Yeah, I can build wheels… although as it’s for a mate, I’d always have more fear than building for yourself!!

try again with the pictures!

We’ve had one for coming on 5 years now, bought with 35k on, and now as 80+k… ECG/ABS unit went early on – replaced under warranty, but otherwise just servicing, tyres and brakes.

practical inside, with lots of options of seats out/ in/ kitchen sink etc. although the rear seats (6/7) are not for adults really! 7 seat version has no spare wheel, just a can of goo – which once you use is a replacing the tyre job everytime.

we find that with 3 kids (all under 7), bikes, camping kit etc. it’s a bit small and needs a roof box and bike rack. (thinking about a T5!!)

Zippykona – I made a 500ml bottle fit on my Superlight 29er (large) by flipping the shock round (as otherwise it caught on the blue CTD switch). Does make the switch slightly more difficult to get at, but honestly, how much to do change!

We’ve just used Owayo for a run of 6 jerseys – about £40 each – the quality seems good (if a bit ‘race-fit’) and the printing production is ace.

How the hell would they police it?? I went (was taken) across Striding Edge when I was 8 months old in a back-pack carrier. My parents were regular hill-walkers, knew the risks and were properly equipped (from the photos) even in 1974! Still one of my favorite ridges in the Lakes, but it seems to have become a honey-pot for tourists with no idea of the risk, or without proper equipment – I’ve seen the flip-flops and shorts only brigade and spend the rest of the day hoping not to see a yellow sky taxi arriving.

We had our best performance yet (30 laps) – must be the new team tops!

It ‘seemed’ quieter than previous years (especially in the main arena despite a bar) but maybe this was accounted for my perception that there was a larger number of solo-ists this year than previously.

Trackside support was ace (if a bit abusive from the Retrobike corner) and the track seemed better than last year (despite being the same) – I do miss the greater technical challenge of Eastnor/ Trentham Gardens though – only one stretch of singletrack 🙁

Organisation was to it usual standard again (thanks Pat & team) with bike wash, lube station, hot showers and clean toilets – music festivals could learn a thing or two here!! (although they might give the wash and lube a miss!)

ah flamejob… that’s exactly what I’ve forgotten!!

nick… That’s pretty much my philosophy, but there does seem to be an ever growing pile of bits which ‘one day might possibly vaguely be useful’ (including a virgin 7 speed suntour screw on cassette!)

Thanks Binno – but they’re already the dreaded uPVC – just old and knackered!

In the early 2000’s (still at Sandwell Park at least) and very early in the morning, 5am ish, I was passed by Nick Craig (him of the being very good and fast fame. He’d given me a heckle (polite) about being on my right. In my tired, slightly delirious state, I over-compensated and ploughed straight into a bush.

Mr Craig stopped, came back, apologised (it wasn’t his fault, I was very tired) and pulled me out of the bush. A true gent, and how a pro-racer should be – despite being in contention for the win, still had time for the sleep deprived amateurs just hoping to finish!

I’ve got the Osprey Farpoint 40 – similar to the Ozone by the looks of it internally, but with no wheels. Instead it’s got rucksac straps and a cover to zip over it. Again lightweight when empty, pockets for everything and so far, seemingly well built.

Take random spares, like mech hangers etc. or put your faith in the bendability of aluminium to straighten it!

Seconded… Made a lovely job of replacing the bottom bracket shell of my dogsbolx

Thanks guys… an evening with the maps spread across the living room floor (and a rail timetable) for me then 😀

Oh… and I’ve done that cheeky bit up from Calf Holes before – as you say, a far better run into Horton

martinhutch – did the PB last year. Looking for an alternative.

Whitestone – that’s largely what I was planning, but in the other direction. Why I didn’t think of reversing it… doh.

(although there was some thought that once I got to Ribblehead I could keep going down the line until I ran out of steam/ needed to get a train home!)

Backcountry Navigator – brilliant

Thanks. I’d sort of figured that might be the answer. Trails here we come 🙂

Tifosi light night here… pretty good change in 15 seconds or so

wonder if I should start keeping them all again

What do you mean again!? Every copy from no.1 (bought from their stand at the keilder trailquest in the depths of the foot and mouth crisis) currently weighing down the shelves here

Yes… I’m running a Alfine shifter on drop bars. I reamed out the clamp to fit the wider bars and it works well, although it does mean the top bar is a little cramped.

We have a VW Touran… bit pinched in the boot for a bike (esp. 29ers) so we tend to put them on a rack on the towbar. Take one of the removeable middle seats out and bikes will wheel in front wheel off.

But drives well, economical and driveable.

Currently up for sale if your interested (56 plate 82k) as we’re going up a size to a van to accommodate the growing kids!!

CoPilot user here on Android… Very good, reasonably cheap. Maps on phone/sd card. And I’ve been able to transfer it as I get upgraded phones

betd…. Sorted my superlight out a treat

We’ve got a Vw Touran up for sale if you’re interested. Excellent runner, and very practical as Andy says. Only selling as a van is in the offing (sorry)

PM me at robdot28639atgmaildotcom if interested

http://www.gumtree.com/p/volkswagen/volkswagen-vw-touran-se-2.0-tdi-140-2006-56-silver-fsh-82k-7-seater-reduced-price-/1101854017

You’re not your… before the grammar police arrive!

Weve got a VW Touran which has done everything your asking for. Currently up for sale as I’ve finally won the ‘we need a van’ argument with Mrs Sheeps.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/volkswagen/volkswagen-vw-touran-se-2.0-tdi-140-2006-56-silver-fsh-82k-7-seater-reduced-price-/1101854017

Sure price can be negotiated for STW!

edenshawbay – ygm

Buy my Vw touran instead… Better drive in my opinion (having tried lots of the men’s with a latent petroleum tendency)

Head of Weardale is largely a bridleway desert, and there’s very few cheeky routes/hidden gems unless you know the landowners (and a lot of the moorland is under the control of the shooting fraternity)

The route from Allenheads to Killhope is bridleway north of the county border, and a footpath south it. Used to ride it south to north years ago, but forestry work in Durham, and resurfacing for shooting in Northumberland have somewhat ruined it. There’s pretty much nothing else across that moor unfortunately.

Thanks all… going to start off with Gumtree and see where we go from there.

I use the fast-bake option on our Panasonic (ancient – about 7 yrs old) when I realise we’ve eaten all the bread for breakfast that was intended for lunch!!

I have found that it helps to put a little extra yeast in (maybe an extra 1/4tsp – ours typically takes 1tsp as standard), use luke warm water, and soft butter. Note that if the water is too hot, it’ll kill the yeast, but at about 25 degrees it seems to rise as well as the normal program.

Thanks all… I am presuming that the 2.0 TDI 140PS engine is the same across the VW Group – so the engine in my Touran, would be the same as that in a T5 – but presumably a different gearbox etc. to deal with the variation in weight etc.

Thanks gavstorie… still think i’m heading for the SWB (it’s taken 4 years to persuade the OH that a van is the answer) planning for front wheels off, sitting sideways across the van.

But trees are easier to catch!

i’d echo some of what lunge is saying…

i bought a frame and forks, and then built it up myself into a commuting/shopping/nippingouttogetapint bike. its got an alfine 8 hub and drop bars (with a straight bar shifter botched on the centre of the bars).

it’s perfect for commuting, load hauling etc., but as Lunge says slightly dull to ride and heavy (the alfine doesn’t help as it puts lots of weight at the back)… but it does what I need it to do, without needing lots of maintenance attention.

We’ve had a VW Touran for 5 years and it hasnt exploded or cost us anything more than the usual. We go it at 33k, and have done another 50k plus.

Likely to sell it soon, but only because with 3 kids, bikes, tents etc. we need more space! Here comes a T5 ?

Fork…. occasionally for climbing, mostly on the road.
Shock (ctd)… yes, but mostly in trail