Valerie June – Pushin against a stone
Arctic Monkeys – AM
Wooden Shjips – Back to land

are all getting played regularly. James Skelly and the Intenders album is also worth a listen and I’ve just received the Melt Yourself Down album which sounds promising.

Are there better events to be had? Was going to enter 10utb as a solo but missed out.

Never too old. Depending what you want to do, you could look at doing some voluntary work. That’s what I did and started university to do a degree in social work at the age of 40.

Debaser, how were Jim Jones Revue last night as I’m going to see them next Wednesday?

Jim Jones Revue
Wednesday 16th October
King Tuts

James Skelly
Wednesday 4th December
King Tuts

Wooden Shjips
Thursday 12th December
SWG3 Warehouse

Cruzcampo: ye, but technique is important. I was told pull on my ankle and push the respective hip forward slightly (right leg and right hip). You can feel it stretching the muscle but obviously don’t go too far.

Can’t comment on the height of your saddle but I’ve had medial ligament trouble for a few months, however, i had no pain whilst cycling. Went to a Physio who recommended strengthening my quads. She also insisted that I stretch my quads, to hold the stretch for a minute and do them 3 times a days. After 2 weeks I had no pain.

It will fit but you’ll need to adjust the base which is bolted to the carrier. This changes the angle of the arm in relation to the downtube and allows the clamp to hold the bike securely. I always try to have the arm at 90 degrees to the downtube.

Bought my cannondale synapse from them last year. Helpful over the phone too and despite telling them my height / inside leg length they were pretty non committal as to what size and suggested I go to a dealer near where I live to make sure I get the correct size. They could’ve sold me something just to move stock but didn’t.

I’ve noticed that the paint on the top of the fork has bubbled slightly so I’ll need to call them and find out what they think about that. It’s still within the years warranty but my concern is whether it’s a problem with carbon or the paint. Will phone today and hopefully my experience of dealing with them will remain positive.

+1 for Steve at I-Cycles.

Used a chiropractor to treat whiplash injuries on 2 occasions. Prior to this I attended the local hospital for physio and after 8 sessions I was told that i my have to live with the pain as there was nothing else they could do. Politely told the Physio that I thought she was talking shit and that I wont be back. 3 sessions with a chiropractor and I was sorted. I’m not saying that physios don’t do a great job as I have had good results with different injuries, however, my limited experience with a chiropractor has been excellent.

Interested in this too as I don’t want to give sky any money either. Interested in BT though as they are including their sports package.

Itstig, found myself in a similar situation. Hospital informed my dad that he has tumours in his bladder and has to go in for a CT scan in 2 weeks time. We thought it was prostate problems that was causing the blood in his urine. We were numb when driving back from the hospital and now have an anxious wait to find out whether it’s spread. It’s shit.

Thanks for the replies. Going to order the hope with open pros today.

Ye, I’ve read good reports about them and I’m a fan of Hope products too.

Not interested in racing and currently do runs from 20 up to about 40 miles but I’m looking to increase that now that I’ve finished university until September.

I’m in a similar situation but still at the planning stage My son, who will be 13 1/2, wants to go to a music festival this summer but not TITP. I was considering Latitude but it’s a hell of a long drive from central Scotland.

At the age of 41 I have 10 weeks left until I finish second year. No regrets but personal life has ensured one or two difficulties came to the fore. Finances and time management can impinge on your studies.

Worthy cause. Donated.

I go between some live early acdc and django django. Helps me through the monotony of intervals on the exercise bike. Looking for some new tunes too.

I also considered the satori from decathlon but when I decided to take the plunge it was out of stock.

Been thinking about getting a trainer too and cancelling my gym membership as I only use the exercise bike and a couple of machines. I’m keen to hear any comments regarding this trainer too.

I would not encourage anybody to pursue a career in driving instruction. Been doing it for 9 years and i’ve been going to college then university for the last 3 years so that I can quit the instructing. Negatives are it can be shit hours, last minute cancellations and no shows, increasing fuel costs. Every time a factory closes there are a number of new instructors who appear. Obviously lured with the apparent riches, which are not there, and they usually fall by the wayside. I know instructors who have been doing the job for 20 / 25 years and they have commented on the decline in the available work. This is partly due to the increase in the number of instructors, however, the number of provisional licence applications has apparently seen a decrease of about 20%. Out of curiousty I searched the DSA website for instructors and there are over 40 within an 8 mile radius of my home in Armadale. Granted, I know about 9 no longer teach but there were a hell of a lot more who do teach who chose not to be included in that particular register and I was one of them. The only reason I’m still doing it part time is that I have 10 pupils and it helps cover my bills while I’m at university.

Was meant to go to a mates house with the other half. Mum took ill so it’s the local hospital for me.

Used them a few years ago. Should the opportunity arise to get away again then that’s the company I’d go back to. The riding, guides and Jackies cooking were all fantastic.

Not sure what toll it’s took on your mental or physical health, but Franksinatra’s suggestion is certainly valid. A few years ago I hit the Columbian marching powder and the stella really hard (cost me my marriage, almost my kids and business) and couldn’t be motivated to do anything bike related (no surpise there). A good mate found out what was happening and suggested a day out on the bikes. I had stopped the drugs and beer by this point and felt great after our run. I duly thanked my mate, to which he replied “does it not beat sneaking about snorting coke?” I replied with a resounding yes and that was one of my major turning points.

Had something similar in my right knee and I found my seat was too high. Rested it for a few days, went out on the bike and the pain returned. Lowered the seat about 5mm and I’ve not had any problems since. 2 ACL reconstructions doesn’t help either though.

I totally agree with buying cheap being a false economy. Have a pair of Gore baggies that have lasted for years with regular use. Endura on the other hand haven’t lasted and it’s always been due to poor stitching.

As stoner said, the nail is surprisingly long. A slab fell on my thumb and had to get the nail removed. Thought I’d lost my thumb and was somewhat relieved only to crush the tip.

I did consider going for the tiagra spec but for my needs, I couldn’t justify the additional £170.

Been swithering for a few months whether to get a road bike and was looking at the caad8. Tried the synapse and was impressed so I’m going to go for that. Not interested in the latest colours or highest spec so I’m ordering a 2012 synapse sora for £600.

Cheers tomd. I think I’ll re-arrange due to the high winds forecast. As you say it’s bordering on dangerous, with gusts up to 75mph.

Looks like I’m not getting Tuesday’s 17.37 train then.

tomd, a bit off topic but how long did it take you to get from Crianlarich / Tyndrum to Fort William? I’m doing that section tomorrow and need to catch the 17.37 train back to Crianlarich. High winds are forecast which doesn’t bode well!!!

Picked up a 100ml syringe from a local hydroponic supplier for £5.

Cheers for the info. Just need to decide whether to get a b&b in crianlarich and set of first thing or drive to crianlarich in the morning. The latter involves an even earlier start though.

If having a game of British Bulldog, give them bibs to tuck into the back of their shorts which must be pulled out completely instead of just being tagged. We found it stops any arguments.
With regards to fitness training, we were told at coaching courses to give them as much time on the ball as possible. At that age they don’t want to just run. Even the warm up involved dribbling with the ball. Unless they live in their room, on the ps3 or Xbox all day and their diet consists of McDonald’s then they should be reasonably fit for their age. That was our experience anyway.

Ye, just noticed!!

globalti, just googled it and I can understand why!!!

Peterfile, think we’re heading up on Wednesday for 4 nights, although we do have the option to stay longer. Sgurr na Banachdich looks fantastic but I doubt the girlfriend would be up for that. From what I’ve heard, Skye has been blessed with some fine weather lately and hope it continues