Thanks a lot

Are these any better than the older style.

Something like the Shimano M545 with the aluminum platform.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=771

Have had them on bikes for years. Do give something to put your foot on if not clipped in.

Thanks for the replies.

Has anyone put a shorter, lighter fork on a Mega frame?

Was up Dumyat above Stirling. Cracking clear dry day today after days of lashing rain. Pretty slidy, but new rear mud tyre made a hell of a difference. All clothing going straight in the wash after comedy mishap in a bog.

I would agree with the 7tm comments. (I don’t have any issues with their performance though.)

I have a them and they have never released in the 5 odd years I have used them. Although I don’t fall often. And if you do it is different from Alpine skiing as you tend to fall on your arse, mostly you can just push with your hand to get back up. Or straight over the front face plant which is more interesting.

Part of the reason I took up teli was a knackered knee. (Former Racer.)
The best thing for me is there is no or limited pressure or jarring on your knees as there is nothing to resist against. Your legs act like shock absorbers all the time. The light boots and light skis are great. Much better too as on steeper slopes you really need to move your feet quickly to do tight turns.

It is a bit like doing a load of lunges but as you don’t really stay in the same position as your legs change position constantly.
It is considerably more energetic and tiring than alpine skiing.
But if you are too knackered just stand up. I have no difficulty at all doing regular stand up skiing in Teli gear.

Some tips for teli skiing. Keep switching your stance. Don’t think of single turns, it is a rhythm of switch switch switch. Wide or tight turns same applies. The least stable position is when you are standing like an alpine skier. Quiet upper body, (shoulders) facing the fall line all the time, exactly the same as alpine. Although you may well wave your arms about for balance if going fast. And there is quite a lot of twist in your shoulders on steeper slopes.

Get low, I often see people switching from Alpine skiing with the good new Teli gear. They don’t bend enough or forward enough.

Get rid of your poles, you don’t need them. (Or hold them in the middle.) Improves balance and less to worry about. In my opinion pole planting is not really very important in teli skiing.

Save energy. Easy wide turns on the less demanding areas. Shuffle, stay low and slide your feed for turns rather than so much up and down.

Teli is a bit different from alpine skiing as you can do both carved or drift turns. Like someone else said more like snow boarding in feel.
You can control your speed on steeper stuff by deliberately sliding in the turns.

Impressed with the video of teli going backwards. Will need to give that a go.

bump .. also interested

They are magic.
Got a two bike Thule ball mount.

Ended up with the more expensive model as thought I would use it for years.

http://www.thule.com/en/GB/Products/Bike-Carriers/Towbar/Thule-EuroWay-G2-921#

Takes about 20 secs to fit on car.
And less than a minute to put a bike on.
Doesn’t seem to affect the mpg too much. 80 mph on motorway no probs.
Also will fit in a mondeo hatchback 2006 boot without taking apart.

Much better than in the car or on the roof.

I used to use a USE Suspension for cycling to work 10 miles along the side of the Thames. It was great for sitting down and taking out some of the constant chatter from the roots etc on the path.
I did use the same bike at the time for all sorts of mountain biking but never found the post much of an advantage for that. Quite heavy too.
More modern beefer tyres give a similar amount of cushioning I guess.

Mowgli that looks great, lovely work and finish.
What did you use for the design / templates?
Impressive.

ps I wouldn’t fancy doing it as a job.
You won’t be doing much biking after doing plastering as a job for 20 years. Also getting some help would be a good idea.

I plastered a few rooms.
Quite possible to learn and do as a DIY type.

I would imagine a hands on course would be better but I learned from watching a video course, online vids and asking a couple of folk that do it for a living and know what they are doing.

Cheesy video below by Ron the builder, but does shows most of the stuff you need to know.

Some observations I found.

Hard work.
Very messy to start with.
I mixed outside, covered the flooring coming in. (messy feet.)
Get a big board to mix on to save on cleaning up after wards.
The mixing is the tricky part. Too watery and slops all over the place. Too thick and goes off straight away. Have plenty spare plaster you will chuck some mixes out.
I found walls any wider than about 3-4m pretty hard to put on a skim in one go.

Start on a smaller wall that is not the most obvious.

If it is even vaguely warm its much harder. Plaster drys to fast / and too slow at plastering.
It takes a while for the room to dry out proper afterwards.
I would expect to have to do some filling / finishing.

Get one of those platform steps. Something like below, essential.
Also a halogen type work light is good. Although you need to turn off the power to the sockets in the room (also remove sockets, skirting etc.)

http://www.beatsons.co.uk/tools-c1584/ladders-access-c1220/work-platforms-c1221/step-up-c1222/fold-away-step-up-aluminium-l100-x-h52-x-w30cm-p8195?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=toolbank-fold-away-step-up-aluminium-l100-x-h52-x-w30cm-too-faistepup3-bea-faistepup3&utm_campaign=product%20listing%20ads#10556

It is also much easier to do on new or clean plasterboard.
If there is a bad bit consider replacing / patching plasterboard before starting proper.
I sealed everything before and after with 50/50 water/PVA. Again takes a while to dry.
Try it out a small wall or patch, see how you get on. Its all in the mixing and getting it on the wall quickly. Give it a go, save yourself a few quid and a useful skill to know.

Just finished reading “i am legend” after it was suggested here.
Thought it was a great read.
I was surprised how timeless it felt consdering it was written in 1954.
Strong ending too, well worth a read.

Altura Attack (X) Waterproof trousers are good.

Good fit with articulated knees, comfortable on. Almost look like regular trousers.
I wear them all the time for commuting in the winter.
My current pair is over 2 years old and still going strong. And surprising the arse / crotch is still fine.

Coldbrook by Tim Lebbon

it’s a good read. (zombie undead content)

THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT HAS CHANGED FOREVER
THE REASON IS COLDBROOK

The facility lay deep in Appalachian Mountains, a secret laboratory called Coldbrook. Its scientists had achieved the impossible: a gateway to a new world. Theirs was to be the greatest discovery in the history of mankind, but they had no idea what they were unleashing.

With their breakthrough comes disease and now it is out and ravaging the human population. The only hope is a cure and the only cure and the only cure is genetic resistance: an uninfected person amongst the billions dead.

In the chaos of destruction there is only one person that can save the human race.

But will they find her in time?

Related question.

Are the towbar racks with the tracks for the wheels better or are hanging just as good? Are there any pros/cons to consider other than price?

Oyster Cards?

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14416.aspx

Osprey 30 Escapist – bike oriented bag.
There are other sizes in the range.
You might find it in budget if you look around.
(I paid £68 with a discount at Evans.)
Big enough for commuting / general bag without being too bulky.
Nice stiff back, comfortable.
Lots of useful compartments & pockets.
Built in rain cover.
Plastic toggle thingy on the outside to put your helmet on.

An Osprey Escapist 30 here.
Which I use for commuting and general use.

Not too big or bulky.
Good back.
You can carry heavy stuff no problem if you need to.
Compartments work really well for me.
Plenty pockets.
Clip for your keys inside. Useful pocket on the top.
Built in rain cover.

Not the lightest, but all the rest makes up for that.

I also have a 25l Gourdon which I am really surprised by.
Works great as a rucsac. Very light.
The one I have has no pockets at all.
Even a little zippy pocket for keys etc would be really usefull.

Hi,

I would also recommend BK subwoofers.
Got a XLS200 recently in light oak – doesn’t look like a speaker in the down facing wood finish.
Quite small and great sound.

Gumtree
Ebay? on a classified
http://www.motors.co.uk

Your local paper?

I would have thought Autotrader would be your best bet like you are advertising already.

When I was looking for a car recently I didn’t really find many other places to look.

Ahh .. thanks

In central london, not working with Tesco (02)
Thought my phone / sim was knackered

The south beach diet does work for quick weight loss but is really hard to maintain as it suggested.

The South Beach Diet Phases

Phase 1, The Strictest Phase of the Diet – Lasts 14 days

In the first phase, you eat normal-sized helpings of lean meats, such as chicken, turkey, fish, and shellfish. Vegetables are also allowed, so are nuts, cheese, and eggs. The goal is to eat three balanced meals a day, and to eat enough so that you don’t feel hungry all the time.

Diet Foods to enjoy includes tenderloin, sirloin, skinless chicken or turkey breasts, all types of fish, boiled ham, turkey bacon, whole eggs, fat-free cheeses, peanuts and pistachios, green vegetables, legumes, canola and olive oils.

Diet Foods to avoid include, beef rib steaks, honey-baked ham, breast of veal, all yoghurt, ice cream, milk including whole, low-fat, soy, and full fat cheeses, beets, carrots, corn, yams, fruits and fruit juices, all alcohol, all starchy foods such as bread, cereal, oatmeal, matzo, rice, pasta, pastries, baked goods, crackers, etc.

Expected Weight Loss: 8-13 pounds.

Phase 2, More Liberal Phase Lasts Until You Reach Your Weight Loss Goal

The second phase is similar to the first phase, but you reintroduce some of the banned foods and eat from all the dietary food groups. You can start eating high-fibre carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads, which raise your insulin levels in a much milder way that do simple, starchy carbohydrates.

Additional Diet Foods to enjoy include, most fruits, fat-free or 1 percent milk, other low-fat dairy foods, whole grain starches, barley and pinto beans and red wine.

Diet foods to eat sparingly, include: refined wheat baked goods, potatoes, beets, carrots, bananas, pineapple, watermelon and honey.

Expected Weight Loss: 1-2 pounds per week.

Phase 3 – Weight Maintenance

This diet phase, which is an even more liberal version of the initial diet plan, lasts the rest of your life. It should be used to maintain your healthy weight. Agatston describes this phase as a “way of life.” Should your weight begin to climb, you repeat the diet plan.

Is it mainly a ford issue the dmf,injectors etc at around 100k.

I am looking for a car have been thinking of at

1) 05-06 ish Mondeo Mk3 130 or 155 tdci (estate or hatch)
Is this just a case of looking at the history etc and hoping it doesn’t go tits up.

2) Accord 2.2 would probably high miles
Could be expensive to repair but no dmf etc.

3) Civic 2.2 100k ish
Does this engine suffer the same issues or similar as the ford?

4) Early version of mk4 mondeo but really getting out of my price range. You do get great spec ones. Are these going to run into problems at 100-120k with full history.

(At the price,age & spec of vehicle I don’t see a great deal of difference in purchase price between a petrol or diesel.) There is wide difference in prices for the same car though.

” Do you think its a good idea to keep things familiar?? “

I don’t think it really matters as long as things are consistent.
Probably easier for them if they find some things at your home that are theirs or they like. You will have to accept that stuff does tend to gravitate to their main home though.
Kids are much more perceptive than you might think, they remember a lot. Right down to the kind and colour of cups you have in the cupboard. They do like to rake around and find old toys and books.

They do accept and view things differently and quicker than an adult might. For example my youngest was 6 months old when we moved into the house where I still live. She was 4 when we split and my wife moved out. Within a few months the house went from our house to our old house to daddies house. They are still happy to come and stay with me, sleep in their old room, doesn’t phase them at all.

It is hard though and you need to learn to(or I did anyway) to be flexible and change your plans if they have things on or are just tired or cranky. Backup quick and easy meals is a good tip. Just because it is “your” time with the kids doesn’t mean you can always do what you had planned.

I also agree strongly with what someone else said about not just being a “weekend” dad. This is often the realty but doing little things with them especially to begin with they really seem to appreciate. I was able to still take my older daughter to school for the first couple of months which helped a lot. And my ex wife asks me to take them and pick them up sometimes if they have things on. It helps me still stay in touch with what they are doing and for them to see that I am still involved.

Don’t feel under pressure do always go places and do big stuff with them. They also like to do simple things with you too like cleaning their bikes, (hosepipe fun) or messing about in the garden.

I’ve gone / going through this too. Honestly it was pretty tough but getting better. My kids are happy that’s the most important thing.

Keep them that you love them and are there for the.
Keep telling them as best you can what is going on.
Don’t argue.
Don’t take sides.
Try to keep other family people in the loop, grandparents etc.
Be there for them for the small things as well as the big things.
Have fun with them.

Me two

I bought a second hand alu /105 Schwinn.
All I need for the road.
Only changed tyres and the seat in a few years.
I like the carbon forks, takes a bit of the sting out of the ride.

I agree with this though ..

“if you live near hills (I’m edge of the peak district) then avoid the 53/39 standard chainrings – and go for a compact double (50/34) (roadie cool) or even a triple (effective but roadie heresy)”

I am going to swap to a compact chainset or easier cassette. I am used to standing up climbing (with a single speed mtb) but I do find I run out of gears and on longer rides and big hills the “racer” gear setup isn’t good.

Stirling or Edinburgh castles are worth a look if you are nearby.

Thanks a lot – ordered a couple

Cheers

I would also suggest heading to the Aviemore/Cairngorm area. There is lots of other stuff to do and campsites, beach, places to stay etc. Lagan is nearby, Inverness 30mins. It has lots of wild trails that are easy to get to. You could spend several days there doing different routes.

You would be going through/past the boarders so it would be good to go to a couple of trail centers on route.

Torridon is a wonderfully wild part of the world but remote. Likewise with Skye. It will take you realistically 1/2 day from the Inverness/Aviemore area just to get there. Having spent most of my childhood holidaying in the NW Highlands it is very weather dependent. Nice/ok weather great, lashing rain and wind not great at all, it could be anything from hot and sunny (suncream a must) to practically winter so take all your clothing etc. Biking in that area is more like hill walking but on a bike rather than on a bike trail. Fantastic views, beaches and scenery.

It is hard to beat the brompton for fast folding and its small size.
It will fit in between the seats in trains for example or in front of you at a push.
Also its good to cycle on. The front luggage system is good too, so you don’t need to carry a bag/rucsac as well.

I used to have one and agree that it is heavy to carry.

But most people don’t carry them. It only takes seconds to fold and unfold.
In tube stations/tunnels and rail platforms most people push it along as a bike. Only to fold it when they literally get on/off the train/tube etc.

Have a look at

http://www.winterhighland.info/

It will give you info, photos etc.
Weather dependant there are good conditions at Cairngorm at the moment.

Hi,

Other than the very small camelbac type bags that are really only for carrying water, keys tools etc you will find there is not much difference between a tiny rucsac (10L)and a medium sized one when you have it on your back.

Personally I use a 20-25l bag for commuting, generally going about, going to the shops.
You can get quite a lot in it if your want. But it is fine emptyish with the straps crushing it down. Its a real pain if you have too much stuff to fit in your bag, or stuff hanging off it.

Pile up the stuff you want to take and see how much bulk/weight there is.

I am looking to get a second hand car at the end of the summer.
Quite fancy a Honda Civic 2.2cdti but they are a bit more pricy.

I was also thinking of a Mondeo.
I had started to look at the early plates of the latest mk4 model. 2008 ish. As these are not much more cash than the mk3 and they get great reviews, huge car though.

Are the mk3 a better bet for a cheepish diesel runabout?
Hoping not to have to spend too much time or cash keeping it running.

Started working in central london (soho)again recently.
There are far more bikes around than the last time I was here a few years ago. You have to watch you don’t get run over by them.
And also the Barclays London hire bikes are being used everywhere.
Not a lot of helmets in use generally.

I love the fact that the cool urban bikes look pretty much like an old racer I had niked years ago. Single speed, one brake maybe, lots of miss matching stuff. Upturned chopped bars.

I like the completely straight bars with domed ends, no tape or grips of course. like these. nooooo don’t get sucked in.

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/vsbar.html

Lots of fixie bikes too. Not sure if I fancy trying too stop fast on one of those with no brakes.

Not on a bike but saw a couple of girls almost getting flattened by a taxi while crossing Oxford St today without looking. If they had not been walking so quickly they would have been hit.

I also saw a pizza delivery “jesus” scooter doing a u turn and taking out a motorbike courier. Nobody bady hurt but the motorbike was a right off.

I put an On-One Ultralight CNC Stem £30 on a bike I built up recently.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/STOOCNC/on_one_ultralight_cnc_stem

Can’t fault it so far. I can’t really tell any difference between it and a richey stem on my other bike that cost double+ that. It does have on-one obviously written on it if you are bothered about that.

They also have a maxm 350mm carbon seatpost in 27.2 & 31.6 sizes if that is any good for you. £20

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/SPMAXMCAB/maxm_carbon_seat_post

The two bolt fitting is good and it does the job well. Much better than the seat post it replaced.

Genesis Altitude is a nice ride. Light enough and covers the gound well for general xc type duties. Also pretty able on rough downs with a decent fork up front.

Granny and Papa here

Granny Porridge & Papa Tractor

Papa Fiddle and just Granny on the other side

This was just what they called them with no prompting from us.

Could anyone give me an idea on sizing.
I usually hover between a small and medium depending on the make and baggyness. I am 5 foot 6 with a 38-40 chest

Hi,

If you are working in one room.
You could use an electric oil heater with a thermostat.
If you keep the doors closed etc will not be on all the time, stick it beside you/your desk.
16-17oC is usually high enough and on the lowest power setting.

This worked well for me when I didn’t want the heating on a lot.

When I bought a focus estate a number of years ago. It was 6 months old and had no roof rails. I asked if they could be added and they had no problem with getting them fitted. This was from a ford garage though.
I don’t remember the cost but I am sure you could get it done.