We just use fairy liquid and a brush on ours, the algae doesn’t doesn’t get engrained like stone or concrete as it isn’t porous.

There were some odd things going on with voting – I could see the options but couldn’t select them and no submit button. Several refreshes worked for most categories.

Great idea though, I plan to take more photos on my rides this year.

We should all chip in to buy a small property or caravan in Swindon. That way we can take it in turns to go ride the fabled trails behind the Nationwide.

But who would run the uplift ;-)

Concrete posts are a good option, I did ours a few years ago and although hard work at the time, they should be there for a long time.

I like my pnw post, they were available for about 120 before Xmas so may still be a few around.

I’ve been ok this winter, done a good few off-road rides but it has been a lot wetter than last winter. Can’t decide if last winter was abnormally dry or this one abnormally wet. I think the former. 

I think the salesman is talking out of his hoop.

Uberbike have another 20% off, code MERRY20.

I’m afraid it’s not just cycling. My local cricket club are the same, the kids section bring in about 60% of funds but the senior members treat them as a nuisance and go out of their way to get them to leave and play elsewhere.

Despite it being pointed out multiple times, if the juniors members money didn’t come in, senior players wouldn’t play at it would be too expensive per match. They don’t seem to care…

No chance, I am too old and grumpy for that nonsense. I may walk past the local for a couple on my afternoon dog walk but that’s as wild as it will get for me.

You’ve just described children in need, lots of millionaires with questionable tax dealings telling us to dig deep when they could end world hunger between them.

Yeah, but FoD at the trail centre this time of year is mostly survival and staying upright outside of Launchpad and Countdown, every other run has roots or mud and are all suffering due to the amount of usage going on. The OP may be looking for something easy and fun, 417 isn’t vast, but can do well for a day for folk visiting, dubby skipper was always fun to push toward clearing the tables and stuff for new folk.

Again, not been in a couple of years, i tend to stick local, which is in horrific condition as well this time of year!

I don’t think 417 holds up too well in the wet either, I’ve been in December before and it turns to orange, sticky gloop. There really is so much in Fod outside the lower bit of the trail centre, I know it takes some looking for but it isn’t too hard to find with Strava, trail forks, asking on here etc.

This is just my opinion, yours many vary etc.

FoD 100% worth the visit, 417 definitely not.

This. I drive past the door of 417 to get to FoD all the time. I feel a bit bad for 417 as it is a small, family run venue but it’s just not for me. Prices are near enough BPW money for an uplift and it just doesn’t offer enough for me to be comparable. For push up, its not a patch on FoD.

Pleased it worked for a quick spin. In fairness,  we did warn you up there that Surrey hills would be more interesting ;-)

A&Etastic! Enjoy and speedy recovery ;-)

My wife slams doors and it drives me nuts, the force she uses to shut a car door is enough that I sometimes go and check it hasn’t opened the opposite door.

I’ve just built a modest row of houses in Macclesfield, but I think I got the layout wrong.

I think you got the price wrong too ;-)

I have a separate policy for bikes, it is a bit more expensive per month but the cover is a lot better. Cover when bikes are in or on the car, away on holiday etc. Not surprisingly, the cover on my home insurance was focused on when the bikes were at home.

This popped up earlier and looks like a cracking bike for the money – https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/trek-slash-97-slxxt-29-full-suspension-mountain-bike-2022-in-green__28341

My coworker eats lunch at his desk and apparently can’t chew with his mouth closed.

If I were to be on the jury at your your trail, I’d found you not guilty.

Mine do it too. Sitting on the door mat, back resting against front door so even if the “poor me” eyes don’t work, you are not leaving with them!

In fairness, being outside with dogs is awesome so I never regret doing something with them.

Do it! Kids are only young and with you for a relatively short time and you don’t know what is around the corner.

It is this sort of adventure that will be remembered forever.

The same could be said of bikes, there are very few bad bikes made these days but we all read the reviews and justify a replacement to ourselves when the outgoing one if still far better than we are.

You’d think if anywhere could do it, BPW would/could.

I was about to post this. With the number of people who visit BPW each year, they must have the best business case in the UK if there is one? Chairlift rather than drag lift but they have it here – https://www.bikeparkwales.com/the-master-plan-q-a

We’ve really done our homework on this one and once you look at it in more detail it really isn’t as obvious a move as you might think . First up is cost, it’s been a few years since we looked at this seriously but £6 million will just about get you there and without the kind of visitor numbers a ski resort gets (around 10-20 X BPW numbers) you would never see a return on that investment. In addition to that, closures due to bad weather would be far more frequent.

I get like this and when I do, I arrange to ride with a mate or a group. That way I am committed and I will go, otherwise I get home from work and sit down for 5 minutes. After that, I am going nowhere.

Well said scruff9252.

The postie just delivered the latest magazine with calendar, I’ve popped the calendar on the wall in the kitchen and I plan to spend this evening planning a few adventures and putting the dates in there. Will have a read of the mag with a cuppa at lunchtime too.

Cheers to all at STW, have a merry christmas!

If you have the dog 50/50 then why don’t you buy food for when he/she is at your place and let the ex do the same. one less thing to hand over when the dog swaps humans too?

When I had this setup, I tried multiple cages and they either didn’t work or didn’t last very long. The only one that did work and last was a fidlock but they are a bit expensive. 

@rustyspanner. Go on, we need more judgement.

How about Converse, UnderArmour, five tens as casual shoes and lastly, barefoot shoes.

My mum has this, possibly the previous model. It works well and sounds like it fits what you want

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/cuisinart-grind-and-brew-auto-dgb625bcu-filter-coffee-machine-silver-10246674.html

I don’t see an issue, if I made the offer I am obviously happy to buy it at that price. Saves me a step to go in and pay if they accept the offer.

Possibly one of the best prizes given the current UK weather !

Agreed, that or flippers and a snorkel.

Cycle to work and sell the old one at the same time so with some generously applied man maths – Cash in my bank and a 12 months to pay off the new one, I am actually in profit after the transaction ;-)

How much does a new bike box cost on its own? If you need one… second hand will do nicely.

Nothing, whenever I’ve sold a bike and need to courier it I pop into my LBS and ask, they are only too happy to get rid of them.

There is a bloke selling a box from his Canyon near me, he wants £25 for an empty box!

be knee deep in Chiggle boxes filled with ill fitting clothing, oddly coloured components and tools/accessories that will never see the light of day

I have tried not to order anything too questionable just because it is cheap, the problem I have is I keep spotting stuff I need at a really good price and rather than pay £3,50 for postage, I add £10 worth of bottom brackets, small tools and water bottles to the order. I had 2 on the shelf already but it appears I now have 7 bottom brackets for my hardtail!

does sound steep.

Needs to be or the water wont run off ;-)

This was mentioned on the PSA thread, I am tempted. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126197605866?var=427209772773

A few items to get you over the free postage mark.

Headset for £2 – https://www.wiggle.com/p/brand-x-integrated-is42-45×45-headset

Frame strap for 99p -https://www.wiggle.com/p/nukeproof-horizon-enduro-strap?color=blackcopper&sizeStandard=Short

Bike wall holder for £2 – https://www.wiggle.com/p/lifeline-wall-mounted-folding-bike-rack

Vice grips for £2 – https://www.wiggle.com/p/lifeline-pro-vice-grips

From experience?

Sort of. From day trips over the border while staying in France, food and beer is more expensive. We tried to stay in Switzerland a few years ago but accommodation was about 50% more than on the French side so we didn’t. I seem to remember extra costs for driving there too but I may be mistaken?