Also, I’d say 20″ frame might be too large. I’m 5’9 and ride an 18″ bike.

Some bargains to be had from here for less than £400 budget
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p0

or

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810709_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab2

review of above

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810709_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab2

Use the change to go towards better lighter tyres :D

pedalhead – Member
I’d stump up the cash for the metal one though. I’ve had two plastic Hozelock guns and both broke fairly quickly.

Noted, false economy getting plastic one by sounds of it, still cheaper than mobile washer :D

Awesome, just want something not too powerful that it will damage bearings etc.

Done – good luck!

For your first trip to the Peaks I would highly recommend doing the ‘Pain for pleasure’ route on the map available here http://www.bikemaps.co.uk/ladybower.htm

It’s easy to follow and has a bit of everything.

Stay here – http://www.edale-valley.co.uk/cpextended.php?campno=1

Has an awesome little cafe on site that sell full english breakie for about a fiver.

Opposite is the Old Nags Head pub which is always busy with good food and beers on tap too.

The Aldi ones are great but unlikely the OP will find them in stock now?

In the latest issue of a certain other mag, they awarded the Endura Dexter the best winter glove and you can add a cheap inner liner from any camping shop to make them warmer if need be.

Ross Kemp Afghanistan series is good

I had similar problem and it was the pedal bearings that had gone, so could be new pedal time!

I highly recommend the WTB Rocket V Race saddle which I moved to after not agreeing with the Charge spoon. Found this one more comfy for my skinny @rse!
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/41512/WTB_Rocket_V_Race_Saddle_2011

If you go ebay you can buy a DIY fix kit for about £6 – its pretty straightforward tbh.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ULTIMATE-Xbox-360-Repair-Kit-RROD-Red-Ring-Xclamp-/260770149111?pt=UK_VG_Replacement_Parts_Tools&hash=item3cb71cb2f7

Depends what you’re after but if its camping I recommend Coopers campsite in Edale, which has an on-site cafe (full english £4ish) and a really nice pub opposite the camp site entrance that serves good food and beer :)

Puts you close to a mecca of local Dark Peak rides too.

Or try one of these http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CLOOMBL190Z/on_one_100_merino_half_zip_base_layer_190gm

La Negra Tomasa – that the one you mean? :)

Lol I went to both authentic and canas and I thought it was good, but then I’m easily pleased!

Also enjoy a pint of san miguel and some tapas at Canas Y Tapas which is a small chain that can be found dotted around Madrid. Cheap and nice Tapas.

The Christmas Market should now be on, thats well worth a walk around, good city for couples.

My wife lived there for 6 months nr the Retiro Park in Madrid. That’s worth a walk around, as are the places don simon mentions. Heartily recommend the Bernabau stadium too.

One word of advice, be careful around Soll…..loads of pick pockets!!!

I used to run but also suffer from bad knees as a result of many years footballing for 2 teams took there toll. The advice of my physio is NOT to run if you suffer from bad knees due to impact of running. I was told to take up biking (which I did) and try other non impact ways to keep fit such as cross trainer, spinning, swimming etc.

I have the Endura Laser II and find it really good for the money. 100% waterproof, been in torential rain and didn’t leak at all. Only 1 zipped pocket on the back which it packs away into. Small enough to fit in a small backpack too. All in all would definitely recommend it (as long as you dont mind tangerine orange colour) :)

I think she will be v happy and lucky too!

Must be someone who works at a supermarket on the forum in the know ;)

Only potential upgrade I would consider before parts wear out is tyres

Creative and Sony make good alternatives, but for simplicity can’t really fault the ipods.

The Touch is versatile, she’ll be able to play music, games, etc, but be warned – it’s bloody fragile. The screen will shatter at the slightest provocation (OK, slight exaggeration, it requires a drop of a couple of inches). Great little bit of kit though.

You can get many cases now to protect them from such falls, so if you go down the touch route budget for one of them too.

Its a shame Blackops has been a pig on the PS3, it’s awesome IMO. Had some teething probs but credit to developers, the patch updates worked well. Noob tubing, quick scoping and map glitches we’re a pain on MW2 and let it down badly.

If you can afford the touch, I’d say she will get more benefit from this with all the apps, internet (wifi only), larger screen for social networking, videos etc. Having said that my wife has the ipod nano, which if she’s only bothered about music will be just fine.

I understand there has been a number of issues on PS3 online version of Black ops, so can see why you hope MW3 will be better. I used to have both consoles, but although you have to pay for xbox live, the online experience is generally smoother and more reliable. Both great consoles though.

Strange….I’ve never experienced that :?

Personally think Blackops has been the best so far as most balanced….hope MW3 is going to be good.

mmm nutella :twisted:

Bought an Endura Laser II jacket for £40 recently, lovely jacket, packs down in into its rear pocket and fits in my camelbak mule just nice!

Love Soreen, used it to keep me going on recent 36 miler and worked a treat mmm

I’ve got an xbox 360 – much more reliable online gaming servers, don’t think Black Ops has ever gone down since I’ve played it.

I bought a Rockhopper back in 2004……7 years later its still going strong with some upgrades to brakes, fork, tyres, saddle, grips etc. Point being, buy best frame you can afford and just upgrade when things wear out or you can afford to.

Do you wear the Attacks with anything underneath or are they purely an overtrouser?
If you are just wearing shorts underneath do the feel clammy?

Yes, I would definitely wear some lycra shorts or bib tights under them. Incidentally, I’ve never felt any water come through these……as yet! :D

Crud catcher and neoguard together work great!

Altura Attacks are v good

I thought Frozen Planet was awesome, the photography was incredible. Those Killer Whales popping there heads out the water from the camera crew at the end 8O

get a Wii for them, PS3 for yourself

Why would I spend over £300 on a new wii and a ps3 when I have an Xbox, which is a) better than PS3 (Blueray aside) and b) kinect ready meaning I don’t have to buy a new accessory everytime a game comes out on the wii?

Sensible replies welcome :)

Thanks everyone else, considered thoughts there.

Ok, so went to the LBS at lunch and tried on the above….wasn’t too struck on way arms attached on transformer jacket as looks like it could get flappy on the downhills as not zipped all the way round like Gore tops. Also seemed quite flimsy, although I don’t doubt it does its job ok.

Didn’t have the MT500 in my size, but looked nice.

However, did see an Altura Etape Windproof jersey in black and red for £36 which actually looked and felt really nice…..anyone got one that can give me some feedback on its performance when riding please?