It’s the Vestivik one that’s floored me

Oh for sure! If Vestivik doesn’t win im calling it fixed.

Why do people think the voucher scheme has anything to do with income?

The form doesn’t ask any questions about income.

Correct, form doesn’t say anything about income. However I guess people assume if the vouchers are hard to get / limited numbers they should be left to those in need more. For example someone how genuinely cant afford to fix their bike rather than someone whos just using it to get a few quid off their bill.

Personally, I couldn’t care less if its within the rules its within the rules. I tried to get a voucher site had crashed, or they had all been given out so didnt bother trying again.

Ok I define it as any 40% tax rate payer, I’ therefore not middle class..

If you earn say 30-40k a year you are totally middle class in my eyes which would put you in the 20% bracket. 30k a year is a lot of money even 40k a year is a lot of money. Taking this statement as black and white means im middle class and my partner isn’t despite her being a clinical psychologist and me just a designer.

Apart from winter I love a really minimal glove its like the only thing im fussy about on my bike. Best i have found are Nukeproof Blackline Vapours I have big hands the finger holes are long and the cuff is big too but they still fit slim. Most gloves when you get to like xl or xxl brands assume you just have fat hands. Nukeproof gloves are basically perfect for me, Nukeproof kit in general is amazing for the price. If i was looking at 100% just due to fit it would be Celiums or Slings.

Risk of dying of the AZ blood clots is one in a million. Would you risk a lucky dip with a million sweets in the bowl? Probably yes. And if you wouldn’t, then presumably you never travel by road either.

I totally see the point, but I guess (for me anyway) its about understanding the risk. I understand the risk in travel I know if I just wondering into the road i could get hit by a car so I don’t do it. Do i understand the risk in clots and the AZ jab not really.

Yep male, mid 30s, pretty fit and wfh 100%. Right now given cases i feel like my risk of a clot or getting covid are around the same if cases go up thats likely a different story. Most of Europe seem to be either pulling the plug on AZ or suggesting people a lot older than me also don’t take it. Its totally a valid cause for concern i think, and as said i would much rather a different covid vaccine.

I would imagine if you drove a fair bit and partook in other lowish risk activities while waiting for a different vaccine you would actually increase your risk of death.

if you have a problem with my comment come out and say rather than being sarcastic.

Why are we right & Denmark wrong!

Basically where my brain is at. I wouldn’t say your wife is being selfish at all. Keeping yourself safe isn’t selfish. I hope by the time I get called for a vaccine AZ is been canned I get given something else. Im up for A vaccine just not one that has a higher chance of killing me than another one.

Covered on previous page including TiRed’s response to it:

singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/wheres-the-coronavirus-were-all-going-to-die-conspiracy-thread/page/709/#post-11841825

OH sweet, thank you. Forum is still a little buggy for me.

Anyone know any more about the SA variant thats apparently on the rise in London? Little about it in the news apart from “surge testing” taking place.

I wear contacts and for those saying “use mudguards” etc, they won’t keep flies out in summer. The things is, when something gets in your eyes when wearing contacts, it hurts like hell!

This! I imagine the only thing more painful is child birth. goggles on the mountain bike, sun glasses on road / gravel. Sunglasses i swap between a grey lenses in low light and a red one when its sunny. Sun glasses wise i wouldn’t use anything other than 100% or Oakley.

For me, unless it’s something that’s permanently wired into the ebike battery and starts automatically when the bike is switched on, it’s too much bother. I just wish such a product exist. Maybe when more people start using ebikes.

Totally see where you’re coming from. I already have a Garmin and lights in the winter I really don’t want another thing hanging off my bike. Sadly I have got to that point where im fed up of close passes and dangerous driving i want something to use as evidence if the worst happens.

Honestly get a camera, it wont make you any safer but will give you evidence when something happens. Im like 10 odd years into london cycling life and have had similar experiences. I got close passed this morning too and actually by the same drive (dpd delivery guy) on the same road as a few weeks ago. Im now sat on my laptop researching go pro vs insta360.

I feel like given how stressed everyone generally is these days the standard of driving has gotten WAY worse.

What would you like me to say that would be less ‘offensive’ to your delicate sensibilities?

You’ll have obviously done your homework and will be fully aware that Islam forbids keeping dogs in the house, right?

So, in what way am I generalising?

You know what dude, whatever. The way I see it I wouldn’t say something like to describe a group of people in way you did “the muslims.” If I used a phrase like that at work I would be pulled up on it, my partner and friends would pull me up on it too. I guess I have different standards and ideals to you.

I’m with the Muslims when it comes to dog ownership

Do you really need to say “the muslims” thats such a generalisation. Its sorta… well is offensive to me any way

Did the Kepler have a toe overlap issue? The 2019 mini review of the Mehteh on GritCX mentions toe overlap

Never noticed it myself and I run my clips as far back as they can go. I have size10 feet so don’t know if it would become an issue if yours were larger.

Yeh, but the crown needs to be drilled so you can attach a rack and these don’t have that.

https://www.brothercycles.com/shop/forks/brother-carbon-gravel-fork/

I have a kepler so can’t comment on how the Meta rides, but build quality is spot and ride quality if everything you love about a steel frame. I would say they size a little on the small side though but nothing a bigger stem can’t solve. If the Mehteh had more mount options I would totally get one, but it has a carbon fork so that means no front rack.

Some people on this thread must live their lives in constant fear if most family pets are seen as potential threats, what other everyday occurrences are people terrified of? I get that some people like the op’s wife have genuine phobias, but the internet hardmen who are posting on here are really curious.

You do realise there is no correlation between being scared of / disliking dogs to be afraid of everything including your own shadow.

Some people on this thread must live their lives in constant fear if most family pets are seen as potential threats, what other everyday occurrences are people terrified of? I get that some people like the op’s wife have genuine phobias, but the internet hardmen who are posting on here are really curious.

You do realise there is no correlation between being scared of / disliking dogs to be afraid of everything including your own shadow.

I have 3 small dogs(harmless) but can be bit excited/barky. Dog people understand I apologise to non dog folks. I know some folks are just terrified of dogs of any size but acting nervous just escalates the issue.

This is what i don’t understand about dog owners “acting nervous just escalates the issue” if your dog starts to bark, jump and chase what do you expect me to do just stay there and let it attack me? (yes that a little dramatic) No im likely going to shout at you and the dog. This basically sounds like you’re passing the buck and blaming people getting stressed for your dogs behaviour if you can’t control your dog keep it on a lead. Due to past dog experiences if i don’t know you or your dog i will tell you to keep it far away from me.

It’s this sort of arrogance from dog walkers that is the problem.

agree!

+1 for cowchippers I got a set on my gravel bike. They seem to have become one of the more common bars mainly due now neutral they are. Loads of different width and an average flare to accommodate the majority of riders.

I guess it’s better to start wide and go inwards later if I wish… easy to trim cable, impossible to extend it. Anyone running anything around the 52 cm – 55 cm mark?

I have 52s on my bike but im over 6ft with long arms. If I was of a more average height I wouldn’t go that wide.

One thing I would make sure you do is take photos of any injuries as they develop, daily if you can. A&E is a really good thought covid is low so pretty safe. If anything just to document you felt you was injured enough to go. If you can get the other cyclists to be a witness that will help telling a random person they are about to have to pay 7k for a bike will be a HUGE shock. Also, take the bike to your local and get them to do an insure check so you can have someone officially write the frame off.

I think this and other threads do say the need for a bike cam is paramount if out and about these days.

This makes me sad, but I honestly think you’re right. A spin to the shops shouldn’t require a camera connected to me but it really does these days.

If you haven’t got £2 a month spare then mountain biking probably isn’t the best choice of hobby…

Its not so much about spare more value. I just cancelled my print sub was I wasn’t reading the magazine as basically i don’t find the articles interesting. So despite only being 2 quid they clutter my flat and just end up unread in the recycling.

OK so my previous suggestion was slightly beer fuelled. Why not limit free members to a certain number of posts per month, say? With the incentive that they become a paying member if they want to continue posting guff?

Thats counter productive though why would you actively limit usage on your site? The drop of plus the tip you from ad impression would likely not be worth it. People would just go else where.

But that’s ok because he was “troubled” and sold a few records, and that of course absolves you of any blame for your actions. 🙄🙄

I would say his life was a lot more than “troubled” especially from a paternal perspective or lack of. You need to look at someones lived experiences to try and understand why they are like they are and how/why they react in situations, but thats a whole other topic.

It is obvious that the lockdowns cause way more damage than they could ever hope to solve.

I wouldn’t go that far as case numbers, admissions, and deaths have clearly fallen. Anecdotally I heard a psychologist call lockdowns the “bluntest tool” we can use to stop the spread of a virus. However the social impact of lockdowns wont be felt for a while. It will take time to see the impact its had on school kids, peoples mental health, social mobility and even the economy. Its too soon to say lockdowns cause way more damage than they could ever hope to solve but there will be some fall out.

Absolutely gutted true legend of rap music. The golden era of hip hop got me hooked and still here after like 20 odd years. Such a troubled life hope he gets peace now. So many amazing tunes that really captured an era of hip hop

https://twitter.com/ComplexMusic/status/1380558304909398016?s=20

Joepud – You may think it’s ok for Singletrackmind’s neighbour to have his son round.
But actually it’s not. The rules are OUTSIDE only.

You’re right I think it’s perfectly acceptable for a father and son to spend time together even if that means staying over. And to be honest for that specific instance I couldn’t care less about the rules!. Not everyone has the luxury of living with their kids and seeing them all the time. My brother is now a single father so his kid stays over a few times a week its basically the highlight of his week having breakfast and dinner together and just hanging out so thats why I take a particular issue with the initial statement. have a heart.

Anyway, this could be another classic hypothetical single track debate, we both said our bit and im sure we both have better stuff to do in our day.

If using “flippant” comments or maybe inappropriate humour has helped me put things into perspective so I can get a handle on the actual risks, it might help others. It might not. Sorry if it’s upset you, but it’s the way I’m wired to react.

I guess if you make flippant or attempt inappropriate humour don’t be surprised if you get frosty responses or called out. have a good day im off to get coffee.

No flippancy or gallows humour intended , just an observation thats all

Yeh… sure it was. good day.

Is thrombosis via Az more common than dvt after a long haul flight? So are you stopping all flights over say 8hrs as the dvt risk is real then. Just a thoght.

But hopefully you are more concerned about being badly hurt or killed in a car accident, or struck by lightning*, or any of the other unpleasant things more likely to happen to you than to have a blood clot after having the vaccine.

flippant comments like this are really unhelpful. fear isn’t rational and it sorta belittles peoples thoughts, fears and experience. Try coming from a place of understanding you might get a better response from people.

In england, are we allowed family sleepovers at the moment?
My nasty neighbour has his son staying tonight. Just another reason to dislike him

He sounds like an absolutely awful bloke having his son staying over so he can see him and be a dad. Phone the police if you’re that concerned.

At the moment, an average ride for me is around 25 – 30 miles on my MTB which would be a good mixture of singletrack and joining fireroads.

To help with riding long distances, I’ve decided to dedicate 1 day per week just to riding for as long as I can. Hopefully that’ll help.

Personally I would give it a little more structure than that increase your distance over a few weeks and set goals. As with all cycling you just gotta get used to sitting and spitting for 6-8 hours.

I don’t want people to be forced to take a vaccine against their will. I would like everyone who can get a vaccine to do so, including those at low risk of COVID related complications, to help protect the population as a whole. I don’t think this is a controversial opinion.

Its not a controversial opinion. But I guess the question is if you yourself are at a lower or no risk what so ever, you can’t bemoan those who are at a higher for not wanting to take that risk. As a fit 35 yr old am I concerned about the oxford jab, yes especially when some countries are saying anyone under 55 or something shouldn’t take the Oxford jab. I really hope when my turn to get a jab finally comes I get offered something else I don’t particularly want the oxford one now given recent news.

I started to wear one of these from Albion when the weather is like it is now. Full on base layer is too much and i often have some sort of wind jacket stuffed into my hip bag so if the temps drop you are basically in 3 layers.

https://www.albioncycling.com/product/short-sleeve-mesh-base-layer-white/

I’m sure however that there are now many many thousands of healthy folks in their mid 30s thinking ‘well the risk to me of covid is miniscule also, if it’s not safe enough for a 28 year old its also not safe enough for me’

This is basically where I am. 35 wfh 100% why does a handful of years make a difference to if i get a clot and die or not (yes i know what sounds dramatic). But when you look at the rest of Europe they are saying no one under 55 and so on it makes you think. If I was offered the Oxford jab tomorrow my first question would be can i have something else.

In 1989 we thought we’d try being vegetarian for a month, just out of curiosity. At the end of the month we simply couldn’t see a good reason to do back to eating dead animals. So we didn’t.

basically the same but around 2018. girlfriend went veggie for a month and its just stuck. I still eat meat a couple of times a month but feel crazy sluggish after it. Makes me wonder how hard your body has to work to digest some pork with a roast.

What happens at the end?

Do you have to make your own way back to the start point?

In the past bikes get sent to drop off points like Victoria station and you get the train back, however given covid I don’t know if that will still be the case. If you could get a hotel or something for an overnight stay I would recommend it.

I have never done the official event just used it as a way to get to Brighton in the past when visiting the partners family – under 8hours totally doable i often get lost.

its worth doing just to tick off, but I would say don’t expect a normal weekend trail ride especially when it goes through the peaslake / winterfold area. Lots of bridal way and fire roads and there are a couple of horrible climbs especially at the end. I did it on my 150/140 bird aeris if I did it again I would either do it on a gravel bike or HT 29er nothing on the ride warrants full suspension.

Not sure everyone is expecting a normal summer and Q3 and Q4 ?

I am, im getting married in a few months and the idea of having more than 30 people would be nice.

People like my parents voted for him, mum has even said “He’s trying his best, these aren’t normal times!”

Mine did too, to quote my tory voting mother “I thought he would be like churchill” all they got in common is fat, old and white. Lets just say family dinners are interesting in my house given im firmly a labour voter.