Good shout MrSparkle.

Both largely unknown to the masses, but incredible athletes. I’ve often wondered what either could have achieved if pointed towards more mainstream running / athletics.

Thanks for that deft, I’ve not been able to find a 12 to try anywhere, with shops wanting dosh up front to order a pair in.

I’m hoping that the sizes will be consistent across styles, so I’ll have to hunt down a pair I suppose.

What are they like for width?

Anyone else?

Relates to motorcycles, but not really travel / adventure:

Read it in the USA a few years ago. Bit of page turner, completely bonkers story!

“In the German “Wurmregal” (worm shelf) style?”

“Ah the “Joby Shelf” as my mate in Vienna calls it, much to his Austrian girlfriend’s annoyance.”

Also known as the “Lay and Display”. 😯

Not sure where you are, but give KMB (Keswick) a call.

The manager up there is quite a tall chap and often has 2 or 3 demo bikes in XL. I think they had a couple of GF/Treks last year (HT and a FS 29ers, plus maybe a 26er or two).

Nothing?!

We used to refer to Snake Bite and Black, as ‘Diesel’.

Variations were the “Turbo Diesel’ or the ‘Turbo Diesel Injection’. (Shots of Vodka and/or Whisky).

The following day, if ‘enough’ had been drunk, all inevitably gave the drinker what was known as ‘The Diesel Grin’. i.e. You looked like The Joker.

Other favourites were:

‘Hard Man’s Shandy’ – Heldenbrau Super and Hooch/Two Dogs.

And pints of ‘Moretti’ and Value Lemonade. For those of you not familiar with Moretti, it was Morrisons own label Martini. Absolutely vile.

Twas all money well spent……

Hello Mark (Datz). Long time no see! Welcome back!

Afternoon folks.

Anyone ever taken the overnight coach from london to tignes?

I’m thinking about it, but worried that it might be a suffer fest, as I’m 6ft 7ins, with long legs. Maybe not the best way to start a holiday.

Also, any crystal ball owners know what conditions will be like at the end of March?!

I’d say get into KMB (In Keswick).

They have maps of all the local routes and if not then they’ll certainly be able to give you pointers as to where is dry (relatively speaking!) and where is wet, which can make a ride either a bogfest or not at this time of year up there.

+1 Borrowdale Bash. A great ride out, with a couple of cafe options on the way round.

If you go to Whinlatter, I’d say give the blue a go first and see how your mate goes, then the red if you think they’re up for it. The south loop is pretty exposed and if the weather is very wet or windy it can be a bit grim.

Have fun, it’s great up there.

Done. Good luck!

Hello,

I have a pair of Iodines. Freehub went, 2 Pure (very quickly and no questions asked) sent out a replacement.

Because of crossed wires I actually got 2……. one looked identical to the original (which I fitted) and the other is very obviously a different (much better) design (which I still have in it’s packaging). I wanted to see how long the same designed one would last……. it has never missed a beat since fitting (touch wood!). Knowing my luck, it’ll now pile in half way round an epic ride.

Have a look at the base of the free hub body, if it’s hexagonal in shape, it’s the new design, if not, then they’ve sent you an unchanged one and you should get that swapped.

They seem to get a lot of grief on here. I don’t mind them, but the colour is gopping (they came with the bike) and if I could afford to get something a bit blander then I would!

I’ve stayed here: http://www.nearhowe.co.uk loads over the last 5 or 6 years.

No lake views, but v quiet, tucked out the way, easy to get to and some nice routes in the north lakes nearby (you can do skiddaw from the house with a short (quiet) road section.

Good pub down the road, dog friendly and somewhere to stick your bikes.

Steve and Jill mega helpful and great hosts.

If going in March you’ll probably be surrounded by fields of lambs.

Thanks for sharing this on here, very inspiring stuff.

I hope we see more!

meddle, I’ve been enjoying watching the ‘thread derailment’, not a fan of the sci-fi stuff, but Sons of Anarchy is great (only seen seasons 1 and 2 though!).

(First 3 episodes are being obtained as I type).

I think I’ll wait then!!!!

Or at least investigate the download options…

Thanks chaps and I’m pleased to hear it’s as good as I’ve been led to believe! 😀

Many thanks all.

Flashy, those were recommended to me by the chap in Currys at Heathrow. Do the cups fit right over your ears? (I have BFG-esque lugs). I think when they first came out they were nearly £300!!! £135 on Amazon now.

I’ll have a look at all the other suggestions, thanks again everyone, I thought I could rely on STW for help!

Didn’t Mark Datz offer some good advice on bedding in pads a year or two ago?
😛

CountZero, XNJB doesn’t work and I have no idea what ‘boot camping my fat32 partition means.

I take it there are no simple answers? Anyone else?

(Cue “Yes, buy an iPod” answers!).

NOPE.

Obviously it does that on my Windows based desktop, but not my MacBook.

Hence the question. 😀

Every now and again STW produces something of this level of AWSUMNESS and I remember why I keep coming back!

Really heart warming stuff, thanks for sharing and a big pat on the back to all involved. Just brilliant.

6ft 7ins

XL Giant XTC

XL Nickel

As discussed….don’t care if they look gate like gates (the Giant prob does, the Nickel not at all IMO), it’s just nice to have something that fits (unlike cars, tables, chairs, plane seats, blah, blah, blah.

Hope some one takes you up on the offer Ned, I last saw him at the Mtn Festival and he was fantastic.

If anyone has never seen Andy Kirkpatrick before and is wondering if they should go…… DO GO!!

A very funny, inspiring and interesting evening guaranteed!!!

Enjoy!

Edited: Too slow!

I think I’ve answered a similar question before with this answer:

http://www.bigagnes.com/Products/SleepingBags

I’m 6ft 7 and size 13 shoe and I can safely say these bags in Long are the biggest I’ve ever kipped in.

I have a down bag and a synthetic bag. The down (Lost Ranger 15) is too warm for all but proper Winter conditions in the UK, but might be a good match for what you’re after.

Coupled with a thick pad (Neoair in Summer, Prolite in Winter) they are incredibly comfy to sleep in, really wide, long and massive footbox.

I got both mine in the US, but there are a few dealers now in the UK, George Fisher in Keswick being one and Webtogs if you want to go online.

I’m sure you know the down / synthetic pros and cons, but for me, down wins if you know you’re in no danger of getting it wet and that you will be able to air the bag when you’re not sleeping in it (if not all that condensation that your warm body has put into it all night, will (in a cold tent) stay there and the next night stop your down from ‘lofting’ (fluffing up and trapping warm air!).

Good luck, Canada in the Winter sounds great!

EDIT: OK so you don’t know the pro and cons!!

Broadly speaking:

Down = lighter, more expensive, takes a wee bit more looking after, useless if wet / damp, longer lifetime and often warmer (if dry and looked after!).

Synthetic = heavier, cheaper, will stay warm even if wet / damp.

Or this?

Anyone actually had one done?!

EG, I had thought that, but it sounds like there are parts that have been redsigned to minimise play (not that this bothers me) and more importantly I’ll prob be off the bike for the next 2 months or so, so it seems like a good chance to send it away. That and I don’t have a bleed kit for it (I think).

Glad it wasn’t just me that was watching!

Bikebuoy, are you dizrespektin Sir Dave? The man is a legend!

Great stuff, thanks for all the suggestions. Fingers crossed for blue skies like those in pennine’s photos!

Thanks SM.

Looks like we’re going for Hawes area.

Can anyone suggest specific routes?

Thanks.

Dez, did you also catch Fiona Bruce saying “I used to love that album”?!

I was going to say what 1111 said, was there last week, nice atmos in the evening tbh.

Glad Elfin knew the name, I’d forgotten! Wouldn’t have guessed that other drinkers were tourists and not locals, just seemed like a nice quiet spot for a beer and a catch up with mates. Get a seat by the window, enjoy!

Greenwich +1 also.

(It is a shame that there aren’t more places by the river innit).

If you want to hear their songs played well live I can recommend the ‘Complete Stone Roses’, really good!!

Wrightyson, loads more this year than last.

Cozz, I’d love to know how to go about making cider. How hard is it? Do we need any special kit?
Can you use any more apples?! What weight of apples made 80l of cider?

2 Pure.

I had one that went and they replaced it no bother. It seems there was a bad batch / usual poor design and they have now changed the design (you’ll see the difference on a new one, much better), so I think they’re sending out replacements without too much fuss.

6ft 7ins (35inside leg) here and I’ve only ridden 26ers (I’d like to try a 29er though).

XL Giant and Santa Cruz both fit fine. All about the top tube length for me.

No worries. There are tonnes, so if you change your mind, let me know, Can get a load boxed for you, if you can collect.

I’ve got co pilot live on my HTC. It was free and has worked with no problems at all. I think you may have to pay for it now?

Near Elvaston Castle, if you know it? Borrowash? Not far off A52. Where are you?