Any news OP? I haven’t heard directly, so assume it wasn’t me :(

(Stealth ad alert!) I’ve got a pair of WTB cross boss 700c 35c tan walls that I was going to list on the classifieds.

Trans-Slovenia ?

They also do a trip across Croatia. I haven’t been myself, but looks interesting.

I’ve used my 530 indoors to control the smart trainer. You can turn a gpx file into a simulated route so that increases in gradient create more resistance.  Seems reasonably representative of real-world conditions (not accounting for headwind or rough terrain obviously).

Sometimes have to force myself out so that I can feel the benefit afterwards and hope it snowballs from that point.

If that fails, then booking (and paying for) a future challenge can provide the motivation to start training.

My wallet is grateful that it serves to severely limit the number of new bikes I will buy.

Fitted 2 kits now (one gloss and one matt), and found the finish on a gloss one better, i.e. less obvious it had been invisiframed. Not my favourite part of the build, but rather do it myself than pay someone else to do a less than perfect job. I can tolerate a small number of tiny bubbles knowing that I’ve saved myself £70 or so.

Donated. I was going to buy the saddlebag anyway, so will wait and see if I can win it first.

@Rubber_Buccaneer dibs on the saddle bag if you win. I promise I won’t be fitting it to a gravel bike.

77cm just to match my username 😉

SJS are awesome and stock those hard-to-get bits that mean you can fix components rather than replacing.
They’ve actually got a notice recommending  selecting express delivery at the moment on the front page of their website.

I wondered where si77 was going for a moment.

That would be “selected” lay-bys 😂

TBF in many lay-bys these days, if you venture  further into the undergrowth to protect your modesty, you’re more likely to step in someone else’s turd! Grim!

This one’s so one-sided, it’s like watching the Manchester derby 😄

When I had similar, it turned out that the top-hat spacer behind the freehub had disintegrated. It’s quite easy to over-tighten the axle adapter on the freehub side.

IIRC one of  the freehub bearings was also knackered.

In no particular order:

Nevermind

Pearl Jam Vs

Soul Asylum Grave Dancers Union

Deftones Around the fur

Placebo

Reef Replenish

Finley Quaye Maverick a strike

William Orbit Strange cargo Hinterland

Beth Orton Trailer Park

Metallica (black)

The Crow (soundtrack)

Björk Post

RATM

Sneaker Pimps Becoming X

Edit:

need to add Leftism and Exit Planet Dust to that list

Energy bars, hydration tablets. Sometimes brake pads, but this has led to a surplus (5 pairs) so will have to refrain for now.

Many moons ago I purchased the Phart Tommy Squeaker from planetx/0n-one, which has served me well.

Sadly, in what I can only assume is due to intervention by the fun-police, it appears to have since been re-branded:

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJOSP/jobsworth-shock-pump

I would say it depends on how many calories your workout burned. I find them best for fuelling all-day rides, maybe popping one or two every couple of hours.

Interesting, and thanks for sharing!

I’m currently on 3rd chain (just fitted), 1st cassette and 1st chainring (all Shimano 12speed). Ideally I would had changed the 10T cog, if I could have found them in stock anywhere (due in Feb 2023). Planning to change the cassette with the next chain, but wasn’t sure whether to do the chain ring as well.

I’ve just checked and turns out this system has covered over 3500 km, which doesn’t seem all that bad to me.

I suppose if I leave the chainring on too long it could accelerate chain wear, but as long as I catch it before 0.5, it shouldn’t cause any knock-on premature wear to the cassette.

I use a park cc2 and I don’t think a new chain has ever measured less than 0.5% wear

If you get that reading on a new chain then you’re probably squeezing too hard. You’re only supposed to squeeze it until you feel light resistance.

City would still have Haaland up front!

Surprising that it appears you can still order bikes (and not just in stock sale frames) on the website, at the moment.

If an Administrator is doing their job correctly they will keep the business trading for as long as possible to enable a buyer to be found, so that the creditors get (at least a proportion of) their money back.

Typically 30-80km on the MTB. According to Garmin connect: average this year is 38.5km & 845m climbing.

I’m going to take a punt on a cassette. It can’t be any worse than the worn out GX it’s going to replace.

Has anyone tried one of the Air Bike 12-speed cassettes? Specifically an XD compatible version? Any issues to report?.

Maybe the Gap done as a “there and back” approaching from south. Avoids the more technical rocky descent on the north face, which might trouble non-MTBers/beginners. Still gives the challenge of the climb and some nice views above the reservoir.

I would have thought S4 (Saint), but just realised that’s what you’ve already got, so slightly confused. I thought all Shimano 4-pot pads were “saint” fit?

Are you sure your brakes are 4-pot? Wouldn’t that make them M7120 not M7100?

Ryan.

https://www.spokesfromryan.com/

I liked this article. A timely reminder that we were all beginners once.

Belle and Sebastian

Is that the animated series or the band?

At least VAR was able to differentiate between an ass and an elbow.

Meanwhile Congleton Town vs AFC Fylde is being shown live on the red button right now. Come on you Bears!

Bold Unplugged whilst taking advantage of the company’s delivery/collection option via a Hotel stay in Lenzerheide.

.

For Hay Bluff/Cat’s back (an option):

From the picnic site north of little black hill, head north on the bridle way that runs on the eastern side of the cat’s back/black hill, all the way round to the car park on the northern side of hay bluff. Then take the road up as if going over Gospel pass, at the col take a sharp left and head up to the top of Hay’s Bluff. Then take the track along the ridge the the top of black hill and keep to the ridge-line (cat’s back) all the way back to the start (I wouldn’t do the Cat’s back ridgeline if the wind is up).

I’ve not done the Nant Bwch route, but if I was going to have a go I’d probably access it via a climb up the Grywne Fawr and then take the track across the top of the valley.

After typing this I realised you may be thinking of going up Nant Bwch to Lord hereford’s knob and then crossing the col to approach hay bluff, never taken that route myself so can’t offer worthwhile advice.

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I wonder how he’ll get on once he’s up to speed?

Fines in Switzerland is how they keep the taxes low.

On Golden Pond.

Watersports on a whole new scale.

If you’re finding Shimano too narrow, then I’d recommend Scott, they’re a little bit wider-fitting and I don’t need to size-up (unlike with Shimano).

With Rouvy there’s a non-race mode where you can go at whatever pace you like and enjoy the scenery. Or in race mode you can just ease off anyway, but probably best to avoid trying to keep up with others just for the draft effect. If you have a compatible HR monitor you can have it displayed on screen, so you’ll be in less danger of overdoing it.