Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tunnie on 05 April 2013, 13:12:26
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I'm going to be cycling from London to Brighton as part of a Team Sky thing in a couple of weeks, also doing it again in June for British Heart Foundation. :)
Decided its time to spec my bike up for road a bit, as its a standard mountain bike at the moment (Specialized Hardrock 2012)
So bought these:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m520-spd-pedals-ec005948 (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m520-spd-pedals-ec005948)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sport-mountain-shoe-ec025874 (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sport-mountain-shoe-ec025874)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/nimbus-sport-tyre-ec034190 (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/nimbus-sport-tyre-ec034190)
Quite lucky as Sky have their own Evans shop on the site, which offer free fitting (Sky pick up labour charge)
Just picked it up at lunch, pedals will get some getting used to. But can already feel benefit as you get power on the up pull as well as the down push.
Its 60 miles the route, taking in Boxhill & Ditchling Beacon, so I felt I needed anything extra I can get. ::) ;D
Best I've done before is 35 miles & that was in Amsterdam so no hills :D
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good luck tunnie if you want sponsering give me a shout to let me know where to send it :y :y
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Get TuBy to join you. He'll look great in lycra.
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Get TuBy to join you. He'll look great in lycra.
:y :y hell definitely look like the Goodyear blimp then :D :D :D :D
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Get some training in ;) I done it a few years ago and it nearly killed me, that Ditchling Beacon at the end is not funny - good when you get up there though as you can just coast down into Brighton.
You will then never want to see your bike again lol
Good Luck - hope the weather perks up for you.
Darren
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Good luck , hope you dont get any tramlining with those tyres :D ;D
:y
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Get TuBy to join you. He'll look great in lycra.
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick015.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick015.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick015.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick015.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick015.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
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Cheers all :y
Sky one is not for charity its a Team Sky thing, but considering setting one up anyway. Few people from my department are going, think we might set it up for testicular cancer. Will post up later details of the BHF one :y
Yes, also got Sky cycling outfit, actually its 2011 kit, but still looks good. I've got the body for it ::) :D
Little fatty would like a mini version of Mr Blobby, on his way to a sausage party ;D
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Oh yes going to get some training in, going to try a few big rides and get some good distances done!
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Just picked it up at lunch, pedals will get some getting used to. But can already feel benefit as you get power on the up pull as well as the down push.
If you've not used SPD's before then set them nice and loose, I can guarantee that you will forget to unclip and fall off :) usually at the most embarrassing places, like at the front of a traffic queue...
Everyone does it, just take time to get used to them. I wouldn't be without mine now..
And have fun on the L2B, i'll be there too...
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Just picked it up at lunch, pedals will get some getting used to. But can already feel benefit as you get power on the up pull as well as the down push.
If you've not used SPD's before then set them nice and loose, I can guarantee that you will forget to unclip and fall off :) usually at the most embarrassing places, like at the front of a traffic queue...
Everyone does it, just take time to get used to them. I wouldn't be without mine now..
And have fun on the L2B, i'll be there too...
Exactly what a mate did when he got his! ;D
Least BHF L2B is in June, really hope weather improves for the Sky one. Some people have done BHF one as well, they said Sky one although on open roads was easier as there were a lot less people
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just take the bmw its so much easier
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just take the bmw its so much easier
True, but no challenge in that :)
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Exactly what a mate did when he got his! ;D
Least BHF L2B is in June, really hope weather improves for the Sky one. Some people have done BHF one as well, they said Sky one although on open roads was easier as there were a lot less people
If the wind direction doesn't change you'll get a good tailwind :)
I did the L2B a few years ago, took me 7 hours !!! we made the mistake of a 9.30am start time. Every hill we came to people were just walking up it, slowed everything to a crawl, this year we have a 6.30am start, hoping to be down there a bit quicker..
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its pretty challenging dodging all the morons on the road no matter what bike your on.
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Exactly what a mate did when he got his! ;D
Least BHF L2B is in June, really hope weather improves for the Sky one. Some people have done BHF one as well, they said Sky one although on open roads was easier as there were a lot less people
If the wind direction doesn't change you'll get a good tailwind :)
I did the L2B a few years ago, took me 7 hours !!! we made the mistake of a 9.30am start time. Every hill we came to people were just walking up it, slowed everything to a crawl, this year we have a 6.30am start, hoping to be down there a bit quicker..
According to pack we've been sent (Sky one), the fastest riders are expected to complete it in 3 hours, slowest 5 hours :o
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According to pack we've been sent (Sky one), the fastest riders are expected to complete it in 3 hours, slowest 5 hours :o
3 hours is good going nearly 19 mph ave, I'm hoping for under 4 hours, but need to get out on my road bike to get some more miles in first, but the weathers just been awful and had too many injuries last/this year..
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Just picked it up at lunch, pedals will get some getting used to. But can already feel benefit as you get power on the up pull as well as the down push.
If you've not used SPD's before then set them nice and loose, I can guarantee that you will forget to unclip and fall off :) usually at the most embarrassing places, like at the front of a traffic queue...
Everyone does it, just take time to get used to them. I wouldn't be without mine now..
And have fun on the L2B, i'll be there too...
Exactly what a mate did when he got his! ;D
Least BHF L2B is in June, really hope weather improves for the Sky one. Some people have done BHF one as well, they said Sky one although on open roads was easier as there were a lot less people
Tuns you simply have to get Grumpy to have a go and don't forget to video it.
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Good luck, nothing like a bit of bike porn ::)
I am up to 60km rides at the moment but the session on Wednesday had to be cut short due to the bitterly cold wind causing the blood to stop flowing to my legs completely.
My pressie to myself that arrived this morning is a full set of 3 nearly new carbon planet x wheels one rear and two different front sizes depending on the cross wind. Cant wait to get them on see how much power I can put through them :y
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Good luck, nothing like a bit of bike porn ::)
I am up to 60km rides at the moment but the session on Wednesday had to be cut short due to the bitterly cold wind causing the blood to stop flowing to my legs completely.
My pressie to myself that arrived this morning is a full set of 3 nearly new carbon planet x wheels one rear and two different front sizes depending on the cross wind. Cant wait to get them on see how much power I can put through them :y
Looking forward to getting some speed up with these hybrids, was getting annoyed at people over taking me with apparent ease :(
Just picked it up at lunch, pedals will get some getting used to. But can already feel benefit as you get power on the up pull as well as the down push.
If you've not used SPD's before then set them nice and loose, I can guarantee that you will forget to unclip and fall off :) usually at the most embarrassing places, like at the front of a traffic queue...
Everyone does it, just take time to get used to them. I wouldn't be without mine now..
And have fun on the L2B, i'll be there too...
Exactly what a mate did when he got his! ;D
Least BHF L2B is in June, really hope weather improves for the Sky one. Some people have done BHF one as well, they said Sky one although on open roads was easier as there were a lot less people
Tuns you simply have to get Grumpy to have a go and don't forget to video it.
Sadly my bullet camera broke, need to invest in a Go Pro
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Good luck, nothing like a bit of bike porn ::)
I am up to 60km rides at the moment but the session on Wednesday had to be cut short due to the bitterly cold wind causing the blood to stop flowing to my legs completely.
My pressie to myself that arrived this morning is a full set of 3 nearly new carbon planet x wheels one rear and two different front sizes depending on the cross wind. Cant wait to get them on see how much power I can put through them :y
Looking forward to getting some speed up with these hybrids, was getting annoyed at people over taking me with apparent ease :(
You will only get faster by working on your threshold, strength and power. You have a light frame so you have a great starting point. Do you have a turbo trainer? If so I can send you some good 1 hour power deveopment sessions.
Have you had your bike fitted properly?
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I would suggest getting in plenty of miles before the event, either on the road or a turbo trainer and on the day pace yourself as you don't want to overdo it at the start and blow your muscles up, especially with the climb you have just before the end. :o :o :o
Using toe clips or cleated pedals and shoes at some point you will fall off where you don't get your foot out from the toe clip or the pedal cleat in time. We have all done it. :-[ :-[ :-[ I been using toe clips and for the last 20 years Shimano cleated pedals. I find it difficult to ride a bike without them as I tend to lift my feet off the pedals where you would normally pull up. When using pedal cleats, it is normally your top thigh muscles that start to hurt first when cycling long distances, especially if there is a lot of hill climbing. ::) ::) ::)
Good luck I hope it all goes well. :y :y :y
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Forget what everyone else is saying. What you really need first is a foot thick piece of foam for you undies so your hoop doesn't get chaffed ;D
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Good luck to you Tunnie. :y
My wife's doing the 65 mile Westminster to Islip cycle ride in a week or so but her training is suffering due to the cold weather.
I can see why you are changing the tyres as tyres make a massive difference to the rolling resistance. :y
My limit for cycling is about 500 yards before my legs hurt. :-[ :-[ :(
Forget what everyone else is saying. What you really need first is a foot thick piece of foam for you undies so your hoop doesn't get chaffed ;D
My wife agrees with that comment Pete as she was rather sore after a 40 mile training session. Those padded crotch trousers aren't the sexiest of garments either. :-\ ;D
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Cant beat getting out on the bike. Its really good exercise and really relaxing as well I find. Used to got out all the time when I worked in Edinburgh was doing around 60-70 miles an evening and really enjoyed it as it was all along the coast.
Get a bit of practice in and you'll do it no sweat, just find a pace that suits, don't try to break any records and something soft to sit on is a must. Padded underwear is very helpful. Good luck.
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Good luck, nothing like a bit of bike porn ::)
I am up to 60km rides at the moment but the session on Wednesday had to be cut short due to the bitterly cold wind causing the blood to stop flowing to my legs completely.
My pressie to myself that arrived this morning is a full set of 3 nearly new carbon planet x wheels one rear and two different front sizes depending on the cross wind. Cant wait to get them on see how much power I can put through them :y
Looking forward to getting some speed up with these hybrids, was getting annoyed at people over taking me with apparent ease :(
You will only get faster by working on your threshold, strength and power. You have a light frame so you have a great starting point. Do you have a turbo trainer? If so I can send you some good 1 hour power deveopment sessions.
Have you had your bike fitted properly?
Bike was setup by Evans store at the Sky site, used to be WizzBike. Feels ok.
Turbo Trainer? ??? :-[
Using toe clips or cleated pedals and shoes at some point you will fall off where you don't get your foot out from the toe clip or the pedal cleat in time. We have all done it. :-[ :-[ :-[ I been using toe clips and for the last 20 years Shimano cleated pedals. I find it difficult to ride a bike without them as I tend to lift my feet off the pedals where you would normally pull up.
I nearly did come off leaving Gunnersbury park, just did it in time ;D
Forget what everyone else is saying. What you really need first is a foot thick piece of foam for you undies so your hoop doesn't get chaffed ;D
My kit has extra padding in all righ areas :D
Good luck to you Tunnie. :y
My wife's doing the 65 mile Westminster to Islip cycle ride in a week or so but her training is suffering due to the cold weather.
I can see why you are changing the tyres as tyres make a massive difference to the rolling resistance. :y
My limit for cycling is about 500 yards before my legs hurt. :-[ :-[ :(
Forget what everyone else is saying. What you really need first is a foot thick piece of foam for you undies so your hoop doesn't get chaffed ;D
My wife agrees with that comment Pete as she was rather sore after a 40 mile training session. Those padded crotch trousers aren't the sexiest of garments either. :-\ ;D
Noticed the difference already cycling back today. Looking forward to it :)
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Cant beat getting out on the bike. Its really good exercise and really relaxing as well I find. Used to got out all the time when I worked in Edinburgh was doing around 60-70 miles an evening and really enjoyed it as it was all along the coast.
Get a bit of practice in and you'll do it no sweat, just find a pace that suits, don't try to break any records and something soft to sit on is a must. Padded underwear is very helpful. Good luck.
Cheers. Thinking if wearing my snowboard imact shorts too, for extra padding :D
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To prevent chafage you can't beat bodyglide or a similar product. Goes on like a stick deodorant on your nether region and gives you hours of freedom from chafage.
By bike fit I mean someone as set it up to your biometrics.
Turbo trainer:
(http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/a3e/5d8/28a/43725/product_page/tacx-turbo-trainer-mat.jpg)
Great for doing power sessions. Endurance is best done on the road.
A good saddle is one of the best investments on a bike, spent £60 on mine but it is worth it :y
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Ah, no its not been setup like that.
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Ah, no its not been setup like that.
Makes a big difference to comfort and thus your performance over long distances.
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OK, my turn. :D
This came in the post over the past few days 8)
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll138/mrgaffney/Snapbucket/789344A5-orig_zpsf405bdf8.jpg)
Carbon 50/101 wheels (I have spare 80mm front for when the rather wind goes away), ultegra groupset, alloy frame (but one of the best), cinelli areo bars (couple of bits missing but on order)
bugger me she's light, cant wait to try it out tomorrow :P
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Get TuBy to join you. He'll look great in lycra.
I used to think nothing of doing 80 miles or so on a Sundat afternoon. Never in lycra though. I was never that gay.
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OK, my turn. :D
This came in the post over the past few days 8)
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll138/mrgaffney/Snapbucket/789344A5-orig_zpsf405bdf8.jpg)
Carbon 50/101 wheels (I have spare 80mm front for when the rather wind goes away), ultegra groupset, alloy frame (but one of the best), cinelli areo bars (couple of bits missing but on order)
bugger me she's light, cant wait to try it out tomorrow :P
Looks like a serious bit of kit, whats the frame size? I had to get an XL even then only just big enough! Otherwise it was the XXL ::)
Do you use Strava btw? Work mate just introduced me to it, its very good.
Did my first big training run today, 23 miles so nice little warm up, 3rd of the distance I need to do on the day, feel good! Also as I left work I was lugging my laptop and other junk in my ruck sack around, on the day I won't have that and be in streamlined lycra :D
I took in Twickenham, Teddington, Kingston, Hampton Court (reached a few dead ends ::)) Really nice ride through Richmond park, next time will stop to take some photos of the deer and i think Elk? :-\
Few photos:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Cycling/Training/2013-04-06%2017.46.32.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Cycling/Training/2013-04-06%2018.10.19.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Cycling/Training/2013-04-06%2018.22.53.jpg)
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If you're up for it I can come down to Landan on the train next weekend and we can do a tour of the city, about 40km or so?
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I dot use Strava, I use my Garmin 305 which monitors cadence, speed, heart rate and elevation :y
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If you're up for it I can come down to Landan on the train next weekend and we can do a tour of the city, about 40km or so?
Sounds good :y
Luckily with shifts I'm not working next weekend, so was going to do another run anyway without my ruck sack.
Really enjoyed Richmond Park and surrounding area :)
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If you're up for it I can come down to Landan on the train next weekend and we can do a tour of the city, about 40km or so?
Sounds good :y
Luckily with shifts I'm not working next weekend, so was going to do another run anyway without my ruck sack.
Really enjoyed Richmond Park and surrounding area :)
My train gets me in to Waterloo unless I bring the car in. Remember though I dont do any of this off road nonsense ::)
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If you're up for it I can come down to Landan on the train next weekend and we can do a tour of the city, about 40km or so?
Sounds good :y
Luckily with shifts I'm not working next weekend, so was going to do another run anyway without my ruck sack.
Really enjoyed Richmond Park and surrounding area :)
My train gets me in to Waterloo unless I bring the car in. Remember though I dont do any of this off road nonsense ::)
Neither do I now with these hybrid tyres, I used to fly along the Thames Path with full mountains on. Today though really noticed how different they reacted, although much, much better on the road which is what I need.
Waterloo is fine for me, not the most exciting ride in. May train it in closer, then cycle. :-\
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If you know a good route then I'll follow you and get myself to where you start from :y
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If you know a good route then I'll follow you and get myself to where you start from :y
I'd prob go along 402 and cut through Hyde Park & meet you at Waterloo. We could then go over to Richmond Park/Hamton Court Area.
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If you know a good route then I'll follow you and get myself to where you start from :y
I'd prob go along 402 and cut through Hyde Park & meet you at Waterloo. We could then go over to Richmond Park/Hamton Court Area.
Sounds good :y
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Well did just under 41 miles today :o
No real plan in motion, but took in a lot of the canal toe paths, my old Uni house and my old Uni commute. Took in Heathrow as well, went through Sipson with loads of signs no to 3rd runway. Someone just needs to have some balls really and get on with, that area is a shit hole a runway would improve things ::)
Though Bushy park again where last time a nice BMW attempted to ram me off the road, last time I made my annoyance "felt" he came so close to me, the side of his side boot panel met my fist, he did slow down for that one ::)
Back down to Kingston again and through Richmond park, quite impressed by this Strava App. Basically anyone else who had it running (and there appears to be thousands!) it compares your performance against theirs. I've come 6th on the "Long Water Ride" at the back of Hampton Court.
Did not fair so well on some of the Richmond park sections, only about 870th place out of around 2,300 ;D
But then again did stop to look at the wildlife:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/733851_10151525759646764_323172011_n.jpg)
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I nearly hit one of them last time I drove through there. ::)
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I nearly hit one of them last time I drove through there. ::)
A cyclist?
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I nearly hit one of them last time I drove through there. ::)
A cyclist?
Don't talk about cyclists in London, John, I might offend a couple of members. >:(
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I nearly hit one of them last time I drove through there. ::)
A cyclist?
Don't talk about cyclists in London, John, I might offend a couple of members. >:(
Nowt new there then. ;D ;D
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I nearly hit one of them last time I drove through there. ::)
A cyclist?
Don't talk about cyclists in London, John, I might offend a couple of members. >:(
Go right ahead, the amount I see at night wearing all black no lights is just insane, most of them go through reds too. Just asking to be hit! ::)
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I nearly hit one of them last time I drove through there. ::)
A cyclist?
Don't talk about cyclists in London, John, I might offend a couple of members. >:(
+1
And this is given the fact that I cycle in central London.
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They used to whizz past me on Oxford street at about 25mph, missing cars and buses by inches and threaten you with violence if you so much as glared at them.
When one of them got knocked off, people actually applauded.
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They used to whizz past me on Oxford street at about 25mph, missing cars and buses by inches and threaten you with violence if you so much as glared at them.
When one of them got knocked off, people actually applauded.
I would too, these pricks give all cyclists a bad name, some of us follow the rules you know :y
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So.. Tunnie and Guffer both closet MAMILs, then? ;)
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So.. Tunnie and Guffer both closet MAMILs, then? ;)
To know what that means you must be one too ;D
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I like Mamils, maybe Christine could join you. :-*
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So.. Tunnie and Guffer both closet MAMILs, then? ;)
Ahhh pass the mind bleach ... quickly !!!!! :(
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So.. Tunnie and Guffer both closet MAMILs, then? ;)
To know what that means you must be one too ;D
Sounds like a confession. :o
Nope. Shorts and tea shirt for me. :P Ok, and a fleece and jacket at the moment. ::)