“And what has it cost Singletrack to put themselves firmly on the side of the Angels?”
At least £20, as I’ve just cancelled my subscription.

My mother was referred to INSURE CANCER by her Macmillan nurse, although she eventually used WORLD FIRST

As an alternative to Samaritans, perhaps you could contact Papyrus
They specialise in preventing suicide in young people.

I’d be too worried about it getting stolen . . .  especially if I was riding it at the time.

I turned my ankle a couple of months ago, just walking along the edge of a tarmac road (the grassy verge had hidden holes).  It swelled immediately but the bruising didn’t appear for a week, when my toes turned black.

Stupidly – in retrospect – I took my companions on a ride the following day. This seemed sensible at the time, as we were on holiday in the Lake District, and riding was MUCH easier than walking.  But that’s maybe why it’s still quite swollen and achey even now.

The worst bit was damaging my expensive Paramo jacket when I tried to stand up, and fainted onto a barbed wire fence!

There are a couple of different routes to the south of Walna Scar, in the Vertebrate book and also the Tom Hutton book. Both called Blawith something, I think. If no-one comes up with a better suggestion, I can send you the gpx files.

Any improvement, @Philby ?

Many thanks for these replies; interesting to hear real-life experience.

Another eye condition I’ve developed recently is PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment), which causes strange floaters. Possibly a result of falling on my head near Hodge Close, and cracking my helmet . . . or possibly just a result of growing old . . .

[ Edit: as just explained by IdleJohn ]

I agree to get it checked out, but it sounds more like migraine to me.
“. . . when I look at anything this cloud like shape floats across my eye” is exactly how my migraines started, several decades ago.

Mine started on the first day of a new job too, so maybe also stress-related in your case?

Aww, that brought back some lovely memories, albeit in a different sport.
Hang on to that Tow-Whee, it’ll be useful again in a couple of decades . . . ;-)

Isle of Man, for an old-fashioned family holiday.
Go as foot passengers on the ferry from Heysham, and stay in Douglas. Buy a Travel Pass to explore the island on the buses, steam train, electric train and – best of all –  horse-drawn trams. Fabulous beaches, interesting museums and castles, lovely countryside. Perfect!

Supportive comments (reported in the Craven Herald) from Mary Towneley’s daughter Cosima.

We had a lovely pootle around Yearsley Woods yesterday, and enjoyed watching riders come down the more challenging descents. And even got to say hi to Expatscot. (What a lovely place to live!)

Thanks everyone, for the other suggestions, which we’ll explore later in the year.

A drysuit, ready for your next capsize?

Urrggh . . . this thread keeps reminding me of a revolting story I read recently.
I’m not going to share a DM link, but just google “Claire Goodier” if you want to know more.

Lands End are good quality, but rather expensive. Luckily they frequently offer large discounts.
For example this Henley t-shirt (3 button) is now only £9.60

Tuna Pasta Bake? Isn’t that what Helen made for Rob, just before she stabbed him?

Many thanks for all the advice – Singletrackworld at it’s best!
I shall pick Expatscot’s brains, since he actually lives in Gilling East.
And maybe save the longer routes until drier weather.

Thanks for this. They’ll be moving to Thirsk once their new house is completed, so plenty of opportunities to ride on the NYM (and Dales) in the future. I was hoping to find something from their temporary home in Gilling East, but maybe walking would be a better option.

There was a interesting article in IM Bike Mag a few years ago about the three different approaches to women’s bikes:

Frame designed from scratch, shorter top-tube, etc (eg Liv)
Standard frame, WSD contact points (eg Juliana, Specialized, Trek)
Unisex bikes in smaller sizes (eg Pivot)

I don’t know if the details are still relevant, but I guess the general principles still apply.

Screws and nails? Reminds me of a story a friend tells about his granddaughter . . .

After attending church one Easter Sunday, the little girl (then aged about 5) asked “Daddy, Daddy, why did they nail Jesus to the cross?”.

Her dad tried to explain in an age-appropriate way, but she interrupted: “No Daddy, I mean why didn’t they use screws?”.

” . . . but it genuinely left me reeling in a ‘how could anyone actually think that about me’ kind of way.”
Yes, I experienced that too, one reason why I rarely post these days.

I’ve PM’d you with details of a lovely house we stayed at a couple of years ago, close to some excellent MTB trails (and a pub). There’s only one week left in June/July, so best to keep it secret!

Total Adventure in Windermere appear to have a Scott Spark in Small

The OP is asking about natural fibres – but other people might be interested in the Odyssey Hoodie    Lots of zipped pockets, and mud coloured too!

I think the hoodie is a new product, and I’ve not actually seen one, but their jerseys are definitely excellent quality. I’m looking forward to their new women’s range.

Lots of holiday cotttages on The Parrog.  For example Camelot

We’ve enjoyed lots of family holidays in Newport, over many years.

Be prepared for nearly every walker to comment: “Ooh those are big tyres!” and want you to stop for a chat.

“Just about knowing that someone is there within my sight or me in theirs, neither in the other’s way.”

Yes, I get this. I ride bridleways, and slightly resent having to share the countryside with anyone else. Luckily I can go out during the week, when others are at work, so it’s pretty quiet.

I tend to ride better, as I can concentrate properly . . . although I keep the speed down to minimise any damage when I fall off.

Have a look at https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/volunteer
The https://doit.life/volunteer website might have something useful.

” . . .  who talks endlessly about innane crap, as elder ladies are want to do.”
Quick, sign her up to STW – she’ll fit in well here!

How will you be able to take your grandkids on bike rides, if you don’t get it sorted?

I’m the exact opposite of CGG, neutral frame colour (ideally grey/silver, or maybe black/white) but everything else bright.

Another vote for the Mary Towneley Loop. We did it exactly as IHN described, although he probably rode it clockwise. It suited us better in the other direction.

I’ve got an IKEA chopping board.

18/20 here – and I’ve never knowingly listened to death metal.

Me too!

I’m sorry you’ve been through all this, fevouredimage – and I hope you are feeling okay?

My mum died of cancer twelve months ago, and I dealt with everything myself (Inheritance Tax, Probate, house clearance and sale).  After hearing all the stories of how long it took, I was surprised to find the exact opposite.  HMRC took less than two weeks, and then probate took 17 days from receipt of the form!

So I hope it also goes smoothly in your case.

Sorry, but I think they are really horrible.  More like something from a biology dissection, or a No Smoking advert.  Maybe a green leaf would improve them?