Is there somewhere we can get a playlist from last night. I want to watch some of the films again.

A few weeks out of date = no problem and no difference

A couple of years out of date = super powers. Consume the lot then smash all the Strava KOM in your area. Or sh*t yourself when you’re just too far from the nearest toilet to make it back in time.

The beer tasting was rubbish. Credit to Ed, he noticed they were losing the room and moved on.

I like the party vide*, but they need to get rid of the idiots who kept shouting out during the films and interviews. More new films would be good.

We went to the endurance night on Friday and it was equally as unprepared with poor interview questions and loads of tech glitches with the films and microphones.

They could have made more of Danny Mc and Martyn A. They seem to get on well with a mutual respect. It would have been brilliant to let Martyn interview Danny about his different films and how they came up with the different tricks. Let the two trials guys geek out about their corner of our sport, it would have been interesting and entertaining for 95% of people there.

We won a box of beer from Thornbridge so overall a good night.

*party vibe !?!?! Just read that back. WTF, that’s the kind of thing my dad would say. I’m getting old.

I like the programme and I’m warming to Anna. When she was on the Cycling Show in ITV I found her a little annoying and always felt she had more to give with her knowledge and experience. This new series has proved that and it’s good to see.

It’s widely agreed that using a phone while driving is dangerous and has contributed to a high number of accidents with serious outcomes. The main question to ask is why does it not come with a higher penalty on the first offence? Something similar to the penalty for drink-driving would deter people from picking up their mobile while driving.

At the risk of being flamed on here for suggesting it, but I wouldn’t visit any of the North African countries at the moment. I have not been and Morocco is on my list of places that I want to visit. But with the unrest in recent years I’m not taking the risk until it settles down a bit. My thoughts are echoed by a friend who works in security and another who works for the MOD.

Try these guys.

UK Bathroom Store

It’s frustrating to be “grounded”, especially when you had got so close to an impressive annual mileage target. But look on the bright side. You were aware that it could be a problem and acted on the information available, by doing that you will be able to ride again another day. Loads of people don’t get that chance.

Look after yourself and I look forward to reading your updates to tell us you’re back on the bike.

That is a true challenge. He’s crossing from Senegal to Brazil, which predators are active in that area?

Looks good, I’m going to watch Trainspotting again this weekend.

Northwind – Is your decathlon jacket bike specific or from the general Quechua range?

Cloudy in Lancaster.

A friend down south went out looking for then earlier. She drove out into the countryside and found a quiet carpark. No northern lights to be seen but did end up disturbing some doggers. She thought it was hilarious.

It’s not that bad. The picture in my mind was much more crazy than the real house on street view.

If you like history the ww2 bunkers in Singapore was good. The zoo is good, we didn’t do the night zoo but heard good things about it.

The hawker centres (street food) are fantastic. We mostly ate in them and didn’t have a bad meal.

Find some of the bars where the ex-pat aussies and brits go. There are a few and they are good fun. We went to muddy murphies near orchard road. They had live bands, rugby and football on big screens all going on at the same time. I hope it’s still there. We had some good nights in there.

Bike night on Saturday should be good. We went last year and we’ve booked our tickets for this year.

I’d look at Argos for something like that.

Nice to know there are still some good people.

(Unless he comes back next week and takes all your bikes away in his transit van while you’re at work.)

Check out the latest michelin star places. There have been a couple of new stars awarded recently. If not what about the Cottage in the Wood near Whinlatter. I’ve not been but know a couple of people that have and they all said good things. It’s a very short ride to the trails at Whinlatter and the distillery isn’t too far away.

Ford Ka?

I’ve linked it to my strava. Great addition.

On my recent solo 100 I had “I’ve got a brand new combine harvester”. No idea why, I can’t remember the last time I heard it.

It’s a sad day when a family pet dies. But not many cats get to feature on the STW website.

I’m re-reading the original thread and laughing very loudly in the office so Pinga is still bringing laughter to our office.

What about Cannock?

My order of thermal bib tights and a jacket arrived yesterday. They seem like good quality for the price. I’ve not tried them yet because it was a bit warm for them last night but I’d be happy to order from them again.

-1 point for valve / logo alignment on the rear. :D

They need to tidy up the block paving.

+1 for Joe Blow.

try these guys

Bang Design[/url]

or

Design Attic[/url]

I did the Bay Cycleway on Saturday. I’ve lived in Lancaster for 11 years and it was a real eye-opener to see the fantastic roads around the bay and on the southern tip of Cumbria. I chose to get the early train to Barrow and ride back to Glasson Dock. The weather was good and the wind was kind most of the way. There are plenty of places to stop for coffee / lunch on the way. The roads were quiet and nice to ride.

There are a couple of sections to watch out for if you’re on a road bike. After leaving Greenodd there is a section on a farm track. It was stoney and not nice to ride on skinny tyres, I took it very slowly to avoid any damage to tyres and wheels. The second section to watch is the cycle path from Lancaster to Glasson Dock. In the dry it’s lovely with a few parts that are not tarmac and give it a strada bianci feel. However if it’s been wet they will be muddy and slippery on skinny tyres.

I went off the route a few times. A couple added an extra mile and 1 diversion was planned so I didn’t use the canal towpath between Carnforth and Hest Bank.

It’s very achievable in 1 day. I’m slow and I’ve not been on the bike much for 6 weeks.

As I’d completed the 85 miles to get from Walney to Glasson Dock and needed to ride the 6-7 miles home I did an extra loop to make it 100 miles. The first time I’ve ridden 100 miles in a day and I did it solo, so felt rather proud of myself.

I went from having 4 or 5 suits down to 1 in the last 12 months. I now wear jeans and chinos to work and keep suits for meetings with legal and financial people.

I don’t see the need for “smart” trousers anymore, they look dated.

Don’t get me started on ties.

I got a wasp in the back if my jersey while on a road ride a couple of months ago. I managed to kill it by smacking myself on the shoulder. I must have looked like a nutter to anyone driving past. I pulled into a gateway and took my jersey off to see what had happened. The little b*****d had stung me 4 times on the shoulder blade, once on the neck and once on the back of my ear.

I hadn’t been stung until this year and I was stung on two occasions in 2 months. The first was not bike related. I got stung on the back in bed!

Sh*t news Mark. Fingers crossed for the best possible outcome.

As others have said take the support from people that offer it. My brother experienced something similar with his partner. The support from friends and family was truly overwhelming. They are now on the other side of it but it was tough.

And don’t be afraid to come on here when you get chance for a good old rant and rave!

Looks like there will be work around West Cumbria with the proposed new power station there. I hear that Sellafield are always looking for people in various roles. There might be something there.

West Cumbria isn’t a bad place to live. Yes, it’s a bit removed from the big cities, but the Western Lakes are quiet and stunning. The house prices aren’t crazy and there are some nice towns and villages if you keep away from Workington and Whitehaven.

I understand how you’re feeling, and I know it’s frustrating when you can’t get the low-skilled jobs because the recruiters see you as over qualified.

Getting out and doing something is good and helps to keep you sane. If you can’t get paid work, why not volunteer with a local charity. There are plenty of groups that are looking for volunteers for a few hours a week. It won’t be the type of work you want but at least it gives you something to do during the day. It gets fairly grim when you’re sat at home spending a couple of hours applying for jobs.

I hope that wasn’t too patronising. If it was then I’m sorry.

There are some good pubs in the villages around Blackpool. But ilI agree with the other replies, see the lights and get out of Blackpool asap.

If you’re going tonight I think there is a fireworks display. Not sure what time.

The section of the M62 between Manchester and Leeds should be easy pickings for the motorway cops. I have regularly driven that road and al ost every time I get passed by at least 1 nutter doing 120mph+, undertaking and weaving between traffic.

The smell weed from passing cars is another issue, but there seems to be loads driving around Lancaster and Morecambe. I’m not sure if it’s common in other towns.

The players don’t care enough. They say they do, but when you watch the games they’re not chasing every ball or coming off at the end looking like they’ve worked hard for 90 mins. I think part of the problem is the England team is currently made up of a collection of players who we all think are the best, not who are playing well. I think a team of new players from some of the less fasionable prem clubs and from the Championship would have a better work ethic and would be play to keep their place in the next game. Rooney et al know they’ll be starting even when they’re not suited to the system or have not been playing well for their club.

Just look at the decision to take Wilshire to the Euros. Why take a player who has played almost no competitive football all season? Everyone seemed surprised when he wasn’t very good.

If only the new M-Sport Transit looked like that.

Not much more to add apart from +1 for the iphone.

My last iphone (4) lasted for almost 5 years with out fault. Now using a 6S and love it.

I’ve got one of these. It’s been ok and at that price I won’t be too bothered when a scratch it.

Boccia watch on amazon