I can happily not drink but will have a beer at home (330ml) most nights.

However, where we live, there’s pretty much zero public transport and taxis are expensive. My wife isn’t a big fan of driving in the dark so I often drive home after a night out; that means zero alcohol in a bar or strictly one bottle of beer with a meal.

If / when we do go out, I think I’m often ready for bed before the drinkers. I’m not too sure why – I guess its the altered perceptions thing…

Was this on STW?

Nearest the door for me too.

Another vote for the Starbucks one.

The wife and I (then girlfriend) moved to The Philippines 6 1/2 years ago.

The pros:

much higher salaries + cheaper living costs = woohoo. Twenty-somethings with an amazing apartment, 2 full time ‘helpers’, saved 40k pa (we’re only teachers!)

The country itself was very easy re. language, culture, people.

It was an adventure we didn’t want to end so moved to Phuket (Thailand) last July.

Cons:

A long way from home and family. You need to have discipline or you’ll spend the money you could be saving on living the highlife, flying home frequently etc.

We got married (over a summer holiday back in Ireland) and had a son whilst away. My grandfather died and I couldn’t get home in time; all of those things are difficult when you’re on the other side of the world.

We only go home once a year, usually for the long summer hols, and being away at Christmas sucks. However much effort you put into making the day special, it’s not the same. I’ve become a real bah-humbug; I’d rather it was just over.

I didn’t have a bike in Manila (no where to use it), which was obviously awful. Plenty of riding now, so that’s great.

We left London and moved abroad mostly for financial reasons. We’ve stayed away for, besides the money, beaches, sunshine, adventure and the standard of living

haha

Where was the S1 registered maxtorque?

I’ve just dug out my Grandfie’s memoirs. He ended up owning a Volvo dealership but began working for a garage called Males in Somerset.

My career took off one day when the man in charge of the garage called me into his office and suggested I apply for a position wherein I would be demonstrating and selling a new vehicle, just announced and being marketed by the Rover Company called a ‘Land Rover’. Much of the initial success of it being launched on the British market was in no small measure due to the efforts of Males of Yeovil. The earliest photographs and catalogues of the vehicle bear Somerset registration marks, most of which I sold.

It’s fascinating. It goes on to say how he helped design a testing course for the Land Rovers in Solihull, “the most exciting part being a flooded copse, out of which the vehicles climbed a 45 degree slope without perceptible difficulty.”

Looks like it’s in my blood!

No you don’t molgrim…

edit: molgrips / molgrim… not a troll account ;)

But no downloadable mags?

Very good offer anyway.

PSA: DO NOT DO AN IMAGE SEARCH FOR DE-GLOVING!

I rarely wear gloves and always wear my ring… that’s going to change!

back on-topic. I have a stainless steel wedding band and it was slightly ovalised. A small jewelers dorted it for me for a couple of pounds whilst I waited.

I haven’t been, but would pedalling and using gears not be an option?

:twisted:

too many questions…

Option 1.

Selling as bits takes longer, you may end up with bits people aren’t interested in. You tend to end up with more money and can keep bits you want for the new build eg. brakes, rear mech.

Option 2.

Is the G150 a complete bike? Frame and forks or just frame? It certainly looks lovely but is very different (almost 6″ of rear travel) to the Camber. Will you enjoy it on your local trails? The cost of good wheels and forks can be high!

Option 3.

I don’t like Stumpjumpers but many do.

Option 4.

Why don’t you think the bike is up to an Alps trip? Have you broken anything yet riding your current trails? Are you going to suddenly get massive air when you get there? Are you worried about dropping the chain? Buckling wheels? Poor suspension performance?

As you said, sturdier forks are the cheapest option. It sounds like you really like the Camber so perhaps upgrading it where necessary will make you happiest.

I see why Damascus made their suggestion but, like you, I prefer to have 1 bike and know it really well. Having said that, you could get the 2nd hand bike now, ride it until your trip and then sell it / keep it for the next outing!

The Whyte is a lot of cash but also a lot of bike. If you think you’ll enjoy it when you get back to Inners, get it!

Dashed – Absolutely love the D-Max.

It’s the first truck we’ve owned; previously had a Mazda 323, Kia Sedona etc.

We got a car for a) safety b) reliability c) accomodate a potentially growing family (1 child + 1)

I should say that we live in Thailand and the fuel costs for it are less than a 5 door petrol Fiesta. Labour costs are very low should we need it and parts are plentiful.

Thailand has horrific road crash statistics so one of the reasons for the truck was to feel safe… we do.

It carries 5 adults in comfort. The rear seat is wide and the two side passengers at least are a nice sculpted place to sit.

I’ve only needed the extra power / off road abilities twice and it’s nice to know it’s there. I seems to have almost limitless power (the front of the car will lift up if you put your foot down at 100km per hour) so it certainly gives the impression it could tow a house. I’ve seen an identical model pulling a broken down artic. lorry.

In the rainy season, there were some roads with big potholes, deep puddles, 1′ standing water and a lot of mud. Whilst ‘regular’ cars were driving along them mostly without issues, I did feel much safer in the truck.

It can be a bit tail happy (we got the 3.0l TDi). Trying to pull out into fast traffic in the wet is a nerve racking experience.

Although the leaf suspension at the rear is obviously not designed for comfort, I’ve been in the back for 4 hour journeys and honestly, it’s fine. I know some people can feel queasy but no one’s ever mentioned it to us.

The bed isn’t quite as large as a HiLux (Vigo), but more than enough for a trip to the supermarket, buggy, beach bag etc. I easily fitted 4 wooden pallets in the back yesterday and that was with the Carryboy on.

Ours is 5 years old but the previous owner had it, like us, as a family car – it’s had an easy life. Just had an oil change after 5k km (it’s done 120k km in total) and service. Tracking needed a touch of adjustment and that was it.

Going through the log book, the truck’s needed little more than oil and the odd adjustment here and there.

The only 2 very minor negatives so far;

1) When the engine’s started from cold, the revs were always a little high for 30 seconds or so before the auto box changed down. I had it checked as I was worried the gearbox might be about to do something terrible. Apparently it’s simply a ‘feature’ of the truck.

2) To change a headlight bulb you need to remove; the front grill, front bumper, air intake, air intake box / holder, battery and horn. Then you can get at the actual cluster. Because of the funny angle of the leads to the cluster, you’ve got to remove it from the car too, and then you can change the bulb! I was embarrassed to take it to a garage when the bulb went but felt better seeing the two mechanics spend 45 mins doing it.

The wife and I’ll be upset when we move to a country where a full tank costs more than 25 pounds and we can’t afford to run a big truck. Her dream car used to be a Toyota Fortuner

It’s now a no-expense-spared truck, “with an inside like a Range Rover”

I came to post the LTS too, Nicko.

I had an enormous poster of it on my wall as a child. Bike pr0n!

I was stuck, but only temporarily. Used a spade and a few bits of wood under the rear wheel and got out.

The week before a friend had been stuck in exactly the same spot. Pulling them out was literally 2 minutes. Attach the strop to both our front eyes, slowly reverse the truck, his car followed. That’s what I mean by “…easily could…”.

I’m well aware there’s more to it which is why, in my post, I followed people’s advice and said I’d say ‘no’ in future and have also contacted the local 4×4 club. I’d love to learn more.

Your ‘truck’ gives me a semi.

I’ve been following the thread with interest and have nothing useful to add, except that that your epitaph should include a picture of your LR!

*hats off*

I love my hardtail. Carbon, 26″, 90mm Fox 32mm’s, X2/203mm floating discs, 80mm stem and crazy-wide bars.

It’s a slight is-match of parts but I wouldn’t want 2 bikes.

I’m not saying that it’s my dream bike*, but I love the fact that I can tell if the tires are 5psi softer than last ride. I know exactly when the tires will break away, just how fast / far the bike can lean in to a corner. Of course I’m not saying that the bike’s the speed-limiter on rides, I’m saying that I’m at my max potential on that particular bike.

2 bikes = spreading your skilz!

*16″ Inbred with -1″ top tube, 853 tubes and stupidly bling/weight-weenie build. In Ford GT50 orange & blue colours.

Seeing as people are posting the opposite to the thread’s title.

When I was a young student; stupid and hotheaded and indignant, a Volvo XC-something-or-other cut me up at a mini roundabout and touched my front wheel with their rear bumper. I unclipped, scooted along with two feet and somehow didn’t fall off my bike. When they stopped at traffic lights half a mile down the road, their offside wingmirror got a kick that would have made Wilkinson proud. I’m embarrassed to think how much that will have cost the driver..

Thanks for all the replies.

You’re right, I don’t have much of a clue… nor can I afford to repair my, or the other persons car should anything go wrong. I’ll keep the towing strop well hidden. Not having a rope sounds nicer than, “no, in case you sue me.”

The thing is, I am a helpful person and I’ll feel pretty guilty not helping knowing I easily could.

Little bits of cake (carrot cake was a fav for our boy). Homemade so you can cut back on sugar and the other nasties.

Rivita.

Cooked, cold pasta.

Ham (again, home cooked to avoid too many sulphates).

Patrick always viewed carrot sticks as the work of the devil but did and still does love fruit. Mango and tangerines were always his preference. As long as the fruit’s varied, I wouldn’t worry about it being his only snack. As long as his other meals contain lots of different ‘stuff’.

As he gets more teeth, you may find he likes to gnaw to help the tooth break the surface.

Thanks.

I was towing out a little Honda so although I appreciate the forces involved (everyone was clear of the towing strop), I put mine in low range, took my foot off the brake (it’s an auto) and that was enough to pull the other car. I didn’t need a running start etc.

It’s the third person I’ve helped in ~4 months but the first time I haven’t been able to reverse pull them out using the big eye at the front (the sticker says max 4,500kg load). I can’t see myself towing so although I like to be helpful when I can, the towing bar options available are expensive and also those square holes, not a ball for a socket. Like below and ~300 pounds.

I also remember being told that when you sell a car, people see a tow bar as a sign the vehicule’s had a harder life so worht less.

Embarrassed the STW doesn’t allow links to the DM. It’d be understandable if it was for the Grauniad. The readers tend to wear sandals and socks (at the same time), be vegan and be complete A-holes.

Two things from the article.

1. “I don’t mind if cyclists want to come on the road with their silly Victorian distractions, I’m not bothered, but they must behave themselves.”

2. Woohoo. Top Gear on Sunday!

re. #1. They’re not silly, but you can’t argue with the sentiment. All road users should behave themselves.

re. #2. Woohoo!!!

[/quote]Well, I’ve just finished eating home-cooked organic leg of roast lamb, bio-dynamically farmed in Hampshire. Even if I say so myself, it was absolutely delicious.[/quote]

I just ate a chicken. Not a poncy one. No pseudo science. Kitchen-cooked, tray-roasted, chicken-farm-farmed in Phuket. Very tasty.

Back on-topic, chop it up into thin slices ad flour it. Fry it with salt, butter and pepper. Not meat, but not bad.

Admittedly the 26″ version (but I’d imagine, 29″ is the same), but swapped to Maxxis Cross Mark yesterday (front and rear) and they’re brilliant. Really really great. When the front does break away, it’s predictable and slow understeer and the back stays glued. When it gets very firm, the rolling resistance (lack of it) is again brilliant.

I was running tubed at 35-40psi. I think I’ll try a little softer at the front tomorrow.

My riding is in THailand. I’d imaging, pretty similar to yours. Hard, dusty… When it hits rainy season, I think I’ll need something different.

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/tires-and-wheels/29er-tire/maxxis/crossmark-29er/prd_417700_1564crx.aspx

Impropper use of refliexive pronouns.

“Allow myself to check that for yourself on the computer…” God only knows how I’ve so far managed to not thump anyone for that yet!

People who sit in the middle or outside lane for no good reason.

Welsh people.

Vegans.

When I was 18 I worked in a pub. I found it quite annoying when, on a busy night, people thought that waving a £20 note under your nose, like you’re some sort of poll dancer would somehow make them get served faster, irrespective of where they were in the queue.

I couldn’t agree more. I worked in and managed a bar / club for a few years. Whenever it was done to me, I’d say thank you, take the money and serve other people for a while. Depending on their response, I’d eventually serve them or hand back the money and then serve someone else. Barman, listener, advice-giver, teacher.

Ooooh, that reminds me; blue drinks. Drives me bloomin’ insane. Anyone who orders / makes / drinks a beverage with blue curacao in it should be firmly slapped. It’s not the 70s or 80s you Del-boy-twunt.

:)

Dry dusty and fast. Had a lovely couple of hours this afternoon.

100% of the people who’ve posted on this thread about the magic Alan Carr book have both started smoking again.

Mmmm, not a statistic they will want to print on the back of the book

I read (well, listened) to the book and successfully went cold turkey about 4 years ago. Having said that, even reading this thread has made me want a smoke so much. The sad part is, you still feel like you’re losing something, not gaining your health, money etc.

I now live on the other side of the world but grew up in Lympstone.

There’s some great riding to be had but it changes week by week, season by season.

Knobblies (a great LBS in Exmouth) organise rides that’ll certainly help you get your bearings.

There’s no way I can justify the cash a Reverb costs “on a bloody seat post*”! And besides, I’m not going to become Rachel Atherton overnight!

I would happily buy a “leaves your seatpost up and just rides” sticker ;)

*My wife knows just enough lingo to put up a fight!

Can you really lock your front wheel, with one finger, at any speed and in any conditions with 2.5″ tires and 25mm rims? If so, I’m very impressed!

I remember the days of the sides of rims popping off the rest after too much braking. People buying reinforcing brake arches to stop frames bending and Shimano managing to get money from you every year for better brakes (parallel pull et al).

My weak fingers need disc brakes….

I was worried you’d say that (all of you).

I’ve just replaced the front wheel and sun glasses (same incident) and my wife was very understanding…

I’d guess the Zen’s 5 years old too.

The first day I got SPDs (17 years ago?), I decided to wheelie up a hill on my paper round. I split my helmet up the middle (where the back of my head hit the tarmac) but had little more than a slight headache. I’m a big believer since then in what they can do!

Gotta say, I’m with IHN (although mine’s a fancy pencil case from the pound shop!).

I went down that route after being permanently disappointed with multi-tool chainsplitters and rounding the edge of the 5mm allen key rendering the whole multi-tool pretty much useless.

If you have a stack big enough to need to readjust your stem (for example), a break while you get out your mini tool kit isn’t such a hardship.

When I’m riding with mates, it’s my pencil case that’s asked for, not other’s fiddly gadgets.

Another vote for Gold.

However, blue’s better than black. It’ll go nicely with the pivot bolts and lockout on the forks.

sarcasm / wishful thinking Dazh?

If not, we can only hope that his attitude catches on. I bet you arrived at work feeling happier than you would have!

but the stops are on the headtube, not downtube, so no…

My Rocky Mountain has the least amount of cable outer I’ve ever seen. handlebar to steerer tube and then from the back of the chainstay to the mech.

I guess that as gear outer is ‘squashed’ the changes aren’t as crisp. However good the outer is, it’s going to add friction to the system. Finally (that I can think of), it costs far less to change the outer on my bike than my wife’s will full outers.

S.E. Asia?

As 2 teachers, my wife and I save a salary (approx. 30% bigger than a UK teacher salary back home) a year.

Move abroad, rent whilst saving and then get on the property ladder mortgage free!

That’s the little Haro that my choice is limited to. Luckily, it seems like a good little bike.

“Would you teach them to say board on a pair of skis, give em one roller skate ?”

I wouldn’t teach them to juggle with 12 flaming machetes though :?

Thanks for the replies.

As a few people said, there’s no way he could fit on even the smallest of pedal bikes for a while. As a teacher, the sports pitches are ours for the using after school so we’ll e able to use a nice soft area.