This resounds with me so much that you could’ve written it about me.

We have two little ones who are very head strong and hard work, this stresses us both out and we argue.

Time out for each of us seperately helps and also the very rare times we get to spend together without the kids.

I ride a cargo bike and take them out as much as i can for “me time” and they love it and get to go to the park, balance bikes etc.

Fully agree with molgrips about the stresses of life and kids.

Where are you in the country? Maybe some riding with others or support would help?
I have a very limited support network but the odd chat etc certainly helps (normally just about random crap rather than anything else)

Wow lots of knowledge on here, hadnt thought of using melamine as a mould.

I had thought of using carbon but the cost is putting me off, i may end up having a play around and seeing how i get on with small things first.

Done

My neighbours recently bought a caravan and told me if its stored at home, then gone on a friday afternoon it could be a sign you’re away for the weekend, he was worried about the security of his bungalow.
He is a bit of a worrier though……

Bloody French dogs.

Comin’ over here, cloggin’ up our french car boots…….

I think ive made my shift pattern seem real bad, its actually mon-fri 13:30-23:00, mon-fri 05:00-14:30 followed by sat/sun 08:00-20:00 then seven days off.

Without going into detail its 95% waiting so i could actually fit exercise into my day at work.

Im not worried about the weight so much, just need the oomph to get moving/doing something more. I know after a couple weeks it’ll be a habit and be easy again!

65kg is two boys, two potties, numerous spare clothes and a homemade steel cargo bike!

I’m currently 14 st whatever that is in kg

Good shout, thanks munro!

Or clamp a really deep piece from behind where the router would run if that makes sense

I do exactly this.
Clamp a spirit level underneath as a bearing guide using three clamps, one in the middle, take the first one off and route until you can reclamp, then keep going with the rest of the clampsmoving them along. Or if you can, just screw a guide piece of wood underneath and remove after

Thanks, im definitely keeping the front loading cargo bike as i have the space and it cost me pennies. Looks like a big dummy is the way forward if i cant find an old xtracycle conversion.

Ive literally got a plywood bench screwed down to a piece of 3×2 laid across the width of the box and backrests made of ply too at a comfortable angle about 4 inches forward of the back of the box for helmet clearance. A set of universal pram seatbelts (5 point) threaded through big holes and tied off for stopping them falling out.

My twins have been co-pilots since 11 months old, they’re now 2 and ive modified the positioning of the bench as theyve got taller and longer to clear the handlebars.

I had a gearbox problem on a seat ibiza, went in for the dealer to look at four weeks before the warranty expired, lots of back and forthing about “we’ve changed this and its fixed it” and ten weeks later the dealer had changed two tyres, rebuilt the gearbox, then replaced the gearbox, driveshafts, dmf and clutch and an engine mount. I picked it up and was told there was over £5k to pay, at which point i went to hand them a “letter” from seat themselves stating as i took it in before it expired then it’d be covered on warranty. Luckily they didnt check the letter and took my word as it was a shopping list i happened to have in my pocket

Pivotal type seatpost and saddle have low stack, loads of bmx’s have them to get the saddle super low

We’re currently in the process of adopting our boys who have been with us for nearly a year, im pretty sure adopting a stepchild is a similar process.

I think you need to tell the local authority in writing three months before you can put in an application for adoption order. A social worker will do an assesment and prepare a report for the court.

I may be wrong on all the above but i wish you the best of luck. And chase up social workers progress as much as you can as they tend to have their own pace of work.

Ive seen people use s shaped hooks to hang bikes on trains. Get a padded one that fits your rim and hook the other end to the train hook?

Leather pads, i have some on my vintage road bikes with steel chrime plates rims, better than normal pads but still poor compared to discs

Ive got the enfield locks on my garage door, seem solid and work well. Easy enough to fit, but the key is a biy long on my keyring

Plastic is fine, just use nail clippers to trim them and it leaves nice rounded edges to stop you cutting yourself.

Great idea for a thread, had a tough year which has now come to fruition and things have worked out.
However today is my twin sons first birthday and the MIL hasn’t even made contact to say happy birthday to them but has taken the neighbours out for lunch.
Her neighbours text and sent cards and even presents but nothing from her, its not like she’s far away.
The worst part is how upset the wife is as the boys are too young to know about it.

Without a doubt wouldnt be without them, im firing blanks so we adopted and theyve been home for two weeks now.
Cant imagine my life without them and it means more bike time! (Bakfiets, which they love going in)

http://www.morland-uk.com/shop/vehicle-fit-out/lightweight-furniture-ply.html

Thats the place ive been recommended, ive no experience from them though.
Personally i just used knock on edging but i like your thinking!

Im using 700×33 tyres and go for 45 front and 40 rear although my commute is 50/50 road/off road on a cx bike. Im 85kg too but without panniers.
Maybe 50-60 psi?

Thanks all, its for my bakfiets style cargo bike so 20″ disc front wheel.
Used mainly for roads with the odd unlit cyclepath and through national trust parks.
Im quite happy to use additional lights for unlit areas as i mainly want to be able to nip to the shops with one less thing to worry about.

Thanks, i used the larryvsharry bullit specs for dimensions and just used a larger frame size and slightly slacker head angle. I could quite easily have no car now which would be nice

first time trying to upload pics. This may work if not the links there

http://s724.photobucket.com/user/kev-8/media/IMG_3210.jpg.html?filters=95455155&filters%5Brecent%5D=1&sort=1&o=2

https://instagram.com/p/BWcf9pjDaKGerBHrdGuz32Ao-g-78Cvx2Y6iIU0/

Yep, i made a bakfiets style cargo bike earlier in the year. By far the most practical and satisfying thing ive built so far. Ive carried chest freezers, carpet, lengths of wood but the main goal is for my twins on cycle routes and tow path types.
I used an old 26 disc steel mtb frame and cut it off from top of the headtube and bb and made the front section. I used bmx forks and notched out the disc side for clearance and welded disc mounts on.
Tbf i used a milling machine as a tube notcher and a lathe for bearing cups and surfaces.

Plymstock isnt in the city and with good schools, sort of small town and near the sea. Budget allowing Wembury or Heybrook bay, maybe even look into cornwall towns near the bridge or ferry. Most of if not all of plymouth is commutable but the traffic is bad around manadon and the north of plymouth

I used to work in the ‘yard, im assuming you mean cycle commuting. Plenty of places easily commutable, ie mannamead and peverell for a short commute or broaden your horizons if you don’t mind a longer commute. It’s hilly here but i guess you’re used to that

I live in Plymouth (well, the outskirts) and there are lots of nice places as well as not so nice (like most cities i guess). Close to the sea and dartmoor with loads of riding possibilities and routes and a few local clubs. Theres lots of good schools in the nicer parts, Plympton, Plymstock, Ivybridge and the likes are nice to name but a few. Wheres the job? Good luck with your quest!

Highly recommend a bakfiets, i made one based on a bullitt but with a larger frame. The ability to see what your carrying is perfect and the wtf factor from car drivers means you get given more room

i`ve got a 327 zesty and havent clipped the chainstays once (even with size 13 feet), although i do tend to have toe in both when i walk and when i ride.

ive got an ICE dropper post and it is brilliant for the money, not as smooth as a reverb but for the price i dont think you can beat it.

never had it fitted as such im afraid, was used in such a way with sprockets instead of discs to have a certain gear without ground clearance issues. similar to the way guy martins speed bike had two bottom brackets.

sorry about the crappy pics, but most amazingly was that fact i found it in the tip of a shed.

Very similar to that, was bought for a go kart project years ago and sat in the shed ever since.

Ive got an adaptor for a non disc hub to convert it to a disc. Its made up of a flange that bolts the the hubs original flange with a 6 bolt disc part to bolt to. Ill try and dig it out and get a photo up.