We tend to use the campaniles when traveling through France – not the cheapest but clean functional rooms (that we tend to put the bikes in) and a decent buffet menu.
Others we have stayed at are Ibis and Mercure – all pretty much the same.

It's my 40th this year and I have been dropping hints like crazy – orbea diva TFT or ridley asteria – what I get is anyones guess!

brooess – yes

I have the ladies velez adventure light smock and have been happy with it. You really don't want to wear too much underneath it because it is still a warm top. Although you could not move for paramo in the Lake District this winter!!!!

as said above – about an hour to ride from Esher – depending on your route

I think that womens cycle clothing has come a long way compared to 10 years ago. There is so much choice around these days and I don't mind looking a bit more femine on the bike. As for the high end stuff, assos, pearl izumi, sportful & gore all do high end cycle clothing. One of my best buys was the assos uma jack jacket and the windstopper tights. Oh and minxgirl is very good at advising on size before you buy.

depends upon the budget and whether she wants a wsd bike. There are loads of wsd bikes out there by specialized, trek, bmc, felt, giant, bianchi, cervelo, ridley, cannondale, pinnarello, merkx etc etc………..as for sizing I am 5ft 3" and ride a 48cm trek madone.

Yup east of the stadium along the A316 and yes if it is high tide then say goodbye to your car – but there are smaller roads within this area which are river-water-free.

There are actually quite a lot of places to park for free in the surrounding areas – try by the river Thames in St Margarets – about 10-15mins walk from the stadium – check the tides first.

"Is dressing like Clarkson cool?"

No no no no no no no no no …………

I wear the shimano mw02 boots but then I take a size 36 and am rather limited for choice.

"I am delighted to report that RudeBoy will be coming"

Apparently only if it doesn't rain otherwise he is staying under the duvet even after persuading us to go along…..

Having done several Polaris events in the past we have built up a stack of lightweight kit. We use a small lightweight tent that packs down small – terranova. Take warm clothing for the camp. Water is available and they used to cans of beer for a pound. We usually use freeze dried food – we found some pasta meals that actually taste ok. For longs we carry waterproof trousers. Try to get a map holder so that navigation is easy on the move. I think that we may enter the spring event as well. Good to see Polaris back again.

Nice to meet you oldgit – sorry for the heckling – I was just trying to spur you on!
I have posted some photos from the Archer CX race – some have turned out quite nice.
I hope the lady who went to A&E gets better soon – I know that feeling well.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lesleyauch/Archer251009?pli=1&gsessionid=7oVLvecpYg_cwy3T9O8G1Q#

I think that Gatwick is worse than Heathrow but then I mainly fly out of T5 at Heathrow. Worst airports I think are Paris CDG, Tripoli and Aberdeen but then my view of Aberdeen airport is slightly marred by having to spend 8 hours there when they shut the airport because of snow last year.

Look at Pyractif as well – based in Bertren just up the road from Luchon.

TA vega

When you say that she had problems with the gears last time do you mean she had problems getting used to the gears or that the components on her bike are rubbish? If the latter it might be worth upgrading the current bike a bit. Either way I would still say put gears on her bike.

I think that you will find quite a lot of ladies on here ride SS including myself.
Putting her on SS on her first ride with you may not be a good idea and she may hate it.
If it a social ride you want to take her on why don't you lend her your geared bike and you ride the SS.

may be at Icknield on sunday with a camera 🙂

It would have been nice to but after last week and 5 stitches later it probably won't be wise this sunday.

There you go – knew the company would come to me eventually

http://illuminiteworkwear.thomasnet.com/viewitems/women-s-cycling-jackets-and-jerseys-2/inspira-hydrator-jacket-2?&plpver=10&bc=1199|1410|1417|1436|1377&forward=1

http://www.girlsruntoo.co.uk/GirlsRunTooSite/product/Bike+%2F+Tri_Tops_Jackets/4101MONFVJ.htm

sorry more of a windproof rather than softshell.
Quite a few new sugoi jackets on this website in white which may be suitable.

Years of wearing kilts can do that to a man !
Are you going to have to pay for this op?
Just think "Litespeed" and riding it once the op is over….:-)

colnago master x-lite
enigma elite
also look at Brian Rouke, Mercian and Argos

Dainsh trains web pages

http://www.dsb.dk/cs/Satellite?pagename=DSBUK/Forside

It reckons about 325 DKK on the journey planner

I like my Gore phantom soft shell jacket – great for both road and off road riding.
Also for affordable merino try embers or howies (only in the sale though).

Yes having small feet does mean a bit of a bargain at times – like the sidi womens dominators that I have just bought reduced from £125 to £60 in a size 37.
Also look at the gaern winter boots and if you are feeling flash with the cash sidi also do heated insoles but wooly socks are cheaper.

I wear the shimano winter boots but since I take a size 36 then I am limited for choice. Saying that I did buy a size 37 in the shimano boots to allow me to wear thick woolie boolly socks with them. My OH wears northwave winter boots but then they start at a size 5. It depends on what size feet you have.

I made the choice to become a lacto-ovo vegetarian 23 years ago – I don't really include soya in my diet but chick peas definately feature quite a lot. Most food contains protein and vegans tend to eat nuts, lentils, seeds, pulses and rice to get it -other sources include broccoli and potatoes.

Yes from london league cx a few years ago but I don't live in Croydon.

http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/4295

Some of the "celebs" are only known to those who watch corrie, shoddyoaks, drabenders and read Heat. I am waiting to see wee Vincent lifting Natalie Cassidy though.
I once sat in front of Anton Du Beke on a flight to KL listening to how his then-gf was going to spend the whole trip in the bar whilst he danced.

I have the footprint hammer aswell, bought through the college at the time (a long time ago) – it is still sitting at home somewhere – but then most of my mapping were in hardrock areas – Coniston, Buttermere and Norway.

I am 5ft 3" and ride a xxs yeti asr.
I would look at the blur xc in xxs as well.

4 tubes of nuun and some sharkies energy chews (vegetarian friendly)

Rapha sizing is too odd for women……try swobo

macaroni cheese with grilled tomatoes and salad
roasted vegetable lasagne
any pasta with either a tomato or cream sauce as a base – try primavera sauce.
or you could get the canelloni tubes and fill with ricotta and spinach and cover with cheese sauce.

whilst the 23 year old secretary is away (who insists on subjecting us to Tyncher Stryder and Neo) I am mostly listening to BBC6 Music although every other song seems to be the new Muse Uprising song at the momement but at least Cerys is on at 1.00pm

IMO the crank length will depend upon your gf's style of riding. Longer crank lengths increases the lever arm and allows more force hence the suitablility for hard sustained efforts such as mountain biking. Shorter cranks allow for a higher cadence. So if your gf is comfortable turning big gears at a low cadence then she may want a longer crank length. Raceface do 170mm cranks and FSA go down to 165mm – personally I have TA Vegalite 165mm cranks on my road bike because I am not strong enough to push big gears at low cadences so prefer an easier gear with a higher cadence for long alpine climbs.