My Grandad was forced to give up cycling when he was 82 after an altercation with a bus. My Gran said, either you give up the bike or I'll leave you!

Carry on…..

Help! Eck! I'm 46 and the other girls I bike with are similar ages, we've never done as much riding. Just break on through the pain, or go to the Dr's. Ride at a sedate pace. Exercise now and you'll benefit later in life. Just don't give it up!

We've got 3 kids and got a VW Sharan 7yrs ago. It's fab, can fit bikes, camping stuff and dogs in. Keep thinking of another car but keep coming back to the Sharan. The only other option for us would be a Landrover Defender. But be prepared for transporting other peoples kids!

Jenny Agutter, apparently

http://www.the-hempel.co.uk/

I road ride to train for off-road. So roading is fast, boring and I don't have to wash the bike. I don't laugh and just nod hello to passing roadies. I did The Roses Round last June, lovely scenery but the social aspect just wasn't there, most of the starters just dismissive of us! Finished tho'! Did the Joux-plane few years ago, before breakfast….

Off-roading is much harder and I feel completely trashed after a good day out.

Value for money/fitness/social? Mountain biking!! Actually, I think it's a saddle thang!

What I can't understand is, why people go to gyms when they've got bikes (that they ride) and the sun is shining! I just don't get it. And they pay for membership! It's just daft!

But if you live round Keighley the gym participants are probably on Dr's orders.

I'm losing, steadily, another 600g this week! Don't have a goal but steady weight loss is how it's done so I'm happy. Just been out for a lovely Thai meal with far too much larrup so I'll step up the exercise tomorrow.

Sussex pond pudding. Oh how clever are you!

Not your house?

Had this problem with my hardtail, spouse treated me to FS and no problem since (3yrs). Instant solution for me.

Ah, I retract my comments, Hora. I thought you'd recovered but further medication is required.

I must be double dumb then. My cat died several years ago so I must have contracted dumbness after that.
I may be dumb but my dogs keep me fit and give me a social life with other dumb people. A cat doesn't do that.

Stealthcat : I found Anne Mustoe's book in WHSmiths, not quite as good story. Did you know her, wonderful lady and lived life to the full by the sounds of it.

I've always used a bike and I'm glad to say my 3 kids like it too. Trying to get 12 yr old doing more, and got him a road bike now along with off-road. He's an ace swimmer ( I was quite handy) but won't do anything with it. Now plays Rugby and showing potential. My 10yr old daughter is keen on gymnastics and great at swimming, been accepted into local swimmng club, trails to be spotted etc…and my youngest despite being small for his age is very nippy at Rugby and flies up any climbing wall you show him which pleases his Dad, as he's been doing it for 40 odd yrs, and he loves biking! 😀 going to initiate them to Gisburn at half-term.

It was fine a couple of weekends ago, boggy at the top but it aint road riding is it. You'll have to wash your bike after you've laughed lots! Lots of other people around too, make it a social, good pub too!

We're in Skipton, Trekster! Fair wind (fast car), early start and we're up in 2 hrs. I'll see the girls and sort a plan, we tend to prefer long routes to hiking, we got stamina! We'll follow you, Teabag!

Goody! Last time we were at Ae we felt cheated! Only 2 hours from here…. 😆

I saw this and thought of you….

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/coulsonmacleod/product/love-makes-the-ride-worthwhile-limited-edition-art

Enjoy the ride!

A Bike Ride, Anne Musto

Cripes, this site is an education! The male psychie amazes me!

Good words tho' Hora

Hora, Good! Get out with notspoon on a Singletons meet! I'll just hang out with the Nidderdale ride crew. Picnics R Us by the sounds of it! Nomnom…

Get out on one of these singletons STW meets! See life in a different way with folk with a common interest. Girls go too by the sounds of it and your social life may just be redirected.

You just have to make the break, feel the fear and do it anyway!

My 10yr old daughter, last Nov, had a group of mates and went swimming (slides etc) then came back to our house for pizza, DVD, make-up and girlie giggling! Most successful!

No, I work very hard at home, cooking, cleaning and go to work as a District Nurse every now and again. Looking at this site is in my break time 😀

Thisisnotaspoon : Do you really think you've got a future with this girl? Doesn't read like you have to me.

Romance is very different for me, Spouse isn't on that wavelength but on the odd occassion he's bought me a book that I've loved and an artisan piece of jewellery. I don't seek materialistic gestures but it's the little things that matter when you least expect them, like the time he bought me my current bike! Ok, someone will say thats materialistic, but it was to make life a whole lot more comfy! He thinks I'm romantic tho' as I made him a gallon of Piccalli, he loves that! A labour of love?

We went late may a few years ago. It was gorgeous. We stayed a couple of miles inland from Ffionphort (sp?) where you catch the ferry to Iona. There is lots of driving to be done to see the whole of the island on singletrack road mainly but worth the effort. We saw a Golden Eagle! The midges weren't too bad at that time of year and with sea breezes they were kept to a minimum. We stayed in a cottage but there is a gorgeous camp site that one year we will go back and stay on that overlooks Iona, stunning scenery. Shops and pubs are thin on the ground unless you're near Tobermory. Rural bliss!

Mine's up and down! Must me my short legs and my love of speed! 'Speshally round Calderdale!

Chilli choc is gorgeous. There is a chocolatier in the Peak District, Cocodance, around Flagg who makes truffles and there are the best in the world. He did the farmers markets and I used to get it from Belper FM. Quite easy to make too!

We had wet in our large kitchen, multi use room nearly 2 years ago. It's lovely, set the thermo and it sorts out. Dogs love the warm floor. Not instant tho' about 3-4 hours reaction time. Cost-wise, no change to bills but we've top boiler (new) and insulation that's prob overdone really. No experience with electric but if you're fitting for longevity go 'wet'.

Why do people hang towels over baths when they're trying to market their houses?

Estate agents are rubbish when it comes to marketing advice aren't they? And we pay them so much!

No, socks off first, please!! I like the tight fitting style of boxer/trunks myself.

You should have no probs, we take ours out every year to go skiing and the form says that a 2 week hol is permitted each year and I always stress the educational benefits of sport that the school doesn't offer and the language they learn. Never been an issue in primary school.

Got Rubber Flooring in ours, really happy with it (got boys with poor aim) and in a bathroom not to expensive assuming it's not huge. Great colours and textures. Easy to lay on very flat surface.
http://www.therubberflooringcompany.co.uk/

Do unto others….. Until you all have a word and say, let's drop the whole B'day thing.

Sounds like there'll not be much riding at this rate, leave the bikes at home and just picnic?

Stoppit Trekster or you don't get any cake!

I've got a Dawes Discovery 601, had it 6yrs now but manage to do loads on it and in the Turbo trainer. Got a lovely gearing system, Deore, it's smashing and really lightweight. Got some skinny tyres on it now and whoosh….

Congratulations to you all, it's the best experience in the world. Enjoy!

I make cakes, I'll bring some along and 2 others lasses, both are faster uphill than me but I swiftly overtake them going down 😆 Looking forward to meeting you chaps!