A lot will depend where you’re intending to go and what conditions you’re expecting.

If its purely for British spring/summer time then a bivvy bag and tarp will be more than adequate.

If not personally I’d be looking at something along these lines..Vango Mirage

What a scumbag!

Hope you get your bike back (even if it does need putting back together).

Have the police said anything about you getting it back?

Not tonight I’ve got a headache!

Whatever (when a point of hers has been proven wrong but won’t admit it).

Great thread!

I’m just about to move my eldest boy (6 year old) up to a 20″ can’t wait for him to be big enough for a full size bike so we can build one together :)

A mere 138 miles for me. Hopefully more in march.

It’s a great feeling when they first do it. And the pride on their faces just makes it all the better!

I’ve got a pair of endura tech pants and convert jacket used regularly for commuting duties and riding in my free time.

Little disappointed in the proofing of the trousers but otherwise all good. Sizing is questionable though (like so many brands).

^^^^ pretty awesome pic!

Will take a bit of time but purely seperation issues.

You’re doing well if he’s going to sleep alone.

Worth removing water in the evening, a puppy only has a very small bladder and thus 6-8hoirs overnight is too long for him to cope.

The soiling bed would of distressed him I’m sure. No dog messes its own bed unless forced to, part of the now crying each night may be anxiety of what happened previously and a fear of it happening again.

Bear with him it will be worth it!

Kind of. On lates this week so left at 10:30 for an hour long ride then got to work for normal start (12).

Lovely weather for it :)

Also watching with interest :)

Depends how long you’re happy in the saddle for, average speed.. If its all canal paths then maintaining 10mph average you could do it in two days no problem averaging 7ish hours a day in the saddle.

How do you make your living? – building, maintaining and modifying helicopters. Currently working on Merlins

Are you happy doing it? – for the vast majority of the time yes.

Would you considering a change of career? – currently this ticks the boxes for me.

Does it pay enough for you to mtb comfortably? – enough to maintain my bike. If there was a bigger item I wanted I could always work a few extra hours.

Done.

Lewis I’ve written a little blog post about today. Hope you don’t mind. Kristoffs blog[/url]

Didn’t manage to take a photo of it floating away as I was having a moment.

RIP George.

My thoughts are with you today Lewis. I will be observing a minute or twos silence at 12:30.

I’ve come to work armed ready with my balloons so as soon as I finish I can go for a ride and release them.

anyone releasing balloons don’t forget to e-mail a copy of your pictures to Lewis…

Bruders338athotmaildotcodotuk

Certainly looks pretty special!

I’m still quite a fan of the el guapo 29er..

Wondering how different they are to ride? Shed any light Shaggy??

I’ve ordered this one.

KMC X9L

Don’t see a problem I have a 410mm post in my 18″ c456.

18″ = 457.2mm

So plenty of space for a 400mm post.

I’ve just had the same dilemma. Have an HG93 chain on currently but it’s just about had it so I’ve ordered a KMC chain to try.

Fingers crossed it’ll last a little longer than the 700miles the hg93 survived.

You’re both probably on edge. It’s been such a stressful and emotionally draining time.

Arguements and short tempers should be expected. You’ve been coping far better than many others would have (I include myself in that).

Feel free to rant/moan etc on here. We’ll all understand and may possibly be able help. Problem shared = problem halved and all that.

I’ve got an SLX double and bash on my c456 with inner tube wrapped round the chain stay.

Close but doesn’t touch.

Rich, received my balloons this morning thanks they look great!

Lewis, keep us posted on the date and hopefully we’ll be able to make a nice thread full of all the pictures! You’re doing a tremendous job keeping your family going in what must be such a difficult time.

My families thoughts are with you.
Chris.

Born in Southampton, now living on the Somerset/Dorset border

If you want to tow 3.5t with a 4×4 you have very limited choices.

Vw touareg,
Mercedes M class,
Land rover Discovery 3/4,
Range rover,
Range rover sport.

Despite the unreliability that can occur (not always) with a discovery there is a reason they keep getting awarded best 4×4 by caravan magazines.

In the summer when things are pretty dry I’ve been using dmr moto RTs.

Given the recent weather I’m currently on continental mountain kings in 2.2.

I’d look at sleeveing the headtube. Machine/grind out the headtube, Bond the some sleeves in and voila. If you can get the sleeve machined to just undersized of 1″ 1/8 then you’ll be able to ensure its square when you do I final ream through.

Brudders – I’m sure if you setup a freebie email account (or one on your ISP account) everyone who takes part would gladly email you a copy of the photo aswell as posting on here. I know I would.

Then you can download them at full resolution at your leisure and do as you wish with them.

Bearnecessities – Brilliant idea, I’d be honoured to join in with this, I’ll drop you an email.

Bruisers- Completely understand the box idea, have you considered all the pictures could be put into a photobook or similar?

Once you’ve driven one you’ll forget those thoughts.

Also give the auto box a go if you weren’t considering it. HSEs are auto only but the gearbox is very very clever.. Has its own ECU which adapts to your driving style (worth getting reset in new ownership once you’re used to driving it). When I’m looking for one again in a few years I’ll be looking for an auto not manual.

Had one, sold it as I’d got it to over 200k and at the time couldn’t justify the price jump to a discovery 4.

Nicest vehicle I’ve ever owned for a long journey. Incredibly capable if you choose to take it off road (with some all terrain tyres virtually unstoppable). A fuel burning heater is a nice bonus in cold weather (below 4 degrees it fires up and warms the vehicle up in a couple of minutes).

Check all electrics are working properly, listen for knocks and squeaks.. There should be none, make sure air
Suspension works in all settings. Be prepared for bad economy, its a permanent 4wd vehicle that weighs 2.7tonnes you’ll have to drive like miss daisy to get more than 30ish mpg.

The factory sat nav in SE and HSE models is ok as long as the disc is up to date (the drive for it is under the passenger seat). If you want to save yourself some money on tyres even if not going off road fit some all terrains. Mine had general ATs and they’re good for between 30-40k a set compared to 10-15k on normal road tyres that cost the same.

I’ve got a transporter for now but in a few years I’ll probably look for another one.

[Quote]Jamie – Member
Mainly so I could do this…
Take photos of it?[/quote]

Close. That was the aftermath of a day on Salisbury plain. Surprising what a Chelsea tractor is capable of with some proper all terrain tyres fitted.

I had what some may class as a Chelsea tractor…

Mainly so I could do this…

As much as people say its snobby, Chelsea tractor etc… It was the most comfortable and capable car I’ve ever owned and only sold it as I got fed up with the horrific running costs.

I’ve always had giro lids and on my last change I thought I’d try a met… Glad I went to try one on first… Didn’t fit comfortably on my head at all.

Ended up with a new giro and quite happy with it. Ticks all the boxes for me.

I’d definitely try before you have your heart set on one purely from a looks perspective.

I’d jump in. I’m a reasonably strong swimmer and at the very least I could keep the little one above water until proper help arrived.

Too many people these days happy to just point and say oooo look isn’t that parent silly for not watching etc

I’m sure anyone in the aftermath would rather be able to say they helped in some way rather than saying I saw a child drown/get injured.

Kids will adapt far better than us as adults.

I imagine the children’s moods/temperaments will sway in many directions in the coming days/weeks as there emotions flit from one thing to the next (as all children do when dealing with anything).

Keep your chin up and remember that any of us on this thread are thinking of you and your family and hoping it gets easier (however impossible that seems currently).

I’ve got a t5 transporter with a caravelle rear triple seat which turns to a bed. Planning a semi camper build but with units sink being removable not fixed.

With the seat and associated fixings my little 1.9 T5 still returns low 40s mpg on a run, low to mid 30s around town.

It does struggle on long uphill drags but I didn’t buy it for speed.

Whatever you do will be a compromise.. Either compromising your space in the van/motor home Vs the routes you can take… I wouldn’t fancy trying to get a motor home down some single track country roads/lanes, then there’s the issue of height too.

Also worth bearing in mind how long you intend to keep it. Motor homes are generally fibreglass bodies and will require more attention and care if you’re planning a long ownership.

Unless you look at a proper size 4×4 (Nissan pathfinder, land rover discovery) then boot space will be far worse than an estate car.

the trade off also comes with running costs… A big 4×4 will be expensive to run (tyre costs alone are horrifying), poor mpg, servicing is generally more too.