I love my Bowman Palace so much I’d suggest a Bowman Pilgrims… in fact I’m thinking I might like one as a winter bike…

[/url]

urf – sorry, meant to reply to this. I don’t get out much at all these days on MTB sadly – two kids means I only seem to manage to find time for road mainly due to location. I would like to dabble a bit more, though – could well be up for a trip to Epping to see if I can still ride off road, maybe in the new year.

I’m round the corner from Hornsey train station, near Turnpike Lane. I tend to head north / north east / north west when out on rides, for obvious reasons!

HAve a look at this – the latter part reversed would be ideal, I ride those roads and that area a lot and they are fine for riding on. You could / might want to change the bit from Central London to join up with that route, but a lot of it is decent: https://www.strava.com/routes/1326550?hl=en-GB

edit – just having another look at it, I would be inclined to head via Crouch End, Bounds Green, Enfield and then intersecting and following the route I’ve linked to, nicer route and obviously that route above wouldn’t actually start that central. At the end, head via Little Berk, Letty Green, Cole Green and then Welwyn.

Guys, cheers again – buying two sizes and returning one is not an option, I’m ordering from an Aussie retailer to my sister’s place in Perth.

It works out as £95 for a long sleeve Gabba which is a bargain. I’ll probably pick it up in person when I’m there in December, but wanted to get in before they sold out!

Cheers people, I went large. Much appreciated.

scaled, that sounds about right then for shoulders and a bit of space underneath for a base layer… cheers

Tempted to give that Chain L stuff a go, sounds pretty promising…

If you have a look at the header and footer information of the two GPX files in Notepad, it is quite easy to identify which bits you need to cut and combine to make one unbroken record. Then just save it as a [NEWNAME].gpx file and you’re all done.

Ta, I’ll take a look – ideally I want some small block 8s to replace what’s already on it – can’t have mismatched tyres for his pride and joy!

I just found these while looking for something else, and thought of this thread – they look like exactly what you need, rather than the non v type you mention above:
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/raleigh-junior-v-lever-20-24in-id62786.html

On another note, I was looking for a replacement tyre for the Cnoc 14 I just got second hand for my son. It’s a 14 inch Kenda, but I can’t find a direct replacement. Anyone got any suggestions of somewhere that carries them?

johndoh – Member
And I find it especially amusing when we feature a job on your website that clearly says ‘No recruitment agencies’ that we get them ringing up. If they can’t follow *that* simple request, why on earth do they think they can listen to our particular requirements?

Presumably because if they don’t call they definitely won’t make the connection, whereas if they do they probably still won’t, but… nothing ventured nothing gained, right?

One rang me on my direct dial yesterday, I said the standard “sorry I’m a bit busy and then put the phone down”… he then called straight back, as in 5 seconds later, and said “did you mean to put the phone down?”?! :? :x

I’m confused by the name of the person who’s actually asking this question… :?

Zen

Slight diversion, I just got an Evoc to take the roadie to Melbourne over Christmas. Any of you guys got good packing tips for them – do you remove bars and leave stem in place, or remove stem and bars as one unit and strap in? Any pointers welcome. :)

Where are you based? You can have a spin on it if meeting up in or around North/Central London is an option?

+1, sorry I did see the email and have been meaning to reply – I’ve been a bit busy over the weekend. I’ll send you a longer reply but short story is I still love the bike, super fast, really nice to ride and generally one happy owner. It took me round the Ride100 faster than I thought possible too, so all in all very good. :)

hora – my in-laws are in Slaithwaite and I’ve done plenty of riding round your way assuming I’ve got the right end of the stick location-wise. Genuinely not reconciling your description of high urban mileage with my experience of riding up there – I’ve found it pretty quick and easy to get onto almost deserted roads with decent surface. Keep the bike, you’ll only end up wanting a replacement for it in 6 months otherwise…

After reading this thread I’ve spotted a nice looking Mavic jacket I may go for. Anyone know what their sizing comes up like? I’m just under 6’2″ and slim. Ta.

I like the idea and would happily have it on my bike, but if it requires re-application once a week I reckon I’d manage two or maybe three applications before I stopped bothering…

thepodge – Member
Thats what the new Zaskar should have looked like.

My highly scientific “put a ruler on the screen” measuring system wonders why they have a bent seat tube when there looks to be enough room to straighten it

Same thing with the bent down tube when using that fork, though obviously I can see why they don’t have two versions. Shame, as bent downtubes are a hideous necessary evil these days.

As an actually useful answer, when I’ve been traveling with bike I’ve just worked on the basis of styling it out and just taking it up: no questions = less opportunity for refusal.

It helps if there’s a less obvious entrance so you’re not traipsing it through, but ultimately unless you’re taking the piss it’s only as much of a cleanliness risk as your shoes. I’ve never had any issues on that approach.

dragon, I thought the same thing – the money chucked away just by buying new and selling on straight away is ridiculous…

Just seen this (and its clones) on the classifieds… so sad :(

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-ritchey-logic-2-steel-road-bikefull-6800-ultegra

What’s changed your mind about the world of road riding then?

This may or may not help, but I would have thought that taking weekly photos of yourself from now until the big day will help a lot with the motivation – you will see clear progress in dropping the weight as you get fitter. Then you can make a nice little animation for the world to marvel at with the pictures. Feel free to put them on here to really motivate yourself to keep going!

It would have to be very specialist, but I imagine there are “establishments” to cater for every taste, even this.

ok ta, all useful pointers. I think I’ll stick with 2 cross. I’ve looked at a few online guides, this seems particularly detailed and comprehensive (though he suggests using grease to prep the spokes which others say is an absolute no-no…): http://troubleshooters.com/bicycles/wheelbuilding/index.htm

both – yes noted about spoke length, I was thinking I could get in quick enough pre-despatch and change them!

And yes, front rim brake so I figure while it will be trickier than radial, there aren’t too many complications e.g. dishing, braking forces etc.

And that’s an interesting point about reason for breaking spokes – I’m not heavy and I don’t ride that bike any different to my other bikes, I’ve never broken a spoke on any other bike before but that’s the third one that’s gone in not many rides, I don’t know why…

I’ve still got mine installed and still creaking :( Can’t decide whether to just bite the bullet, whip it out and get a £20 Shimano replacement, or to get the tool and try to reinstall it. Annoying, it’s the most irritating sounding £80 I’ve ever spent on a bike :x

ransos – Member
Montane velo
Ditto. It’s showerproof rather than a proper rain jacket, but I think that’s fine for road riding, and it means it’s breathable enough to avoid boiling in the bag.

Am I going mad or do Montane not do their good cycling jackets any more – I have one that I really like but I shredded it in a crash last Jan. Looking for a replacement, and Montane doesn’t seem to be an option now?

Agreed kb…

Brilliant stroke of luck this morning, I had to go by tube for the second day running, after the success of Santander bike yesterday I figured I’d get out a couple of stops earlier and ride the last couple of miles. Got to the docking station and still had 26 minutes left from yesterday’s hire period, so didn’t even have to pay again! :)

I’m enjoying burning people off the lights while they’re on their clipped-in carbon race bikes!

I used one of these for the first time today, can’t believe I’ve never bothered until now. Remembered this and ordered my own key, so a belated ta!

I thought this was going to be about a Porsche rally :(

bluearsedfly – Member

joshvegas – Member
Why not just get a meat thermometer blue arsed fly?

Last time I cooked chicken for myself, the next day my arse resembled an old radiator being emptied.

I can cook stews etc as they’re just done by time, I’ve tried nuking meat in the past but it’s just crap.

Chicken is the real risk there rather than other meat types, surely? You’re fine with beef (steaks rather than minced) and pork (same thing), surely, you just have to cook and seal the outside, then work out how to get them cooked to taste?

brassneck – Member

…engagement and eternity rings…

…(responses like ‘thats the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen’ or a plain old ‘no’)

In that order? :)

I am whole heartedly recommend the it.

Well said!

Interesting point though phil – my wife’s engagement ring wasn’t the cheapest and wasn’t the priciest, but we did get it on Hatton Garden and she does love it, it still cost less than most of my bikes though… you don’t have to spend like a footballer to get something nice that will be treasured.

If of any use as a recommendation, my wife’s engagement ring is from Rennie on Hatton Garden, they’d be worth a look though of course YMMV!

Zetter Hotel / Townhouse is a great little hotel / townhouse setup and just round the corner from Hatton Garden, that would be a nice convenient option for the ring and good restuarants / bars etc. all easy walking distance.