My goto coffee when in Italy is Izzo:      https://caffeizzo.it/?lang=en

The ‘gold’ is really very good & whilst it’s hard to find outside of Italy I’ve been getting mine from a little place in Bristol  https://www.perfectocoffee.co.uk

It might not be “artisan” these days but it’s so much nicer than the usual big brands IMO.

Was there for a couple of day trips recently whilst staying in Como.

Como itself is worth a trip – about 40mins on the train.

If Spas are of interest then this is rather nice:   https://www.qcterme.com/en/milano/qc-termemilano

As has been said, even if you’re not a car fan, the revamped Alfa Romeo museum is gear – even Mrs Nobby liked it & she’s about as far from a car person as it gets.

The San Siro might be worth a visit as they’re retiring the old girl – it’s iconic but only really for what’s gone on in it over the years.

Even if you’re not going to use the trains, Milan Central is a fascinating station too.

Another Caddy Shack user here. Had it years & it’s still in great condition.

Another mtbbatteries vote.

Make sure you buy direct from Smidge at https://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/  

There’s actually fakes out there in eBay world.

Be interested  to know how you get on with it.

Cheers but that’s too big for me, sits over the top of the bars

This looks to meet all my needs, there’s a few pics of it on aero gravel bikes and it sits below the bars and looks nice

Bolt-On Waterproof Top Tube bag

That comes up on Amazon if you search it.

Reviews ok.

Rude!

I can’t believe Merlin wouldn’t be finding a way to get that replaced asap just from the photos!

Definitely wouldn’t be riding it.

It’s not a “trap” but something that’s been in insurance policies as long as I can remember & known as the Average Clause – it’s to avoid people deliberately under-insuring to reduce costs.

I’ve only ever had one issue with it & they agreed with me after a short discussion – I argued that the value was correct when I declared it at the start of the policy but the cost had risen during the year due to new models in the range.  They’ll take that if it’s within the 12 months but beyond that you would need to update values each renewal or be able to convince them that you had acted/declared values in good faith.

A fair few (especially the big names) index-link everything now to try & avoid this due to high inflation levels in recent years.

There are loads of wifi enabled house alarms out there that have all the options you need.

Ours has been faultless for 5+ years & covers everywhere, including the garage.  Solar external siren, all sensors battery powered – it’s only the base unit that needs power.  RFID tags, remotes or App activation & you can set up notifications for all sorts of eventualities.

They are mostly all variations on the Simplisafe model, just cheaper.  A linked camera helps with the Police too – if the alarm goes off & you can see the scrotes on site they’re more likely to respond when you call them.

There’s a wide variety of Honda Civics at that price point.

Comfortable & safe enough & generally not too bad on insurance.  A few engines don’t quite meet ULEZ if that’s a consideration.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyQ0s0J1fhY?si=Yrl6zcXShJqw_ZUj&w=560&h=315%5D

There’s a good number of these around:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226198255219?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&_trkparms=ispr=1&amdata=enc:1ltnELRXQR3ilQOLgS1Yrpg14&customid=Cj0KCQjwzby1BhCQARIsAJ_0t5NfBx4BFUzYXffXkuCglEGBRSFNljE9O_cUnrmscaeyebg-cttjvL4aAi0-EALw_wcB

Makes much more sense on tubeless set ups than the round “nuts” straight from a tube.

Big discount on a quick, sub 26lb FS:

Scott Spark RC Team

https://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott-spark-rc-team-black.html

There’s plenty of options out there – as I already suggested, get out & try a few.

£100 – first one this year.

If you’re London based why not get yourself down to Pedal & Spoke in Peaslake or even Quench at Bedgebury and have a good look at what’s available then test ride/hire what you think will suit?  You used to be able to demo stuff at Cyclopark too but I’m not so sure about that now.

P&S are Specialized dealers & you used to be able to hire/demo just about anything from the range – they’ll often have deals on the used ones too.

FWIW, I’m in the South East & have reduced down to a gravel for most things & a Scott Spark for rides further afield..

I was walking to the pub and I was hit in the shoulder by a brick , then another hit me on the back of my head.
As I stumbled around disoriented another brick came out of nowhere and smashed into my family jewels.
Never got to the pub

at least you can take solace in knowing that you are a now an international superstar.

A lad who worked for me a few years back was cleaning his teeth and as he went to spit he sneezed.  this made him headbutt the top of the tap which broke his nose. That made him reel backwards where he tripped over the towel on the floor, falling back into the shower where he managed to fracture his wrist & skull!

I thought his Mrs was making it up when she rang in ‘sick’ for him from the hospital but it turned out she wasn’t.

Was known as Lucky from the day he returned to work.

I think in all the years of cycling I think I’ve probs swallowed or been stung or bitten by more bugs that have ever been trapped in my helmet. Bug meshes are a solution to a non-issue IMO

Having been stung on the head by a bee that got stuck in my helmet I would strongly disagree!

A very painful & almost surreal experience.

Endura MT500 – as Jamiemcf says, it doesn’t have mesh so to speak but the construction does a job keeping most flying bugs out.

There’s a few different highlights vids on YouTube too.

I was surprised and annoyed at how funny & watchable The  Beekeeper was.

Just need him to win the road race now – that’d be something extraordinary.

Likely they were French, so probably not!

Apologies, I should’ve put a winkyfacetongueout there.

Fantastic race.

Bet the course designer is glad they put that second line in.

In a ‘recommend what you ride’ way I’ve found the Hutchinson Tundra (Skinwall) to work well everywhere I’ve ridden it.  I’m running 40mm but they are available in 45mm (& 50mm) too.

I’v ended up with an Endura MT500 MIPS – the main reason being that I have a track history of large insects flying into vents, getting stuck  &  subsequently angry.. The last wasp sting wasn’t too bad but a bee sting to the head whilst miles from home made for an interesting ride back.

Back in the early 90’s mesh of sorts was seen on a good number of helmets but rare these days (not that the MT500 has mesh per se).

I was hoping to spend < £100 so the more exotic options are too much money.

Looking at the Vybe option just now as this seems to be the most suitable compromise.

I’ve always found Thomson posts to be quite good at taking the edge off trail buzz.

I think it’s just that initial buzz I want to reduce.  The rougher stuff is easier to see & deal with but it’s stuff like farm tracks that agricultural vehicles have left tyre tracks which shake my fillings loose.

Tyre size & pressure seem about right for the mix of surfaces.

I’ve swapped mine for a Spesh Phenom – it’s the only saddle of theirs I really get on with.

it’s considerably more comfortable than the one that came in it or the PRO Falcon carbon one from my roadie.

Had the same dilemma recently & ended up with a gravel.

2 weeks in & I can’t believe I didn’t get one sooner – it’s capable enough on & off road for 80% of the riding round here. Yeah, a road bike would be quicker on tarmac (if they ever repair the roads!) but it would be completely out of its depth on some of the tracks I’ve ridden.

It’s given me my mojo back tbh & also the ability to make some room in the garage offloading some other bikes.

Checked the fridge?

Usually the first place we look if Mrs Nobby had something last, followed by the dishwasher.

You’d think that “find my remote” would be standard for Alexa wouldn’t you. 

Did France, Switzerland & Italy last month.

As has been said, the driving standards are generally considerably better than over here, especially on the motorways – Basel being an exception, it was like being on the A2 in London during the rush just before rush hour.  Echoing & adding to comments above:

Don’t speed.

You’ll need a Vignette for either Switzerland or Austria – you can do these electronically in advance rather than rely on getting one at a services/fuel station.

The French Crit’air is also accepted in Switzerland.

About half the Peages didn’t have any machines available to RHD vehicles so a tag is advisable if travelling alone.

As one of the friends we met up with found out, some Peages have average speed technology built in & he was automatically fined in addition to the toll.

Fuel in Switzerland is mind bogglingly expensive if you’re anywhere near a main road or motorway.

The Gotthard tunnel is boring as hell & generally has queues to enter it from either direction so if you’re going that way be prepared.

The Italians aren’t as bad as their reputation other than in the middle of major cities IME

Did I say don’t speed? In case not, don’t speed.

Make sure you have all the usual paraphernalia (hi-viz, breathalyser, 1st aid kit etc) inside the vehicle with you & not in the boot/roof box etc.

Edit: Should also say it’s illegal to use speed camera warnings on any satnav/mapping app in France.  The feds can and will check if they feel the need to pull you over.

Strategically placed glitterball?  Can’t imagine her or the dogs could suffer that for too long.

I’m not convinced the tech is good enough. Google sat nav often get confused as to what the speed limit is where roads cross on a bridge or run parallel to each other. One example we were on the A1 and it said the limit was 30 because it was close to a local road next tot the A1

The latest systems don’t rely on mapping/GPS – they simply read the road signs.  I recently had a courtesy car with it & even if it’s turned off you got a big flashing speed limit sign (showing the correct speed) in the middle of the dashboard.

Footie mug that must be close to 20 years old & has lost most of the image on it.

Also quite attached to the Chris King coffee cup I got around the turn of the century.

Sill can’t upload photos for some reason.

I ended up with one of these :

On-One Free Ranger Shimano GRX RX810 Gravel Bike

Very pleased with it but did swap out the tyres.

My Free Ranger is GRX?