But I do hope this time has been used to work out how to make our track and trace system work… rather than rely on it not being needed just because we’re deploying the first round of vaccines.

Spot on!

Talking of Christina Pagel, I saw today on Independent Sage a disturbing piece of data. It said that 70% of all current Covid infections occur in the under 50 age group. If lockdown measures are largely lifted when all 9 groups are vaccinated and the common sense behaviour of social distancing, hand washing etc get ignored, we will have a rampant infection rate in that under 50 group. Now admittedly the occurrence of serious disease and hospitalisation will be markedly reduced, but isn’t our main concern that in that massive, but largely symptomless infected group, the potential for new mutations to develop will be increased. And sooner or later one or more of those mutations will be resistant to current vaccines?

Am I the only one still riding a Czar? Still suits my mtb needs when that arises and it gets used about once a week. Inevitably I ride gravel now!!

Its got to the point that if I have a tube in I feel like I’m just waiting for that puncture. Tubeless on every bike of every description.

With a view on simply getting as many calories per gram, I noticed a few of the GBDuro riders last year were using blocks of marzipan for energy replacement. Not a long term solution I know, but maybe carry a little for that sugar injection!

Any tips for a first time user?

Don’t take the chain out of the hot bath ,hang it up to dry and use your fingers to wipe off the excess. It’s a bit hot!!

Like Lunge says above, I ride without gloves far more now than I used to so looked for a comfortable bar tape.
I have Fabric silicone tape on one bike and it certainly feels plush. So far no problems with it at all.
When I built my ISO recently I decided to use Newbaums cotton tape as it has a really nice feel when riding. Not ridden enough to determine its long term wear but its lovely looking stuff, albeit a bit short when wrapping and I wrapped another tape underneath because it doesn’t have any real cushioning.

https://www.newbaums.com

I’m another one who doesn’t like Lizard Skin tape simply because of feel.

1984. After falling in love with a picture of a kingfisher blue Overbury Crossfell sat in deep snow!
First bike was a custom built, violet and mauve, Swallow Griffon in the first Tange Prestige to come in the country (with Roberts and Yates) That got stolen so my second bike was a Roberts DOGS BOLX. Still have expensive tastes in bikes that my finances barely support.

Wait until he gets overtaken by a few ebikes 😆

Oh, so this!

I wasn’t happy with Rose bikes when the seat post I had ordered and told was in stock later turned out to be a six week wait once they had taken the money. Today I get the email saying they won’t be supplying it at all because of non trade deal post Brexit.

London and the south east moving into Tier 4. Christmas cancelled.

Some sites speculating travel ban rather than lockdown/tier 4

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Kryton57
Full Member

On a more negative note, BBC news talking about a “new mutant strain of the virus”, as if we are living in a Marvel comic, jarred a bit. The BBC really has joined in the race to the bottom amongst the UK media.

I feel this is hugely irresponsible. Even uneducated in these things I know that this – and things like colds – mutate all the time with no issues to us. TiRed validated it a few pages back. I think the only effect its having is ramping up the cases on the basis it’s more transmissable.

Just been moaning about this to my wife as well. Would have been so much more professional to use the word mutated instead of mutant.

I’ve used Ultra levers with XT rear mech for just that gearing.

Check out the Shimano touring pedals. Look more like a road pedal but fit two bolt cleats. Very lightweight as well for the price.

Could be Rotator Cuff injury. A physio will give you exercises to strengthen the area but you may need something like steroid injection. Maybe try your GP first? Although I don’t expect referral to Orthopods will be quick!

I’ve ridden Woodbury in the winter and came away thinking a canoe would have been a better mode of transport. Shame because Woodbury in the morning, lunch at Haldon then some Blue’s and a single red (not very nice) was a popular day out for us.

@jobro the 42mm nobbly from Rene Herse is the Hurricane Ridge, which looks to me not to be available in the UK, sadly, because it looks awesome. Are you aware of a UK supplier?

luket The Hurricane Ridge do come in 700c. The importer is Sven cycles in Weymouth and I know Woods Cyclery in the New Forest have them.

Rene Herse do a 38 and 42mm tyre that are incredibly quick running for what is a very knobby tyre. They are expensive and don’t ever use the ultra lights!

Tyres. Can never quite find the right one to compensate for my lack of strength and skill!!

Rene Herse Steilacooms are very road friendly for a tyre that will cope with all year off road. Just don’t get the ultralights!

Nice try, but Beryl would have beaten him at her prime 😉

and would have offered him a toffee!

MHO a cyclist is more than their palmares

natrix

I can’t argue with your logic, although I’m not sure how involved Chris Boardman is involved in Boardman bikes (could be a lot?) Perhaps I should have said best “racing” cyclist.

As great as Cav is/was I think saying he’s the best cyclist ever is stretching it a little. I don’t even think you could claim he’s the best British cyclist ever.

I don’t think anyone claimed he was the best cyclist ever. AA as the OP suggested he was the best British cyclist ever, but quickly realised his mistake and corrected it to best British male cyclist ever. I think I could go with that. Beryl Burton is clearly the best British cyclist ever, just as I would suggest Marianne Vos is the best cyclist of all time, not Eddie Merckx.

Mason ISO is 180mm front only I believe.

You might find this useful from Katherine the hammock girl.

https://advntr.cc/all-you-need-to-know-about-hammocking/

A non rustle Synmat HL

Yes, this is a great opportunity for Yates (and who knows he might get some help from his soon to be team mates) but we saw last year what wearing yellow does for Alaphillipe and I think this will be another day for this great French rider.

Easton EA 70 AX ? I have the carbon version on my bike and I like the position. Think I should have gone for 44cm width though.

I’m afraid you got beaten to it a few hours ago in the TdF thread.

Same as all the others. Well known problem. Never used XTR after second set snapped. XT never missed a beat.

I have Di2 on a Vielo N+1. It has been absolutely faultless in the 2 years I’ve been running it, Summer and Winter. I have an ISO on order. It will have Di2 as well.

On mine I have it set up so the right lever moves the chain up the block, the left lever moves it down. The lever action points to the direction of chain travel. It requires the lightest of touches and can easily be used while braking or moving over rough ground.

Who commentates on the GCN App?

And just a short roll down hill from the Square and Compass :-)

Hampshire gravel riders have a Facebook page. They ride about three times a week plus they also piggy back onto the Woods Cyclery rides.

Cycling UK have recently sent a group of well known bike packers around the route to check it out. Should appear on Pannier CC, Katherinebikes or Adventure CC soon.

I can take large quantities of blood from the veins of neonates. Very useful in conducting pathology investigations.

Rene Herse Steilacooms.38mm. Named after a CX course in Oregon (I think) and will do everything you ask. Just don’t get the Extra light casing!!

I have a pair of Rohan salopettes from about 1974. I think it was one of the first items they produced. I still use them for gardening!

Dorset, like most of the South West has very low deaths caused by and incidences of Corona virus. What hope now when the scumbag hordes from London and the Midlands decent on our beaches acting like the vermin they are and leaving their filth behind. Bournemouth beach had a pungent greasy slick close to the shore all weekend. Cafe’s open, toilets closed. OK lets shit in the sea (and in peoples gardens, behind the beach huts etc)

This simple message now appears on most local Facebook pages (including the cycling ones)

#dorsetisclosed #gohomeandstayhome #buggeroff

I’m riding Easton EC70 with 16 degrees of flare (I think) on a Vielo. Have no problems at all. GRX Di2 is superb. My Sram Force bike, not so much!!