Thanks all. Not running tubeless but deanfbm’s experience is reassuring enough to give single ply it a try. Here’s to a grippy winter!

Sounds like best outcome for you, and doubt he’ll be happy wherever he goes by the sound of it. Ther are some funny people out there.

Magpie Cafe in Whitby. Best F&C I have had by a bewilderingly large margin. Accept no substitutes.

Having opened that can of worms I’m off to clean bike after last night’s ride. Have fun…

Lots seem to use the same internal components nowadays so not sure how different they really are. FWIW I had bad experience with LG white goods and since have always bought Siemens (on grounds I really want Miele but can’t afford them) and all have been bombproof for a few years now (both dishwasher and washing machine) and there’s usually a free 5 years warranty on offer online. Have been happy and will continue to use them in future…

Disestablishmentarianism? Think that’s pretty safe.

I don’t think that’s allowed. However, Antidisestablishmentarianism should be just fine.

Back wheel spinning on climbs at Woburn last weekend. MudX’s go on tomorrow night…

Red bikes are faster. Fact.

Bolle contours. Great optical quality, decent level of protection, look OK and about six quid. Top banana!

SPDs on my 214 until I rode into a tree at speed. Now on flats to facilitate emergency evacuation

+10 for room on the broom and also you choos – both mentioned above. My kids loved them!

Just tell them you’re worried because he seems unhappy or unsettled. By the sound of it they’ll be fine – can’t get offended about a parent worried about their child’s wellbeing.

Do a google on VPN. There are some free ones but also some where you pay. Any should work, but I am about to make same choice and will pay in hope of avoiding ads and improved security.

Good luck!

+1 for Woburn. You can ride there from MK station if that’s how you’re arriving, or drive. I’d start from Bow Brickhill and find some routes on web mapping sites.

Else +1 Bletchley.

Failing that you’re stuffed IMO

It’s like riding a motorbike across a ploughed field with somebody else working the throttle. IMO the best tip is to hold on as tight as possible and try not to scream if it goes fast.

Or ride a bike.

🙂

Tell him he’s on the wrong tyres for Cannock.

😀

Tell him he’s on the wrong tyres for Cannock.

😀

One of those new Whyte cross bikes. Been having a bit of a look at those myself…

Follow the dosage instructions – you probably need to use more washing powder. It has softener in it (i.e. like Calgon). If you use the right amount you shouldn’t have any issues and shouldn’t need more additives.

Still doing physio fourteen weeks after doing mine and still not 100%. It takes time, so as peeps have already said do as you’re told and you’ll be fine. Just take some painkillers and spend the time fixing all the niggling things on the bike that never get fixed ‘cos you’re out riding…

I had some cheap Phillips over the ear (with headband behind the head)which were not bad at noise canceling but broke. Replaced with similar price JVC which are comfy and well made but noise cancelling is not very good. So another +1 for Goldring NS1000 – best of the type for the money. I have never found the in-ear type comfortable, so closed back with active cancelling is best option and makes a big difference on a plane. Worth it if you fly a lot.

If you want rugged, try reading here:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1108/11081610waterproofcompacts.asp

My Dualit is 15 years young. Element failed last year – a tenner for a new one which took 10 minutes to fit myself. Love the fact that the instructions said it was compatible withmost Dualit toasters made in the last 50 years…

I know they cost a lot, but for the ability not to send yet more whitegoods to landfill (like my expensive 4 year old washing machine…) and the fact that they are designed to last I’m happy to go with it. I expect it will still be making toast for someone long after I am pushing up daisies…

Brilliant thread. Best ever. Made the stock yet? Left-over chicken plus stock equals risotto…

I think it’s actuallly better when there’s been some rain – dry sand does not make for good riding. Rode some cross country trails there last week and it was in pretty good shape. Heavily overgrown with ferns and stuff that made it slower (for me anyway) than in winter as I couldn’t see where I was going half the time…

Switched to them a couple of months ago when I moved house. Had lost faith/patience with Virgin. So far they’ve been good. Problems at start were a result of BT, and once up and running they’ve been good. Phone people are UK based and seem decent.

just moved to plusnet after virgin service went downhill badly (though may have been BT openreach at fault). So far so good – cheap, good support and all works well.

I ride with the tyres that came with the bike until at some point in winter I notice that when I pedal the rear wheel goes round but I don’t go anywhere (but my shorts get very muddy). At that point I put on my trusty pair of Bonty Mud Xs which I use until Easter.

Repeat each year.

I don’t count that as faff, though no doubt many will disagree.

Couldn’t agree more – NHS is a national treasure. I would not claim it’s perfect, and clearly in these financialy challlenging times they struggle from time to time. But in the majority of cases, if you’re broken they fix you and it’s basically free at the time.

I have also tried out the alternative – in my case in the USA. Whilst the facilities were nicer, and the staff a bit less stressed, I spent about one man day a month on paperwork to chase all the insurance payments and the bills were eye watering. We had two kids born over there and it was about $20k each.

All things considered I came down firmly on the side of NHS as the overall best solution. Not perfect – but often very good indeed.

Nasty piece of work. +1 for suitability to classic filthy Leeds squad. Leopard. Spots.

That is very cheap. I’d buy one if that was my budget and didn’t want to go 2nd hand…

Just built my Tigershed this weekend. Best quality shed I’ve had – went for one up from base level and worth it. 10×10 with double doors to take all the garden rubbish, freeing up the bigger shed that was already there for bikes…!!!!!

+1 for Conti Gatorskins. Not had a puncture since I switched.

False positives far rarer than false negatives – and those aren’t common. Suggest cigars all round. No doubt a shock to the system if unexpected but doesn’t mean it’s necessarily bad news. Sounds like he may have a lot of thinking to do – best done on a long bike ride in my experience…

Been the same bike since I got interested in cycling.

My next one…

45 today. But not tomorrow.

Got a Tesco one which is OK but got an even cheaper plastic jobbie without gauge which is the business. Can’t even remember where I got it, but had for years and only one I ever use. Lower effort, never fails. I’m sure expensive ones are great, but too mean to spend much on a pump.

+1 for 9-5 estate. Great cars and not expensive. I was going to suggest one to OP but didn’t feel I could as I work for them and not on here in professional capacity.

Had a 2.3 Aero and it was a great car. Bomb proof, went like stink, and quite stealthy…

Can’t see how you’d do better than a Boardman – even if you upped the budget a few hundred quid. Fantastic value…

Waking up with a cold kebab in your pocket.

Yes – if circumstances demand it. I have some on my Zesty on chainstays as I tend to rub my heels on them and the paint was all coming off. Similarly have some on downtube where car rack clamps. Seems just common sense?