Merry Christmas! I'm eating cheese already

Ryobi are fine, especially if you have the batteries already. Otherwise Lidl or Aldi, Worx (also sold as Bauker or Wesco) work well and are cheap for batteries and tools. I've had good experience with Einhell as well. Often worth paying a little extra for brushless motors on them if that's an option.

Never bought the bike in the end, price went up £1000!

In last week's snow with my cat Mr Helen

For the first time in ages I have a day off and nothing I have to do or anywhere I have to be.
I plan to potter around the garage doing jobs, eat mince pies and maybe buy a new bike.

Beware of the gravelking slicks. They are very fragile and weep sealant through many pinprick holes.
Would recommend the + ones.

G-One Speeds are great tyres as are the Vittoria Terrenos.

I feel that this kind of incident is one of those ones that is so without warning and also so statistically unlikely that it can't be mitigated against other than by not riding a bike. But then, if you were to do that then you wouldn't live life at all - people die loading the dishwasher or tripping...

To be fair, I haven't bought anything in the sales and don't intend to.

Heading off in the campervan to see if I can see some stars instead

I had an email saying Terra Nova have 30% off

I once camped in a campsite in Bruges in January. Canvas army style campbed Alpkit synthetic under quilt Alpkit cloud something down quilt Electric blanket (we had mains hookup) This was in an awning so no wind. Was bloody freezing! Ended up carting it all in to the disabled loo (which had underfloo...

We were looking to get a train between Tarbert (Head of Loch Lomond one) and Crianlarich - 3 of us and bikes. Scotrail app said all the bike spaces were booked, as did their call centre. Got the train anyway, and there were 2 bikes on the train - had space for about 20. Conductor said he's never see...

I took a specific cycle policy with Barclays.
You set a value for the most expensive bike and pay based on that. All less expensive bikes are covered.

Was about £70 for £5k.

Much cheaper than any other way of doing it

There are some very cheap exped mats and Nordisk tents on Wiggle at the moment.

Not sure if they're out of stock though, seems a bit shamboliic over there

Garmin Edge Explore works well for me. Maps and navigation are fine, can sync with phone and services such as Komoot, Strava or Trailforks to download routes or uploads rides.

After my last off road ride on my drop bar bike I realised that it needed some TLC. The bar tape was absolutely destroyed for one thing. https://i.postimg.cc/RVX0CYd5/PXL-20231103-153924517.jpg I figured if I was redoing the tape I should try out some new flared bars - some Salsa Cowbells from the c...

Quite like a Diplomatico.

Had a nice Plantation one that had Pineapple tree bark in it at some point. Would recommend.

Generally I'd avoid the spiced stuff. Mostly low quality booze with too many additions to try and cover it up

Not got too much to add to what others have said. Wool baselayers are good - long sleeve top and tights. Dry quickly, keep you warm if damp. Pack a second set into a drybag to wear at night once under cover? I'm a big fan of a two man tent with a one man inner - lets you change under cover and keep ...

All sorted out now, thanks

Don't believe those steps are locked.
If they are, you can come off the canal here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nFe1UMSExnjPn13y5 and get into Muiravonside Park from the road entrance. Any barriers are for cars, you can nip past on the bike.

Hello
I need to rewrap the bars on my drop bar bike, so thought this would be a good time to try out some with a flare.

I'd imagine I want a slight flare (10 degrees-ish?). The bike is mostly ridden on roads and fireroads etc.

Anyone got anything lying around they'd like to move on?

Thanks
Craig

Topeak do a think called a DP Mount which lets you use a seatpack with a dropper.

I have one, it works very well

Helly Hansen wool baselayer that I bought randomly has been incredibly good.

Check their work wear stuff. I believe it is the same but cheaper

Are the mounts attached to the fork externally?

I'd avoid Alpkit tents. Some bizarre design decisions and questionable QC. Quite a few friends have regretted their choice. They're not particularly cheap these days either. Better to get something from another brand in a sale somewhere. For me, I like a tent with a large covered porch area separate...

Richard G wrote: ↑Wed Sep 27, 2023 2:00 pm

Tomwoodbury wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 8:42 pm Hate to promote a Mike Ashley company but…..Hefty discounts plus an additional 20% off code on 5 ten shows on Evans.

That's really helpful to me, thanks. Just put in an order for four different pairs (not keeping them all, will check out and return).

Aren't they a bit funny about returns?