I would wax them with something like briwax. You won’t make them lighter with oxalic acid. That’s more for water stains and ink stains in my opinion.

Get a cloth. Dig it into the wax and get a good handful. Work the cloth around in your hand for a while until it becomes really soft; almost like liquid. Wipe over the timber thoroughly. Scrub off excess with a scrubbing brush, buff with a soft cloth if you think it’s necessary.

You could get them cleaner by belt sanding but be careful not to sand too far.

From memory Whitesands works excellently  at high tide with an onshore wind. Wax your board and use your hands as well. Fin savers are a good idea as mentioned earlier.

Like everything in life cheap is bad. £100 is still a cheap gun. Is it not possible to borrow one?

Don’t sand it unless you’re sure it’s solid timber. I would use a chemical stripper like nitromorse. Stipple on and scrub off with grade 3 steel wool in the direction of the grain including the edge. Protect yourself with gloves an eye protection. Neutralise the stripper with meths  and sand with 180 grit.

For the finish i would probably use a shellac based polish with a brush. Button polish or some such. You can get this from a good traditional hardware shop. Don’t get any of that crap from b&q.

Alternatively take it to a professional.  if it’s small it should only cost about  £70 +vat depending on your area.

Don’t listen to joiners. They have no idea about this kind of thing. ☺

He touched my biceps once at Orrell Park train station. He was very polite and seemed like a pleasant enough chap. He’s welcome to do it again but I don’t think he’d be interested. But now I feel like a victim.

Shame about Bouhanni. I wonder how the wind will affect todays stage. Looking at the map they’ll turn into it with about 30km to go so I’m expecting Cancellara or Tony Martin to try to tear the bunch apart.

I like May but i prefer Slash. As for the rest of you it’s a big world. Robert Johnson, Julian Bream, Buddy Guy, Paco De Lucia the list is endless and you’d be fool to argue about it so carry on.

Yes. Definate lack of info there. I’m from the area but had to look up elsewhere to find the place. Sounds like a cleaky group of dog walkers who want it for themselves. No cycling signs that andybrad mentions is very off putting.

I’ve had this problem. Rebuild the bearing and push it out from the inside. Quite easy.

World champion 951 times (estimate). Beryl Burton. Nobody else is close and probably ever will be.

Unfortunately there will be some who don’t make it today which is a real shame so near the end. Hope all the sprinters get over within time. It’s been a tough one this year.

Despite what been said about Froome having it in the bag two weeks ago that clearly isn’t the case. Sky look tired to me and so does Froome. Quintana is going to attack hard and looked good yesterday. However i don’t think he can look to Valverde for help as he will be desperately trying to hold off Nibali who looks to have finally, maybe, hit form. Contador will also be trying to salvage something from what has been a bad tour for him. Lots of teams will see this as the last chance for a stage win.

It’ll be a tough day for everyone. Massive respect to all the riders. What a race this is.

All I’m saying, very quietly, is come on Peter.

What’s clear from interviews yesterday was how difficult is was to get the break established. It’s never televised which is a shame. Chris Boardmam was saying in their podcast it would be better to see the first hour go and have a nap and come back for the last 2 hours which sounds like a perfect day.

I don’t think a break will stay away today. Valverde, Dan Martin and Peurito to race it out in the finale. Maybe some gc action with a few days to go before the Alps.

He’s doing it on purpose.

Is that Svein Tuft on the front? Must mean Mathews is up for it. Could be a good finale with Sagan and Degenkolb.

Great stage yesterday particularly the final climb. It was good to see Pino and Nibali in the yellow jersey group at the end and Contador and Quintana put some attacks in. Proof to me at least that the tour is far from over. Froome could easily loose 3 or 4 minutes if he has a bad day and as we know Contador is generally very good over three weeks.

Froome always looks like he’s suffering to me. He didn’t seem as strong yesterday but was able to answer all the attacks against him so certainly not showing any real weakness yet.

TJ Van Garderen has a creapy way of quietly being there without attracting too much attention and is having a great tour. Hope he can make it through the Alps ok. But G Thomas reigns supreme for me. What a rider.

As for today who knows. Surely it’ll be won from a break. Hope it’s Sagan though.

Saxo tinkoff will want to make sure Contador doesn’t loose anymore time to Froome like on the Mur de Huy so a chance for Sagan to be up there. In reality it’ll be a free for all and looks like being an exciting finally.

biddon it’s a **** bottle

This story gets better. So now Nibali bottled Froome?

Wow. This is tour of broken bones and ill fated yellow jerseys. I know the first week is always a bit dodgy but this ridiculous.

“Have you ever tried to find water with a water divider Sean?” “Ive tried it…….without success! “
Wonderful.

Well normally I’d be thinking Sagan or Degenkolb but the way Griepel s been riding it could be him. But it will be a tricky finish as a few hopefuls are going to attack up the last climb. Valverde maybe. Hmm hoping its Sagan but think it may be Griepel.

Greipal is fast this year but what a late surge from Sagan.

Ive found the best results for eurosport player on firefox. Internet Explorer just doesn’t like it.

This is not making my fantasy league team any easier.

Has anyone set up a fantasy league yet?

That is lovely. Needs some old Blumels mudguards.

Have you got a pump for the top tube braze-ons?

As a 1 off amphetamine would probably be better than EPO and possibly easier to get hold of.

But remember kids, don’t do drugs!

That descent was excellent. I was shitting myself. The motorbike did well to stay with him. It’s been good but eurosport have been a bit hit and miss and I really wish they would stop “improving” eurosport player. Looking forward to today.

That there Ulissi is a very happy man.

As for the sprint the only person i could see despite the commentator realing off names was Greipal. Perfectly timed. The bloke is fast this year.

My god that was a nasty break. In the overhead you can see his arm catch on the barrier. Nasty.

Some more news about Pozzovivo here.
[/url]

Looked nasty but he seems to be ok.

Sprinters day today. But that finish rises slightly. Griepel has had good form this year but i think it’s going to be Mathews going into pink by the end of the day. Be intrested to see what Viviani can do.

Looking forward to a drama filled three weeks. Tinkoff saxo and sky have got some serious teams in this. Unfortunately bertie will probably win. Good as porte is i cant see him being as consistent as Contador over three weeks.

Considering the work required I wouldn’t bother. It’s not like your carrying it around with you. Once it’s in and installed it’s done. Two good men to lift is all you need and is less dusty.

That’s a good size. Looking forward to following your progress. Best of luck.

How big is the plot Russ?

Poalinin was excellent. But Kristof was too near the front too early. A bit much to ask of Poalini at the end of all that. Good race and I’m happy enough it was Degenkolb.

Intresting tactics by sky there. Throwing one of their men down in front of the bunch.

I feel the same op. I started serious riding with my dad when I was 6. Started racing at 12 and went on to road race spending up to 25 hours a week on the road. About ten years ago I’d had enough. I came back from every ride in a bad mood because of ridiculous driving. Thats when i started mountain biking. But if someone like me gets bullied off the road how the hell are inexperienced riders going to cope.

Ive got 2 daughters who occasionally ride with me off road only. A few weeks ago I had a discussion with my wife about whether we should be encouraging them to ride. The answer was no. I’m very sad. It’s only going to get worse and I’m not risking their lives or mine.