As above, well worth it, you’ll do well to find any ‘deals’ but I’ve been 3 times now, never once felt ripped off, never had an issue queuing either, there’s loads to go at, so people spread out.

Go early, take suncream, get in the deep bit of the huuuge wave pool… enjoy.

And… if you get a chance too, check out Lavatrax for some riding, Darran that runs it is a really nice bloke and has plenty routes for all abilities.

I bought an Astra Estate recently, 2.0cdti Auto. because I was running out of space in my previous car.

For your budget you could get a decent spec ’11 or 12 I’d have thought.

I get 45mpg+ to and from work (12miles each way urban) and 60ish on a nice run out. Spec and finish is great, easily as solid as the Merc I had previously.

Road bike goes in whole with seats flat, mtb has front wheel off for ease of loading, but I bet would go whole with a bit of wrangling.

Planet X

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-pro-carbon-shimano-ultegra-road-bike

or Ribble

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/ribble-sportive-bianco-shimano-equipped?part=SE13RIBSPORTBIANSHIM&sub=conf_SERC

both probably worth a look, on paper the Planet-X looks amazing value.

This is the front of the ‘top shelf’ selection

Dales bike centre
http://www.dalesbikecentre.co.uk/

Great location for biking… they have some suggested route maps for sale. Great coffee and cake. Few rooms, or a bit of camping available by request.

Good couple of pubs in Reeth too.

Saw these a while back… Most popular names of babies by year

Must admit to having a soft spot for this ‘dale.

Yup, though I am at home, laptop on, brew in hand… mobile on silent!

For me, a bit of Creedence…

TK Maxx in Manchester had some IceBreaker Full Zip tops in the other day, still £149 but were heavyweight and very nice looking, over my budget though. Might be worth trying your local one…

Mine has about 9-10 links of bike chain looped on it.

I like the idea of an old disc to make them less pocketable though, might see what’s in the box of spares…

Jenson looking more dense than happy :lol:

Yup, as above, a ticket with the correct end point will allow you to get on/off as you like. The ranger ticket would allow you to go an indirect route, but that’s not what you’re after.

Good luck… as above Batley will seem a long way away once to feel like settling in at the Riverhead or one of the many decent pubs in Huddersfield.

Saddleworth & Mossley area’s are worth a look, riding is good, trains to Manchester. Mossley to Sportcity cycle commute would be approx 30mins I’d guess. With nice steady off road alternatives, for summer/homeward journey.

bonus point for knowing where it is.

Skoda Fabia VRS? Bit smaller than the focus/civic, but if you’re expecting the bike(s) to go on the outside does that matter?

Oh, and a Fiat Panda 100hp, again because I had one and it was ace :)

Your route would be my choice too Ton, when doing the bit from Marsden to Diggle this route will be the quieter option. Still uses Standedge Cutting, but that’s unavoidable for a road route and not a long stretch.

Green for hybrids/tourers, Orange for anything more capable off-road.

There were some good deals at Ribble Cycles recently.

Erm…

Or…

Linky…

Stayed here a couple of weeks ago:

http://www.snowdonia-park.co.uk/campsite.html

Campsite is fine, pub is good, bottom of the rangers path/car park is 3.5 miles down the road.

Our springer came from the NWESSR (link above by andyl). He was a pup when we got him, so don’t rule rescue places out thinking you’ll only get older dogs.

He’s 3 now, and an awesome dog/pet/friend and constant shadow :)

That is all you need….

I’ll be there too.

Thanks
Keith

Small handlebar bag?

Just a thought, not the most fashionable item, but keeps everything to hand, and will be well clear of your knees

Sent a few over via email… nothing too exciting, just my regular pootling about spots.

Worth having a look at the pennine bridleway, going over towards glossop/tintwistle too, and Marsden as has been suggested.

We did the normal course last year… Starts off well but, once the 1st couple if obstacles are done its a bit tame, would be tempted to do the ‘extreme’ or whatever the harder one is called provided your all reasonably fit adults.

Cracking views from the top too!

Sad news, lots of great memories, mainly of following him uphill!

Just a flick through my biking pics and turned up this one, so I thought I’d share.

guessing there’s not much ‘give’ in them or the tyre clearance/gap to frame would mean a specific frame/fork wouldn’t it?

Quick Sunday afternoon blast…

We’re think about a second dog too, again, probably a rescue/rehome dog.

Are you able to ‘borrow’ a dog off a friend/neighbour for a night to see how your existing dog copes with the company and another dog on what it might see as being its territory?

Other than that, and the increased cost/cleaning we’ve not really found any drawbacks… just need to man up and make the decision :)

Placebo – Running up that hill.

There’s also a good cheese shop and bakery in a little courtyard place in Cartmel…

Cheese Done Properly

Nice easy walks to be had by going across the racecourse an up into the woods… our dog loved it anyway :)

I have the equivalent of a Triban 5 (just a year or so older), from the pics it’s the same frame, only I’ve got campag gears on it… for what I use it for (summer rides, charity stuff, the odd commute) it’s been spot on, not really changed much (saddle, pads, bar tape).

It got me up Tourmalet and did a few hundred miles round France the other year too… for the £450 I paid for it at the time, it’s been a bargain.

Seat Arosa and VW Lupo 1.4 TDi’s are £30 a year tax, should be available for that kinda cash I’d have thought… pretty sturdy for a little car.

mentalists

Used to put mine on the roof :). Cracking little car, still miss mine

Left to Right:
Oakham Ales – Bishop’s Farewell
Phipps NBC – Ratliffes Stout
Silverstone Brewing co. – Pitstop

It was a good evening!

Not me in the pics… dust and sunshine courtesy of Tenerife/Lavatrax last November.

Well, we found our way to The Malt Shovel!

Great recommendation, tried the Bishop’s Farewell, very nice, and a few others too. Lovely pub, great atmosphere, seemed to be the only place that had a decent amount of people in it.

Cheers!

Will give it a try. Both pubs mentioned look good.

Ta