Mcboo – you obviously live very close to me. Where do you ride?

By aggressive retailing I mean opening in very close proximity to existing shops, like Starbucks did. They even tried did the same in Spitalfields with Cycle Surgery, which I know isn't exactly a small independent shop any longer.

The dislike is not about them not being niche, more their aggressive retailing – opening new stores very close to existing bike shops.

The new one in Crouch End is indeed a nice and big store, but is less than a 2 minute walk from an existing independent cycle shop, Two Wheels Good. Crouch End isn't exactly the most obvious location for a store the size of the new Evans.

Funny how the one they opened a couple of doors down from Condor Cycles didn't survive.

A reminder to those that are camping that you need to book your pitches. I've just done mine, taking it to 84 out of the maximum of 100.

There is a second field if more need it but there's no showers in that one.

I'll be on my plastic hard tail.

MrSparkle – give it a go.

I bought 2.5m of ripstop PU Nylon (from Point North) and made my own. Simply cut it to size, hem the edges and sew on loops of webbing for fixing points. I also reinforced the fixing points to make sure they didn't tear.

It cost about £10, is 1.4 x 2.4m and weighs 220grms.

Next project is to try and convert a dry bag into on of those Revelate seat post bags. I've used a dry bag bungeed beneath the saddle but would prefer something a tailored so it doesn't hit my legs when I pedal.

Anyone tried to make something similar?

Live on ITV4 and Eurosport. Highlights on both in the evening.

no but yes
yes

The US scored 2 against Algeria, so scored more goals overall.

Excellent event. Great course and really chilled out atmosphere. I did the 12 hour solo in 2008 and had a brilliant time.

I use the Alpkit Wee Artic for bivvy trips but they have now been replaced with these

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16537&category_id=289

Pretty light and cheap. Or you can go for the full length lightweight one

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16531&category_id=289

The Alpkit ones are good, but Thermarests are better – less bulky, lighter, etc.

We rode this a couple of months ago.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3684305

Train to Richmond, along the Thames, over the North Downs then onto the Downs Link and along the South Downs Way. 110 miles in the end. Probably 90% off road.

We actually did it in two days – bivvy on the South Downs – but plan to do it in a single day as prep for the Kielder 100.

Oldgit – I may be up for a ridgeway ride and know a few others that might be too.

We were considering one of those Colman event shelters but didn't get around to it. We were pitched next to one at Bristol Bike Fest last year. It took the entire allocated pitch but looked great and will certainly withstand more than the gentle breeze that destroys normal gazebo's.

Mosquito

http://www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk/

A stroll up Essex Road from Angel tube.

The 10% rule sounds right, but I'd be surprised if it was permissable in a conservation area. I would seriously check that again.

Part M certainly shouldn't apply in your situation. Well, unless you have a disabled user in your family and are trying to accommodate them.

No minimum size for a WC, only for disabled / ambulant facilities, which this isn't. Just make sure you can manage to use it, but 3 x 4 sounds like enough.

As cynic-al said, most manufacturers have space saving models. You might also need to be creative with locating the cistern and connecting into the drainage. Overhead cisterns don't necessarily need to be mounted behind or above the pan which often saves space.

Slightly surprised that you don't need planning consent in a conservation area. Did a planning officer advise you on this?

Funny it does for me, although it can take a long time to load.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/London-to-Brighton-off-orad

Perhaps try it again later.

I'm planning to do it with some friends sometime in the next couple of months.

Is this the same route?

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/London-to-Brighton-off-orad

cynic-al – Member

Elbow 1

+1…

Elbow 2

[Edit] Ooops sorry, just seen the count

Elbow 3

Ashton and parsons teething powder with calpol is a winning combo.

Plus Baby Nurofen. And gel.

Just don't ask how long teething lasts!

I've been told that you now need one if you have an internet connection after the BBC started putting its content online.

Doing Paris in April. My first.

In week 7 of a 16 week plan. Running 4/5 times a week and managed a hilly half marathon distance slow run on Sunday in 2 hours, so feeling fairly confident.

Rest week this week which I'm glad of as I've developed a sore knee from going too hard.

Can't wait to get back on the bike in April. 2 day bivvy trip planned as a return 🙂

I've not done it, a mate did mine for me, but he said it was very easy.

1. Good quality cable cutters
2. No
3. Yes

There's a video on their web site on how to do it – I've not watched it.

http://www.hopegb.com/page_mep_force_36.html

I did mine in July and have a plate and 5 screws in it now. Probably around the same range of movement as you.

Still getting some pain and not got much strength back yet. It sounds pretty usual to have pain for sometime.

Hoping to get riding soon, before I have to go back to hospital to get all the metal removed in September.

35, architect working mainly in regeneration and community engagement.

Broken elbow, fractured rib and collapsed lung falling off on a road training ride at the beginning of July.

Been on the turbo and irdden around the car park once. Still hurts.

Running instead now. Hopefully back riding next spring before having the metal in my elbow removed sometime later next year.

Cheers Keith

YGM

I'm prepared for it being duller than riding, but hopefully more fun than turbo sessions.

Thanks all.

I do a mix of pavement and off road, and am biomechanically unsound. I've been trying to slowly build up distance, whilst also doing exercises to prevent shin splints (I've suffered before).

Cheers Surfer.

A mate that I ride with has offered to train with me or ride next to me on longer ones, but I might look for a group as well.

Thanks Feenster.

Target time is 3:45, based on a 10km time I did a few years ago.

I'm currently running to work a couple of times a week – 7km each way – and want to try and integrate this into my training plan. Possibly as steady or slow runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wednesday can be the interval session. Saturday the long run.

Cheers Smuzzy. Not heard of those plans and they seem pretty good.

I've been fitted for shoes a few years back, but need new ones now.

Thanks for the tips. I've seen some of the plans on Runners World and downloaded a free one which terrified me. Oh well, here goes.

Vaseline on the nipples. Hmmm, sounds a bit like nappy cream for cyclists.

They're LA. Were you really surprised?

We do here.

They're cheaper and more flexible.

I've used the threaded ones with no problems. Occasionally you get a dud that has leaked, but that's not often.

I broke my elbow 5 weeks ago and have a plate and 5 screws. I've been told the same as onewheelgood. MTBing and snowboarding means it's better to have them out in case you do something similar.

Arm came out of plaster last Wednesday and is very stiff. Hoping to get back on the bike next month for some slow rides. I managed to bend my arm ust enough to touch my nose yesterday which cheered me up.

2 bungees and 2 dry bags. Sleeping mat on the handlebars and the rest under the saddle. Works well and lightweight.

I'm in the same boat after breaking my elbow last week and having surgery on it.

TDF rest days are the hardest.

Commentary on Eurosport today said he didn't puncture a second time. He stopped to change his wheel because the replacement from the previous change didn't match the yellow colour scheme he had on the rest of the bike.

Spartacus has style.

Yes

Skype to skype is free

Buy a cheap and light bike bag. You can then take your bike on the tube as luggage.