We had a new combo boiler a few years ago & it was a choice between a Worcester & Valliant. My gas engineer strongly favours the the Valliants as they are far more durable (stainless heat exchange unit?) and much easier to service. Because it replaced a much older indirect boiler with a smaller bore pipe supply we had to have a larger pipe (22mm?) fitted which had to run around the house as we have solid floors. I think ours is a 32Kw for a 4 bedroomed house.

B for me too to keep the steps complete with no joins. I would also put a small piece on the right in line with the brickwork (same as the left) to make it symmetrical.

B for me too to keep the steps complete with no joins. I would also put a small piece on the right in line with the brickwork (same as the left) to make it symmetrical.

I’ve used the loft legs from Wickes. 4 holes are marked & are easiest pre-drilled before use. You only need to fix with 2 diagonal screws to the joists & they are v secure. I also mainly used their chipboard loft floor panels & some large sheets of chipboard from a dismantled wardrobe.

‘Reading these posts is making me feel quite anxious!!

Fitting incorrect wheels to vehicles is deadly, Range Rover wheels are made for range rovers not T5 vans !!’

Just for clarification – RR wheels are rated at 900-925kg per wheel and a T32 T5 wheels are specified at 860kg each – and mine in a T28 so in effect the wheels are over specified. Also I do have an agreed value with my insurer with my wheels & all other modifications listed. RR wheels where a popular choice several years ago.

I’ve got 19” Range Rover Alloys on my T5, that were on it when I bought it, and 255×50 R19 types & it’s a very comfortable ride. It’s lowered 40mm on H&R springs & the wheels fill the arches nicely. The fronts do rub a little on full-lock but that has never been an issue. I could put some spacers on but haven’t really felt the need.

I built up a 26″ some years ago & rode it for several years – mainly on single track & nothing radical & it was fine. I still have it but mainly ride a road bike now. I also built up a 29″ Titus FTM which was much, much beefier & heavier – and still have that. The 26 was very nimble, light & very comfortable & could hold its own against much later specs.

Endura bib-longs for really cold days (down to 0 degrees) although the graphics wear off as they get older & Gore Bike wear are also good. For thinner bib-longs / tights the DHB ones are reasonable from Wiggle / CRC. Gore Bike Wear jackets are also my go-to jackets for v cold days – super warm with just a base layer!

I was impressed with Park Chain cleaning fluid when I got some with a chain cleaning mechanism which is a citrus based cleaner. So I got a 5L container of Viro-sol off eBay which is a citrus cleaner & detergent which is pretty cheap – for 5L – and cleans chains brilliantly & certainly as good as the Park cleaner.

I’ve used ‘shoe goo’ to repair flint cuts in my GP4000 tyres as I’ve never actually managed to wear one out yet before they are ruined by cuts – and finally holes. Shoe goo is used to repair shoe soles & is apparently used by skateboarders. It doesn’t last forever, unfortunately, but does fill the cuts & gives some protection.

Did mine a few years ago & managed to ride home – Adrenalin I assume. Got it x-rayed & yes broken. I used it as an excuse to get a turbo & was on Zwift in 2 weeks wearing my sling & turning my legs over to keep my fitness. I was back on the road bike 10 weeks later – being careful – but it still aches a bit 4 years later. Good luck with yours!

Apple 4K tv has 3 BT connections & the remote takes 1 which leaves 2. If that’s all you need fine – but additional BT connections can be made through the Companion App on your phone – which works but is a bit of a faff. I think some HR monitors (4iiii?) can also act as BT bridges.

I have both – well an Emonda SL6 (Carbon) with Di2 with rim brakes but not an ALR – and a Domane 4.3 Disc. The Domane is the earlier model with the single isoflex coupling & and not the one in the steering stem and it’s extremely comfortable for longer journeys. It has hidden mudguard eyelets which allow the fitting of proper mudguards and I have 28mm tyres which adds to the comfort. This is my winter bike. The Emonda is much, much, lighter and is a lot faster. It’s not as comfortable – & that’s a small price to pay for the performance. An Emonda Disc would be brilliant – but if you want comfort & year round use it may be worth considering how mudguards can be fitter & 28mm tyres – which make a big difference. A middle aged duffer? I’m only a young 65!

My son who is a discerning listener bought a couple of sets: Cambridge Audio – Mellow Mania 1 – for about £100 Which he really rates (and has kept); and a set of SoundPeats for about £28 Which he rates much less & gave them to me/ dad. I think the Soundpeats are amazing for the money – Bluetooth & rechargeable.

I’m still riding a couple times a week on the road, re-visiting some of my local Singletrack on the MTB and doing the British Cycling Race & TT series on Zwift with my club mates so have been kept active. What has been really great is seeing all the other cyclists who probably would rarely ride. Little families with children in tow on trailer bikes, & a range of small bikes & parent with a teenager out with them – and everyone is so friendly. It would be good if this led to more people cycling and more consideration from car drivers. Although the press is still trying to demonise cyclists by those photographs that misrepresented how close they actually were.

I’ve got 11 speed Di2 on one bike and 10 speed on another. The 11 speed components are readily available but the 10 speed is now obsolete. The shifters & battery are interchangeable but the derailleurs are unique and not interchangeable. The FD seems reasonably well protected but the rear is very prone to damage – apart from any wear. They are now like hens teeth & go for about £150+ on eBay even 2nd hand. Unfortunately upgrading to 10 speed is not straight forward with expensive wheels & the rear cannot take an 11 speed freewheel body.

I got the email too & have a booking on the 18th April to Mallorca. They have cancelled the flights up to a few days before this but just offered to transfer my booking at the moment. My hotel has cancelled & I just need EasyJet to do the same. I assume if I cancel there will be a cost. I’m hanging on to my Holiday insurance but even if this covers me I’ll get hit with the excess.

I bought a few of these -C5 I think – the one with the yellow sleeve & back panels & had to send them back as the sizing is all over the place & not as indicated in the sizing chart. I would order a range of sizes & send the ones back that don’t fit best. Mine is a bit loose but I want to be able to layer up underneath it. They are good though…..

Still waiting – but I forgot about it last year too & it just seemed to turn up.

I ride approx 200mi a week in the winter & would even find your ride quite a challenge – particularly as you are going south into a typically prevailing wind. The wind has been a real issue this year. I ride MTB shoes / cleats in the winter & road shoes / cleats in the summer & see little difference in them except MTBs are easier to walk in. I would use the 38 tyres at lower pressures & fit raceblade mudguards that don’t go through the brake callipers & can sit off the tyre. I would also probably break the ride down with 2-3 brief stops with coffee / light meals.

The MTB club (that’s not a club) mentioned near Hitchin is The Windmill CC – (see their website & FB) but as mentioned it’s pretty claggy around Herts through the winter. They often ride to Chicksands & do some great weekends & weeks away MTB-ing. Also check out ‘Silly Grin MTB’ who meet up & ride around Beds. I gave up MTB-ing as it’s so mucky around here in the winter & turned to the dark side – although I do have a gravel bike & love blasting along the dry singletrack in the summer – including the mentioned Roman road which can be part of a good 50mi loop.

Watching with interest. I’ve got to re-do our bathroom replacing a corner bath with a walk-in shower. I’ve considered a wet-room style floor but would be concerned about the shower waste being in the floor / down stairs ceiling space & therefore unserviceable. I’m considering a low level tray – walk in style with a glass screen – but would be interested in others thoughts…..

I have a T5 SWB with a pop-top with what I assume was a cheap roof as it bowes in the middle. It came with the van and it’s seems to be a no name make. However I have re-proofed the canvas a few years ago & it does work fine apart from the bow that collects water when it rains in a puddle.

Yes really enjoyed it & even got the wife to watch it rather than George Clarke on the other side. I think she liked the human element side of it. That bike trip was a huge (responsible?) challenge for the amputee – but I’m sure ‘living on the edge’ has been part of his life in the military. I also though the main guy had a bit of the ‘Guy Martin’ about him!

Loved the Bonzo’s & a highlight for me was being taught by Sam Spoons & Roger Ruskin Spears on an Art Foundation Course at the Chelsea School of Art back in about ‘75.

Just finished today with a total of 512km/318mi. My efforts have been helped by a few club runs – one of 102mi & today’s 40mi with me doing an additional 20mi to finish the Rapha 500 off. The mild weather has also helped but the wind has been a bit of a challenge at times. Now completed for the 2nd year…..

Well done everyone! 105km done this morning down south in that there Hertfordshire. It was a road group ride, which made it a bit easier, but the roads were filthy & the wind severe. Hopefully another 50km tomorrow morning solo.

Well done Shek – that certainly sounded like what was happening to me. I do suspect, however, that you have had a very little knock on your derailleur to knock it out OR the rear wheel has not gone back in exactly as it was before……

Sounds like your limit screw as Di2 over moves the derailleur to ensure it changes & then drops back a little. It sounds like your limit screw is stopping it over reaching & so when it drops back it’s in the next gear. I would try tweaking the limit screw a bit.

We have a flat & advertise it through an on-line company & it gets listed on Right Move & Zoople. We get notified of those expressing interest & we organise & conduct our own viewings. We recently had 8 viewings all requested within 2 days of listing & completed in 5 – only extended for a weekend when some could only attend. We had 5 who wanted it & we had to choose the most ‘reliable’ couple who we thought could afford it & would be long term tenants. We are members of the RLA & pay for their referencing service. It covers previous tenancies & an affordability check. We also have to do a ‘Right to Rent’ check which is a legal requirement ensuring they have the right to be in the country – passport / visa etc. We feel bad about turning people down but try to do our best to safeguard our investment. Good luck with yours.

Thanks for all the info – I have several nearly new road tyres that have holes in them from flints & I tried to find patches for tyres too – without success. I remember the old kits that used to have a piece of fabric which I believe was for patching tyres. I’ve tried tube patches but the inner tube just bulges up through the hole. I run tubeless on my MTB & have used anchovies with success & have the Lezyne tyre boot – as an emergency for road tyres but doesn’t seem good enough as a permanent repair. I will try the above.

I’d echo all that has been said – get to Sa Colabra early & try to be back up before middday-ish as that’s when it really gets busy with coaches. It’s a real pain going down & being stuck behind a coach stopping to take photos on every switchback! It’s almost best to go down & pretty much back up again.

My club go twice a year in April & October & when I first went there I thought I’d arrived in cycling heaven. And just for the record they are all ages and pretty fit – and certainly not fat!

We go with Stuart Hall Cycling (not that Stuart Hall) at pretty reasonable rates at about £500 for a week in a 4* Hotel with half board & led rides. You can hire a bike from them or take your own.

A timely discussion & certainly something the Mrs & myself have been thinking about & have considered most of the pros & cons already mentioned.

We have a VW T5 – fully fitted out as a camper with bed, fridge, cooker, pop-top, diesel heater, solar panels, tow-bar bike rack, wind-out & drive-away awning – all be it a 2004 converted job – but it looks decent & does the job.

We normally use the drive away awning & tend to use an external cooker (to avoid smells in the van) & can still un-zip the van & drive away to the shops / visits etc. Most recently we used the wind-out awning & have a privacy / safari room (sides & front) that were attached – but this made us feel ‘stuck’ as we could no longer just drive away – but we thought we’d try it.

With just the two of us it does feel ‘cosy’ & keep looking at motorhomes & caravans on campsites and are very tempted but are not persuaded by the ‘cons’. We have a drive which can take 2/3 cars but we couldn’t fit a motorhome or caravan on to it & still be able to park a car. We do also have a 2L estate car – with a tow-bar & electrics – (as does the camper van) but again the thought of having to keep a caravan somewhere else & the hassle of towing down narrow roads puts us off.

As we are both retired & would like to spend some of the winter in Portugal or Spain we are really tempted for something a bit more spacious & ‘permanent’ than our current set-up & a motorhome would certainly fit the bill. An internal toilet & shower would be good.

I could swap my camper for a motorhome but would then loose a vehicle that we can both drive as a ‘daily driver’ & go down to 1 car or buy a 2nd small runabout. If I had the space & canvenience of parking a motorhome on my drive / garden – then I might be persuaded it’s the way to go – but although I am very tempted I’m not quite there yet………

Many thanks for all your responses – particularly the humerous ones. Trust STF! I did express my dissatisfaction – and I really felt that was all I could do – but was more concerned about the cowboy stories you hear about the installations & the possibility of limiting suppliers. I’ll just go and ride my bike now…….

I’ve just replaced an Audi 2004 A4 1.9TDi with 212k mi on the clock for a 2014 petrol 2.0 A4 quattro with 50k mi on the clock. I was getting about 45mpg from the TDI and only 30mpg from the petrol quattro. I was thinking about the difficulty of driving a diesel into London etc. I didn’t want a SUV but did want a 4 wheel drive the way the weather seems to be going. Petrol is about 10p cheaper per litre & it did seem to be the way to go and my mileage is minimal at the moment.

The Ichnield way from Luton, Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock to Royston is a mixture of Singletrack, gravel tracks & some roads linking the off-road bits. It’s very doable on a gravel bike. I live in Letchworth & have ridden parts of it often.

A great event – far too cold at the start & too warm at the end – hard to get it right given the rise in temp during the morning. Did it in 5hrs 7mins – with only a brief roadside toilet stop. Was planning a service stop at 66mi but felt OK & still had drink. The organisation was good & roadside support excellent – although I did see the odd confrontation from drivers trying to enter the course. The Tour of Cambridge is the next challenge – which is far more serious……

Red 5 leaving at 7.20 too. There’s 4 of us from Hitchin Nomads.

April & November are pretty much like our summer & my club go both times. If your road biking look up ‘Stuart Hall Cycling’ – no it’s not the Knock-out Stuart Hall – for those old enough to remember. I can highly recommend his training camps.

Many thanks for your best wishes for the wife. She is now getting support from a group called ‘Headway’ who deal with head injuries. Ironically when discharged from hospital they just said she had a ‘minor’ bleed & it should re-absorb in about 2 weeks. She had follow-ups at the fracture clinic & physio – but nothing for her head. By all accounts some people get Post Concussion Syndrome & some don’t.

She had a really good helmet – Lazer Z1 – so I would have hoped it would have given her adequate protection.

MIPs may not have helped her – but given what she is going through it’s worth doing every thing to limit potential head injuries. As for not wearing a helmet – I’ve smashed 2 MTB- ing & 2 on the road…..