That was good, short and to the point. Until the present rain it was a constant worry here, many stupid fires started by people dumping rubbish.

@Nobeerinthefridge

have you made a paddle out of scrap timber yet?

What about a run with a shovel?

try anything by Beau Miles on Youtube, be open minded cause its not bikes but it does include superb man sheds.

Converted my 26″ Cotic Soda to 650B for gravel style rides and love it. Nice light Richey carbon forks up front and flat USE bars. 42mm slick tyres but I could (and will) fit much bigger tyres. Its so fast and feels like a through back to the early 90’s but better. Its a pleasure to ride.

Had been thinking of selling but its suddenly become the go to bike.

Some of us have not recovered from the weather damage caused just as the team were preping for the last one. There are people still out of thier houses with some in fear of another storm.
Everything in Swaledale is cancelled this year.

Why? you make sound like your being forced.

I was a regular at Manchester eye hospital in the 70’s (sheet metalwork), as I recall it was at MRI. do not wait go and wear better goggles, you cant be to careful with your eyes. i know to my cost.

Don’t buy a Ti frame they are just rubbish. I love mine but don’t you buy one.

has that worked?

The Dales Bike Centre has a big screen and a big tent so its off down there for beers to watch the race.

Those of us in Grinton are gutted its not coming through, we need a bit of a lift right now. The beck is up again due to the heavy rains with some peoples already damaged properties losing the temporary flood recently put in place.

One of the Greatest bands ever in my view. Brilliant musicians all with great songs. I always found them to be an intelligent thought provoking band. Pretty much everything Byrne has done over the years has been very interesting. Heard him on Desert Island Disc and he came across pretty decent guy.

I Also think that Tom Tom Club were brilliant but then Tina Weymouth had a little place in my heart back so long ago I nearly can’t remember.

Go to Red Point and just drink in that view.

@Educator. If you keep pushing no flying you’ll undermine the business model of this website, especially if you include the worlds 2nd most destructive industry, fashion.
Our own hobby of bikes has become incredibly destructive with wasteful constant new standards and next big things.

I often notice the irony of the threads on here, its all just consumption of stuff. We moan and carry on as we were. Spain biking for the weekend?

Climate change is big but it needs us all (in the wealthy world) to do simple stuff as well as use our powers of consumption not to buy from those that don’t get it. Then lobby you’re politicians whatever their politics. If you have kids and grandkids it makes sense.

Just do as much as you can.

@Drac. You are right on the liar thing but his judgement was questioned. What seems to some as humour looks like ridicule to others. tj is right on the bullying edge to this thread. It should be closed.

OP you did the right thing.

@tjagain. There is another rule intrinsically link to your “rule No 1”. Never miss an opportunity to stand up.

@martinhutch Your are right the bridleway thats gone is the one that crosses Grinton beck at Vicarage Bridge (next to the keepers house).

There is no track at all with the two houses next to it have no access. The drop into the beck is considerable. Every one of the beck crossings above Grinton is in a terrible state.

Some mountain bikers have already decided the closure does not apply to them. Being polite while your are trying to get yourselves connected to the sewer system again has been managed but it does make you grind your teeth.

The track down into Grinton past the keepers house has gone and is impassable. Its now the beck.

As I recall Cunningham made a pressed frame with bolt on Steat and chainstays. It subsequently became the Nishiki Alien (I think).

Also motorbike frames have been made the same way.

Come on folks we need you to visit Swaledale, the Dales Bike Centre is open for the best coffee and cakes in the dale. Many other business have got themselves clean up (sort of) and running. The trails will be wet for some while but visitors as things get sorted are welcome.

I am not related to Stu!

@Drac drop me a line and coffe at the Bike Centre would be great.

To all, one of the things we need is for you to visit as we get cleaned up. Just bought a round (its my birthday) in The Bridge (it was flooded yesterday) at Grinton that included the Ardrock team still on site doing there best to get things sorted, they looked cheery but knackered. The bike centre would like your custom (they were open for best coffee in the Dale today) as would all the other local businesses. We need you to come and stay spend a little money.

@sarawak. I can assure you houses are flooded and there is significant damage to homes roads. My house is cut off as the track is completely destroyed, we have no water but electricity. The retaining walls around our place are down. We are packed and ready leave if it gets worse.

Heavy rain is an understatement

Its pissing it down and there are floods everywhere With right proper thundering.

Thought it was a great TdF. Shame for Thomas but given last nights interview on ITV4, he done his best this year and he is on the winning team. Pleased for Bernal and Ineos, also really pleased to see that the other teams can take it to them. Maybe next year for a French winner.

Thanks Lunge.

thanks to all who have kept this going for 21 stages.

My tip for the day is that Allaphillipe to get in a break with a couple of French riders. All the other French riders to block the road to prevent a chase. Enough time is then gained by the glorious goateed(s) Frenchman that he wins the tour by one second.

you see if I’m right.

As above go and see Clive Powell at Elan Cyclery. The rides from Rhayader are great if you know the routes. I spent many years riding there and was never tired of the place.

To my disappointment it looks like its not going to be Thomas for the overall, so no comedy speech on the podium in Paris. Given how hard he’s tried, I’d be pleased with an Alaphillipe win overall. The French deserve a home win after all these years of putting on such a great event.
Bernal looked impressive yesterday, let go to do his thing he could win the stage and the overall. As many have said above, a break and away will go all the no threat climbers to fight for the stage, leaving the contenders and the top 10 to fight it out.

In this case I’m more concerned about the total incompetence described by the judge of the Met police.

Morning Lunge, my totally fanboy based prediction is Sagan. Hope though that its a day for a big break so the glory can be spread around the peloton.

I shall be watching live.

Good for the French riders. Its about time they had some success. Its a shame for Thomas, I wanted him to win but its so great to see brilliant rides from the French teams. For me it’s been one of the best tours in years.

Them Yates lad really need to change their eye wear, it looks poor.

Why is Dennis out?

@Watty, agreed.

Thanks for this lunge, keep it coming. I have no idea who’ll win today but as a bit of a Sagan fan it would great to what today’s winning pose while crossing the line would be.

MTB riders shown as selfish. Much as many in society, except we are relying on the goodwill of others for our access rights. Think on, in this instance tj is spot on.

Now that was excellent. Well done!

Elan Valley is a great place to ride as is Nant Yr Arian but I’d go with Elan Valley. Go and see Clive or Neil at Elan Cyclery in Rhayader, they’ll give you the lowdown on great routes. Make sure you finish your route with a decent of the Links. Have fun.

@repack. Stay cool these youngsters sometimes have no respect or understanding.

@Project What is the Ford plant at Halewood?

As usual the BBC coverage on radio 4 is really good, informative and mostly respectful. If you really want to put D-Day and its place in WW2 in perspective I’d recommend “then all hell broke loose” by Max Hastings. Its a bit of a tome but is very informative on many aspects of WW2, also it does not shy away from pointing out failings of the allies. Give it a go.