Hi Heather

We went to Whistler last Dec and got a few reasonable days skiing in before it all melted. We then hopped over to Verbier (where I had my first ski experience when I was 39). Lucked in with the snow and had 5 really fun days skiing. Played on the blues and reds to our hearts content. Spooked ourselves on 1 black run. Wisely decided not to do that again.
Hoping to get back to Verbier January 2025.
Moving back to Australia next year so ski access will be considerably limited – but MTBing greatly enhanced :D

My go to’s are Endura, Gore, Ion, Mons Royale and DHarCo. I do tend to mix and match. The Gore shorts have been amazing, they are several years old but they have changed their design which don’t look as rugged/good.

Shredly’s stuff were great but I doubt they’d withstand a slashfest in the UK woods. :D

Madison shorts were low in the back.

For shorts, I wear Gore bike shorts. Unfortunately, they have been discontinued. The ones for sale now don’t look a patch on the ones I have been abusing for many years. You could look at Gore Explore or Fernflow.

Dharco may be worth a look as also Endura. Endura’s a Scottish brand, so they know water/mud/brambles. :)

Duotone should sponsor him.

Last week I went on a ride with a pal over at Chicksands XC loop. I hadn’t ridden the bike since November.
I have been skiing in Whistler and Verbier (no, I don’t get the first and last lifts – take it leisurely).
I had been doing some leg day work for the skiing.
Also, I am 6 weeks in on a 12 week James Smith PT programme. It’s customisable for the equipment you have at hand and for your goals.
I have been doing a resistance programme 3 times a week as well as keeping an eye on the food.

WOW. I am not known as the climber in our group. I can climb! The leg strength has really improved. So that’s given me a real boost. Ok. I haven’t lost the weight I wanted to but I do eat too much. :D

The leg stuff is basic. Squats, lunges, split squats, dead lifts. They suck but they work.

Also I am increasing the amount of yoga I am doing too.

Hi @stealthcat

Fate is the Hunter by Ernest K. Gann. It is a must read for pretty much every pilot out there. His fictional stuff is a nice read as well. We have 2 copies at home but I should download it onto Kindle.
Another fantastic read is Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins. He was the command pilot on Apollo XI. Now before you all think “ugh, geeky engineering stuff”. Nope, Michael Collins has a very approachable and accessible style of writing that brings you right into the late 60s/early 70s. He didn’t use a ghost writer so he uses language of the time and well, attitudes too. Eg he calls the counter culture folks “hairies”.

Right now I am currently reading a book about the Columbia and Challenger Shuttle crashes. A cheery read… not.

Oh bummer! Covid’s a bitch. Still, you know what to do now. Good luck.

How have you been getting on?

I won’t say “irrational” but yes, definitely more anxiety than before. I am on HRT and it does help but hasn’t completely gotten rid of it. Then again, maybe it’s “if I screw this up, this’ll hurt” thing.However, what has emerged was anxiety attacks while open water swimming. Never had them before and it’s hit me a few times. Ended a triathlon attempt too! This will need a lot more time to over come.

Ahh a “Clack”. We’ve had one for years. Brilliant piece of German engineering you didn’t know you needed.

Turn on the CC captions. That will help enormously. Then you’ll have to google the spelling. ;)

Are you working on base layers?

Firstly, are you well otherwise? Have you had a cold recently that’s messing you about fatigue wise? Any other potential niggles that ought to be looked at?Right. Not sleeping well and not having your meds will have an impact – even psychologically. You’ve had some stressful times and now you’re feeling guilty about not riding enough.Time to stop feeling guilty. You can only do what you can only do. Find a sympathetic friend, plan an easy pootle and let them know it’s an easy pootle. You won’t feel like you’re ruining their ride. This ride is for you.Pick a fun place that’ll challenge you just enough to get a mild buzz. Keep the ride short. You want to finish with gas in the tank, so to speak. Stop as many times as you want for a natter. Take a picture or two. Enjoy.

For those with an hour to spare, this RI youtube video by Dr Chris Van Tulleken on Ultra Processed Food.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QOTBreQaIk

Every one has made some very excellent points with very good examples to highlight the issues.Japan, for example, takes a collectivist viewpoint on obesity and health. Their BMI limits are lower than the UK’s. The govt noted the slow drift upwards and enacted change from a governmental level. As many have noted, leaving it to the individual can be a step too far.Our food has changed significantly since the 1970’s. High Fructose Corn Syrup – so calorie dense I am surprised we don’t run aircraft on it. Palm oil and the like. Liquid fat! Our food has become calorie denser and we’re suffering for it. The diet industry has conned many people into thinking fat is bad, sugar is sort of ok. (This stemmed from a false assumption that Eisenhower’s heart attack was caused by fat consumption). Check out the sugar levels on so called “diet” or “low fat” products!I certainly agree with people who say our society is normalising obesity. It’s not ok and the strain on health services is enormous.

My last breast screen was at Luton and Dunstable. The technician knew her stuff, she was quick and whilst a bit uncomfortable, certainly not painful. Happily, all clear. :)

I think the operator’s skill can make or break the experience.

Better than dying though.

My go to’s for when the weather is a bit marginal is Endura MT500 Burner pants. They are not completely water proof but they do have a DWR finish on them and shrug off the worst of the nettles etc. Being a 4 way stretch they are quite comfortable.Ion have several options of pants. I have 2 pairs of Shelters from a few years ago. Again, not waterproof but water resistant. Worth considering I think.

This is awful. Check your phone settings to make sure they haven’t been set to “Find My” -> “People” -> check the list. (iPhone). I am sure Android has something similar. If an Airtag has been attached to you or your car etc, you should get an alert but it might be worth checking.
Personally, I’d have a word with the police about the “what ifs”. Formalise your concerns. If it escalates, you already have a “paper trail”.

Do you still have her on your social media? Mutual friends? If so, time to lock down your settings.

Good luck.

I work in a traditionally male orientated industry. We have been trying for decades for more women to join us. Education campaigns, visibility in advertising, mentoring, the works. Finally, after decades of hard work, the momentum is changing. More women are starting out in the industry. Will they all become captains? Maybe not, but they’re starting.I feel mountain biking and racing is facing a similar hurdle. The perception that it’s for gnarly men etc does need to be widened to showcase women’s abilities. Look at what the UK has produced rider wise? Absolute titans of the sport. Tracey Mosely, Rachel Atherton, Tahnee Seagrave, Manon Carpenter. :) To name a few. It does need to begin at grassroots. Whether it be an informal ladies riding days or junior events at school. I think Hope and other brands are doing the right thing, it will work, it just takes time. Inclusive riding days, skills days and mini competitions. Girls and teens need to see that they can be feminine and still ride – if they were worried about being thought of as a boy. (Tahnee is a fantastic example).

I liked watching Formation. Awesome vibe and it was great watching these amazing athletes work out how they were going to ride it and the incredible support that was given and shared. :)I appreciate the men’s concern that women might hurt themselves ( spoiler alert – men hurt themselves too!). However, women are much better than men at (self) risk assessment. If they have the skills and the bravery, let them ride.

I am looking for a flat pedal shoe that will keep the mud and crap out of my feet over winter.The clipped in folks have many options. So I really hope there’s a review of the Shimano GF8 GTX and the Endura MT500 Burner flat waterproof shoe.The 510 GTX Trailcross option looks a bit flimsy.

My old 510 mid top with the flap across the laces worked well but they eventually died after years of riding. :)

I know I should, it’s great for the slow handling skills. :)

My go to jeans are from Levi’s.

For a shaping boot cut that’s not crazy high or low waisted, I wear the 315’s. They have different washes from indigo (dark), worn in and very light blue.
For a slimmer cut, not super straight, the Levi 312’s. It’s a shaping jean as well. These work well if you need to stuff them into boots.

Now I have the world’s largest thighs, knees and calves. If they can squeeze over them, they can squeeze over anyone’s. :)

I have found that RM Williams jeans work too, I love their moleskins.

Good on you :D

Looks like you had a wonderful time. I’ve only done Whistler in Winter.

Yep, thinking about the new Apple iPhone 15. I have a 13 which is great and was a brilliant upgrade from the X.

The new iWatch is tempting too. I’d like the Ultra but at 49mm, that’s rather large for my wrist.

11/20.

A colleague met her at a private event concert. He was star struck but he said she was so lovely, down to earth and fun. :)

I was going to say he was being a ****, but perhaps that was a dick move.

Yeah, I do weights whenever I am home. When I am work I am chucking rich folks bags – that’s enough for me.
Big fan of resistance training. Keeps the bones in good shape, burn more calories when resting, you move better (once the DOMS stop) and lets you do stuff more easily. Not to mention, resistance work has really helped my back.

You don’t need to spend big, a TRX and resistance bands are a great start.

I’m heading there in Dec. Not biking, skiing. :)

I applaud Hannah for taking the time and effort to construct a well thought out post.
I haven’t as yet popped over to the Ladies forum to see if the topic’s been debated there.
I’m pretty conversant with the differences between the terms sex and gender. A degree in Psychology will help there :)
I’m also very familiar with the unconscious biases and outright discrimination  in the workplace. Being a commercial pilot will expose you to that. I’ve missed out on jobs and had discriminatory questions asked at interviews because I am female. I identify as a “tomboy” and at 58yo, really don’t care what others think. :D Passengers do ask me “what’s it like being a female pilot?” My reply “I can’t really answer, as I have never been a male pilot”.

As to the decision by the UCI to restrict trans women from competing in female sanctioned events? As unpopular as it may be, I agree with that decision. I do also hope that the UCI and other bodies continue to review that decision to ensure that the science and experience is still valid.

HRT was a game changer for me. I really hope you find one that works for you. :)

I would love to know how those Leatt 7.0 Hydradry flat shoes would go. They look like the perfect UK Winter solution.

I bought a Rapha goretex infinium jacket for those damp/humid rides. It was on sale so it wasn’t too painful on the wallet. Very breathable. Rapha might be a roadie brand but their kit is very well thought out.

It is a very informative and thoughtful thread indeed. It’s an eye opener to realise that our partners can suffer enormously when we’re at the grip of our hormones.

I am so glad the stigma and BS about HRT has mostly gone. How many of us have suffered? How many had to leave the workforce or were prescribed anti depressants? It’s bloody criminal.

It was riding with some similarly aged ladies that highlighted the anxiety etc. I never thought that I could suffer from it, until I put 2 and 2 together.  Ahhhh. So now I know how to mentally prepare for it.
So riding with ladies has that huge benefit.

HRT gave me my life back.

Firstly, may I say bravo to the OP for being honest and brave enough to ask for advice. I feel for you, you’re in a really brutal situation and I sincerely hope you find a resolution.
Will your wife listen to your children? As in suggest to your children that her behaviour is upsetting them? So you’re not the bearer of bad news. Just a thought.

Whoever thought of the thyroid activity, good call and worth investigating.

Yep, menopause does suck. I avoided HRT for years because my Mum had a rough time on it and got off it quickly. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stand my physical symptoms any more. 4+ years of interrupted sleep. Every night at 03:00-03:30 I would be woken up on fire. Joint pain was driving me nuts. After the year without any periods I thought that life must get better. It didn’t. It got worse. Hot flushes that were so annoying, especially at work. Last thing you need when trying to land an aeroplane is a hot flush! Argh. I had suffered from depression (full recovery) many decades ago so I knew how to handle the mood swings and irritability. Seriously, they are scary and you can just feel so prickly. I counted to 10 many many times.

So I went onto HRT. My GP was brilliant and we got it right the first time. WOW. What a transformation. Within a day, I slept for 8 hours. Amazing. It took a couple of days and the hot flashes, gone. Joint pain, gone. Fatigue, gone. Mood swings, gone. The libido still suffers unfortunately.

It was riding with some of my similarly aged ladies that I realised I had some anxiety and possibly a bit of brain fog. Happily, I now know the anxiety is hormone related so I talk myself through it. The brain fog is now minimised – HRT cannot reverse the brain fog that’s already started.

I’ve just had my annual HRT review. Blood pressure is fine, no migraines, weight gain was minimal (but it did happen – then again, I love eating!). No other issues that would indicate something’s not right. I have now accepted my new older self. I do run “hotter” which is great for the electricity bills ;) and I do get irritable every now and then, then again, I think we all do. :D Given the job I do, I know effective, open and honest communication is essential to our relationship. Fortunately, my husband understands too.
Also, we don’t have the life pressures many out there have so that keeps the stressors under control.

Some ladies can’t take HRT and I feel for them. I just hope their doctors find suitable alternatives to minimise or manage the symptoms. HRT gave me my life back.

I recently fell for an O2 scam. All was rectified and no material damage happened. Reported to O2 and to the police.
Shortly after, I get another scam call from “O2”. I say “oh let me guess, you’re going to send a text and you want me to read out the code, right?”
In comes the text. I then say “why does the text have a ‘do not share this code with anyone?”
“oh don’t you want a discount?”
“Not from you I don’t” and hang up.

Also – with the computer virus scan. Let them go for a while and finally say, “this is a mac”.
Accident ones. “Which accident? I’ve had a few” That confuses them enough to hang up.

Folks trying to sell me stuff, “No thanks, not interested” and hang up.

Hi Hanna, I am not a doctor so please feel free to dismiss any of the below.
I am sure you know that vitamins need other elements to be absorbed properly.
I can’t remember what they’re called, I am blaming wine.
What does vit B12 occur in naturally? Rather than some supplement, is it worth seeking this out in it’s “natural” form and consuming it?  What about iron?

I understand not wanting anything given your history of migraines – ouch. Do you know what’s triggering them?

Please don’t discount HRT unless you have a real reason to not take it. (I don’t know how old you are, sorry.)
You really don’t want the downsides of menopause. Brain fog sucks and once it’s begun, HRT cannot reverse it :( Just stop it from getting worse! (I am lucky, my GP got it the HRT dose right.)

Best of luck Hannah,

Heather