+3 Topeak. It’s pretty light too, if you worry about that sort of thing. Needs a bit of bodging or an extra clip to fix a rear light to it.

If you use TNF trail at Grizedale to get altitude, you can then take on some natural routes from the top.

Whinlatter is the best if you just want a good loop that is clearly signposted. It’s excellent for that in fact.

If you could avoid all of Reading, that would be best. But if you’re resigned to living in Reading then avoid the Oxford Road itself, but some of the roads off it are fairly quiet. I’d go for a quick cycle (don’t bother trying to drive!) around the areas you’ll quickly get a feel for which areas are better to avoid.

On the plus side, Swinley is very close.

Have read this entire thread over the last week – inspiring stuff from everyone who’s contributed. Intend to set off down the Celtic Route West in October. Currently working out just how much of my kit should be waterproof!

Thanks OP. Need a mudguard since my Crudcatcher raceguard fell off and was crushed by a car on my last commute!

My Samsung telly started behaving like that, so I replaced the batteries in the remote and it’s been fine since (about 3 months ago) – I’m not saying it will definitely fix it, but it’s worth a go!

Thanks OP. Endura Singletrack shorts purchased, they never seem to be reduced anywhere, so was waiting for a code!

You might have fixed it for iolo, but if you read the post above you can see it isn’t always that easy to abide by their rules unless you pay extra. Price transparency is not one of their strong points.

All of the above – inconsistent application of rules makes it a stressful experience. If you’re lucky it will be a cheap, no-frills flight to roughly where you wanted to go.

Personally, I have only ever caught them when there was absolutely no other option, and I hated every second of it. I hated sweeping crumbs off my seat before I could sit down, I hated the constant up-selling throughout the flight, and I really disliked how uncomfortable it was. The price is not always ground-breaking, but it is occasionally the only option so they can charge what they like.

You also have to wonder at what point cutting costs extends to not doing the proper maintenance of aircraft, training of staff etc.

If you’re a nervous flyer I would find another way. We convinced someone who hated flying to come with us, and now they never want to fly again…

The one in Reading is rubbish.IF you crave chain Italian food, Reading can offer you every other type and most of it is better, if not cheaper.

Japan for me too, end of January. Also quite excited.

Public swimming sessions are notorious for being hit and miss with people’s etiquette, unfortunately.

To the OP: If you want to swim in the public pools unhindered I’d recommend joining an ASC, as suggested a few posts up. Used to regularly have 8+ people sharing lanes doing various length sets and didn’t see anyone have a punch-up/anger issues. Having several people just behind you kept you honest in the effort you were putting in too!

Thank you – I’ll talk to SJS on ordering to confirm, but that Park article clears it up a fair bit too. Great resource, thanks.

Thanks all.

So, assuming I go for one off the link from simondbarnes
eg: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-mf-tz21-7-speed-screw-on-freewheel-14-28-prod18964/

I have limited mechanical experience as I have clearly already demonstrated(!), but will I be able to use my standard HG freewheel extractor tool/chain whip/spanner combo to remove the old and fit the new one?

As regarding BPW: I’ve got the impression from people on here that as long as I don’t lead him down a black or pro-line, then he’s not going to die. But it if he does die, at least his drive-train will be in immaculate condition.

+1 What levelling?

If you’re like me and have a passing interest into the background of this, but struggle to understand all the connected elements, I thought this was quite a good “plain-English” explanation of what has happened:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2014/04/the-internets-telltale-heartbleed.html

I could be interested – what’s the riding like without lifts? I’m wondering if there might be some rides further towards the valley floor which might avoid a huge climb?

Oh no, the answer to the problem was much better than you can imagine.

The noise I could hear was not being emitted from ceiling as I thought, nor was it a second smoke alarm.

It was in fact.. the carbon monoxide detector I’d forgotten was in close proximity. Oh, how we laughed.

Thanks all – second alarm was definitely the right answer 🙂

I don’t think there’s another smoke alarm – as we live in a first floor flat, with a flat above us.

First ever “proper” MTB came from there – a Trek 4300. Was given excellent advice that I should buy a rigid bike with better spec. rather than spend the years of money I’d saved on a hard-tail. Best advice I’ve ever been given in a shop I think!

Never been paid expenses to attend an interview. Never worked at a company that would either. Have worked public and private sector.

I’d recommend Embers Merino. Bought my other half a top last year for Xmas and she liked it:

http://www.embersmerino.com/All-Womens_c104.htm

Use a broker. A good one will tell you in advance which products you are more likely be accepted for (providing you have told them anything and everything that you think is stopping you having an excellent credit score).

+1 for HQ kites. I have a 2.1m HQ Symphony Beach and whilst that would be too much for someone smaller, perhaps the 1.4m might be ok?

The bonus of those small foils is they pack down to virtually nothing and are fairly bomb-proof, unlike the kites of yesteryear with their rigid poles.

That sort of budget, that sort of length: you may as well use butter.

Or you could use one of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABUS-COBRA-8-200-200cm-LONG-INSURANCE-SECURITY-CABLE-ABUCOB8200-/350716843090?pt=UK_HaG_Lock_Safes_GL&hash=item51a85a5452

With something like one of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABUS-50MM-BRASS-BASIC-PADLOCK-55C-50-/111036526621?pt=UK_HaG_Lock_Safes_GL&hash=item19da4af01d

Not exactly fort Knox though, i’ll warn you!

I have a pair of DHBs from Wiggle – do the job nicely. They are under £20 normally.

Thanks ridethelakes – I’ve sent you a copy of my rough planned route, but your input on what I might be missing out on would be great, thank you.

Scruff – I’d heard good things about that descent elsewhere too, perhaps I need to re-think my plan to head east at the bottom!

They already have this system elsewhere: HGVs not allowed to overtake on the A34 to Oxford.

So I think – for your bog standard man (very much me) who has:
Recently lost a couple of stone (14 down to 12)
Dieted by eating around 2000 calories and doing cardio
A goal of now putting some weight back on in shape of muscle

Just eating a perfectly normal balanced diet and doing some weights in the gym will result in him achieving his goal?

(As long as he eats when he’s hungry: ideally protein, but picking something else (like chocolate) will just mean progress is slower?)

I got a bit lost in the middle – perhaps I’m trying to make it too simple?!

I think what I find curious is the suggestion that extra protein shakes are required immediately after a workout.

What is a “normal” amount of protein to consume?

Buoyed by the positive comments in this thread, I went back to the workshop (now the kitchen, as helpfully suggested) and re-fitted the shifter this time with all the parts in it that I had taken out. However, it still doesn’t “click” down with the precise nature it used to, so I think I’ll source a new one anyway.

This time though, i’ll try not to let the whole thing fall apart in my hands!

Absolutely. Several positives really, including partially learning how to index gears which has been on my to-do list for some time.

SRAM X4 – uhh, you mean there was a simpler way?!

Sounds like an ID Ten T error to me molgrips.

OP – You probably need to give us a budget to get a useful recommendation, unless money is no object?

The S3 mini is more of a similar size to your current phone?

Thanks OP – great spot.

I have the exact same issue – Went to see GP who told me to do some stretches, which I do, but they make no difference!

That’s impressive Kristoff. I think you can expect to plateau at various points. Just keep at the tracking and I’m sure you can make your target, even if it takes you slightly longer: 2lb a week is quite ambitious!

The killer for me was realising I’d have to recalculate how many calories I actually needed after losing weight, so it does get progressively harder to stick to the calorie goals, given the same amount of exercise.

Good point! Although it should probably be noted that in a lot of places these are in a very bad state at the moment.

The exclusion is total within Swinley Forest, there is to be no riding apart from on the dedicated and signposted trails.

Crowthorne Woods however, (owned by FC) is still unrestricted.

Absolutely, I have an SDG Bel Air on my Kona that I’d probably swap over straight away and possibly my tyres and grips too – happy with my contact points on my bike, so seems silly to change.

The Dart 2 forks and heavy frame are getting a bit tiresome though, so I’m hoping the Cube will be a lot livelier if I take the plunge.

The closest equivalent I can find on the Canyon site would be the Yellowstone 5.0L for £689, which is very similarly specced:

Same fork
Avid Elixir 1
Derailleurs: SLX Rear, Deore Front
Continental X Kings 2.2

Good suggestion to check, but unless that Yellowstone 5.0 frame is better, I would say the Cube edges it?