*Edit*

Somehow managed to post twice.

My scars from the Clunker Classic still ache when it rains*.

Enjoy the next stage Charlie! I’m actually rather jealous. :)

*This is a complete lie. Everything healed up OK, although I can’t speak for the other hospital visitors that year.

Thanks all. Looked at the Berghaus but for an extra tenner figured I’d wear the Decathlon running trousers either on the bike or running over winter, so I pressed the button on them.

In the Great STW tradition of ignoring the OPs question entirely, the ones I got from Alpkit have been great.

😂

But also good to know. Is this the Parallax trousers?

Go down the road to Southsea. The Koh Thai is meant to be very good, otherwise the Mayfair Chinese has been strongly recommended by a well-travelled neighbour (I live just over the Solent). Lots of seafront or roadside parking.

Nirvana. Killing Joke basslines and disco drums.

Faith No More. Killing Joke keyboards.

Milli Vanilli. Actually, they were pretty good.

Thanks all. That’s a good lunchtime of research coming up.

All that are offering bikes – I’ll drop you a line. Budget is probably around £200 unless there’s a really good reason (hydro brakes / really good weight / nice paint job ;) ) – any more and I’d be seriously considering the Vitus 24 Kids Bike on Wiggle.

“…but the nucleus has a cassette and freehub instead of a 7 speed freewheel.”

Didn’t notice that. Shows I’ve not read the spec properly.

I’ve tried it a few times. Actually enjoyed it to the point of thinking ‘I get this!’ once, and that lasted all of a minute or so before being ruined by a vocal c*nt in a pick-up.

I don’t even get type2 enjoyment from it. I suspect I’m doing it wrong.

Genuine question… Why? Do you think what they did has negatively affected you somehow and you feel like you needed compensating or is it just a chance to get some free money?

Bit of both. Being frank, free money is a bonus. But – I also dislike the blatant disregard for any sort of legislation and continuing when they know what they are doing is damaging to people’s health and the environment. At the end of the day they lied for financial gain. I’m not stupid to think they are the only company that do this (in fact I have a friend who used to work for Triumph and found a similar thing while testing a BMW bike) but they have been caught and should be punished.

Has it negatively affected me? Well, actually, it has. We moved from somewhere where quick A roads and dual-carriageways were the norm to somewhere where we’re lucky to get 10 mins of driving without a stop, let alone 20 mins above 2k revs. Consequently the combination of having a DPF that likes to clog and an EGR valve that’s suffering from software changes to make-up for VAG’s lying means our car arguably isn’t fit for purpose (which is a shame as I actually quite like it).

All of those compensation claims boil my piss. Surely as you were driving a more polluting car you should be coughing up for the extra “car tax” you’ve avoided courtesy of the company’s tricks.

OK…

In the best tradition of suggesting what you have – Skoda Superb. Though AutoExpress agree with me.

They are good. Not too many petrols around at the mo tho. Well, not too many cars in general. :)

Mazda 6?

Already on the list. :)

You could do a lot worse for your budget and intended use. They’re a lot bigger than an Octavia, for better or worse.

I have been looking at them, although I was put off by the plastic/finish inside the ST220 I looked at many moons ago. Ended up with a mk1 Octy vRS – make of that what you will.

Also been looking at S-Maxs (S-Maxes? S-Maxi?), although I suspect that’s going a little too large.

No, the new shape accord has all sorts of dpf related issues.

Any background info on the petrol versions?

Mondeo floorplan and suspension. The evens are lifestyle, the odds are a bit more traditional Volvo. The v60 had a low rear roofline to look good but meant the boot was smaller, especially when the flat floor adjustments were made.

So, buy a Mondeo?

DO NOT BUY THAT LEGACY

I wasn’t planning to. I love the idea of it, and would consider it if living on my own. But… adulting is taking priority for the reasons you give (although I didn’t know that about the engine).

Only worthwhile if you have a halfway decent specialist close by as the ODB reading software is bespoke to SAAB and implemented just differently enough to other manufacturers to cause a pain.

I’m not surprised. I’d need to do some Isle of Wight-specific research there.

You are a bad person @pandhandj

:lol:

Mercedes E class Bluetec estate. 2.2 but with battery and motor.

Thanks. I’ll look. Running costs could be the bugbear here, but definitely worth some research.

A tiny car for the school run and a new van/camper.

Ha. Logically you’re absolutely spot-on. But as the camper is my mid-life crisis and replaced a smaller, van-like camper which we got rid of because it was too small, it’s here for a while; certainly until used van prices come back down from the heavens.

This is awesome. Thanks very much for all of your replies.

SAAB Sportwagon in V6 Aero flavour. Have a look.

It’s the spares here that puts me off. Happy to be convinced otherwise (I assume a lot of GM spares would fit…?) as a friend had one and rated it.

You might want to consider a Peugeot Partner. My Teepee came with a surfboard rack in the roof space.

Not sure a 9’2″ longboard would go in, and despite my misgivings the French do have a great history of making functional van-based wagons. Added to the list. Thanks.

Subaru legacy (tuned by sti import here, rare as hen’s teeth)

I always thought my next car would be a Legacy, but the new ones are so meh and a Spec-B strikes me as being a shed-load of fun, but also more hassle than I want to keep in tip-top shape. So I’m now trying very hard not to look at the ad you linked to of a really rather special car, curse you.

Can you charge a car? Your usage is prime phev territory

No, but I can get one installed through a work lease scheme (which I was avoiding, to be honest). But…

Current used car prices are a bit mental – have you considered leasing something new until the prices settle?

…is a really good point.

Passat estate in the 1.5 Gt mode?

Oh, hello! That sounds like it’s worth a peek.

A pre-reg petrol Dacia duster would likely fit the bill and give you a new car warranty to boot, lots of folks happy with there’s over on piston heads.

Have a read before dismissing

Thanks. That’s really interesting. Really, really interesting. And that orange is surprisingly pleasing on the eye.

Alternatively a Focus Zetec should cut out most of the bells and whistles, that’s my first choice due to the heated screen.

Our other car is a – erm – Transit, albeit a thirsty 4×4 camper. And a Focus once saved my life. That all said, I’m not a massive Ford fan as the Tranny has got niggling issues and some shockingly cheap parts, but the heated front screen is AWESOME and – in my experience – the engines are generally joyously pokey. Good call – thanks.

If that wasn’t such a deal breaker then a Toyota Corolla would be in the running as well.

I was about to look as the Corolla is traditionally a great car, but…

I’ve got a 2019 Toyota Corolla. I’m pretty sure it’d struggle to fit in a longboard. More than two bikes is a faff, unless you’re happy to tear up the soft fabric and felts in the boot.

Ah. Thanks @HansRey (wait – THE HansRey?)

Just to add, the (Toyota) city ace van comes with super basic van spec, through to high spec mpv. Seats are removable too.

The Peugeot link isn’t great, but I’m going to have a look.

I had a V50 before the Corolla. No idea about surfboards, but I could fit 3 L/XL bikes in the rear with seats folded down. Really nice to drive too.

Good to know. Another one for the list.

Again, many thanks all. That’s a whole load of good stuff for me to start looking up and booking test drives.

A mate of mine was testing the F-35 for the navy in the US. I’ll ask him if he knows what happened.

Can you find lots of people willing to give evidence that they have had use of the route, uninterrupted, for 20 years?

Short answer: I don’t know.

Do you think that 1. He’ll be happy if his (presumed) objections to a Bridleway are ignored/overruled?

Not at all.

2. is going to be polite either during the consultation/decision process or afterwards?

Again, I seriously doubt it.

3. during any decision making he might be more obstinate to emphasise his point that you have no current rights…

I fully anticipate that he would be.

Not saying you shouldn’t pursue it but in my experience, irrational people are rarely made more cooperative by a process that does something they don’t like, even if that process is fair and reasonable.

Yes, I agree.

I suspect in this instance the particular roads in question are actually public highways that just happen to have a green sign at the end, and obstructive farmer would argue that blue is red until it’s time to bring the cows home. Hopefully that changes how difficult it would be to get access formally approved by RoW as technically it’s already there (but I’ll believe it should it happen).

However, it’s common knowledge signs on the ground can be incorrect so it’s a pretty flimsy basis for an argument. But, as so much depends on this particular sign I imagine where I’m ultimately going with this is I’d like it changed (not removed, as that would open a whole new can of worms) and the legality of access put beyond reasonable doubt.

(Although as he’s now apparently having a pop at walkers it’s arguable…)

Option (b) is generally fine and it’s quite amusing that in most cases, the only reason people can think of for you NOT to ride it is “because it’s a footpath”. Nothing to do with erosion, privacy, convenience, the wider access network or anything, it’s just “this is a FP”. Change a couple of signs and suddenly it’s fine to ride… WTF?!

A green post was the basis of the landowner’s argument – my ‘let’s look at a map’ wasn’t even vaguely entertained.

Anyway, by continuing to just ride it no matter what, you’re continuing it’s usage as a de facto BW which helps the case for Option A. So both approaches work together!

Well, one of the footpaths at the end of the road is apparently a lot more fun than the bridleway, but if it means having to use the bridleway for a while then so be it. :)

I’d also ask do you get challenged riding from the landowner (not red socks)? This has all the hallmarks of a route that you could ride at will so I’d only go to the trouble if you either want to take them on, or are keen to ‘Restore the Record’ ahead of 2026.

Thanks Scuttler. Yes, he’s aggressively challenged me and several others, including walkers and families. Being brutally honest I just want to cut potential confrontation with the landowner by not giving him a leg to stand on. Realistically he’ll still find something, but the less ammunition he has…

Good luck but don’t expect it to be quick, could easily take 5 years at the moment with all the 2026 ROW cut off date claims going in.

Great. Although what I expected TBH.

A local cycling club in Buckinghamshire is seeking to have a footpath upgraded to bridleway status (it’s actually a tarmac estate road, used for many years by cyclists). The landowner has decided to stop cyclists using it. Buckinghamshire Council have advised that they have a backlog of cases going back to 2015. Even if and when they decide to grant the upgrade the landowner has a right of appeal. So I wouldn’t hold your breath…….

That sounds pretty similar to what’s happening here.

I would suggest you don’t bother. Just ride on it and be polite if questioned

Last time I came across the guy I thought I was going to have my first punch-up in years. And I was being polite. ;)

This 1942 map would indicate the route from Ashey station to the old water works (where the bridleway begins) is an old road not a F.P., so has the same status as the main Ashey Road.
Just because a PROW is signed as a footpath, it does not mean that that is the highest level of access allowed, it just means that only a footpath has been proven, so far. This map is a good basis to push for a BW.

Thanks. That’s a very good point.

I assume you’re thinking of others here rather than yourself. If it were me I’d just ride it and if the landowner piped up that could be the point to go down the legal option.

Unfortunately the landowner is piping up. Not officially, but he is being aggressive toward people on the road. If it can be officially recognised then there may still be confrontation, but the landowner’s argument would be totally null and void.

Missing Links suggestion now made and council contacted.

Great – thanks both.

Has to be able to play Roblox and Minecraft. If they’re not playing it yet, they will.

Heh! Yeah, I suspect you’re right…

Pro Tip – if you do get the child a tablet for Christmas, get it all set up and ready to go straight out of the box so you don’t spend half the day trying to install and successfully log-in to any apps you put on there. If you have Netflix (or other streaming service), install it and create an age appropriate profile for them whilst you are at it.

Good tip!

If you have Apple kit yourselves then I’d spring for a second hand iPad.

We are, or rather, I am – work and personal iPhones, work and personal Macs.

Denon it is. Thanks all. :)

I’ve got both. I’ve had to bleed both, and be patient doing it (quick bleeds have been worse than useless – there’s always air left in the system). Two pots have been good for about four years (touch wood) and have been bled twice, but I’ve currently got an issue which appears to be a sticky brake lever on the rear 4-pot. Looking at it this weekend.

Oh, it’s you again! Afternoon! 😀

*waves* I feel we’ve lost touch since I abandoned Twitter!

Thanks all for suggestions; I’ll speak to Richer Sounds and check out the Marantz too.

Did you buy new? If you did ask the shop about recalls and/or warranty.

If rangers discover a new path (which also includes wild trails used by animals) they are unlikely to remove it if they are not causing harm. They are may demolish man made features if they are discovered because they cannot accept liability for poorly built jumps/landings. I’m sure there is a certain degree of turning a blind eye because they know completely stopping biking is a fool’s errand. If they really want a trail closed they will make it obvious.

This is certainly my experience. As said, manmade features outside sanctioned areas are not allowed due to lack of control over build and potential liability.

This is a good feed to follow, specifically ‘Read Me’ should you be planning to create some off-piste: https://www.instagram.com/trail.police/

I ran Ranger 2.8s on my hardtail, light/grippy on front and tough/fast rolling on rear. They roll well but aren’t too knobbly and did wash out on the front in anything other than dry conditions. The ‘light’ tyre skinwalls weren’t a match for southern flint either.

Great – thanks @John_Key

Not really boost though, is it.

Not really Boost? That depends on what your definition of ‘Boost’ really is. 148mm spacing? Better wheel dishing? Yes, it’s Boost. More space between flanges? No, it’s not Boost. But if it means I can continue to run a great set of wheels then arguably it’s worth doing.

So I got a friend to machine a 6mm cap that fits on the ND side of the through axle. So instead of having the small steel spring cap, that is removed and replaced with this. the cap has ~5mm overlap over the 12mm axle so that it fits on nicely and the whole setup has worked fine for the last 3 years including a 6 week riding trip in the alps. I can post up some pictures if needed and if you can find someone with a small machine shop I’m sure it would be no hassle to get these made up

That would be awesome if you could @John_Key. :)

For an expensive brand it seems Chris King aren’t very helpful with keeping their hubs going with different standards.

:lol: I can’t moan too much – mine are something like 12 years old. The rear has gone from a 135 x 9mm to 142 x 12mm and the front has changed from 100 x 20mm to 100 x 15mm. But yeah, not quite as adaptable as something like a Pro2.

I’ve just pinged MRP, mainly to find out if they do a rear conversion kit too. I’ll check out velosolo too. Thanks all.

However, I think that the intolerant behaviour towards cyclists is a symptom and not the cause of the issue.

I had a Ford SUV squeeeeze by me today as the last car of a queue of traffic passed in the other direction. We were in a 50 limit and doing an estimated 25-30mph on a slight downhill. To the driver’s credit she had been waiting for traffic to pass, but if she had waited another second the road would have been clear. However, rather than do that she passed so close I could almost touch the passenger window (and there was a passenger sitting there). I have to admit to losing my sh!t a little, and she did hear me judging by the rather shocked glance in the rearview mirror.

I’ve also had a discussion with two older ladies on FB who were joking about needing a tank to protect themselves from fast motorbikes, boy racers and packs of cyclists on a particularly long and picturesque stretch of national speed limit near here. I politely pointed out that an 80kg cyclist putting out half a BHP is hardly a threat to a car and its driver, and we continued to discuss deaths caused by motorised vehicles compared to those caused by non-motorised vehicles. Again, what it came down to was a perspective from inside a steel cage and the inconvenience caused by others, and probably even some lack of understanding to those that are ‘different’.

However, where I’m going with this is that I don’t think either of these examples were meant as malicious or even particularly intolerant, rather just thoughtlessness and impatience. To me the answer is education and understanding, both of which seem to be in short supply at the moment.

(And better infrastructure would be very nice too).

He got it wrong. He was driving badly. So rather than suck it up, evaluate his driving and learn where the problems lie, he wants to use his one redeeming quality – being built like an ape – to vent his insecurities.

Well done on your actions. Now fit the dashcam.

9’4 I think but I doubt I’ll actually sell it. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever sold a surfboard, which may be why there are about 9 in the garage at the last count and I’m sure I have a couple more at a mates house.

:lol:

Great – thanks both. I’ll research further!