Trek ProCaliber, not cheap mind but lovely frames.
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Trek/Procaliber-97-Mountain-Bike-2023/VOCK

few years back I encountered a couple on the North Loop of Whinlatter. Mid afternoon, just a few feet away from the trail.
I was quite envious of the lads stamina. I’m usually pooped by the time I reach that bit……

Many many years ago whilst serving in the Military, was on a patrol around some quiet lanes of the RAF base I was stationed at. Saw a parked vehicle a few 100 yards away, front door was open and something was sticking out.
As I got closer I realised it was a pink bottom. A chap was kneeling outside of the car whilst the young lady was still sat in the passenger seat. It was 3pm. As I drove past he just waved “Afternoon!!” and carried on.

Er…wow!!

Rocky 1 – hour long film of Lake district MTB’ing.
Rocky 2 – sequel filmed in the highlands.
Rocky 3 – you get the idea.

50 shades of grey – worlds worst DIY centre.

Dangerous Liaisons – More Tory shenanigans on Clapham Common

Dances with wolves – Saturday night entertainment with a championship football team.

Dirty Harry – man refuses to bathe for a week.
The Thing – Documentary about katie Price/ Hour long movie about an Orange Gravel bike

Bridget Jones diary – don’t care who’s birthday she remembers
Men In Black – funeral home day to day goings on.
Polar Express. – Train ride gets increasingly chilly

And a bit of NiN

One of the best albums of the 80’s.

No, its a genuine seller. Hubbys old road bike, not been used in 12 months, so could do with a service. It looks an older model, it has white double spoked bontrager wheels, non disc, triple on the front. Full ultegra groupset.

My Volvo did something similar recently. Strange wooshing noise when accelerating, went into limp mode, no power. It was an air pipe to Turbo that had split.

I always thought Ebay bikes were overpriced (with the odd exception). On my local FB marketplace someone is advertising an Ultegra speccd Trek road bike for £150. I am sorely tempted.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-62633742
From the BBC, quoting OFGEM.

Have we morphed into Bike Magic?

Rapha
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/trail-hip-pack/product/HPX01XXCFPXXX?istCompanyId=29c111b6-d402-4063-a3f2-09473e23c821&istFeedId=f349d09c-3ba5-435e-b766-299155c86f4b&istItemId=paxqaipqp&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAjwmJeYBhAwEiwAXlg0Ad7HDcG4_FoSBwlWB6B16NKgPXwB_BEzbRNssiFsmrkfS9OHBZAKyhoC2hcQAvD_BwE

For guys it’s always been a bit difficult to show our feelings.
Going through a rough patch at the moment, Mrs is dealing with cancer, and its a bit upsetting. We talk but sometimes I don’t want to burden her with any more problems, so I can get a bit down trying to deal with my own crap.
Dealing with a life changing illness does put so many things in perspective, but we keep each other going trying to plan ahead and stay positive.
Lurking on here helps, so thanks everyone.

Elvarna – Elvis fronted nirvana

The Lezyne hecto 500 is another good commuter light. £30 and USB recharchable.

@ Binners LOL. I met the daughter recently for lunch wearing (what I thought) were my cool trainers.
She said ” You look like your dad in those!!” He’s 82.
I’ll have a look at the NB stuff.

Like Ozzy, I think the copious amounts of substances have just pickled them.

Ken Dodd’s Dad’s dog.

Positive discrimination innit.

I’m a big STP fan, but for god sake do not listen to this…..

Foo Fighters , (RIP Taylor) first few albums were brilliant, but after that just churned out the same old songs album after album.
Marillion -The Fish era was sublime, Market Square Hero’s/Punch and Judy. Once fish left and Hogarth carried on they did one decent album (Seasons End) and then just humdrum forgettable stuff.

A local bike shop to me sells great S/H enduro bikes. Advertises on Pinkbike, but he’s got a nice specialized enduro in at the moment
https://www.pinkbike.com/u/Felltraxcyclescumbria/buysell/

OLFI
https://www.olficamera.com/product-category/camera/
Plus they are UK based

Happy Mondays. got dragged along by a mate, was never into the whole Madchester thing, but they were really good.

,

I’ve had a couple of stiffee’s over the years. At 5’10 with a 32 leg the Medium was a good size for me, so at 5’6 it sounds like you would be better on a small.

you’ve probably described every bike I have had, but just to give you an idea –

Last bike was an Orange Crush pro, 2021. Lovely bike, capable of Lakes downhills/Trail Centre stuff and some old school XC. Cons- low BB.
Also had Cotic Solaris Max (first Longshot geo). Nice bike but didnt get on with it.
Cotic BFE – Mk1 – Probably the best H/Tail I have ever owned.
Salsa MUKLUK – Fat Bike (yes I know) but the most fun I have every had on 2 wheels.
ragley MMMM BOP Mk 1- in that green. Lovely bike. Could handle anything

i know where you are coming from in regards to costs – some steel stuff is just nuts in price.
You Could consider – STIFF Squatch, Trek Roscoe, Whyte 909/905

Yup, EE are a bunch of absolute shysters.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169620818?include-delivery-option=on&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&price-to=12000&model=Stepwagon&make=Honda&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=ca48lu&sort=year-desc&radius=1500&page=1

As has been said before, Honda Stepwagon would be top of my list.

I ran an Alfine 8 speed for a few years on a Genesis IO and a Kinesis. great bit of kit, used in and around the Hills of N Wales, Lake District etc.
not a single issue. Wheel removal was a bit of a faff as you needed a spanner to get the wheel off, but no issues with shifting and I didn’t feel the weight at all.

For anyone who has watched an American/Discovery channel car show …..”it’s the holy grail of Mustang/Barn Find etc etc etc”

Hi Moly,
I lived on Anglesey for a few years until 2018. lots of great stuff to do.
Cemaes bay is a lovely beach and there are a few coastal walks around the area.
Holyhead Mountain and Lighthouse is worth a look. Avoid Holyhead itself as its a poo hole. So is Llangefni.
Beaumaris is worth a look around, the castle is lovely.
lots of activities to do. Coasteering is brilliant https://www.angleseyoutdoors.com/
Newborough beach is a nice visit.
Treardur Bay is great for SUP’ing and and ice cream.
I was stationed at RAF valley for a few years, (when Ty Croes was running). Kids love to watch the aircraft, the RAF fly most good days. Ty Croes is now the home of the Anglesey Motor circuit, Top gear and 5th gear both film there.
Just remember it takes about 45 minutes to get from the mainland (Bangor) to Holyhead on the dual Carriageway.
Diolch.

Did the van have ” Mystery Machine” on the side.? If so you can argue it was those pesky kids.