I’ve got goretex leather Meindl boots. Brilliant support for my rubbish floppy ankles, and not an ounce of discomfort on a 12 day trek in the Himalaya.

I’ve been on the lookout for a cheap road bike on ebay. It’s quite apparent from many of the descriptions that the sellers know very little about the bikes they are selling…

My brother in law lives just outside Bristol and had his garage ramraided at 3am – and his garage part of his house! The thieves must have been mis-informed – his bike was fairly cheap and they chucked it in a bush down the road.

I have a 1992 Breeezer Storm, rigid & cantis. It’s great fun playing in the local woods, but I would never use it for trail centres and the like. I’m not that good! And it’s very noticeable how much more tired I am after a ride than on the full bouncer.

Pics here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16009

I’m a lemon & sugar man too, but do have a soft spot for Little Chef style cherry & ice cream.

Yep, no near-death experiences recently…

My bike was designed for a 100mm fork, but IMO rides better with a 130mm. Much more confident on descents and feels better balanced. It might be a Giant thing – I had an NRS years ago that felt better with 100mm instead of stock 80mm.

I have 130mm forks on my 2006 Trance, it was a huge improvement over stock 100mm.

I’m in the middle of a similar project…

I’ve had insulated plasterboard installed in my bedroom – fixed with dot & dab and then skimmed over. It really is worth paying for it to be skimmed – much nicer finish for painting.

As per previous posts, to seal the plaster use a flat matt paint diluted with water (I used about one third water to two-thirds paint). Dulux trade supermatt is designed specifically for new plaster – it seems to go on very well, but it is expensive.

Glastonbury used to be quite edgy, but has become very middle class and middle of the road in recent years. Not too surprising given the cost of tickets and the fact you can’t jump the fence any more.

On the plus side, you’re far less likely to have your tent burgled.

I think everyone on here agrees that this bloke committed a nasty and gratuitous act. But I do find the (over)reaction to it puzzling – nasty and gratuitous acts are committed every day, yet usually pass without comment. I suppose it’s entirely consistent with a nation that donates more to the RSPCA than to AIDS charities.

I’ll have to vote for Andy. But that may be influenced by me currently being sat next to his brother.

Yes, cooking food and then not eating it is definitely a crime.

I overpay my mortgage as much as I can – I was amazed at how many years off the 25-year period you get for even a modest overpayment.

I can also take payment holidays if needed, so if I need emergency cash, I can elect not to pay the mortgage for a month or two, as my overpayments means I have a surplus I can tap into. Seeems to make more sense than keeping it in a savings account.

“Dear oh dear, it really saddens me to see people write rubbish about not being sent a catalogue and saving a tree. Trees are a crop.”

That’s true, but it’s not good news for the environment. What happens is that good land, rich in habitats is cleared to make way for monoculture tree cropping. Heavy duty machinery, fertilisers and preservatives are used in abundance. The trees have to be felled, processed, chipped, chemically or mechanically digested and only then turned into paper. All of this uses a huge amount of energy and resource, and is damaging to the environment.

Of course, recycling paper also requires lots of resources, but much less than virgin paper, and it saves on landfill.

So the claim that paper companies make (every tree we cut down is replaced) is true, but isn’t the whole story.

I think the new SLX cassette has an aluminium spider?

“OMITN, they’re not exactly expensive and assuming one goes to at least two weddings a year for a period of around five to ten years, owning one’s own is far better value for money than renting some scuzzy one from Moss Bros!”

Hmm – we must move in different social circles, as the only time I’ve ever worn a morning suit is at my own wedding.

I (as groom) paid for morning suits for the best man, both fathers & the ushers. I think that’s the convention.

Yep, Hope are brilliant at fixing stuff for free even if outside of its warranty. I’d prefer it if their brakes didn’t keep going wrong in the first place though!

I don’t think I’ve heard “rad” or “wicked” used appreciatively since I was at primary school…

It’s best to go to a good wine merchant – you need to decide on style, and whether you want a port for drinking now, or one that will be at its best in a few years time.

One recommendation – for something a bit unusual, try a Colheita. It’s a “vintage” tawny so is lighter in colour and style than other ports. I think it goes much better with cheese than heavier ports. I had this one last Christmas: null

Within your budget and highly recommended – lovely taste of spices and dried fruits.

I’ve just had the same work done as Stoner – 20mm of polystyrene plus 10mm plasterboard on the walls. The builder tells me that it’s normally fitted to ceilings and makes a big difference to heat retention.

“The thing that throws a spanner in the works is that there are academics who disagree, and quite a few of them. These tend to be people working in fields close enough to give a reasoned opinion on the situation, but not in the field itself – possibly due to the fact that they know they wouldnt get funding for going against the grain – remarkable how fast your position can be replaced when you’re not bringing in research grants.”

Got any evidence to support that, CoffeeKing?

A key point that many people miss is that most academics are tenured – i.e. they get paid whatever they say. So on the one hand, we have virtually all academics with a research record in the subject saying the same thing, and on the other, a powerful and well funded denial lobby with a clear conflict of interest. I know who I believe.

There’s a list of the denial myths here:

http://gristmill.grist.org/skeptics

and here:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11462-climate-change-a-guide-for-the-perplexed.html

Casamia in Westbury – it’s just been awarded a Michelin star.
Bordeaux Quay is fantastic – expensive upstairs or cheaper bistro downstairs.
Culinaria seems to always get rave reviews
El Puerto has superb tapas but a bit too lively for Valentine’s IMO.
Glass Boat is a pathetic shadow of its former glory – avoid.
Goldbrick House is ok but over-priced for the quality of food.
Mud Dock has average food and consistently dreadful service. I won’t be going back.

Best thing to do is have a read of the restaurant reviews at http://www.crackerjack.co.uk

Personally, I never go out for Valentine’s – much more thoughtful to cook a great meal for your other half. I usually get some really good fish from the farmers’ market and buy a bottle of good champagne.

West Ham will finish above Spurs.

I bought a pair of Meindl boots from Cotswold Leisure. Decent fitting service and the boots are fantastic – I did a two week trek in the Himalayas without a single blister.

I reckon the snow has about 1 hour left in Bristol.

I have a glass & metal Atacama stand, but found that my turntable sounded much better after sitting it on top of a solid oak block (offcut from a kitchen worktop). So maybe you’re better off with wood.

“maybe the diesel Jeep Patriot that has lower emissions that a Prius, as well.”

Sorry, that’s a load of cobblers: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/toyota-prius-vs-jeep-patriot-diesel-test.php

The point isn’t whether or not you’re required to have a licence, it’s that you enjoyed a programme that was funded by it.

Pace RC41 XCAM 130mm on a 2006 Trance. Just the right length.

Anyone remember Graham the Lazy Pilot? I know him…

Ah sorry, didn’t read the OP properly.

How do you tell is FSA cranks are compatible with shimano b/bs?

CRC

If the Shimano, FSA and Race Face cups are all interchageable, then these are a bargain buy?

Bum. My post was making an ominous creaking sound last time I was out – time to give it a good check over. Rather than bin a perfectly good saddle, I could get a replacement Kore post – are these ok?

I grew up in Ramsbottom, and can assure you that there’ll be a big bloke with a gun to stop you on the bridleway if they are training. There’s a cheeky diversion I think, but I can’t really remember it well enough to describe.

My classic cost £200 brand new, so it pays to shop around.

CTC types swear by the Tektro CR720 cantis.

I’ve got the classic – it feels and looks extremely robust due to its metal construction, plus availability of spares is supposed to be good. More importantly it makes great espresso. I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed with it. Make sure you get a burr grinder too – a basic Dualit one is about £55 on Amazon.

As a Hammers fan I’m delighted not only to see the back of Bellamy, but that another club was stupid enough to give us £14 million for him.