Really liked that James. For all the Achilles-related tribulations and dodgy bivvies, there's a real sense of the freedom that comes with having nothing to do except ride, eat, sleep. I'm feeling the need to get something (un)planned in the diary.

Escape Goat wrote: ↑Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:34 pm Am I too late to the party?

Not at all, there's still plenty of time to vote for me!

December and the calendar year ticked off. Optimism overruled the weather forecast, and I bimbled out into a mild and dry evening. I scoped out a new spot, and it was pretty nice. However, it was far too windy, and despite a decent tarp pitch, there was a lot of flapping and a resultant crappy night...

Hello Floofy!

Hope it all heals up nicely Reg. Last night, we were reminiscing about the time Granny P had her retina repaired by the surgeon using a syringe to introduce a little air bubble into her eyeball. The bubble floated up inside the vitreous humour, and held the tear in place as it healed. Unfortunately ...

Current air quality of S Dales and Westmoreland = blue?

(Sorry bearlegged)

Nice that Allen.

If FLV doesn't want them, I'll definitely take them (please and thank you).

Sad to report that Outdoor Provisions are calling time on the business. They've got a stock clearance sale going on, everything half price.
https://www.outdoorprovisions.co.uk/col ... -clearance

Has anyone seen any offers or discount codes for Ordnance Survey online maps? My subscription is nearly up for renewal...

-Inspiration of the year (media/person/object etc)* Maybe inspiration is not quite the right word, but raison d'etre ? Inexperienced/less confident riders. This year has been my first season of MTB leading work, and it has been very rewarding. I know I probably sounded a bit high after the lesson, b...

I feel like I need to get a fat bike, if only for the cheese boards.

Happy birthday Steve!

Verena wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 3:11 pm

Boab wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:30 pm ... and I'm out. Could barely stand-up last night, so thought it was a bit much to attempt to ride a bike.
Roll on next year.

O Noooooooo!!!! Such a shame!! But yes roll on many more months to come.... and most importantly, get better soon!!

Yeah, ditto this - get well soon!

Spotted on my way to lunch.*

*The pub.

Happy Friday everyone.
This has just been making me chuckle:
https://jonn.substack.com/p/the-swedish ... -christmas

Top 3!

My spine is weeping just looking at that saddle to bar drop.

Looks lovely, that. Can feel the chill from the pics though!

...and you're a bit early for December?

If you don't need waterproof, these are fine: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-wate­r-repellent-mountain-bike-cycling-trouse­rs/_/R-p-309674 The arse and shin areas are water repellent (at best). The half length fly zip reduces bunching. Does mean you need to pull the waistband down a bit if you ...

I can confirm I made it out of the pub. Despite this place's tendency for threads to drift (or indeed veer wildly) off-topic, there are Standards To Be Upheld, and if it had just been a trip t'pub, I'd have kept it in the "What are you drinking?" thread. Also, my antisocial streak means I'...

A badger, a fox, and lots of sheep this evening.