Second on the variable floor boot- very handy for hiding an umbrella under

Um, well on the way to the spa this weekend about 20? But we were running late and the road was twisty! Usually manage about 28-32 with the bikes on top.

Have a petrol VRS (couldn’t countenance diesel) and it’s brilliant. Room for everything with the back seats down (2x paddle boards, MTB kit, road biking kit, rock climbing kit). With the the seats up it’s still massive, and easily fit four bikes on the roof with Thule bars and racks. It also goes like the clappers!

I went to school in the nearest primary to Broadmoor. It wasn’t only fire alarms we practised!

Great video! Makes me want to go riding :-)

Sixt, and I think Europcar but they add a charge per day for each day abroad?

Is the Rainbow Cafe still open?

Second for Samsung. I’m on an S6 now and it really is up there with SLR quality shots. It’s particularly good at making blue sky days look ridulously amazing!

Cheeky question as to what pegs you’ve fitted to the kona there? Been looking to turn the back of mine into an occasional seat for pub trips etc.

The river in York is up which suggests a large volume of water on the moors. The Kildale/Baysdale Abbey end is usually pretty dry all year round, certainly a lot better than the eastern side. If you want to combine with a large lunch, the tracks to the west of the Lion Inn should be in good nick too.

Managed 60 lengths in the pool and couldn’t remember why i’d struggled to do it previously in the last 3 months.

Neptune. Solid wood and oh so lovely. Not cheap though- but weirdly cheaper than John Lewis which was MDF

I think they are all logged online now? We’re chasing ours and that’s how we found out it hasn’t been filed yet!

Colp-quite possibly. I was riding a canyon in a sea of santa cruzes. I would have been the one with the shit eating grin on my face. Learnt how to do wall rides that week- dusty trails were such a blast

Another thumbs up for BikingAustria- we holidayed with them last year and they were ace. Apartment is in the centre of Maria Alm, about 20mins away from Leogang so they have a trailer to do transfers which works well. The Big Five is a BIG day out but the Hackleburg (sp!) trail was so awesome we made the trek to ride it 3 more times! They have a cultural evening in Maria Alm which is good fun- food stalls and traditional dancing, singing, whip cracking and alp horn. I thought it would be too bike park to be interesting, but finished the week itching for more! Hot shots was the sweetest ever end to a big dusty day out.

I’ve vanned it from Peterborough to Chamonix with 3 up front- definitely cosy! Just work out your seating formation and try to get a van with the gearstick on the dash to avoid any awkward groping…

Restrepo is pretty bleak.

Cheapest I’ve found given extra Europe charges (although why that is prices per day when it is a document to prove ownership is anyone’s guess) is £826 with Europcar- but that has a mileage limit of 2800 miles. Will it get us to France, Switzerland, Italy and back? Taking the Hull-Zeebrugge so saving mileage by not driving to Dover!

We might occasionally pull over for some riding/paddling/camping/swimming/climbing etc

To put literally all the toys in the world into then razz around the alps for larks.

Terraced House? We have a trap door behind the front door. It’s where the stop tap is for the mains water. But the previous owner/s didn’t know that so installed an ingenious system of brass taps around the house. As soon as we tried to turn the original stop tap after un burying it, it snapped off- because it was 100 year old lead. Fun times.

It is cheaper for the School to plan and book everything themselves, but then they take the risk, rather than the company, and not all Schools are keen on this. I’ve been on a lot of School trips to a lot of wonderful places, but a holiday it is not!

Check what is open- when we went 2 years ago in August Hafjell was only open at weekends. Definitely do an overnight kayak trip from Flam, that was a massive highlight!

Overtrousers are a good shout- also Roubaix fleece tights chamois instead of a shorts one? With baggies over the top for impact protection.

Saturdays definitely put a cosh on team sports, as you are usually on the sidelines coaching kids rather than playing yourself. But there are lots of day schools that don’t do Saturdays, the pay off being slightly shorter holidays. I agree, it’s the fit of the school that’s key, rather than the sector.

18 weeks holiday a year, less paperwork, more trust to teach. Longer hours and possibly Saturdays- 7.30 to 6 five days a week and 7.30 to 4.30 Saturdays.
Expectation of involvement in sport/DofE/CCF/Music/Drama/Trips. Often smaller schools so you get to know the students really well. Allowed off site during the school day to go running etc if you’ve got a free. As much free food as you can eat 3 times a day.
tbh it’s pretty mint, I can’t understand why I was the only one on my PGCE to consider private as well as state.

Does it have to be trousers? I find rugged shorts and knee pads a more flexible (literally)combo.

Um, I’m a teacher so ‘staff’ isn’t really a thing.

Why?

Fruita!

Just paid the deposit for next SO EXCITED

Only time I’ve been stung by a wasp/s was my first attempt at an ironman, and it contributed to a DNF. The two stings on the thigh were sore but ok, but then one got in my oxygen sucking mouth and stung me. Couldn’t take on any food or water for about 90 mins, then completely bonked 10 miles into the run.

Iron War

I’m taking a year off racing, since racing something (rowing, triathlon, mtb tri, enduro) every year since 2001. I’ve even booked the summer mtb trip to clash with the ard rock so I can’t be tempted! I love racing, but I want to be able not to focus and train, and do whatever sport I want, when I want, rather than always gearing up for an event. Last race will be PMBA in October, then it’s down tools till 2018!

We went in October 2-3 years ago, flying into Denver, then hiring an RV an driving to Moab via Fruita. Be careful at the end of October, as we had snow in the Rockies on our way back, and quite a lot of campsites had closed. We went for this bike festival http://moabhodown.com/ which was very cool, and a good way to meet the locals. In Fruita go to Ver the Edge bike shop- great info on trail conditions and guidebooks. We were surprised at the cost of food in supermarkets ($4.50 for a small packet of mushrooms) so we ended up eating out most of the time. Hot Tomato Pizza in Fruita is a must! We flew BA to get the international baggage allowance, Flights were about £600, RV rental about £800 including fuel and winterising.

It’s tighter than I thought it would be! But we have got 8, 4 high, 4 low.

Bike Parking

We’ve gone for steady racks. 350mm horizontal between each rack, 300mm vertically

We have inflatables, and love them. I would massively recommend upgrading the pump though from the one they come with, as it is a bit of a work out. Back of car to water in 10 mins. My favourite place to paddle is the Lakes (we’re on a mission to paddle every one, best so far was Derwent Water) and river paddling in high summer when the stream is low. I prefer it to kayaking as kayaking hurt my back, and by standing up you get better views (I think). Trying to plan a multi day touring trip on the Loire for next year, our SUPS have cargo nets so you could carry all your kit with you.

Thanks AlexSimon! Was dead chuffed.