I was always a decent club runner and handy enough on a bike so thought about doing a tri

However my swimming is absolutely terrible. Like 2 lengths and I am in pieces terrible.

Thats basically 1 year in lockdown and i have been to 2 trail centres in all that time. I am blessed to have amazing local trails but I do yearn for something different and the local trails are mobbed.

I have a corolla hybrid sportswagon. Its not a plug in but does a few miles on electric qnd has a 2.0l petrol.

Same size as an octavia and i have a tow bar, vrs being a no tow bar due to the rear bumper(i think) put us off that.

Its got a chunk less power though (only 180bhp) but goes plenty and is a nice place to be.

Our whole estate hasnt been adopted. 11 years but there are drainage issues apparently.

Biggest problem is broadband. The cityfibre (100meg) wont go into our estate so even with fibre i am living with 18 meg (supposedly 30) and it dropping every day

I used to have a nomad
I rode a sorted 29er. I now have one of them.

Take the shortcut and buy a long travel 29er with good geo..
..

Maybe by july you can travel to Highlands but the midge will be rife.

Blue looks good. Top chief is rideable on anything but it is no longer a red (never should have been) and plenty hard to ride clean even on appropriate machinery.

I did ride the world cup track on a 120mm full suss but I wouldn’t reccomend it!!

Think thats bad? I chucked a tube in a back trye that wasn’t quite sealing even though full of stans.

Forgot..for a year. Now the tyre and tube are a single entity. The stans turned into the strongest glue ever. 2 guys couldnt get them seperated. Tried heat. Cold. IPA. Nothing works!

2021 Toyota corolla 2.0 sports touring. Hybrid with some decent toys, full sunroof and tow bar

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKFJFf1hKTk/?igshid=1awjr5vy7o2d0

It did mean going down to 1 car for both me and wife (passatt r behind it went) but its really nice. Fast enough (190ish bhp) spacious enough and kids love the moonroof. Stereo is crap though…

Taggart was a good depiction of Glasgow, more murders than in real life but bar that pretty accurate.

But like most my pre teen tv was dominated by american shows. A team, airwolf, street hawk, blue thunder, knight rider and even stuff like saved by the bell and MASH which were opposite ends of the spectrum but still vivd in ky mind.

Loads of cartoons like He Man, Pole Position, Ulysses 31, G force/battle of the planets, transformers, amazing spider man, x men, MASK, tmht etc. All not uk in origin

I have ridden HR2s for a couple years front and back but about to change to a disector on the back for summer.

To me I found the minnions fast rolling but not as predictable on the front as a HR2 so switched back.

I demoed a bike with Assegai front/dissector rear and it was brill but a wee slog up the hills.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLxIyhGBFGD/?igshid=9slbxfwplaeg

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2p_2HMlcsx/?igshid=1hnv2wzvwtrvt

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLxIphcBdQL/?igshid=1bte8afqfaqvj

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLxIiy-B1Lq/?igshid=6wijb5mn4bx1

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLxJPn6BW-k/?igshid=64va5xrt0jmj

Sirloin of beef with fresh veg, Gressingham Duck with fresh veg, lamb cutletts, mince pies etc…. more Ray Mears than Ed Stafford style of camping/survivalist:)

You get radio controlled cars with powerful suction that drive on walls/ceiling etc. They are great till battery dies

Both my wife and I are convinced she bought me a gorillapod tripod for Christmas one year but neither of us have ever seen it.

I suspect it went in the bin with wrapping paper but it was quite big and heavy so not easy to miss and we recycle/check everything.

Worst is despite many hints, she hasn’t bought me another one…

Yes. I have one which has more sq ft than my first house. Stood up to a proper coastal storm in Dumfries. Brilliant thing and quick up but it is 45 mins to pit down and it fills the boot in an estate car….

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDKBHfJl9A_/?igshid=9kftkcw9ovxa

Back to s1 ep1 tonight. Remember the Cant!!

2 trainers and you can train together. Or get a taller wife? Might be cheaper….

Great to watch!

I wanted to like the t2e4s. I bought a whole hope bike and every bike I have owned has at least something hope on it.

I found the brakes terrible. You had to pull the levers really hard to get the power. Over repeated long techy runs with lots of braking (my natural local trails) you got sore hands and I no faith they would stop me. Tried all sorts of pads, bleeding, all the tweaks and setting up. Sold them, bought slx 4 pots and never looked back. I have loads of modulation and my bike now stops….

They are very marmite and depends totally on what you ride and how you ride it. If you like the feel of shimano you will likely hate them. They do look very good though and spares seem amazing but if they dont do what you need from brakes i.e. stop you, then thats no use!

so many misunderstandings about how hourly paid contracts get paid I think is the main problem here.

People can work on a contract and work PAYE. Or through an umbrella company PAYE (waste of time as far as I am concerned, unless you do regular short contracts and want to show continuity of employment for a mortgage etc.) or work through a personal services company (ltd)

It’s those working through a ltd company who defeintly pay less tax, if they don’t why are they all trying hard to argue against IR35 decisions eh? 10% minimum less income most say if they go PAYE.

Its especially relevant when you get above the 40% income – vs corporation tax/dividends..

Even when taking into account accountancy fees, anyone on 600 per day would take home about 15k more limited than PAYE – just check any online calculator and that is being tight with business expenses.

Crikey. What if he is mates with Ratcliffe/Ineos?

Snapfish you generally only pay postage as they have so many deals.on for photos.

Also had several photo books made by them, mainly to give to grandparents, good interface and quality was great on the book itself

I hated hope brakes. Lacked power and you needed to really pull them to stop (apparenlty that’s modulation…).

Plus danny mcaskil rides mt7s and look at thay slab he rode down, lots of faith in the brakes!

Beginner mate bought a bossnut. Perfect bike at that level but it does cut corners, bearings are all poor quality and he has had no end of headset and bb stress.

Genesis tarn. I sold mine for 350 to a mate and totally regret it but i was under orders to n-1, however you should be able to pick one up easily enough cheapsih?

Brill bikepacking bike and had bosses for 2 bottles. Plus steel :)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B70OEjQFsky/?igshid=1jc4dmr646cog

2 i have owned (still own in 1 case) are well up there.

On one 456 summer season. So stiff it felt like it was made of granite, plowed through most stuff and frame was capable of taking a beating.

Current Production Privee Shan. 160mm fork, agressive geo and rides everything that can be thrown at it.

Both real as steel can offer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLICeX5hdEh/?igshid=koi3dhejhnut

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKWC_O1hKiy/?igshid=6c5igsj4c4ly

My main riding mate went from a Transition Patrol to a Sentinel 2 years ago and I went from a Nomad to a HB130 last year – so both went from a similar bike to you (or identical) to a trail 29er but both are still on the enduro end of trail. (sentinel more so)

It takes a lot of adjustment, I needed 6 months to get to grips with the HB, needed to alter a few things but its running sweet now. Mainly brakes (hated hopes and needed more confidence as you hit things faster) riding position (you are far more over the font) and you have to adjust your riding to a slower in, faster out in the corners method as you can feel the extra wheel weight in the corners.

Collectively we have both noticed we are overall faster, we are riding rougher ground easier and suffering less fatigue for same trails.

Personally I have now ridden a couple of things I couldn’t on the Nomad, both are very rooty/technical and the HB just doesn’t get as hung up as the Nomad did, so I can concentrate on line knowing the bike will get over it.

Downsides? noticeable gyro effect on steering (running heavy tyres) more flex in the wheels (I like mine stiff!!) and I have buzzed my butt a few times on the back wheel riding super steep stuff.

I still run a 650b hardtail (Shan, again 160mm enduro focussed) and it feels very strange when I get on it, but it is noticeable more flickable and gets up to speed faster.

I would not hesitate to recommend doing it but you need to adjust riding style and you might feel you take a step back, but after a period of adjustment you should be faster.

Frog, isla bikes, wiggins, hoy all get really good reviews. You can get the wiggins from Halfords.

Availability might be an issue so buy early!

I have owned quite a few on the list, mr2 and ph2 172 clio being the best. Clio with a remap and some breathing work easily hit 200 bhp and frightened a lot of “fast” cars at knockhill.

For that cash and the fact it might not break down every day i would go MR2 but check its had the manifold changed (they had a honeycomb filter which crumbled and destroyed perfect engines) and spend cash on getting the chassis set up square.

If you squint hard it looks like a porsche boxster you know….

You are not allowed in someome elses garden, so garage is worse….

Living in Scotland and liking all sorts of outdoors sports since i was in my teens I have tried loads of different base layers, from £5 quid mountian warehouse numbers to £80 plus merino wool the genuine best ones I have had are 32 degrees heat from Costco.

Not too tight, not too itchy, wash well, dont smell and keep you toasty. About £20 quid.

Fenix 5 sapphire here and it is great for what you want. Spendy but i exercise 3 or 4 times q week, wear it every day and charge it maybe once a fortnight.

K492RJC

1993 mini british open classic. Didnt really sell it, an old mate kinda absorbed it and then it rotted away in a barn.

Bought from minis bristol minis and driven back up to my house glasgow area.

British Racing Green, leather and tweed interior, full sunroof and walnut dashboard. 1.3 engine with a full stage 1 kit and loads of chrome additions.

Prob would have been worth 12k now.

Protien works hazelnut is great. High protien, low carbs, really good for getting sfuff into you quickly and easily.

**** making loads of expensive food just for fuel. Making a shake takes seconds. Takes ages to cook…..

I have ran hr2 for years. Find the grip ideal and predictable. Mainly natural trails and tech but fast riding.
I did however demo a bike with Assegi front and Disector rear and was so impressed by lots of grip and lots of roll I have a Disector in the garage for when it stops being super winter.

This is on a 29er trail bike.

I have a few plugs, the pliers and the pokey bit.

Could easily fit a tenner in there but nowt else!

I would never think of buying anything from ASOS but have bought many a suit and shirt from Debenhams.

Debenhams is a trusted brand that anyone 40 or over trusts and would turn to for clothing.

Thats why they bought it. Market domination

Saw a bemusing situation yesterday. Car with 3x 30ish guys in it. Didnt look like brothers….could maybe be lovers I suppose…3 canoes on roof, obviously en route to some nice canoeing fun destination. Not local and certinly not essential. Pulled into petrol station as probably needed fuel for thier long drive. Police car followed them in. Here we go I thought…..

Nope, cop definetly saw them but didnt even ask a question. Walked right by the car, into the shop obvs to buy his doughnuts and coffee…..

So when what looks to be flagrant non compliance in front of the 5-0 isnt even questioned what hope do we have?

As religions go its not too bad. You have a nice buring bush as your symbol and I agree with placing great importance upon education and lifelong learning, knowing your actions cannot influence salvation……………..

Jazz artist plays some jazz.

I am an adult with dairy intolerance which has got worse with age. Butter is the worst, leads to vomiting, milk was almost as bad but i only had it in coffee (now black) Giving up cheese was a killer, love pizza and scottish cheddar but it has a profound effect on productivity if tasks cannot be undertaken whilst on the can.

I am however a lot healthier for it. I get all my needed goodness from non dairy sources which tend to have much less fat in them.

I used to find lunchtimes were so tough, due to old my job being lots of travel for meetings i relied on supermarkets for lunch and nearly every sandwich, pasta or wrap has either butter or cheeze on it. ( i dont like mayo/psychological thing as it feels lie a dairy product) Its now getting a lot better with lots of vegan options.

Most say baby intolerance to dairy goes but if it doesnt then kid will be grand growing up and probably healthier for it!

NB whoever was the first person to think “hmm, that baby cow sure loves sucking on those mummy cow teats, I should give that a go” has a lot to answer for!! Like really, what made someone do that!!! Bleurg