I went to a walk in centre and referred to A&E following the x-ray. Collarbone was broken in 2 places. The surgeon (who was a cyclist) gave me the option of surgery, quicker fix but the chance of issues in the future or wait to see how it healed by itself, longer healing time but less chance of issues in the future. I went for the second option. Luckily it all healed well by itself.

Don’t take Ibuprofen as pain relief. I was also prescribed Vitamin D and Iron tablets.

Followed similar advice as above on sling and keeping the joint moving. Got physio booked in early on and worked with a PT on strength training after about 4 months. I had 19 breaks in total, some which needed surgery, and 14 months on I’m pretty much back to normal.

I made a right mess of myself last year with 19 breaks in total. I was prescribed Vitamin D and Iron tablets to help with calcium and oxygen absorption. Other than having 3 ribs wired up everything else knitted back together well.

If you end up going down to Bordeaux and passing near La Rochelle, Ile de Re is worth considering.

Stayed at Camping Seasonova, N. East of the island. Went middle of August, wasn’t busy then. Lots of other nice sites dotted around the island.

Easy to get around the island by bike, don’t need the van to get around at all. Nice little villages and ports.

Took an inflatable kayak and paddle boards, beaches were pretty empty. I’d happily go back.

We had one about 8 years ago for the 3 of us (5 year old child and a dog) a few years as intro. Worked for us, lots of fun, and got plenty of use before we made the decision to upgrade.

Most of the bad points are covered above. Brakes were shocking too, it almost took as long to stop as it it did to get up to 30mph! Especially when it was loaded up for a weekend away.

We had a good one but i think if I’d have kept in longer it would have started deteriorating and costing to a fair bit to keep on the road. It was starting to rust around the wheel arches, had quirky electrics (everything was was electric) Suspension bushes, ball joints, steering  etc.

You might be better hiring a camper for a few weekends to see how you get on, or widen your scope and include something like a T3 (T25) or a T4, they’ll still be old and suffer from their own problems though.

My son’s outgrown this if it’s of any interest…

Thanks @colp that’s good to hear. Will be taking paddle boards and kayak.

Any recommendations on stopping on the way down? Will be driving from Dunkirk and currently thinking about Luxembourg for a night or two.

Can’t really help with the Bavarian Alps, interested in any recommendations too. 

We’re off to Grubhof Camping, near Lofer in Austria, for the first time. Campsite looks great, plenty to do locally. 25 min from Leogang bike trails and 45 min from Salzburg for some site seeing. 

Think he’s definitely going to grow into that look! He taught himself Judas Priest Breaking the Law the other week and has been banging out Since you’ve been gone all morning.

Big bro came home for a visit last weekend and the pair of them spent the majority of time doing this…

 I’d have probably bought that for him if he hadn’t gone and tried a few out. Also tried the Epiphone SG and a few others. His Favourite by far was the Ibanez Mikro.

The guys in PMT Oxford were great. Popped in with my lad and spent ages in their practice room trying different guitars out.

We left empty handed (he’s been saving up to buy one). I went back later and bought the one he liked. I can’t wait until Xmas day! 

Bristolian but no longer live there.

Used to go to The Old Duke on Kings Street. Short walk to the Fleece, good atmosphere and usually some live music on. 

@toby1 probably on the large side. I’m similar height / build as the guy modeling the jacket who’s wearing a large. I’m a medium in most other clothing, ordered a large and a medium. Medium was spot on.  

It’s not overly insulated or bulky. 

Passenger Baltic Jacket? Just bought one as wanted something smartish / casual and  different to my Montane Prism. Really pleased with it.

Used Alpkit 4 season bags on various treks in the past, no complaints. Got quite a lot of Alpkit stuff, never had a problem returning faulty products (not had many)

Ordered a Pipedream 400 and Mountain Equipment Helium 400 in January. Ended up keeping the ME bag, felt much nicer with some better features. Both were around £150 in the sales. 

Go to tent is a Lanshan 1. They do a larger version (Lanshan 2). Small pack size, light and pretty robust. Need to factor in some poles, I use some Bearbones carbon poles which can be made to measure. 

Router out a seat on the inside and use some wood strip / moulding glued in place?

Beaten to it ^

Have you tried BT to complain about where they positioned the router in the first place?

We had an issue when we switched from BT to EE and they supplied 3 of their Smart Discs FOC.

We’ve got a converted VW T6 SWB with a pop top. It’s got the usual cupboards, sink, cooker, fridge and 3/4 rock and roll bed in it. Had a Mazda Bongo with a similar set up for a few years before that. 

Most of the cooking is done outside but it is nice to be able to make a brew inside. Sink rarely gets used though.

Our 10-year old sleeps up top and travels up front so we can store SUPs, inflatable kayaks, etc. in the back while we drive. 3 bikes go on a tow bar mounted hitch. I am tempted to get a small trailer with bike racks on the top.

You can get a thermal screen to go around the pop top which makes a big difference. Keeps the heat in and condensation down when it’s cold and cooler inside when it’s hot. We also have a diesel night heater, coldest we’ve been down to is around -5.

For weekends we’ll take a pop-up toilet tent for the porta-potty and also storage. If we go away for longer we’ll take a Decathlon 2.5m x 2.5m shelter. 

Benefit of the pop top is that the van is still under 2.1m so fits under most car park height barriers.  

Over the years we’ve cut down on carrying loads of stuff that we don’t need and getting the most out of the storage space so things that get used most are easily accessible. 

I’d consider looking at a LWB next time and also other makes with a squarer body shape like the Nissan’s, Vauxhall’s etc…

I have, and can recommend, the Decathlon pair mentioned / linked above.

Kept me dry during a January bike packing trip in Mid Wales.

My 10 year old has a full size Yamaha Pacifica and Fender Mustang amp. 

He started out on a Jose Ferrer 3/4 classical guitar which he still likes to play. You can pick them for £30 and useful as a spare. 

Bontrager XR3 or XR2 Team Issue?

Light, fast rolling and pretty durable. Can pick them up for £20 to £30.

Are your teeth definitely the source of the pain? I had excruciating tooth ache a few years ago.

Dentist checked and couldn’t find anything wrong. He suggested going to the GP, it was a sinus infection & a course of antibiotics cleared it up. 

Might be worth a second opinion before you yank them out. 

Definitely don’t sell,  go for a few gentle rides to see how you feel first and build up from there. 

I had a bad crash in June resulting in some pretty serious injuries and  multiple breaks. I was back on the bike as soon as I was allowed (3 months). Still have to take it relatively easy but it’s great to be back out. 

Broke my scaphoid in 2009 and that healed perfectly with no other complications. 

I was prescribed Vitamin D supplements which is meant to help the bone healing process, might be worth looking into that too. 

 

Another recommend what you have.

I’ve got a couple of Fjern jackets from Sports Pursuit. I have the Orkan for non bike and colder weather use. Also have the lighter, more packable Skjold for on the bike. 

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy either of them again.  

Stayed at Greenacres a few times, nice site & close to town.

Also stayed at Bracelands Campsite. Prefer the location. It has pods / Safari tents there too.

Easy to get down to the River Wye and a nice walk or cycle to the Saracens Head or the Ye Olde Ferrie Inn on the opposite side of the river. Both nice pubs and good food.

Cheers all – I’ve ignored it for a quite a while and will continue to do so.

Unfortunately they are a legit company and the reviews indicate they are a bunch of scumbags.

My email is my name.co.uk, I’ve had emails sent to me that should have gone to who ever has the same name.com email.

Read the reviews too which is why I don’t want to give them personal details.

I deleted the first few emails but subsequent ones have mentioned that they will be writing to my home address, never received anything in the post. They have never referenced my home address or given details of the address related to the debt.

I have written a letter disputing the claim excluding any personal details. I have added their reference no. and my email address and asked that they email any evidence. Not posted it yet.

My mower (B&S engine) started intermittently spluttering, eventually cut out and wouldn’t start.

The carb fuel/float bowl had corroded and the debris blocked the jets. I cleaned it all up as a temp fix & ordered a new one, still running on the original carb.

I was given Lidocaine patches and told to take vitamin D supplements.

I’m 12 weeks into 8 broken ribs. I had surgery to repair 5 of them and been back on the bike a few weeks. Ribs are fine but the nerve / muscle damage can be uncomfortable.

Did mine on the 6th June (along with my shoulder, ribs and back). Gentle rides on quiet roads and well maintained bridleways after 8-weeks.

X-ray last week and about 90% healed, told to carry on taking it easy for another 4 weeks and stay away from ‘serious’ mountain biking until Xmas.

I don’t think CRC / Wiggle accept cycle to work at the mo.

@didnthurt my son’s the same age and height, he rides the XS.

Coming off a Vitus 24 it looked huge initially. Fitted a 100mm Brand X dropper with about 140mm of post between seat clamp and saddle rail.

Great little bike for the money.

10 year old using Dakine Slayer Pro knee and elbow pads with no complaints.

Adults small. Sleeve type with adjustable velcro straps.

Kids on bikes are awesome, guaranteed to make me smile.

My eldest 2 were never that interested, my youngest can’t get enough of it and at 10 he’s already great fun to be out on the trails with.

Exposure user here but have been looking for some lights for my son.

Had a quick look at the Lifeline Pavo 2500 which you can pick up up for around £100. They have a few other models available too.

No experience but on the list to consider. Doesn’t tick your locally sourced / manufactured box though.

Don’t think CRC/Wiggle support C2W schemes if that’s the way you’re thinking of purchasing.

Used to ride the Chase trails 3 nights a week when I stayed in Cannock for work (pre-covid).

Rigid Steel HT 29er with carbon fork was perfect.

Sorry the Yari is 27.5′ – There is a 29″ version but only 120mm travel.

Did you end up having your break operated on?

I went for my first physio session yesterday following my tumble. The most strenuous it got was lying on my back moving a walking stick from one side to the other.

If you’d consider new CRC are selling Rockshox Yari RC for £229