Here’s a few from our New York trips.

Roberta’s Pizza +1 – the Millennium Falco is amazing!

Other Half Brewery – In Red Hook a few mins walk from the subway. Good tap room with amazing beer. Buy a t-shirt it gets you some knowing looks and comments back here.

Red Hook Winery – down by the water, it’s a bit of a walk through an industrial estate. Book a barrel tasting tour. You get a quick tour of the tiny winery and spend some time tasting from a variety of barrels before sitting in the bar with more wine.

Steve’s Keylime Pie – 2 min walk from the winery. The best keylime pie ever. You can eat it in the little park next door as you look back towards the statue of liberty.

Domino Park – on the waterfront in Williamsburg. It’s a small park that opened in June 2018. Food and drink for sale and a great view of the Manhattan skyline.

Smorgasberg – street food market a couple of blocks from Brooklyn Brewery. Again with the biew of Manhattan.

Tenement Museum – Lower East Side museum in a series of tenements telling the stories of immigrants in New York. They also do walking tours. Book the times and tours you want to just the queue. It’s not far from Katz.

If you’re a runner (even just socially) the New York Road Runners have Open Runs across the city. They are like park run. We did one and it was lovely to run and chat with real New Yorkers. They gave us a few insiders tips. It would be high on my list to do it again when I go back.

I looks like one of the teachers at the school is involved with Living Fire. The content is possibly the way the school should be structuring RE lessons. I’m not a parent but I’m not sure I would be happy with an external group like that using the school in that way to promote their church. I’m not sure I agree with faith schools, but I do think schools should be discussing the main religions in an open and impartial way to help break some of the myths and prejudices held in society.

I don’t have any plans to grow up. It looks really boring.

I’m 36 and spend far too long looking at skateboards. I don’t have kids and I wasn’t a skateboarder in my teens but it looks fun. What could possibly go wrong!?!

MrsGastro thinks I’m really 8 years old. It’s a fair assessment. I laugh when I fart, cheer when a waiter drops stuff in a restaurant and my favourite way to end a ride is with a big skid.

It’s a good day out. The Minotaur is great fun for a warm up and as a last quick blast at the end of the day.

Gay Martin is brilliant. In 90 seconds he managed to show up the presenter and his total lack of knowledge on the bikes and rules.

I could watch that kind of enthusiasm all day long.

I put these on my Orange Gringo nearly two years ago. I bought them from Evans (I think).

26 inch forks

They seem about right to replace a 100mm or 120mm fork.

That looks quality. I’ve got a plan for my garage but it keeps falling down the to do list.

Can someone tell me more about scarifiers. Our lawn is mostly moss after the previous owners didn’t look after it for a year or so.

Since moving to a house with a garden two years ago cutting the grass has become one of my favourite jobs and a genuine simple pleasure.

It has only needed one cut this year but I’m buying a new mower this weekend and it will be ready for a second cut.

I could apply to work reduced or flexible hours. That would be part of the plan.

I listen to loads of podcasts when I’m driving around. Mostly to avoid the rubbish on the radio during the day. Here’s a list of the ones I’ve enjoyed. Most could be started from the first episode or picked up.

Distraction Pieces Podcast – Scroobius Pip talking to interesting comedians, musicians, actors, writers.

Athletic Mince – Bob Mortimer’s football podcast. It’s pure Mortimer and has no relevance to football. Very funny. Start on ep1 to get the full stories and jokes.

Quickly Kevin Will He Score – podcast about 90’s football. If you don’t like football don’t bother.

Danny Baker Show – it’s his Saturday morning 5 Live show without news or traffic. Easy listening and normally funny.

Baker & Linekar – weekly football podcast with stories from their past. Some great Gaza’s stories.

Adam Buxton Podcast – similar to distraction pieces

Evil or Genius – Russell Kane and others discuss famous people and if they evil or genius. 30 mins long.

At Home with Colin Murray – there are a load of episodes of Colin Murray speaking to sports people about their life and career. Some very funny stories and some insights into their careers that you don’t normally get.

I listen to loads each week but that should get you going with some old episodes and the new content being released.

I have a similar problem and the garage is the main project for this year. Since we moved in it’s been a storage space while work on the house was completed. I’m not using the space well. Blake from GMBN did a video about his garage storage. It looks simple and a very STW solution.

GMBN garage project

Has anyone done this or something like it?

I’m not Scottish so the kilt option is out.

It’s a 44 or 46 inch jacket. I’m not 38 – 40 inch jacket. The trousers are like clown pants.

Thanks. I’ll go with a branded pair. I want them for after longer runs / rides.

Should I get the tights or just the socks?

I put a set of these on my now rigid 26″ hardtail. It’s a great pub bike and has been off-road a few times. The A-C seems right for the frame and it replaces a 100mm rockshock.

Rigid Forks

That’s made my day.

Deadkenny – I agree. It’s the first year we’ve done it. In the past everyone was happy with an early finish, dry turkey then a few drinks.

Looks like it will be the nicest chocolate I can find for £5.

STW is home to some great people. It’s a wonderful community.

Happy Christmas everyone.

Great post. Some of you may remember my post from the summer. I’m on the up and getting back to being me again. There are good days and bad days, and that’s ok.

For anyone struggling there is always someone that will listen and help, but they won’t know you need it until you tell them. In my experience my GP was great, my boss was great and Mrs G is a legend for putting up with me and being there for me. I know everyone says it but exercise really helps, even if it’s just a bit of a walk in the fresh air.

This forum is brilliant if you ever need to unload to a group of strangers who generally speaking are top guys and girls (although I’ve never met any of you in person) and very supportive.

I think time and daylight will restrict me to Dalby and Newbridge Park. It’s a shame I’ll not have time to explore the moors, but I think an hour or two each day will keep me entertained and give me a reason to escape for some fresh air.

@metcalt. Thanks for the tip about Newbridge Park. That looks great for a quick hour or two in the morning before everyone else is ready to go out for the day.

Any my good tips for coffee shops or food in Pickering?

Thanks. I’ll take a bike and escape for a couple of hours.

Did you check your hole? Always check your hole.

Thanks for the feedback. That seems to match to the reviews on YouTube etc.

I get my beans from Atkinson’s in Lancaster. The shop is brilliant. I’m not sure if their online store has the full range. They also do a monthly coffee club to get different beans delivered each month.

Well done. As others have said I’ve been following your story and you are an inspiration. Your strength to share your experiences and keep your family going is unbelievable.

Taking care of yourself is important and I bet you feel better for a hair cut and shave. Keep going, you’ve got the STW community behind you.

(Is it just me or is it a bit dusty in here?)

We had a similar problem last year. The council sorted it for less than £100. We only had to wait for a day or two for them to come to the house.

We went last year. The tapas place was good. We also ate at the Royal Ship Hotel. It was pub grub.

I changed the brakes and all cables on my winter road bike. It didn’t take long but it was a really enjoyable task. I’d not thought of it as a mindfulness activity but I find it very calming.

@nowad after a couple of months what are your thoughts and experiences of the bike? I’m looking at the Frontier 29er with suspension forks. I would probably buy a set of 650b+ wheels to go with it so I can change between them for different conditions.

If anyone else has experience of these bikes let me know what you think. Thanks

I didn’t know about the Frog Graham. The video is really good and I hope it makes it at Kendal Mountain Festival.

Ellen’s Diner is great fun. The food is average but the singing staff and atmosphere are pure Broadway.

In addition to the above.

Williamsburg – loads of bars and cafes. Some cool independent shops.

Smorgersburg – street food market on a Saturday. It’s on the water front in Williamsburg. A real mix of food and fab views of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn.

Domino Park – it’s a new park that opened in June this year. It’s on the site of the old Domino Sugar Factory. There is food and drink available in this park as well as activities. It’s just below the Williamsburg Bridge and down the road from Williamsburg and Smorgersburg. It also has the fab view of Manhattan.

Red Hook Winery – it’s a 10 min walk from the nearest subway stop but it’s worth the trip. Book the barrel tasting tour before you go. We went in June and had a good amount of wine from different vineyards and grapes.

Steve’s Keylime Pie – next to the winery. Brilliantly sweet keylime pies. Just past the shop is a little park with a jetty. From the jetty you look right out at Liberty and she’s facing you.

Tenement Museum – it’s in the Lower Eastside of Manhattan. Really interesting social history through the stories of real people. There are tours of the buildings and walking tours of the surrounding streets. Book online before you travel to make sure you get the tours you want.

Ellis Island – the immigration station in the harbour. You can get the ticket for this and Liberty for the ferry from the tip of Manhattan.

Gotham West Market – If you go to Invincible there is indoor food market close by. Gotham West Market is on 11th Ave between Times Square and Invincible. Choice of food is good with good beer. They show the sports on big screens. There is a bike shop at one end.

Roberta’s Pizza – there are a couple of Manhattan outlets of this Bushwick pizza mecca. Try the Millennium Falco.

Cannibal Beer & Butcher – E29th Street restaurant and bar. The beer and food is brilliant. Small plates of meaty goodness washed down with a good drinks menu including some fantastic craft brews we never see this side of the Atlantic.

Urbanspace – food markets scattered across the city. They are good for lunch on the go and everyone can eat something different. This is where Roberta’s Pizza is on Manhattan.

Big Gay Icecream – icecream shop in the East Village. It does what is says on the tin! Big sugary icecream. Tiny shop normally with a big queue.

Lomardi’s Pizza – on Spring Street Lomardi’s is the first pizza restaurant in America. The food is quick and not too expensive.

For the big attractions book before you travel walk as much as you can and enjoy the city. I wish I was going back.

Whinlatter for us on Thursday and Friday.

Mrs Gastro has completed the GNR a number of times. After a couple of years we found some great free parking and you avoid most of the slow queues leaving the finish. This might be a bit of a monster post but here’s my experience over the years.

Don’t park in Newcastle and get the Metro or bus to the finish. The Metro to South Shields is very busy and the line for the metro to get back to Newcastle is massive and takes ages.

Don’t park on the field at the finish. The queue to get out of the car park and past the road closures takes ages.

We park on Grosenor Road in South Shields near South Tyneside College / South Shields Marine School. You can park on the street for free but you need to get there early. The finish line is approx 5 mins walk and easy to find. For the runners there are buses leaving the finish car parks and taking you to the start. It cost £5 a couple of years ago and is full of runners chatting excitedly. At the end of the race you can get away from South Shields and back to the A1 fairly easily compared to the official car parks. Your wife will be ae to get close to the finish line. There are loads of places to stand and watch the runners finish and the atmosphere is brilliant and friendly.

So my advise would be that you all get up early and check out of the hotel and get to South Shields. Park on the street near the college so you can get away quickly. You will also benefit from having your car and clean clothes 5 min walk from the finish.

Enjoy the day it’s a great event.

Years ago (1999ish) I disassembled my STX-RC shifters. It took ages to put them back together and it was fiddly but they worked well.

If they are already knackered what have you got to lose? Take them apart slowly taking note of where all the bits go. Clean everything, lube and rebuild. If it doesn’t work you still have some broken shifters so buy some new ones.

I have paid that price for beer. It has to be good and it’s a treat. Think of it like paying extra for good wine. The extra cost of the hops and that it is probably a limited run is why it costs more. They’re not getting the savings the mega brewers get and they create real local jobs.

If you think it’s too much don’t buy it and don’t worry about it.

I’m guessing he’ll be found guilty. His defence team will present a pile of statements from character whitnesses who are well respected in the higher reaches of the ECB. I bet the judge overseeing the case is a member at Lords and has old school friends at the top end of cricket.

He’ll walk away with a fine and community service  He’ll get a slap on the wrist from the cricket aurthorities. His sponsors will not put him on their adverts for a few months. By January it will all be forgotten and back to normal.