They have an odd name but on a metalworking and welding forum I frequent quite regularly the Milwaukee Thunderweb set is highly rated; on Amazon at the moment for just shy of £22.

Aside from that, I do tend to buy individual Dormer and Presto twist drill bits for drilling and tapping.

Well done, Rick! I like it when nice people win nice things; I’ll never forget you taking me around your Torridon loop – mountain biking just doesn’t get any better.

Anyone got any experience of the Arktis C111 combats? Yes I could buy 3 pairs of issue combats for the price of one of these, but they look a similar design and fit to my favourite, sadly deceased Maharishi snow trousers from a million years ago.

@johnnymarone Yes, I have a pair in (they were on sale at the time) Swedish M90K Desert. They’re very comfortable, a very roomy fit and well made. They don’t fasten like a normal pair of trousers; the front of the trousers is a large flap that gets cinched tight by the webbing at the sides. Also, on mine, the fly is closed up by pulling the zip down… I don’t if it was something that the Swedes wanted but you need to remember!

Also have a pair of C411 Ranger Shorts and they are the best and most robust cargo shorts I’ve ever had.

Revolution Race, as suggested above, are certainly worth a look; I’m on my second pair of trousers (only because the first pair was always a bit ‘snug’ and I put on a bit of weight so sold them on) and the Silence Proshell jacket is astounding value for money – very well made kit.

That desk looks a bit narrow househusband.

@joshvegas LOL, but its the perfect height for sitting on and donning boots and shoes – and it hides my tatty old work bag!

I was given the slab of oak (750 x 200 x 60mm) as a ‘thank you’ for making a small wooden handle for an old family heirloom, an old silverware cheese slice – a more than generous return! I cleaned it up on thicknesser planer at work, sanded and applied several coats of Danish oil, then TIG welded the steel legs from 50 x 25mm box section. I could have done a better job preparing the steelwork before painting, a lesson learned for next time!

The Lazarus Heist
13 Minutes To The Moon
The Bomb

There was a lengthy post on podcasts a while ago, which is where I got these from..!

Did it a couple of years ago, in my summer holidays (teacher) after managing to get out of it twice so far; would have left colleagues and the school up the creek if I’d been obliged to do it during term time.

Indeed, lots of sitting around indeed and I was only picked as one juror picked was excused as he (he said he’d already told them) had a conviction – my name was quite literally the next name to be picked out of the sweetie jar.

An ‘unsavoury’ case (considering my profession…) and the technicalities of the case and the law itself was fascinating.

Bought a pair of Darn Tough socks in Aviemore a couple of years ago and they’ve worn well; so much so that seeing this made me think about getting some more – found Gaynors selling then (comparative to RRP) quite cheaply so bought a couple of pairs of crews for £25 incl. delivery.

https://www.gaynors.co.uk/footwear-c119/mens-c121/socks-c130/darn-tough-m265

(Also on eBay.)

As an alternative, how’s about these at about an eighth the price? Mine arrived within four days from the US, Amazon Prime with zero import fees.

Another vote for TIG.

It is arguably the hardest process to get to grips with but it is, in my opinion, the most rewarding. Also, a TIG machine will also do MMA (stick) whereas only a few MIG machines will do so. Conversely many contemporary MMA machines will do ‘lift’ TIG to an extent. I have a Lorch MicorTIG, an absolute joy to use. Also have a
Böhler Uranos MIG.

I was fortunate enough to be able to do an evening course on TIG welding at the local college and it was the best £250 I’ve spent.

@thols2 Thanks for sharing that clip; ‘Reservation Dogs’ looks excellent and could well be worth finally subscribing to Disney+ – cheers!

Try blowing them out with compressed air; would need access to a compressor, obvs. Even if too big after a few revolutions of the inside of the rim they’d likely be reduced in size?

Bitex; 54pt engagement – I have a set built up by DCR Wheels.

Norbar SLO 11123 4-20Nm is the one for bike components; made, I’m pretty sure, in the UK – I know my larger 130104 40-200Nm is.

What was the terrain like that made it difficult ? Im thinking could an ebike made it a lot easier and maybe even a viable route.

@dyna-ti As others have said there isn’t a clearly (or certainly wasn’t ten years ago) defined track from the top of the track at NN 46244 08107 to (I did it clockwise) to the start of the track bottom of Bealach nam Bo at NN 48284 07195 and there were indeed deer fences, bog and plenty bike carrying; the weight of an ebike (not that I’ve ever picked one up) would make it even harder.

It is a tough walk, as above, and making it into a loop would ruffle the inhabitants’ feathers and be quite intrusive. It wasn’t really fun and there’s heaps better riding in the area.

Has anyone (else) ever tried getting around the other side of Loch Katrine..?

I did, some ten years ago, and swore I’d never try again! Lots of bike carrying…

@nobeerinthefridge Yes, the original pricing was niche but when they started selling off stock it was great value.

There’s a big gap in the market for someone to make decent, well priced, reasonable looking kit.

Aussie Grit had a go at filling that void a couple of years ago but it seemed to go pear-shaped; some of us were fortunate enough to get in there and pick up some real bargains.

I picked up an Orbea Laufey for £1700 and it’s been great – definitely more trail than XC, IMO, but a lot of fun.

The H30 version with a lower spec fork and other bits is £1350, assuming you can find one in your size…

I have a Laufey H10 on order from Epic Cycles, having paid a 25% deposit a few weeks ago; they’re anticipating delivery end of September for delivery beginning of October; their ‘everyday low price’ was less than RRP – which I was astounded at in these times!

Do they do a crash replacement policy; Giro certainly had one – I used it once or twice?

Not snake oil at all in my experience, far from it. As I’ve got older and muscles get stiffer and tighter it’s been very helpful.

Anything is a dildo if you’re brave enough…

@clubby Thanks; had a feeling that they’d want the serial number so I rescued the cardboard packaging from the recycling, assuming it is on that besides the foil… alas the sensor itself is in the depths of the kitchen bin and I’m not exploring that!

Aaargh, fitted a new sensor and phone says it has a fault and it won’t work – just had to pull the bloody thing off! Has that happened to anyone?

We were told to seek a replacement from Abbott rather than use a spare (not that I have one anyway so a return to finger pricking until I get a replacement) as the prescriptions are monitored and we will only be issued with 26 a year.

@retro83 Sounds good; the quality of the plastics is way ahead of those on the £30 one (now back up to £46) I bought as an interim. Renpho have said the replacement is on the way and should take a week so does sound its coming direct from wherever they’re based rather than UK.

Again – thanks to all that have commented!

Just over two days in and I can honestly say that it is (and I shudder to use the management bingo catchphrase) a ‘gamechanger’! Haven’t had to prick a finger since… Tuesday sometime I think? Being able to see blood sugar level trending so useful too.

It’d be interesting to work out whether how the cost of one sensor over two weeks compares with the cost of numerous test strips over the same period – irrespective of the long-term benefits in terms of better management.

@ton I seem to recall from many years ago that you were recommended an air fork over coil as they could handle you better than a coil fork could? I may have got this the wrong way round!

Despite all the naysayers, I will readily acknowledge that being made in the UK they might well be eminently more available off the shelf than anything Shimano…

;-)

I see your piles (which I’ve got and they like to rear up their ugly heads from time to time) and raise you nine days off work following a groin meets stem incident several years ago.

Long and short of it is that I was having a casual ride around some flat coastal woodland when pedal hit stump; bike stopped – I didn’t. By the following morning baws had swollen and I couldn’t walk without carrying them in my hand; at Ninewells in Dundee I became a bit of a showpiece on a quiet Monday morning in their casualty department – and had so many wanting to see my black, swollen scrotum. Hematoma in groin, another in scrotum; they filled with blood and I was a grapefruit on the citrus fruit scale.

PS – Can also raise the anal ante with a fissure.

Bolleaux. Literally seconds before you posted I just ordered this beaut on amazon. Only 60 notes.

@retro83 I might just have been plain unlucky that two in a row went pear-shaped within the space of a few months; also possible that they had a batch problem – might explain why Renpho were so quick to replace? Also, at least buying from Amazon you’re well covered.

Also, Renpho do seem to do very well in terms of reviews and ratings, etc.

Yours looks like something out of Star Trek!!!

Somebody mentioned Renpho on the other thread, looks like you can get one of those for ~£90. Lot of money to take a punt on it based on a single recommendation.

I have a Renpho but not sure whether I’d recommend… bought one from Amazon and it died several weeks later. Noticed that it was then £20 cheaper so got a refund on the first, ordered a new one at £80. That then died the same way a few weeks ago; only several months old but same issue.

Got in touch with Renpho (special ‘VIP’ customer care for Amazon customers) and after sending them a short video and the serial number they came back a few days ago and said they were sending a new one!

As in interim I bought a £30 one on Saturday as it was same day delivery and on offer. The Renpho one is quieter and more solidly built but two dead in a row..?

I like that I get to sneaky scan as well.

Haha, brilliant! I suspect that’s why its so useful for parents with T1 children so they can do the same.

Thanks all for your comments and reassurance! It does indeed sound like it is the way forward; 27yrs a Type 1 in my case – thanks @j4mie

In fact, I’ve just quite literally applied the sensor now as I’ll be heading out later for a short bike ride. Didn’t feel a thing.

@fossy I can fully appreciate the cost if you have to fund it yourself! I’ve only known of kids (I’m a secondary teacher) that have it and I know that good diabetes management at that age is arguably more crucial than at any other.

I didn’t realise until last week that it used your smartphone; I’d always thought they needed yet another blood sugar level meter or pump to talk to!

Flavia is clearly feminine.

@martinhutch I neglected to mention I got (this was 37yrs ago, mind) the lowest mark in the school’s history in the final exam – 13%

Now write it out 100 times!

Kiss my hairy, haemorrhoidal arse; not even the school I teach at does lines! You’d have to give me a verbal warning first, then fill out a form to get a text message sent to my parent/guardian.

@thepurist

We used the same book! Brother was called Flavia, IIRC?

Talking about Yazz and the only way being ‘Up’, there’s joint gold medals just been awarded in the men’s high jump!

Yup, bit of an abrupt ending?

Aside from that it was good entertainment; perhaps moreso because we knew the vast majority of the roads so knew when they were repeating sections – or going in the wrong direction for the destination!

This has resonance… old and long-lost schoolmates got me into them in the mid-80’s and they are one of only a few bands that have stayed with me since.