Pretty sure you can tell them, some people prefer not to though.

Or you could have saved yourself the trouble and used a top swing front mech?!

If it wasn't BS he should have bought a ticket with the correct numbers on. Could always have burn't it after he was proven correct so he wasn't misusing his 'magc'

ditto

take the battery out / teach it a lesson with a hammer

They are – it is a reprint sadly or else I would have been reaching for the bid button

side fumbling was effectively prevented.

I think I still have my Tamiya Subaru Impreza knocking about in the garage that I never use. It's an electric one that you build up from a kit, 4wd pretty fast. Let me know if it's of any interest

Ha ha! That could have been one of the funniest snuff films going

First and only time I got a paypal fishing scam was coincidentally the day after I had to ring them up and sort some of my account details. Very suss

Everyone loves a good 'ole STW classifieds witch hunt

Thanks, checked out parcel2go and it is looking like £150. It is my 1963 Merlin so you wouldn't be able to find one down under – pretty sure buyer is legit.
It is clean as a whistle, might put a bannana down the seattube to piss off MAF…or not!

Aha! That makes sense, nope BB is staying put. Thanks for the tips

Officially denied by Campagnolo – but who knows

I remember spud guns, catapults, cap guns…I need to go to the toy shop for my, erm, nephew

sadly they were governed by their smallest

The pineal gland?

I'm 5'11'' and ride a 57, but as mentioned above fit is crucial. One 57 may not be the same as another. Try as much as you can and if possible try to take the bike out for a long ride befre deciding as littleniggles may only show up after 30-40 miles

Nearly finished my Merlin, thwarted by the **** brake cable outer not being long enough to do two brakes so thats another £25 to Jagwire. Also waiting on a honey Brooks B17 special with copper rails, and to decide whether I want Brooks honey straps or red ones.

As a new convert to the road, I bought and began the project thinking it was the perfect fit – since realised its way too small :(

Determined to finish it right though!

Good luck TJ. I have tried and failed to quit several times. Nothing clever about smoking, although it can be wonderous with a beer. The first week is the hardest, then you can actually choose to smoke or not without 'needing' to.

oh and the Kabbanos were from Tesco's little polish section – really nice

Moe those Pierogi dumplings sound right up my street – thats on the shopping list for tomorrow! Based in Manchester if thats close – I never turn down food!

Force yourself – get up, get ready, get on your bike. Even if it's the last thing you feel like doing just go through the motions. After 20mins pedalling you will be glad you did. Plus a bit of exercise will lessen your depression and make the next day easier. Good luck

book/block o wood + hammer

This reminds me of when I went to Disney in Florida a few years ago. The HUGE Americans would drive to the park, wait for a train kind of thing to ferry them from the carpark to the park gates, then they would waddle the 20yds through the gates and get on one of the mobility scooters. Thus they could drive round all day only standing up to sit down again on a ride or a restaurant chair.
And they wonder why they look like an inflatable..

Definitely buy one, but don't start getting interessted in the vintage, rare, beautiful stuff. You will spend all your money. All of it.

£100ish, but the value is in the frame so if you could use the other parts elsewhere do that and just sell the frame. Try Lfgss, retrobike and ctc

Is there anywhere that explains a bit about the tdf? I have only just worked out cav is doing well although he is nearly 2hrs down on the lead time!

Hmm, Deano do you think I need XL then? I order some Casteli bibs in large and I’m 5’11 and 12.5 stone? Kingtut – I’m veering to the spesh shoes myself atm

Thanks fuzzyfelt! That just swung it!

Edit: typical no bloody size large

Hmm..I might stretch as they do look v. nice!

Thanks for the tips guys, anyone got an oppinion on these Adidas shoes:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25526

looko pretty good value, but have no idea if they are any good or not!

Oh, and I’m feeling a spending spree coming on so if someone could reccomend some mid range lycra shorts/bib shorts that would be ace. Want asos but can’t afford :(

yeah yeah yeahs

Wheels instead of feet. Women have an ‘off’ switch.

Just got back from my first half century(ish) ride and I felt I had more in me which was nice. Headed up to Hale, Tatton, Mere, then through Tabley and Pickmere and down to Great Budworth. I came back through High Leigh, Lymm, Stretford then home. The route was called ‘Cheshire flat’ and I found it normal so I definitely need to work on my hill riding!

Barca I’ll have a look at the routes you have suggested and will probably try the one you gave me a link to next weekend. I had a similar link for the one I did today and just went through it noting all the turning points and managed to stay on track so fingers crossed I won’t get lost! Any other stuff you have will be greatly appreciated though.

In terms of a club, I am definitely going to give it a go at some point to stretch myself but am not sure if my speed is up to it yet. Plus I kind of like riding alone! I’ll give you an email though later ourmaninthenorth to see what rides you guys have planned.

Joe

Need top get a GPS again I think! Got rid as I never used it off road.
I think I came across a sign for the cycleway somewhere near Ashley a few weeks ago – I’ll have to look into it

Hey thanks for that Barca – looks great. As you say probably one to aim for in a couple of weeks, the route itself is about 45 miles but I guess nearer 60 when I ride over from Sale and back. Actually that is perfect as the Manchester Blackpool I am doin is about 60 so if I do your route a few time before I should be fine.

Can you print the route or get directions – or is it a case of studying the route and writing down waypoints?

Cheers,

Joe

Thanks for the tips Rob – the routes you suggest sound spot on too. I’m probably looking at starting off around 40 miles then building up. I got lost twice last week when I decided to ‘just go out for a ride@ so I’m going to plan something concrete for tomorrows outing!

Barca if you could that would be brilliant! The route up towards stockport and through Marple ect sounds ideal. I really want to start upping my milage now I have finally got a road bike that fits and rides nicely.