Clitheroe was the one I mentioned in the original post Smoky. Seems really good value.

Thanks for the replies. I saw that Motor Club on my google crawl – I’ll give them a shout.

I rode up there on Monday this week – bolts law down to edmundbyers is good going really although there are a few parts that are boggy. If you look carefully, you’ll still see the hand prints where I was stopped instantaneously by an axle deep puddle and chucked over the bars. Just watch out for that bit and you’ll be fine!
The section from Slaley over penny pie is a similar story really – bit wet but not bad at all. Parts of it from the little river crossing/bridge part have recently been gravelled anyway so theyre holding up well.
Enjoy it!

Oh, and if you deal in SPM (smiles per mile) instead of MPG, you’ll find they’re world beaters. :-)

Ive had mine 6 years now – td5 90. Despite its foibles I could never sell it. I’ve tried twice and bottled it as soon as someone rang up after seeing the advert. You either get it or you don’t.
Much like 650b. Or 29. Each to their own.

molgrips – Ive emailed you RE your trailer for sale…

I’m in the same boat but now onto the final episode of Season 1. Brilliant TV but yes, accents are a little out. Irish accents too. Just hoping they release season 2 on dvd soon as I’ve not watched any of that and it’s not available for download on iPlayer anymore.

Cheers Gaz.
Things settling down ish- desperately missing riding after building the house and then the new arrival so thought Id have an ask around on here.
If you’re ever up my way, give me a shout. Sure Sho and Claire could do baby things whilst we’re out…

Bolts Law to Edmundbyers is one of my favouritesbut Im always at a bit of a loss as to where to go once I get into Edmundbyers (aside from back on the road or ont he new Reservoir path) – I dont actually live in Blanchland – I live on the road to Rookhope so I’m halfway up Bolts Law already!
Trying not to overdo that ride though hence me asking for info on here.

I was actually up there walking the other day and saw plenty tyre marks coming down off the top – looked like it would be lethally fast. :)

Thanks for the replies. As suspected there is a lot going on in pretty close proximity.
The Clara Vale Mtb sounds exactly like what I was after. Where abouts in Clara Vale do you meet? (assuming you welcome newcomers?!)

ir_bandito – I couldn’t think of your username earlier on but was sure there was a hexham guy lurkign somewhere on here! Ive got an 8 week old son so 8pm may well be a decent bet. What time do Tyne Valley MTb ride?

more useful information. Cheers guys.
Come on then DD – If it was your door, what would you use?!

DD – thankyou for the reply.
I will have a look at the broadleaf stuff you mentioned. As I said in my post just then, Im happy enough to treat it once a year or so. When I decided to get the door in oak I resigned myself to that.
It seems like I cant yet have my cake and eat it!

No pics as yet I’m afraid – I’m working offshore at the moment and the wife has just informed me it is ready for collection on saturday.
I am tempted to do the whole thing in clear osmo but concerned it will alter it’s natural colour. I’ll have to ask for the offcuts to do some tests on i think.
With regards maintenance, I’m happy to have to treat it once a year or so.

At present it will get quite a bit of weather as it is on the top of a pretty exposed hillside. it is my intention to build an oak framed porch over the front door in the future, but this may well not be for another year or so.
slackalice – Im not sure i fully understand. The door is constructed of a frame around 3 inch thick with boards of 1.5 inch held within this frame. The boards are then braced internally for support. Do you mean I should oil the frame section of the door?

I need it to look good as it is 4 foot wide and massively noticeabe – it was originally a blacksmiths entrance, hence the big dimensions!

Thanks for the advice so far. I had seen the osmo products from previous google searches.
I guess I need to establish exactly what it is I want to protect it from. If I were to leave it untreated I’m guessing it wouldnt be any less ‘weather tight’? Reason I ask is that I do like the way the oak weathers naturally, but I dont want to end up with a knackered door…

Winston Dog – Him of MPI Adventure Fame?
Grumpiest Warranty Surveyor the offshore world has ever seen?! :wink:
Where you working now?

As others have said. We nervously rehomed ours from the local farmer as she wasn’t as good as some of his other dogs at sheep duties. Without a doubt the best decision I’ve ever made though. She is a little timid (coming from a one man hill farm) but will happily run for two hours with me on the bike or conversely, will happily sit around sun bathing all day if needs be.

Her favourite place is in the back of the land rover though. A bit of an annoying habit – as soon as the door is open, she’s in.

I read all the horror stories of them being a real hand-full, and whilst they obviously have substance, not all dogs are the same. Luck of the draw I guess. Lets call it the “Great Collie Lottery”!

Efel Harmony 3?

:roll:

There is a place at Blackhill near consett at the old forge. Cant remember its name though.
Ive used Bettablast near Shiremoor who were good but now seemingly quite expensive. Also quite a way from Tynedale. If youre after tynedale specifically, use Tynedale Powder Coating at the Acomb Ind Est just off the A69. No idea on price though…

Funny that. Im renovating an old house and have just bought one as we’ve removed all the wiring etc.
Using the heating oil in them – a little fiddly, but once you get the knack they’re incredible. And you can still easily buy all the spare parts you could ever need.

When I was in scouts they used to come in a wooden box with pull up front. I cant seem to find one of these anywhere though. Any ideas?

THats a shame molgrips – that stuff looks excellent. Im sure theres a good project or three in there somewhere!

molgrips – I definitely would! How much are we talking? Youre not based near northumberland are you by any chance?

Ive just ordered a load for work from yourprint2canvas who have 3 for 2 on at the moment on all sizes. They were brilliant. Ordered thursday, delivered by courier midday friday for no charge. Cant say fairer than that?!

Congratulations!
Mine is a 2002 90 as well and im off home now to replace a faulty wiper motor (removed the dash last night) and re-bleed the clutch. What a pig of a job that is!
Like people have said though, you either love them or hate them. I absolutely love mine and would never be without it!

Oh, and now we need pictures of course!

most people?!

Quite a statement.

Anybody know who the photographers were and their respective websites? Google reveals very little from this year.

Its fine! Not super luxury, but toilets and showers are ok. Dirt cheap as well. Midges on the other hand, are a total pain in the arse!

Bullsh*t.

I think she obviously wanted you to open them, otherwise she wouldnt have written them?
Understand your dilema though…… that’s a tough one.

konabunny. Fair point but I meant utilitarian in the fact that its pretty bare bones, and capable of carrying whatever/towing whatever. To sell it in the US I guess they have to improve safety aspects, both for pedestrians and passengers. I think this could be done whilst still keeping the utilitarian theme?

Thats the concept vehicle so proper design likely to be significantly different. Unless it ends up like the Evoque which was scarily similar to the concept.

Either way, I dont think they can afford to stray too far from the tried and tested, utilitarian recipe to be honest.

I also disagree about it perhaps not being the prettiest! I am biased though. :-)

Citrtoen C1. Cheap to buy, cheap and simple to maintain (12000mile service interval I think) no electrics to go wrong, 2 bikes in no probs with seats down. 660 miles last weekend in it, and it cost me 70 quid in fuel. Will do 80mph on motorway all day as well. Best “sensible” car I’ve ever had. Dont go Aygo – exactly same as C1, but with a Toyota badge. My C1 even has toyota stamped all over the engine parts.

Im also bogged down with work, but if you’re after a decent road ride from the morpeth area, then you could do worse than heading out to Matfen and Stamfordham, before heading over to Newton in the tyne valley, crossing under the a69 (using the tunnel in the brockbushes garden centre) and heading through corbridge, over the river, left at the round about, follow signs for Prospect Hill. Climb prospect hill and head to slaley before working back to morpeth way. Loads of decent pubs (especially in Stamfordham and Newton). Not sure on what distances you were after, but theres loads of variations if you want shorter or longer. Enjoy it anyway. Shame youre not about on friday as Im considering taking it off when all my stuff is sorted and having a good ride out.

Teachers always told me that school days are the best of your life. Well, I can say with certainty that they were not. I despised that place.

Beachcombers in Goswick sands, right next to Holy Island is pretty cool. The site itself is not bad, but its right on one of the best beaches up there. No crowds, cracking views and close to Bamburgh Castle etc if you want sight seeing whilst not on the beach.

I bought some Specialized BG Pro from JE james a couple of weeks back. They were 110 I think down from 180 if I recall? Carbon mid-sole, super stiff, ratchet fastening and, most important, white!!

I broke my hip in January of this year – the neck of the femur though. I was in hospital for a week but have recovered fine. Hurt like hell mind but as someone else has said, I honestly think its down to the patient’s mentality. If you want to get better, you will.

I even managed to race Whinlatter in the March!

What bugs me is when you turn up for an appointment at 0800 and theyre already late. How is it possible to be late, when I’m the first in?!

They’re a breed apart. True athletes.

Yes please! Very good of you.
Email is rich656 AT hotmail DOT com

thankyou again.