Thanks Dan. You’re right, the level of trust is very high.

I always find if I’m given specifics, ie heading and distance required, then it’s easier to agree. I always try and deal with a weather avoidance request within 3 transmissions because by the nature of the scenario, you don’t have much time to chat!

I don’t really work EGGD traffic unless it’s positioning in or out out of the London TMA but yes, it was busy yesterday, more so than Friday and Sat.

We stopped departures from Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and City for a while yesterday.

Inbounds were struggling to land at Luton and Stansted so were returning to the established holds while they waited for weather to improve or decide on where to divert. When the holds were full a line squall of cells passed through and every aircraft(appx 20) left the holds to avoid it.

This resulted in all those aircraft wanting different headings and altitudes/levels. We stopped departures whilst we dealt with this as its generally safer for the planes to stay on the ground rather then add to the complexity.

Probably one of the harder days I’ve had…😬

The approach controllers and flight planners are working hard today. Lots of diversions. Lots going up to Newcastle. One BA from Chicago to Heathrow gave up and diverted to Geneva.

Most pointless guy in the building is my smoking shelter buddy who’s the LC tower controller. Zero movements. Quiet shift for him.

Genesis longitude.

I rode from Southampton to Glasgow last summer and it was faultless.

It’s my off road winter hack here in the south downs.

I have a rack but not used it, preferring saddle/frame/bar bags.

Change of tyres and it’ll suit any touring/bikepacking trip.

Flying in to Geneva NBT so staying in Switzerland entirely.

Booked 5 nights in Anzere from the 10th to the 16th. Never been but flights and digs came in at under £400. Looking forward to it!*

All subject to swiss restrictions staying the same and avoiding the rona between now and then!

Scrapped Morzine for the 9th of Jan obviously so currently looking for cheap digs in Switzerland, poss saas fee.

Friend lives in Geneva so he’ll happily drive to whatever resort we find.

Just hope the Swiss don’t tighten there restrictions any more than the current ones.

I wouldn’t, but its my parents that are hosting and I haven’t been back in 7 years (work).

Yeh, she’s a pr!2k. Always has been.

My exact words to her were, “can’t you just do it to put our minds at rest?”

Her exact words, “Unless me and the kids get symptoms, no.”

Folks help me out with this one.

We’re travelling up to Scotland tomorrow to stay with my family until boxing day. We’re then travelling back down to oxford to stay with my wifes family.

I’ve asked the Scottish branch to LFT before we arrive as my wifes family are pretty elderly, so we want to mitigate risk as much as possible before travelling back down on boxing day.

Here’s the crux of the matter.

My sister in law says they don’t need to and won’t take an LFT unless they get new symptoms because they had COVID in November and its less than 90 days ago. She’s a teacher and thats the guidelines she’s been told to follow.

Why do you have to have 2 negative LFT to reduce your isolation but shouldn’t LFT within 90 days of having covid?

Is it unreasonable of me to INSIST they take them?

I cycled unsupported between Southampton and Prestwick for charity over 6 days. Raised £5000 in memory of a former work mate.

Was a real eye opener to what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. Initial plan was to ride off road as much as possible but with the time frame i had, it wouldnt have been possible.

Higlandman, I’ve spoken to the admin for the exercise and from what he says it’s very much a race camp format to prepare for the champs. My racing days are way behind me so after a more informal guiding/off piste holiday.

I’ve been on a few race camps when I was in so know how they generally work. I know they’ll bin off racing if there’s good off piste but it’s not a guarantee.

Thanks nbt. I’ll have a look. Turned 40 this year!

My mountain tracks course in st foy may be cancelled on the 9th of Jan so I’m back to square one.

Anyone else know of any back country/off piste skiing courses running that week?

Army telemark champs are on that week so they’ve hoovered up all available English speaking instructors so no tellie courses available.

I was curious about Jottnar too as i love the back story. I was worried about the fit as it looks like its designed for typical boot necks Ie upside down triangle. To that end i bought one of their t-shirts in large to see what fit was like. It was too big so sent it back for a medium. It was too small.

I’m a bit of a Norrona fan. I have a lot of their kit, including some of the MTB range and it’s faultless. Highly recomend sigining up on their website to the outlet and they send you an email when its fully stocked. The discounts range from 20 to 50% off most of the time.

Terreno here as well. I’ve ridden 1500 mixed miles and still look new(ish).

Used for dry South downs way and roll very fast on road for commuting duties. Would highly recommend.

Had one thorn puncture which required a plug but no other issues.

Sweet! Was going to bodge an old rack and fit cages to it just so I could still use my dropper. Might not need to now.

That topeak dp mount looks like what I’m after for my ortlieb saddle bag for bikepacking. Anyone tried putting a bigger bag on it, say 8 to 12 litres?

Weecog slider is what you’re after. Customer service is amazing and it’s very secure when attached. Fits pretty much everything you need. However……

I swap the saddle bag between bikes and it can be a faff. I’ve also had to send it off for repair as eventually the retaining strap has worn through.

I’ve since moved on to a bontranger pro quick cleat.

It’s much easier to swap and doesn’t foul on the dropper. It’s also waterproof.

As much as I want to support weecog (I’ll be ordering a frame bag for my shand hopefully), the slider just want for me.

<img src="http://<img src=”https://i.ibb.co/3cvhr3B/20210529-181500.jpg&#8221; alt=”20210529-181500″ border=”0″ />upload” alt=”.” />

Still really rate this set up for non midge areas. Did me well for 6 days going from Southampton to Prestwick.

Alpkit Kloke
Rab siltarp2
Criterion 200 bag
Thermarest neo air

Slept like a log even when chucking it down.

Need a satellite to take a picture of my bahookie according to my wife. (After explaining to her what it means as she’s English 😁)

Got my bahookie built. In the Q for the paint shop. 😁

Thanks for the advice everyone.

My thoughts are not bothering with half flat/half clipless. I get its a faff as that’s what I’m trying just now and it’s already bugging me. It only takes seconds to swap back to flats anyway.

I think I’ll go down the shimano m530 route as I like the idea of a little support from the cages.

As for boots I’ll take the advice of going to try some pairs on. I’ll be going a size up from normal as I need movement for my feet or they freeze. Struggled last winter as my addidas terrex are a perfect summer fit, but put on sealskins and my feet were pinned in with o blood circulation!

Yeh I’m fully expecting to be embarrassed at some point.

Thanks folks.

I like the look of the crank brothers mallets.

Can any shoe brand be used and the crank brothers cleats be added?

Also thinking of shoes with a flush cleats.

As you could tell I’m a complete newbie to this. I’ve been on v12’s for years but planning on some very long bikepacking/touring trips so that’s why I’m looking.

Also a genesis longitude here. Used it on a 6 day trip from Southampton to Prestwick taking in lots of the penine bridleway and other off road sections. Great for lugging kit and very comfortable with 29er 2.25 but it eventually got painful off road and I dreamed of front suspension at some points. It’s now been relegated to pub/winter trainer/commuter because…….

Shand bahookie ordered. Specced exactly how I wanted with front forks etc. Its my 40th birthday treat.

I did like the look of the marin and the sonder but I’ve always wanted a shand and I’ve used my 40th as the excuse to get it.

Aaron at chase cycles has built wheels for me.

Some hope hubs and Stan rims fir the mtb.

Son hub and dt Swiss rims for the tourer.

My wife’s friends are predominantly left leaning and many work in the charity sector, hold memberships for Campain against the arms trade/CND etc. Here are some of the comments I’ve heard from them over time.

“Do you get let out at the weekends?”

“You get paid HOW MUCH?! I didn’t think you did.”

“Have you killed anyone?”

“Thats cool you have your own room. I thought it was like full metal jacket.”

So when I hear people lamenting the armed forces and those that join, I realise they do it from position of utter ignorance and have learned to snigger instead of reason with them.

As for my views on the current situation, if you can find the Canadian ambassadors interview for the BBC, it sums it up for me.

Thanks for the heads up. Not a roadie per se but do use those roads to link stuff up.

I did a loop last night that included the short section from the sustainability centre to butser Hill and the meon valley trail.

The very heavy rain has eroded the path so only the bigger boulders are left so a bit bumpier than usual. Bone dry up top though.

Meon valley trail is not really on the route but good indicator of lower sections. Muddy in places but fine.

I have heard the hells angels are camping at the milburys this weekend.

Thanks folks. Picked up a kit from ebay for 40 quid which should cover everything. I’ll strip down and inspect them and order new ones if required.

Sorry guys, I’ve read that back and It wasn’t too clear, my bad.

I’m really after a comprehensive tool kit for bearing replacement with different size nearing adaptors and gauges. Would something like this cover it (although on the pricey side)

Just cycled from Southampton to prestwick with mezcal tan wall 2.35 up front and 2.25 on the rear. Including training miles, I’d say I had 1 puncture in 1000 miles and it sealed with a plug. Apart from 1 skid mark for an emergency stop the thread is all still there.

I’m struggling to see how a 180mph ekranoplan fits into channel traffic, it’s airbourne and maybe needs ATC? but also has to contend with boats, piddly stuff driven by mug punter public drunk drivers as well as commercial tankers etc etc… and all at 180mph..

My first thought exactly was who is going to provide separation. Too low for accurate radar coverage so normal ATC type of controlling would be ineffective.

What’s the maneuverability like at high speed? Can it make sharp turns to avoid slow traffic?

IFR or VFR?

Its a cool idea and I would use it, but can’t see it working under current regulations so the time frame is grossly optimistic.

Just had an email and text from NHS advising me to rebook my vaccination as its the AZ vaccine and I’m under 40.

Thing is, I turn 40 1 week after the first jab!

I’m thinking I should just carry on and get it. What would STW do? Yay to AZ, or ney to AZ?

Rab siltarp 2. An old tent pole with 3 links. 3 bungees. 6 tent pegs.

It’s quite robust against the wind and plenty of admin space inside. If I take a couple of more bungees then I could use trees or fences to make it taller, but for stealth camping it’s served me well.

I’m enjoying the eating bit to be fair!

I’ve been working on my mind set when it comes to hills. I’ve always attacked them, now I’m focusing on listening to me legs. Trying to be as gentle as possible on them.

I’m comfortable with big mile days but its the back to back days that’ll be new to me. For that reason I’ve invested in very light but very good sleeping system. Been testing it in the garden and getting some good zzzzz’s. That should help with recovery.

First 2 days will be 100 mile a piece, then subsequent days will be around the 75 mark as they will have more climbing.

So I’m doing it. Leave has been confirmed and wee Nicola is letting me in.

Doing it over 6 days instead as I felt with the climbing involved through the peak district would make 100 miles days unachievable.

Anyways, I’m doing it to raise money for transplant sport UK. Here’s a link to the page if you fancy a look.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?pageId=1276135

Done.