Other than trying to stay sane, I appear to have inadvertently picked up vintage audio as a new special interest. Just accidentality won some Kef Reference 105.1 speakers on eBay, so once the divorce has happened, I'll be turning the current living room into a vinyl listening room. Don't suppose an...

Peter Frankopan - The Silk Roads

2025 is going to be history year for me.

I was given two books for Xmas, one on the silk road which I'm starting today and the other a more generic history of civilisation.

I’m relieved tbh was dreading the drive up. See you all in Feb

An endearing feature of this forum is how there is always a weather thread for upcoming BB events... Very often weeks in advance... I cannot believe no one has mentioned the unmentionable for this weekend so far! So, as no one else has raised the subject, I thought I would... Latest forecast for th...

From the way you describe yours they are no better. In our increasingly disposable society it’s a great thing to not cause another consumer action. I wish I could have similar restraint

In July, I have booked a ferry to Bilbao, with a view to riding across the Pyrenees, with a few days stop in the middle at Luchon, timed so I'll be there when the Tour de France has its Superbageneres finish there, which is a huge event for the town, and I'm sure will be quite special to experience...

I agree with your schools point James. I tried to do A level woodwork at sixth form but our comprehensive school couldn’t run it with only 3 pupils interested. So I binned off a craft I loved at the age of 16

4) Open category for chat! - F it, here goes. On topic for a bike forum and equally a personal vent. From the inside I can tell you, the bike industry is a mess. I don't care why anymore but it's not going back to the way it was. Time for a change of strategy perhaps, James? Active Travel England a...

I’m going to a Ukrainian wine tasting evening tonight? I know you're "unavailable for comment", Dave, due to being affixed to some planks and throwing yourself down a cold slippery mountain for some inexplicable reason :wink: , but how did the tasting go? TBH I'm more interested in the co...

Merry Xmas from Banff. Sadly no bike this time only planks strapped to my feet

Where there's a will there's a way Dave. I'm not allowed to bring a bike into the house full stop. But I always keep forgetting and it stays in longer each time until we have a reset. Brompton should be small enough to hideaway right. You just briefcase it down the road and then, BAM... You're off ...

voodoo_simon wrote: ↑Sat Dec 21, 2024 4:22 pm

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:29 pm I’ve got one simple objective .. to sneak a Brompton into the house and then go folder packing with Reg

Why not do a guide book for Brompton packing/touring and then you’ll have to get one. See it as a business transaction?

Because I have a Scottish bike and she saw straight through that one

I’ve got one simple objective .. to sneak a Brompton into the house and then go folder packing with Reg

I was going to write a long missive about how I’ve been able to customise maps on my various Garmins, how they’ve never let me down and other stuff but couldn’t be arsed in the end. TBH I’m not sure what you’re getting at Shaf? We all use gear and we all have our own personal preferences. For exampl...

Great as always to see the diversity and honesty reading down this thread, what a great place this is. 1) Favourite outing (not necessarily by bike) I did a lot of stunning road riding in Scotland, trying and failing to complete a new book but the highlight was The Spanish Divide V2 with Duncan, and...

I'm really sorry to hear this and have no advice to offer. I just wanted to say that it seems to be increasingly common based on a sample of my friends. I know 3 others with this diagnosis. Two of them are keen cyclists and one a rower. All three continue to do their thing but in a managed way now t...

Who in their right mind would ride straight past the brewery in Fernie, or the Route 66 Junkyard in Grants, or a night on the piss in Silver City and lots more in between. A Tour Divide attempt should take 7 to 8 weeks, then, if you're going to make full use of the 90 day visa, head across to Arizo...

I’m going to a Ukrainian wine tasting evening tonight?

I stopped writing for Future Publishing for that exact same reason Stu. I had the email and thought "f*ck that". Creaters should never have to give up copyright. It's fine to license it but take it when you didn't make it..no

Very funny to read that, Dave. I found and rode that tunnel near Inverness last summer. Will prob be in a route in Lost Lanes Scotland. But not your route, mine is different. :-bd BTW there is fantastic old Wade bridge near the tunnel. Track beyond much rough stuff though. fwiw I agree with what’s ...

Here's another take. I'm writing a route guide to Scottish Road Riding and spend hours looking at maps trying to figure out interesting loops or routes. I can 100% honestly say I would never rip off anyone route as I'm just not interested, part of my personal "brand" is finding stuff that ...

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:06 pm Oooh I've just kneed the edge of my desk ... not sure cranks are gonna help

Taller desk

I parked at the Tyndrum Inn for one attempt. They were fine with it, but I did stay there night before

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 11:42 am Off to see the Chameleons tonight in Brizzle

Cue national train disaster ....

I’ve baled out back to Devon. Too high risk of being stranded tomorrow. Good luck bivy crew