Dry suit ankle seals
I've got some of these, cut down a bit – fit nicely over the top of Northwave Celcius boots. However, large is still quite tight. Use them alot for wet morning commutes (about 45mins) where the thought of having to put wet socks/boots on at 5pm is pretty grim. Out for longer rides, I don't generally wear them as it can feel like they are slowly cutting my feet off – as mentioned above.

Used the OE fit post for about a year and then fitted a 400 Thomson post. The bike took a while to settle down; couple of snapped linkage bolts, bolts constantly coming undone in the first year. But, this year it has been great and very reliable – until this. Bit miffed. I've been in touch with Saddleback, so we shall see what they come back with.

I've a pair in a 46; Specialised BG Sport in 45, Sidi in Mega (wide) 45 and normal shoes 44. With thin socks they are roomy and a 45 would be OK for me – but with a pair of woolie boolie socks the 46 is a great fit (and hot feet).

Vapextech

I got the LCD World Charger (scroll down 3rd item up on page), remember it being quite highly spoken of in connection with keeping 'that Tesco' torch going. Use it regularly for my commuter lights (a Tesco torch). Individual AA or AAA charging or combination of whatever. Been working well for me.

My Dad's a sheep farmer – he'd never take a shot at a dog worrying his sheep. He's such a rubbish shot, one blast with a 12 bore would do more damage to his flock than a dog would! I remember going into Mole Valley Farmers and him asking for cartridges that make the biggest 'bang', just so he could scare, in this instance, Rooks that were flattening the wheat crop.
I did stop a pair of dogs attacking some sheep in the summer. Stopped at the next farm and told the farmer. Apparently the dogs belonged to the neighbour and had attacked previously. The farmer had warned the neighbour, followed by a caution from the police for the 2nd event. Sounded like my 3rd report was going to be the end of the dogs.

Back towards the electronic side of 'indie'

Been annoying the kids with Dubnobassinmyheadman recently in the car

Mmmm Skyscraper

Hey Foxy – you've been leading my Uncle a stray? He'll be forced into taking up his old hobby again at this rate! I've mailed you.

Firstly found my black one, handle in good nick. Right….they are quite different – but you can bodge it together and it will work. The bolt-up version has a large ally bolt going into an ally tear-drop shape nut (mine galled up whilst trying to undo and is now broke; after one tightening!!). Anyway, I put it together with the spindle of the qr passing through the tear-drop nut and the star nut in the recess where the bolt head was. Doing it this way means the logo on the handle is upside down compared to the logo on the clamp ring (if aesthetics are important). Yours for a 'pint' if you would like it, send me a mail. Managed to fix my clamp with a stainless nut and bolt!

I'll have a fiddle tonight. I replaced the cracked with a bolt-up – it's on my commuter so prefer to have it clamped now anyway.
I'll see if a) I've got my old black one; and b) if it will fit a new style bolt-up clamp.

Let you know later on this evening.

I've got a gun-smoke blue (and maybe an old black one) from a Trek frame, just taken off yesterday – cracked ring bit. Not sure if the bolt length/clamp section is common – Trek seat post is 36.4.
Its an 'old-style' clamp lever, bronze washer etc all look OK. Yours for a couple of quid.

Turning up for work after 2 weeks of paternity leave looking like death warmed up might also take a bit of explaining….

They'll be expecting you to look like that!! But, because you've been up all night with screaming babies.
We've got another due anytime…..I'm amazed you got up to do Kielder with twins so imminent at that point in time

Quite often a SPAM outing around Erlestoke on a Thursday night. Drop me a mail and I'll let you know when we're out. Meet in Bratton or up on the top above Erlestoke nr Hill woods. Do an hour or so in the woods. Were out last Thursday; I've never ridden in the dark when there has been so much dust flying!

Just back from a couple hours of Wiltshire fun. Dusty tracks and a big low sun,

From my Grandad:
"the best way to keep your tool clean, is to use it"

We were in the garden at the time, so it was apt. But as advice given to a 15yr old lad just getting aquainted with the opposite sex it took on a whole different meaning.

Frome was a busy place this morning; seemed to be loads of people out and the street was lined with spectators. Only saw them rolling out before heading off, would have been good to have seen them at speed on the course.
I guess it took me about the same time to cyle into work in Bath as it took those fellas to get to Bridgwater!

A few 'yard-broom' heads strapped to your back – Bristle the Hedgehog?
Or, more obvious – nice pair of…..

Cheddar Bike Fest for me on Saturday.

I've just finished my commute ride in Bath – caught a fella up (riding a nice Whyte) wearing one of these:

Polaris Very Bright Jacket

Even in this mornings glorious sunshine it really stood out. In the market myself for when it starts to get darker, so may will be getting one when back in stock in CRC.

Looks good, was over that way with SPAM a couple of weeks back for a fun ride.
If anybody is after an organised event/ride on the otherside of the plain in a couple of weeks time:
SPAM Blast Salisbury Plain Ride
The course is out being ridden now, but I think it will take in some of the singletrack in Erlestoke woods (used for the SPAM Set2Rise event of earlier this year) with a few longer open stretches over the plain – and as many 25Km laps as you like!

Spent Wednesday afternoon in AE after my wife got stung – just the once on her hand. Mild anaphalatic shock; swollen tongue and lips, 'nettle' type rash and red and blotchy all over – came up within 30 mins. Doctors injected her with hydrocortisone and monitored her for a couple of hours before sending us on our way. Bit scary especially as she's 30 odd weeks pregnant.

Have a look at SPAM Bikers[/url]. They go out from Devizes in the evenings regularly; unfortunately you just missed a club ride out that way. I'm in Trowbridge and normally do something on a weekday evening – but over my or Erlestoke, which is a drive unfortunately.

If you’re going with Parker – have yourself 20% off (spend over £50 in the next 6 days)

49D4E65F-097

Probably been about ages but I’ve not noticed them before; just seen in the corner shop a Soreen snack pack, 2 slices of buttered malt loaf. But, I guess at the cost of more than one full size loaf I gave them a miss!

That Michael Jackson had a couple – if you didn’t recognise Thriller before after a few seconds, I’m sure we all will by the end of the summer!

For gear ‘fettling’ where only the rear wheel needs to be clear of the ground I tip my Workmate on its side and use this to clamp the front tyre/wheel and then use an axle stand under the bottom bracket. Works well and pretty stable. Probably the workmate and axle stands cost more than a bike stand – but it’s what I’ve got in the garage!

Will she be taking it to Wales at the weekend?

I thought it was a great event – really enjoyed it for the 4th year.
The organisers got severely let down by Cotham Rugby club who had promised two rugby pitches for camping plus the hard-standing car park but when it came to it, they only allowed a single rugby pitch for camping and parking.

I’ll be there! Team Wacky Racers; probably on my Felt Virtue
Knottie – I won’t be showing-off for the camera unlike CLIC, one soft landing onto a Quantock cameraman is enough! (rgds to Sharki)

Put my cross in the box – and what a lot of choice. The biggest ballot paper ever in the South West; and some very odd sounding organisations/ parties – Wai D anybody?

Well recommended Mr. Darcy – just had a couple of pints in the Hop Pole, Bath.
Could have stayed there all afternoon – but thought I’d best get back to the office to do nothing instead.

My Dad had a ‘prize’ ram that couldn’t mount the ewes due to a bad back (probably from too much humping the year before!) Anyway, Race Horse Acupucturist came and did her thing and away he went. I don’t think sheep have any understanding of placebo effect. After this my Dad also had acupuncture for bad shoulder (not from same practicioner) and is now a believer.

A great set of shots – none of me, which makes them even better!

Link to SPAM / B&B

Hi,

There’s a link to a B&B on the SPAM web page – hopefully above.
Looks OK – possibly worth a try. If you do stop there, be interesting to have a report/endorsement.

……and you did this on your single-speed? Complete with Mendip mud?

Have had a couple linkage bolts go as well. Blast Bikes in Chipping Sodbury have been very helpful, helps that they are quite close to Saddleback in Yate I think.
Which way around is the bolt; nut on drive-side (original fit) or bolt head on drive-side (Felt design change)?
Bike seems to be behaving now (touch wood), nothing came loose at CLIC last weekened – apart from rider/bike and a few rear wheel spokes.

I originate from down there as well – Uffculme, Hemyock old school time haunts! Parents own a farm near Sampford Peverell. I’ve often wondered about Ashclyst Forest, just south of Cullompton. We used to go camping there (another Scout) and then later on to buy rough ol’ cider from a cottage in the woods. Just a box full of any old bottles, milk cartons etc filled with the ‘finest’ cider and just a honesty box for payment!
Must be some tracks around there. Genereally when I’m down that way now I head up to the Quantocks.

Hey Sharki, you can’t have kicked that wheel too hard! A happy bike mech’ in Johns Bikes said he’d be able to sort it out for a few quid! Not sure if I’ll trust it, we’ll see.

Oo me knees; feeling those laps this morning. Good job we’ve got one of these to get up to the office!

I’ve now ridden two single-speeds in just over a weekend, Sharki’s Santa Cruz and a Stannah stair-lift. I can confirm the Santa Cruz on the Mendips was more fun.

Great shot Sharki (rider 446)- and apolgies again; my ‘skilz’ aren’t up to much!
I’ll mail you, if you could forward on the pic it would be appreciated.
Got 14 laps in, which I’m well pleased with. All packed up ready to go at 9:30; then out come the sun – wet gear back on and managed 2 more sunny but very slippy laps.
Cheers for letting me finish the lap on your bike.