I suspect it’s probably a good idea anyway (or at least go on a towing course).

We’ve towed a lot to the Vendee (never further South), and although much of it’s pretty flat, there are some really nice gems hidden there, and even some MTB rides if you want to take bikes (as we do). The beaches are lovely, but it’s the Atlantic, so don’t expect to do lots of snorkelling. Bodyboarding and surfing is the thing to do. We tend to go Portsmouth-St Malo and Caen-Portsmouth to take advantage of night sailings both ways. Autoroutes are free down to the Vendee from St Malo and Caen until you get South of Nantes.

We tend to stay slightly away from the coast so it’s much quieter. Buy the IGN map in the supermarket and stay away from main roads.

Paul

Edit: see you’ve replied in the licence. You could get a motor mover, which makes the whole manoeuvring thing much easier.

Edit#2: Only 4-5 hours from St Malo to Vendee, bit longer Caen to Vendee.

A black bear on the trail we were just about to ride
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But it was in Canada (but only about 15km from downtown Ottawa)

You can transfer your existing landline number to Virgin – feels just like a BT line.

Connection is fibre to the street cabinet and coax to the home. Coax is way superior for high speed data transmission than twisted pair, which is what your ADSL line is.

Still have my BOAC Junior Jet Club book and my British Caledonian Lion Club badge.

BOAC Super VC-10 – fantastic planes – quiet, smooth, British. Pity they couldn’t get far without refuelling, and were replaced with Boeing 707s.

Paul

I had a succession of Saabs (900, 93 and 95 estate). Sadly the 95 was the least reliable of the three, mostly related to the petrol engine and auto box, so not relevant to the diesel you’re thinking of buying. Oily bits just seemed a bit fragile compared to the 900 and 93 (old hatch version).

Having said that, I really liked the car. Massive boot, really comfortable for long journeys. Fast enough without being silly (2L low pressure turbo). Servicing wasn’t too bad at independent specialists. I’d probably still have one if my needs hadn’t changed.

All mine (all bought new) came with adapters for both square and aero bars.

£60 seems about the price I’ve paid. Agree on getting the one-key set.

Can’t really answer most of the questions, but my XM819 rims on Pro2 hubs with Sapim spokes are a lovely wheelset.

Very easy to run tubeless with UST tyres – up first time, no fuss and no punctures for 6 months.

Built by Life Cycles in Bolton on a recommendation from here.

Yes, sounds similar to mine. Initial diagnosis was bursitis, then torn cartilage. When they went in to repair the cartilage, it turned out to be a load of rubbish attached to the various bits of the insides of the knee. After this was hoovered up (almost literally – I have the video) and a couple of steroid injections, it’s almost like new.

Maxxis Advantage UST tubeless on the MTB
Conti Gatorskins on the road bike
Schwalbe Marathon on the pub like