Its illegal to alter a passport and by extension a copy too. Like others have said steer clear.

“It is illegal in the UK to modify a passport or ID and by extension, trying to use a modified copy of an official document also incurs problems.

With regard to the original documents, tampering with a passport may fall under the auspices of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, or the Fraud Act 2006, or both. If the authorities feel that they have sufficient chance of a conviction, they may press charges. The Courts view tampering with passports quite seriously: if the case is heard in the magistrates court, they can award a fine and a prison sentence of up to 6 months. In theory it can also be referred up to the Crown Court, where a sentence of up to 10 years may be given.

The UK was due to introduce an identity card some years ago, which was subsequently abandoned, but the related legislation (the Identity Cards Act 2006, now mostly repealed) also provided criminal charges for unauthorised modifications to the ID card.

With regard to photocopies, the UK passport is subject to Crown copyright protection under section 163 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the Data Protection Act 1998. This means that the reproduction and retaining of the details of any document covered by Crown copyright (such as passports, driving licences and birth certificates) are highly regulated: for further information, see (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/advice/crown-copyright/crown-copyright-in-the-information-age.pdf).

Unauthorised modification, as with the original documents, may be subject to criminal investigation, depending upon the circumstances and intention of the modifications”

I’m impressed with my Chilli tech helmet light. Too bright on full for the road but turned down its a great helmet light and is plenty bright enough off road to supplement a handlebar light.I carry a spare battery in my pack but it lasts ages.

I like the idea of a single pivot. British winter conditions aren’t kind and as above I like the simplicity. Got to say I like Lauf as a brand. I’ve got a Seigla and the communication and ordering etc was really easy and the bike is brilliant.

Slaphead for 30 years now. I was using P20 or P30 as it was only one that didnt sting when sweat ran into my eyes. Aldi do a rip off version and I tried the SPF30 and its really good. Doesn’t smell and I haven’t had a burnt head so I’m assuming it works. A third of the price of P20 but I havent seen any this year on my wanderings around the middle aisle though

I looked at this a while ago to try to relieve a toe nerve problem but after trying a pair of Bonts on thought they were too narrow. I ended up with some Sidi Mega fitting shoes and use specialized Body Geometry Shims under some body geometry insoles ,which have the metatarsal bump which I guess is there to splay out your toes a bit, to cant my right foot over a bit. It works for me, no more nerve pain or foot numbness. I realise it might be a different issue but thought i’d share.

I’ve ridden from West Yorkshire down to Donington and used the trail from Beighton near Sheffield past Rother Valley and down to Chesterfield then onto 5 Pits. Its a nice ride on a decent surface. Its a shame there isn’t a decent off road route from the end of the 5 Pits down towards Derby to link up with Cloud Trail as that would take me rght down towards Leicestershire/Warwickshire where I have family.

Sad news. A great guy who always had a tale to tell. Always approachable and even though he must have heard it thousands of times always listened to tales of woe and happiness at Mayhem. I remember after second Gatcombe he was driving round in his buggy and stopped for a cuppa. Will be missed.

Great event. I’ve done it twice solo at Kielder. As with all 24 hour events the camaraderie is fantastic. Unfortunatley longterm injury means I won’t be doing any more and unless Barry gets more entries it looks like it will be have to be cancelled. Why do some of these events struggle with entires when the Puffer sells out and its looking like its going to be the only 24 hour race left in the UK?.

Sonder Broken Road titanium?

Had a vasectomy in my mid 30’s. My mates sister was assisting. ” Oh hello, I didn’t recognise you!!!”. Anyway got an infection afterwards and one of my balls was the size of a satsuma. After a bit of there and back it was decided I had a hydrocele and that the fluid needed drawing off. So without any prior warning out came a big syringe and what in my eyes was far too big a needle. Without any anaesthetic this was stuck in my overlarge testicle and a syringe full of fluid was drawn off. To say I was on the ceiling was an understatement but at he didn’t say ” you might feel a bit of a prick!”.

Also had a cytoscopy after a UTI and watching HD TV of a camera descending into your japs eye is interesting. The best bit is whilst the camera is moving round checking my bladder you can see where its entered your bladder. Only thing I could think was ” I hope he unwinds that before he pulls it out” First pee afterwards was interesting, never had to pee an airlock out before, it was like a backfire.

Currently ploughing through Hilary Mantel’s The Mirror and the Light, last book in Thomas Cromwell trilogy. I got through the other two ( Wolf Hall and Bring out the Bodies) in no time but I’m struggling to get into this one.

I’ve got an Uberbike one and it’s been good. Into second winter now. My sram one lasted about 3 months of wet riding before cranks wouldn’t turn.

18/20. Happy with that.

WTB Volt seems to be a popular one. I seem to recall there are a few WTB ones that suit a wide range of arses.

I converted a lefty a few years ago. You’ll need a different steerer. I think mine came from Germany. Not cheap but enables use of standard stems. Leonardi were the manufacturer. There was a company in the US that made one too. Dr Cannondale or R2 were the place for all things lefty.

Lauf grit. Not cheap but it’s very comfy. 

+1 for Carbon lev. Trouble free for 3 years.

Sorry if this has been posted on here already but The EscapeCollective Geek Warning podcast has just been talking about this and said Mike Ashley might interested in parts of the business.

Good psa thanks. It’s all I ride in so another pair for the collection

Coming back from a hip injury I’ll be doing zone 2 using trainer day and watching  GCN. I’ve stopped racing so I’m going to see what zone 2 only and normal outdoor rides does for my fitness. Or I’m going to sack it all off and get an ebike

+1 for the Chilli tech. Good throw, light weight and if you carry a spare battery you’ve got 3 hours of light on full.

I have the helmet light too. Used it at Kielder in 24 hour race. It’s a good light. Not too heavy on helmet. Carry a spare battery and you have a good 3 hours of light on full.

A lot of dislike for garmin but I have a 1040 solar and i really like it. Mapping is brilliant, I rode from West Yorks into Warwickshire off-road with no wrong turns, and the new interface is very easy to use. I had a lezyne mega previous to the garmin and I much prefer the garmin. I had a Wahoo Elmnt and that was very easy to use but it broke after 2 years. I only charged the garmin 4 or 5 times over the summer. Solar really does extend the battery life. Touchscreen is good even when wet and easy to read even in bright sun. Yes it’s expensive and the amount of data etc might be a bit overwhelming but it can all be turned off.

https://shop.hiride.bike/

£879 with all headset adaptors. I though it would cost more.

I have a Lauf Grit SL fork on my Seigla and it is really good for only 30mm of travel but the hiride looks good. Never heard of the company though.

I swam from being 3 years old and til I was 21 it was my thing. I reckon I could still knock out a sub 35 sec 50metre crawl. Might have to dust off the budgie smugglers..

FunkyDunc – he charged £90.  I was in there for about an hour and ten minutes. Never felt rushed or under any sort of time pressure. As stated in original post he was recommended to my wife so it seemed logical to give him a try. I think I’m just happy that it’s not falling apart and I can manage it at this stage.  I’ve started to adjust a few things on bike and had a spin on turbo. Hip seems to be ok. Didn’t feel any discomfort but was only very low watts.
The pain I was in when it really flared up was agony. My back was in spasm and I was hobbling round like a robot. I couldn’t sleep properly so if an injection would have brought some relief I would have taken it and will if I need one in the future.  The physio does guided injections and I’m pretty sure he knows what he’s on with. His clients include footballers, boxers and cyclists so he’s got some experience.

So my next question is, I’ve ridden 175mm cranks on mtb and 172.5 on road bike forever. If I change to 170mm will i be able to tell?. From what I’ve read it will open out my hips a little but how much difference can 5mm make?

Unfortunatley he’s in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. I believe he has a clinic in Sheffield too.

Update: So I had my appt and after talking to the physio ( who was quite a competitive cyclists in his day and still does triathlons) and having an ultrasound scan it seems I have hip impingement. It is a CAM type so basically the ball on the top of my femur that fits into my hip socket has a slight deformity which means that as my leg/knee moves up as I pedal this cam is agitating the edge of hip socket. It’s not too bad and staying off the bike for 6 weeks has meant it has settled down a lot. I didn’t need an injection as there doesn’t seem to be too much inflammation. He says it is something that can be common with cyclists and could either be a result of  years of cycling or a natural deformity ( he scanned both hips and they are the same). He manipulated my hip joint and was happy I had plenty of movement but my legs/hip area is very very tight. He has given me some stretching exercises to do. Also thought it might be useful to try some shorter cranks and reduce stack and reach on bikes. ie: more upright position. Overall I’m very happy with him and glad it’s something I can probably manage myself at the moment.

Thanks for the input folks. The guy I’m going to see is an NHS physio who also has a private practice. He was recommended to my wife for a frozen shoulder. He does a bit of cycling himself so hoping he can pinpoint the issue. If it doesn’t need an injection I’m pretty certain he won’t do it but will point me in the right direction for the treatment/ care I’ll need to put it right. Appt is next Tuesday so I’ll update after that.

I love reading. Can’t think of many things better than sitting down with a pot of tea and a book. I like historical fiction, Bernard Cornwell etc, currently reading Hilary Mantel about Thomas Cromwell. When I’ve finished I’ll back it up by reading actual accounts of the time. Can’t watch reality Tv so my guilty pleasure is Lee Child etc. can’t beat a bit of Jack Reacher!!.

Knog Scout. Great bit of kit ( if you are an iPhone user)

Knog Scout. ( if you have an iPhone) Mount it under your bottle cage.  Armed from phone. Soon as bike moves alarm sounds on bike and on phone and can be tracked thru find my phone. Sensitivity can be adjusted. 3 months recharge time. Got one to try, now got 4 one of which is hidden on my motorhome.  £50, not infallible but would definitely work at night at an event like that.

Racing Ralph on rear and Racing Ray on front. Brilliant xc tyres

over the other side of it. (I’m approaching 52 btw)

Yep…..I’m 56 and my gnar is no more.

I bought a pinnacle Arkose with the intention that it would a be commuter bike that I could neglect/use/abuse and to get me fitter. I’ve had road bikes and think they help my fitness a lot more than just mtb but there are so many bad/inconsiderate drivers that I thought a chance to thrash less road and dive on to the trails/ fire roads sounded like fun so now the Arkose has gone and I’ve spent more than I ever did on a mtb on a Lauf Seigla and I love it. Probably 80% on Lauf and rest on mtb.

Lauf Seigla weekend warrior. Great bike

Lauf Seigla. In true STW style, recommend what you have. Love mine. Will take 2.25 tyres. Super compliant and comfy and fast too. Not cheap though.

I’ve upgraded to a 1040 solar and have to say it is superb. After initial charge I’ve yet to charge it and it’s 2 months old. Navigation is good, I’ve had a Wahoo Elemnt and a Lezyne Mega XL, both good but the new garmin interface is really very good. Like the wahoo and lezyne I use ride with gps and transfer to head unit via phone. Takes a few seconds to send and upload. Stamina feature is really quite accurate as is climb pro feature. I’m very impressed. Expensive but best gps unit I’ve used.

Awful things. I had one that lasted 300 miles thru last years winter slop on a SS and another on a gravel bike that last 600 miles before it started to go. I replaced 1 with an Uberbike press fit,the bearings seem wider on this and another threaded Uberbike one. Both well made and still going strong.