You can't expect a forecast in May / April to be correct to the hour! Come on… this is a pretty complex and dynamic system at the best of times. All weather forecasts give a most probable outcome at any given time, its a prediction not a statement of fact. There is no certainty of outcome in any complex system.

They said it was going to be on and off rainy and mild, and it has been, what's the big error?

Both please! What about snow and roots too? All good!

Orange 5 is a great all rounder. It would do you very well. I now have Blur 4x which is also very good all rounder but would probably buy a 5 if starting from blank sheet. Just a good fun bike.

EDIT if you can find a good nick Blur 4x then worth a look too.

Given your deficiencies in the wheels and gears dept's it might be worth taking the fireroads over to the MTB area before exploring! 😉

There are some areas to do short downhill run, jumps and drops over in the MTB area, all around the hill that the baby maker trail starts from. SHouldn't be too hard to find. Also jump gully and some little DH bits on the way there if you look carefully. Will be fun in the mud, its not sticky just soft.

If you cycle at about 13mph, then add 13mph on. Will feel like like doing 26mph down a hill. Without the hill.

Havign given it more thought I'd say keep two! One FS and one HT. That's what you need, any less is madness! There is no such thing as one bike that does it all.

Only you can know. If it was me from that list I'd say the P.A.

^^^ Jimmy Saville didn't did he! Wash them in the basin and dry on teh radiator, put them on again in the morning…

Getting rid of stuff you never use is very theraputic. I only really need my bikes, camping stuff and a computer…. Sold a lot of other toys off recently and don't miss them at all.

I also have an urge to pack it all in and wander off into the sunset, but I think the thought is more romantic than the reality.

De-cluttering your life de-clutters your mind a bit I think.

Oh what a nightmare, I have had similar issues before with all night noise and its really hard to know what to do. I think all you can do is try to stay as reasonable and polite as possible, persuade them to get something done or sort it. Maybe even offer to assist as at least then you get some control. Last resort get council involved. The last thing you want is to start a feud as that won't help anything. But its so frustrating and infuriating. If the house is rented then you need to notify the landlord of whats going on was well, and see if you can get any other neighbours to back you up as then its not all on you. Good luck!

In that case slowjo you need to get confidence to go a bit faster, and you can only get that from finding some drops you can build up your confidence on. Try finding something that you can just roll, and then keep hitting it faster and faster until your are no longer rolling it but landing both wheels flat. Remember that speed, get it in your head by doing it over and over again, then when you approach a proper drop you know how fast to go to avoid the front wheel dropping. Its all about being able to judge the safe speed.

How high are we talking? The technique for drop offs doesn't change much with height, but getting the speed right or adjusting for higher or lower speed is key. If its biggish and you are carrying speed then it helps to get nice and low on the bike to absorb the lip and stay fairly neutral, you can then let the bike move away underneath you before asborbing the landing. For lower speed more front wheel loft and more upright and rearwards stance is needed. Best thing to do is find a small drop and practice different speeds before building up.

Yeah bonus ride to pub for lunch before bike fettling / thinking up new project?

Hoorah for Hora? I based my recent bike purchase decision partly on his advice and I'm v pleased with the steed… anyway what are internet forums for if not to be a bit silly and controversial?

Now read The Road to finish yourself off… 😮

I stayed at a B&B run by a gay couple a few years back, it was one of the best B&B's I've stayed in. Not sure if that's relevant but thought I'd mention it. 🙂

This will kill it!

Grr..

Yes I am running them as rear tyres only, with High roller up front, I really like them and they give more grip than you think. Main limit I find is climbing in the wet, they spin out pretty easily. Otherwise I like them lots.

3 is a magic number – it must be magic cos I've managed to limit my self to that. Actually if I'm honest its Mrs Monkey that has limited me to that.

😆

+1 Pipedream Sirius. Ticks all the boxes and come in funky green!

Don't buy the Jr T's they are rubbish! There are plent of good second hand single crown forks that will do a better job, try some 150mm Z1's!

Couldn't agree more, have been through similar experiences but was "lucky" in that my Mum had a peaceful and timely death due to MND, so we were spared her being taken into hospital and all the indignity that would follow.

There has to be a better way to deal with these issues, the Hippocratic Oath is outdated and needs to be amended to be about acting in the patient's best interests, not just maintaining life no matter what.

Collar bone – 21
Arm – 11
Leg – 6
Jaw – 2
Cheek Bone – 2
Rib – 83
Finger – 52
Skull – 1
Ass – 0
Wrist – 14
Knee Cap – 2
Nose – 9
Big Toe – 4
Metatarsal – 4
hip – 3
elbow – 5
pelvis – 2
wrist – 6
ankle – 9
middle toe – 3
Thumb – 4
little finger – 2
Hand – 10
SCAPHOID – 5
spine – 3
Back – 3

Added 1 collar bone in bits, one broken pinky and one badly chipped elbow (does that count? It chuffing hurt!)

Congratulations Hora! Your'e going to love teaching the little fella to ride! 😀

I have used the fork steerer and top cap with headset spacers on many occasions to work as a headset press, works a treat just put it all together and tighten the top cap to press the headset into the frame with a bit of grease. You many need to add more spacers as it goes in. Is good becuase it ensures the headset is held in alingment as well.

The fluffy side of self adhesive velro strip, works really well esp on the swingarm of FS's e.g Orange 5, makes them really quiet. Sticks like you know what on a blanket as well..

Give them all karts. Now that would be exciting and worth a watch!

I think what he did was amazing, plenty of others have the opportunity but lack the determination, intelligence or imagination to try.

(p.s. I don't think anyone gets over losing their Mum, you just learn to live with it.)

Actually thinking about it it depends on the baby, the weather, the tent and most of all the parents attitude. Only you can know! 🙂

Yes, daft idea.

Have to agree amazingly dull. Everyone just driving on %'s to eek the engine and tyres out for the races / race. Brakes overheating and having to be nursed too cos the cars are so heavy full of fuel. ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………. Its not racing is it? The only overtaking manouvers happened because an exhaust pipe broke.

Dogs tend to eat grass when they feel unwell, and being sick lots could suggest he has eaten something he shouldn't have and its got stuck somewhere. To the Vets!

Ah, I spoke too soon! Aston at its worst today, nearly dry then rain on top then starting to dry, so basically v slimy and then most of the track comes with you wherever you go. Ho hum!

Yep – currency movements? The pound is in the toilet.

Oh yes, spring is sprung, the trees have started to pump up water!

Drying out amazingly fast round my way (Amersham), went for my local xc ride and came back without a single spot of mud on my face! I'd say go for it! I'm off to Aston Hill tomorrow 😀

All my bikes now have CK headsets, two of which were bought second hand. One of those I have had for 10 years. I've never serviced any of them. They all work perfectly. All other headsets I have had have had issues of some kind.