Referencing software will definately make your life easier.

I finished my Undergrad disertation on the morning I had to hand it in. Loads more organised for MA though, finished that at about 3AM the day before. Although that's actually still the hand in day.

We've got endnote in our place, but a few people I know have been using Zotero and seem pretty pleased with it.

Think it's a plug in for Firefox.

Whack it into Google and have a look.

I've got a PAYG one, and it's OK.

Battery is OK, photo's are OK, interface and touchscreen is OK, not too bad looking at the internetz (STW, twitter, facebook, BBC etc). Quite like the option of QWERTY screen keys for texts. Um, you can transfer music straight from iTunes which was handy.

No GPS, just google maps (q often gives location to nearest 2Km so not great).

Overall I like it, pretty cheap so I don't worry about chucking it in my bag on a ride, works OK.

Had a roadie helmet (Giro Pneumo) and wore a roadie cap under it, new version has a removable peak so best of both worlds?

replaced it with an Athlon and it has little plugs to cover the holes where the peak goes.

Although TBH I went out on my road bike the other day and just pushed the visor up, and it was fine, didn't block my vision on the drops.

I reckon the OP should try a few and see which he/she (could be a girl nickf?) gets on with.

Some people reckon the Brompton's a bit skittish. My one up linked to up there ^ was fine in the Peak District loaded up with more stuff than I'd ever put on a touring bike, and day to day I don't really notice it, it just rides like a bike. Oh, apart from crossing a cattle grid on my commute, which I have to go a bit slower on.

The reports of crap build quality and recalls for Dahons, combined with their folded bulk put me well off them. But reading the posts above, Dahon riders think they're ace and would never buy a Brompton.

I dunno, I think there's a bit too much agonising about what bike you should buy, just get one and ride it. Not very helpful to the OP though, soz.

I use my Brompton for a round trip of about 8 miles, with a train commute.

If you want to get on the train, get a Brompton. The Dahon owners seem rather reluctant to fold them.

As for the handling, I think that some of the comments are a bit "oh you can't ride without 6 inches of suspension"-ish.

Here's mine with a full 30l bag on the front, and a 22l bag on the back. I rode it from Sheffield to Hathersage, and the only iffy handling was downhill on a gravel farm track.

Took my stuff for a stag weekend, then I hopped on the train to Manchester, sat nicely in the hotel, and fitted under a desk at the conference I was going to 🙂

Any reccomendations for rides from banbury? I know there's not going to be any XXX-treme routes, but any bridleway loops or owt?

Cheers all, off oop north at the weekend, so will have a look round some of the shops I'm passing.

Cheers,

Never really been keen on Met helmets, no rational reason for this, just think they're a bit "Euro". But if they're comfy and vented then I could get over this.

Only had Giro or Bell helmets in the past (probably based on marketing at an early age: greg lemond and Giro, John Tomac and Bell)

Re-reading that it sounds like something Hora would say. Oh dear.

Cheers all – I know I'll need to get the one that fits best, but I'd like to narrow it down a bit first.

ta Scienceofficer – only really thought about Giro/Spec so will have a look at the Uvex

The decathlon tarp is great, was going to hack up an old tent flysheet but didnt bother coz the decathlon one was so cheap.

Poles and pegs are heavy, so I'd ditch those if bivvying, but you could get 3 under it comfortably.

Taped seams on it too.

If she's on the train, I'd say Brompton. I got one on C2W, and am well chuffed.

Stupidly expensive compared to Dahon's, but they fold up properly. Dahon rider's I see on my train commute all seem to be very reluctant to fold them. No hassle with the Brompton. Brompton also fits nicely under my desk at work.

They ride OK, felt a bit twitchy on my first ride, but now it just feels like a bike. I went for the 6 speed as I like to sit and spin, and have plans to use it for more than just commuting.

Oh, and tell her to get ready for people to ask questions about it, loads of people have stopped for a chat whilst waiting at the staion.

A brompton fits in the luggage space on the carriage, or behind the seats. Most of the bigger wheeled folders (dahon) don't seem to.

Mind you, most people I see with Dahons don't seem to be keen on folding them to fit on, and end up putting them in the hanging bike space, which seems like a waste of space.

My mate had his back wheel and left pedal nicked from his old knackered apollo full sus £129 or there abouts

That's kind of what I was getting at. This bike was about a £100 new, year ago.

Parts were crap, nothing you'd re-sell, I just don't get it.

Something you can sell or split the parts from maybe, but this sort of cheap bike?

And it was locked with an OK D-lock too.

Obviously not, it appears…

Good point (Fred? Is that you?)

It's not the end of the world coz it was crap, and had never been cleaned, but I'm amazed that someone would nick something so shonky when I really doubt you'd get much for it 2nd hand. If anything.

I bought this one to replace me last one that someone gave me. It had been in a hedge for a few years so had the right look of crappyness, but was pretty unpleasant to ride.

Oh well, better have a look in the tip and see what I can find.

Cheers, I figured it was probably easier to go with Freesat.

Didn't know about the free-to-air boxes, and iplayer throught the TV sounds good.

2.2 Degree from a crap uni, in Geography. Pissed around but learnt how to look after myself (sort of) and had an ace time.

MA Librarianship at a much better uni, worked a lot harder as a mature student (9 years after undergrad). Need a post grad qualification for work. And use stuff I learnt on it too.

Ta everyone.

Think that the asking price is a bit much as it needs a bit of work and similar places in better nick areon the market for the same price.

120 k it is

Cheers – will check them out and prepare a silly bid!

Bit of research looking at how effective different priced shoes are:

Do you get value for money when you buy an expensive pair of running shoes?

Author(s): Clinghan R., Arnold G.P., Drew T.S., Cochrane L.A., Abboud R.J.

Citation: British Journal of Sports Medicine, March 2008, vol./is. 42/3(189-193), 0306-3674

Publication Date: March 2008

Abstract: Objective: This investigation aims to determine if more expensive running shoes provide better cushioning of plantar pressure and are more comfortable than low-cost alternatives from the same brand. Methods: Three pairs of running shoes were purchased from three different manufacturers at three different price ranges: low ([pounds]40-45), medium ([pounds]60-65) and high ([pounds]70-75). Plantar pressure was recorded with the Pedar in-shoe pressure measurement system. Comfort was assessed with a 100 mm visual analogue scale. A follow-on study was conducted to ascertain if shoe cushioning and comfort were comparable to walking while running on a treadmill. Forty-three and 9 male subjects participated in the main and follow-on studies, respectively. The main outcome measure was the evaluation of plantar pressure and comfort. Results: Plantar pressure measurements were recorded from under the heel, across the forefoot and under the great toe. Differences in plantar pressure were recorded between models and between brands in relation to cost. Shoe performance was comparable between walking and running trials on a treadmill. No significant difference was observed between shoes and test occasions in terms of comfort.

Conclusions: Low- and medium-cost running shoes in each of the three brands tested provided the same (if not better) cushioning of plantar pressure as high-cost running shoes. Cushioning was comparable when walking and running on a treadmill. Comfort is a subjective sensation based on individual preferences and was not related to either the distribution of plantar pressure or cost.

Sorry, maybe should have been a bit clearer – my eyes are a bit knackered so I could do with a reasonable size screen really, so I guess phones/PDAs would be too small

Cheers,

there arent that many I guess, and I'd looked at the Sony. Will have a think.

Ta

If she's been diagnosed fairly recently I'd try not to worry too much – theres a fair bit of evidence that monitoring blood sugar every day in TYpe II diabetes just stresses people out, and doesnt really help with control.

If she's following the diet advice and her BS isnt coming down then insulin might be the only choice.

I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, but was put on Insulin after about 6 weeks coz my blood sugar didnt drop.
Basically I was told I was type 1 1/2, too young and fit for type II, but too old for TYpeI.

Dididnt really make much difference in the end coz I started insulin, which took a bit of getting used to, but it is easier in a way coz youre in control.

Sorry about the ramble, doesnt really help with finding a boot camp!

I got my birkenstocks in TK Maxx. £20. You shouldnt judge me for buying my designer slip ons from there.

Got an email today to say he’s been busy with paid for orders but they’re on there way, seems pretty resonable to me.

I think its ace, I’m wearing my tour shirt now 🙂

Brum gig was really good, no stupid jams and sabbath and diamond head covers.

norton is making me feel angry. might try it again.

Avast sounds familiar, might keep my blood pressure under control better than bloody 360

I think I’m looking at ease and size of fold (for travelling and office storage) so small wheeler really.

Test rides a good idea.

Tried the bus from Gloucester Green on a trial run, took 1/2 an hour, figure riding to JR would be at least as quick? May move to Bicester soon and doing a train commute.