http://www.wheelsuckers.co.uk/profiles/blogs/why-i-can-t-wear-replica-kit

I’ve had Oakley Prescription Split Jackets with Transition lenses for the last 4 years. They’ve been fantastic and still going strong.

I’ve also had transition lenses from Optilabs in a set of Five Squared for a couple years. They’re good too but not as good as Oakley lenses.

Got my split jackets mail order from Andrew Care Opticians. Good prices and good service.

If you want added snobbery, you need to pay £10+

I’ve got Di2 on my audax/winter bike, Red on my summer bike.

Red is way lighter. Di2 is much better.

Tuscany

I got the Harwich ferry a few years ago. The North Sea Cycle route starts about 50m from the ferry exit and is lovely all the way to Amsterdam (even if there was still snow on the ground). I think I was pretty much on a cycle route for 60 miles, all the way to the doorstep of the apartment we’d rented for the weekend. Got a flight back from Schipol (you can buy a cardboard bike box in the basement and KLM didnt charge for bikes) to London City, unpacked my bike, ditched the box and cycled home :)

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107765230154583117106/albums/5441167088114908833

I was thinking 16″, but then I thought being 5’4 he would need the smallest size. Unless they’re aiming the 14″ at small woman (thou they also do a womens version).

Might have to call them…

I got a good deal in London with John Lewis insurance for contents plus 5 named bikes. Worth checking them out.

Surely you need to wait to 2016 for racing. It’s PBP year next year!

Wow, that was a very wet ride!

So who went along? I was the indian chap with a carradice and flashing fairy lights on my helmet.

cyclingtorrents.nl

I’ve got a Westbrook cr1 sl and I’m in the process of getting some new handbuilts.

Pacenti SL23s, Aivee SR5 hubs, CX rays. Should come in just under 1400g and a bit over £500.

I was looking at C24s but decided to go handbuilts due to hearing the c24s weren’t that stiff and also the rims are expensive to replace. Mavic Kysirium SLRs look great but as you say are expensive (plus are quite squeaky). Wiggle have Campag Neutron Ultras for under £500; they’re pretty light.

Like that Tissot Mosey. Where is it on sale?

I am seriously considering riding back home afterwards…
We were going to do that one year. Group of 4 of us. The weather was distinctly mixed all through the night, we got to the beach about 5am, had breakfast (that cafe gets worse every year), sat around for a bit then headed up the hill. As we got to the summit by the village green it started pouring with rain so we hid in a bus shelter for a bit then decided that we’d ride to Ipswich and get the train.

40 miles later, most of it in varying degrees of drizzle we got to the station and bought tickets for the next train to London.

I’ve never yet managed the ride back in spite of all the plans and intentions.

Rode back a couple years ago. There’s a nice cafe half way back, and also a green opposite it for a bit of a snooze :)

You went past him and you’re complaining he’s sitting on your wheel?

Only a true mtber who doesnt understand road/group riding would get upset about this :p Take it as a compliment. He thought you had a smooth steady riding technique and saw you as a good draft.

Do it! It’s fun!

Its nice and flat and they’ll be loads of people to ride with/behind so the 120 (its usually only 110) miles will pass by quickly.

That would make a great audax bike! I’ve been running Di2 on my audax machine for the past 6 months and its been great (thou I did get the fear and took a spare battery on a the 400k+ rides).

I swear by Sugoi Evolution bibs (their cheap ones) for long rides. Worn them on 400k/600k audaxes san bum cream before with not too much problem.

Interrogative

Yep, I live in Hornsey, but ride with the Gregarios from Hatch End.

I did the Severn across last year, but this year opted for the Buckingham Blinder 400 instead as the Severn was too close to the Bryan Chapman.

I’m the bearded indian guy on a carbon bike with a carradice saddlebag (usually rocking a Gregarios jersey), if we do end up doing the same events…

Take your time each day and enjoy it, you’ve got all day! Try to get in a cafe stop as well for lunch; breaks up the day.

Oh and don’t take too much stuff!

Here’s some photos to wet your appetite: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150979015111405.472084.515091404&type=1&l=5cfe666d39

Good luck!

Surely you need a T Sport?

Mines good for bike duties; easily fits two bikes with wheels off. Can fit three. Its a bit noisy on the motorway though.

If you’re gonna use problem solvers, you might as well use full sized v brakes, no?

I use a Keepass database stored on Google Drive. That way I can have a different password for every site. Plus I can access it anywhere.

http://keepass.info/

I got Tado a couple weeks ago but its not installed yet. I’ve been busy plus I’m having trouble finding the wireless receiver for my exisiting thermostat (which needs to be bridged for Tado to do its thing).

Alternatively, Nest UK is out! with free installation until next week.

Good point. I guess it’s being so used to previous ni-cads failing half way through doing something and having the 2nd battery there ready to continue.

Just general DIY, nothing major.

Everyone rates Makita but the hitachi has two batteries. Anyone have any experience of hitachis?

I’ve had a T Sport for a couple years and it works well as a bike car. Can get a couple bikes in there with the front wheel off quite easily.

Fun to drive, but as you say needs to be revved hard. Mines lowered with trd side skirts.

I would normally say a Samsung EVO, but the Crucial M500 seems to be the best priced/performance at the mo. I’ve got a 240gb one in my laptop and its been great. Very cheap at amazon at the mo i think.

I’ve had a FM-028 road frame for a couple years built up as a winter/audax bike. Done 8000+ miles on it and it’s been great. Even did LEJOG on it with a carradice on the back.

My latest build of it has gone electric :)

Nope, but this fish and chips place was great! http://www.biamara.com/

Seems a good deal, but cheaper at amazon after you add shipping for the smaller one (and has been for ages).

http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/Bahco-SL25-Socket-Piece-Drive/product/B000Y8XCA8

hmmm….watches from Kentish Town with interest. Perhaps I should do this

I should say come and join us at the Gregarios, but your closest club is Islington CC. They only started last year but are growing very quickly. They meet at Whittingon Park so very close to Kentish Town. If you do go along and meet Dave or Rich, say Amit said hi.

I was in the convent garden store today and it came up Cycle Surgery on the tills.

If you can make it to NW London (we meet in Hatch End), come out with the Gregarios (http://www.gregarios.co.uk). We’re very friendly, and usually have a slow and fast group on Sundays. Rides head out to the Chilterns or north into Hertfordshire.

The average speed for the “stylish” (slower) group is usually around 14-15mph on a 60 miler, with a cafe stop.

I’ve had a Rab Photon for about 5 years. It’s been great but it’s a bit tatty now and I reckon not as warm as it used to be. Also, I want something a bit more weatherproof. Pertex Microlight is not very water resistant.

Got a Haglofs Barrier II hood yesterday to replace it. Feels warmer. Thou I also want to try the Rab Generator Alpine before I decide to keep the Haglofs.

Rab Photon is 65 here: http://www.ultimateoutdoors.co.uk/item/Brand_RabPhotonHoodedSyntheticInsulatedJacket_0_0_32675_1.html

I’ve got two Salsa Casserolls. Old gold one and the newer blue one.