Call a few local tradesmen from the yellow pages and do them a deal (cheaper price than trade) and they may push them onto their customers – make sure you get cash on delivery though.

Jonah

Get in touch with Steve from the The White Rooms Chalet – I think he had a couple of these last year as hire bikes and will give you the low down being a straight talking Scot.

Ruddy

I am thinking of doing a similar trip this summer and I am in the (very) early stages of planning. I have a couple of initial maps from Bill Brady received earlier in the year if you want (email me and I will send by return, but you will need to check things have not changed).

Thinking of bivvy-bike but may have a night of luxury with a roof at your B&B NDT – what is the name/website?

I will also keep an eye on this post to see if anyone else has some gems of advice.

Cheers Ruddy

On-one have some Met Roadie helmets in the sale

Used some in the alps, lasted one day and then lost all power but still had meat left on them though. Think they may have glazed over.

Comparatively the replacement shimano’s lasted the rest of the week, not problems.

Would not buy again.

I’ve got that one and it is very good. Have only been to blockbuster once since I bought it (2 years ago) and we used to be there most weekend.

One of the best gadgets I have bought, transformed what we watch on tele.

Mine is an on-line porn star.

She just doesn’t know it yet..

We went for our honey moon and there are plenty of options.

How about Grand Central Station (very impressive building and you will always remember your day when you see it again)

“The Grand Central Whispering Gallery

The “whispering gallery” is located on the Grand Central Terminal dining concourse near the famous Oyster Bar & Restaurant. Here, the acoustics of the low ceramic arches can cause a whisper to sound like a shout. Sound impossible? To test it out, you and a friend will have to stand in opposite corners of the large arched entryway. Now face the corner and whisper. Your friend should be able to hear your voice as if you were right next to them, not whispering into a far-away corner.

According to experts, this happens because the whisperer’s voice follows the curve of the domed ceiling. The Whispering Gallery is a popular spot for marriage proposals – and a unique place to whisper sweet nothings to your main squeeze.”

And then off for food in the Oyster bar. May not be very private and personal if you like that sort of thing, but hey, it NYC.

I agree with Pook.

We use K9 at home – very good and free.

Not played around with it – would not know where to start (may try your suggestions).

I used to switch my old CRT on and the picture was great (no fiddling required).

Oh – Sony also benefits for usb port, computer plug in port, internet gubbins, takes up less space, looks better and has freeview hd. And the remote has a cool button on the back to switch it off.

Have a 32EX403 which I bought a couple of months ago.

Very nice, great blacks, sound is good for lcd. Interface is very nice. However, CRT picture was better (prior to blowing up).

Despite that I would recommend them.

He did the infamous bivvy shuffle (normally used for toilet stops) to take the piccy.

Always worrying when you see pictures of yourself asleep on the web following one of these!

Other lesson learn’t was to keep you water bottle upside down so that ice forms at the bottom when turned the right way up – otherwise no brew for you.

Hi guys

After a bivvy on Friday night in the Lakes we found out that normal gas canisters do not work at sub zero temps. Two of us had meths burners and they were great.

Enjoy yourselves and make sure you have a couple of pairs of socks.

Winter is great – no stinging nettles, can check out new cheeky trails as the leaves are down, fewer walkers and slipping and sliding helps the handling skills.

Nothing better than riding from your door and returning 4 hours later with mud everywhere, in desperate need of a hot drink and the kids looking at you thinking they have more sense.

Single speed also helps.

I have had these in their on-one dog hub guise and have been faultless for the last 4-5 years. Very easy to change bearings (never done the front). Would recommend them.

Hi

I think these are the same internals as my Marz All Mountain SL’s 2006 ish. Google AMSL pressures and use them – you may need to do a bit of digging.

There are two camps:

1. Set negative pressure to that recommended (from memory think 73psi). Use no pressure in positive and ramp PAR up for bottom out.

2. As above for negative but use 30-40psi in positive chambers and use small amount of PAR.

Think I have Negative 73, positive 30 and 35 in either leg and 10 PAR, but might be making that up.

Worth persevering as once set up they are brilliant!

mmmbops are ace. Fact. (still enjoy my rigid DN6 inbred though)

Have the Hamax Siesta (reclining one) and it is great. Be careful to check that you have clearance for your pannier rack as it may fall foul or you many need the extension poles.

For helmets I went for a Specialised small fry as it fit my daughter well – as ever try before you buy.

Built mine up a fornight ago and it felt right from the first ride. Very confidence inspiring and flickable (despite length – not sure how that works).

Some reviews indicated that the back end is harsh but I have managed an 8hr epic and all was fine.

Only downer is that I found it hard to shoulder when hike-a-biking – seems to have a small triangle.

Briliant bike – well recommended and likely to be a classic for those in the know as it not being replaced next year.

Cracking ride – do it anti clockwise and take some lagging for you top tube for the carry. Well worth it.

Last weekend:

Gatesgarth

Nan Bield carry

Worth it

And you have to do Garburn

Sun rise count?

Boough my wife one earlier in the year and very please with it.

Loads of space, well thought through. Rear seats lift up and a flat well enables bikes to go in or other bulky items. Boot is huge (with extra space below).

Would recommend rear reversing alarm as the rear view is not the greatest (only minor flaw).

I demo'd a scale 10 at Penmachno and was extremely impressed. Thought it would be a head down xc machine but it was a very impressive ride – sorted geometry and very flickable. Go for it.

I had heard that residents were advised not to grow their own veg on the basis that it is likely to be contaminated from the ground.

Mark Datz?

Make sure their saddles are the right height.

Nothing worse than watching people grinding pedals sat on a low seat with minimal leg extension.

Maybe contact local holiday booking companies (Menai Bridge) as they may have some investors who are looking to increase their portfolios?

anotherdeadhero – you do realise that the fastner handle is used to raise and lower the grills – use the tab on the top on the end of the grill (slide on an offable).

So I didn't have to put those two Chris King hubs in condoms and swallow them?

The bag comes with bbq and does pack away cleanly.

Got mine from Go-outdoors (instore) for about £70 – may have gone up with exchange rates. I think it is worth it however, use at home as well.

Have had one for just over a year and it is the most I have bbq'd because it is so good.

Really easy to use, heats up quick due to chimney effect and self cleans (most important for me).

Large grill surfaces and handy for camping also. Whats not to like (other than price)?

Hefty bit of kit so should last a while. If you have any specific questions shout away.

Looks like a great trip – did you cadge a lift on a coal railway? What is that?

I thought you could mix and dilute (not sure where from).

My thought would be equal measures of each to get to 10wt?

Let us know how you get on :-)

If you can sew get them (Endura support is not strong), if not pick some that won't disintegrate relatively quickly (prior experience of these and Singletracks).

K9 is very good, free and works well.

Takes a few tweats (easy) to allow social networking (facebook etc) but once done is very smooth.

nickegg – no bodge, just lowered it to just above the ring, tweaked the hi low adj, twisted it out a bit and bobs your uncle.

Feel a convoy coming on…we will be in a Focus ST and BMW 3 series Tourer

Smogmonster – we are also driving down on the Friday staying over in Dijon (cheapo hotel with a bar) and then finishing the journey on Sat. If you need details of the hotel drop me a PM on a_a_rudd at hotmail.com

Been to Spain before riding and from what I have heard it is not a patch on the Alps.

Bring it on..

I bodged a front deraillier which cost me nowt and it does not rub at either end on my 1×9…is there a smug smiley?