Hi – thanks for the replies – really useful.

@Chipps – googled Girona and saw quite a lot of road stuff going on there. Would you be able to recommend any specific bike hire companies I could use?

@ads678 – I’ll contact them too and see how it goes.

Like it or loathe it the current protest strategy of XR or Insulate Britain is effective. In the past couple of years it’s got everyone taking about the climate crisis in staff rooms, chat forums, national and international news and Westminster etc . This has had the effect of pushing the response to the climate crisis in a postive direction – further than it has in years.

This style of protest won’t be disappearing anytime soon because its working. In fact, I think we’ll see more of it in the not too distant future.

My belief is that you are looking externally for your happiness, but, happiness primarily
comes from within.

Daosim is a good place to start if you want to find inner peace and happiness.

Small print: Daosim plays a big part in my life :-)

Great advice thanks.

Maybe I’ll a look at decent steel forks for a bit.

Unless anyone wants to try to sell me an Audax bike with disc brake fittings?

Hi @ Shackleton. That a good idea. I’ll take a picture in daylight tomorrow. Thanks.

Edit: Already answered my own question! I’ll just buy a new stem.

Mods – please delete.

A good starting point is ‘The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition’ by Anita Bean.

I read it a few years back but when I now read more recent articles on nutrition the Anita Bean book doesn’t seem particularly outdated. Helped me get to grips with what, when and how much I should be eating to maximise my performance (before, during and after exercise). Made a positive difference for me.

Ah, cheers @Northwind.

One last question. Is the locking I’ve been using for the 6 bolt adaptet the same I’ll use for the centrelock?

Hi,

Since lockdown I’ve dug out my twelve year old slackline and been using it out front of the house.

Things have changed since I used to do it – 2inch wide seems the norm now (mine is 1 inch) but all the major brands have a relatively similar ratchet. My ratchet is the same as what is being sold now.

Gibbon seems the well known name but plenty others to choose that’ll do the same job and a bit less price. Just need to check it’s safety rated.

Gap I’m using is probably only 8 – 10 metres but plenty long enough for fun for me and the kids. Slackines aren’t that expensive so (to me) 15m is an ok length to start and if you outgrow you just buy a longer webbing and use the same ratchet as before. But yes, you just use the webbing you need and leave the rest trailing out the bottom of the ratchet so you can have 25 metres of webbing and only create say an 8m line if you wished.

Couple of weeks ago I brought two Gibbon XL tree protectors for under £20. Could use carpet or towels round the tree but I wanted a neater setup so I don’t give reason for the neighbours to moan at me (they always moan!!)

Two unopened boxes in the garage – a DFF and a tin of Putoline.

Guess what this weekends job is?

For me, rollers have improved my pedalling technique and balance (funny that).

I cannot create the same power output on them (I have basic rollers) so switch between rollers and a turbo.

Been wanting to convert to wax for a while – so now’s a good time.

Couple of questions please. Do I genuinely need to strip and clean the cassette of all dirt and oils as it says in the info guides before I put my first wax chain on?

Can I use a slow cooker instead of hotplate or fryer?

Any other tips for a starter newbie would be appreciated (I’m happy for you to tell me to scan this thread instead of being a lazy arse!! 😁)

Japanese whetstone (mines got two different grits on it – maybe that’s the norm?) and watching a couple of YouTube videos for me. Found it easier than I thought to learn to sharpen my knives that way.

Slacklining.

Haven’t done it in years. Dug my kit out and a few evenings a week, when it’s dry and quiet out front, I’m rigging it between the tress and the kids and me are doing it. My youngest (6) is just having a giggle but my daughter (8) really wants to learn to walk it solo. It’s lovely to have the shared learning experience with them because I’m having to relearn it too.

Thank you STW – I knew you’d come up trump’s.

@Winston – you’ve solved it. Seems obvious now. I rang a local bakery and they’re gonna sell me some bread flour on Monday when their delivery comes in.

I’m a happy chappy!!

We’ve made our own bread for years and never thought to stock up – now trying to find some bread flour and finding nowt about.

The main supermarkets haven’t had any in stock last few weeks when we’ve been in them and I’ve been unable to get delivery slot when looking now – haven’t played the game of waiting until midnight for new slots to become available yet.

Past nine months been 99% plant based. Mixture of reasons – environmental, a part of the wider plan to reduce my cholesterol (don’t want meds) and seeing if improves overall fitness.

I now feel fitter, stronger and healthier. Cholesterol down to high end of normal range too. For me, I’ve found I’ve had a far more balanced, nutrient dense diet now I’m plant based. I’m making the effort to eat different grains and pulses every week.

Gonna be sticking to it for good.

I’ve been tempted on waxing for a while now, for environmental reasons. Want to reduce use of chemicals I use when cleaning the chainset. This thread is inspiring me again to make the change.

Question though. Those waxing – what do you need to do to maintain it in between rewaxes?

Thanks…

Firestone rubber on roof gives 25 year guarantee. Just need a decent roofer to fit i.e guarantee is for the materials amd not the roofers work.

Many years ago, there was a vending machine selling a variety of worms/bait outside a newsagent in Finsbury Park. Always felt that was a bit random.

Problem with your Telegraph link is they are a Tory supporting paper being critical of opposition in a world where the media spin stories for their own gains.

It probably is true but highly likely not the way Telegraph writes its.

We choose to believe the narratives that fit our values and ideologies.

Even the Tories are now saying it’s ok to create misinformation – all part of the game.

Or is that just my narrative bias because I dislike the Tories?

I just used the Google maps share location setting. Seemed to work fine. Just have to remember to turn it off when back – don’t want Google tracking me unnecessarily!!

Thanks all – some great suggestions that I’ll go through. Never knew this stuff existed.

We bought a John Lewis heat pump one. Reasonably expensive but supposedly best energy efficiency.

What is good is that it doesn’t ‘cook’ clothes so most stuff can now be tumbled dried with no fear of damaging.

@whitestone..you mentioned the Oregon in a thread of mine recently.

Do you have it mounted to your handlebars?

I guess falafels are not general enough for the minigeneralists..😎

Haha..I’ve ordered some Pearl Izumi Pro pursuit bib tights from SportsPursuit.

The Pearl Izumi ones seemed the right mix of warmth and quality at a reasonable discount on Sports Pursuit too.

Thanks for this. Sounds like 520 plus might not be for me.

What’s most similar to an 800 then?

I keep reading that the 810, 820 etc are rubbish or is that user led problems and actually the 820/830 is ok? Same for 1000. Prices of new 1030 are too much for me.

I want something that can give reliable navigation (not turn by turn), HR monitoring and usual speed, cadence and altitude info and the potential to use whatever map I want depending on location needs.

Or am I looking for moon on a stick/being a doofus and it’s one I’ve overlooked (reading Whitestones comment maybe 520plus could work for me?)

Aaagaagggggg….

Hi all,

Thanks for all the replies.

Really useful – I think I know which ones I’ll get now.

Ta

Maddie definitely – I feel a little better knowing it’s not just me that thinks this. 😁

Did you hear about the truckie who picked up a hitchhiking witch?

She touched his knee and he turned into a layby.

Everyone knows that the user experience is different with the new classified.

Regards the ‘better’ stats – everyone can find a statistic to confirm their preferences so that’s what will happen. I’d guess the new system is making the business more money e.g. boosted ad prices, advertising etc.

`bump 😃

Thanks @boblo, just emailed them.

bump 😀

I took the opportunity to be full time carer for two years when my kids were very young. So glad I did it and have memories and experiences that will last for ever. Having shared experiences with my other half of the early years childcare is pretty good too.

I chose to complete my MA at the same time as a way to make sure I didn’t feel I was putting myself at a disadvantage on the work scene.

My Dad died last weekend and I was fortunate to be able to be there to say goodbye and support my mum.

I reckon one reason I feel ‘relatively’ ok right now is that I was there for him at the end and I now have no regrets.

If I had missed that weekend for whatever reason, I know it would play on my mind for many years to come.

I find it really sad some of the views people have about our fellow citizens who are having a hard time in life.

Thanks for the replies.

@TurnerGuy – I’ve done that many a time on the turbo but the idea of doing that on the rollers (at this moment in time) brings me out in a sweat!!