Cycling UK Forum

Thanks for replies Tangled Metal-It was only persistence at the GP that got me to a Dermatologist. My GP gave me anti fungal cream on two occasions over a 5 month period before referring on to a specialist. From there to three ops and discharge was around 10 weeks. My GP did say he was surprised at the biopsy findings though?

As it's the first really nice spring Sunday in the Midlands I thought I would share what I happened to me last year.
I have always worn sun cream and thought I was sensible when out doors. However a year ago I developed a freckle with a dark centre on my Jaw line. I was referred to my local Hospital for a biopsy.
Following this diagnosis with Lentigo Maligna which was then removed and sent for further biopsy.
This resulted in two further operations the final one with general anaesthetic and skin grafts over a wound 10cm in circumference and 5mm deep. Reaching up onto my cheek and down round my Jaw. Final diagnosis Malignant Melonoma a metastatic Cancer with me now facing five years of follow up appointments.

Firstly cover up and use good quality sun block certainly SPF 30+, and cover all exposed areas. Secondly the Oncologist told me he was seeing far more Cyclists these days he thought anecdotally second only to sun bed users in younger age groups
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinfor ... anoma.aspx

For me Bananas always work well, a quick way of getting some cramp reducing potassium.

I too suffered increasing discomfort on Brooks saddles. The saddle for me these days is the Specialized Avatar, my local shop lent me one for the weekend to try a couple of years ago.I have these on all my Bikes now.

Is the future or touring bike packing on a light carbon frame, with electric gearing

I work full time and have found the collect plus delivery Wiggle employ to be faultless to my local shop. Parcels always quickly delivered and collected with the bar code texted. For me this takes all,the worry out of mail order. Also easy free returns through this system.

http://www.lymington.org/boattrips/puffin.html

If you fancy being a bit more adventurous I have used The Puffin Ferry from Lymington a couple of times, cheap, fun and a Bikes go free to Yarmouth.

I have worked in and around orthopaedics for several years and have seen many differences in rehab. Ask your Surgeon which type of replacement he is using. There are several different types available, some may better suit cycling. Anecdotally the patients who appear to do best after this surgury are those with a good level of fitness, strength and range of movement. It's well worth considering regular swimming.

If you are new to touring it's well worth a look at the Sustrans routs, they are way marked with maps available, and some great challenges to be had.

For me it's a bit of a no brainier, having toured on all sorts of bikes including Brompton an Mountain bikes. I do not like to be let down by the bike abroad, my old trek was binned in Spain with a cracked frame. Plus the comfort and convenience of a tourer always pays off on a longer trip . A tourer every time.

I was looking at the AWOl too, I am 5,11 however found the large size to big for me and could not get comfy on the medium. I ended up with a Surly LHT 54. My local LBS did agree how big these frames are, I'm normally well fitted on a,large Spech.

I would also say 10% discount was offered by my LBS and guards in the price so give haggling a try if your heart is set on one.

I have bought several things very successfully from Rose Bikes in Germany, they are very good for DT spokes and Mavic rims,plus sadly the cheapest Brooks saddles I could find. Unbelievable as I live four miles from Smethwick where they are manufactured.
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk

I would concur that a decent tour is worth 10/15KG, but due to the appetite bought about by touring I would soon put it back on.
As an off the wall suggestion I did loose 10KG in a couple of weeks in Goa last year

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/road ... aid:716718

I have found these wheels from Rose Bikes to be well built and long lived

Can't see a problem with that, good idea.