I used to ride for Cardiff Dragons in the late 1960’s , great fun.

Still friends with most of the team , but sadly I’m the only one still riding a bike.

Difficult to predict pension funds in the next 20 years, but here is my real life take on the expectation right now.

I’m 61 and have worked all my life, always paid into a pension, even did top up contributions ( I’m not be self righteous here).

Reasonably well paid, but did make a lot of sacrficies.
Three kids, no car for about 5 years once when we had just £500 in the bank,

Recently retired from work , earned the most money I was ever paid, and it took quite a leap of faith to just walk away.

If you have no debt, mortgage free, kids grown up etc, then the amount of money you need to live reasonably well on is considerably lower than a salary to fund kids, mortgage, new cars, expensive holidays etc.

My opinion, or should I say expectation, is that my quality of life without work is much better. Having to adjust to lower income has been a little difficult as two kids are still at home.

£20,000 a year as an income in today’s value, would be more than enough for me and my wife.

The trouble is that now that annuities are very poor, drawdown is a good long term option, but care is needed as the temptation is to buy expensive shiny things right now.

For better or worse working life has changed , many go to uni now and have a debt on paying back the student loan, additionally people then get married have a big dual income mortgage. Then the kids arrive.

It’s no wonder that people find saving into a pension difficult, well enough for their retirement.

I’ can see this being a very big problem in the next 20 odd years or so.

A lot can happen in this time also, but the stock market is now the big gamble for pension returns, gone are the final salary pensions…..

For most people it will be a difficult decision on what to do with the ever increasing demands of just leading a normal working life.

I also came to a similar conclusion.

Bought one of the first trek Stache 9 bikes in the UK.

Sold it on , as I sort of came to similar conclusions.

Now have a simple single pivot Santa Cruz Bantam that will cope with adverse conditions.
Most bikes now have multiple pivots, and I’m sure they work very well.
For me, I just need a simple full suspension bike that doesn’t need too much attention to keep running well.

Glad I tried the plus bike though, variety is the spice of life.

I have a Charge Plug 5 , titanium frame, carbon forks, 1 X 11 gears,

Really comfortable, wide tyres and disc brakes.

Rear rack mounts and mudguard eyes.

Have a look at the Charge website.

What car are you selling?

I am looking for a super mini type car for my daughter right now.

Just come back from the opticians where they dilated my pupils for a good look around.

Will be on the NHS waiting list for the op.

Seems to be about a six month waiting list at present.

Other eye is fine.

Been wearing varifocals for a while, but thinking of switching back to bi focal.

The focus area on the varifocals is just too small.

Thanks.

Looks like a few weeks rest from the bike then.

Will need to get some walking in, and the odd whisky for medicinal purposes.

Winstanley also have the Hustler 650b frame for sale on offer.

I just bought one, bargain at less than half price.

Cove must be discontinuing the Hustler , or bringing out a new version.

Tempted by the Hummer, but can’t ride a hardtail these days, as much as I would like a ti frame.

Skyline Cycles at Glyncorrwg.

I live in Neath, close to Port Talbot.

The effect of the closure at Port Talbot will have a very big impact on the South Wales community. Its not just the steelworkers, but all the suppliers, contractors, money spent by the steel workers in the local economy.

I haven’t got an answer to the dilemma that is faced by Tata and the work force, having been through a similar experience in the aluminum industry ( big aluminium rolling plant at Rogerstone).

Now retired, do you need to ask if I enjoy it?

Seriously, after 45 years of being in work, I don’t miss paid employment one bit.
took some adjustment, but one year in, its great.

Bontrager XR4 & XR3’s for me.

Probably 12 bottles of single malt per year and three bottles of rum.

Also quite like a few pints of beer now and then.

I seem to be at the extreme end of the spectrum here.

Assos

I’m at the other end of most people’s situation.

From 20 to about 55, raised a family of three with my wife, never had much spare cash or savings, wife stayed home to raise the children.

Even had a spell of four years without a car as we didn’t want any more debt.

Now 61, retired, no debt at all.
My savings, pension fund our modest lifestyle. No work, got back cycling in the last year, went a bit daft buying and selling some bikes which didn’t suit.
As a result, realised that having time to just enjoy riding, no debt, and a future of no more borrowing or working is very good.

Can’t believe how much some of the forum members owe on a mortgage though, would have worried me to death.
Always worked all my life, but very few people are in control of their work and employment security.
I was made redundant twice.

In my experience, having owned a Trek Stache 9 29+, and a Jones Spaceframe bike.

1. Weight , yes the Jones did weigh a bit more than I expected, the Stache 9 wasn’t too much of a shock once it was converted to tubeless tyres.

2. Weight in the wrong place…. Most of my riding is at Afan with long climbs. This is ultimately what made me sell both bikes.
Well documented about bit wheels climbing slowly, I just couldn’t get on with the loss of inertia when technical slow climbing.
Rolled really well everywhere else, but the extra effort uphill for 40 minutes or so (at a time) was ultimately the final nail in the coffin.

3. We don’t get much snow now.

4. Undamped bouncy(ness), more apparent on the Jones, but also some undamped bounced on the Trek.

5. Rolling resistance was more noticeable whilst climbing, once up to speed it actually helped.

It’s only my opinion , and a lot depends on what you want from a ride and where you ride will ultimately decide . It’s difficult , but owning and trying different bikes is the best , and only way to form an opinion is to ride a few bikes.

I’m glad I tried them, but not for me.

The power of the Dog by Don Winslow, best book I have read in a long time.

South America, drugs, cartel , violence, USA interference CIA, war on drugs.

Top read.

I rode Penhydd on Monday, no closures.

not aware of any closures or diversions on any of the trails as of today.

i regularly ride at Afan ( three times a week).

A small amount of white spirit and a bush , works really well.

Second the Bonty tyres.

Got xr3 & xr4’s on two bike.

Easy to et up tubeless, good tyres on the trail.

Pump them up to 45psi and leave overnights get, stans s aslant and go for a hours ride ( at around 28 psi).

Monitor the pressure daily for a week.

Spot on

LinkedIn, Facebook for people who want to be considered “professional” (whatever that term really means.

Joining interest groups to show how well versed and up to speed you are…….

God forbid.

Just got back from BPW today.

Sixtapod is closed at the moment.

My favourite was Melted Wely / blue belle / bush wacker.

The blues I rode are all very smooth and fast.

Vicious valley/ A470 / willy waver is a good combination of if fervent grading and trail character.

Very enjoyable day.

Seems like there are quite a few who have switched, thanks for the advice etc.

Will give this a try.

Need to get some 5 10’s, decent pedals and some shin guards ( I can be clumsy on the odd occasion….)

Regards

Denis

Jasper Fforde looks very different and interesting.

Will give this a read.

Virtually anything is on my agenda these days, like the diversity of different authors.

I don’t like to read repeat authors with the exception of Graham Greene and James Mitchener.

Bouncing off the pedals is probably my biggest concern with flats.

I’m hoping that the combination of DMR vaults and some sticky soled 5 tens will help my technique though.

I was up around Windy Point yesterday, weather was dry and bright.

I only live 10 miles away, been raining nearly all day today.

Although the forecast is still for more rain tomorrow, the trails will withstand quite a bit of the worst that nature can throw at it.

Whilst the current fastest Strava times won’t be shattered, the fastest times on the day will be interesting to view.

Visited a couple of shops today and tried quite a few helmets on.

Eventually settled for the best fit and light weight helmet with lots of vents.

Surprisingly it also turned out to be lowest cost helmet I tried.

Catlike Vacuum from Go Outdors at £41.99.

I have a Trek EX Fuel 9.8 that has a DRCV. Shock.

I found the same thing that the standard shock was just blowing through the travel far to easily no matter how much pressure I had in the air can ( within reason).

Took the plunge and had the shock PUSH’d at TFT last week.

Took a little time and communication with the technician to set up correctly, but a definite improvement.
The descend platform is much better and doesn’t bottom out with my air pressure setting. 185 psi and me in riding gear being about 83 ish kilos.

Can’t comment on the other options you’ve mentioned, but would recommend a chat with TFT.

he could have donated the £10,000 to charity if he thought it was beneath his professional status.

Or he could have donated the £10,000 to the refuge crisis, or he could have helped up and coming snooker players struggling.

I think he could have made a “statement” and had much more support from everyone if he took this approach.

He’ll probably say he just wants to go running next week….
Regards

Denis

The “people’s champion” who loves to entertain and please the snooker public strikes again.

No doubting he is one of the greatest snooker players of all time, but is is a bit of a knob.

Used to keep on about giving up snooker, i wish he did really – bit of an attention seeker.

no regard for the public and sponsors who pay his wages, remember the towel over his face match.

Won’t watch him on the tv these days.

He’s not doing snooker any favours.
one day he might look back in regret about all his antics.
Regards

Denis

Thanks Xar looks good to me.

I can’t seem to get on with a dropper.

Never really used it, thought it made the bars more cluttered and another lever to press etc.

Sold the droppers and very happy with a normal post, hardly ever move it on the trail either.

I know that I’m in the minority though, but al least I have tried it.

Doesn’t suit me though.
Regards

Denis

Cleaning the drive chain.

Taking the cassette, chain and chainrings off, really good clean, refitting.
Then going for the ride with the like new drive chain.
Regards

Denis

“First to see will buy”.
Regards

Denis

People in the supermarket that lean on the trolley as they walk.

Not concerned about the bikes colour really.

Seem to be in the minority here, more concerned about geometry , fit, handling.

Never really liked the Orange 5 look, but after having recently bought a SC Bantam the single pivot bikes are very appealing.

Kawasaki Z1R , my first real late 70’s super bike of the day.

Kawasaki H2750 triple two stroke , lunatic bike when I was 20

Ducati Monster 1100S, what an animal.