Doing considerably better than me. I gave up proper “Competitive” cycling aged 29. Several years later I still do the odd local 10 mile TT but otherwise I just ride for fun alone or in a group. I might enter a sportive next year. Unfortunately the endurance / audax / long distance cycling craze hasn’t hit me yet…or maybe that is fortunately. That does seem to be the way things are going with my mates who don’t do crits and road races anymore and they all seem to love it.

I love Threads, it’s terrifying. I do feel like there’s a space in the modern market for a similar type of film now, with a higher budget and more potential for effects – but the 80s style and grainy grimness really adds to the theme.

+1 for Atomic Hobo. Like Julie I am darkly obsessed with nuclear war, always have been since I was a kid seeing Fylingdales RAF station. It’s cool to have a regular podcast with loads of details about it for a total dweeb like me.

Thanks for the PSA – guess it will be a late night for me!

I slide mine down the eye, carefully in a mirror with clean hands, until it wrinkles a bit. Can then pinch and pull it out super easily.

The “normal” pinch & pull straight from the eye as recommended never works for me – always feels like I’m gonna pull my cornea off!

Weirdly I always struggle putting my left contact in, but never the right one. If I do it first or second it doesn’t matter, it always ends up stuck to my finger a few times, then I get a bit of fluff on it and it hurts like hell putting it back in, requiring a rinse and re-start. Right hand side one goes in straight away.

Sounds a little frightening, but glad to read it’s just a sensation more than something harmful.

Caffeine-free tea like Rooibos are pretty nice as are a few herbal teas, but they don’t really taste as nice as regular builders. I’ve not tried decaff “normal” tea before so no recommendations there! You could always have a couple normal teas before lunch and then change to decaf options afterwards to start with. Or get into nice hot chocolate.

I like to have some Teapigs tea with valerian in it before bed, which usually sees me through all night and reduces stress, however I am sure I have read that Valerian is not good in combination with certain cardio medicines – for example, if you do end up taking the beta blockers. Just something to keep an eye on in future if you go down that route.

@northwind – that’s never a good idea, embrace Gork & Mork and live forever!

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I’m actually still kinda doing Dry January! Apart from a couple nights on holiday I haven’t drank all year, whereas a few beers at the weekend was de-rigeur for me before. I still don’t consider myself teetotal for some reason though.

I am sure I am considerably healthier than this time last year, and I’ve lost maybe 11Kg or so over the course of the year. Didn’t change diet otherwise  so it’s kinda mad how many calories from alcohol I was taking in. Biggest positive for me is increased motivation (leading to better performance when exercising) and better better / more stable mood overall. I don’t miss the Saturday mornings where I would wake up and put off going out on the bike for like 4 hours from general lethargy.

I’m not gonna lie though, “nights out” are not really a thing anymore, and generally are kinda crap when I do go along. I end up just tired and wanting to go home after like 2 hours which is annoying. I do miss the fun side of having a few pints and talking pish with your mates, or having a beer or wine with a dinner out. I was on a stag do earlier this year and getting up at 8am feeling normal, whilst everyone else was stinking in bed until 10 was a weird experience and hard not to feel smug about. However they still certainly had more fun that I did.

I’m fairly certain I had covid about two weeks ago until early last week – heavy cold symptoms with some weird gastro-ish stuff on the side and not much taste / smell. Was feeling largely better by the end of the week so I went down to Glentress for an easy ride to get some fresh air.

I was absolutely gubbed in my 52t even up the fire roads – legs barely worked after 15 minutes, felt dizzy periodically, and I was covered in weird cold sweat p***ing out my helmet. Managed one bottom-to-top before pulling the pin and retreating to the car for a rest before driving home. I definitely felt worse afterwards and like I’d have been better off just on a walk or something. 14 days does seem too long for my sanity, but I’d probably wait 3-4 days more at least.

It’s all very subjective to the individual though.

The constant intermingling of facts related to Edwards’ mental health and sexuality in so many articles, alongside him having a lot of indecent underage imagery, is not something that sits comfortably with me.

I know it’s a defence argument but in my eyes it is totally irrelevant, and can subconsciously link these 3 things in certain people’s perception of who a “predator” is.

Two of these things are very very normal, one is completely abnormal and depraved.

@whatyadoinsucka – Don’t forget that Tan Walls also equals gravel. Bonus points for that goofy POC helmet with the military patches on it.

Patronising comment alert:

Check your arrows regularly if they are cheap as you mentioned / fibre glass. I learned this the hard way about 10 years ago, quite comical looks from all the medical students and plenty of witty retorts from my friends when I walked in the hospital with the back half of a splayed arrow embedded in my bow hand.

Luckily I managed to avoid major injury, but I still sliced the tendon sheath and had to have an operation and 6 weeks off work (manual job at the time) as it healed.

It didn’t really hurt too badly, but every time since then I’ve tried to get back into archery I can’t bring myself to loose the arrow in fear! Shame because I was really good in school and won a few competitions.

Here I come, swanning into the room like a banker in a pin-strip double-breasted suit with a cocky grin on my face:

I’ve somehow managed to avoid getting ill since about February and that was more a gastritis type thing.

But, there’s been a constant “bad cold” doing endless laps of my office. I genuinely don’t remember when we last had a week when everyone was in all week, and for a team of about 10 that’s pretty bad. It seems like illness and various pestilence is absolutely rife this year.

Trap Bar deadlifts. You don’t get the same hinging of the lower back and it’s more akin to a squat…but with tight form and proper bracing it will still strengthen the entire trunk. They’re a fantastic exercise for general strength. Strong legs mean a strong back and posterior chain generally.

The barbell version is a fantastic exercise and with my dumb guy farmer strength I’m pretty good at them in comparison to the other big compounds. But they are actually quite technical and the potential for injury is massive if something is wrong.

You could do slow, light, higher rep ones though – focusing on good form once your back feels up to it. Visualise cracking a walnut between your bum cheeks and shoulder blades and brace that core.

Snow on Ben Wyvis too just north of Dingwall.

Throwing my hat into the ring.

For Riding in Autumn to spring with a high chance of cold or wet I love my Etnies Culvert Mids. The sole isn’t the best for feel but you can start to get used to it and I never feel disconnected. Very good grip levels thanks to the Michelin sole but not crazy sticky that it’s a pain. Also nice and thick with some insulation in there too and I’ve never been cold in them. The forefoot strap makes it easy to adjust for comfort levels too, and they seem pretty bomproof.

Tempted to look into their less beefy shoes to wear for summer next year. I’m still wearing some Shimano GR3 or something for really dry which leave a lot to be desired.

@dyna-ti – I remember when this was first reported in the news. I was quite a young, anxious, and overimaginative teenager at the time and for some reason was already super scared of asteroids, tidal waves and the like.

When I saw this (on Newsround possibly?) I went into a borderline depressive episode for like 2 weeks thinking I only had 27 more years to live until they re-revised it and said it would almost definitely miss. I remember feeling a huge weight off my shoulders and feeling so happy haha.

Obviously I’ve long stopped worrying about cosmic impacts but it’s funny think if I hadn’t I would only have “five years to live” now!

The Waaaagh is forming

I love my gas hob. I wouldn’t change it – love the heat control and general “feel” of it when cooking. Plus, can toast/puff things like tortillas or char peppers over the open flame if you’re getting creative.

Never had an issue with leaving the gas on by accident or whatever because it is incredibly obvious to those with basic observation skills if a gas hob is left on.

Please bear in mind I am pretentious and have ideas way above my station.

I had a Trek Fuel EX8 Gen 5 up until earlier this year. Excellent bike…but I bought it in 2020 when I didn’t know much about MTBs and sizing so it felt a bit small for me which impacted it’s comfort.

I am 5’9 and went for a medium…I would have been better on an M/L size but it wasn’t miles off.

Regardless though it was a good climber and could get pretty gnarly if I wanted it to. Well thought out. Only complaint was the brakes supplied were MT400 levers, I think, which were terrible and swiftly upgraded to the XT to match the rest of the bike.

You might be able to find a non-boost TA rear-wheel and replace the end caps to QR ones. It can be a bit of a minefield though.

I would probably just look for a separate front and rear wheel. There are plenty old QR 26″ wheels out there for very low prices.

Real Turmat meals I’ve found are decent enough. They’re very pricey though – Norwegian company but you can get them easily enough in the UK.

Summit to Eat are also nice and a bit less pricey. They have a freeze dried veggie chilli which I really like, as well as a macaroni cheese (don’t put in as much water as they say in the latter (and remove the desiccant packet unlike I did)).

Tbh though if I am in a position where I am eating a freeze dried meal it’s usually in a state of hunger and everything tastes like the finest food possible…so pinch of salt etc.

@tthew

Lmao. I should have also added this:

Carefully unpacking and slotting together the modular sniper rifle after a sweaty climb to the top of the clocktower. The city lights are glowing, and people are milling around below enjoying their evening. Bliss.

I feel like this could be quite a good read for some people.

I am a stickler for being on time, and have spent an annoying amount of time doing an extra lap of the street or sitting in my car or something because I am too paranoid and get there early. Rather that the the opposite.

My OH, bless her, is shocking at time keeping. She is always late to things by 10 mins or so, and I have to remind her that sending a text to say so is good manners. Luckily her pals are just as useless at it and everyone arrives like 15 mins late. Drives me bonkers.

Easiest way as others have said is Thriepmuir – Green Cleugh and then down the tarmac road past the 2 reservoirs to Flotterstone. Easy on a gravel bike. Green Cleugh / The Howe is a bit rough in places but the rest you could do on a road bike.

The road climb up to the start of Green Cleugh from the Thriepmuir carpark (called Exponential on Strava) is short but quite painful!

There is a river crossing at the bottom of Green Cleugh that used to be shallow and really fun to smash through on a gravel bike, but after the last few years storms it has deepened quite a bit. Would get pretty wet if a rock stopped you and you had to put feet down. I usually get off and hop across the stepping stones these days just so my feet don’t get cold anyway.

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If you don’t mind, my favourite way to get between those two points is the following (need an MTB, and only enjoyable / responsible in the dry really):

Thriepmuir to Harlaw along the track next to the water
>From Harlaw, climb up the “Drainage ditches climb” towards the top of Maiden’s Cleugh (really nice climb, but only if it’s dry)
>From there, traverse left over the northern flank of Harbour hill.
> Follow the track to go up and over Capelaw, down to the big gravel road.
>Follow the road to Fala Knowe, and then drop down a faint path to the right towards the reservoirs. This is awesome fun in the dry.

This kicks you out on the road near Castlelaw Hill fort, and you’re basically at Flotterstone then.

I think it was Children of Men which I watched when I was in uni. I liked things like Lord of the Rings which are obviously epic spectacles but I liked them because of the story and battles etc.

Children of Men was the first one that made me appreciate the direction, cinematography etc even if I didn’t realise it at the time. That one long shot is breath-taking.

The evening after the last Friday at work before Christmas.

Waking up really early on a chilly Saturday morning, creeping downstairs and enjoying a coffee as the sun starts to rise.

Taking contacts out in the evening!

Skidding into a carpark, having just descended a high mountain on a sunny windless day with views for miles and miles with your mates.

Not really. I chuck it on if I see a stream of it but for some reason I prefer watching mass-start races like XC – holds my attention a bit better, and races like that seem more like races. Even that is a bit dull though, it’s usually one person flies off the front and stays away all race.

Love riding mountain bikes, prefer watching road bikes.

Also – I love that one of the first comments on here is just a wee bit away from calling not watching DH woke, with thinly veiled jabs as “centre left” people. That’s a new one.

I got made into a manager at my work and I can’t stand it. For some reason they didn’t seem to accept that because I am good at a certain creative/technical thing, that I will be good at getting others to do that whilst I instead edit their output. Whereas really I am terrible at managing others at work, and just want to be told what to do and get my head down.

Yeah – not for bike stuff but I did buy a pair of weightlifting shoes from them a few years ago and they seemed totally fine. Their shop in Newcastle is huge.

I miss the days when Waiting Room by Fugazi used to be on almost daily, think it was like 2016. Usually in the morning. Haven’t heard it in ages.

There’s a constant unspoken battle in my office over the sonos – I chuck on 6 because it is at least interesting, whereas one of my colleagues always wants Absolute Radio, which is hilariously bad. A few decent tracks on every now and again, but their “no repeat guarantee” doesn’t quite have the same effect if the next day is exactly the same. Not sure I can hear You Stole the Sun from my Heart many more times without combusting.

Re: question about locking bikes in Leith.

One of my friends (gormless) was cycling back from the gym a couple years ago, and popped into a cafe on the way back, just leaning his bike against the cafe, unlocked, at the Shore.

The idiot forgot about his bike and just walked the rest of the way home with his cake or whatever. Wasn’t until 2 days later it appeared on Facebook with a “does anyone own this bike? It’s been blocking the entrance the Cafe for two days!”.

So you never know with Leith bike thieves.

@drlex – thanks for the recommendation! My colleague was trying to punt one to me a few years ago, but for some reason I did not trust it. I might look into that option again, I had read some concerning stuff but I am sure they have gotten better and better. Is there a way to lock the bike on there? Say if I am nipping into the Green Welly Stop.

That’s a shame. In my purely roadie days they were my favourite brand – very high quality stuff for the price with some cool designs, and I ended up with quite a few jerseys from them that have lasted 6 or 7 years now.

I also bought some of their Overland “gravel” gear that was great as well. They did these “baggy” shorts which weren’t really baggy at all, but with all the correct pockets and mad amounts of stretch…as well as a cool tech hoody thing with a rad 80s design on the back. And technical lumberjack shirts!

But I noticed a few years ago the quality started to really deteriorate, even the printing was done with shit blurry sublimation and the zips were crap, and the fit changed to that ultra slim asian fit too. Was like AliExpress knock offs of Morvelo gear. And now it looks like Overland isn’t even making clothes anymore.

It’s the best “traybake” style treat and I generally get it anywhere I see if if I want something sweet. Very hit & miss though; some make me reach enlightenment, some make me sad.

@intheborders – if the weather is really nice that will also be half the city’s plan and you’ll never get out the queue for a coffee! The queue for the pizza place or the coffee stall is like 30 people deep on nice days.

As a Leith resident I would probably avoid the Royal Yacht – it is kinda interesting but not really worth the money and is accessed through Ocean Terminal which is the haunted site of a dying shopping centre. It’s a bit desolate round there.

Rocksalt is nice as mentioned, as is Nobles, both on the same street.

The Roseleaf Cafe Bar is nice as well, and do good food if you’re looking. Great fancy Scotch eggs.

William & Johnson inside the little mini arcade thing at Customs House is very nice for coffee albeit quite insufferably hipster (like me). You can sit on the side of the canal basin and drink it if the weather is nice.

Just walking around the Shore area is really nice tbh. It will be a very different feel to the rest of the town as the festival hasn’t yet reached down here but still very nice. If you fancy a drink if you are that way inclined, there are loads of great pubs too; Teuchters Landing for example which has nice outdoors seating over a bridge.

You can get the tram down from the centre of town to the Shore – just make sure you buy your ticket before you get on from the machine at the platform – it is £2 and contactless, but *can’t buy one on board* and they will fine you £10 if they catch you. Otherwise you could just walk down Leith Walk for 30 minutes and you’ll be there.

Some people are just colder than others – my wife and her family are like this. It drives me silently nuts when we are in an ostensibly warm restaurant or something, and her parents are sitting there in bodywarmers trying to decide if they can feel a chill or not. Similarly my wife will wear bed socks on a 21 degree summer night and complain if the window is open that it’s chilly. But I guess that’s just their biology.

People do have issues with dressing for weather though. I see on my city’s Reddit page all the time people asking “What should I bring for rain I am visiting from Hull” or similar. It’s not that hard to figure out is it?

You are all missing the best way to consume Bovril, Marmite or Vegemite. A spoon of it on the side of the plate when you are having macaroni cheese, or mixed in with buttery, peppery spaghetti.

I tried on a mate’s MT500 jacket in size large and really liked it, felt baggy enough to layer under etc and was comfy. Few months go by and I buy one of my own for it to be really slim cut. I’d not been doing much exercise for various reasons so had gained a couple kilos, but I seriously thought I had ballooned compared to the last time, was mortified. It still fit but not as nicely for an ostensibly “baggy fit” rain jacket as per the reviews.

Only when I tried my mates on again I realised there was pretty much a whole size worth of difference between 2 jackets both marked L.

I’ve also got a pair of Hummvee trousers that are M and fit beautifully round the waist, but the upper thigh part is so stiff that I can’t even pedal effectively, or even step up a big rock without the crotch feeling the strain. They are more or less house trousers now, can’t even cycle to work in them. I also have a pair of Singletrack shorts in size Large that are a struggle to fasten round the waist.

For roadie stuff I have a Pro SL primaloft jersey in medium that fits nicely without much effort…Pro SL gilet in large that I can barely zip up!

It’s maddening!

@cookeaa – I think that’s not an uncommon feeling!

I think for me I can’t enjoy one without the other. There’s something very nice about dark stormy winter days sometimes, even if I am outside in it. Feels a bit more “elemental” and rewarding or some such woo-woo p**h. Just as there is something amazing about spending an evening in the golden light descending a massive line of singletrack on a purple heather ridge.

It’s very if you’ve ruled out more easily tangible symptoms. Sometimes you also don’t realise how stressed or anxious you are.

I get some real wacky stuff during periods of high stress and anxiety that are very similar. And it makes total sense…brain is overloaded and it stops sending signals properly. I get bad acid reflux, as well as periods of central/transitional sleep apnea where it feels like I’m forgetting to breathe when I fall asleep. That’s alongside fatigue, chest feelings etc. I have never had anything show up on blood tests, ECG, EKG, whatever. It comes and goes and there is a correlation with how I am feeling mentally that day or week.

@ayjaydoubleyou – Yeah I had a bit of an experience in that freezing cold December period we had where my dropper post stopped working because of frozen moisture in the cable outer. I’d say about freezing for anything active like biking is probably my limit, below that I start to get snotty and my legs just feel heavy and crap. Also it’s dangerous!

But – when not biking I do like it much colder when appropriate. It’s cool to look out the window and see everything covered in frost…like a street of ghost cars.