Either the bit of wood and a mallet option or homemade, threaded rod, washers and wood press. Both cheap and effective.

I’ve actually eaten a reindeer and goats cheese pizza. It was delicious.

I slice of lime in a seafood pizza was unexpectedly good.

Pure Mountains have been awesome both times I’ve been there.

You can see see Santa for free (or at least you could when I went about 10 years ago out of curiousity when my girlfriend was on a placement in Rovaniemi). They charge through the roof for the pictures though.

The Bizet score was absurd. It looked like a flawless run to me. Enjoyed Tom Van Sternberg, Kurt Sorge the most out of the rest.

The Dark Horse – probably not
The George and Dragon – I’d play them off against one another but still get killed by George.
The Fire Engine – nee nah
The Whitehall Tavern – bunch of civil servants, it’s possible.

Another vote for Audition. It’s a slow burner but boy does it deliver at the end.

The original Dawn of the Dead and Texas Chainsaw Massacre also.

Good find.

Dream chance to ride in Squamish, BC. Hired a Specialized Enduro in the town, rode all the way up to the start of the first trail, got about 500m down and the back wheel washed out on a tight berm and the handlebar went into my knee cap shattering it into an uncountable number of pieces. Two nights in Squamish hospital and find out that my insurance refused to cover the costs. A very humble phone call to my folks to book a first class flight home, followed by two lots of surgery, four nights in hospital, four months off work, six months off the bike.

On the plus she, the medical services in both Canada and the UK were incredible and I’m back almost as good as new.

Compton
Stanton
Burnett
Newton

Small villages in the surrounding area.

Tough one. Got to be a toss up between Belize, Kyrgyzstan and North Korea.

Balls, I was umming and ahing over buying some forks from them.

Always had a soft spot for Cwmcarn. It’s a nice blend of tough, interesting climbing and fun, swooping descending.

Michael Barrymore.

He’s got a new sitcom apparently.

How many members of the Smiths does it take to change a lightbulb?

None, there is a light that never goes out.

I’m not entirely sure anyone knows what Labour’s brexit policy is. Or the Tories for that matter.

3rd for the Levada walks. Madiera is awesome. It’s a pretty mature crowd for the most part, which means it’s pretty mellow. I was there in January last year and the weather was as you mentioned but take a waterproof and something a bit warmer if you’re heading up into the mountains as the weather is pretty changeable.

^ walk on home boy

If we’re going prog then:
Build us a Rocket – Oceansize

8. To Our Friends in the Great White North – Botch

1. Know your enemy Rage Against The Machine
2. Walk – Pantera
3. New Noise – Refused

Edit.

Having recently purchased the longest and slackest, though not the lowest, bike I’ve ever owned I certainly wouldn’t trade back again for any of the bikes I’ve owned. Even though it’s a 29er hardtail with 120mm of travel and relatively conservative geometry by some standards, I know that I’m the limiting factor, not the bike. A better rider could hit most things short of Rampage stuff on it. Modern geometry is significantly more confidence inspiring than the old, steep angled, arse in the air, nose over the front axle stuff I grew up riding.

All Saint Mel Blatter and Argentinian footballer Hernan Crespo.

Just bought a half priced Ambush (Rutland Cycles) and I’m very impressed. Extremely light, great fit, good coverage and well vented. The only niggles are that there isn’t a vent down the middle, which means that if I mount my light (exposure Joystick) it will have to be one side.

Next slim fit stretch chinos for me as well. Good fit and sensibly priced.

Kyrgyzstan. Almost entirely mountainous and visa free for 60 days.

Madeira for all year decent weather and big mountains or Sierra Nevada for big mountains, cheapness and good summer weather. I’d settle for most places that fit two out of three of those criteria.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186266-d10139306-Reviews-Taunton_House_B_B-Swanage_Isle_of_Purbeck_Dorset_England.html

Really nice B&B and I reckon they’d let you bring a few bikes in if you ask nicely.

Santa Cruz Chameleon is worth a look.

On new bike
At pump track
Berm railing fun

Picked up a pair of DT Swiss Spline wheels for about £230. They come with tubeless tape and valves as well, which is nice. Initial impressions are good.

Just had the first ride of mine (29er, 1×10 and 120mm fork) and it’s pretty marvelous. All the perks of a 29er but handles like a smaller wheel. Really fun and playful.

Kill it, kill it with fire. 8O

The kids with the water pistols were one of the few opportunities to clean your eyes!

Ended up shouting ‘wide line’, ‘stay wide’ and ‘pedal pedal pedal’ an awful lot.

Thanks for the advice. By the time I came across you sitting there I was a broken wreck so didn’t get to say cheers beyond a muted grunt.

For a first time 24hr race it was, ahem, interesting. The 3.30am shift was pretty grim bit certainly an experience. My wheels locked up with the sheer amount of mud clinging to my bike! Mostly due to the efforts of my team mates we secured 2nd in Men’s Vets team and 4th overall. Pretty chuffed with that.

The track was still perfectly rideable yesterday, if a little on the damp side. It’s a pretty fun course up the top in the single track.

If you’re pushed for time then you can look at the assignments for each section, focus on the relevant reading and skim read some of the other bits. I managed perfectly fine on about 8hr a week study (combined social sciences/politics). The assignments can take a far amount of time, particularly if you’re really interested and get a bit carried away with researching the topic. You’ll quickly learn the value of a good essay plan.

Trying to bunny hop on flip flops, slipped the pedal and put DMR pedal pin shaped holes in my shin.

Learn to trackstand properly (although I honk it always looks silly)

Not as silly as failing to get clipped in in the middle of a busy junction

Think of this as a great opportunity to learn how to track stand.