Sent my Omega SMP off to Calibre for service today. I bought it in 1998 and got the 36mm, mid size. I always regretted this decision as my wrists arn’t particularly small at 7″ and I could have sized up.

I have a lot of time on my hands at present and can’t do too much following a bike accident. So been looking at watches, thinking of replacin the Omega. Was originally looking at the Longines Zulu time but ceramic bezel is quite glossy. Tried on the new burgundy Black Bay on 3 link bracelet which was nice. Also quite liked the Breitling Superocean Heritage in black with the rubber sttrap. They both seem like obvious choices and having been down that road before with the SMP I started looking at Vertex Aqualion.

Be lucky

We have three dogs – lagotto’s – relatively active breed. My wife is at home and takes care of them. If we both worked it would be much more difficult and at the puppy stage possibly not feasible. The dogs are great, but at their best when your lifestyle accomodates what they naturally want to do. If we neglet ours for a couple of days then they quickly tell us.

God no

I’ve got a Denon Envaya that I was just about to put in the classifieds. Hardly used and excellent condition. Really good sound and exceptionally good base. Probably perfect for you. I was probably going to ask for £50. Think it cost £150-200. I’ve got all the different coloured grills too.

https://www.denon.com/en-au/shop/bluetoothspeakers/dsb200

@Kryton57

Yes I think green and gold is my first choice. I always liked the Seiko Alpinist but never enough to pull the trigger. This might be the one. Quite like the black with blue accents too. Would be good to see them in the flesh.

Looking to replace my mid size OSP; looking at Longines Spirit Zulu. ny thoughts experiences?

I just paid the £27 fromPX and both of the hangers above appear identical from the photos

Advice on top end seems fair but I expect your capacity to improve strength as a vet probably exceeds your capacity to improve FTP. I would do both – strength and VO2 max work.

Found Minx recently (Guardian review) and its very good. Set in 70’s and describes journey to publish a Women’s magazine that mixes feminism with exposed male parts. Paramount Plus

Just come off Winning Time, also set in the 70’s, another great series. Now TV

I have the 55mm

I’ve tried a few.

SKS Bluemels were fine but I was on a medium frame at the time with longish cranks and ended up putting my foot through the front, so it snapped off.

I have the PDW now and they are sturdier – also on a large frame with shorter cranks so no toe overlap. Simple to fit and do a great job. Even had clearance for 45mm tyres.

I use the Shokz bone conductors – sound is much better than you might expect and they work in the bike if turned up.

I always run 2 rear lights when commuting home in the dark, just in case one fails. Have one on flash the other on constant.

Use the Exposure Blaze and a Lupine Rotlight. Both have the react feature, no idea really if it helps. Never knocked off. Both a bit more expensive but have lasted many years and dont give any trouble.

Have a spare Blaze and Tracer React with mounts if you are interested in either.

I’ve used the Specialized Grail mitts underneath a warmer non padded full finger glove

If you are a large I have 3 Aussie Grit gilets that I dont wear. One thermal (black) and two in the thinner stretchy fabric, one black/ grey the other royal blue.

I have one – currently rigid ss. Only keep it as don’t mind locking it up in a bike rack. Not the world’s best bike imo. Heavy for what it is. Not that much fun to ride but at least no one has stolen it.

I have them on a couple of bikes. Classic is quite cheap £30 or so with cleats. Race a bit more expensive but not too bad and noticably lighter (in the hand). Seem to hold up well and perform just like you would expect.

One of the pluses of electronic shifting is that my headunit can let me know, as I generally get it wrong. Find it helpful in different situations when I want to titrate my effort. Even use it in cross races; remember to shift to x gear before the very steep hill etc.

As if

In the past my wildcamping has been in the Lakes in winter. So going shoulder season will be new for me. Not wild camped outside of a national park before. This is the main motivation for the thread. Good to know considered appropriate if done with consideration for others.

Perfect thanks

I get that – not looking for specific spot – just info on suitable areas. My default would be the Lakes.

I took my son for the first time a few years ago and arranged a lesson in the morning. Let the instructor advise what might be suitable progression for the afternoon. Complete cop out on my side and makes it a fairly expensive day out but worked well. We ended up doing most of the reds that day.

Have the Salomon Quests and a couple of pairs of Hokas. Hokas a very comfortable. I moved over as I damaged a knee and the extra cushioning works well for me. They are definitely much more flimsy feeling but are holding together so far and remain waterproof. I haven’t asked that much of them though. Regular woodland dog walks but no rocky activity that might upset them more quickly.

West Mids League starts today – vets race just after noon (nice pro start). I’m sufficiently fit to race but will be having my own mid pack battles. I believe 500+ riders have signed up for the league this year, that’s including the juniors. Lots of races between now and the New Year so definitely a thriving scene around here. From a standing start last year it’s really taken off at my club, so it’s a lovely social occasion, with lots of riders in all categories. We will also host a race for the first time. CX has also been the catalyst for more people getting interested in longer events like the Gralloch and Dirty Reiver. So these events are also much more social now (for me) than they used to be. Looking forward to it, lovely day, just an hour or so to kill before I set off.

I’ve got a medium FreeRanger frame set in my garage. Used 12 months

Just routed the dropper on an Escarpe, which I imagine is same/similar. I threaded the wire first via the dropper post end, bit of twisting/ pushing so that it turns to go up the downtube. Snagged it with a hook when it crossed the downtube openning – twiddled it a few times before it appeared. Then simple to pass the outer over it. Didn’t even have to resort to my magnet/ cable routing kit.

‘This is us’ on Prime is quite funny. Couple of series in and its kept us interested. Also treated to guest appearances by Sly Stallone + Ron Howard.

No experience of the frames that you link to OP. My advice would be to get a frame with plenty of clearance. I like to run 45mm x 29 on the gravel bike for comfort and grip. The frame I have even lets me do this with a full guard fitted.

Also consider fitting the Redshift shock stem; it takes away alot of trail buzz and further improves comfort/ fatigue.

I ride a PX FreeRanger and have zero complaints.

Comit to 6-12 hours per week on the bike.

Having a target event makes training more purposeful. I started racing gravel and cross.

Consider an indoor trainer/ Zwift setup for short, regular 1 hour workouts.

Ride with other people to stretch yourself.

Lift weights once a week

Don’t take it too seriously, life always gets in the way, but consistency is key.

<p>I have a Last Fast Forward in large that I’m just about to split. Not boost but can come with a rear wheel. </p>

I have a medium frame spare as sized up

I’ve found it to be a great frame too

let me know if it’s of any interest

Try Zero 7. I’ve just found them and it’s been on non stop. Hasn’t pissed the wife or kids off yet either which is a definite bonus. Start with Simple Things

It’s all meant to be fun, isn’t it? I’ll push myself into the grey but when it goes black I’m generally out

Quite like my Fuel Cell – large, good coverage and take a prescription.

I use this place in Bolton

https://www.opticiansdirect.co.uk/prescription-sunglasses/oakley-fuel-cell-oo9096-oakley-fuel-cell-oo-9096-9096j7-matte-olive-ink/

http://www.gear-calculator.com/

The gear calculator lets you see how much difference changing setups makes. Usually not as much as you would think.

Single ring on a gravel bike works well for me and I do convert it for use on the road in winter.

Oval chain ring wont make much difference.

I use a GRX chainset with 36T for gravel and 42T for road.

This is matched with a 10-42 cassette.

https://www.thewatchsteward.com/

Good for Garmin straps – had one on my Epix for a few months

I’ve used one on my gravel bike for about 3 years. Hard to remember what it was like without the stem tbh but I would call it a success. Done Dirty a Reiver twice and the gralloch without feeling beaten up. I do think it removes enough vibration to be effective.