Saint137

Cheers, going to go back to pilates as enjoyed that more than yoga. Re the wheels, would have done that but its also my commuting bike and I'm 17.5st - not a great combination for lightweight wheels, even on 25s. May get a set for sportives with a closer ratio cassette (currently running 11-32)

Because with a membership scheme in place I reckon there'll be next to no chance of most games reaching general sale.

Delighted this is back. Work & family commitments mean I've had to give up my season ticket after 13 years so this is the best option for me to get to see the odd game as and when I can.

Pleased to have averaged 15mph on the Bournemouth Sportive Short last weekend. 45 miles seems to be about my limit as I start to get lower back spasms, guess I need to work on my core strength to address those. Next up is the All Wight at the start of July - only 55 miles but pretty hilly, particularly the section from Shanklin to Ventnor. I *might* have accidentally rewarded myself for a promotion at work by upgrading the bike to Ultegra Di2

In summary: Marek Saganowski

Did the New Forest Spring - yes its a bit pointless paying to ride the roads I ride on every day but it is good being out in a large group and really testing yourself against a defined route/distance. Far too easy to bail out of a long ride if you're on your own. Doing the Bournemouth one on Saturday, just a 45-miler so should be a quick one. As to comfort - bib shorts, some undercarriage cream on the pad and your undercarriage, and find a saddle you can get comfy on. Very personal choice but the best I've ridden is the Charge Spoon - only £25, not a lightweight or particularly racy one but well padded and well regarded. I use Udder Mint as cream - dirt cheap and if its good enough for cow tits its good enough for my arse! One more thing - if you're going to ride in shorts, don't wear underpants, you'll negate most of the benefits of the shorts and end up with horrible chafing on a long ride. Other than the saddle you can look at getting a carbon seat post - they're a bit more flexible than aluminium posts and transmit less of the road buzz which tends to be what causes the sore arse more than the big bumps.

Few photos here - that Arsenal game was absolutely mega. So poignant leaving that place but look how far we've come... https://flic.kr/s/aHsiDKdDWQ

Yeah, perhaps they'd be better off trying to win the odd match between now and the end of the season

Wouldn't do London but do cycle from Cadnam and beyond into Southampton most days. On the whole no issue other than the fact that the road surface/cycle path from Redbridge is so bloody awful. Not so keen on shared use paths either as you can't really do a decent speed with pedestrians around. Losing so much weight, intention is to do the full commute from Fordingbridge tomorrow, around 22 miles...

Bless them, its like the village idiot getting a scholarship to Oxford, or your little brother pulling Kate Upton - impressive but you know it won't last...

Boyhood hero for my old man, will let him know. A few years back he bumped into him up the General, made his day, had a long chat. My Dad was recovering from an op, joked with him how he was acting like the kids do when current players visit the hospital at Christmas - gave him a real lift. I know we do All Saints Day but would hope a mention on Saturday, he's one the last (if not the last) links with the immediate post-war era.

Frame less important than components for a road bike IMO. You can get all the carbon road bike you'll ever need for way under £2k these days. Decisions to make: do you want disc brakes? do you want to fit tyres >28mm? do you want hilly or flat gearing? Out and out roadies can be a bit inflexible on these things - if you're happy only running 25mm tyres on an 11-25 cassette then go ahead, but I like the versatility my carbon cyclocross frame gives me. In terms of bang for buck go for Shimano 105 11-speed or SRAM Rival 22 groupset. You'll get all the tech and performance from their more expensive groupsets without paying for ultra-lightweight shiny carbon bits. Unless you want the label don't bother with Ultegra, Dura-Ace, Force, or Red If brand isn't important get yourself up to Sheffield and take a look at Planet X/On One - they can sort you out an MTB (their speciality) & a carbon road bike, top level components, will work out your ideal fit and you'll still have change from your budget. Worth the trip as you'll get a bike for online prices but with the personal service you'd get from your LBS. If brand really isn't important the upcoming BTwin Alur 700 will come with 22-speed Shimano 105 for around £800.

Believe they're working on that - network engineering mate of mine went for a job at St Marys a few months back, main requirement was experience of delivering wi-fi for large conferences/events. Its a huge infrastructure challenge and big financial investment. Not sure where they'd see a return.

Odd that a pilot would leave the FD on a 2hr internal flight not long after takeoff. And as I understand it due to the reinforced doors if they do a flight attendant needs to join the remaining pilot in the cockpit - in case they become incapacitated there is someone there to unlock the door. What's also odd is if the pax weren't incapacitated why the hell aren't they on their mobiles calling loved ones etc? Or sending text messages etc? Admittedly signal may be patchy but a text would get through eventually.

Reminds me of Syd Lawrence - admittedly ortho care has moved on since then but it was a career-ender for him. Hope he comes back but he's a big unit putting a lot of pressure through that leg, will take a long time to heal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31788887 Some vital games and goals for us in the L1 promotion season, not least *that* goal at Withdean.

In related "best fans in football/massive club/fallen giant/dodgy dealings/ripped off local charities news", just over 11,000 at Ibrox today to watch Rangers lose to Raith Rovers. Massive club...

Disappointed - don't play golf and have no interest in doing so but as a sporting spectacle the Open & the Masters are part of the my sporting calendar - and only there because they're on BBC. Hope they get to keep the Masters...

What a game last night. Have been watching Superbowls since '84 and that's right up there with the best. Been a Pats fan for that long too (yes, rather than picking a Raiders or Dolphins or 49ers I picked a no-hoper by choice rather than by birth). Just thought that whole game was full of great stories - particularly how 2nd and 3rd string guys picked up on free agency played such a big role. Both clubs are playing moneyball these days (as it would seem are Saints). Some astounding plays, and I genuinely expected to lose to yet another freak reception. I guess I got used to all those blowouts in the late 80s/early 90s so its great to see a game go down to the final play.

Good urban bike - pretty light, disc brakes, enough gears. As long as your 7 miles is relatively flat you'll be fine. All I'd fit would be some bar ends to give me two hand positions, find that I get a lot of wrist pain on flat bar bikes. Carbon fork will improve handling - a good thing providing you don't drop it or bash it over potholes too much. Stick skinnier slick tyres and lighter wheels on it and you could have a seriously capable performance flat bar road bike - those 28s will be comfortable and robust but will roll slower and offer less response than race tyres. Not a bad thing and as long as you don't ride a road bike as you won't know the difference. I like Whyte bikes - British and have bikes well suited to our ****e infrastructure. When my B'Twin dies will look at them, Charge, and Genesis.

Checked this morning and despite saying it'll be posted out its on my smartcard. Apparently they've had loads of calls about it, emails/website need to be clearer...

Delighted he's playing so well this season. That goal at Brighton was absolutely pivotal and it seems such a long time ago. If the Withdean had a roof it would have come off...

Phoned them today and they said it would be added to my smartcard, but my receipt says they'll be posted out. Also no ticket tax on my purchase so no idea what the hell is going on. Won't be able to get to the ground until shortly before kickoff so guess I'll have to phone them in the morning to confirm as queues will be mental for pickup. Complete balls up...

Generally true for the bottom 3 too - 3 worst GD's go down (unless you're Wigan or have had a points deduction)

Plenty of stories about Broadlands and Mountbatten - they used to blood royal males with the local girls. Great Aunt of mine was in service there in the 30s, as per usual at the time it was common for maids to leave due to getting pregnant. Always wondered how many royal bastards there are in Romsey...