I save money on condoms as regular cycling has ruined my sperm count …..

Lycra really looks good on radio………

On a more practical basis – I've seen various figures about the average car journey being 1.5 miles (lies, lies, statistics …) – if you could substantiate this and point out that it's no distance, free parking etc etc.

Fitness/looks – how many bloaters do you see cycling ? (Possibly phrased differently)

tinsy, 10/10

Hi Adam , I surf/windsurf – in my first post I thought that was the point I made – I've never done triathalon – but felt that most wetsuits I have used would stop proper arm movement and having seen triathalon – the suits look a lot tighter/thinner. The original post asked for any other advice and MC didn't actually say triathalon hire, apologies if I've mislead anybody who was after triathalon specific advice.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1537

5ft 5, 16" 50 stem with rise, (but am thinking of 70)

Thought I'd better add this.
*FYI – re hire.
*This is truthful fact ;+)
It is common for people to urinate in wetsuits
– being cold makes your body want to displace water inside it
– urinating increases the temprature of the water inside your suit
it's a win win situation ;+)

pps
If you hire a suit and boots you do NOT tuck the suit into the boots – see point above.

Hire – all surf places, windsurf, probably some sailing, diving etc etc. Hunt on internet. Daily etc etc hire.

For surfing it's about £10ish a day (*I get a cheapie from a bloke I know – he does board, suit, hat, gloves, £25 for 2 days, delivered – which is good)

Tip – if it ain't a *ugger to put on (ie tight EVERYWHERE, hard to pull up, need to be wriggled into etc) it ain't going to be warm [ and will create a lot more drag] (the more space there is between your body and suit the more [cold] water you need to warm with bodyheat), and must be a good fit at holes (neck, ankles, wrists etc) – as the more water can flush (water inside the suit you have warmed gets displaced by new incoming cold water – which needs heating) the less warm it will be (*also depends on seams – blind stitched [sewn without making a hole right through and glued and the taped is possibly best], on a cheap suit the different panels are just sewn together – ie a blind stiched etc suit is truly waterproof (except at 'holes') whereas in a cheap suit water will get in at all the panel joins etc etc.

Many Thanks guys

mail is <forumname>@<notcold>mail.com

You might want to get a triathalon suit – as swimming is (presumably) part of their design criteria (so will be designed to allow good an easy arm movement). (I would suspect that most 'wetsuits' aren't designed for proper swimming – winsurfing, diving, surfing etc))

Also check fitting type – personally I don't like velcro or stretch and use zip – however if the zip rubs you might be unhappy. Esp how it interacts with shoulder and arm movements, as you'll be doing a lot of them. Seam type is also worth understanding (but probably not too relevant to summer usage) – but for winter you want a waterproof seam to minimise flushing.

Would a shortie do (short arms, short legs) – I use that to windsurf/surf in summer. You also get convertibles (addable arm/leg lowers etc)

You probably want a 1 or 2 mm (5/6 is winter) A 3/2 means that the body part material thickness is 3mm and the arm/leg part is 2. The thicker is warmer (* also depends on quality and exact type )and harder to move as it exerts more 'force' when you try to move it. ie you don't notice a rash vest you DO notice a full winter suit with a chunky shoulder back zip.

Try searching for rash vest – – it's about a .5/1 mm T shirt style top (£25 ish)- would that help. I use it as a base layer in winter but you seem people surfing them in summer)

I've used a surf ski (effectively a sit on) a few times, it was VERY hard work compared to a sea kayak.

I think try before buy/hiring etc so she gets a feel for the options might be a good idea. My swimming baths have a regular canoe club session, might be worth a ask around. You can get trailer/trolley dinghies now, they might be comfier and offer more options, she may also be able to crew/try at a sailing club or there might be local rowing clubs etc

This next bit might come across wrong so apologies if it sounds negative, I'd check some practical things first:
– if she's going to use it on the sea esp on her own does she understand tides and weather forecasts, offshore wind etc(or the factors impacting where she plans to use it)
– transport – how will she get it from garage onto car and then to the beach (and back when even more knackered)

I found the Isle of Harris to be pretty impressive, two loops there but it's a pain to get to.

**Blag – Jules any chance I could have a copy of the gpx – Scotland next year hopefully, mail is <profilename>at<notcoldmail>.com

Lots and lots of dirt trails (farm tracks), distinct lack of any maps.
*beware cables, hoses via orange etc trees at head height.

I did motorbike hire (with a guide). Good fun but unvaried (ie all dry dusty track but did manage to swim in blazing bsky blue sea and play in snow on same day)

wow

Actually I don't think there are enough trails for MTBers (however I do think they get a fantastic deal compared to vehicles, but then it's a crap deal compared to ramblers) – I think bridleways should be upped to about 75ish% of the total of 'trails'(leaving ramblers 25% of sole access of trails – plus right to roam etc etc etc and I think mtb should be allowed on the entire coastal path inc developments). In reality land I would VERY strongly echo the CountZero/aracer experience, if you go with a smile/hallo/bike behind and show consideration to other users (and the ground etc)you appear to be able to go where you want (*within reason). In 20 or so years of SE riding (Berkish) I've been challenged once and most irritatingly when I said 'Are you the landowner or an appointed factor thereof' he replied yes I'm the gamekeeper, we had a chat but ultimately there was nothing he could do, he had his orders/opinion and and I had my perspective – it was a very polite and calm chat, now I just watch for his landrover – what they eye don't see……

Last local explore involved footpaths and ended up using the local angling club route round a private lake – a few good eveings and a 'do you know where that goes' – a good time was had by all…..

Go S Burbery Castle can do W or S
(Can get their from town – ex railway or via Wrafton I think)
Os Map 173

+ Marlborough area
+ S of Basingstoke
+ N of Reading

don't know what your work journey is but I'd find that out and understand commuting flows before deciding where to buy.

As I understand it, about 105,000 miles of 'trail' in UK.
Ramblers – can use 100% legally + right to roam in certain places
mtb, horses 21% (plus mtb have done awfully well for trail centres)
vehicles 3% (down from about 5% and falling)

Given that most 'mountain bikers' seem to think 3% access is unacceptable I fail to see how they can complain when somebody tries to limit them to their 21%.

I’ve got my gf to ratchet it, mind in her case it’s not so much strength it’s more hand size/travel (she’s 4ft 10), so by ratcheting it she can change in little steps, as she just can’t reach with one push

Have you made sure it’s properly lubed, etc.

(*re gripshift – I’ve got it on a 2000ish bike, worked fine after being left sitting for 4 years. What’s the problem with it ?)

mm
can try local engineering shop (if there are any left)

easyouts (drill into bolt. screw in easy out – reverse thread so should screw out bolt)

I have (on a motorbike) drilled the bolt out as close as I dared and then using a very small pick slowly peeled the the bolt thread out of the hole – mind you I was sweating a lot ……..

could you drill in a hole and araldite a allan key etc into the hole ?? (ps I really do think that proper araldite is that good)

Pension counts are before ANY deductions (Employer Ni, employee NI, tax) – so check amounts – yep can claim tax back if higher rate (but suspect gorgon is working on it)

re H&L I suspect that H&L mght not charge but that the funds they use will.

SW have limited funds (as part of my pot is with them).

shame hols and flights are at their most expensive ;+)

Check details, if you sacrifice then you and your employer should be paying less NI (so where is the employer money going).

Re ‘another provider’ – ‘eggs, baskets’.
e.g Company A
– invest X, make 1% as it’s a crap fund, pay 1.5% manangement charges, how much profit is that. Do you know what your current fund is making, charging etc.
– invest X (Emerging mkt. nat res ??? gamble) make 20%, pay 1.75% management charges, how much profit is that.

In my experience people get commision on the sale NOT the ongoing performance so YOU have to do the monitoring.

Do dessert

nanas, split skin, insert smarties (etc), lubricate with contreau, wrap in silver foil ..

There are some nice cheekies in Mortimer/Burghfield.
Jsut N of Reading is good.
Just S of Basingstoke is good.
Swindon/Marlborough area is excellent.
I (as in me) do a Monday eve ride from Burghfield Common at approx 6.pm
Just done a 14 mile local cheekie.

Early morning from my house cheekie, glorious – not too warm, great colours, nettles wanin – yahoooo, mind you brambles appeared to be making a late surge, just back and about to do mushrooms on toast…

* if it makes a difference bloke with gps was mid 30ish, ex semi pro footballe, runs 5k about 5 times a week……..
(maybe an older, heavier me burned more …..)

According to mates gps/phone/…

14 miles, 1.5 hours, 720ft gain (basically 7 miles up gradual hill, then down) (surface was dry, hard pack) 480…. makes me feel guilty about beer afterwards

wow – parent sees own child as more important than anything else – gasp, suggest scientific grant for research.

Given that all parents are ‘good’ enough and ‘skilled’ enough to simultaneously drive a car in rush hour traffic, with one hand, whilst looking backards at the children, pointing and remonstrating I’d have thought holding a baby and dealing with some kids in an static and enclosed space would be pretty easy……

http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/go_camping_on_the_river_thames.pdf

I like them, easy to bleed, low maintenance,work for me (xc).

My gf has avid 3, never been right (from new) and seem to require special tools to bleed.

re tools – no
I got had over for having a 3inch long paper clip – honestly, they told me it could be dangerous ……….

do you have any bits of wood that are smallish and greasy
alternatively does it take you a really long time to digest some takeaways

Gorge Cafe, near Caversham Bridge – traditional full English with Polish flair ……….

Great slightly out of town Indian: Cinammon Tree (Upper Basildon I think). In town, Miahs Garden of Gulab.

Wander along Kings Road – some ok pubs. 3Bs in the Town hall – often has live music (esp Thu I think).

After Dark Club (? is it still going, bump and grind whilst stuck to the floor)

Calleva Roman site and ampitheatre – great on a sunny day, lie on your back in the middle and cloud surf between the trees.

Twyford vineyard used to do tours (*and samples)

Upper++ pub nosh (ie restaurant) – Black Boy on road between Henley/Maidenhead just on down side of hill from Henley)

Yep Neilson and Sunsail – done cats, windsurfers and dinghies with them, I’m kidless but hey appeared to have creche, clubs etc, also family days out on day yachts (35ish feet). Also they have now gone into biking so it workes well
– windy – sailing
unwind – biking
some alos have water skiing etc

The ramblers will be average age 60+ (at a guess)

vaguely unrelated but for motoX I was taught to weight the outside peg on corners,

I lock mine in my car a lot.

(Pug 306 hatch) Have taken back seat cushions out (so seats fold flatter), bike lies flat, wheels in, covered with dark sheet – to make less visible. I use a windsurfer locking cable (3M steel plastic coated cable) goes through frame, wheels, seat and rucksack (as kit also in car) and car seat mount loop.
I also try to park in visible places but slightly back (ie so passers by don’t see contents but can se car) and back right up to objects.

It’s the best I can do a the price I want to pay…… but I suspect you’re always at risk parking at biking venues….

Can’t help with licence dets – suggest you check.

re transport I’d suggest understanding road and journey first.

ie scooters are SLOW -ie a 40mph vehicile where the average speed is 55mph is a liability/traffic jam/nightmare and small wheels are crap with rough roads/potholes.

To be honest 30k on a small engine (esp 2 up sounds crap), I’d say 250cc.
As a me personal preference I like trails bikes.

Your base costs won’t change (well ok from a scooter to a harley they might but from a scooter to a 250 – not that much – and with 250 you can sensibly do 30k 2up easy (and if it’s a trail bike you can explore local shrubbery etc etc

I had mine done by the professionals…

two blokes, vests, shorts, ladder up side of house, bloke1 put on chemical rucksack and started climbing up ladder, bloke 2 holding ladder bottom, then rammed the nozzle under the tiles and into the nest ‘you might want to go inside now’ – it was like the battle of Midway, it really was, the wasps just swarmed, everywhere, and these two blokes just stood there … anyway about 3 minutes later ‘we’re done, wait till tomorrow, popup with a bin liner and a shovel and scrape whats left up and stick it in the bin’

Job done £25

shopkeepers, banks, and petrol stations appear to.

I have to remove my (motorbike) crash helmet to use them …….

nearly blew it in Tescos today ….

getting to sandwich display, just got upset by a ‘girl of ample++ proportions’ who was doing the strange pick a prewpackaged sandwich, investigate contents, replace, pick one next to it, repeat….. dance, anyway after getting round her I managed to get a sandwich, then as I backed out to go to the fruit section, yep same person has just moved infront of it – and then she bent down and picked up two large sausage rolls, I so nearly said out load ‘you are joking aren’t you love ….’

I used a space blanket once (and I’m note sure how close yours is too that), however I nearly sweated to death, so suggest a breathability check.

take care – a friend broke both wrists by driving a motorbike into the back of a van whilst distracted…..