Another yes for Endura ones like composite has. But like him, the grip-strip is pretty harsh if you leave them on for a whole day, they have stripped a layer of skin off my thigh a few times now. But now I'm used to it, i remember to move the strip up/down a bit when I stop during a longer ride.

He should not be on there.

composite wrote:I also have been willing to carry booze, normally a few bottles of cider... but no bottle opener.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Lighter = bottle opener, as do lots of other things.

I don't think a production bike could be a dream bike.

I also just got around to signing up. Excited!

johnnystorm wrote:I take it you're a Ford man then?

Yeah, Cortina bonnet, like a bloody super-king size bed they are.

Yes, totally forgot about doggers, I guess I chose to forget. Seeing some sixtysomethings at it over the bonnet of a vauxhall cavalier is not a memory I'm fond of.

Thanks guys. I reckon I'll try some Conti X-Kings, tough, good in mud and roll well on road. Conti's are generally great, I have them on my 26 inch bikes, and the ones on my road bike have done > 4000 miles and still pretty fresh.

So, I went for Schwalbe Racing Ralph on the rear and Nobby Nic up front. They keep getting punctures. It all seems to be small flinty stones, gravel sized. There's plenty of it around here. I have Continental on my 26" bike, and they have had 1 puncture in 2 years, and these Schwalbe 3 puncture...

I've just got back from a ride, going through some local woods, unaware there was a Hunter Trial on (Toffs, horses, pretending they are hunting, etc etc). Some young lad races up from behind me, on some narrow, and very rutted double track and forced me into a ditch. Total idiot. Anyway, I got to th...

I steer clear of rockshox because my Mag21s used to blow their seals pretty much every ride. 20 years later, I still avoid them. I did buy a reverb seatpost for my fun bike, and guess what, it's just died on me. Time for a full and messy service. Great.

Given that he probably won't need to change gear for the majority of the middle bit, the batteries should be fine.

Ben98 wrote:I saw on mike halls twitter feed that he's had electric gears fitted, where does that fit into self supported etc??

He means Di2 I guess, not electric assist. So it's no different.

A friend of mine from San Francisco is doing it this year too, it's something I'd love to do, I think it'll be 2016, same as Blackhound as I'm down for TD 2015.

Got a Karrimor rucksack, for biking, it must be 15 years old, still going strong and really comfy. Love it.

Same here for Specialized. Anything made by Nukeproof can do one too, worst branding/styling etc, Pukenoof. FiveTen spd mountain biking shoes. They are just too huge, the soles are so wide, they always rub on cranks whatever you do with cleat alignment, and when they get wet, they weigh a metric ton...

Turned really warm down here this afternoon. Going to try for a long ride on sunday, I fancy some Quantocks action.

Also look into "Handlebar Palsy" it's to do with compression of the Ulnar Nerve that Stu mentioned above. I've been suffering from it pretty badly of late, especially after doing 250 miles on the road bike this weekend. Gets so painful it's a struggle to change gear at times. I've been tol...

I just got some binoculars (nice and compact) and an RSPB bird book for my birthday the other day. Best present for years I think! Going to take binoculars on longer rides, just great to get to the top of a big hill and look back down with them. Friday riding up to Wales, I'm going to ride across th...

Yeah Stu, definitely noticing it as I get older. I use to wear t-shirt and hoodie whatever the weather, all winter, in my early 20s. Now mid 30s, I feel it a lot more. Could also be to do with ~20kg of weight loss in past 14 months.

There seems to be a lot of snobbery about whether or not you still use maps, or use a GPS for guidance. It's all a matter of personal preference, and also, relates to what kind of riding you are doing. If I'm at a relaxed pace, and have a few days to meander, maps, a rough idea of the route, and fle...

Another favourite moment that happens regularly around here, is buzzards gliding along next to me when I'm riding. Least favourite "wildlife" are pheasants, because they lurk in the hedge, then make an almighty bloody racket and fly out in front of you. I hate them. Birds for toffs to slau...