We have a working cocker spaniel who has had three eye issues. On each occasion we’ve been referred to the Eye Vet Clinic at Leominster. In part to confirm the vets diagnosis and also they have better scanning equipment. Its not cheap, but we got it back on insurance minus the excess. the last occasion the clinic diagnosed an infection behind the eye and antibiotics cleared it up without any invasive operation. With animals, a second opinion is probably wise if its serious…….hope that is useful

Not sure it matters….after doing lots of local rides you will want to access other areas by car. I live in mid wales and normally avoid trail centres, but go home-made xc and its very good and there is a lot of it.  People very friendly. …unashamed plug…we have a shepherds hut we hire out if you want to try the Knighton area..good luck

Personally the only thing that explains Pogis performance is genetics. In Michael Hutchinsons book he says that there are 20 (approx) genes that are linked to superior athletic ability and the highest (so far) detected in one human is 11. Pogi must have more.

We’ve had a Weibang for almost a year. Kawasaki engine, long warranty. So far very good experience interms of starting, cutting and petrol economy.

We go to Ty Morgan’s, a cafe by the weird monument roundabout thing. Good coffee and breakfasts and cakes.

Just an observation…with mapping apps sharing routes there is less mystique around great xc routes. If i can ride the route for free anytime, then why would i pay £45 to ride at an event with congested parking, waiting to be told when to start and a medal/t shirt i don’t want?
A half decent band, and more a festival vibe would help add value….

Tried 4g aerial and router before getting starlink. Had to get dish installed high on roof cos of trees. Very good speeds. No other choice in mid wales…

thanks for the tip, super interesting podcast. Key surprise for me was that neither the brands nor wholesalers had first-party data so everyone was blind to the downturn.

@goldfish24.  Thanks bud, that worked.

Elan valley? Lots of amazing xc routes in mid wales!

We did it last September. You can use a gravel bike but i took a hardtail and thought it was the right choice. The published route is fine apart from on the last day across the moorland.  Last climb before Conwy is a brute!

Rural welsh dweller here…what is so difficult? The default in built up areas is 20. If another limit applies there will be signs. Many of these 20 zones already existed outside schools before the recent law.

Absolutely love mine and have ridden it extensively all year round for 3 years mainly on hilly club rides…some very hilly and very long. There is a weight penalty but my best guess is that with light hunt wheels and sram red/force I am giving away 1 to 1.5kg to my mates on carbon giant and treks. But it is actually very good at climbing and it doesn’t ever feel like a heavy bike, far from it. Handles like a dream and rides very very well….enjoy!

I was advised to avoid the cheaper machines, and go to R-Tech for a car restoration project. I am very glad I spent the extra. I am a beginner but one thing i do know is that you need an accurate and consistent machine to get good welds and to improve, especially on thin metal. You do not want to to fighting a poor tool.

I’ve got an sgs engine crane. I’m pretty sure it would not lift a roof tent high enough to put it on top of a car. At its furthest extension i think it will only lift 150kg. There must be an better solution.

thanks bud didnt see that

The definition is helpful. You know what you are in for and better know the route! The converse is also helpful, my club run ‘no drop’ rides which means no-one gets left behind, no matter how slow, and any mechanicals means several people will pitch in and help(sometimes all at the same time:)). This builds confidence and enjoyment in newer riders, and everyone gets accompanied safely home.

I have the Halfords advance kit and TBH I wouldn’t recommend it. Drawers already sticky and just doesn’t feel quality. I wish I had bought the Costco professional one….

Fairlight Strael

If it was me i’d take photos before they collect car, then you have evidence in case of further dispute. Bearing in mind this is a major safety issue i would also think about reporting them to their head office and maybe trading standards.

If you do DIY, don’t cross thread the sump plug and use the correct torque setting when tightening :)

Thanks all, really helpful, i’ll visit a few of those! 

2 months ago i bought the Evoc 3L pro. The waist strap stitching broke on the 3rd ride. Got a refund from Wiggle (phew!) and bought the Osprey. first ride with that tomorrow…..

Very interesting discussion and great we have Neil in the thread. What I am curious about is whether at the heart of the business there is a fundamentally  profitable model. What is the gross margin? Outside of costs like web redesign and on-going leveraged debt payments does the day to day trading make a viable profit or is their pricing model so flawed (trying to achieve market share) they would never have been profit positive?

Yes, raspberry pi+DAC+volumio

Rural Wales dweller  here. I support the move to 20 and not heard much local grumbling about the actual principle but more to do with the implementation and signage. I think the communication of the ‘why’ has been poor and should be improved. On a parochial note the big accidents here are usually involving motorcycles and dangerous overtaking. The problem is that performance car and sports motorcyclists often see wales as some sort of playground, and imitation racetrack.

I had 2 sets of 32 Hutchinson Sector and was very pleased with them, now they are hard to find. Just moved onto Schwalbe Pro One in 32 and these are an improvement in terms of confidence inspiring grip and speed, not too sure how they will wear but for now very happy. The Schwalbes were a doddle to mount tubeless which is always a bonus….

Love my roam. I upload a gpx file for off road and turn off re routing. It beeps if you go off course. Then zoom out on the map and just head back to the course. If things go really wrong i open the OS map app on my phone. Its perfect for me, and i really like the new climb function which tells you how far the hill summit is….

I can highly recommend a weekend trip to Belgium to see a CX race. They are very popular with the locals and the course can sometimes go thru a bar! I was blown away with the sheer speed and fluidity of the top riders…Beers good too…..;)

Its a DIY job and very easy. In addition to the advice above you will need to buy a plastic oil drain tray and a couple of empty oil containers. Also good to have a towel just in case. Recycle the oil at a local tip.

R-Tech is what you need.

What about the Fairlight Holt?? I’ve got the Fairlight Strael which I love and the new Holt hardtail looks good spec, just trying to warm to the colour choices. If anyone has one would be v interested in their opinion.

Raced a Caterham for 6 years. It is a tried and tested product and holds it value. In racing I’ve seen many big accidents and they are remarkably strong. I wouldn’t trust any other 7 replica to do the same.

I got back what I paid for mine. Other 7 type replicas are built to a lower cost and are heavier and do not hold value. My view would be take a loan and buy one. Enjoy and then sell on.

BTW I don’t know why anyone would buy one and not do track days etc. IMHO its a pointless format for the road, they are just too quick/uncomfortable to enjoy safely and at legal speed limits.

if we’re talking old school metal, you missed out……..motorhead…..but only with Eddie on guitar :)

Yep, did this one a while back. Gravel bike will be fine as there is quite a lot of the route is on gravel cycle trails like monsal. Because it uses those trails its also flatter than you would expect of a peaks ride. The section out of Bakewell was the hardest from memory but overall s good route.

A bike is so much more than frame material. Wheels make a huge difference, as does fit and saddle. Groupsets also. Its the sum of the parts that gives the performance. I’ve got a Strael, with hunt aero wheels and sram force axs, i ve had a few bikes in my time but this one seems to do everything well and i wouldnt swop it for any bling bike. So much so that ive sold all my other road bikes.

@thekingisdead….thanks a lot, that article is very good, will study it….

My career has largely been in the supplements industry. I am recently retired now and suffice to say the only thing I take is an (high quality) Omega 3 supplement with added vitamin d. Why? because they have the most clinical studies proving benefits.

Boiling point is really very good. One of the best films ive seen on netflix. Intense and rivetting….