SKS Bluemel – I’d say so if you’ve got mountings for them. Fiddly to fit but once in place they stay in place IME at least.

You could always go for Chromoplastics instead…

PSA mk 2 – this camera’s on Amazon lightning deal right now, just ordered one…

A Lightroom export preset would take care of the resizing and moving all/specified photos into a certain folder with subfolders for you. If configured to be the backup source, that would do the job you require, Woody.

Edit – for photos only, of course…

I have a NAS drive at home for first stage of backup, using Karen’s Replicator, which seems to do the trick nicely. I then also have Backblaze[/url], which admittedly took forever on the initial backup on our connection, but is now backing up as and when the type of files and locations I set are changed. I can now sleep peacefully at night (or at least the reasons I can’t aren’t file backup related…).

I did have 4000s on my only road bike over last winter, but by spring they were completely trashed – gouges all over them. May just be the roads where I am, but I’ve got 4 Seasons on my winter bike (now I have one!) for this year.

Mudguards – SKS Bluemels in applicable size.
Panniers – Ortlieb Back Rollers (not cheap, but still good value).

I’d get and in fact have got GP4000S for the nicer months and GP 4 Seasons for the crappy months.

I have had one of these[/url] for years – seems pretty faultless.

Edit – I can’t read…

I’d be tempted to punt on a Oneplus One.

Though they look pretty gargantuan; I am thinking my next android might be a slight performance compromise for a smaller phone…

Drac – Moderator

I must finish watching it only got about 4 left.

If you have 4 left, you have to finish watching it.

I’d go with the option you’ve mentioned, to be honest – I have those rims on my pompetamine, with XT hub up front and WTB single speed on the back. They’ve been flawless so far, and they get a lot of use with heavy loads more often that not. Can’t go wrong, really.

Crete is an excellent shout, just got back from there. Lovely.

Also consider Puglia.

Rastapopolous – Member

I’ve just built up a Dolan Prefissio for not much money as a winter/commuting bike. Not too heavy, quite racy geometry and will take a rack and mudguards if necessary. 3 different colour schemes too.

So have I – Dolan Preffisio – the finished bike. by theflatboy[/url], on Flickr

I love it, have commuted on it three times this week though that’s not what it’s for, but Id happily have it as everyday commuter. Excellent bike.

I did it a few weeks ago. Ping me an email and I’ll reply with the GPX routes for you.

Osmand – it’s a while since I used it, but from memory you select or create a folder on the phone’s internal memory, and then in the settings of Osmand you point it at the right folder. From there you can select and follow the predetermined routes.

There are loads of instructions / help forums for Osmand so if you get stuck you should find answers somewhere…

Here’s a deal for you: pre-order £250 worth of booze from Calais Wine Superstore[/url]
and they’ll pay for the crossing for you.

Very sad, I knew him a little – did a couple of rides with him up in Marsden – he was a lovely guy. Condolences to all his nearest and dearest.

Nobody except me ever seems to mention Osmand in these threads, but I used it for ages pre-Garmin and it’s excellent, virtually turn by turn in terms of announcing directions by distance and displaying them as you approach. Definitely worth a look, as it’s free.

Sundayjumper – Member

How much money are you talking about ? I got a 105 compact groupset from Merlin erlier this year for a couple of quid over £300. Admittedly that was with 175mm cranks but are 170mm *really* loads more expensive ??

I got an entire 105 compact groupset from Merlin the other day for just under £300.

Here it is (any excuse… 🙂 )
Dolan Preffisio – the finished bike. by theflatboy[/url], on Flickr

Mosquito [/url]is also worth a look, mainly to drool over stuff you can’t afford (well, I can’t) and be condescended to… but still… 🙂

Brick Lane Bikes[/url] definitely worth a visit too.

chambo – jinx!

I didn’t technically make it, but this is the last thing I built…
Dolan Preffisio – the finished bike. by theflatboy[/url], on Flickr

🙂

And in fact here is said finished build (NB stem to be dropped a little and steerer cut again (and in fact mudguards not yet fitted despite the above!))

Dolan Preffisio – the finished bike. by theflatboy[/url], on Flickr

Jack White – amazing set. A genius, frankly.

oops – double post

On the wheels front, I have H Plus Son Archteypes built with CX Rays on Bitex hubs which are very good, and were a good price here: Leadout Cycles[/url]. On my other road bike I have Velocity A23s built with Sapim Race spokes on Hope Pro 3s, which if anything are better – bought from nixon_fiend on here for a very good price (thanks again, by the way!). Also available for not much cash and very nice wheels.

On the hookless thing above, Continental GP4000S and 4 Seasons both specifically state on the sidewalls not to be used with hookless rims. I would be nervous, personally…

If you zoom in, it’s a handy way to reveal trail maps around places like Epping Forest, Leith Hill etc.

I reckon I’m the only person on my street using it, as well – enough to generate my own little faint green line!

binno – Member

a notification email on purchase as is pretty much standard these days

and a legal requirement under the Distance Selling Regulations…

Wipeout doesn’t really count, though it sort of does.

This is the clear winner:

IanW – Member

I will never buy anything Endura again, I’ve had several bibs, jerseys, overshoes and they have all fallen apart sometimes in a matter weeks.

They get recommended on these threads because the brand is everywhere but quality control is IME dreadful.

I agree – old Endura stuff I had, lasted ages and seemed very well made; recent Endura stuff, terrible quality and fit. Avoid.

If it was me I’d eschew the super fancy options and go for the fanciest suite in somewhere like the Zetter[/url]. It would be memorable and to my mind a better experience that a “standard” tariff option at a pricier hotel.

When I was a youngster we went about 5 summers running to camping ideal molino on Lake garda. Best times of my childhood, no beach to speak of but a splendid jetty stretching out into the lake. Marvellous.

Go there. 🙂

Have you got any experienced road riding sorts you can meet up with who can just help you get the bike properly set up in the flesh, away from any retailer? Just getting bars, STIs and seat all set up properly will probably do the trick, it’s no wonder that thing’s uncomfortable!

Suggsey – Member
the sheer fear of doing 71mph, once and once only!

Where was that then, and measured on what?

curious – that’s a good idea, I was aware of that but hadn’t thought of doing anything useful with it, it just says something inane and pointless at the moment!

On the DHB label point, I do agree but after a couple of rides I don’t notice them. I had the pair above on for an 8.5 hour ride on Sunday and didn’t notice the label!

I just looked at their adidas clothing and the savings are pretty good – e.g. a s/s jersey reduced from £45 to £20, then £2 more off. Worth a look, definitely.

I’ve got a couple of DHB pairs at the moment. The pros are pretty good, but I find the pad more comfortable in the cheaper roubaix ones. Any DHB legwear is good value and quality in my experience.

By the way, for future reference we sifted through options for each of the three days and settled on some very nice routes. If anyone wants the details of these for such a ride one day, drop me an email.