I haven't cycled it but I've driven a few times. I'm pretty sure that there is a coastal route on the peninsula which takes in beaches and some WW2 points of interest, I remember reading about it whilst killing time in the ferry terminal. You could take either side of the peninsula and have a much more enjoyable ride for a small increase in mileage.

You are right about the N13, its a very quick road and it wouldn't be ideal from a safety or scenery point of view.

Transcend Geographic Boundaries….

Its going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

One thing though, banks will still lend to trading businesses. Now that they've been bailed out they are going back to "traditional banking" which means LIBOR plus 3% and a nice hefty arrangement fee. Good for them.

Its all relative, 10% will make a big difference, 0.1% will make next to none.

I only posted because it annoys me that so many people are critical of cutting weight off the bike. I can see why guys who just ride for fun would want to lose weight/rolling resistance, it increases their enjoyment of their bike.

A little bit of extra weight or rolling resistance can make things a lot harder if you are already working close to your limits or struggling to keep up with a group. I have noticed riding in groups that the guys who are gassed at the top of the first couple of climbs only get worse in comparison to the rest of the group. Pushing past the lactate threshold starts a vicious cycle of being unable to recover, having to push harder, etc. If they ride more regularly they see a dramatic improvement in their fitness and suddenly they can sit on the back all day without suffering worse on every successive climb, and enjoy the descents.

Around your lactate threshold, a slight increase in power output will cause a large increase in lactate production. Lactate production causes a big increase in perceived exertion and recovery times.

So, for a small marginal increase in power you have to sacrifice a large increase in perceived exertion.

There are a couple of things that exaggerate differences in bike set-ups.

Heavier-built bike with more travel waste a lot of energy, especially if you try and climb stood-up.

Human beings do not produce power in a linear fashion. At higher levels of exertion a small increase in power output will cause a large increase in lactate production. Similarly, over a long distance, minor differences in the bike will have an exaggerated effect because you are already operating very close to your physical limits.

If you are the slowest, or amongst the slowest in a group, its worth losing a bit of weight because you are likely to be pushing yourself to keep up, and be close to your physical limits. If you are the fittest in the group you might be able to ride a big bike, and climb all day at your mates pace, and never even hit your lactate threshold.

If you are riding close to your limit a lighter bike will have a big marginal effect on perceived exertion.

As already suggested, Chi Running is definitely worth a read. Its especially good for "recreational" running where you are just trying to cover some ground at a relaxed pace without straining anything. A mate of mine worked up to a marathon and he found it very helpful.

The Stinger works great, I have one on an SX Trail with a Gamut bashguard. Check your manual or the Specialized website for the ISCG standard before you order.

Just signed up!

Now trying to combine some other events into a gradual buildup to focus the training a bit.

It depends on your age and how much you are prepared to suffer. Booze does have an effect but if you are used to it and train through hangovers it becomes less of an issue. If you can't function with a hangover or hamper your training it will obviously set you back.

I prefer the occasional extended session around a big event like a Six Nations weekend, other than that I don't really bother any more.

I hope you don't charge Harrogate prices, my missus comes from Harrogate and she has been my most expensive acquisition to date 😆 Nice biking round there though.

I'd need a couple of pages about the business, some general pages about the products and services we offer, and maybe a couple of templates for sales proposals – every proposal is different.

I'm away to the gym here, I'll send you an email later on!

Sorry, I meant bulk printing, I have a good quality printer which will produce a decent PDF.

I wouldn't rule out templates but to be honest I am finding it impossible to get a decent graphic designer who isn't charging the earth.

Diesels seem faster when you habitually drive in the wrong gear, or cannot be arsed to change gear.

I turn 30 2 days after this, I reckon its a good target.

I find heart rate is only a good indicator if taken alongside perceived effort. If your training plan is too rigid and you end up forcing yourself to keep your HR high, you will eventually overtrain.

druidh – Member
I'm just bumping this back to the front page to make it easy to find for the HMRC guys…..

I'm sure they have guys working overtime on this one, right now.

Its nice to see an example of regressive taxation in modern Britain.

Dibbs that is because both cases are maximum rate tax payers. There is another band at £150k or something, give that a whirl.

Most companies can reclaim the VAT – 17.5%

The remaining cost of the bike is then deducted from your Gross salary. This means that you are paying for the bike out of untaxed income, which saves you the extra.

If you are a 40% tax payer this is a big saving. If you are in the lower bands you might only save another 10-20%.

druidh – Member
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Maybe you should try to be slightly less of a tool.

You should definitely try the Mark V Golf. I test drove the Megane, Focus, and the Civic Type R before I got mine, after nearly 3 years I still can't find anything that seems worth shelling out any more money. Its really refined, comfortable, has a good level of kit, it is fine as a cruiser. When you hit a nice stretch of road it still has all the balance that the old GTIs had, and plenty of power. The Mk 4 was meant to be the worst GTI of them all, so don't let that put you off.

I think Brant should lay the cards on the table with some details of the Ragley full-sus….

I have been looking at the Yeti, it is a great car for the money. VAG engine & transmission, well-specced, very good use of space inside. If you are buying as a company vehicle it is also very good value on BIK. I'd look at towbar racks, or just open the back door and use that as a step to reach the roof.

Lads there are a few Irish players in those Fantasy teams who might not be the best choices. Ferris is injured for at least one game and Stringer is dropped out of the squad and likely to stay that way.

Hartley is also likely to feature ahead of Fat Tommo/Mears, O'Gara may well be dropped when Sexton regains fitness, and one of the Scottish props, Murray I think, won't play Sundays so will miss at last 1 game. Also heard a rumour Gethin Jenkins is injured but haven't seen any press.

I am looking at the Spitfire which is pretty similar to the Rune, light enough to pedal properly but fun for the descents. I have been using the 456 for everything from XC loops to trip to Scotland and the Dales. I will admit that there is a big overlap between a 4-5 inch full-sus and the 456, but I know both will get used.

Mikey, if you don't mind me asking, what Banshee do you have and how do you find it?

I know for a fact that I am going to replace my 456 with Rev coils in the next month or two, despite the fact that there isn't really anything wrong with it. I just want a change and a set of bolt-through forks.

To be fair, having sex with a 17-year old autograph hunter in his Bentley isn't exactly behaviour befitting an England captain.

Currently available in the classifieds for a £5 reduction every other day. Get in there quick and snap it up people!

Rich people all inherited their money or obtained it by deceit and/or the exploitation of others.

Thanks very much everyone. I will definitely be using a set of poles. I am going for the storage as I enjoy a bit of physical suffering, wheras my wife does not. I am happy to carry everything and let her enjoy a nice leisurely walk.

I have a Cotswold handy, I will look for somewhere that stock the Deuter and the LittleLife, I am quite broad shouldered and I find some packs a wee bit narrow across the shoulder straps.

I'd say more of a slate grey. Sort of anthracite, accented with silver bits.

I have been weighing up options and reading around, a lot of the comparisons are with 2010 Revelation Maxle Lights – would these be flexier than Pikes anyway? I just can't seem to find anyone stocking the Revs with a tapered steerer, and I can also get a deal on the Fox which negates the price difference.

EDIT – Chapaking that was the comparison in the test I read, they actually preferred the Revelations, they are stiffer than the Fox and cheaper too.

Edukator – Member
A natural resource (North sea gas) that could have lasted centuries squandered heating homes with the insulating properties of a super conductor. The only thing that has saved the UK from financial ruin over the last 20 years is running out – what are you going to do now?

I am looking for a trail bike at the minute. I don't really have a budget but I am trying to be realistic and keeping an eye out for offers on frames, or frames and forks like you are doing at the minute. I have arrived at something like this.

Frame & Headset 1100
Fox Talas QR15 600
Flows on Pro 2s 250
SLX group incl. brakes 380 (cheapest XT is £500)
Fizik Saddle £70
Bars, Stem, Grips £120

Totals roughly £2500, more like £2650 with XT. The value for money comes from choosing every part. I won't have to upgrade anything and I know that most of the stuff will hold its value pretty well if I want to sell it.

The problem with selling groupsets is that there is always somebody else doing a deal on them, to clear stock or whatever

The problem with bars and stems is that there are so many variations and preferences, that makes stock control a nightmare.

It kind of works back to the status quo – a full bike with cheaper finishing kit at a good price, or something very bespoke that is nearly impossible for a retailer to stock. You could do a bit of both. Even if you point somebody elsewhere and save them a few quid on a groupset you are still shifting a frame, maybe some forks and a wheelset, but without the hassle and financial pressure of carrying a lot of stock.

I love them.

The kit is expensive but you get a lot of components and mounts throw in and they are very flexible. The head torch is outstanding. They're straightforward to set up and charge, reliable, and give plenty of light with a wide beam on the bars and a spot on the head.

I'm sure there are plenty of ways to put something together that is cheaper and brighter, I just wanted something that was as flexible and reliable as possible.

Whether its worth it depends on the cost involved, I have been close to ordering stuff in the past but I'm not sure what I can get away with.

What are my chances of getting away with just a removable-core valve and yellow rim tape on Stan's Flow rims? Maxxis non-UST tyres. Is this the way they are meant to be?!

I have a set of Mavic 321s that I will probably do as well, either BMX tubes or the Stan's kit. I get the impression proper Stan's rim strips are reusable when changing tyres but cut-down BMX tubes are not?

For the price of one proper Stan's kit you could get a compressor and a load of BMX tubes?

Nuttysquirrel that looks like an elaborate way to crush your own testicles.

I had mine done November 2008, hamstring repair to the ACL and a meniscus repair. Meniscus repair can complicate things, increase swelling, etc, but in my case.

1st Month – Limping around, lots of physio concentrating on range of movement, basic exercise that you should be continuing with once you start doing more. Pretty easy to pull a hammy at this stage, but that is just the graft site.

2-3 Months – Starting into very gentle cardio, continuing the basic exercises, introducing some very basic balance and strength work.

4-6 Months – Probably doing pretty intense cardio under controlled conditions by this stage, doing more intensive strength work and progressing balance stuff into agility, hopping, leaps, bounds, skipping, etc.

6 Months on – Starting to gradually work back up to your normal level.

The main things are being patient, doing the exercises and stretches and giving it proper RICE as often as possible. It can be a bit boring but try and take some encouragement from any improvements and after 2 months you can start to work out frustration on the exercise bike too.

I was back on tow paths after 3 months, trail centre after 4, riding the usual trails and taking it easy at 6. Did a trip to the Alps at 8 with no ill effects. The surgeon told me the graft basically gains 10% per month up to 9 months, so if you are careful at 9 months the graft is 90% as strong as a proper ACL. The limiting factor for me has been forcing myself to go and do rehab when I would rather be riding my bike. I am going to get back into a couple of 2 or 3 hour gym/agility sessions a week to try and get it 100%.

I've ended up on the site plenty of times and never ended up ordering anything.

Regular on a board and left foot forward on a bike – there does seem to be a connection.

I had thought about this a while ago and have been trying to keep my lead foot on the outside in turns on the bike. Sometimes it feels right and other times I spend too long sorting my feet out and mess up something else.

I used to have a few mates who worked for them. I got the impression that they weren't cheap holidays but the service was very good. They tended to pick drivers/reps who were reasonably mature and responsible, and a lot of their punters were professionals with well-paid jobs who really loved their skiing. There seemed to be a very good atmosphere on their holidays, we hardly ever skied with guests because we weren't paid to and they tended to whinge/expect you to wait for them/guide them etc. A lot of the Ski Weekend ones were very independent-minded, laid back and good fun, and the reps enjoyed skiing with them.

Anywhere in the Northern Alps, Flaine, Portes du Soleil, La Clusaz, would make a good weekend, its hard to reccommend much without a budget etc. Chamonix can be a very good weekend as the town is quite lively and the skiing is good and very scenic. You need to travel to get to the hill and it doesn't have miles of joined-up motorways but a good rep will point you in the right direction.