We have had an Ebac 2650e for a few years now. No complaints beyond, if being picky, the wheels being extra cost.

This one anyway…

https://www.ebac.com/dehumidifiers/2650e-dehumidifier

Seems price has increased by £40 too since we purchased.

Can’t comment on it being any good but saw a photographer talking about it on his YT channel and buying it for bike rides when he doesn’t want all his kit with him.
He didn’t go into depth, as if I recall it’s a recent purchase.
Could be of interest although doesn’t meet your handlebar criteria…

https://www.evocsports.com/HIP-PACK-CAPTURE-7/502501117

Video in question if interested…

Ran them on my old Focus ST.

Liked them much more than the Goodyear (iirc) that they had as standard. Decent in the wet as you’d expect/hope!
Soft(?) though and wore out pretty quickly (5-6000miles).

Would consider them again but currently on run flats with plenty of life left before I need to worry about that.

Who is your ISP?

I know BT do/did give you 1TB with some packages. Others might offer something similar.

I don’t make use of it personally as I’m iCloud.
Another option depending on phone brand.

I can only echo @trail_rat logic.

Currently without a boiler as it decided to crap itself about an hour after I went to work.
Apparently a fair amount of water came out before the pressure was gone.

The electric shower has been our only source of hot water since Thursday. Roll on tomorrow when the new one goes in.

Enduro also seems like a good price at £240

Fenix 7 and it’s derivatives are about to drop. Suspect much expensive stock needs shifting.

Well it looks like the end is nearly here…

In order to focus all our effort on our Outdooractive app and website, we will be switching off access to the ViewRanger app and website.

Timing
We currently expect to switch off access to the ViewRanger app and website at the end of February 2022.

For those of us that purchased National Parks or Map Tiles though they will now be available in Outdoor Active for free but only the areas you bought and at the scale you bought.

More here and if logged in you will be asked to accept OA’s t&c to get the maps ‘transferred’

https://www.outdooractive.com/mobile/en/viewranger-map-agreement.html

For those struggling to get hold of anyone to confirm whether the license has been processed. We went through this with daughter not so long ago.

DVLA posted a link on twitter at some point in the past which can tell you whether the license has been issued or not.

https://www.viewdrivingrecord.service.gov.uk/driving-record/personal-details

If its been issued obviously there’s still the issue of then chasing the missing license but its a start.

Guess it depends on whether I want to walk away with it there and then or whether it’s something I can wait for. Even then if the difference isn’t much I’ll generally just buy it as the flip side is I can’t be bothered waiting for a delivery.

Obviously this is so long as it’s not being sold at more than it’s rrp in which case I will look elsewhere be that bricks and mortar or online.

No pretty pictures but…

‘The Backyard Adventurer’ by Beau Miles.

https://beaumiles.com/the-backyard-adventurer/

Really enjoy his YouTube stuff but can’t make my mind up on the book largely talking about the YouTube ‘films’. There were some good , in fact mostly it was good, but he also goes off on one at times which for me lost the flow/point.
I will reread at some point though.

Currently reading ‘Endure’ by Alex Hutchinson

https://www.waterstones.com/book/endure/alex-hutchinson/9780008308186

Enjoying so far.

Waiting for this to drop next month…

‘Blueprint’ by Ross Edgely

https://www.waterstones.com/book/blueprint/ross-edgley/2928377064518

Anyone still using VR & are your offline maps still there?

Are you talking purchased OS map tiles or OpenstreetMap map/free map tiles areas?

I never used the latter but all my OS tiles in both 25k or 50k are still available.

If you are talking OS map tiles have you tried re-downloading them?

Options (3 dots on iOS) > Maps > Select either the 1:25000 or 1:50000 map and then ‘Download Tiles from Account’

I currently only have my 1:25 maps on the device but have just downloaded the 1:50 and they loaded fine.

just to add ive just got a fenix 6, its nice but i think its a bit too big on my tiny wrists. I think the vivioactive hits the sweet spot

Depending on the Fenix you have there is 3 sizes.

For those of us with skinny wrists don’t discount the 6S in any of its flavours.
For some reason which can only be size related Garmin seem to aim this one at females (it’s the only one with mensural tracking/logging out the box iirc) but the size is great imo and I have no issue using the maps (Pro version).
Quiet a few of the long term reviewers on YouTube preferred the smaller size in the end too so certainly worth considering.

Struggling with my running at the minute.

Don’t know if it’s still the effects of having COVID at the end of February or something else but my running has gone down hill.

I’m currently sat about 8 minutes down on my 5k and can only just sneak it under 30 minutes at present.
My 10k is a similar tale and barely managed to go under an hour the other day.
Neither are important. I don’t race but I know I’m down and it’s getting me down too.

I am just randomly hitting a wall some days. No build up. I will literally just lose it.

Not sure if it’s partly down to me shifting focus to more hiking when I was initially recovering.
I definitely feel weaker in the legs. Hills absolutely destroy me.

Have just rebuilt my old Langster fixie so I can start riding again and get some long slow stuff in.

We have similar with our Springer who it seems has zero interest in ropes/chews/sticks.

She really detests the dog tooth brush/toothpaste stuff.

We have this a try recently and have to say it seems to be doing the trick.

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/tropiclean-fresh-breath-made-easy-water-additive-for-dogs-16oz

edited to put correct link.

Mac or Windows?

Theres definitely issues on Mac and well documented, but I think that’s more watches and how MacOS chooses to use usb or something.

With both OS’es though shouldn’t the 520 ‘mount’ as a removable drive/device and you can just drag and drop the map file.

Or is it an official Garmin map update you are trying to update and need to use Express?

That’s bizarre – faulty spell check or obsessed sports writer?

Was on Reddit the other day. Think the general consensus ended up being American writer not getting ‘hooker’ in the rugby sense and went with prostitute instead.

Still working on viewranger for me. Just downloaded a gpx and it opened fine

Weird. Didn’t work for me the other week. Wonder if they fixed something in a recent update. Will try next time I want something.

I’m hoping something similar to Viewranger comes along soon.

Don’t think we will see anything like Viewranger again. Everything seems to be going to subscription model.

I didn’t get on with Outdoor Active. Crashed twice on walks testing on routes I knew and failed to sort itself out even on restart so stopped using it.

Its still installed as I transferred a lot over form Viewranger and currently at least Outdoor Active allows you to download GPXs that you didn’t personally creatt which Viewranger have blocked now it seems.

I may give it another try sometime but even though the whole of Europe/The World? is included in the subscription price and that that price is the same as just the UK in the OS Maps app I begrudge paying for what I don’t want, hence why I loved ViewRanger and the ability to grab the tiles for what you needed.

So how come I can still buy VR credits? Only thing is, I used to be able to top up whenever, but this time I’ve had to run out & then top up. Couldn’t see any other amount to top up with apart from £1.99 either.

I noticed that too. Not as easy to get to as it used to be and like you say only gives 133 credits or 6 tiles at 1:25k but an option still at least.

Personally I am now just using TalkyToaster OSM maps in Bandcamp (Mac) and then transferring to my Gamin Fenix 6. hasn’t let me down yet but I’ve only used it in pretty well used/defined areas.

Have the same problem.

Adidas running caps for me well.

Not sure what size my head is but the m/l fits me spot on. For the more ‘fashion’ based Adidas caps with the more upright/rigid front I have a s/m which according to the tag is women’s size/fit. Whatever it is it fits though.

Very good returns/refunds/exchanges too. I bought my typical (running) size first before realising I’d need to size down. I sorted the exchange online as liked the hat and wanted to at least try the smaller size. Within a few hours of the Post Office scanning the return barcode I received tracking from adidas for the replacement.

So might be worth a look if they have anything you like the look of.

Pretty much what @scotroutes said.

Talkytoaster maps much better than the Garmin map, even the free version of the TTMap.

https://free.talkytoaster.me.uk

I use it a lot (on Mac) for plotting hikes and then exporting to Connect and then my watch if needed/wanted.

I find the auto routing works pretty well on the routes I’ve plotted with it. as someone else mentioned sometimes you just need to make the distance between points smaller especially if lots of alternatives it could pick instead.

I’ve had no issues around Peaks/Pennines using the TTMap.

@Bunnyhop

Let us know how you get on?

Had the jab and was given Pfizer as others suspected no ‘choice’. Nothing even said just arrived and after checking in was given the leaflet for Pfizer.
Feeling absolutely fine at present. Ran home to get that out the way in case I do end up rough but so far not a thing. Tempting fate now though!

@Ewan

You can have a choice, or at least you can in west berks

Wasn’t the case for me (East Manchester) may be the case on a location to location basis. I ultimately wasn’t overly fussed though. As my original post said, it was curiosity to benefits.
Done now regardless.

As I understand it, you won’t get a choice. You’ll only know when you get to the vaccination centre.

thanks. Seen that now. Was a misunderstanding on my behalf regarding a ‘choice’ and getting to choose one or the other vs just being given one of the others.

I’ll take any. I was always prepared to and still am of it came to it, my question was more because I thought we may have to pick and in that case the natural curiosity is ‘which is better’ if there really is a ‘better’.

See what tomorrow brings.

You’re not “offered” an alternative like it’s a choice, you’re offered an alternative and you’ll take the one you are offered.

Makes sense. I didn’t realise that was the case. I assumed it was a case of you can have one of the alternatives if you wanted.

Like I said. I would have had AZ and still will if that’s what it was.

There are a lot of people around the world not lucky enough to be offered any vaccine at all, just take whatever they give you.

I appreciate that and intend too, but offer people an option and it’s natural to question which is ‘best’ and whether there’s a benefit to one over the other or whether this is just an exercise in keeping people happy after all the clotting headlines.

So I’ve just booked my jab for tomorrow. Hopefully don’t end is as rough as when I actually had COVID 🤞

Curious though. Seeing as we (38-39yo) are allowed to pick an alternative to AZ if we want. How many of you will take it and what preference have you got?

Pfizer or Moderna?

If the alternative, why? Because of the blood clot issue or because you feel they are ‘better’.

I really don’t know what to choose. I was fully prepared to have AZ if that was what was given on the day but know wonder if Pfizer is better for example.

I’m sure @Tired mentioned he had AZ but would have picked Pfizer given the choice (although I may be misremembering). Why, because of the clot risk or some other reason?

Just booked mine for tomorrow. Hopefully don’t end is as rough as when I actually had COVID 🤞

Curious though. Seeing as we are allowed an alternative to AZ if we want. How many of you will take it and what preference have you got?

Pfizer or Moderna?

If the alternative, why? Because of the blood clot issue or because you feel they are ‘better’.

I really don’t know what to choose.

Sorry if a stupid thought/question but…

Do the lenders not reject the mortgage if its too far over valuation/market value?

Or are people going in with huge deposits/hoping to knock the price down a bit near the end?

I seriously wonder how my kids will get on the property ladder without me croaking it. The way the rental market is around us we have said our eldest might be better staying home and saving for now to build a deposit but stuff like this makes you wonder how a lot stand any chance.

Catching up…

Cheers @mogrim I feel pretty much right as rain but the after affects are still there training wise.

So the Tour of Tamesdie has been postponed to dates I can no longer make, bit gutted about that.

I had however planned to go out and do a half before committing to the original dates after having Covid as I didn’t want to sign up and not complete the 4 days and the half would have been my nemesis as for a while now I’ve generally only done around the 10k mark and rarely go above 8 mile.

Anyway today was the day I had planned to have a crack at the half so decided to still do it so I know that I can again.

Beyond completing it the only goal was sub 2hr based on how my running has been post Covid.

It ended up being bloody close at 1:59:44! Goal accomplished though. Felt strong until the 9 mile mark then my body just hit the wall. Possibly still a bit of Covid (long) at play there.

I’m about 15 mins down on my best in the past but ultimately I’m still happy.

I’m now feeling positively tortoise like though after seeing @turboferret effort! Awesome and well done.

@lunge hope all goes well if you do go ahead with the event.

We have a Billy Oh. A touch over 2yr old iirc.
Also a mess.

Ended up remaking the doors as the gaps were ridiculous.
Side panels started to do the same in no time at all.
Fortunately it’s location in the garden has meant it’s remained dry inside despite this.

The floor and roof seem well made though!

Nothing much to add beyond I’d never touch them again. We bought a cheap as chips B&Q lap panel shed years ago which looked better when we replaced it than this does after such a short time.

It’s on the list to replace. Sadly the list is long!

Those sub 20 5k times make me sad and jealous!

I’m currently 5 weeks post Covid and it’s destroyed me. Just totally empty and struggling.

Had managed to get myself back down to 23 minutes for my 5k but on Monday ran a 36 minute and had nothing else to give. HR through the roof compared to before.

Hopefully get back soon. I’ve got the 4 day Tour of Tameside booked start of June and don’t think I’d complete it right now. Will be gutted as it fell right with work days off last year but got cancelled and has fell on my leave this year. Fingers crossed.

Good luck @Dickyboy

No gravel (yet) experience however to expand on what an earlier poster mentioned.

If you were to come over towards Clayton Vale MTB trails (the blue would be easily doable of a gravel bike I’d have thought).
From Clayton Vale though you can head up Millstream Lane which becomes Medlock Road and will bring you out at Daisy Nook. Through the Nook over to Park Bridge then up Alt Hill Rd (two options here. The first fork is tarmac but carry on over the cobbles and take the second climb instead and that’s ‘off road’).

Long climb up to Hartshead Pike.
From there you can drop into Mossley and the Peaks or head over and through Greenfield and hit the South Pennines.

It’s all pretty obvious route from Clayton on a map but if you wanted anything more just ask.

Was generally my plan when I was riding the mtb.
Really tempted to get a gravel bike.

@olly2097

Nice. Same year and set up as I had.

Have you updated the gearbox torque mount?

https://aandkmotorsport.com/epages/095a1555-4b43-460d-96a8-d9e75d093e60.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/095a1555-4b43-460d-96a8-d9e75d093e60/Products/HRGTMST225&Locale=en_GB

iirc the mk3 came with a ‘better’ mount as standard.

Made a huge difference I found.

Also fitted a quick shift thing. Could never make my mind up on that though. Improvement as such was minimal that if I’d never bothered it wouldn’t have ‘lost’ anything.

No pictures but. Recently got rid on my full on ASBO Electric Orange Ford Focus ST.

Drank petrol far too quickly and ultimately by today’s standards not that quick. In 6yrs of ownership though it never put a foot wrong.
Criticism has to be lack of cruise control (tart?!) but it could become tiring on long trips.

The sound of the I5 engine though. Lovely.

Have gone completely the opposite direction now. Lost a 1000cc of displacement and 2 cylinders and got 6 month old (at the time) ex BMW head office 1 series that looks like it was basically an end of line exercise in ticking every option box.

I may miss the noise and grunt of the ST but the BMW is a vastly nicer place to sit in every other way.

Same here. Two Play Ones (the Alexa version) and two of the IKEA ones.

Whenever it says I can’t connect my partner always can (both using iPhone 11 Pro’s) haven’t bothered trying to figure out why. Usually swiping the app away and restarting does the trick.

I have more issues using AirPlay to connect to the IKEA speakers than using the app however. Airplay seems pretty solid when connecting the the Ones though.

I know it’s over budget (£199) but the Coros Pace 2 (if you can find one that is) is receiving very positive feedback pretty much everywhere and their update process is pretty much unmatched with regards to back porting features (certainly compared to Polar, no experience of Garmin).

Having said that. I’ve had a Polar Vantage M since launch and it’s been faultless. Think it was available for around £150 recently.

Non Polar the Garmin Forerunner 245 is supposed to be a good watch but no experience. Over budget again though.
Garmin Forerunner 45 is the closest to budget. Again no idea on how good or not it is.

Apart from stock as mrsheen points out.

How fast do you want/need it to be?

Do you want automatic or manual incline control?

Do you need it to fold up for storage and are you going to need to move it? They are rather heavy and cumbersome.

I’d have another happily if I had the space. Had a Reebok machine several years ago. I though it was a decent bit of kit. Had a 10mph max and auto incline control. Was used pretty much daily by the family and took a real beating. No idea on the above machine but it looks like an updated version of what we had, or what the current quality is like but based on past experiences I’d consider another Reebok branded machine.

Always found them great. Yodel and MyHermes too so far as well.

The whole COVID/contactless we will sign on your behalf has obviously made it easier though for things to go missing.

Just be thankful it wasn’t XDP and a company you have a least half a chance of speaking to someone.

Phone number? Yep but premium rate.

Email? Apparently but don’t expect a response.
Social Media? Nope.

Seriously if you ever get a notification something is being delivered by XDP expect to either not receive it or for it to be going back as it’s broke.
Absolute shower of the smelly stuff and now the seller (a big company) have decided to be awkward too.

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/xdp.co.uk

Have Tado installed in our house.

Self install. Really easy. App asks you what boiler/timer/thermostat etc you already have then guides you through install specific to what you have.
I just took plenty of pictures just in case.

Works fine with Apple HomeKit and Alexa.

Plenty of schedule options and if home and heating is off because of schedule you can quickly select a temperature and it heat to that for 2hrs by default iirc then go back to the schedule. You can adjust that time down to 5 minutes or until you cancel it or a scheduled change occurs.

Have no idea how it rates to other systems. But it’s simple. Looks nice (imo) if that matters and does exactly what we wanted.

How fast do you want it to be? I see people often mention the cheap(er) ones being slow but I didn’t find that the case. Or maybe I am slow! (Edit: 40min 10k, yep,  I’m slower than that!)

Had a Reebok branded one a few years back. Loads of programs on from easy to very hard. Auto incline etc. Topped out at 10mph so 6min pace.
Found that plenty fast enough. Served us well for 3 years of abuse and several location changes before we finally killed it with probably one too many location changes (no garage so it was forever being moved around the house).
If memory serves we paid £500 for it.

If I had the space I’d have another.

Floats around the 48-50 point most nights at present.

Was more low 40s at the end of last year/start of this year. Have let myself go big time. HR through the roof when exercising now.

Sits around 60 during the day when not exerting myself or stressed which is becoming a regular occurrence lately.