As others have already said, best to check with the local authority – both building control and planning. The more details you can provide the better. In particular, planning can vary considerably from one authority to the next.

Done. Only 77 more needed to hit 18,000!

Yep, I think I’ve done somewhere in the region of 40-50 swops, mostly with my parents but carried on the family tradition. We’ve mainly used Intervac url=null]null[/url]and have always found it easier to get an overseas swop. Most people just want a base – started swopping when I grew up in Thamesmead, which wouldn’t be an obvious place for a holiday.

Found it’s a good way to meet people in the community and saves loads of money + you have a fully equipped property to use.

Mudmuncher
I will be selling a Specialized Hotrock 20 inch wheel very soon – will be looking for £110ono as it’s in VGC. I’m based close to you (Wokingham). If you wanted to have a look and see if it fits size wise, please e-mail me (address in profile).

If it helps, my daughter was riding it when she was about 115cm tall (before that she was on the 16 inch wheel specialized).

Yep to Stuartie. You're not the only one Yeti Guy…

Another recommendation for the Chariot trailers. I have the Cougar 2 and with the baby kit, used it for my daughter (with the baby kit) from 5 months.

Bought it as well regarded as one of the most stable trailers + does have suspension. Also you can get the various accessories to convert it for running and using as a buggy.

Probably looking to sell this soon…

1990. Bought a Saracen Tufftrax, which I remember subsequently upgrading with a Flexistem and alloy bars.

Having considered buying a Trek 1.2 (as I think this has fittings for mudguards), I’ve just bought a very slightly marked new Bianchi C2C with Shimano 105/Ultegra rear mech for around £500 so might be worth shopping around for a slightly older model. IMHO, it’s a nice fast bike but also find it’s very comfortable. Bikeradar has various forums relating to road bikes so might be worth asking on there.

As for the lycra, having been riding my Bianchi in 3/4 length baggies I’m becoming conscious of wind resistance so may take the plunge and go for the lycra!

I used to run competitively in my teens and have just started running after a 15 year break. As Chipps says, best to start slowly and don’t extend running time by more than 10% a week as a rule of thumb. Runnersworld.co.uk has some good advice and there are some good books out there like Tim Noakes who wrote the Lore of running – I think he is also a cylist.

Don’t know if it will harm your cycling but some of the guys I ride with are runners and they are still super fast on the bike!

Have a look at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingMoney/GivingMoneyToCharity/DG_078490 …”If you pay higher rate tax, you can claim the difference between the higher rate of tax (40 per cent) and the basic rate of tax (20 per cent) on the total (gross) value of your donation to the charity or CSC.”
I did this through HMRC – took a while for them to sort out but basically your tax code will be altered.

I have a Chariot trailer, with suspension. I think the suspension + the large wheels does probably help. Also like the stability.

Using the baby sling, I took my daughter in it from 5 months old and she still loves it now at the age of 21/2.

I’ve said it before but common sense has to prevail…