Any question answered...

why is everything so fucked up

I can see the pictures but @snoops has done a very bad job of focusing if they're his pics. They look a bit crappy in the top one though. Have you got owt you trust to be flat you can put on top to see if they line up ok? Failing that put a brake on and see how well it lines up with a rotor.

It's a known thing on ultra races. Cleats right back and saddle down a bit.

You'll probably find there's a saddle height at which it suddenly stops hurting. Ideally it's above the point at which your knees start hurting!

Thanks for the tips.

Also cheers @snottyotter.

Once it’s recovered going to make a few changes, particularly shorter cranks cos I prefer those anyway (and I need to replace the ones that are on there), saddle down and pedalling closer to centre of my foot.

I was actually cycling in sandals (not spds) and was positioning my foot right back cos of some low speed toeverlap manoeuvring issues I had. Shorter cranks and maybe just getting used to shifting my foot position around depending on speed should sort it :). Reckon the sandals didn’t help for ankle support? So comfy and not had any issues before :-(

Putting your foot back with your saddle at the same height increases your effective saddle height, as you are taking a bit of your foot out of the equation. That on its own could certainly tweak your achilles!

yes, by back do you mean more toward the centre of the foot? I think my saddle was quite high, and I was pushing on the pedals from more towards my toes. Hoping shorter crank, (would normally mean i need to raise my saddle if going from a long crank), adjusting foot position and saddle height will put less stress on my achilles. Spoke to the GP and they suggested I just chill out for a bit, don't think it's serious which is a relief too.

Is there a thread on here somewhere for pictures of badly drawn bikes on cycle lanes?
(Pictures of bikes on the road that tell you where the cycle lane is)

Pictures of bikes on the road that tell you where the cycle lane is

Perfect title for it.

Any accountants on here who can advise on setting up and running a limited company, in exchange for money?

Is there a thread on here somewhere for pictures of badly drawn bikes on cycle lanes?
(Pictures of bikes on the road that tell you where the cycle lane is)

Yeah, it's here!

Yes.

Saddle adjustment should fix it quick (and shorter cranks is an effective saddle height reduction as it's about the maximum stretch).

On day 5 of Indypac, I woke up and got on the bike, and both my achilles were incredibly painful on each stroke. I'd put the cleats back the previous day and forgotten to drop my saddle. When, after riding 100 yards, I put my saddle down a couple of mm, all the pain went away instantly. I just had to stop it doing the thing that was hurting it - over-extending by x amount. Others say similar has happened with them.

Ah wish I’d dealt with it immediately. Rode till the end of the day with the sore tendons, (10/15miles maybe) then did the entire journey back home (mixed; riding another 20miles maybe, train, walking etc). When I was back in London I actually dropped the saddle a bit but that really triggered a quite painful feeling in my left ankle for some reason so put it back to where it was and gingerly did the last coupla miles. Still sore a few days later but much better than it was

Ha, nice work!
Does no one else remember a thread like that from years ago? Sure there was one at some point.

what paper map case / holder (safe enough also to keep docs in)??? i need one that mounts to my stem

Since having a glass of port on a ferry with an ice cube in it, it's my new favourite evening treat a few times a week.

I don't really know anything about port though, anyone got a recommendation on a nice port to try?

If you like it sweeter there is white port.

anyone got a recommendation on a nice port

Any port in a storm 😁

Port is a wide category, if you're a beginner you might as well try the selection boxes from the big names, Graham's, Taylor's and Cockburn all do them with 3-5 miniatures of very different wines. From there you can narrow your search criteria and delve into more obscure houses.

Tawny port is good for day drinking at bike polo tourneys. All port is good though, take wine and make it stronger and nicer, can't go wrong.

All port is good though, take wine and make it stronger and nicer, can't go wrong.

This ^ (though Buckfast has been the cause of many a chaotic night, not port, but similar enough)

Definitely moved from Ruby -> Tawny over the years though. Generally just stick with the 3 names that tester mentioned above as there's nothing worse than finding a wonderful drink only to find it's difficult to get hold of.

I used to use one of these https://www.ortlieb.com/uk_en/map-case+D13, folded in half and clipped together around the bars (no need for a stem mount). Kept things dry through some apocalyptic rain on tours in the hebrides

Well, if you're on a boat and it's choppy then any port in a storm.

Thanks but attached neatly to stem is a requirement - this is for a tandem stoker so stem is opposite side of the bars

This plus map folded up in a freezer bag for old school vibe
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144006933991

Any recommendations for patching the palm of a motorcycle glove?
Just general wear and tear but seems a shame to bin otherwise ok alpinestar gloves

Ended up with some Cockburn's Special Reserve as on offer in Waitrose.

Thanks all.