I’m really impressed by this. Would love to be able to do something similar. Please keep the updates coming on how well it performs in the longer term, and what you’d change with hindsight.
Could I suggest a 29er with a bottom bracket gearbox for the next build?

Gusamc has suggested a good area. The Thames Path and Jubilee River in Berkshire fit your bill exactly.
Between Datchet (The Murke) in the east and Bray in the west is the perfect loop. The path along the Jubilee River is wide, fast, smooth gravel with minimal change in altitude. The Thames Path is also gravel, but more sinuous.
There are plenty of cut shortcuts between the two if needed, through Dorney and (round) the rowing lake. Stops in Eton or Windsor too.
I’m sure the cut through Eton School grounds is an official route, certainly never an issue using it.
Best to try and avoid sunny weekends though as it’s a popular area.

The Grand Union Canal sounds like it would fit your bill, and also on your doorstep by the sounds of it. Even the suburban bits can be pretty. Definitely no hills and some good pubs every few miles. Also the option to detour along the rivers of the Colne Valley.
Black Park, next to Pinewood Studios, is also a good flat venue. Miles of fire road and a lot of interesting singletrack, and a couple of cafés for a cake stop.
Maybe neither is the ‘best’ in Southern England, but good riding and local.

Or you could just cut the valves out of a couple of old tubes you are almost bound to have lying around. They work just as well.

Brilliant. Now you know it works, you should be able to get them to seat easily with a home made inflator next time. Enjoy the extra grip of lower pressures, and almost no punctures.

A compressor or 9p bottle inflator give a large volume of continuous air flow that can push the bead onto the rim all around the tyre in one go. A track pump only gives short bursts of air, and in between each pump the tyre springs back a little bit from the rim.
It is worth investing a little time in making your own inflator, but if you can find someone nearby with a compressor, I’d visit them to use it. Once you’ve seen that it is possible to to inflate the tyre it will give you more confidence. If the compressor doesn’t work, you may have to try a different tyre/rim combination as there are some combinations that just won’t work. Don’t give up though.

Washing up liquid with a bit of water, soak a cloth in it and wipe it around the bead of the tyre. It just provides lubrication allowing the tyre to move on the rim, and as you put the air in, it bubbles, showing you where the air is getting out. Hopefully you just see the bubbles reducing as the tyre seals.

Are you using washing up liquid?

Phaart Bleep 2x 0.5 Watt rear light.
Currently £3.59 from On-One.co.uk
Regular batteries will last months.

I had a similar problem with the DT Swiss hub from my Cube. As well as the springs having lost their strength, the tips of the ratchets had rounded off meaning all needed replacing.
Mine was replaced by a LBS, as part of a free labour deal on servicing. It was a long while ago though, but only cost me a few quid for the parts.

“Bloody cash sucking immigrants”

Is it possible to be an immigrant on the World Wide Web?

I’m on a day off, supposedly doing DIY.

Just spoke yo someone who knows a bit about model trains. He reckons Fleischmann are a very good quality brand, so could be worth a fair bit. Older models in their boxes are likely to be collectors items, and newer ones will also be in demand. Definitely worth doing some research and getting a couple of prices before you let them go I think.

The saddle bag is ideal for commuting. The sort of thing you can leave on the bike with a tube in it and not worry if it gets nicked. I’ve not needed to use the tools (or tube) in over a year though.
Does anyone have any experience of the lights. I thought they may do as backup be seen lights for the commuter for unexpected late finishes.

Yes it can be really easy. The only tricky bit is gettingt he beads to seal. A compressor or 9p inflator makes that bit easy too though, but some tyres go up ok with just a track pump if you are lucky.
Rim strips are not necessary. Electrical tape on its own will do the job.

No one, not even that article, has mentioned copper grease. A tiny amount on the surface between the piston and back of the brake pad will get rid of any noise. Exactly the same as you would do with a car or any other brakes. Don’t use any other sort of grease though, it will melt and could contaminate the braking surface.

A sink full of hot water with biological washing liquid does the job. I don’t think it’s worth taking the pads out, because the straps will stink too, so do it all in one go.

1. Base layer whenever it is cool/cold
2. Extremely rare that I carry a rucksack. Pockets & saddle bag + water bottle preferred
3. Tight clothing because of function
4. I never buy a brand for the sake of it.

The plastic recycling bin is a good place to look. I’m using cut outs from shampoo bottles. The plastic is soft and designed to bend repeatedly without splitting, the curve of the bottle matches the mudguard and adds to the rigidity , and you can get a choice of colours. The lettering on the bottle is also generally on one easy peel off sticker. My work bike is currently sporting a section from a TresEmme bottle in black. Living with a house full of females with long hair broadens the choices.

A knee out on the relevant side seems to do the trick, and keeps your hands and feet on the controls.

But then again, I think you can also get a ticket for parking one in a solo motorcycle bay. There was also some debate a while back as to whether or not they are congestion charge exempt. Maybe sticking with two wheels is just easier.

Some you can, depends on how far apart the front wheels are I think.

That’s the new, better looking Versys. The original mark one is even more of an acquired taste. Not all have ABS which is worth looking out for if you want to commute through the winter.

+1 for Sony Xperia. They do a few waterproof phones, including the Z1. If the phone is waterproof, you can put it into a rubber case when out and about and need it to bounce if dropped, but not look like Bob the Builder the rest of the time, yet never have to worry about rain or using it with wet hands.

PeterPoddy has just mentioned my suggestion: Kawasaki Versys. A 650cc parallel twin. More grunt than an er6, 50+mpg, 220 miles between fuel ups, a small fairing and a fun bike that’s reasonably comfortable.
One more suggestion. What about on of the 3 wheelers from Piagio or Peugeot? Maybe not the image you want, but you get 400cc, good weather protection, and what I would guess would be pretty good handling with twice the grip up front of a conventional motorbike

If you have the option of some tow paths or similar to get away from the traffic every now and then, these are a good compromise with a smooth running centre section, grip on the edges, and almost no punctures.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/crossroads-armadillo-tyre-ec001839#reviews

As above, there is a very high probability that there is nothing wrong with your brakes, other than that they have got water behind them. I’d try keeping the bike in a nice warm house for a while, before testing them again.

As well as the preservative, the way you situate the lab will make a big difference to how long it lasts. How many sheds have had the floor and base rot, while the walls are still solid.
Raising it above the surrounding ground by a couple of inches will mean it should never sit in a puddle of water. Whether it is on paving slabs or concrete, make this raised base exactly the same size at the footprint of the lab, so that when the building is on it, no rain will ever land on the base. A damp proof course between the concrete and wood will help too, as long as water cannot sit on top of it.
Guttering and a water butt will also help it last longer.

We had one and it served us well for years. A good option for giving you more useable room in a bedroom. Check out the height of the bed compared to your ceilings. When your child gets taller, wakes up, sits up and cracks their head on the ceiling, you need to consider something else.

Have you tried riding on them? Sometimes no matter how much you twist and shake the wheel, it’s hard to get the liquid everywhere inside the tyre and rim. With about 50psi or so, a little ride slowly up and down the street for a while can seal small leaks.

As a temporary measure, I fitted guttering to my shed angled to the roof, rather than level as it would normally be as I didn’t have anything to make angled brackets at the time. It’s been like that for over a year now, and it works perfectly.
Having a lip for the water to drip off the felt into the gutter is more important. You could unfix yours and fold it back under itself or cut it and glue it down with a straight overhanging edge.

Avocet ABS locks are available keyed alike and can be fitted to various types of lock including euro locks, Yale type locks and even padlocks.

Not a place to take your family any time in the near future in my opinion. Read the foreign office advice. Even if you avoided all the troubles, i doubt you could have a relaxing holiday.

Not too bad an article, but too much advertising in it for my liking. I suppose it beats working in a regular job though.

Bingo!

I used to use Tuffy Tape many years ago. The only problem I ever had were sidewall punctures every so often. I’d never consider using it today though, as I would have thought Stan’s fluid or puncture resistant tyres have made it redundant, and both are less faff.

Are there no MPs on here. They seem to know a lot about employing family members in made up jobs.

Musicroom here too.

I bought that same top a few weeks back. I’ve never worn protection other than a hat before, but have an old shoulder injury i wouldn’t want to land on again. I’ve only worn it a few times, on rides where I’ve thought I might need it, but haven’t tested it by crashing yet. It is comfortable and you don’t notice it is on when riding. The elbows and shoulders feel like they would give a fair bit of protection, more than the photo suggests. I’m not sure about the chest panel, I think a foam back protector would be more useful.
I’m sure in the summer it’ll get warm wearing it, but I think it is worth having even if it is just worn selectively.

Welcome back. Here’s wishing you all the best for 2014.

Don’t underestimate how warm bib tights can be. I have a pair of dhb thermal bib longs I’d highly recommend, but is has not been cold enough (down south) for me to wear them yet this winter.