Just to add, got home last night, driving at 30 through Windermere now seems far too quick.

I’ve just spent two weeks in north Wales, Llanberis for the first and Betws Y Coed for the second. I had no problem with the 20 speed limits, was relaxing and much easier on narrow roads with parked cars. Gave both directions chance to get through.

I’ll be honest there were a couple of moments initially where I’d ended up at thirty through habit, once the neurons fired I was back at speed limit. I quickly got used to it. I would have no problem with 20 being introduced where I live in Cumbria (this happened during lockdowns, it was great).

No problem sitting at 20 in my van. Most people seemed to be sticking to limit or 25mph, which is better than 35!

Have you tried any of the vest style ones OP? They are much more comfortable / lighter than any rucsack style pack (that 511 one above is over twice as heavy as a Salomon ADV Skin 12). It’s worth trying a few on. I’ve had Osprey Duro (heavy-ish, not enough pockets), Inov-8 Race (not that comfortable, not enough pockets, recently been updated tho), Montane (didn’t like the big velcro strap around the ribs). Also tried on Ultimate Direction, too fiddly, too many straps.

I now own two Salomon ADV Skin, a 5 and 12 litre. There is a reason they are so popular, loads of accessable storage and super comfy, no bounce even when fully loaded . As someone stated , they aren’t cheap but are the best (IMO). Rock up to any trail / ultra event and the majority are wearing Salomon vests, they’re like the Santa Cruz of running vests… ;)

Also, ignore the naysayers, there’s nothing wrong with carrying a bit of safety / comfort kit if you’re running in the hills. Especially when modern kit is so light. The beauty of the Salomon vests is they’re as comfy just carrying a bottle and a windshell as they are with a full 100 mile ultra kit list.

Also my favourite writer. I reread the sci fi and culture novels every few years. Look To Windward is one of my favourites. And Excession. Do you think anybody will be brave / stupid enough to try and adapt The Culture for TV / film? I’m surprised no ones tried…

Last year I started going through the non sci fi books, realising I’d not read them all. Complicity is in the post. Steep Appoach and The Business have been highlights so far. Reading the Wasp factory for the first time since being a teenager was an experience.

Struggled with Songs Of Stone.

I read Raw Spirit a few years ago, fantastic book. There’s loads of anecdotes that relate to specific scenes in his books. Feels like a ‘behind the scenes’ to his thought process. It’s also really funny.

I’ve been using Fadblock (recommended on here), works great. Fast forwards through the ads in a few frames, so I can watch as normal.

I wouldn’t mind a few ads but it’s now 6 or 7 ad breaks in a ten minute video…

Drivers had to be rescued from their cars after up to 3ft (36in) of snow fell in parts of the Lake District on Saturday, when the area was busy with day-trippers.

 Mike Margeson, a mountain rescuer with more than 40 years’ experience, said his teams worked with police and firefighters to help pull people from their cars overnight.

“It was a very unprecedented rate of snowfall and heavy snow. I don’t remember seeing that amount of depth of snow falling for a very long time,” he said.

From the Guardian article https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/03/snow-leaves-hundreds-of-people-stranded-in-lake-district-overnight

Normal light snowfall… :D

The A591 between Windermere and Ambleside is still closed. Lots more snow overnight.

Windermere is so quiet, no traffic :)

I work in Grasmere, had to take the long way back home to windermere (via the A66 and M6) as the road to Ambleside was closed. 70+ mile round trip :D

I’ve never seen so  much snow in the uk.

Fadblocker working for me on Firefox. Takes a little while to load the first video in a queue, then skips the ads as stated. Do the channels still get their ‘cut’ from the advertising with Fadblock?

I’m happy to support channels / presenters I like directly but until this week I hadn’t realised how many ads were in short vids. Watched a 12 minute NFL vid last night, must’ve had 5 ad breaks…

Fadblock installed, thanks for the tip. I’ll happily chip in for it, if it works.

Overall, I think it’s fine for the first season under WBD. I already subscribe to Eurosport for road racing, so the DH isn’t costing me any more than previous. The Eurosport is loads better (for me) than Redbull was, just works.

The commentary isn’t that bad, was improved immensely with Gwin on board, loved the detail he brought to the race. Would love to see Reece, Miriam, others in the booth each week. Hoping they need a season to find their feet, wouldn’t be mad if Cedric was moved out the booth. I think he’d be great as an after race interviewer, imagine the hype at the finish line with Cedric congratulating Bruni after a win.

Filming is definitely a small improvement, I like the closer drone shots and it feels like we see more of the racing.

Haven’t watched any of the semi’s, I just treat them like qualifying. Look at the semi results on PB and then watch the final. Think it should go back to quali and final.

The most important thing is the racing is still awesome. I love watching Vali, Loic, Loris, Nina, Danny, Greg, all absolute magicians on a bike and come across as ace people too. I think amongst all the complaining, people are missing the fact that the racing has been damn good so far this year (weather excepted).

@root-n-5th Well done on the Lakeland 50. I probably saw you at some point, I did the 100, my first one. Thouroughly enjoyed it and got round in 30 hours, so pleased to complete on my first go. The completion rate for the 100 was just over 50%…

The atmosphere and support along the route was amazing, by far the best event I’ve done. The whole of Ambleside was out to cheer you on. And the checkpoints, highlight was being served a chocolate milkshake in the dark at Buttermere by Freddie Mercury. Also smoothies at the Kentmere checkpoint run by Montane team.

The start line with the opera singer (Nessum Dorma?) and then AC/DC Thunderstruck was immense, getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Worth having a look on YT.

I’ve just had confirmation I’ve got a place for the 100 for next year : )

I did this a few years ago, one of my best trips on the bike.

I left van in Oban, ferry to Barra. Camping near the airfield. Then slowly made my way north. After the butt of lewis, I cycled back down to Tarbert, didn’t enjoy this stretch, headwind and not a great road.

Ferry across to Skye, I just took the main road through the island, wasn’t too bad. Camped near the Sligachan hotel (great food).

I wasn’t rushed for time, so I rode back via Fort William, can’t remember the exact route but was pleasant enough.

Overall was a fantastic trip, looking to do similar this year. In the years since, I’ve explored most the other Hebridean islands. All fantastic.

@DougD I’ve got some Kahtoola ones, got them from Climbers Shop in Ambleside. They are super grippy on sheet ice or compacted snow. They’ve lasted well, think this’ll be their 5th winter. Easy to put on and not too bulky.

https://www.climbers-shop.com/snow-and-ice/walking-spikes/kahtoola-microspikes__10905468

It’s been a really good running year; 2223km and 93552m of ascent. I completed by first 100k ultra in a reasonable time. Had lots of fun days out in the mountains with friends. I’ve bought a scary amount of shoes…

Most importantly, I’ve turned a corner mentally with what I can achieve. I only took up running longer distances in 2019, now signed up for my first 100 miler next year, I’m definitely making it to the finish line.

I’ve ridden my bike about ten times this year…

I’ve really enjoyed this thread, a great motivator. Well done everyone, enjoy the christmas refuelling : )

I was however slightly troubled by the x-wings he had parked out the front of the cave. If they are already in use at this time why don’t we see others here and there?

Maybe they were prototype or first generation? I can see someone as badass as Saw Gerrera wanting some fast attack ships : )

Horace Andy – Midnight Rocker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhvh-aSR72I

The return of one of my favorite reggae artists, his voice still sounds amazing for a 71 year old! Might not be the ‘best’ album of the year but it’s the one I’ve listened to most.

Honourable mention to Sally Shapiro – Sad Cities. Just lovely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MilxX0ZZqHA

David Bowie – Low (or Heroes, I just love the largely ambient B-side of Low)

Marvin Gaye – What’s going on?

Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

Kraftwerk – Trans Europe Express

Sun Ra – Lanquidity (anybody else like Ra?)

All out before I was born but in regular rotation in my house / van. If I had to choose one it’d probably be Marvin.

It’s taken me a while to catch up but i really enjoyed that.

Very well written and acted. The character and world building was superb. Also, it looked amazing, set and costumes were movie level. I felt that Book Of Boba and Obi Wan looked pretty cheap and ‘flimsy’ ( thought they were ok, wouldn’t watch again). This had a solid, lived in feel.

Loved all the stuff with the ISB, the gleaming white interiors and bureacracy. I felt this really expanded on what the Empire was.

And the prison break build up and finale was great. Andy Serkis is a terrific actor when he’s not hidden by cgi…

The only negative was the lack of Saw Gerrera, more Forest Whitaker please. I’m assuming / hoping he’ll have a live action spin off…?

Radiohead – Kid A

Madvillian – Madvillainy

Boards Of Canada – Geogaddi

Postal Service – Give Up

I’ll pick these four today. I love them all and still listen to them regularly, they just don’t grow old.

Also, honourable metion to Pearl Jam – Ten. I was obessed with this album, it got me into grunge in a big way.

This was the time I was really discovering music as a (just) teenager. Most albums already mentioned – Jilted, Dummy, Nevermind, Endtroducing, Leftism, Homework.

One that changed my outlook on music – Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works 89-92, I had never heard sounds like it.

But overall the album I still listen to the most from the 90’s, still sounds amazing and works as an album ‘journey’ has to be Radiohead – Ok Computer. It’s just fantastic. It brought together everything I loved at the time (Aphex was a big influence on Radiohead for OK). I’d been growing up with radiohead since Pablo Honey. I love the fact they are still making fantastic, interesting music. (Anybody been listening to The Smile?)

Anyone use refillable energy gels?

I’ve used the Active Root ones (their energy drinks are great, minimal ingredients, nice ginger flavour)

Waste Free Energy Gels

They work well for a day out. A bit faffy for a race and you have to carry the empty gel / squeezy bottle. It’s important to get the water to powder ratio right. First time i ended up with squeezy juice!

Definitely a positive step in terms of waste, if you used gels a lot.

I once tried to order an oak bed from a company (somewhere down south), they said they didn’t deliver to “the extreme north”. At the time I lived in Keswick!

really fast over 10k and seeing how close to 35 minutes I can get

@lunge Blimey, that’s quick! 3:30 per km, I can probably do that for about a minute : )

I managed to get a place in the Lakeland 100 for next year. Will be the biggest thing I’ve run, just want to make it to the finish line in one piece.

@pyro really enjoyed reading your blog, bought back some good (and bad!) memories of the event.

@fingerbang or any other BG curious runners, I’m based in the Lakes if anyone wants company on recce runs?  I’m currently recovering from injury but will be building up mileage over the winter.

What’s everyone got planned for 2023?

@spawnofyorkshire I did Lakes In A Day last year, it was awesome. An epic day out, although the weather was pretty grim. Really well organised and loads of friendly runners to chat to. They had pizza at the checkpoint in Ambleside, this saved my life! It was my first 50 miler, I’m now hooked… You should do it ; )

@fingerbang that looks like a cracking few days out.The Bob is still on my list, I’ve recce’d all of it, just need to bring it all together and hope for the best. Are you planning on doing the round next year?

I appreciate the massive level of skill involved but found it oddly underwhelming this year. I would definitely feel more invested with some transparency of the scoring. How was Andreu Locandeguy’s score so low? His line looked terrifying, he did huge tricks and he was much faster than other riders.  The look of dissappointment / confusion on his face as his score came in…

I think some form of audience voting on the scores would be cool. Who are the judges for Rampage?

Heard good things about the Saucony Xodus Ultras too.

I got a pair of these in the summer, they’re bouncy and well cushioned. I find them much more stable than Hoka’s. Can also recommend the Inov8 Trailfly G270, fast, light, zero drop, so biased to forefoot strike. As above, those new G280’s look good, will probably have a pair before the end of the year…

Juno has them for £25 delivered. I’ve bought records and stylus(s) from them in the past. Delivery is always good and well packaged.

@huntingtonduck

X Talon and Mudclaw are tolerable on the road but not great. I’ve got Saucony Peregrine, these have 5mm cleats and are great on Lakes wet rock, mud and bog. They are a much better all rounder, especially on longer runs, I feel a bit beaten up by the Talons on harder ground and long road sections. I even tried the new X Talon Ultra, just sold them on Ebay!

@alwillis

Awesome, I did this last year, was my first 50 miler. Great fun. You definitely had some better weather for it. Did they have pizza at the ambleside checkpoint?

Episode 6 was good, the formation of Mount doom was well done. Some of the fighting was pretty gruesome, orc blood from the eye hole! I thought the reveal they’d been killing humans hit hard, the downfall of man fighting between themselves.

Episode 7 was alright, a bit bored with the Hargoots, think that storyline will get better now there’s a small group? Still hoping it’s not Gandalf,  seems too obvious

Intrigued by the evil elf people, leader looks like Eminem 😅

Is the sword Galadrial gave Theo relevant? Seem to be a lingering shot of it…

Normally a bottle of wine a week, maybe a few beers.

Many of my friends don’t drink, so socialising is normally nice food / cinema rather than pub these days. Sometimes I’ll have a half / weak beer if eating out but I don’t like driving after drinking, even small amounts.

I used to drink far too much, for reasons. These days I try and direct my addictive personality towards positive things. Working so far…

I normally just watch the highlights on youtube, they’re well edited and I can pick the games I want to watch. Not so interested in the analysis, I think they’re various websites that do this better.

I’ve only been casually following NFL for about 4 years, gradually getting more into it. Hoping the Ravens can make a good run for the Suberb Owl this year. Lamar is so much fun to watch.

Lions are my new favourite team, anybody watched the latest Hard Knocks?

@fingerbang I live in the lakes. I do 90% of my fell running in Inov8 Trailfly G270 (used to be called Terraultra). They’re tough, light, grippy and last well. I’m on my 5th pair, normally get 800ish km out of a pair, which I think is good for lakes running. I’ve tired all sorts of other shoes (most of the Inov8 range!) and always come back to these. I think of them as the Maxxis Minion of running shoes…

I’ve just caught up with episodes 3 and 4, really enjoying it. I think Numenor looked stunning, I enjoyed the world building. I like the friendship between Elrond and Durin. And Elrond’s ‘super elf eyesight’.

The elf v orc, fight was really well staged. I love the cockney orc accents…

I’ve read loads of complaints of it being slow, have these people never read the books? Thy were never action-a-minute, page turners. Definitely more of a slow burn. I like patient story telling.

I think most of series one will be setting the scene getting all the players aligned. When’s series 2 out? : )

I’m assuming the man who fell from the sky is Gandalf?

I thought so too, was hoping someone with more Tolkien knowledge would have a better answer. I’ve read that there were other wizards apart from Gandalf, Saruman and Radigast that came to middle earth. Gandalf is one of my favourite characters from the movies / books, just not sure I need to see ‘young’ Gandalf…

Watched it last week, thought it was ace. Rare to watch a film where I genuinely didn’t know what was going to happen.

Some great Spielberg and Evangelion vibes.

I’m always keen to see original genre films at the cinema, the only way we get more original / interesting films is by supporting them.

What sunscreen do ultra runners use? I’ve been using standard lotion but it just sweats off.

Aldi kids sun cream. SPF50 and comes in a handy little bottle, small enough to carry with you. Last for ages. And it’s cheap!

Snap! Ordered the Xodus Ultra yesterday,  arriving tomorrow. Love new shoe day.