Genius! Thank you Trailflow. I can now see how to get right round to Mill Brow, excellent.
Thank a lot.

Technically, nobody’s been murdered at Step-in-ill-Step-out-dead although if that idiot security nazi gets in my way tomorrow as I pedal through the grounds of it again, inevitabley late for work, one of us might be 🙂
Sorry, carry on.

You could have stopped that sentence after Molgrips argues.

I’m sure this place is going to implode soon.
Trialsguru – further to the other recommendations, I bought a pair of Dare2b from Go Outdoors as an emergency pair and I wear them more than any others now.
Very light, wear well, non rustly, dry quickly and quite cheap. They have a very thin detachable liner which I like but others might hate.

Have you ever seen a westie with dreadlocks? Actually, that could look exeptional (and save me £30 a month).

I’m in Stockport which is a long way from rural, I always cycle to the various work places that require my prescence in Stockport and Manchester, rarely drive a car at weekends and almost never drive to, then ride somewhere and I managed to write our car off 5 weeks ago.
My wife is housebound for a while yet and I have 1 teenage daughter.
A car is not a big thing in my life.
O-M-G! We collect a new car on Saturday morning and it can’t come soon enough! Every time I go out the door I have to hitch the bike trailer up for something. Every time I go past the supermarket I have to call in for something. I had so far managed to be mobile phone free but without a car I’ve had to get one and it is in constant use.
Every single hour of the non working, waking day requires planning of military precision as it all has to be done by bike.
I feel like my head is going to explode!
Weekend cycling had become going to the tip, shops, library, dog hair cutting shop (NEVER EVER PUT A WESTIE IN A BIKE TRAILER AND CYCLE ALONG THE A6), no time or inclination to actually enjoy a pedal.
I won’t ever be without a car again.

It would seem the insurance on the Ferrari is spectacular and any invitations to a prospective new Mrs results in requests for my bank card details. Fink I’ll stay as I am fanks. She’s small, cute, cuddly and in charge, Sticking with a Pug 206 SW as well but thanks for the suggestions.
Thanks for the post as well Clong. Very helpful. As is everybody else’s.

Thanks all. Looks like a petrol Farrari and a new wife is on the way. A very productive thread.

A bigger car isn’t going to get past the midget’s wife’s sensitivities.

Ah, a salient point 4ndy B. Approx. 8,000 per year. Monday to friday my wife will be doing a 20 mile round trip to and from work. I’ll maybe do a 100 mile trip the odd weekend or two but nothing regular.

“Go big and get a Passat diesel?” Tiny wife, large car. Not an option, sadly.

“human powered vehicle”, bleurgh, call it a bike or a trike, HPV sounds shite.”

But it’s not a bike nor a trike. It’s a Recumbent aka Human Powered Vehicle

It’s still bobbins but recumbent nerds like them to be referred to as HPV’s

Thanks again everybody. A few different manufacturers to consider as well.
Really big thank you to Sue for going to the trouble of measuring your bikes up for ua. very helpful indeed and if we end up in Chester (although Nicky is currently trying to decide on one of two used bikes that have been offered), the coffee and cakes are definitley on us.

Thanks for all the replies and a huge thank you to Sue for the very kind offers of meeting up and trying yours out.
Domino and Coleman – you both have email.
I really fancy one of those drop bar On One’s for me. Sadly, my bike buying budget wouldn’t even buy a frame.

Domino – you shall have email and August would suit perfectly to be honest. Major surgery means she is unable to ride until late August anyway.

Will look at Raleigh Crikey. I hadn’t thought of them.
Thanks Sue, Much appreciated. Unless soemthing else takes her fancy in the next week or so, we’ll be heading over tot he concept store in Chester.
How tall is your son Coleman if you don’t mind me asking? It will be her first road type bike so we have no idea what top tube etc. she should be looking at. So far, the manufacturers websites suggest anything between 45 and 49cm.
Incidentally, I also have a wanted ad. in the classifieds if you’re son is letting his go? Second hand wouldn’t be out of the question for her if she can get a nice bike.

That’s very kind of you Sue. Peak District area if you’re nearby? Can I ask what size you have and what size bar and cranks you went for?
Nice one having a go at the Marin Trail on it!

I’ve asked again. Nicky says definitely do the voluntary thing. Showing willing in the job counts for heaps and if your partner can do some shifts in the speciality where she would like to work or even where she feels her first potential job opportunity could be, do it. Bank and/or agency would be just as good – better as at least she is getting paid. It’s all about showing willing and hands on experience.
Nicky also says, qualifying and then going onto further study without on ward experience would be a backward step due to the lack of actually working unsupervised.
She’d almost certainly reject the easily exam qualified but no post qual. experience and interview the just enough qualified with practical experience.
It’s all about hands on patients 🙂

I’ve just asked my wife (Clinical Ward Manager at a big, if not the biggest (I think she’s bragging) hospice in the UK).
Is your partner looking outside of the NHS? Hospices and other types of medical charities are really feeling the pinch at the moment but if your partner did some voluntary work which would be at auxilary level as a volunteer even though she’s qualified, she’d be guaranteed an interview when a band 4(?) job came up (wife is heavily involved in short listing and recruiting).
Not great when she’s grafted to become qualified but needs must.
Having said that, my wife and all the staff at the hospice would pack it all in and sell the Big Issue rather than work in the NHS again compared to where they are.
It’s that ‘out of the box’ thinking thing again.
Good luck to your partner.

It was a very hot day.
You are very unfit
Question answered in full.

Hi Martyn. How’s things? The guy over the road is a truly ace man and he will always get my help.
She’s just left the bathroom light on! Sweet Jesus. I’m going to whip myself with nettles 🙂
He’s still at it isn’t he? Still loving Google Chrome Idiot Forum User Blocker.
Ian! Thanks for the kind words. I was going to email you following your road ride thread yesterday. I still will.
Thanks again everyone. We’re all calm now and back on track and in case he’s still banging on as I have to get back to doing stuff for my incapacitaterd wife, I didn’t EVER intentionally blame my daughter as it wasn’t her fault. I should have checked before we also left the house. I’m very relieved that there wasn’t more serious injuries to person or bike. I’m graterful to the chap who was purchasing the bike for his kindness as I am for everybody here who has offered some solice. Final thanks once again go to Google Chrome Idiot Forum Blocker.

Grantway – £290:00 as it is at the moment although I’ll have a word with the insurance company. No fibs, just the truth and see what they say. Besides, the bobby got an honest account of the situation (maybe he should man up as well Zulu person? He definitely blamed my daughter – I didn’t) so that will be on the crime sheet.
I can sell the undamaged parts in due course if needs be.
As well as destroying the gentleman’s cheque along with my apologies, I’ve offered him any bike that may be paid for by the insurance for £290:00. That would prove to be a bargain bike for him should he decide to take it to keep or even sell on for more than double the price.
I wouldn’t want to profit from this mess but there is no reason why the disapointed buyer shouldn’t get something extra out of this if he can (thanks and best wishes to Jerry).
I’m on Google Chrome so I don’t get to see anymore cack from Zulu Troll Person – he’s been blocked but thanks to all the other kind and reasonable people. You can clearly see I wasn’t blaming M-Z (aka Emzie aka Emily) as she likes to be referred to as the lead guitar and singer of Stockport’s finest unsigned teenage band.
Edit: Surrounded By Zulus just said soemthing stupid didn’t he? I know this because it says so up there. I love this forun poster blocker thing. I know he’s spouted more cack but I’m immune to it becasue I can’t see it. I highly recommend Google Chrome for renewed forum enjoyment.

Zulu Person. I’ve not even insinuated that my daughter is to blame. Indeed, since this occured, much of my effort has been persuading her that she is not to blame, not her fault etc. despite her very firm belief that it is her fault for not shutting and locking the garage door.
I take full responsibility for the lack of security this afternoon but the blame for this attempted theft lies with the thieves.
As it happens but not that it matters, the 14 year old bundle of BMX riding joy left the house by the front door and then into the garage as my wife and I were making our very slow way out of the back door.
So, just for clarity, I man myself up on a permanent basis, not beoing much of a whinger although God knows, with the continuous bad luck and mental and physical health going on, I think a minor whimper would be allowed. I take full responsibility for pretty much any and all the rubbish stuff that goes on around here as it is usually my fault entirely and my daughter has not and will not have even the slightest finger of blame pointed at her.
Pizza Hut delivery pizza, garlic bread, diet coke and a heap of giggles and cuddles from both her mum and dad have straightened her out and she’s happy again but I suspect is still quietly harbouring the belief that it is her fault which it isn’t…… entirely… just joking 🙂

Thanks everyone. I’ve got a better sense of perspective about it now. You’re all right of course. It could have been much worse and the only physical injury is to Alan’s ankle. He likes his chardonnay and I’ll make sure he has a steady supply this week.
I’m gutted for the chap buying the bike. It was a lovely bike.
Youngster is feeling better about it now. Pizza Hut delivery always helps.
Even more chains and locks will be purchased first thing tomorrow and all the bikes are coming in the house tonight.
I’m not sure I can claim on the insurnace for the broken bike as the garage door was left open and the boxed bike wasn’t locked up.
Never mind. I’ll probably have a some road bike parts for sale in the classifieds soon.
Just when things were calming down and getitng better.
If we make our own luck, can somebody send me a pdf of the instructions.
Thanks again everyone. You’re all lovely.
Ps. apart from some scuffing on the bar tape of one bike, all else is good.
Pps. Emily’s favourite Uncle Mick has got hold of the story from his favourite neice and is now assuring me he will have names by tomorrow night and the two people in person by Wednesday. Oh dear. I can do without Ugg and his mates getting involved.

Deansgate, Project. Not Oxford Rd.

The Storck looks lovely Ian as does the scenery. I wish I lived near the coast. I have to do 60 miles just to get to the coast and then it’s bloody Southport. Apologies to Southport residents but Ainsdale beach could never look as good as those pictures up there.

There isn’t a John Lewis in Manchester city centre. You’d need to go to the Trafford Centre or Cheadle. Both have stock but then you may as well get over to the Mancunian Way for PC World as noted above. It’s nearer.
edit: as above (I’m an idiot), Arndale Centre is pretty close to the city centre………..being on Market Street…… 😳

St. Ann’s Hospice and Manchester Children’s Hopsital are holding a 100km night ride in September. Press release and further details to be announced in the next few days but there’ll be cycling and non cycling celebrity attendance, t-shirts, medals, food, wine, bar-b-q, brass band, frites and maionase (that posh salad cream with bits in it that I clearly can’t spell)….
I quite fancy this ride you speak of but I don’t think I can easily get to Darwin from Stockport for midnight.

Despite Buunyhop denying it, Marple?….gives Bunnyhop a wink back.
It has a canal with lovely locks, a park with a voluntary group to improve it, great views out to the Peak with excellent riding to the same, restaurants, cafe, cinema, local shops and supermarkets, swimming pool and gym, indoor climbing wall, canoe club, library….it’s proper bobbins.
Driving to the Uni’ would be a royal arse. The two train lines go directly into Manchester centre but it’s a bit of a hike from Piccadily down Oxford Rd or a connecting train from Piccadily to Oxford Rd station all be it one stop. Ace for riding in though. On or off road.
I’d give Heaton Moor and Heaton Mersey a look if not Didsbury if you’re thinking south of the city although the Heaton’s and even more so Marple are very Cheshire. I don’t know Chorlton at all. Didsbury seems very nice but expensive I would imagine.

When you say “Heaton” do you mean Heaton Moor, Heaton Chapel, Heaton Mersey and Heaton Norris? If so, the first three are quite pricey for Stockport in the main, the latter quite cheap but it’s Lancashire Hill for home owners.
I’d give Marple a proper miss. Slummage.
I can get from work in North Reddish to Hope Cross with a total of no more than 3 miles on road including the stretch of tarmac in Edale and it isn’t flat by any means. Vernon Park climb from the gates at Carrington Rd to the museum is a once a summer attempt.

Sorry, I wasn’t being intentionally arguemenative.

That was me. I’d just seen you. I was smiling before and after, just not during.

Only joking. I was riding round Rowarth and the Picking Rods this afternoon on my new cyclocross bike, I probably smiled at some point but I wouldn’t have been smiling continously. I didn’t see you though and I don’t own a Singletrack jersey so that will probably explain why I didn’t see you.

“from the end of Middle Moor back to the Roman Lakes there’s a chunk of road though”

Not if you cut across to Lantern Pike. You can then come back via Robin Hood’s Picking Rods, Old Quarry, Mellor Church, Mellor Cross and Roman Lakes or Lantern Pike, Shouty Dog Farm, Rowarth, Mellor Cross, Roman Lakes.

I did some of the latter today.

I managed an hours ride on it today in the Peak District. It’s great fun but you know it’s been rough for a long time afterwards. The sticky outy canti’s on the back dug in to my calves going down silly steep stuff. Probably not my best idea.
Can I get leg armour for the back of my legs? I’ve never had any cycling armour before or do I man the hell up?

Comment removed by author after reconsideration.

Cheers Sambob. Roman Rd at Hope is going to be interesting, that’s for sure. I might chuck it over my shoulder and run with it.
J – that’s my commute before and after (depending on if I’m coming or going to work) Reddish Vale. Overbiked on my hardtail but I’d guess ideal for a ‘cross bike.
I was being properly mardarse about getting it dirty anyway curlie so tes, clearly for the best that I spent more time at the cafe at Delamere than I did riding.
Thank you Teetwo – I’ll take you up on that if I may.
BWD – got your email re: tyre recommendations. Duly noted, thank you.

And he’s back! 56 miles on the road 4 miles off road in Delamere Forest. I couldn’t find any nice singletrack of which I believe there is loads.
It’s noticably slower than my road bikes but felt…I don’t know..softer? on road and was great fun on the fire roads.
I’m looking forward to some more off road on it.
I don’t think I’ll be selling everything and just using this one but I can see me having a couple of less used bikes in the classifieds soon.
Cylocross bikes. I reccmmend them.

I certainly will Martin. You should come up and stay with us. Eat fine curries in Rusholme, drink Nicky’s fine wines from the wine rack,(she’s a proper lush these days 🙂 ) and we’ll ride bikes in the Peak District. It will be immense. You’ll always be welcome up here. Come up anytime you want to.
I’d be more than happy to pay postage, put £20 in the tin in the hospice reception and send some kind of gift down to you in the sunny south for which ever set of tyres you’d recommend? I’m new to this cyclocross malarky and I can’t find a cyclocross website forum to pester people for advice so I’m kind of winging it with regard to tyres.
I’ll take any you don’t want and I’ll happily pay you for them Martin.

Cripes! Ay up Chris! How the devil are you? Still the purveyor of various pimp bike items (if not complete bikes)?
Have you departed the exlusive suburbia of Cheshire for sunnier (or the East Midlands) climes?

He! There’s a certain kind of genius logic to that :-). It’s not the fall that hurts, it’s the sudden stop at the end of it.
I certainly will shout up if I get some free time.

Hi Martin. How’s things? All good I hope?
Nothing too dramatic (now anyway).
A small op. a rampant infectiion (not MRSA thank cripes), two big further ops. and she’ll be off work and imobile for a few months or more. No doubt she’ll be directing hospice operations by conference call 🙂
She’s not much speaaking to me at the moment. I wrote her Micra off the week before she went in to hospital. Our daughter was in the car at the time as well. Flip, that was scary. No other cars involved so it had to be all my fault.
If you have some big, knobbly, 700cc x (upto) 42 tyres for sale, I’d be very interested mate, thank you.
I will Kevevs. it looks good doesn’t it?
A shame Sambob. BWD has invited me out for a ride. We’ll have to synchronise diaries etc. for another date.