go onto youtube and type in ‘Paris Roubaix’

I totally agree carbon forks are very strong (see videos of trials on road bikes) but that’s not totally relevant to the OP’s question. A pro rider is only going to have 18 stone on the bike if he gives his teammate a backie to the shops.

Is that bloke Hora?

I have a strict rule for women – if one asks you back to hers after midnight, always say no – you’ll be too drunk and she’ll turn out to be a minger.

I really wouldn’t want to drag myself up there on knobbly tyres but I think there are off road descents. There’s certainly some sort of bike park up the top.

the water bottle throwing was described “as heat of the moment stuff” but I didn’t see it on the replay. Is it still heat of the moment if you crawl out from under a panzerwagen, pick up your bike, ride to the finish, hunt someone down, and then throw a bidon at them?

I don’t know whether I should be embarrassed I was only 12 minutes ahead of the chopper bloke or just glad I was faster. Probably the latter if I’m honest… :oops:

can we include bullshitting kids when you were at school? one poor sod was never allowed to forget his claims (bear in mind this is now >30 years ago) that his dad wheelied up Mt Everest and worked in a conker factory. He wasn’t the brightest, that one.

The Classic way and TDF route is from Bédoin, this is steep, mainly 10-12% all the way and will take at least 1:15 and for most around 2hrs+

at least 1:15 :lol: I think the 2hrs+ bit is a more useful guide

the top of the strava leaderboard is ~1hr (a mix of pros and local hotshots in TT mode), the top of the STW club on strava was ~1:30. I targeted dipping under 2hrs.

given the right gears, enough time, and some MTFU you’ll be fine

centre, as low as it’ll go above the dash for me. I suppose if I was a dwarf it would block my view of something other than the end of the bonnet but then I wouldn’t be able to see over the steering wheel either.

that use of “has” is footballer speak: “he’s played the ball through and the other lad’s smashed it into the back of the net as the keeper’s tripped over his own feet”. Really bizarre and makes my skin crawl.

Coppers using cod formal language is traditional, isn’t it? “Hi was proceeding in a heasterly direction when I saw the haccused exiting from an ‘ouse hadjacent to an ‘ostelry” :lol:

my dad’s mate (outdoor pursuits instructor type) did the following:
– tie rope to car
– throw rope over house
– prussik up rope
– perform DIY while imagining that the missus is hugely impressed by your ingenuity and daring

Alternately

never say we don’t try to help!

try persevering with a “normal” riding position. Changes take time to get used to (see the many threads on here about MTBers trying to get comfortable on road bikes) but it will solve many of your problems. Stretching may help but it’s mainly just getting used to it. Your weight should be split between saddle and bars, not all going through your sit bones. I agree with suggestions above that a basic bike fit should get you close enough to the right position.

those roads looked horrific. Riders falling off all over the place as soon as they touched the brakes as if they were on sheet ice. 8O

I reckon we’ll still be knocking Waldorf and Statler in 2025.

at least it’s not Hugh Porter. I really don’t understand why they can’t find someone better.

As a guy who has watched the tour on telly every year since 1988, I never expected to see a British rider in the yellow Jersey on the Elysées leading out another brit rider in the world champion Jersey to win on the final sprint.

I’m happy to see someone else value that moment. Wiggins took a lot of shit for lack of “panache”. forgetting for the moment that a show of panache seems to inevitably presage getting busted for doping, the yellow jersey leading out his teammate in the world champion’s jersey for the stage win in Paris is pretty **** special. And it wasn’t the first time it happened on that tour either (if you exclude the Paris bit)

something about the forks on those whytes reminds me of Chris Froome

this all sounds fun. Maybe we should campaign for the mods to replace the ban hammer with the birch. Might cause people to think twice before they post pictures of norks or try to evade the swear filter

I’ve not been reading this since last night. where have we got to now? has Mr Angry offered to hit anyone yet?

cos that’s so successful in the US, isn’t it :roll:

they do have guns, for use when they think they need them

stumpy01 – another sufferer here. Bloody hurts and I look right weird trying to massage under my jaw while saying aaaaaarggghhh!!

Every time I hear the title I think it sounds like a Roger Mellie profanisaurus-style euphemism for some form of sexual activity.

slight hijack: as we’re mentioning staffies, how much exercise do they need and what are they like with running? I know all dogs need to get out regularly but not sure whether they want long runs or short blasts. Anyone an owner?

everything from 10-20 up to thousands (Sheffield/Peak)

I loved my old cyrus one (used with planar 3 and some B&W speakers). It’s not at the same level as Naim but they were and are cheaper so it’s not a like-for-like comparison. “An oldie but a goodie” was my local shop’s verdict when I was replacing it with something a lot more expensive.

I always say hello to cows/bulls/naughty heffers. I think it helps them recognise you as human rather than a strange creature with revolving feet.

it works with horses too

I’m just amazed we got this far without mentioning Lazytown…

* picks up pitchfork *

Yes, he cheers me on and applauds when I do dips and lunges.

does he blow on your face a bit?

you’ll want to ensure you can make a quick getaway. rollerskates would be the footwear of choice

is sitting in the Lords a good measure of mental capability? I was under the impression it’s half full of the inbred and/or senile

interesting as isn’t Voeckler very unpopular in the peloton, known as “hollywood” for his gurning, and his constant futile attacking making people work unnecessarily?

I thought it was “the ****” (naughty word that rhymes with hucker)

Oh god, not all this again :(

Can’t you just find it funny (or not), watch it (or not) etc? It was tedious enough the first time.

narrow range cassette, short cage mech, less loose chain flapping about?

and what djglover said

they’re also sometimes offering a slightly longer warranty which means it’s no longer the same product. Whether the additional warranty (and possibly reputedly more likely to honour the warranty) is worth it is up to you.

massivelymediocrerider was proposing Sagan to win stage 1 so I wondered if he was a realman sock puppet. I realize there could be someone else with a Sagan man crush but there are other riders I’d pick as likely winners of a 10 mile TT.

there are lots about in that sort of military design but the budget could be a problem if you don’t want quartz. I take it you’re wanting a manual? Doubt you’ll get an automatic at that price point.

tunnel de Chambon news

re the life insurance – some companies are better than others. I once got a very detailed questionnaire about different types of climbing which seemed to take into account the relative risks of sport, trad, mountaineering, soloing etc. It made more sense than lumping in fat punters placing gear every 2ft (i.e. me) with someone like Alex Honnold.

the problem in the lakes is how accessible everything is. People don’t realize that Striding Edge in winter condition is not like a stroll up Catbells in summer. Even if you’re properly equipped with summer walking kit that doesn’t cover what you need in winter. it’s scary seeing people sliding all over and grabbing onto each other as you stamp past with crampons on

some of the trails round here get seriously overgrown by the end of summer. last year I got as far as wondering if I could carry a petrol strimmer like a knight’s lance and joust my way down a BW laying waste to the nettles as I pass

totally not answering the OP, but saying it anyway 8)

I’m using a Mio wrist HR monitor to feed data to my garmin. Works great (so far) and I’m finding it far more comfortable than a chest strap. Longevity remains to be seen.