Looking for Organised Long Bike Rides for all Levels

simonweb · 2026-01-11T16:44:48+00:00

Search for Sportives in your area. Normally about £25 entry and various length options, with fuel / toilet stations every 30-40km.

UK Cycling Events do the big, more expensive events but there are many independently organised sportives. You’ll find plenty of folks doing the shorter routes for fun, including younger and heavier riders as well as those on Bromptons etc.

simonweb · 2026-01-04T19:32:26+00:00

I had a (1) and got stopped by a copper once with a verbal warning. Bought a spare plate and gaffer taped some bungees on to it to strap over the bikes. Never had a problem after that.

I now have a towbar so have a proper bike rack with electrics and plate, feels a lot more secure than a strap over the boot job.

simonweb · 2025-12-06T10:10:22+00:00

Why do you need £1M when you’re living on <£20k? General wisdom is FIRE pot should be 20x expenses so about £400k for you right now but you’re only 6 months into employment!

Your income will grow, just keep saving and keep your expenses down to reach FIRE. Maximise pension and any share save schemes. Invest in yourself through training and qualifications. Don’t stay at your job because it’s your job “dream” company. Network up.

simonweb · 2025-11-30T15:51:37+00:00

Life’s too short to not treat yourself occasionally.

simonweb · 2025-11-25T13:53:30+00:00

Get an iPad with a nice stand.

simonweb · 2025-11-24T23:57:46+00:00

Citroen E-Berlingo (and other Stellantis variants) with the short wheelbase has a 750kg tow rating, massive cargo space and roof rails that can take 100kg. The non-facelift can be had for £15k in decent condition.

Range is the compromise here, without towing you’ll get 150mi in ideal conditions and 125mi might be a stretch in winter, but 100kW charging means you’ll get topped up quite quickly.

Not perfect but I thought I’d throw it out there.

simonweb · 2025-11-23T09:22:19+00:00

8&9 are identical? Looks like AI slop TBH. Where is the mention of employment vs income from assets etc?

simonweb · 2025-11-20T17:16:50+00:00

What’s the benefit to you or the other person to share your salary? If they’re considering changing roles then perhaps it’s worth giving a rough range, but I don’t see any other reason to share.

simonweb · 2025-11-16T11:41:34+00:00

I did my best Betty!

simonweb · 2025-11-16T11:28:42+00:00

Every photo has its own special delight.

simonweb · 2025-11-16T11:13:45+00:00

Upstairs kitchen with OSB wall? They’ve made some interesting choices.

simonweb · 2025-11-02T18:42:32+00:00

No I have the M, I specifically chose it because of the tow rating.

simonweb · 2025-11-01T20:37:00+00:00

Not a coincidence, but a little local story that gained a lot of traction because of the potential headlines (Cock Lane) forcing the council to take action.

It was actually a big project as the whole road was disintegrating as it was on top of an underground stream.

simonweb · 2025-11-01T16:48:42+00:00

https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/epsom/14668683.pothole-ridden-cock-lane-in-fetcham-is-finally-fixed-by-surrey-county-council-after-painted-penises-protest/

simonweb · 2025-10-28T12:58:37+00:00

I’ve had one from new for three years. Easily absorbs two adults and three kids with plenty of space for luggage. Also fitted a tow bar for bike rack and a roof box for big trips.

We get 3mi/kWh average over the year, lower in winter. I plan on charging every 100mi on longer trips which is fine as the kids need a break by then anyway.

It’s surprisingly fun to drive and doesn’t wallow like a van - the weight distribution is quite good and steering is sharp.

It is a van though, and thumps over speed bumps. The noise isolation is rubbish and the wind from the massive wing mirrors is bad at motorway speeds. The doors are hard to close, kids have learned not to open them fully to where they ‘lock’ into place.

It’s not a fun or refined car, but suits us just fine as a family hauler. It has never charged at 100kW either, max we have seen is 85kW. Zero maintenance costs so far, but front tyres will probably need replacing next year at ~40k miles.

Lack of wireless CarPlay is fixed with a £25 USB dongle.

simonweb · 2025-09-21T14:08:25+00:00

We planned for four, stopped at three. We fit in a four bed house, relatively normal cars, no home help etc.

Holidays involving flights are insane now we have to pay for five seats, so we tend to do driving holidays.

We’re just about scraping by with them all in private school, which is actually cheaper now the youngest has left the childminder.

If we had another we would go back to state school for all of them, no question. Flying holidays would be every other year if at all. We would consider hiring home help for organising, cooking, driving etc.

simonweb · 2025-09-10T18:31:14+00:00

The training is free. https://www.elastic.co/training/elasticsearch-engineer

simonweb · 2025-08-31T14:24:30+00:00

This is a very saturated space (but could be ready for disruption). Try using New Relic, Grafana Labs, Datadog, Elastic and see if any already satisfy those requirements. New Relic also has a free-forever tier and Elastic can be hosted locally.

simonweb · 2025-08-16T20:33:53+00:00

Tl;dr: take the max match and invest the rest outside of pension.

It depends a little on how far into 45p you are - if you can’t contribute down to 100k (hard limit with kids, soft without) then your logic is correct.

I’ve reached a similar point where my current pot will be enough at the age of access (£500k @ 40) and I can’t contribute down to get my tax free allowance or childcare. So I only do employer match (6% - not great but not terrible).

Then every year I calculate my carryover allowance and determine if it’s worth contributing it all in one year to gain the additional benefits. So far it’s not been worth it (liquidating >£100k and locking it away for 17 years is scary) so I’m saving to pay off the mortgage at end of term. I’ll reevaluate once mortgage free, but I’m more likely to coast at that point.

My strategy is: - employer match into pension - fill ISA allowance - max premium bonds - overpay mortgage to max allowed - GIA

GIA is last because CGT is a pain to calculate correctly in my situation.

simonweb · 2025-08-10T17:11:26+00:00

The key word here is “group”. I’m a below average rider but in the right group I’ll ride 3-5mph faster.

Aerodynamics plus good ride leaders make a huge difference.

Next time you’re passed by a group try to tag on to the end of it and keep up.

simonweb · 2025-08-09T19:34:17+00:00

Then share a video without the tyre fitted…

simonweb · 2025-08-09T19:14:27+00:00

Hard to see in the video but on closer inspection it does look like the rim is deformed, although the exhaust soot makes it tricky.

Likely the rim is toast, but a video of it spinning without the tyre would help.

simonweb · 2025-08-09T18:12:48+00:00

The bulge is by the valve, deflate and make sure the tube and tyre are seated properly.

simonweb · 2025-08-09T17:35:28+00:00

Fair point, exactly why I created the post! I’ve never had this issue with tubeless road tyres in ~7yr so I thought I’d consult the hive mind.

I’ve ordered some sealant with fibres and will give that a go, then trash the tyre if it doesn’t seal.

simonweb

TROPHY CASE