Everyone,
Thanks for the replies – very helpful!

GrahamS – I am rubbish at searching for things on STW – appreciate those links :)

TM

Look at the slim fit range in M&S. pretty good value and tailoring’s ok.

For a contemporrararary look, check our Reiss. I have two suits from them and they seem to understand how a suit can fit a slim physique. Ted Baker seem to think that all blokes are box shaped!

TM

Doethie Valley, Nov 2008. A proper dunking!

@Mike

Seems like an appropriate time to say well done on the Love/hate. Have had mine for a couple of years or so now and absolutely love (hate?) it. Does nursery/work duty 5 days a week in Alfine mode, just come back from a thrashing in Afan in singlespeed mode (Whites level/skyline climb with one gear – whimper!) and hasn’t missed a beat. Seriously – excellent frame that is a joy to ride.

Keeps on working when *ahem* a bit muddy too :)

TM

]Hey Fedor!

This is Rich from Tim’s ride on Sunday :)

Have a look Here

R (TM)

My top tip on this is that when you first start, go just before they need a nap. I did that, and she learnt that it was a comfy place to sleep, before she learnt that it was a nice place to go places in. Nowadays she hassles me if I get a bike or the trailer out and gets herself in, so I guess she likes it!

+1 for that joemarshall. Getting them to sleep in the trailer is crucial – I’d start with nice smooth tracks rather than rocky to help this at first. Also +1 on the lots of use. Use the trailer little and often and it just becomes part of life rather than a special thing to be worried about.

TM

All,
Had an interesting discussion about trailers last week – the conclusion of which was its pretty hard to justify the cost of a top-end trailer unless you do actually use it regularly. It comes down to personal financial situation I guess. I think I do have a point to make – which that for occassional use an 85 ish quid one from Halfords would be fine. Or even cheaper from usual second hand merchants.

Popstar – my honest advice would be.

1. Try before you buy. some little ones detest being in trailers. Nowt wrong with them, they just don’t like it. Hire one for a day or borrow and see how you get on. I have a friend who after 6 weeks trying can *just* get his daughter to sit in the trailer for 5 mins and be lead around the garden before exploding in angst and tears…

2. Think about your (honest) intended use. Are you actually going to do a year long Josie Dew style adventure? Or the odd summer sunday afternoon?

3. do factor in where you live – if you’re in a flat then a lightweight folding single trailer might be more appropriate than a big dedicated offroader. If you never use something because its too much faff to get out of the cupboard then its just a waste of money (and space).

4. I’m a daily (and weekends) user of a Burley Solo with a canvas base which is super light and easy to man (or woman) handle. Honest review – very well built, great materials (uv tinted windows – trailer schnizzle!). Flag attached is crap and seems to get wobbly with age. Really stable and whilst I have tipped it over this was down to some spectacular stupidy on my behalf. Amazingly daughter didn’t wake up despite being upside down :)

HTH

TM

p.s. waves at t_i_m

Brokers can no longer get you deals that you can not get yourself on the high street.

Not according to our broker. He might be telling porkies but I’m assured he has access to products that are not availble to the general public, as well deals he has negotiated by virtue of put £xxx’s through various lenders.

Also a few hundred quid upfront to get a great deal will pay for itself many times over the course of the mortgage…

just my 2p.. (gotta love mortgages..)

TM

got the email last night saying they’d tried to charge the card but failed. :(

Upon inspection it seemed some over-excited muppet (that’ll be) managed to get the expiry date of the card wrong by one digit. Cue emailing the website and getting on the phone this afternoon to follow up. Thankfully all sorted – no idea how much they’ve taken yet but at least I’m getting something ( almost £800 worth applied for)

good luck everyone

TM

The end of Babe

“That’ll do pig, that’ll do”

*sniff*

TM

molgrips – twas a slow speed tip, rather than a full roll (not that makes me any less of an idiot, or feeling any less awful seeing your child tipping over!). It does makes you realise that you do have to be an idiot (including riding quite fast) to get the thing to turn over. I’ve learnt that I get quite a good workout using the singlespeed towing the trailer so don’t need to go too fast.

TM

Phil,

Your market review looks pretty good there. As ever, you get what you pay for. There’s nowt wrong with the cheap ones – they work and seem fine for occassional sunny afternoons out for a bimble. If you’re using it more often, or on bumpier terrain, or when its raining, then it’ll be nicer for everyone (you, kids, companions etc) if you have a better (and hence more £££’s) model.

Also bear in mind who might use it and how they might use it. My wife has little delicate wrists so as she plans to use it a fair bit the trailer needed to be lightweight (as much to move around getting it in and out of the house as actually towing it). We also have a side passage and gate so needed a trailer that wouldn’t be getting stuck all the time.

I managed to tip our Burley solo at the weekend. I had ridden a lot of off camber singletrack and I must say the trailer was SUPERB and tracked so well. How did I tip it? Managed to get unbelievebly stuck on a narrow very rutted descent and saw a nice escape route down a steep bank. The sensible choice was to unhitch and wheel the bike then trailer separately down the bank. Did I bother? (lesson learnt here). No – wheeled both down the bank together and trailer tipped over after gaining a ridiculous steep angle. Amazingly the 11 month daughter didn’t even wake up, a testament to how brilliantly comfortable the trailer seat is (and how well designed it is too).

We have a couple of mechanical issues – managed to bend part of the closing mechanism (brute force by some idiot – probably me!) which bent back fine. Everything seems nicely adjustable so a quick nip with the allen key and its tight again. Our flag is coming loose which seems to be a worn flag hole/bracket (oo-er). We’re planning to speak to Burley on this.

Worth trying a few if you can – if there’s a Forestry Commission cycle hire place near you then they hire them out.

HTH

TM

Molgrips

Agreed that a sling is best for really bumpy ground. Most folks what I know who enjoy being int’ countryside with their little one(s) have a pram and a sling (and a rucksack!) and pick according to the planned degree of adventure/tiredness of parents etc etc

The Quinny’s I’ve seen after having a quick squizz on their website all have teeny wheels. I think they do have one with pneumatic wheels, but its the diameter that I’ve seen cause the problems. 10-12″ diameter seems to be a good compromise for a mix of urban and off road use.

TM

Poppa – a suitable name !

Think about your intended use first and pick on that basis. Be wary of who’s marketing is the most convincing – the best known aren’t necessarily the best.

My experience has been that babies get very,very warm in car seats (loads of padding!) and we had a sweaty unhappy baby if we left them in there too long. My preference was for a proper flat pram body giving the air a chance to circulate. The transferring to the car/waking them up thing was only an issue for us on a handful of occassions. If you use the car a lot (we didn’t/don’t) then it might be a different case for you…

We have friends with Quinny prams and their feedback has been 1. The tiny wheels at the front are a pain and get stuck, even on kerbs. 2. Pneumatic tyres are really worth it (some babies are intolerant of too much vibration) and means you’ll be able to venture away from the smoothest pavements.

If you plan to any off road walking at all then Mountain Buggy’s products have lots of fans on here. Ours (Second hand) is fantastic. I have done some ridiculous off-road/off-camber/steep/narrow things with ours and its mega-stable (extremeness depends how tolerant of silliness your child is – lol!)

HTH

TM

Just finished this

Haven’t read much of his stuff for quite a while, but I must say I was really impressed. Nasty stories of normal humans being placed in most non-normal circumstances.

Now on to this for a light hearted contrast.

TM

twiglet_monster: It’s interesting that you say the burley doesn’t have suspension. Perhaps the elastomers are affected by the [cold] temperature? If the elastomers fitted on the burley are anything like the elastomers fitted on sus forks used in the late 90’s, they’ll start to soften up when the weather gets a bit warmer.

Our Burley solo doesn’t have elastomers at all. i.e. they aren’t fitted and the wheels fit straight to the frame. Burleys info isn’t right (just a copy and paste from the Dlite I think) and that website Tredz is just a copy too. I did try another Burley (The Encore double trailer I think) that had the elastomers. Seemed fine but probably only needed if you have a bump sensitive child…

Oh and if you want a look at a Burley solo and you’re in/visiting Surrey then drop me a line – email in profile

TM

The people who make and commission television, are for the large part, not nice people. Thats not to say their not happy friendly loving people, they often are. But they’re mostly people who’ll say or do anything to get a job in tv, and professionally they’ll have set their morals and self respect aside a long time ago.

My experience of TV people has been just like any industry. There are some unpleasant types out there who are just out to get what they want whatever the cost. People who don’t take no for an answer and do all kinds of underhand things. Thankfully these are easy to spot a mile away and its just a case of using common sense..

On the other hand there are some very very super people out there who are a pleasure to deal with and want to do the best for you and make some great TV at the same time.
Use your noggin, ask some questions before the filming and if you get a bad feeling then walk away…

TM (pathetic claim to fame = 8 minutes of live tv on Richard and Judy in 2000-something)

Grazzer1

1) Can anyone recommend any other trailers that fit the bill? (…cheaper if possible!)
2) Has anyone owned one of the above trailers + can offer me any pros/cons?
[eg, disc brake compatibility issues, etc]

1. Just got a Burley Solo and its truly lovely. Yes, you get what you pay for. Tight tolerances, excellent build quality, light and easy to use. Note it does NOT have suspension, even though the blurb might say so. (not suspension in the sense of the elastomer bumpers that the twin trailers have).
One ride done (on/offroad) and all good. Sleep took place almost instantly after lunch so comfort very good.

No disc brake issues. parking brake agricultural but effective and light

We looked at the chariot but felt it was just that little bit more expensive. I also did a search on this forum and found pics of some loon hurtling around a trail centre with a Burley solo, so clearly they are capable of bumpy stuff (obviously if the child will tolerate it!)

If you’re looking on using a trailer everyday, look at other dull things too – we have a side passageway that’s narrow and we needed a teeny weeny trailer. If this isn’t a restriction, then do look at the double trailers as junior gets more space and they aren’t that much dearer (e.g. the DLite)

enjoy – they are great things :)

TM

Thanks Chris – will try that :)

TM

anyone ?

TM

Great thread!

I can’t actually listen to this all the way through. For anyone who has kids…
TM

Another thumbs up for Colorado. Breckenridge is characterful and marvellous. The snow record is outstanding and its really high meaning piste ice is something rarely seen. It can be pretty cold but worth it.

Keystone night skiing is awesome – the adjacent resorts are just wonderful. The back bowls at Aspen are beyond fantastic for an off piste play. Beaver Creek quite lovely (if you have the budget).

TM

Accepting that Harry asking Ruth to marry him was possibly the most ridiculous marriage proposal in the universe (ever), I’m enjoying the return of Spooks. No, its not real. Yes, its fab escapism exciting tv.

TM

Agreed PP – Fabulous car crash telly.

A fine demonstration of how to wind up two slightly bored coppers who were trying to prevent a drunk bloke on a bike being sideswiped.

Loved the disagreement about how drunk he was.

A smile and a “yes I’m an idiot and will walk the rest of the way” and he’d have been just warned as well being still alive…

TM

[/url]

Winter biking sunshine goodness

TM

p.s. nice van Spooky :)

Rewski

Best thing is to register on the forum and post that you’re going (Just out of courtesy – so the guys know to expect you!). If you register then you’ll also hear about regular Muddy@rse rides via an irregular email.

Sussex Muddy@rse forum

TM

[/url]

I used those knee bands for a while when I had badly mistracking patellas. Seemed to help (they apply pressure to the front of the knee and help straighten up the kneecap ASAIR).

Not sure if they did any actual good, mind. My physio scoffed and coughed "placebo" under her breath.

Thankfully my knees have so much play in them now that everything can flex about more :)

(Oh and as an emergency measure I used to physically tape my kneecaps across using nasty, take-your-skin-off-tape. Glad those days are over!)

No substitute for physio and massage. I had one of them foam roller things but the pain was "off putting" to say the least.

TM

iDave

twiglet – you're one of 'them', aren't you?

LOL! I wonder what stereotype you're thinking of :) Let me know and I can see if I fit :D

TM

not sure if there is an international body/standard

It's still a highly non regulated industry and the barriers to entry are low (i.e. do a life coaching course over a course and Voila! you're a lifecoach)

There are some bodies who are trying hard to beat some professionalism into the field. Leading the way (IMHO) is the International Coach Federation[/url] who at least have an ethical code and a series of accreditations to give you some idea of what you're getting..

Absolutely right that there's a whole bunch of stuff being touted as Coaching. Some excellent, some truly awful. At its best Coaching is life-changing, wonderful and truly transformative. At its worst its a dressed up bunch of hippy-crap that can screw people up.

Best advice would be to do some research before parting with any money. Most coaches will talk to you and do an "intro" session free of charge as the relationship between you and the Coach is vital. It maybe that you don't need coaching at all. Good Coaches will only work with you if its the right thing for you (and for them).

Steelfan – very happy to talk more off-forum. Email in profile.

TM

Perhaps park at Car Park 14 (The Youth Hostel at Holmbury St Mary) and head west downhill to the pond at the bottom. You could then swing south and follow a v pretty fireroad all the way up the hill. Would be a good workout for you as well given the dry conditions – the sand will be very soft if we see no rain soon… Like what Glen said there's fireroads to Peaslake, aim to the east before you hit the village to get back to the YHA car park..

TM

A midwife I spoke to recently mentioned that they had an unusually named baby girl come through their doors recently, named….

Tyranny

I guess the parents thought it was the female version of Tyrone? hey each to their own..

TM

GDRS

TM – if you are still following the thread – I am interested in the maps…..

I don't much chance to visit here regularly which was the reason for ..

Drop me a mail (addy in profile) if interested.

R

*Waves*

I have done some of this route too. It's ace :)

I have some super maps (the superb "offical" Danish cycling ones) that I suspect I won't use again. Drop me a mail (addy in profile) if interested.

TM

Yep another happy customer here. flexible, friendly, professional and good communicators. Dan and Roger treat customers as they would want to be treated. Recommended. TM

We really enjoyed time spent in the Val d'Azun. Lots of DIY marked VVT (MTB) tracks.

Friendly campsites, great riding and duck stew to kill for (Garbure)

Linky 1

linky 2[/url]

TM