PP is great; I’ve been many times, but I can’t think of any night clubs.
There are a couple of Irish Bars that might have late licenses and the hotels might do something, but I can’t think of a single night club.
Would love to know if there is one

There’s Chivas, but I was absolutely steaming when I went in so no idea if it was decent. I liked PP, away from the front there are some great little local bars and places to get a bite to eat. Inland, Pollença is quite nice too. I think Alcudia had a bit more nightlife but just passed through. Palma is definitely worth a visit, some beautiful places there and great bars and restaurants.

Currently 3.96 W/kg based on 77kgs and FTP of 305 (one and only FTP test courtesy of DrP’s Saturday morning FTP wake-up call last weekend). That’s through reasonably infrequent riding and a bit of running rather than any dedicated training so going to see where I can get to this year, both in terms of W/kg and efforts, with a bit more structured training now that I’ve a turbo. That’s been great for when I’m a bit short on time or if the weather up here is crap (though don’t mind running in the rain, cycling definitely less fun).

The Strael gets a 10/10 write up in Road CC and also won their Editor’s Choice and Bike of the Year 2021 Road CC Bike of the Year 2021. For £3k it looks like you can get an Ultegra build. Not sure what lead times are currently like though – will depend on sizing, colour etc – Strael availability. I’ve a Fairlight Secan which I absolutely love and they were great to deal with.

Living in Edinburgh and having been down in London last weekend, apart from the converted railway paths round Edinburgh which are great, so much of the cycle infrastructure I saw in London was leagues ahead of what we have here. If you’re wanting to see the sights, then go on a Sunday, far less motorised traffic and you can string some great routes together. Agree with the suggestions above, get the Boris bikes – as some sections are nicer walk so you can ditch them for a bit, then cycle other parts and the Thames clipper is a great way to see London from the water which offers a different perspective again – you can always head down to Greenwich first then back up to Westminster.

No, I was using it as a starting point, going to follow a FTB builder programme now with that as the baseline. Though thinking about it, should probably have checked what the programmes involved incase the first one is an FTP test, don’t want to be doing one of those again that quickly!

Yeah that was decent, thanks for organising. One of those things I’ve been meaning to do but always find an excuse not to. FTP up from 272 to 305 which I was pleased with

do you follow me on zwift sturdylad?
username?

DrP

EDIT – Dougy-D’man… invite sent

Just got it DrP – looks like you may have also invited another Douglas D from STW, he’s in for a rude awakening!

yeah go on then

Anyone fancy an FTP test this saturday AM???

Hmm, I’ve been meaning to do one of these and keep putting it off, could be the push I need to actually complete it. What time you thinking?

Although not trousers, for waterproof nirvana paramo is the one true answer.

Using their jackets has blown my mind in terms of full on waterproofing and proper breathability. Best waterproof I have ever used.

Wish they made trousers

I’ve got an old Paramo Velez smock and it’s great, pretty toasty though.

Paramo do make trousers too, though not sure what any of them would be like on the bike –
https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-range/?attributes=0A558008-5CC5-4C74-BEDA-1B6AD4817B31,5A01410B-7BF6-46CC-8A97-FFEA0A577F6E

Same as Kraken, reconditioned Kickr Core direct from Wahoo a month or so ago for about £500 which included the cassette, it’s been great. Can’t see one on the website at the mo but may be worth holding out for

Going to give it a shot. Will be in Altea in Spain from 21st til 28th so hoping for some sunny dry outdoor miles, then back to Edinburgh to finish it off, most likely on the turbo.

This article published today, though focused on sheep grazing management, is pretty interesting in terms of how the land changes over time if they’re excluded, follows on from the pics above: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/17/graze-anatomy-fencing-fewer-sheep-richer-wildlife–aoe

Awesome! I’ve got a Krampus too, they’re such good fun.

That was ace. Missed the start but managed to catch up with the group. First time up the Alpe and managed 54:28 which was good. Keen for some more of those

As mentioned above, there are some decent online escape rooms, so you could split up into smaller teams and do one of those

Another vote for the Lifeline one, I’ve got it in its Revolution guise from Edinburgh bike coop. Had it a fair few years now and it’s been great. The little tool tray is helpful, looks like it’s an additional extra with the lifeline one though.

Ben Mendelsohn
Tom Hollander
Ben Kingsley

Recently got a reconditioned Kickr Core direct from Wahoo, was £599 but when I went to check out it was only about £500 which I thought was pretty decent. Been really impressed with it. Definitely recommend getting a fan, even using it next to an open window I’m boiling. Have got Zwift on an iPad but got an HDMI/Lightning connector so I can view it on a larger computer monitor. Am liking Zwift so far, loads of rides available where you can join up with groups according to how far/fast you want to go, or you can following training programmes (not tried any yet though) or ride routes by yourself / with friends.

Second vote for Galibier – I just got the Tourmalet jacket (£68) – https://www.galibier.cc/product/tourmalet/. Wore it at the weekend and seems decent.

Gets a good review on Road.cc too – https://road.cc/content/review/galibier-tourmalet-3-jacket-287947

The posts are made by a Jo Madden, apparently linked in some way to Exeter University. Can anyone prove that’s a real link, google was throwing up a Joanne/Joah Madden in the psychology department.

“Joah Madden is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology, working in the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour” from here: Dr Joah Madden

For a lager, I think the Estrella Galicia 0.0 is pretty decent if you can get it.

Which ultegra mech is it? I had an older 6800 one which didn’t work with my gravel tyres for same reason as yours. However the more recent ones have a different design which works fine Pro bike kit Ultegra r8000

neighbours builder can fit us in soon, or not for some months thereafter.

Now that’s a surprise. Agree with the others, see if you can chat through a quote breakdown and the felt/zinc matter

If it’s post mount frame and fork, I’ve got some ultegra calipers sat unused in the loft, send me a message if interested – based in Edinburgh

Driving down the wrong side of the road too no?

Another recommendation for Chez Jules. I’d put off going there for years for some unknown reason, but it’s fast becoming my favourite restaurant in Edinburgh. Good prices, really tasty food.

For sushi I’d definitely recommend Kanpai, v tasty and good central location.

For pizza (ok, doesn’t tick adventurous), 1926 is excellent and pretty reasonable.

Coffee, you’re spoilt for choice up here, so many good places to choose from.

Park just west of Goring and Streatley golf club on Rectory Road, you can then do a circular walk via the Bell at Aldworth and the Ridgeway. It’s not a Sunday lunch place, but really nice, good rolls and tasty beer

Snotrag – check on the Bird Cycleworks Owners Facebook page if you have it (https://www.facebook.com/groups/birdmtb), helpful lot on there. Can’t help you myself I’m afraid (other than to recommend the Aether 9a) – am 6ft on a size large and have a 200m dropper in there with a few mm still to spare under the collar, so definitely a short seat tube relative to reach. They’re excellent bikes.

Managed to twinge my back pumping up my tyres with a track pump before heading out for a ride. Never had any back issues before, it was agony.

All throughout that trailer I was just hoping for the inimitable “Mr Anderson” but alas. Still looks like it has potential though.

I went through the same dilemma, ended up going with the Bird and love it. Am 6ft with a large and running a 200mm dropper with a bit of room to spare.

The Locks Inn on the Waveney often as a BBQ going, at the far southwest of broadland I guess, live music, arrive by Big Dog Ferry. They have a good thing going.

This. Absolutely this. The Big Dog Ferry is such a great way to get there. Depending on when later in the year take your swimming stuff too if that’s your thing, some nice spots to go for a swim nearby. Followed by a cracking selection of ales

Yep – Tekp2’s recipe up there is almost exactly the same as the Pizza Pilgrims one and that works a treat. I too thought it was a fair amount of salt and not much yeast when I first made it but it tastes sensational.

I’ve had mine about a month. It’s awesome.

Pretty much the same weight as docrobster’s but a different spec:
Large frame
Shock – Rockshox Deluxe Ultimate
Forks – Rockshox Lyrik Ultimates currently at 150mm, may drop them to 140mm but enjoying them so far
Wheels – DT Swiss M1900
Tyres – 2.5 Minion DHF and 2.4 Dissector
Brakes – Deore 4 pots
Shifter – XT
Cranks and Rear mech – SLX
Cassette – Sunrace
Seatpost – Bird’s own 200mm dropper
Bar and Stem – Bird’s own – 800mm and 40mm respectively
Grips – Raceface
Pedals – Nukeproof plastic

It’s a fairly burly build, plenty of scope to reduce the weight (e.g. wheels, tyres) but I really like it for what I use it for. Climbs really well and descends amazingly.

My raw Aether 9 (with red headset and seatclamp) arrived a month or so ago, I think they really do look great, it’s absolutely awesome to ride too.

Stealth training?
As above, I think unless you unlink your wahoo from strava it’ll just auto upload. I’d suggest setting it so that it defaults to private when it uploads then you can change as and when you want.

Ha, well it was the hard way mainly as it was harder going than the road route back (https://www.strava.com/activities/5346272300) but the scenery was really nice and most of the trails were decent. There were just a couple of rather frustrating slow sections but given how wet it had been that probably was to have been expected. The road route in the link above was really nice if you’re looking for a bit of an easier second day.

Did an off-road route from West Linton to Kielder back in May following the Southern Upland Way, Borders Abbey Way and Great North Trail: Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/vB9B8C2Pcib

Was pretty nice, bit boggy and slow in places because of all the rain, it would be much quicker now with it having been so dry. Stayed overnight at the Pheasant Inn which I can highly recommend, then rode back up to Edinburgh the next day along the roads.