Minor bike fettling on the geared hardtail this morning. Played with my 16 month old son for a few hours whilst my wife went shopping. Got out on the bike for a quick blast on the North Downs Way just as it was getting dark- dry and crunchyleaftastic. Fab sunset too. Got back and had lovely roast dinner. Little one in bed and glass of wine on the go now.

Exmoor is within easy reach. Cheeky (very) early morning blast on the coast path is a possible option…. not that I can possibly recommend anything so irresponsible of course.

Better still, take a weekend off riding and head to the beach and go surfing instead.

I lived in Holland for 4 years and have to say, Belgium was our regular escape route – particularly weekends in Antwerp. Better food, better beer, better service, not so uptight and generally a lot more fun loving and laid back bunch of folk to hang out with.

A lot of people’s perception of the Netherlands is based on a weekend visit to Amsterdam -that’s as wrong minded as basing your entire view of the UK on couple of hours in Covent Garden. The rest of the country is not like that at all.

People who’ve only ever been to Amsterdam seem to think that the Netherlands is a shining beacon of hedonism and tolerance. In reality it’s a deeply conservative country with a lot of snobbery bubbling under the surface and a LOT of overt racism. Also virtually nil sense of humour- I can’t say I ever found that in the Belgian cities I’ve spent time in (Antwerp, Ghent, Brugge etc).

Antwerp in particular has a great music scene, really strong design culture and a vibrant food culture.

I think the reason that the country as a whole has something of an image problem is that it’s really only been an independent nation for a few hundred years.

Sure it’s got its share of s***hole industrial wastelands, notorious serial killers and a pretty dodgy colonial history, but doesn’t that sound familiar?

My Surly 1×1 is known as Bob. Not sure why – it’s just a good solid, reliable name that fits the bike.

Try Sarah and John at Graig Wen:

http://www.graigwen.co.uk/modx-0961p2/index.php

Stunning location and lots of different accommodation options – B&B, self catering or Yurts.

up here I doubt the VWs are even a big minority. Old Talbots etc, sure. Various van conversions.

Where’s “up there”. Minsk?

The only reason there are so many VW vans on the road is that the world of fashion decided they were trendy. The usual faux bohemian inverted snobbery type thing that’s been going on since the 60s.

There’s probably an element of truth in that, but I’d still take my 15 year old T4 over a 15 year old Transit anyday.

vw’s are a hobby for those with fashion over function in mind. get a sprinter – even vw agree which is why the newer LT series are sprinters with a different badge
(awaits backlash)

Well you did ask…

Next time you’re out and about, count up the number of VW vans on the road which are more than 10 years old compared to non VW vans of similar vintage. Not so many are there? At least not many which aren’t already rusting away. Do the math, as they say.

It may be self fulfilling prophecy because they’re so coveted and consequently well looked after, but generally VWs just age so much better.

Wannabe Bond villains or Thunderbirds characters mostly I expect.

Bedgebury can be good fun – sure it’s not Afan, but its as good as you’ll get out of a trail centre given the local geography – tight and twisty rather than steep and technical. Used to suffer really badly in the wet, but much better these days. Am heading there myself on Saturday funnily enough.

As far as all weather riding is concerned, the Lakes would get my top vote. Quantocks after that – can get very muddy in the more heavily wooded / horsey combes, but up top is ridable in pretty much any weather.

One of the best bike shops I’ve been to – puts my snooty local lot to shame.

The ride Gingerflash mentions above is a local classic – definitely recommended. For a shorter version if you get tempted to “test some product”, then the Loughrigg loop on its own is worth doing for a quick taster.

There’s a few chain type restaurants along the South Bank. Good location for views etc, but food not all that special.

Instead I’d head for the Cut about 5 mins walk from the station in the opposite direction (Near The Old Vic Theatre)- The Anchor & Hope there is very good. Also a couple of pretty good Tapas places.

Walking downriver from the London Eye there is a restaurant on the first floor of the Oxo building called Tamesa (NOT the Oxo tower restaurant itself) where I had a truly amazing steak a couple of years back. Had good river views and not too expensive either (not cheap, but this is London)…

Wtf is that huge bank of dials and knobs in the 6th picture?

They’re the controls for the bank of SAM missiles cunningly integrated into the cassette toilet….Either that or it has a very complicated microwave oven…

EDIT: Looking at the specs, I would say that they control either:

The BGAN global communications system (voice and data) or the Portable (Spectra “Aquifer”) 6 gph reverse osmosis unit

Clear?

Check the interior on this one…. it’s nicer than my house.. and about the same exterior dimensions. Try getting that into Tescos carpark:

http://www.unicatamericas.com/photos_man14264.html

To be honest they’re nicer than standard campervans and no more expensive really.

I guess you’re right – comparable with a high end coach built motorhome certainly. Also have the advantage of the base vehicle earning it’s keep as coal lorry / milk float.

And for a spot of seriously gnarly motorcaravanning.

http://www.unicat.net

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/mercedes-benz/unimog/mercedes-benz-unimog-expedition-camper-concept/

I’d love to have one of these if only for turning up at the local Camping and Caravan Club Rally (Motor Caravan Branch) and scaring the bejesus out of the old dears in their matching leisure fleeces.

Molgrips – do you mean the V trek or the Tonke?

Most of the Tonke ones are three berth.

And now for something completely different:

For those of you where money is no object and whose requirements are a camper van / rustic guest cottage / small lorry:

http://www.tonkecampers.nl

Another lottery win option – not sure what the design brief was for this, but the exterior looks like it was designed for Steve Peat, while the inside looks like it was designed by Jordan:

http://www.v-trek.com/

I’d agree with earlier comments about older vans – they look nice but are a hobby rather than viable daily transport, particularly if you are doing lots of mileage.

Poptops = very small £3k tent stuck on top of your van. Never appealed to me.

Each to his own but I would consider Increased headroom when camping whilst still being able to get into any car park to be a big advantage.

When you are struggling out of a wetsuit / wet riding gear in a bitter northerly gale in an exposed carpark, the ability to stand up in the van is also very welcome.

Also provides bedroom for our son and storage for bags etc when camping.

Wouldn’t be without ours personally.

I know of very few rust issues with T4s which have been looked after – they are pretty bomb proof. Admittedly the T5 is a better drive, but I think the T4 is still pretty good too. Avoid the 2.4D and normally aspirated 1.9. Get a TDI if you can afford it, but the 1.9TD is fine if you’re not expecting a racing car.

We have a ’95 1.9TD Westy California. Fantastic van. We paid 11.5K for it 2 years ago, but I know I could get the same back if I sold at the right time.

Hmm. Just answered my own question. I apparently need something called a Hatch Hugger which allows you to use the Saris Bones rack with glass tailgates. £12 from Wiggle which is somewhat cheaper than getting a new roof mounted rack…

Cougar – thanks for the link.

Weird thing is that I’ve just put our model in, and it’s indicating that the Saris Bones rack we already have is compatible with the car. I’m pretty sure this would involve the clips going onto the glass part of the tailgate, which I would have thought is a no no.

Anyone used a Saris Bones rack with an Octavia Estate?

Tangerine Puch Murray BMX in about 1979 (I think) – I actually raced it a few times! Various lashed up off road bikes after that. Grifters, racers with knobblies and cowhorn bars etc..

First “mountain bike” was a Purple Emmelle Cheetah in early 90s with biopace cranks and new-fangled indexed gears.

You may sneer but I absolutely hammered for years without it breaking. Including riding some mad drops and rock gardens on the coast path. Was still running it as a complete bike up until about 5 years ago and as a bodged singlespeed up until last year – frame is still in garage, covered in bumpy black hammerite!

Spotted this the other day – might be an alternative solution for bigger kinds. Anyone used one?

http://www.tout-terrain.de/2/products/trailer—kids-bikes/singletrailer/index.html

EDIT: Maybe not, just clocked the price £1200…!!!!

I’ve been using one of these for our little ‘un since he was about 9 months. Has been fine both on and off road.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/OK_Baby_Orion_Child_Seat/5360032134/

He loves it – I’ve put a little bell on the handle so that he can ring it himself,

We ride local bridleways regularly but also done things like the “Afon” family trail at Coed Y Brenin without any problems.

It feels really safe, as he is protected between your arms. Contrary to appearances (and what some folk on here will tell you), the weight is also in the middle of the bike, so you’d have to do something really daft to endo.

If you’re riding off road a lot I would recommend using some thread lock on the clamps though just to be on the safe side.

I had a slightly raunchy ad for World of Warcraft appear next to the forum earlier for some reason – I thought he was referring to that.

Are they really tailored? I’m not a gamer and have never searched on anything like that. All the other ads are bike related.

I got caught out without a pump the other day and had to buy one from the nearest bike shop. I was originally intending to get a cheap and nasty £10 job, but ended up with the Lezyne Alloy Drive.

It’s great – plenty of volume, really light and very nicely engineered – price pretty good too:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Lezyne_Alloy_Drive_Mini_Pump_Hose_Small/5360034750/?referid=frogoog&source=googleps

Check the reviews

32:22 does sound madly low. You must have a crazily fast cadence if you find that comfortable. I tried 32:18 and gave up on it as I was spinning out on the flat.

Out of interest, Is that on a 26er or 29er?

chvck – Member
I meant the lack of space between to and 15! Not the actual time you have to edit!

I think you really ought to get out more…

Watching eagles soaring above us during a lunch break riding on Harris is probably the most memorable. On the same trip we also rode miles along a deserted beach on South Uist. Wind at our backs, bright blue sky, seals and loads of birdlife all around when we stopped to make a brew. Magical.

Closer to home I had a very near miss with an airborne squirrel flitting across the trail the other day!

Taken on Lleyn on hols back in May:

I had one on our last car. From memory, most major components are covered, but a lot of minor ones aren’t. The carrier on the drivers side window went, and that wasn’t covered (although the motor apparently is). We also had a problem with the on board electronics module thingy – erratic interior lights and aircon etc, and that wasn’t covered either. Both issues involved fair sized bills.

As mentioned above, the authorised garage issue is a pain. The window problem happened when we were on hols in Ambleside and had to drive miles to the nearest authorised garage to get it looked at, only to find it wasn’t covered by the warranty anyway.

We didn’t pay a lot for ours on top of the car, so I guess it was worth it for peace of mind if anything major went, but I would probably only bother with one again unless I was buying a car more than 5 years old.

Oddjob – do you mean HMS Belfast? Yes, still open. Had my works Christmas do there a couple of years back. Mad.

As Simon G says, just go for a wander along the South Bank between Waterloo and London Bridge (up to Borough Market via Tate Modern). Fantastic views of the city (particularly as it gets dark), and it’s free! Sure it’s touristy but I never tired of it when I lived in London and I still enjoy it now.

Always loads going on and plenty of atmosphere – street entertainers, buskers, skaters underneath the South Bank centre, sand sculptors at OXO tower etc. Plenty of places to stop for a snack / drink (Gabriel’s Wharf etc).

I’d also recommend taking the Thames Clipper service out to the Thames Barrier and back – great views all the way and it really picks up a fair turn of speed once it clears Tower Bridge so quite exhilirating. Stand outside at the stern for the best effect! Check times though, otherwise you could get stuck at Woolwich Arsenal for an hour.

You joked about Soho, but it’s actually cleaned up a lot now and is actually an interesting place to have a wander around.

Bargain

Tell me about it, I was between sizes so they offered to send me one of each (but pay for just 1) and send one back.

Order is in…. reading STW can, indeed, be dangerous to your wallet!

That’s what I was looking for, a smarter waterproof for work etc that doesn’t look too outdoorsy. Just emailed them about sizing and got a reply back in 10 minutes.

I’ve been running the same set of Schwalbe Smart Sam CX tyres on my Roadrat for about 18 months now and really rate them, particularly in the mud, of which we get a LOT in Kent in the winter, particularly the slippy, claggy variety. They clear really well, have good puncture resistance, are pretty fast on the road too (if run at high pressure) and seem to be wearing well.

CRC have them for 15.99 each at the moment so won’t break the bank:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24607

£90 for that jacket in the sale looks pretty good and makes it a similar price to Rab generator. They do seem to have a very good reputation. I’m quite liking the Matanuska jacket for work.

As already mentioned, take a back up light.

I think I’ve told the story here before but weirdest solo night ride experience was hooning around a blind corner and finding a proper, old-school tramp (as in travelling gentleman) had set up camp in the middle of the trail. Squatting down cross-legged, little billy-can brewing on the fire and everything. Cue me slamming on brakes, missing him by about 3 inches , wishing him a hearty good evening and pootling on my way. I don’t know who was more scared, him or me. Perhaps I should have stayed for a cuppa.

It was a great house, although my favourite ever Grand Design had to be the forester bloke who built his own house in the woods, almost completely out of materials sourced in the immediate vicinity. Only problem was that he could never sell it as planning permission was based on him living there while working the woods.