druidh no one is suggesting spending all of your savings which generates an income from you. Its about the general publics margin propensity to save/consume based on interest rates.

hora it sounds as though you don’t have a clue what your on about. Since you’re clearly all clued up on economics explain how you, if you were a government advisor, would get the UK out of a recession.

The simple idea is that if consumers spend rather than save this will help the economy grow, if we’re buying products and services then we help businesses keep people in employment, because they have cash flow they donít have to borrow so you donít need so much in the banking system. Itís not a ëquick fixí but it will work. I think people need to look at the long term here.

It sounds as if you think this is still al about a ‘banking crisis’.

If the interest rate is low on savings then this increases spending in the economy as people are less like to save so they spend instead. Obvioulsy the more people spend then the more the economy grows. The government don’t want people saving just now. Thats one reason for cutting the rate.

Whats your experience of them pinches? Weight isn’t an issue but they’re not that heavy.

I should have mentioned that it’s on a cx bike and the commute is all on road. I might buy one and give it a go on on the rear wheel as thats where I get the punctures. Very seldom get them on the front – more weight over the back to help the glass stick into the tyre. Punctures in summer don’t bother me but piss me off when its cold, wet, dark, etc.

I’ve used halo dual compound twin rails for commuting before and they seemed to resist punctures reasonably well. They are also reasonable off-road but not sure what they would be like on off camber stuff. I got them from Billy’s Bikes.

2 hours 10 minutes ago, that was a commute but since my commute is 20 miles I consider that a proper ride.

If I’m off the bike for more than 2 days I’m not a happy bunny.

I use them on my commuter – no problems so far.

BoardinBob you’re Glasgow based aren’t you? Can you say which company you work for, would be interested as it’s local news.

theres always the jacket and tie option with co-ordinating trousers

What you mean like a suit?

The only time I’ve not worn a suit to an interview was when I wasn’t fussed if I got the job or not. I still got the job so that proves nothing. If I wanted the job I’d wear a suit as it’s not just about being smart but unfortunately employers can base your attitude on what you wear.

I would never, ever wear a snappy, modern shirt. Does that have a big collar and geometric prints? Anyway classic, undertstated works best.

It’s a business not a charity. Would you rather they kept going as they are and made 70,000 people jobless.

If you don’t like spirits then I have no idea why you are even considering taking a hip flask. Cocoa, water, coffee, ??

Don’t walk in to the dealers giving the impression thats the only car you want, let them know you’re prepared to walk away if you don’t get the right deal. Find a similar car in another dealers and play the two of them off against each other – keep each dealer informed of the others offers. Push for free servicing, interest free credit (you’re better off having the capital in your bank rather than theirs), upgrades (although not so relevant to a used car). Best of all know the market, how much the cars are going for, what finance is available, best time to buy from the dealer. Take in some sample prices from sales on the internet.

The brakes on my road bike work fine so I couldn’t see any need for fitting discs and to be honset it would be too much braking. Also in general you can see whats up ahead much better than you can on an mtb so there isn’t the need for last minute braking.

I’ll be fitting a front disc to my cx commuter though but its got 32mm slicks and I ride it a lot in the rain.

My route is 20 miles each was, half of which is on a segregated cycle path up a quiet a-road across a moor. The rest is through the south side of Glasgow. I leave my shower stuff and clothes in my locker at work. Usually drive in at least once a fortnight (once a week in winter) so swap over stuff then. I try to carry as little as possible on the bike/me so I have a seat pack for tools, tubes, etc and put sandwiches, any extra clothes (gloves, arm warmers, etc in my back pockets. If I need to take clothes because I haven’t driven in then I’ll take my camelbak – fine in winter but a bit sweaty in summer.

I use a Kona Jake the Snake with 32mm puncture proof road tyre.When I started doing it I tried my road bike, which was fine but not great in heavy traffic – road pedals and shoes aren’t great in stop/start traffic, tried my mtb with slicks but is was too slow so I bought the cx bike and it’s perfect – fast enough and I can fit full gaurds.

It works really well for me and the only tweak I’ll make is fitting a front disc to the bike. Puncture proof tyres and full gaurds really are a must though especially in winter.

I absolutely love it though, this was my first day back commuting on the bike since last Wednesday and I actually woke up early excited about it.

I had my singlespeed powder coated a few years ago by a place in scotstoun for £30. Think it was a company called Recoat.

mrgibbons can’t you get one of your ginger girlfriends pals to take him on a date. Honestly if he’s at uni and can’t get a shag then he never will. Sorry.

Of course had I fitted a set of winter tyres to my Honda then I could have driven up the A9 at 90mph through the snow gates ;)

To say they are a waste flies in the face of what some countries require their drivers to do by law and change over to winter tyres. I think in some countries, driving without winter tyres even invalidats your insurance.

I said they are a waste of money in the UK, which I stand by.

I live in Scotland and I know for a fact they would be a total waste of money. Mind you I use the same tyres on my mtb all year round so what do I know.

Total waste of money if you live in the UK. In terms of driving its pretty difficult to differentiate between summer and winter here, apart from some exceptions.

5’9″, 70kg, very low cholestoral, bp perfect, haven’t had bmi done ‘properly’, rock solid legs, 41 years old – thats what commuting 40 miles a day by bike does for you ;) I’m in.

As others have said take it very easy and plan everything well in advance. We went up to Aviemore on a Friday night at the end of January last year, the A9 was closed due to snow so we went up to Fort William and across the A86 to the A9. Now that was some serious snow.

There was a car in front of us at Spean Bridge which turned back as the snow was getting really deep and still snowing heavily which left us on our lonesome. We just drove real easy, there was no way I was drifting a honda accord estate round corners on a single track road. The section along the banks of loch laggan was very scary and our son was terrified. We thought once we got to Newtonmore and Kingussie things would be easier, but the snow drifts made driving quite difficult. However we got there in the end.

I’d say it was interesting rather than fun. Just keep braking to a minimum, stay well away from other vehicles, and make every movemnet a slow controlled one. All this drfiting round corners wouldn’t really work in proper thick snow, you’de just end up stuck in a snow drift.

Solo merino ones are nice and warm. from here

I’ve stayed ibn a hostel a couple of times. Its on river front and on the temple bar side. It was cheap, clean and friendly. Sorry can’t remember the name though. It was a couple of minutes walk from the town centre.

I did the Bealach Mor last September. The bit before the Bealach-na-Ba is very easy and very fast. The climb is tough but easily doable, it’s the 2 mile straight before the hairpins that’s the hardest and there were quite a few fit looking riders walking and that was near the front of the field. The hairpins are easy – once you reach the first one you can relax as the hard bit is over. Not sure where the Bealach Beag goes after the climb but it’s probably pretty rolling.

Good luck and don’t fear the climb as it really isn’t that bad.

Any Monday morning thoughts on this anyone?

tuna and nut salad

I’ve lost millions on the stock market, my house has halved in value and my wife has run away with a sailor all because some hacker got hold of an e-mail addy I registered with but never use and some random password I can’t remember. I guess I got off lightly.

Not really sure what you’re trying to imply there sometimerider. It’s only a forum – correct, some users have childish and insular attitudes – correct. The fact that it’s a forum doesn’t stop users displaying certain character traits.

Like I said had I know people were so precious about terminology I wouldn’t have bothered suggesting it.

Whatever, didn’t really think people were so precious about it. It is only a forum you know, it’s not like real life or anything.

a mountain biking website slightly spoiled by constant roadie questions

I find that a fairly childish and insular attitude. Many people on here are ‘cyclists’ rather than just pigeon holing themselves as mountain bikers. But hey what do I know I just ride bikes, I don’t care what kind they are or what I’m seen as.

I like your style Tom :D

Me – 20 miles into work this morning and 20 miles home to take my total mileage for the year to 6224.

forum is a place for people interested in mountain biking

Can’t you change that to interested in cycling, just a thought. :-)

I’ll have a few drinks but no intention of getting steamin’. I have riding to do tomorrow. I prefer my port at room temperature.

The problem I’m finding is that no single supplier is the cheapest for most products. For example one neff hob is £209 on one site and the same on John Lewis then another is £274 on John Lewis and £220 on another site. Looks like I’ll have to source each item individually rather than thinking x is the cheapest so I’ll buy everything from there.

This is going to be hard work.

Is this a head torch for riding or other general head torch duties? For camping type stuff I’d go for a Silva L1 and for biking and attaching to a helmet then the P7 MTE gets my vote.

Nice ride home from work today in daylight, wee sherry when I get in, crack open the champagne, then steak pie for tea, few more drinks, watch Jools Holland’s Hootenanny, go to bed. We have been invited out to friends, thats me, my wife and son but the father-in-law is up for a few days so thats a no can do.