Encapsulating the coldness of a winters day near the centre of Newbury...

Purple Hope from a recent frame purchase, not to my taste so moving on. (Phone pics make them look blueish, but they are purple!) Both items are in excellent condition and very slightly used. Only slight marks on inner surface of headset cups from install and removal. 1 X Hope bolt up seat clamp 34....

Snow! That is all. Great picture thenorthwind! I'm happy today as it's the first time in at least 3 weeks when I've felt pretty much well. Had a stinker of a chest infection that wouldn't move until I got an our of hours doctor and a round of antibiotics last weekend. Not been on a ride in weeks, a...

Cor, nice frame! Nice build too, though someone stole the tread on your tyres! Looks brill

After a good few years on a fairly sedate gravel bike, and with a wide range of tyre widths and two wheel sizes experimented with, I've concluded that there is an optimal tyre width cut off for a gravel bike. I have my own number, bits it's basically when the tyre width is too much for the frame des...

Tend to wear another variation of the Decathlon trouser. The cycling fit of the ones above are probably better, but these are lightweight and quick drying. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-hiking-trousers-mh500/_/R-p-325496 I just change what's underneath depending on the temperature. From just m...

A rather nice, little-used, bargain-priced chunk of Titanium arrived. That means a Kona Unit X frameset will be on sale soon!

Used some book vouchers to get these two bikepacking books. Also a nukeproof headset and spacers at a very good price for a new build. First flick through and the Wales book is really good, the Scotland one less so mainly because it is more gravel focussed with large proportion of tarmac. Anyway, lo...

Merlin still have lots of good deals on, now including a huge range of tyres in all sizes, at really good prices

Like the custom map, and the subtitle 'a box ticking exercise', motivational!

Being in the car with my dad when he's faced with parking choices, makes me twitch. The indecision is incredible!

There is no great urinal debate, furthest away as possible (assuming no blockages/flooding!), no chit chat. That's it.

Consumer choice - have a very small limit for me mostly (not bikes of course!). I can't choose anything on Netflix without becoming mentally paralysed. Menus with too much choice, no thanks.

Social, lifestyle, health and freedom choices - very grateful for choices.

Fairly pragmatic about it really, more about economy of effort or what I feel comfortable with. Analogue default a lot of the time, like a push mower for the small lawn. Axe and saw wood, small handheld hoover for clearing up the post breakfast carnage when kids insist on eating DRY Weetabix! Analog...

Recent purchases, Explosions in the Sky 'End' which is something of a return to form, and i'm a long standing fanboy. Plus Kieran Hebden and William Tyler collaboration, 'Darkness, Darkness' which is ace.

Lots of vicarious enjoyment from reading and seeing pictures from summitoppler and Muddypete - great work!

Up side is it's a lot easier to fit, no faffing with a chainring nut wrench/peg spanner

Shaf - indeed some of the newer shimano cranks have threads for chainring bolts (M7000/8000), but to compensate for that, they have the annoying assymetrical 96mm bcd.

Thoroughly enjoyable read, sounds like a great trip (even from a few years ago), thanks for the lyrical write-up! It sounds like the kind of thing I really need too, having not had any decent time away by myself for about 4 years! It's also nice to read about a ride without too much hard as nails di...

Just delivered a Spesh Purgatory 29x2.6 for front duties on the Unit over winter, Exactly 1kg on the scales, but has a decent looking tread that's more suitable than the Mezcal currently on the front! Last time I used a Purg was on the rear of my 26er Inbred in winter, and it gripped very well. It w...

I do like your build dyffers, and i'm coming to the same conclusion about a uk gravel bike being a lightweight flat bar mtb, is best for me. As a former local, what techy bits do you mean? :smile: Build is looking good shaf, it'll be a capable and light bike when done! I'm off to have another look a...

These are good alternative options: https://mtbriders.co.uk/products/pnw-components-rainier-27-2mm-125mm-dropper-post-gen-3?currency=GBP&variant=42031797305544&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=8362cc0873c6&gclid=CjwKCAjw7oeqBhBwEiwALyHLM3y3...

These are the kind of BB events i'd like to do, but the timing of the WRT and winter event never works for my family commitments. I like the theme! Immediately thought Trawsfynydd, but a quick check and there's plenty of smaller power stations, Rheidol, Ffestiniog of course, and isn't there a small ...

A pair of 650b/27.5 Nano's from boxelder!

Wiggle has been known about for a while, and as it's in administration and not insolvency (yet!?) then it is still trading. But worthwhile paying with a CC for some protection, and some warranty items might not be worth it, if it does go under. Islabikes is a real shame, i've not got one yet, but wa...

PM'd you re: Nano's

Merlin have got some very good prices on a number of things at the moment, including new FF29 frames at £399, TRP Slate and Slate Evo brakes for £70-£90 (F&R set!), but this Deore 12 spd boost crankset looks very good value, 170 and 175mm options, 32 tooth £37: https://www.merlincycles.com/shima...