If you’re a Costco member, they have the Mekk Pogio 2 for £803 at the moment. Seems to be ~1000 everywhere else.

I went for the cheaper (but lighter) option of a Shutter Precision PV-8 from Taiwan and a B&M Cyo last week. Was great on the dunwich dynamo at the weekend. Not as bright as my big mtb light but a much better use of the light meaning it was much better for road riding (even on the fast bits).

Being STW, surely this is seen as a good thing?

Slow

Fast

Hi Tim! Great to meet you on saturday. I’m Amit, one of said Gregarios (www.gregarios.co.uk).

Definitely was a good dynamo this year. The weather was great and there were lots of riders!

Phil and I decided to ride back this year. It was a long Sunday, but we finally made it back to London Fields at 5pm after 225 miles and 15 mins sleep (for me. Phil didnt sleep at all!) :)

Im doing it! think it will be my 4th time.

I wouldnt count on getting food at the half way point as it can get very busy (especially in recent years) with long queues. So take food for the whole trip. There’s usually pop up cafes in the last 30 miles or so (selling bacon butties for charity).

The bus is slow and you have to wait around for hours until it leaves (not great is the weather is poo) so I’ve always rode to Ipswich and got the train back. This year me and a mate are planning on riding back to london after a bit of kip on the beach.

Enjoy it! It’s a great ride. I’ll be the bearded indian guy at london fields sipping a pint in a blue Gregarios jersey before the start.

I’m getting mine rebuilt next week by DCR Wheels.

Going for a Rigida Snyper rim and Sapim Race spokes. Thou its for commuting/touring road use.

To make this slightly bike related, they’re about to start selling the Mekk Poggio 2 carbon road bike for £803…

I’ve done over 3000 miles on my FM028 frameset bought from Carbonzone (ebay) and Im still alive. Built it up as a winter road bike, it’s been great. Fairly light and nice to ride (comparable to my Isaac Impulse).

Even did LEJOG on it a couple of weeks ago…

Deda for me

We finished on Wednesday. Here’s our last day route. Tried to avoid the A9 enough (without making the day too long). The left turn before Helmsdale leads to a great road through the hills up to Thurso. Even saw about 200 deer running wild together.

http://app.strava.com/activities/9295885

Can recommend Poppy’s Cafe in Golspie if you want a stop.

We might pass you coming the other way at some point! Look out for us. They’ll be 3 of us. I’m the bearded indian guy wearing blue Gregarios (www.gregarios.co.uk) kit.

I’m starting LEJOG on Monday. 9 days, unassisted staying in B&B’s with 2 mates. Using this:

I would say take whichever you’re most comfortable on. Good luck!

Did you really actually video your TV for that one Damitamit

Yes I did. Old school piracy! ;)

Nah, that was me! lol. I’ve got a Seedhouse SL1 too.

He did review one and said it was different but on par to the laser comp, thou he prefers (and uses) the laser comp. Thou I think he uses the ultralight photon one now.

I like my seedhouse SL1, very easy to pitch. But took it out in high winds in the snow earlier this year and spent the night kicking the top pole back into place every 30 mins. Spoke to Big Agnes and they reckoned it was just coincidence/wind direction, however they would exchange it for a SL2 (more stable) if I wanted. Havent had it out in wind since to try it again, so havent taken up their offer yet.

If you want some more laughs, here’s me and my clubmates in Sky 1’s answer to the gadget show (on a few weeks ago).

Equally as bad dialogue/presenters (and no real reviewing of the products) and a worse location, but at least we’re real cyclists (on our own bikes).

Gutted they didnt let me keep that Garmin! :(

I’ve always struggled to pitch mine so that its taught, and hence in wet+windy weather I’ve always been conscious of the outer touching the inner. And therefore not been very confident in its usage in wild weather.

But everyone else seems to love em, especially all round mountain main PTC(www.petesy.co.uk).

I’m running a Force rear mech with a Ultegra 11-28 just fine. Had to adjust the B screw a little.

Oh and if you want to grab someone else’s ride, then use this: http://cosmocatalano.com/strava-gpx-export/

Errrr, Strava does have an export function.

15mph is a good avg to aim for. Very important to keep your effort steady at first. As said above, start slow, finish fast.

We did Port Talbot to London a couple weeks ago. 198 miles, 13 hour riding time. Real stops are also very good for energy and moral! We stopped 3 times and ate something real. I find that as long as I keep eating steadily after 100 miles I’m fine.

http://app.strava.com/activities/6398868

Have you planned a route? I find nice roads also help alot. Trudging along an A road for 150 miles when you’re tired and hurting is soul destroying! make the route enjoyable and it will feel much quicker.

I’d be happy to join you for the first 50 out of London if you want some company (and a tow!).

you haven’t described col 1 and 2.

Got a pair of RS80 c24s at Merlin for £285 at the weekend (10% off). First ride tonight, seem decent. Time will tell…

I’ve got the same but in Small (don’t use it anymore), if you’re interested.

Mine arrived today too. Got a XS based on waist size, but the ankles were so small it was a right struggle to get them on and off. Once on they seemed fine. Might swap em for a small, otherwise it will take me 10mins to get them on each time!

muhahahaha

After reading this: http://www.fuelme.co.nz/skins-a200-vs-a400/ I decided to go for the A200 tights.

Bought from here (seemed cheapest around £46 free delivery): http://www.barringtonsports.com/products/skins_a200_mens_compression_long_tights_2011/14128/view

I believe they do Collect+ returns too.

Munge-chick, the “Sport Long Tights” are only £40 so if they’re similar Id rather get them. confusing!

I was tempted by the ones on Sports Pursuit, but delivery isn’t until 19th – 26th March!

I have the same question as above, if I want them for recovery only do I get the training ones like these (cheaper):

http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/SKI1/skins-sport-mens-long-tight-(bk_yl)/

Or the Recovery ones like these:

http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/SKI62/skins-bio-ry400-long-compression-tights/

Ordered from Creation Watches Wednesday night. Watch just arrived at work, 36 hours later, from Singapore. Excellent!

Anyone seen any good deals for 17th March? 4 intermediate skiers. Not fussed where we go as long there’s a fair amount of runs.

Damn you STW! Just ordered a Seiko 5 from Creation.

Anyone know of a good place to get a leather strap for it?

Take some tips from this guy: http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.com/

my colleague just offered me a jam donut. accepted!

Couple of interesting SQL Server related blogs for you to read:

http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/

http://www.brentozar.com/

My sister’s mate is pretty good: http://www.celinechaplinphotography.com/

Amit

Please excuse the shameless plug as I work for the distributor for Soul Wheels but please have a look at the road.cc review of their S2.0 clincher wheelset. 1,330g with standard j bend spokes.

Link to the review: http://road.cc/content/review/48341-soul-s20-wheelset

I’ve had the Soul S2.0 wheelset for around 3 years now and they’ve been great! Very light (and cheap 3 years ago direct from singapore) and have never missed a beat. Only recently, they’ve started creaking when putting power down on climbs. Also think its time to replace the bearings.

Also have a set of Soul S3.0 which I bought in May. A bit more aero but still 1400g. These have been great until last week, when the freewheel started making a weird buzz every so often. Need to open them up and take a look.

I’ve got a SH600 and a PD400. Can’t fault them.

Saying that, I never use the SH anymore so need to sell it…

I’ve used one for a couple of years. Works fine.