I guess Eurobike means there are plenty of fresh things: - Restrap email announcing their new Switch mount in collaboration with hiplock, and mini panniers based on the new mount. Looks interesting, though it's only 2 bolts not 3 (max 1.5kg per mount), the profile is quite chunky, and the pannier ba...

Indeed, looks very interesting. I think a minimal rack with cargo mounts and platform for a dry bag is a great thing. I've been thinking about it for a while. I don't have rack mounts so have been biding my time. Axle mounting seems to be the way to go for compatibility, and neatness and speed of at...

Is the mosaic at Littlecote Manor? I guess I can google that..

Yes, it's in the corner of the grounds just off the bridleway route. Google earth you can see some of the remains of villa buildings, and the mosaics are under a roof.

For day two: Just a reminder: cross the A34 on the little southerly detour, which uses an underpass rather than road crossing. Also, at Littlecote manor, save yourself a small climb then descent to reach the same point, and cycle in the exit to the manor/hotel at the bottom of the hill. It's quiet a...

Jesus, first bouncing dot! circa 12 days! Incredibly fast time, even though the re-route is far shorter apparently. It won't stand as any kind of record, but a very fast finish, and surely Gemperle will go on to crush some other race records now...? I've enjoyed the updates on bikepacking.com, and E...

Enjoy the ride, looks a great route - wish I had 5 days of riding to myself! If I wasn't so busy with family and work I'd happily join you for bits passing my neck of the woods...be sure to post updates and photos of the ride! :-bd I'd stick with the 1x setup, it's got a good spread of gears and wou...

A hummingbird hawk-moth in the garden, followed later in the day by a fairly close encounter with a badger outside the shed/cabin. Both 'firsts' for me in those areas :-bd I love those hummingbird hawk moths. I've seen a few in recent years, including in our garden. Perfect example of convergent ev...

Not been dotwatching enough, but have been reading bikepacking.com's really good daily updates. So far a record speed year! Gemperle already at Brush Mountain lodge, with a 200 mile lead - insanely fast. Great Basin done by him with favourable wind direction. In the women's race, Baillon getting a f...

Compromise?...leave the outer door rolled open..?! Think it's asking for rain personally. Do it in Yorkshire, there's a drought on and they need the rain! (I think you may be from Yorkshire...?)

Just to clarify it's only the 1120 fork I have (on the Titus frame), as I wanted the rack option...but it was harder getting a rack than I reckoned with! Want to try it out soon!

On the regret thing: those are very salient points. I'd say commit before other commitments pile up and make it harder to do. Making the time and money now might be difficult, but it will get even harder when you put mortgage and children in the mix, some point down the line (if that isn't the case ...

Finally, after ordering it in October last year, the Trek front rack for my 1120 forks arrived today. It's for a Farley, but it's black rather than orange, thankfully. And they're like hen's teeth to get so it'll be a keeper. Great way to carry stuff when I have those forks on. Weighed 425g so not t...

I'm quite lucky as we see them often as they nest there most years. Just the other day we saw one chasing away a red kite. Watching it carry prey was very special though..

Saw a peregrine carrying a pigeon back to its nest on the local telephone exchange building (tallest building in town centre). Just walking to the skatepark with my son!

Thanks for that!

Yep, truss fork. Thank you for doing that.
Here it is in final build:

Good idea, my other half has sent the Facebook stolen plea on to stooge on Facebook (as I'm not on it any longer)...thanks for the idea.

For a stooge speedball on any kind of classifieds. Grape colour, silver components, brown grips and saddle. Got stolen from Newbury station today. It's pretty unique frame set, so even if it turns up resprayed months away, somewhere...let me know. Needless to say I'm pretty gutted. Reported to polic...

prequel 1883

I though that was excellent.
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Agree, my favourite of the saga!

Reading the blurb, and looks like there are still more flats than drop bars...so not entirely a gravel bike race yet! :grin: Dot watching TV would be ace! Also watched Yellowstone and prequel 1883 for much the same reasons. Also, iPlayer has a great Ray Mears series 'How the West Was Won' from 2014....

Grand depart tomorrow, 'Rigs of..' and good intro to this year's race over on bikepacking.com. Thought it was about time there was a dedicated thread on here for it. Anybody dotwatching? Any boners racing it? General discussion on the event, this year's course, social media controversy, whether they...

Always a joy. Try find a bung with a long clamping surface, and as Phil says, use plenty of paste.

See the grouchy thread for possible solution. Is the shifter 11 or 12 spd?

Convert it to band on clamp and avoid future compatibility woes...?

Yeah, shimano created a compatibility nightmare with their many versions of i-spec. I had an ispec shifter break, and happily reverted back to a rather elegant bar clamp, just because I had it, and it doesn't take up much room on the bar! You might want to just make life easier and get a new or 2nd ...

Shaf, from my point of view it's got nothing to do with retro, especially retro for retro sake. I'm OK with new tech and material improvements, in life or on my bikes. It's 100% about stepping back and being objectively critical on technology we are expected to adopt without much thought. On bikes, ...