Thanks JulianA and CountZero. You’re right. I just tried it and had a paste option. I think JulianA was right – I must have tapped copy and it either didn’t register the tap or tapped the wrong option. Thanks chaps.

Aha! Well done JulianA. I thought someone would know. I copied the URL by tapping on the box with the arrow pointing out and selecting “copy”. Then when I go to the text box on STW and hold my finger on the screen, I only get “Select/Select all” options, not paste. Go on, how d’ya do it? (I’m a complete tech numpty so it’s prob v easy!)

Wow! £700+ for that Curta piece of delicious loveliness. So not only does it make lovely snick, snick, clicking noises but expensively engineered snick, snick, whirr. You”re a lucky man indeed Mr Howard. I could look at that all day long. Massively in awe and respect of the mind that invented that. I wonder if there’s a thread on here that lists beautifully engineered objects like that?

When you say “camera adapter” I presume you don’t mean the SD card reader? I use the Apple SD card reader and it seems to do it fine. It’s not as easy as slotting card straight into the tablet and the inconvenience of carrying the adapter, but it does work. The only downside is that it doesn’t work with iPhones, only iPads. I’m far from expert but also check you have enough spare memory on the iPad. Not sure if there are incompatible cards but seems to work with the high speed SD card I use with my SLR (SanDisk).
Ironically, I can’t paste a link to the SD card reader on the Apple site because I’m typing this on an……..iPad!
PS there are mixed reviews about the lightening to SD card reader on the Apple site, so if you’re having problems, you might find the answer in some of the comments there. Cost £25 (which I agree seems v steep for what it is).

Tomhoward – I have no idea what that is but I love it. Unless you’re a bus conductor and when you turn the handle, a second class off peak return tickets to Surbiton pops out of one of those slits, where can a chap purchase such a lovely object? It’s fab. I’m drawn to that like a moth to a candle. No idea why, but I love it. What does it do? (Serious question. Genuinely intrigued).

Johndoh, you’ll be wanting something acidic to cut through the fattiness and something crunchy to give a bit of yin and yang to the texture. Whoever suggested coleslaw up there was on the right tracks. Try a nice crunchy red cabbage pickle. Fat chips may be a bit heavy (unless they’re coming in from a ride, in which case, go for it!), so have a think about some thin cut crispy Amercan style fries (precook at around 150 degrees, remove when floating but no trace of browning, then keep them aside for as long as you like before final hot fry at 190 degrees). From a drinks point of view, if you’re thinking of wine (and nowt wrong with an ice cold beer), Gewurztstraminer (a white wine) would match it nicely (goes well with Chinese too) trust me. Bottom line though is that it’s going to be so damn tasty anyway that I’m sure your guests will love it whatever you do. You’ve got lucky friends.

Apologies if this doesn’t quite fit the bill, but I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary on Marco Pantani which is currently available. Worth looking at sometime, when you’ve watched any of the film suggestions.

Munrobiker – Thank you. Brilliant. Just brilliant. I enjoyed that very much. This and most of McMoonter’s threads are the creme de la creme of Singletrack content for me. Thanks for taking the time to put that together and share it with everyone else.
PS a fitting tribute to your friend’s memory too

No brainer. The Gwaelod Inn, just outside Cardiff. About 3 mins from A470, 15 mins from BPW, 5 mins from M4 junction, their own microbrewery, more CAMRA awards than I can remember, home cooking, friendly clientele, great mountain biking from the door, great Tuesday night pub quiz. The opportunity to achieve a lifetime’s ambition to live above a pub, if only for one night. Need I say more? http://www.gwaelodinn.co.uk

Psling, you know how it is – a couple of years down the line, wondering if you still have the magic touch and “how we’ll laugh when she sees the funny side second time around”. Hunt down soft toy, place in bed at foot level, pretend to sleep. In she comes, goes through the moisturising face routine, “dum-de-dum-de-dum”, slippers off, slide in to bed. Foot/fur interface, screams, then shoot out of bed knocking over the bedside table, screaming all the way down the stairs again. This time I was a little more reticent to own up and lay there in the dark for a few minutes wondering what would be the best tactic, until a voice came back from the darkness of the upstairs landing and said “That was you again, wasn’t it?”. She wasn’t happy about it and has threatened violence if I do it again.

I once put a soft fluffy soft toy at “foot level” on Mrs T’s side of the bed to see what would happen when she got in. It didn’t end well.
It was a spontaneous thought and, to this day, I don’t know why I did it, but while she was brushing her teeth, I nipped into the kids room and grabbed one of their soft fluffy toys then carefully placed it at foot level on her side of the bed and carefully covered it with the duvet. I then crawled in and closed my eyes, pretending to sleep. Eventually, Mrs T came into the room all “la-de-da-de-da”, took her slippers off, switched off the bedside light and gently slid into bed.
There was a momentary pause as the tips of her toes touched fur, then a shriek of expletives as her knees overtook her shoulders as she rocketed out of bed. By the time I’d rolled over and switched the light back on, she’d bumped into all 4 walls, left the room and was already halfway down the stairs, shouting and screaming all the way.
She had to be coaxed back into the room again, wide eyed and hyperventilating and wouldn’t get back into bed until I rolled back the duvet and said “See – it’s one of the kids Furbies. I put it there”.
I should have left out the last sentence.
We had breakfast in silence the next morning and it was years before I did it again.

I’m going to sound like an Apple hater (I’m not) having also commented on the iOS thread, but noticed this thread above it and thought I’d add my 2p seeing as one of our family has one of the new Sony Zs. My comparison is with an iP5.
I’m really impressed with the Z for all the reasons you’ve stated plus the screen quality (and photos in particular) look way better. It also consistently picks up WiFi (BT openzone) and mobile signal when we’re out and about when the iPhones don’t. When we’re out in the sticks with no reception all the other brand phones seem to be able to Blue tooth photos to each other except me on an iP5. However, the Sony has “spontaneously” (and I mean spontaneously) cracked its screen whilst in a loose (non jeans) pocket. It was in a case at the time and had a screen protector. It’s currently away being fixed under insurance, but note that insurance cover won’t guarantee repair waterproofness. Would put this down to fate (like bendy iP6s) but google search suggests there may be issues with Sony Zs cracking spontaneously. Apart from that though, I’m really impressed with it. It also plays all my iTunes songs which have been downloaded to a PC then uploaded to Google via an equivalent version of iCloud (I’m not sure how that works but the user seemed to have no problem setting it up). I have to say, screen crack apart, I’d be very tempted to get the Sony. Seems a genuinely better phone than iPhone and I’m gradually starting to think that Apple are not worth the extra mark up as other brands seem to have caught up, and possibly passed them now on features and quality. Right….definitely time to get out on bike now.

Thanks for taking the time to check that out, Jambalaya. Much appreciated. I’ve also updated the software on Apple TV and not sure whether that’s a factor as well (however it remains a problem only on my 8.02 devices). I’ve just checked out Apple forum and it seems like this is a problem affecting others too, but no solution from Apple yet (ironically, I can’t paste a link because using iPad – that may be my lack of knowledge though – but if you search “Apple Airplay not working” it pops up on Google). I notice that those in the know delay updating their machines and I’ll have to remember to delay any updates in future. I caught a bit of their CEO’s presentation of iOS8 to whoops of delight from an adoring audience on the news when it came out – the reality for me and others makes a mockery of that, sadly. I’m sure that other manufacturers get similar problems, but what annoys me is that Apple give the impression (to me) that they’re above all that – and charge a premium for it – so I feel less tolerant when they screw up. Have been happy until now though, I have to say. Ah, well…..more important things in life…..time to go out for a ride. I’m sure they’ll get it right eventually and issue a fix.

So apart from losing photos, bendy iPhone 6s, this virus that’s supposed to be affecting Apple devices, is anyone else having problems with Airplay to Apple tv since the upgrade? I am. Have several Apple iPads, iPhones and Apple TVs (mug, I know, but I was convinced they “just worked” until the iOS8 debacle). I’ve sequentially updated devices to iOS8.02 and ALL the ones on iOS 8.02 won’t mirror to Apple TV and periodically dropping WiFi. Even when putting an iOS 7 & 8 side by side on the table.
Shambles really. I’m sure all phones bend and viruses must affect all computers (despite Pinocchio in Apple shop telling me Apple were immune to it, the rascal), but going from a perfectly workable tablet to one which doesn’t do what it should after an update is shambolic really, especially when you pay dearly for it on the grounds it’s “better” and “just works”. Oh, and shared calender appts repeatedly send notifications and messages don’t send as iMessage, only “send as text” on one device since the update (although this, strangely only on one phone). A trip to the Apple shop, I guess.
If you’re on iOS8.02 and have Apple TV, have a go at mirroring via Airplay. I can’t be the only one. Then again….

Lee Zak. Blackwood based. This is one of those “end of thread” bits of advice. I know two people who’ve had hardwood windows fitted by him and another who had a massive bespoke staircase. Absolute craftsman, judging by the quality of the work and the guy I’d get to do my windows if and when they ever need doing, without a second’s hesitation.
Ask him for some customer references rather than take my advice and take a look at his work. No brainer.

“What %age chance did you give yourself of being successful in this?”
I thought they’d appreciate the comfort. Besides which, I thought I’d be pretty sprightly in my running shorts (the ones with the mesh liner that cradle the twins so that you don’t need to wear underpants – which is another story because a couple of the blighters became trapped in the liner and began repeatedly jabbing my jojonas, which added a frisson of urgency to my departure down the ladder).

I knew that this topic would crop up one day. Perhaps I should just strongly advise that you pay someone to do it and leave it at that, but I might as well give you my story in case it helps to make up your mind.
A couple of years ago, I was putting some stuff in the attic and noticed that there were quite a few wasps around. Lots, in fact. So I quickly retreated to the ladder in the hatch (Not easy. Loft not lined to had to tiptoe quickly across the rafters, heel to toe style, then peer back in with a torch). I noticed the melon sized orb stuck to one of the rafters and guessed it was a nest. So I closed the hatch and reported back to Mrs T. We both agreed that we’d sleep a lot easier if the nest was removed. I went through the same thought processes as you. Mrs T insisted we pay some one to do it, whereas I thought it was money down the drain for something I could easily do myself.
To cut a long story short, I reached the decision that the best way to do it was to prize it off the rafter using one of Mrs T’s palate knives (the ones you use to smooth icing over a cake) and then gently carry it – on a small, soft, Laura Ashley cushion – across the floor joist, down the ladder and through the house to a wheelie bin which would be waiting by the back door with lid open ready to gently tip the cushion and dispose of the nest. I pictured myself doing a triumphant “Voila!” in front of an adoring MrsT who would be overcome by my manly skills. In retrospect, I should have run this idea past Mrs T first.
Mrs T was peeling spuds at the time of the incident. She says that, looking back on it, she should have known that I was up to something because the house fell very silent. She says that she first became aware that things had gone wrong was when she heard swearing and a really loud crashing noise – as if you’d lured a buckaroo pony into the loft and jabbed its backside with a hatpin before leaving it to kick the joists down. After about 10 minutes, curiosity got the better of her and she decided to investigate. I’m quite proud of the fact that, throughout the ordeal, I managed to hold on to the cushion, arms outstretched, until I got to the hatch. Had I not shot down the hatch like the shell from a howitzer and hurt my arms, legs and head in the process, I might not have dropped the nest on the landing floor.
Anyway, the house ended up having a bigger wasp problem, such that we spent a few nights decamped with the in-laws and I’m pretty sure that when I got back from A&E with a face that was double normal size (after an adrenalin shot that I didn’t even notice because I looked like the worst case of chicken pox you’ve ever seen) that I offered no resistance to getting someone in to sort it properly at any cost.
Never again. Get someone in. Seriously.

I know nothing about pans, but I will say that Meyer (who make analon) aftersales is outstanding. Our pots and pans are anolon and have been great, non stick lasting well. However, our much used stockpot started to lose the non stick surface. We’d worked out that we’d had it around 10yrs so looked for a replacement. Whilst shopping, we noticed that the Meyer pots had a lifetime guarantee so we emailed them about it. Receipt long gone and couldn’t even remember where we bought it. Meyer responded within hours by asking for a photo. Having sent photo, they asked us to return the pan to them and a brand new £90 pot delivered to us within a week of first contacting them. Probably have around 8 analon items and no probs with any of them but it seems that their no quibble lifetime guarantee really is just that. Worth taking into consideration. The stockpot is extremely light compared to Le Creuset and used for everything – frying, hob, oven, the lot.
PS Mrs T prefers the analon pots to circulon because food can get stuck in the circulon grooves and difficult to clean.
Blimey. Responding to a thread about pots. It’s come to this……

There seems to be mounting (proper, validated) scientific evidence in favour of it.

A little further down the A470, so around 15 min drive away – The Gwaelod Inn near Taffs Well. Real ale pub (CAMRA Real Ale pub of the year for this region last year), great food, their own microbrewery with around 7 real ales on tap (never counted, but a rough estimate), friendly bar staff, real log fire and stone walls. The accommodation is attached to the pub. Oh, and great mountain biking from the doorstep over The Garth mountain. What more could you want?
http://www.gwaelodinn.co.uk/index.htm

Thanks bearGrease. Will take a look at that

If you see the legend that is Sus Cavo playing his barrel organ, you’re in for a treat. He must be well into his 80s now but a right character. Knows how to play a crowd. Although pricy, a carriage ride around the sights is a great way to get a feel for the place and to decide which bits are worth going back to investigate further. If you’re travelling by car, the best place for all day parking is the multi storey next to the station. I’d recommend the Gruuthuse Hof for food. Great fixed price menu. Lovely city. You’ll have a great time. I think the difference in culture is summed up by what’s in the shop window in the shop next door to the TinTin shop. If you’re taking your kids, you might want to avert their gaze as they walk past! Plenty of lovely little teashops and bars too. A mecca if you like waffles. If you like Belgian beer, the Straffe Hendricke brewery in the middle of the town may be worth a visit too. Lots of Belgian beers and unusual beer glasses for sale. V strong and “different” to UK ale though if you’ve not tasted it before – not to everyone’s taste.

There are lots of places within short distance of Calais. Northern France and Belgium are peppered with little pockets of tragedy. We’ve passed the military cemetery at Etaples many times and this year decided to go in. I wasn’t expecting to be hit by the emotion of it. You walk in through a very imposing white marble entrance (I think designed by the same chap who did the Cenotaph) and it’s all very respectful and immaculately maintained. The sheer numbers of white gravestones are quite a shock at first (by no means a big cemetery by WW1 standards though), then as you walk around it all becomes a lot more personal. The ages of the deceased was the first thing I noticed – young lads mostly. Then the more personal messages engraved under the regimental insignia. One grave (an Australian regiment) had a freshly laid flower with a child’s toy kangaroo. Hard to convey but it left a lump in the throat and struck home how young they were. Another grave had the words “If love could have saved you, you would not have died”. Real people, real lives, real families. Terrible, terrible waste. What would they have done with their lives had they lived? We left silently, unable to speak and with a lump in the throat.
I’ve always felt that it’s important to convey to my children that war isn’t a game and there can be a terrible price to pay. They must also have respect. What those men went through is unimaginable. A few years ago I lived near Llandaf, Cardiff and occasionally exchanged a cheery “Hello” with Tasker Watkins (VC) around the village (google him if you want a fascinating life story – his statue is at the entrance to the Millennium stadium). You couldn’t meet a more humble and unassuming chap but getting a little frail in his later years. On one occasion, he was parking his car in the street and having difficulty. A group of noisy young lads passed the car and muttered a disparaging and abusive remark about the old fogey behind the wheel. If only they knew.
I’m rambling. It’s worth a visit. Makes it real – more so if you have relatives buried out there as in our case. I’m glad that the schools are arranging these visits. I’ve also visited Hill 62 in Belgium with the kids but didn’t feel the same way. It seemed more sterile going around a privately run museum, like rubber-necking a car crash and didn’t hit me in the same way as Etaples. I also agree with those comments^^^ about Ypres.

Another HP6700 here. Faultless. Bought it a month ago and used daily by 6 different users since then. Stand alone in a room on its own, so doesn’t need to be next to router or computer. It’s not wired into anything (apart from mains supply). It’s in a big building and multiple laptops, iPad, iPod, iPhone etc all print to it easily. Up and working within 10 mins of opening box and they all connected without problem. As stated previously, you can also print to it when away from home but this may be limited usefulness for many. Mrs T tells me that it’ll scan a document without firing up a pc too. Highly recommended. Double sided printing/scanning is also a bonus (according to Mrs T, who uses it more than me).
The only downsides are that it is big, so that may be a problem if space is limited. Also (and this applies to other printers too) the supplied cartridges are quite small, so replace them with bigger capacity ones when they run out. Finally, it needs to be switched on before printing – first world problem I know but Mrs T says it’s a pain because switches off and you usually have to go to switch it on before printing (more of an issue it its located away from where you’re located on a different floor etc). I was surprised how inexpensive it was considering all of the features, but you obviously have to take cartridge costs into account because that soon mounts up if you’re a heavy user.
I’d get another without hesitation based on a month’s heavy use. Best printer I’ve had by a longshot.

Do it. I did it in June and thoroughly enjoyed it and been thinking about going back ever since (mind you, doing a ride in perfect blue sky conditions does that to me). The rocky bit down from the Gap (clockwise route) had been smoothed over a bit, but that made it better as far as I was concerned (rebel, or what?). Can fly down at speed now without mincing down and worrying about how your car is going to drive itself back when you fracture your ankle. Check out The Swan Inn in Llanfrynach. Great pub to stop for food/drink – plenty of tables outside and can see bikes through patio doors if eating inside. There were rumours that the old teabarn half way around at Torpantau was closing but they were open as usual when we did it. The “cheeky” bit (non bridleway lane) that went past an old farm before Llanfrynach has been slightly re-routed to avoid going through the farmyard (lovely renovation of the old farm) but the signs are clear.
If you want something more challenging, there’s always bike park Wales down the road.
Lovely ride. Have a great day.

I used to have an air horn fixed to my Chipper when I was a kid. A friend gave it to me when his dad bought a new one for his boat. I fixed it to my handlebars using jubilee clips and used to use it liberally when cycling to the shops on errands for my mum. After a succession of cars doing emergency stops and screeching to a halt in the middle of the road, people dropping their shopping and coming over all faint after stepping out in front of me, I was banned from using it when a friend of my mum’s snitched on me. The local chemist did a roaring trade in incontinence knickers that summer by all accounts. Good times.

Wow. I really enjoyed that. First ride out for me in a very long time after breaking my back, so very out of shape and carrying more weight than normal – neither of these things presented a problem cycling up the fire road. I took my two sons who also thoroughly enjoyed (one of them on a non disc brake bike). I’ve heard the Aberdare MTB have given a lot of their time volunteering when it was built and I’d like to give a big thank you to them and to the team for creating such a fantastic site. The other thing to note is that there was a very friendly atmosphere there, from the guy that warned us about the speed of the runs when we were leaving the car park to the couple who stopped to check that my lad was ok when he (inevitably) came off. What a great community of people mountain bikers are.
As a (mostly) mincer who prefers XC natural trails, I loved it. I’ve missed “Penhydd” at Afan and I thought that the blue trails recreated the “rollercoaster” feel that Afan used to have – but much faster and quite skitty on the gravel on dry trails (and mud tyres….). Superb job though. It was packed (car park and reception building) but the trails felt quiet. We found it a little daunting at the start – lots of portly gents with full body armour, neck braces etc and it’s a little disconcerting signing a waiver and riding past a helipad on the way up – wondered what I was letting myself in for (or more importantly, what I was leading my lads into), but needn’t have worried.
I’ve you’ve not been yet, you’re in for a treat. I thought it was different and “better” than Afan – faster and quieter. It’ll be even better as it matures and looks less man made.
A big thank you to all involved. After a summer of paying to get into various attractions, £5 seems ludicrously cheap for such fun and the food smelt delicious too (going to try that next time).
Finally, if you’ve got a towbar mounted bike carrier, make extra sure that it’s firmly fixed in place because the drive out of the carpark is quite bumpy and it gets shaken around quite a lot.

Logical – that looks like quite an area of redness around that hole (difficult to work out scale from that pic). I think that you would be perfectly justified in phoning your Dr to arrange to see them so that they can take a look at that. I’m guessing that nobody could tell you exactly how you did it or what did it, but my leg looked exactly like that after I’d incorrectly (thinking it was a blob of black grit) swiped a tick off the back of my leg. I had a very well defined hole where the tick was attached but my rash looked different to yours. My Dr was quite well informed and was alert to Lyme and treated accordingly.
I’m not suggesting yours is anything to do with Lyme (although awareness is important) but I think that you ought to get a Dr to look at that in case you need antibiotics. I’d have no hesitation in giving them a ring today if that red area is as big as it looks. A pal of mine lives in Bridgend and I think there’s an out of hours Gp service next to casualty in the Princess of Wales, but he says that you have to phone them first and they give you a time to turn up.

Thanks thefaller and Neilc1881. Sounds as if it’s very good. I think I’ll go ahead.
Anyone been over the Gap itself? How’s the descent?
My main concern was having to push the bike on sheet ice but sounds as if that’s not an issue.

There’s “a wee cough”, a “bit of a rattly chest”, “a slight sore throat”, a “hurty finger” and then there’s…..

…..after I split my scrotum open during a commute home.

Respect.

…and if you’re thinking of doing the Grwyne Fawr loop starting and ending in Crickhowell or Talgarth this weekend, you’ll have the ride of your life (you need to be reasonably fit though). It will be utterly sublime. Conditions are perfect. Finish it off with a pint of Butty Bach in the beer garden at The Bear at Crickhowell and it will take you all week to stop grinning afterwards. (PS Not a bad hotel to stay either. A bit of a treat because it’s a bit pricey compared to self catering or bed and breakfasts, but they are very accommodating to mountain bikers and their bikes and soooo nice to sink into a jacuzzi after the ride and then nip downstairs for a few pints with friends!)

I haven’t read all of this thread so apologies if what I say has been said already. We used to have an XC90 and it was the best family car I ever had. It was reliable and well built but best of all was the thoroughly sensible design – the little things that you don’t notice until you run a car day to day. I really miss it and would be very tempted to buy another given current deals although you’d probably lose a lot in resale with a new one around the corner.
Good points;
The most comfortable seats of any car I’ve ever driven. Got out after 700 miles without any aches or pains. Utterly brilliant on long motorway journeys, 6 passengers and a roofbox. Very clear and simple intuitive controls – easy to underestimate this. The heated seats that with one push go to full, then another push to 50% then another push off. Never used all the infinite heat settings on German heated seats. The great rotary controls for cabin temp (Audis look great in the showroom but clicking through 0.5 degree increments in some models is a total PITA). Can use the controls wearing gloves in winter. Really powerful aircon and heating.
Brilliant xenon lights that turn with the steering (I swear that they were brighter and better than xenons on other cars I’ve tried), tough and durable, very very reliable and even servicing etc is relatively reasonable at a Volvo independant. We had an upgraded stereo on ours and it sounded really good – not sure if that was due to the bigger “space” inside the cabin or not but it sounded great. Easy to get rearmost seats up and down. I even liked the little plastic window tab that holds parking tickets in place. It just oozes thought and good design.
With regard to 4×4, that really depends on tyres. No match for a Landie. It is OK in snow on the standard conti cross contacts, and certainly got to places that lots of “normal” cars couldn’t in deep snow but it’s nowhere near as easy as you’d think. The “winter” setting on the gearbox seems to make a difference in snow and I’ve got up many snow covered steep hills with cars slipping and failing all around me. It’s much better with proper offroad tyres if that’s what you want. Last but not least, it’s sublimely safe. I think when it came out, NCAP rated it as one of the strongest chassis/body cells it had ever tested and as Clarkson once said, with all the curtain and side bags etc, it would be like crashing a bouncy castle. Even the door handles are designed to be able to be opened by fire crews using large fireproof mitts! Size wise, it feels smaller than other 4x4s and more akin to parking an estate.
Bad points:
Very few. It’s heavy on front tyres (especially contis). The front nearside always wears most. I had tracking etc checked umpteen times over but then got from a reliable source that it’s common to all due to 2 tons pivoting on the front nearside going round roundabouts (on the continent, it’s the front “UK offside” that wears most). I used to get about 7000 miles out of it. I’m told that Nokians may be better but possibly louder.
The engine is tough and reliable but rougher sounding than some competitors – but that’s relative. I quite liked the 5 cylinder thrum at times and it was great when cruising on faster roads.
Economy for me (driven slowly and gently 99% of the time with family on board) was high 20s mixed urban – that’s 6 up most of the time too.
I’ve owned about 10 cars in my time, driven a lot more. I would recommend an XC90 unreservedly. It’s the best car I ever had. I may well look at the new model and really really miss my old one. Hope that helps.

FuzzyWuzzy – I’ve done that Grwyne Fawr several times, only starting and ending in Crickhowell rather than Talgarth. It’s black because of the distance and level of fitness required in my opinion. It’s quite a bit easier doing it in dry conditions because, the pen y trumau ascent in particular, is very “draggy” when the soil is waterlogged. Nothing overly technical unless you’re going down the Das not up it. Getting up the Das is a carry job and very tiring indeed (unless you’re mega fit). The descent is worth it though. I had one of the best rides ever doing that loop in cloudless blue skies in May and one of the worst getting lost in rain, mist and fading light at the top of the Das one November when I first did it. You’ll need plenty of food and water, map and compass to do it. Great ride though. This is one of my favourite MTB videos and shows the descent from Mynydd Ddu to Llanbedr in exactly the same conditions that I did it in May. Brilliant. Allow a full day to do it.

Not being funny, but if looks are not an issue, how about these? (OK, it may raise a few eyebrows at the traffic lights, but £6?)

Or splash out on the high tech version. You could drive a Massey Ferguson with dodgy timing and a hole in the exhaust with one of these beauties and futt-futt-pop-bang along in perfect silence:

:-)

Brilliant. Thank you, gentlemen. That’s just the information I need.
Time to do a bit of browsing for wheels now, I think……

Thanks very much for taking the time to respond, djflexure. I’m grateful for your advice.
I take it you mean either 10mm x135mm or 12mm x142mm at the rear, rather than either being suitable? If so, how do I work out which one I need? Presumably the 142 refers to the width of the hub, so I guess if I measure that I will know which one I need. What measurements do the 10 and 12 equate to?
Anyone have any views on suitable replacements that are equivalent or slightly better than the standard Bontragers? I’m not good enough to warrant anything exotic or expensive as long as they perform well and are durable. (Couldn’t stand the ones that go “clickety click” though).

Thanks for the speedy response djflexure. I might have a go at that.

…but doubt it will tax you.

You’d be surprised at just how incompetent I am :-)
What about replacement wheels? Is it just a question of buying a set “off the shelf” or are there specific hub widths/disc placement/skewer sizes required?

Why start a thread about freemasons

:lol:
I happened to be watching a program on BBC about railway journeys about an hour ago and they showed a freemason hall. I asked Mrs T what it was all about and she said “Why don’t you ask singletrack?” (the computer was on in front of me at the time BTW, can’t say I’d have gone away to do it!).
Sorry, not a very exciting reply!

Tinners is a freemason

I wondered how long it would be until someone said that. I’m not a freemason and don’t know anyone who is, just interested to know whether there’s any substance to the things I’ve heard and what the point of it all is, really. I will say that it doesn’t appeal to me at all. Just the dressing up in robes bit (or whatever it is, if they do!) is enough to count me out.
Again, I don’t know whether it’s something sinister or something worthy. I’m inclined to err on the side of the former but haven’t seen any evidence of it other than hearsay. It is worrying that it always seems to be police and members of the judiciary system who seem to be involved.
Edit: No, not a copper or a freemason otherwise I wouldn’t be asking.

Getting made redundant while being better experienced and qualified than the bloke who kept his job. Boss was a freemason, other bloke was a freemason

I agree that’s wrong if that’s all there is to it, but you could say the same if they were both mates at the same golf club, or if they were both STW regulars* – not that it makes it right. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the organisation itself is corrupt, does it? (Just playing devil’s advocate to try to think it through – I appreciate the valid point you’ve made).

*then again…..maybe not