I’ve been wondering what to do this winter too.

Sealskinz and other so-called thermal/waterproof socks just don’t work for me. Dont’ want to splash out on a boot – plus I’ve heard negatives about them anyway. Overshoes looked like a happy medium but maybe not.

Am also thinking that it’s important to keep your toes moving. I’m sure a big contributor to my feet freezing in really conditions is that lack of movement/circulation. And thicker socks only make it worse. Hence thinking about shoes the next size up and spare socks.

Yes and pretty much. Plenty of ‘Holy shit’ moments FWICS.

I take it you haven’t been exposed to many such emails, HC?

Put down that bargepole and walk away. Now.

Grantway, am undecided on poachers or fryers. Will decide when the moment moves me!

We ‘froach’ them in our house 🙂 Start off with some gentle frying, add a little water and pop a lid on top. Continue for 2-3 mins and job done.

Cool, I’ll check those out. DId you use the native recorder or something else?

Hmm, I’m digging the fact you even bothered to make a recording through your iPhone. I’ve toyed with the idea because I can’t justify something like a GoPro, but not actually done it. Far better quality than expected. Definitely going to have a go with mine on my next ride.

Let’s all laugh at the big man.

Nice vid 10pmix. As it happens, I found it on YT last night.

It’s funny how people have different names for trails because going by your vid we call ’em:

0:00 Magic Tree (because of the weirdly isolated one at 0:22)
1:25 Kickstart
1:50 Windy Willows (well, what we call the start of just as you turn right by that bushy clump. It heads off in loads of directions after 100yds or so, with WW being the one that kind of carries on until it suddenly breaks right at the third or fourth split)
2:39 Trench Warfare (if you dip in under that fallen tree and follow it round)

Little play area on the left just before TW too.

3 screens = too much going on. Plus the music choice is … well … shit.

Other than that, alright.

Different brands work differently on different cars.

Best option is to call 2-3 local fitters (indies and groups) and ask what they recommend. If the same tyre(s) come up with good feedback and VFM then get them.

Also, it’s sometimes cheaper to order from one of the online supplies and schedule fitting with the garage.

Check out the Battery Doctor app. It’s “supposed” to maximise/improve battery performance. Have used it on my 4 for nearly a year and I have to say the battery is admirable. Can’t tell if that’s due in any way to the app. But even playing with settings, e.g. reducing brightness, switching off wi-fi when away from wi-fi points etc can make a difference.

Just gone with Mini Ins (who cover any car, not just Minis thankfully). Cheaper than what I paid last year with my incumbent More Than of 6-7 years! More Than wanted an extra 50% this year and would only drop a few% after haggling.

Hope.

Choose bigger discs if you want more stopping power though, particularly if you’re a big ol’ mutant.

Have just remembered that 4 years ago I approached a local company and offered to do some freelance work for them. They had a good rep and were a competitor of a previous employer. Had a good (but informal) interview and was invited to spend a day in the office to check things out.

Turned up on the day only to find they hadn’t got round to prepping anything for my arrival, so there was literally nothing I could do. So I spoke to a few people and tried to get the gist of things while their MD acted like a cock. Finally went out on a job with one of the sales guys but that was tosh and not at all thought through. Returned to the office, went up to the MD, shook his hand and said “Thanks, but no thanks” and left. He started apologising again but I’d had enough. So beware, even after qualifying and setting expectations, it can fall flat particularly if people don’t ‘set you up’ with stuff to ‘do’.

We did this once in a previous company I worked for. It was for a candidate (German woman) who was shit-hot during the interviews but none of us could see her fitting in. So she came in for 1/2 day and it turned out she wasn’t our cup of tea.

If it was role-reversal and I really wanted the job, then I’d probably go for it, but only after qualifying objectives for both parties. No way would I just turn up regardless.

I’ve a Gore cap thingy that does the trick.

Do a forum search because there was a thread a few weeks ago about someone wanting to trek around France (and Belgium, Holland etc?) in search of battlegrounds and memorials. Quite a few ideas were put forward.

I can now rest too CG knowing that my work is done for today 😉

Saw this on Sunday. As much as I loathe “Big Man” Terry, I really don’t find anything conclusive in the evidence collated thus far. Would love to see the book thrown at him though. But the FA will likely bottle it, just like they did when Shearer had a touchline scrap (mid 90’s?) when England captain and got away with it. That really pissed me off.

I think this was it:

Not sure I agree with it being preferable to simply explore freestyle as opposed to pay for a guide. I’ve not been on a guided break, but I have been away to places around Wales and Scotland where a couple of mates who know the trails have basically done the ‘guiding’. That’s similar enough to me in that they know where to go and the rest of us don’t. Hence it makes sense to ‘follow’ them for a few hours a day and get the most out of the time/trails instead of faffing around.

Having said that, if I had the oppt to head to say the Lakes or the Peaks or the Alps or Moab for a week starting Monday, and there’d be no guide, I’d be there in a shot. But I’d also pay for someone else’s experience/knowledge/awareness/patter/etc on said trails.

The epitome of cool … and a ruggedly handsome **** in his day too!

Toys19, have you still got the Croozer for sale? if so, PM me with whatever you can ref pics, price, condition etc.

Cheers

I think Finish Line do a Park variant (I might even have this one, can’t remember) + tube of gel you slap on, pedal for 2 mins, remove + degreaser = job done.

I think you’re onto something there Gary. Some good feedback on here so I’ll check lead times. Seems like he aims for a 24hr turnaround where possible too. Cheers.

Yep, you’re right – it’s ATA that TF won’t touch, not ETA. Well spotted that Spoon. They’ve always done the business on my shocks so I’ll give a buzz.

Haven’t heard of Loco. Certainly seem cheap, but not sure I’d go with them until I hear positive WOM.

Cheers

Sounds good so far.

Spoon, I don’t trust myself when messing with ‘compressiony’ type things. If I had the right kit (and spares) and watched someone do it once, then I’d probably be okay. But following a manual I know I’m bound to mess it up … and subsequently have an exploding set of forks somewhere in the outback 🙂

Want a breakfast idea?

– leg of pork steak (proper cheap)
– olive oil
– fennel seeds
– homemade coleslaw

= bang tidy breakfast

Coleslaw only needs to consist of say 2 large carrots, 1/3 white cabbage and 1/3 medium red or white onion. Grate/slash into a bowl and add whatever quantity of mayo, olive oil, grainy mustard and a dash of water. Keeps for 3-4 days and is proper nom.

Quick fry pork in oil/fennel seeds and Bob’s yer uncle.

Straight swigs out of the bottle, as in old westerns, I trust?

It was at 6pm 🙂 Toned it down later on and went all civil!

Ok, I’ll check out some pads.

Finished off the Spanish brandy last night. Might have to be just red wine tonight 🙁 Makers Mark: tis a nice tipple that.

Ah, heat pads. Didn’t think of those. Something like this?

Think I’ll dig out a hot water bottle for the time being.

Cheers

All the Man Utd fans on here will probably be cycling the Surrey hills or the North Downs

That’ll include me then 🙂 Had a cracking 3hr ride spoiled only by yet another double chain break. Grrhh. Hence returned home just as Shitty scored … and from then it was more downhill than FW.

Would rather lose one game by this margin than two by half as many goals. Winning the league is about getting points on the board. Every team (Arsenal of several years ago excepted) is gonna lose now and then. Not worried in the slightest down here.

70s/80s supermarkets? Cordon Bleu … didn’t they become Iceland?

50% increase on my renewal this time! WTF is that all about? Am going to call them and have a go once I’ve got prices elsewhere. Yet another mechanism with which to **** over the average person in the street.

Used to be semi-watchable in the days of old, but has long since been just plain shit.

Watching Part 3 of Hidden. Cracking little thriller so far.

but I’m expected to put up with him.

As Elfie says, “Why?”

Have a word with him. Be calm, confident and concise. Big weight off your shoulders an’ al that.

Men-U. Goes on fresh, zingy and with a dash of citrus. Tingles for a few moments before settling into a calming glow.

It’s your choice what tyres you run. I’ve run all sorts of 1.8-2.3 combos on mine, and that include mixing/matching slicks, semis and knobblies.

Currently running a 1.8 Marathon on the back with a 2.1 Fire XC on the front.

PSI is IMO down to conditions and rider weight. I think I run 40+ in most dry and/or road conditions, or mid 30s for wet/gloopy.

Zesty will give you more scope (and possible confidence) if one day you suddenly decide to get more adventurous. That’s not to say don’t go for the XC …

Slightly ot but has anyone been on mumsnet? Scary place that!

I think that’s the consensus of most blokes. Women may think differently.

Anyway, picking up the seat tomorrow. And have permission from the good lady for a cheap HT. Not much going though.

Just won a “used only twice … perfect condition” Hamax Siesta on ebay for £16 🙂 Just up the road too.

Now I need to find a HT to use it 🙂 (even though we haven’t the room). Anyone in the southeast selling anything L or XL?