I’d say a couple of hundred would be about right but see if you can sort the bearings out first

I ride in the Paramo ostro and can confirm it does the job well. Packs up so small I sometimes forget I’ve got it in my back pocket

I reckon you are not eating enough. I had a similar issue, went and saw the doctor and he did some tests. Basically turned out I was shy about 1500 calories a day. Started eating more and the issue went away. Decent brekkie (overnight oats or similar) second breakfast at my desk (pastry…) and then decent dinner. Right as rain. Only issue is that now I’m not doing so much I’ve found it hard to kick the second breakfast

I love weather. Whatever it does. As long as it changes. Living in the middle east teaches you that. If you don’t like rain move to Saudi. Lovely and dry. Shitty riding though ;)

Two bottles. One with plain water, one with SIS or similar. That should keep you going nicely between more pleasant sandwich stops. For sdw in three days I’d say pack two sarnies so you can have two sandwich stops and then stick an emergency couple of gels somewhere about your person or bike.

If you ‘bonk’ a gel will hit the spot much quicker IME

On one usually have some fairly good deals too. Some folk don’t rate them but they’ve always done me proud

And I’ve got an old hub from an enduro wheelset that’s Shimano if that’s what you need. DM me. Don’t need much for it

There is an association called EOCA that is for outdoor brands (some big ones signed up included Patagonia and North Face) that brings the companies together to work on environmental projects. It could, in future, also be some way of showcasing who does what.

No bike companies in it yet but suspect it could be more efficient if they joined EOCA rather than setting up a bike specific variant.

Another way of looking at it is looking to the outdoor industry to offset its impact.

If bike brands, clothing manufacturers got themselves to a point where they were all carbon neutral and consumers started to improve their attitude to consumerism by looking after their stuff more we could actually find ourselves in a carbon positive situation as an outdoor pursuit.

Then you can just look at the rest of your habits (cars, flights, meat, kids etc) and tackle them whilst you enjoy cycling guilt free!

Ignore the negativity and give it a go yourself. You will probably be better at marketing your services to the right audience.

My local bike mechanic is fully booked and the only bikes I saw in the workshop were pretty high end.

The two local bike shops on the other hand seemed less busy. Suspect it was something to do with their negative attitude towards customers

Have a look on eBay for the likes of a voodoo bizango as others have suggested. Or an old on one of some description. They were cheap and good in the first place and sell cheaply secondhand. I got a pretty decent on one pompetamine the other day for £200

Recently (about 6 months ago) got a new shed and arranged everything beautifully.

Fitted 6 bikes in with shelves for clothes, gloves, spares tools etc and it was all weirdly tidy. So much so that it looked only half full. Deliberate ploy so I had room to work on the bikes. That was my first mistake.

Because spare space was seen it has now been filled with children’s garden toys and general garden crap that I intended to go elsewhere.

Takeaway? Keep your bike shed intimidatingly messy then it will stay a bike only space!

Excellent point nofx

And yet the majority of Tory members would have him (trump) as our PM

I despair for our future

Epicyclo got it spot on.

Spent a year doing quite a few centuries as part of a long tour and having a break every hour for a five min biscuit and natter with my riding partner followed by a longer lunch break served us very well.

Did my first one by accident when I was 18 back in 1995 and trying to prove I was ‘independent’. Was on a pink Raleigh mustang. Those were the days…

Plus one. Excellent value. Just bought a few for my nephews and nieces

Left my brand new exposure maxxD on the roof of the car and then drove off. Sad times.

Haven’t tried but pretty sure you can get a 3 inch tyre on the Lauf trail racer boost as well.

I have one but took it off recently. It makes for a crazy light 29er (I have a travers russti) but if you are used to buttery smooth suspension they are not for you.

They are pretty unforgiving if you use them as a skill compensator (which is what I need) as they bounce you out of your terrible rocky line choice.

But for longer distance slogs on fairly easy trails they are great at taking the lumps and buzz off

If you decide to go 27.5 I have some non boost hope xc wheels I’m thinking of selling

Looks tapered though…

My mates and I did a trip like yours last year and all four of us had the same set up – a large ortlieb saddle bag and bizarrely a swim hat strapped to the bars. All spare clothing fit into the swim hat (and stayed dry) and other bits and bobs (tools, flip flops and waterproof) fit nicely in the saddle bag, with room for sarnies etc. And then you’ve got your back pockets too…

Strongly advise against the Beam rack.

Wobbles like crazy

Less use of chemical nasties will have had a bit of an impact but mostly it’ll be because we expect them lighter and lighter…

Personally I reckon on always getting a bit wet but more interested in staying warm

I’d recommend wash-in Nikwax TX direct first to see if that works better than the spray. Cheaper solution…I’m sure you are doing it properly but sometimes when people use the spray version they don’t get it quite as even as the wash-in will.

Magura Vyron? Wireless

Yes. I’ve got one. In fact I’m thinking of getting rid and replacing it with something wooden. Where are you based?

The Star in Matfield. Or Chasers Inn in Shipbourne. Or The Bottle Shop in Penshurst. Or George and Dragon in Speldhurst. One of them should be able to help :) but it’s tough getting a table cos it’s Fathers Day…

That’s the new plan oreetmon. In fact I might have said that last time too. One day!

He’s tidied up pretty well. And he did our neighbours side too (which I’m happy to pay for as she does other crap for us…)

Toms? Or those gardening slip on things that look like crocs without the holes and cost a fiver?

How is it total turd? A dropper doesn’t have to do too much to fulfil its function does it?! Drop and come back up to same height…or am I missing some other epic features it should have?

In other news…I ordered a load of stuff which arrived before I was expecting and the bastards gave me a free pair of gloves I didn’t ask for. Grrrrr

Sadly I’m based down in Kent :(

I’ve got a pair of American Classic 29er wheels (boost converted) I’m looking to sell at the mo if anyone is after lightweight wheelset. £200?

Sounds like you need to get a new job. I was in a similar position a couple of years ago. Then 6 months ago I finally chucked in the job the was killing my family, social and exercising life.

Took a big pay cut but now cycle to nursery to drop of the oldest, hop on a train to get near the new job, cycle in then cycle an hour home. It’s not an awesome ride but it’s quiet and gives me time to think and feel the outdoors. And my wife says it makes me much nicer to be around.

Don’t quit the bike. Quit the job.

However I also bought some of the causal shoes and they fit to size…but weird!

I’ve got the touring shoe (the leather ones) and bought a size up and they fit pretty well.

Maybe I’ll just take the old pompetamine that has a hamax fitting on it already…guessing the trails don’t need anything too beefy anyway

Sorry yes, Thetford! Thanks guys – should be a good pre-dinner workout :)