:roll:

FWIW Mrs Crispo is part of a family business which has been manufacturing here for the last 50 years and still going strong. The pride themselves in the work they do and its what sets them apart from some of the mass produced tat they compete against. Pay your money and take your choice I guess.

Finally got ours up this weekend. Went and picked it, got it cut down, then decorate!

Good to know I can use the old ones if I get caught out.

Will have a look for some of those giant ones, know where you can get them?

It’s more head cold than on the chest. Going to go out for a quick 90mins or so spin and see how it goes.

Getting my new bike delivered next week so want to make sure I am fighting fit for getting out on that!

Les Deux Alpes!

I was at that one, was my first of 9 weeks of BUSC I did during my time at Uni!

Kings Races, BUDS, BUSC, Club Nationals and Grand Prix’s 2005-2010

Legend – Mr Sheen was all the rage when I finished racing dry slope a few years back! That and some mystery blue gunk! It’s all gone by the second gate anyway!

As mentioned there’s not a lot in it really, you’ll want something quite warm for uk skiing but whatever you have is better than nothing. Just make sure you scrape it off properly once you’ve waxed ….. Unless were back on dry slope again!

There is two at Whinlatter this year, the second is called the extreme version and is in April, that’s the one I’m aiming for.

Yeah I think it’s the running on the hills that will hurt. Should be a good tough challenge then from the sound of it.

http://highterrainevents.co.uk/index

I’ve just got myself a Barbour Wax Quilted jacket and it’s seems superb so far!

Could well be that very same bike! I’m based up in the north west and friend is a lakes local!

I’m going to see when I can get a ride on it, it’s not a bike I know a lot about so really think a test will be required.

Need a bike that will take big lakes rides but also the weekly mud fest here in Lancashire, it was the simplicity of the five that was attracting me to it originally.

Only bike riding this weekend for me was two quick demo loops on Saturday Morning at Roman Laks for the North West MTB Centre demo day.

Rode a five back to back with the 29 version. Think I’m sold on the Five now at least so just need to get around to ordering it so I can get back on the trails in earnest!

Result – got booked in at the Roman Lakes demo day next weekend. What’s the riding like there? Will I get a good idea of the bike from a quick 45min blast around there!!

We’ve just eaten our way through £250 worth of Nandos and Pizza Express!

Nom Nom! Mrs Crispo is away so that’s tea done too so straight out to the pub after work!

Nice one, have emailed bike treks to see if they have one. Can any Orange dealer usually get in a demo?

Hamburg! Fantastic city and fantastic market!

Fantastic weekend up in Edinburgh visiting a Uni friend.

Train up on friday with a top gear-esque race from Wavely Station to his house, me on my trusty Stumpjumper, him in a c63 amg merc, he just pipped me back but that is because I got lost so had to consult my phone for directions. Think I would have had him otherwise!

Saturday we went to Glentress and rode the red route but added in a cheeky bit of black in the form of Deliverance and Redemption. Great ride and and surprisingly good conditions!

Couple of cheeky pints in the grassmarket in the evening.

Sunday he took me to his local after work ride at Carron Valley. It’s not the longest or hardest but we did it a couple of times and it’s a thoroughly enjoyable little jaunt out, even despite the very very wet conditions.

What type of Civils stuff are you selling?

I works in Civils and things are really starting to gather pace in a lot of sectors, highways, water etc.

I’m bottom of the rung – graduate engineer. Currently have a company car which is £20k P111D value. I can opt for a car allowance of £4k/year before tax.

I can claim mileage for any work associated miles I do.

If I was to opt for the allowance I can claim the difference back from the tax man.

Yep got to be Whinlatter if you are just doing the trail centre. It’s much fun, and even the blue route is a very enjoyable little warm up!

Problem with this weekend in time constraints! Can’t get away until 6ish on Friday so heading up to his in Edinburgh to stay from Preston.

Seems like a better plan would be to make a full weekend of it another time and stay up near Aviemore and ride Laggan one day then something natural the other.

It’s the 2 1/2 hour drive back to Edinburgh then the further train journey back that’s putting me off to be honest!

Ok nice one, worth the journey compared to going to Innerleithen then?

Where abouts are you? Were in Lancashire and have Sonic Internet which is effectively a big wireless network that we recieve from them, no need for any phone lines and the speed is million times better than copper!

I took some non local friends up for a day of playing the other week, we did it like this:

Parked up at cocklet hill and rode the new section to the hub to stretch the legs.
Had a quick loop of the skills loop to check everyone head their eye in.
Red loop through home baked up to the hill then had a run of the hope line.
Continue red loop to Whelpstone Crag with a bit of messing at the slab.
Two runs of Hully Gully.
Follow red all the way back to Cocklet Hill.

Then drive up to D&P for a chip butty (if they’re open)

Just a few hours ride up Longridge fell yesterday evening. Was great, not too wet and muddy yet and it all looked very much like autumn was on its way. Stopped in for a cheeky pint of Landlord at the pub on the way home too, lovely jubbly!

It wasn’t Evans actually. I won’t name them until I get it resolved.

PDW – Yeah I have told them to send it back and that if it goes off again I’ll be sending it back for them to replace and they agreed. I’m just frustrated that it’s obviously failed but then seems fine for them! Don’t fancy being left with just a little road light again, was hairy to say the least!

Well why would it go from full charge to no charge on 30 seconds?

I think there could be a loose connection as that would explain why it lost all form of power in a moment. Surely if the goods are faulty they should replace it? They’ve tested it in as far as they managed to turn it on and off again. I don’t really want to be left in a situation where the lights go out up a hill again!

You’re obviously not a real popstar then…….

Did you go up to Great hill from brinscall then rather than the flags from Rivington way?

Not sure if they’ll enjoy great hill or Darwen more, decisions decisions!

Stocked up on these whilst they were on offer in Sainsburys!

No one been up recently!?

Clarke quay for some happy hour beers is a good laugh, the area around there is so vibrant. Go eat at one of China towns hawker markets after.

We did the hop on and off bus tour, explored the botanic gardens, little India, orchard road etc. Just wander around the downtown waterfront near marina bay, amazing in the evenings.

We went to raffles for a Singapore sling, I know it’s cliched and pricey but it was the best cocktail I’ve ever had!

Stoner – I got to drive one earlier this year. On my wedding day not only did my new father in law let me take his daughter but I also got his car for the day too!

Dont worry, Mrs Crispo has a good one too and I am spreading it with savings too.

The pension from my old company only has a couple of £k in it so its not a huge amount. I think I would prefer to manage it with my current pension to for ease of keep on top of it.

Thanks for all the comments, have spoken to my current Pension provider and they said they can sort it. Will make sure I find out about charges etc.

Where we live in Lancashire we could only get 0.1mb through the phone line but was still paying £25 for that and phone line.

Have switched to what is essentially a giant WIFI Internet as we can’t get fibre optic. Now getting guaranteed 10 meg unlimited download and have VoIP phone account that we pay £2/ month for a local number.

All in all £22 for 10 meg and phone line, just happy to have decent Internet!

I’m 26 years old – what does that make me!?

Bump

Yep drop is across all of them. Nope not bled any radiators at all.

It was fine when I showered at 6.30 this morning but when mrs Crispo showered an hour later it was right down.

Sorry, it’s a combi boiler, does the heating and hot water from the same thing. The heating is on fine and the light for the hot water is on too just the pressure has gone really really low. If the shower is on and I put the tap on the shower stops!

Thanks – any others? I know there’s a few people around here lurking!

Pour!