Bored at lunchtime so I thought I'd do some Googlng. Stems usually have 40mm ish stack: Spank Spike stem has 35mm but is a bit downhill and only in a couple of lengths. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/spank-spike-race-stem/rp-prod73095 Ragley Stubbing stem has a 30mm stack. Again a bit downhill b...

Gari wrote: What size is the Ridley, just out of interest you understand?

It's a 56. The bottom bracket is quite high, I reckon you'd need to be maybe 6'2 to get a decent fit on it. I picked it up on Ebay but I'm a bit too short for it. I should stick it back on.

I've got some mini V's on my Specialised Crux, they're TRP 8.4's with a Problem Solvers Travel Agents I had hanging around. Pads are Cool Stop Salmon, cables are the expensive Jagwires. I drilled out the internal cable stops in the top tube to give a full run of outer cable to the rear. I've tried l...

While were on the subject, anything decent that takes AA batteries?

Some good suggestions. I've ruled out the MSR's with lack of headroom, and I don't like the tapered design of a lot stuff. That pretty much leaves the single wall tents from Six Moons, Trekkertent and Tarptent. Of these I like the 54 inch width of the Luna Duo, I like the optional inner bit of the T...

Hot on the heels of the 3 man tent thread, I'm looking for a roomy, light 2 man tent. This will be for late spring, summer, possibly early autumn use with wifey. She won't bivvy.

I'm finding it hard to look past a Lunar Duo, anything else I should consider?

I use a Nokia 130, it's proper old school, no camera but it does have bluetooth. The battery has a 30 day standby if that's what you're after. Cost me £12.99 from the O2 shop.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: Toilets we can do but washing ... that's just silly talk

I've got a battery powered pressure washer if people get smelly.

This is for wifey. She doesn't like the idea of a quilt but also doesn't like the thought of spending £300 plus on a bag.

I keep looking at quilts for me but can't make my mind up. I tend to move around a bit at night too, but then if it's secured to the mattress it shouldn't be a problem.

I'd like to put some faces to names. Either weekend is good, I'd prefer beer/food first, music I'm not bothered about.

The Cumulus site says the bags are independently filled top and bottom, a couple of the reviews I've read say the bag has less fill on the bottom than the top. If you turn over in the night the bag will turn with you leaving your back in a colder bag. Is this true? They really do look like value for...

I've just ordered 2 Synmat UL7's. A regular one for wifey, Millets still have them at £70. After much Googling I found a German place with MW's in stock so I've ordered one for myself.

I've got 2 of those (I think mine are branded Cinelli), I used them in the car for longer trips. I can get a large hardtail 29er into it, just. If anyone want's to borrow them for the Italy trip you can but you'll need to collect from Bishops Stortford. They are very soft though so you'll need to be...

Great deals here on mountain hardware. I know some people were after down jackets, so some in here and they have the phantom sleeping bags better than half price http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/mountain-hardwear-mens-jan16?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=e-daily_...

In the post yesterday, some carbon pegs and a pole for the Luna Solo from a bloke in Wales.

GregMay wrote:Sure. Will you tell my employer that for me?

No problem - what's your bosses name and phone number?

burty wrote:whats all the talk about medical certificates ,
have we got to go for medicals , bend over sir

Found one. This is the sort of thing I've used in the past http://www.serpentine.org.uk/data/files ... ficate.pdf

burty wrote:whats all the talk about medical certificates ,
have we got to go for medicals , bend over sir

If it's anything like French sportivs, get a blank one off the Internet and sign it yourself.

I've registered but haven't got the bottle to enter (yet).

Despite having lurked on here for 2 years I own bugger all kit (wanders off to the Wildcatgear site).

Took me 3 days and 15 hours and so on a sensible bike I'm hoping to get in under 3 days this year. Depends on a lot of factors though. I rode long days but never at a fast pace and I didn't stop for long to eat etc... So it starts on Thursday, a flight back on Monday would be realistic. I'd rather ...

Sounds like you've got yourself convinced! It was the write up by the nutter on the fat bike that got me interested in the first place. How many days? Just looking at flight times and prices and it's around £150 for a flight out on the 1st (day before the start) and flight back on following Monday ...

The logistics of doing this make my head hurt. I can get the time off. I live about 10 miles from Stansted Airport so a flight to Pisa is no problem. It's a 50k ride from Pisa airport to Massa for the start. I assume I'd box the bike, leave the box in left luggage at Pisa and use it again for the tr...

Adventurer wrote: I just bought a Luna solo as well. There were two left at ultralight outdoor shop. Next time I looked they were all gone. was that you? .

A Luna Solo tent. Just waiting for a bloke in Wales to send me pole and some carbon pegs.

How to you plan on getting there and back?