i just remembered, i ran out of diesel in a army land rover on the MPA to stanley road in the falklands once! the fuel gauge read full when i left half way there and i hit a bump and the needle falls in to the red! (must have been stuck) run out 3/4 miles further on. Luckily i knew the reccy mechs so gave him a call.
i use sram. i buy the cheapo ones and find they are great. i can honestly say i have never checked my chains. when i fit a new cassette i fit anew chain.
i run out on the m27. luckily i rolled down the hill to the rotherham services. the scary part was rolling past cars at 45mph trying to get on from the M3!