I got a Specialized Allez Elite about a month ago, as in insurance replacement for my old, loved, stolen Kinesis tourer. They’re about £1000 new, mostly Shimano 105 bits, carbon forks and seatstays. I’m amazed how comfy it is for long rides, feels loads easier than the bike it replaced. Fast, too. Certainly faster than I can make it go. The cheaper one (£750?) (Sport?) also looks good, and can take rack and guards I think.

2009 Allez have been getting kind-of-OK-but-not-thrilling reviews, so they might be cheap if you negotiate?

Above advice re. what to take is all good. I’m certainly not a proper roadie, but I got some road shoes (cheapest Shimano) and pedals (Look Keo Classic) and they’re awesome compared to the SPDs I had on the old tourer, feel loads more stable and comfier for long rides due to stiffness, I guess.

Lycra makes me faster, simply through embarrassment.

Dalby’s red route is in perfect fast summer condition at the moment. Unlike me. I agree it’s not particularly technical, but plenty of good fun and very pretty in the forest at this time of year. Why not make a weekend of it and have a day in the NY Moors? Loads of excellent riding and some even better pubs (Rosedale and The Lion at Blakey Rigg immediately spring to mind).

I agree – hard to find anything without those rubbish plasticky valves that leak and break and (when you really don’t want them to) freeze. Last year Lakeland did a 0.5 litre for £9ish, and Wynnster (from proper old fashioned outdoor shops) do a good 0.3l for £5ish. Both worked fine for me, no leaks and robust. Haven’t found a Chris King Of Flasks….