Gable Farm looks to be ever so slightly over budget. I also only have a push along lawn mower, so the gardening might take a while.

Will keep searching google maps…

I have had a look at these in he past, as we have no garage. Looks like a solid option but I think go as big as you can – with wide bars on an mtb, there may not be much space left.

Thank you for the advice so far.

In terms of travelling into Bristol, the wife’s work place would likely be bottom of the Whiteladies Road, (so what I would simplistically call west of the city centre). Looking at it, Temple Meads is really not that close – google says 30 mins walk. As the idea is to cut commute time, perhaps an alternative transport method would be preferable (especially since the bike costs virtually £0 in annual cost).

Looking at the map, Wraxall does look a good choice (easy bike ride into the city centre, close to a train station if required). It is also close to the M5 for me. I think Pill may have also been mentioned above. Abbots Leigh looks expensive.

Cycling into Bristol is an option for the wife. Not really considering driving as an option for her, although to be honest I had not considered the bus network at all. Only disadvantage to the wife cycling is that she will get fitter than me again, meaning every climb she gets to the top first…

I am usually a fairly early morning commuter, leaving home around 6 am to avoid the M25.

Appreciate all the tips and suggestions so far, I am looking online and will try and organise a day or two looking at areas t get a good feel of how the places look. We found where we live now after stopping for a coffee half way through a ride – much better feel of a place when not in the car and or in a rush. Unfortunately not so easy now we have a kid…

Regarding travel into Bristol, just to clarify it is likely only one of us will be doing this with any regularity. Train would almost certainly be the preferred method, so as long as there was a station available, and the train went into Temple Meads, that would be one problem partly sorted. Obviously the shorter the train journey, the better. Part of our current predicament is that child care will likely not be compatible with a 1 hr 40 commute into London for my other half. Unfortunately my work does not mean I can always plan to assist with a child care pick up/ drop off, as I am often leaving/arriving too early/late, or staying away.

I would likely be heading further afield, likely on the M4.

I have heard traffic is an absolute nightmare round Bristol, so was thinking it would be best to only attempt commuting by car if you we’re going against the flow, I.e. away from Bristol. Trains unfortunately would be rammed, but my wife has commuted ( as have I ) into London for a few years and after a while you just accept the trains will be packed if you get one much after 7am.

No way, the head police who has just come on is the headmaster/principal from The Breakfast Club.

Bruce Willis with hair. Step back in time, but awesome film.

Had a Fizik bag, although the clip that fitted the Fizik seat looked weak, it was fine. Zip broke though after a year.

Then had the smallest Specialized bag, which was fine until i needed my co2 inflator and tube. Tube had a hole that had worn from the rubbing and the canister had run out of co2. My bad planning, but now I don’t bother and use a proper pack.

I think the Topeak ones on my wife’s bikes seem to have been fine though.

Over inflated my wife’s hybrid tyre and it went off like a gunshot climbing out of Guildford. Tyre came clean off the rim.

I found it funny, a passer by and the good lady less so.

Real estate.

Automobiles.

For things you can actually bring back, go pro head cams are circa pound price in dollars.

Thanks. Don’t have anything particular against the burbs, but do like being out in the wilds. Mostly because I have some unrealistic vision of country living and think that it will give me an excuse to buy a wax jacket. In all honesty I just like a country pub and readily admit villages can be stifling in terms of privacy within a community.

By brother in law and family have just moved to W-O-T and it looks like a really nice area.

Being in the burbs is not out of the question, just don’t know many areas and ideally would like to be able to get to local riding without always taking the car. I live in a small town where I can be on the bridle ways in circa 3 minutes, so I am very spoilt.

I will probably be commuting by car outside of Bristol, so M5/4 access needs to be ok too.

Thank you all for the tips. I will have a look online.

I need to spend a day driving round the area and we may well rent before buying.

The four wheel drive ones were the envy of all the other kids. Very well engineered and looking back, they were probably the precursor to Audi ownership. I.E. we are rude about them when we can’t have one, but really wouldn’t mind one of those pimped Quattro things. I remember a model called an Avanti looking like the mutt’s nuts.

Agree most breakages cosmetic. I think he batteries are better these days, used to get at best 18 minutes with a 540 motor. If you want proper uncontrollable comedy, they make a new version of the Wild Willy.

I had a Tamils mud blaster 20 yrs ago, which shared the same chassis. In fact I swooped some parts from an old grasshopper chassis onto my truck. Not sure if it still the same, but the chassis were like a bolted together frame construction, with the guts inside, rather than being a tub type chassis.

They were well made back in the day, although I remember the car shells used to take a beating. The chassis was much better made than the likes of other models from the era, like the hornet.

Probably not the most mature of advice, but I would say get one!

Look into leaving your luggage at LGW:

http://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/north/luggage/

I wouldn’t leave luggage in van in London, anywhere. Other option is to leave it in long stay, but as you said may be a faff.

London and parking are a general pain in the ronson, so I would try and store at left luggage or in a hotel. I was staying in a hotel that was (marginally) better than a Travel Lodge and simply brought the bike inside the hotel, in the bag.

Edited for kak grammaaa

Have a pair of 2007 lx dal controls, that came with y hardtail. Got on with them fine and never had a problem with shifting while breaking etc. Need to be well maintained and mine became a pain with full outer cables, too much drag (and probably too little maintenance).

Have a spare pair of brand new lx dual controls, (just the shifter/brake combo), as at the time I loved the dual controls so much I was worried I would not be able to replace them if I tanked them on a tree. As it is I have gone for regular deore 9 speed shifters on my newer bike.

Mamma Mia! is a better film than Point Break.

I cried when I read the above. What a great film point break is. Some classic lines, like the amazing ‘Lawyers don’t surf’ And you can’t (fact) slag off a film that has such a great collection of mullets in. You can probably tell I have a really sophisticated taste in films.

Going back to 127 hours, best part of the book is when he describes cutting through his nerves as like cutting through strands of pasta. Almost puts me off my lunch…

Shortcut – many thanks. I remember this bit from riding the blue before.

Not sure how Swinley does it, (maybe the forest pixies), but I often used to get lost when riding the trails pre-changes. Good fun though, so much to look out for and in the end it was pretty easy to follow your nose back to the lookout, although I often wondered what trails I had missed on the way back when riding fire road.

Thanks titus, will look out after marker 10.

I would have one. I live in suburban Surrey and drive a BMW estate…no comment.

If I lived somewhere more out of town/tougher access, or lived in the Alps, I would look at something like a Panda 4×4 – would be mine as the wife would want something bigger. That would suit me fine, I like well designed cars. Happy to use a rear mounted or roof rack, I prefer the mud to fall off outside the car on the way home.

I think Fiat do small cars very well and I can’t quite believe in this day and age cars that can go off road are still so inefficient and expensive to buy. I like Subarus for the same reasons, i.e. they are utilitarian but are capable. Prices of Subarus are on a different level though. Unfortunately the Fiat/Jimny type vehicles are pretty rare, although as mentioned above there is a market for them.

Regarding the age and mileage of the car, I appreciate this has occurred on some cars that have done in excess of 100k. However, it has occurred on cars (like mine) that have done very low mileage. I suspect where it has happened on newer cars there is maybe less incentive for people to report this on BMW forums etc, as the warranty will pick up the cost.

It is also fair to point out that in this day and age you should be able to expect 150k plus miles from a well engineered car, providing it has been serviced and maintained. The part is effectively not serviceable, due to location, so even people who have had this happen on older cars would have reasonably been hoping for better.

I personally am thinking the car needs to be sold before warranty expires, frustrating as I had hoped to keep it for a good 10 years. I don’t want to spend in excess of £4k in parts, that was more than the value of my previous car.

King of biscuits – if you google n47 engine issues there are sounds of the problem on YouTube. Almost like a Metallica rattle/rubbing sound.

N47 engine, so all 2 litre diesels I believe. One of the most common bmw engines.

Unfortunately I have a 320 d touring. Chain and guards have already been replaced, under warranty, with the previous owner (father in law). However, there is no certain fix and looking online the issue can occur almost at any stage of the car’s life. Annoying as the engine is otherwise great and the car drives well.

Replacement cost for the part is circa £4 to £5 k or something crazy. My car had only done 6k miles when problem was identified. It has now done circa 15k and my father in law recons he can hear the sound again. Annoying as the car is only 18 months old and the most expensive set of wheels I have ever bought.

Car currently broken down with BMW dealer, alternator fried. I had already been in twice to the garage to point out the warning light for the battery was on and explained the handbook said this was an alternator issue…they just charged up the battery when I took the car in.

Sorry for going off topic, but personally I wouldn’t get another, despite it being a nice car otherwise.

No. I have unfashionable QR 1 1/8 steered Sektors on my bike. 150mm travel, but seem to be fine.

Went round The Wall earlier this week and whilst I appreciate is is hardly the toughest trail around, longer noodle type forks with machined soft cheese crown race still did fine.

The Shield – very under rated show, best thing to come out of Channel 5. Box set probably cheaper now. I will be watching the rest of the series once I have finished The Wire.

Great Cop show that like The Wire and other series in the Genre, has some really flawed characters that you still feel a connection with. Just saw the surfer had recommended too.

Have not watched Breaking Bad beyond the Pilot episode, but it is on my list. Supposed to be excellent though. And also Homeland Series 1 was good – Series 2 should be out soon I am guessing.

I used to carry a bottle and saddle bag, with co2 inflator and a tube. Worked well until I had to change a flat and the inflator was empty, spare tube worn through from being stuffed in the tight saddle bag.

Now I just carry a proper pump and a couple of tubes in a camel back. Extra weight is annoying, but the long walks home are more annoying.

Cool, reassured by your confidence in being able to get a bike in the boot. have not had much experience with many different hatch backs, so thanks for the input.

Don’t mind squeezing the greasy bike in the back of a rental, not my boot! Just kidding, I have ultimate respect for rental cars.

Weber. Expensive (they used to flog the medium size ones for $50 in the US), but now they are £100+. Still worth it, and if you keep them inside (after they have cooled down…), then they should last a while.

Can’t use mine as a neighbor creates such a fuss when we smoke the place out, so might get some of those hickory stick things that really smoke like crazy…

iamsporticus – hopefully. My wife’s specialized hybrid (17 inch frame) came apart and went in the back of my brother’s old Saab 93 no problem. But it probably would have fitted in the glove box.

My bike is L frame full susser, so not sure.

Thanks, if they gave me a Mondeo or something with a chunky boot, would be no problem. I think their standard Group C cars will be smaller unfortunately, but I know some hatch backs are very space efficient inside and often not that much smaller than some small estate cars (like our BMW 3 series, which isn’t that much more practical than a golf).

Thanks TiRed, not a bad idea. I have a D lock and cable that should do the job.

Casio G shock look like they would survive a Zombie attack. Important as you would’ve want to be late for a meeting, especially with such a poor excuse.

I have a Suunto Vector, which has a compass, altimeter and barometer. All these things are essential for my desk job, being based in the wilderness of the south east.

The Timex Expedition watches also look very good and perhaps slightly better value. I would be happy with anything from the above, my choice was more down to the fact that i liked the look of he Suunto watches and my old sports dive watch was going to be 2 x the cost to service and replace battery, so thought I would treat myself to a man watch.

Learn how to wheelie, because it’s ace
Great Divide Route
7 Stanes
Moab
Colorado Trail
South Downs Way
Ride in Pisgah, North Carolina, without getting lost
BC Bike Race
Transalp

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions. I am visiting the area for a couple of nights and thought I would make the most of having the ability to get out on the trails, rather than just going back to the hotel and putting on The Wire on my laptop…

I have ridden from both trail centres a couple of times, but not for a while now (have a kid these days). I am actually going to be based in the Swansea area so will be heading back from the West to East, hence my thinking it would be easier just to head up into the valley rather then get back onto the M4 heading back towards the East.

I have ridden The Wall as an after work shortish blast before (in the pouring rain I seem to remember), but have not done any of the local rides. Shortish to me would be sub 2 hours, so that I am not too pooped, yet feel like I have been out for a ride.

David Jey, will email as any routes would be of interest.

I would probably be happy with any of those in your original post, they should all do the job just fine.

I have a Rockrider 8.3, now 6 years old (RRP £700 at the time). Frame replaced once, as well as upgrades (stem, grips, pedals, tyres, larger front brake rotor). The bike has been great (mine came with a good Rock Shox Reba fork). Frame was replaced after 4.5 years, due to slight kink (questionable if it was a warranty issue, but they did replace it). Now second fiddle to a full susser.

Having said that, I would look at bikes that were a bit more ‘trail friendly’, rather than more classic style xc geometry. There are some great bikes on the market from On One, Ragley, Cotic as well as the better known brands like Specialized and Whyte. For that sort of cash I would also think about getting something from my local LBS, unless you are confident with a spanner.

I did build a bike recently from scratch, although when it came to it I think my ‘budget’ went right out of the window, Grand Design style. Didn’t tell the wife and then stupidly left the build cost spread sheet open on my mac. Doh.

I wanted a motorbike for a long time wen I was younger. I did ride one for a short period while working abroad, but have never gotten a UK bike license.

I don’t think there is anything quite like the feeling of riding on twisty country roads, even on the relatively low powered bike I rode. However, my experiences on a bike were in a warm climate, with barely any traffic and no complications of moisture on the roads and irate cab drivers.

Looking back on it I am glad I never really pursued it. I have missed out on some experiences, but the UK has got so many downsides for riding motorbikes.

A small car can cost roughly the same as a sports bike of similar age, but the power to weight ratio is so much less. I have just had a kid and have now hit the time of life where I would have to opt for a 1.0 hatchback, rather than a sports bike. It is my choice, but as said before I get my kicks riding mtb off road and if I get wound up in traffic, I just try and sticks some good tunes on…

muppetwrangler – I probably won’t ever bother getting round to jail breaking mine, just probably couldn’t be bothered to do it.

Just had a quick look on ebay and can’t believe people are paying £150+ for them. I almost think, for me, it would be better to sell the old model and just buy a newer 1080p version, if I am keen to still keep an Apple TV after I get a Mac Mini.

Thanks muppet wrangler. Have a black apple tv, not the latest 1080 model, so the 720 model. Might keep it to use in our second lounge (not as posh as it sounds) where we have old hd another tv.

i have a small, older generation satellite surround sound, so can connect it via optical and use the HDMI for the tele.

breatheasy, will be upgrading myself down the line. Did the same thing with my macbook, so much cheaper than doing it via apple.

Thanks. Am looking to hook up to a HD tv, but realize I am going to have to fork out for a mouse and keyboard. Does anyone have any good recommendations for either, other than the mad pricey apple ones – or am I best to buy them and be done with it?

Also, is it worth forking out from John Lewis and going for one with a 2yr warranty, or am I best to buy from Amazon or somewhere else online?

Well, any Octavia, Mondeo or Passat would do the job. Audi A4, BMW, Berlingo, Golf estate and Subarus also worth looking at. I have had in recent times, the following for general use and bike lugging:

Golf TDI mk 5 – would have another in a heart beat. Could fit bikes inside, economical and pretty good to drive. Unfortunately a company car, so not mine.

Old shape Passat – good space, economical, not great to drive

Nissan Juke company car. Turbo Petrol fuel consuming rocket ship, could fit a bike in the back with wheels off, but so small it made my wife’s Polo of many years ago look spacious

BMW 3 series – small boot compared to most estates, more economical
and better to drive than most cars I have had

I was happy to get something smaller, as I use the car for travelling to work and day to day stuff more than bike hauling. Also use a roof rack, find it much more convenient than sticking a bike in the back if the car.