It’s interesting that the Hebridean Way is being cut. This was one of the most pleasant and courteous routes I’ve cycled in the uk. Even though it uses some ‘main’ roads, the level of traffic is pretty low and (nearly) everyone seemed chilled and patient. The variety of bike types doing the route was awesome.

Are they actually going to take down the signs on the routes being cut?

Ordered near the start of lockdown, took about ten days. I’ll use them again.

My Smuggler is my only mtb, love it. Perfect for long days out where I live in the lakes.

If I could afford it, I’d replace it with that new Transition Spur, that looks even more perfect…

I ordered at the start of lockdown, comms didn’t seem too slow. They were able to help with changing delivery address as my work had closed by the time the wheels shipped. I imagine they are pretty busy at the moment.

The wheels are fantastic, all dt parts at a weight and price that no equivalent factory wheels can do. I will buy from them again.

Nice build, hope you get to ride it soon!

I run a DHF on the front and an Agressor on the rear of my Smuggler. Perfect fit and forget combo.

That looks lovely.

I sold my hardtail at the start of lockdown and I’ve always wanted a Solaris….

I’ve ordered a few from fitwheels.eu, great price for DT hubs and rim combo. Quick shipping and they were happy to change spec slightly, at no extra cost.I normally buy local but the price difference was just too big, even with shipping.

Last pair was R470 rims on 350 hubs for my new Topstone. They come with tape and choice of adaptors. Lighter and better quality than similarly priced ‘factory’ wheelsets. This pair was through Ebay with a voucher, for an even better price.

Same here in the Lakes. Rubbish left all over the place after the weekend. I found a paper bag of takeaway leftovers ten feet from an empty bin…

Wheelbase in stavely, I’ve had a few built there, no complaints.

A friend of mine lives in her van, a converted T5 panel van. Looks bog standard from the outside, she’s quiet and respectful of her environment and has lived and worked in the area for years.

She was staying in a spot she’s used before, nice rural location, not directly opposite houses or anything. Police had a chat as they were passing one day, she explained her situation, they were happy with it. A few days later Police came back to move her on as they’d had complaints from locals.

Luckily she’s now house sitting for some friends with an empty holiday let but it was a stressful situation as anywhere she moved onto, the worry was that she would be asked to leave. Not easy to get a good night’s sleep. Especially several(?) months of lockdown.

I had a 26 inch Soul and a Soda, both lovely frames. The Soda frame is on the wall in the spare room ; )

I don’t own a hardtail anymore but if I did it’d be a 29er. It’s a shame the Soul is discontinued but understandable. Orange was the best colour!

I have DT 350’s , they sound much nicer and quieter than the Hope hubs I own.

I actually like the new Classifieds, dead easy to upload pics.

I sold quite a bit last week, unfortunately I can’t list anymore ads. even though the ones I don’t have any active ads but still get this message:

<span class=”adverts-flash-message-text adverts-flash-padding”>You reached maximum active ads limit. You cannot have more than %d active Ads at once.</span>

Looks lovely, although far too much bike for me.

I might be interested when they update the Smuggler though…

The Expanse is great, I’m glad Amazon picked it up. Nice, slow burn, inteligent sci fi. A rare thing these days…

Picard is really good, if you like Star Trek.

I enjoyed All or Nothing, follows various NFL teams behind the scenes, really interesting. There were also some about Premier Leagus football, I didn’t watch these.

I also lost interest in Man in High Castle.

Pasta with pesto and roasted toms

Aldi Reinbacher, then onto Brewdog Tangerine Dream

Johann Johannsson

I love going to the cinema, pre lockdown we would go every few weeks. I’m lucky enough to have three great cinemas nearby, one in walking distance. And one has a great veggie restaurant attached to it 👌

Going to see Once Upon A Time In Hollywood was one of my favourite nights out this year. Everyone in the room was really into the film, the quiet parts everyone was silent, the funny parts the laughter was infectious. And I loved the film. Parasite was also excellent.

I enjoy watching films and good series at home but, for me, they are two different experiences. I don’t go to multiplex \ Odeon type cinemas.

I’m reading The Expanse series, just started book 5 Nemesis Games. Fantastic long form, space opera. I’ve also started watching the series on Amazon, I find it interesting which elements of the story they highlight or drop.

Also read Annihilation by Jeff vandermeer, need to pick up the rest of trilogy.

I’m sure I’ll start rereading the Culture series (again) before lockdown is over…

So what is it?

I’m keen to try some 650 wheels on my Topstone, just waiting on some bargain rims as i have spare hubs, lockdown job…

Iwould suggest Gravelking SK in 38 x 700. My riding sounds similar to yours, all the gravel around here is fairly easy going and I do a lot of road miles in between. The SKs roll really well on the road, don’t wear too quick and have a surprising amount of grip. They also do a 43mm, which I’m tempted by for the front.

My friend dropped off her bike yesterday with a big bag of Shimano goodies, whole new groupset. It kept me occupied this afternoon. It was a pleasure to put together, even though it was ‘only’ Tiagra, modern Shimano stuff is brilliant at the lower levels.

She picked it up this evening and left a 12 pack of Cadbury’s Creme Eggs, I’m going to try and not eat them all tonight… no promises.

I was planning on bikepacking round Mull and other islands in May, hopefully I might be able to do this in the two weeks I have booked off in September? I’m remaining optimistic, so please don’t crush my dreams.

I’m only riding easy road/gravel at the moment, so a good mtb ride will be needed.

Just life, really, although a trip to the lakes and Helvellyn/grizedale on a day like today would be the icing…

I’m currently looking out the window with blue skies over the Lakes.

I’ve just bought a Cannondale Topstone, great timing! I did think about returning it, ordered a while ago and only arrived this week. I figured, I can survive, the bike shop might not… and it is lovely.

I’ll be tubeless-ing it tomorrow and going for a local pootle.

I have two bikes to strip and sell, not sure if it’s worth it at the moment.

Great stuff, that’ll keep me occupied until the next conference call…

I work for a medium sized outdoor retailer, run two shops in a National Park. It’s been quite steady trade this week, I think a lot of people are escaping to the hills.

We are currently still open for business, although I have 30% of the team self-isolating as they’re high risk. I expect we’ll have to shut the shops soon, once Boris decides, as we’re obviously non essential. I just hope we can weather the storm and all have jobs to come back to. Obviously working from home is tricky in retail…

I had one for a couple of years, great little van. Didn’t cost me anything apart from service. It drove well enough and was quick enough for me, 1.9 diesel. I got an ex fleet van that had been used by an accountacy firm, so it was really clean and hadn’t had a tough life.

I had the folding mesh bulkhead, gave just enough length for sleeping in the back. Was pretty cramped though, I’m glad I now have a bigger van.

I could get a large Smuggler in the back just with turned handlebars.

Yep, Forge here as well. They’re so good, I’ve just bought a second.

It’s the ‘thermal mug of choice’ at work.

The best thing about it is the self sealing, means I can drink (tea) safely whilst driving.

I really enjoyed the first episode. Although it could’ve been spread over two episodes, it felt like there was a lot of story to get through.

I loved the line about the romulans ” not romulans lives…lives”. It was quite dusty in here….

I’m looking forward to detective Picard solving the mystery. How long until he gets a ship?

I also got a set of the Kinetic ones, great quality. Last year was the first time I’ve ever changed the bearings on a frame, it was so simple.

Concering the blind bearing, I hit it with a hammer and screwdriver, worked a treat.

Good spot on Blue Ruin, really enjoyed Green Room and Hold The Dark.

Destroyer (recent one from Karen Kusama, director of The Invitation) is worth a watch, more of a psychological thriller.

Also You Were Never Really Here.

Calibre, thriller about a shooting trip in the Scottish highlands.

Tense is an understatement.

I’ve always run in inov8s but my current pair of roclites (new graphite 290)  are hurting my feet on long runs. Great on anything up to a couple of hours.

I’ve just signed up for two Ultras this year, so also looking for something more cushioned. I tried hokas but didn’t like the vague sole, might get some for road miles.

Salomon sense pro 2 will be tested tomorrow, also going to order Salomon sense ride. I seem to suit the fit of Salomon even though I prefer the sole / grip of inov8s.

Agree with all the above, get into a good shop and try some on. Pete bland in Kendal is ace.

RIP.

I’m currently rewatching DS9 on Netflix and Odo is a consistent highlight.

I got a bus today, so I could pick my van up from the garage. It was really plush, with fancy seats, USB charging and wifi. It was also pretty expensive and not even half full. Definitely no cup holders.

Unfortunately the timetable isn’t ideal for getting to and from work. I would have to wait 40 mins after work for a bus.

Fortunately I’m close enough to cycle.

Can’t believe no one has mentioned What’s Goin On yet though. Like astral weeks this has had continual play over decades for me.

@metalheart mentioned on page one, one of my favourites of all time.

Great to see so much love for Dummy, I think it was unfairly lumped in with the trip hop phase, when it’s a much darker and more rewarding listen than that.

I’ll add:

Death Cab For Cutie – Plans

Bohren And Der Club Of Gore – Black Earth

Portishead – Dummy

David Bowie – Low (I could easily list several of his albums, but this is fautless)

Boards Of Canada – Music has the right to children

Postal Service – Give up

Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

Marvin gaye – What’s going on?

Away for the weekend, so will be watching this on Monday. Can’t wait…

I’ve got a Yellow Vivaro, I’ve had it a couple of years. Got it from a fleet van specialist garage on the outskirts of Leeds, really friendly family business. I like buying vehicle off someone in oily overalls. Sorry, I can’t remember name of garage, found them on Autotrader.

Bought it with 78k on the clock and full service history, it’s been faultless. Has cost me two indicator bulbs so far.

I’ve insulated and carpeted the back, with a rubber floor for easy cleaning. I’ve built a wooden bed that expands sideways, so I can still use the van as a van. It’s brilliant for getting away with a bike or two.

My friends still make jokes like “who called the AA?” which is obviously hilarious……

Hoba Fett

I think a lot of it is to do with body position onnthe bike as well.

On a road \ gravel bike your body is much more stretched out, with more weight further forward compared to an mtb. So turning and direction changes are much more subtle, I think this would lead to ‘oversteering’ with a really slack head angle. As the front would pitch over due the weight distribution.

Hopefully someone else can explain this better than me 😂