queen bodecia

The one that fits you correctly of course.

Ruthie, check out Halvarssons range, the gloves go down to a size 5, I wouldn't even be able to get my thumb into those!

Ruthie, neither of the helmets you describe are right for you. Get some advice from your dealer about ensuring the correct fit.

Most branded leather bike gear is made in the same location in Pakistan. So buying a budget brand such as Akito or RST is not really a world away from buying a 'premium' brand such as Dainese or Alpinestars. The premium nature of these brands only really applies to their made-to-measure products. The most important factor is fit. If your bike gear doesn't fit you correctly, the protection it offers you would be seriously compromised.

One of the most often stolen road bikes, so I'd suggest a garage, ground anchor, expensive chain, CCTV and a rottweiler.

Silver b, like I said above try the Halvarssons/Lindstrands ranges. Many of their boots have no zip fastening which gives a much greater range of adjustment. I tried pretty much everything on and NOTHING with a zip could be fully fastened over my legs, Alpinestars were quite possibly the worst.

Yeah pop in and see me on a Saturday Akeface, you can try on our Ikea bike gear to your heart's content. Gradually most of the staff are becoming converts. I'm getting the boots at the weekend (the only boots I've found that adjust enough to get my fat legs in).

We stock Halvarssons/Jofama/Lindstrand (all same Swedish manufacturer) gear at Pidcock and I'm more than impressed with it. Sizing is sensible, quality and protection all present and correct and priced better than the equivalent Alpinestars or Rukka gear. Here is the info on the Targa trousers, they look pretty much top spec to me: Men’s pants of Airdura treated with TFL Cool System®. Temperature-regulating liner. Extra reinforcements in exposed areas. Can be zipped to jacket. Waterproof and windproof. Dryway+® membrane, detachable TFL Cool System® Outlast® liner, detachable HI-ART® Adjustable CE-approved protectors Leather seat and panels from inside of knee down leg Vents Stretch above knee Leg pockets Reflective panels Men 48–62 626700 00 Black

Sorry Phil, but I assuming me not being there doesn't make a world of difference to you! Saw quite a few bikes leaving MFN when I was finally on my way home from work. Must have been a reasonably busy night.

Sorry, I'm not going now. Going to be at work for another couple of hours yet.

I use my ski base layers too. They're designed to do pretty much the same thing. Keep you cool when it's warm, keep you warm when it's cool, wick moisture away from the skin and stop your outer layers from chafing. Bought mine from Decathlon.

Might be a chance I'll get out of work at a sensible time tomorrow, and even some sunshine potential! Anyone else thinking of it?

Update: The shop I work in on Saturdays stocks Alpinestars and a Swedish brand called Halvorssens/Lindstrand/Jofama (three brands, one company), plus a bit of leftover Frank Thomas stock. Absolute nothing in the FT or Alpinestars range would fasten properly on my legs, but the Lindstrand range has several boots with no zips at all, an internal quick pull lace and very wide strong velcro tab. Hey presto I can get these on over my leathers, so I'm getting a pair at work next week. They're pretty good value for money too. In fact, overall I'm really impressed with the Halvorssens/Lindstrand/Jofama ranges.

I'm still baffled as to why anyone would buy online with no way of knowing whether it fits correctly or not. Buying 'your size' is no guarantee of fit whatsoever, every brand/model of helmet is different. Obviously the postage/packaging aspect is a concern too. You're not the first person to learn this valuable lesson the hard way. But of course, there is an even harder way. Just be thankful it didn't cost you that dearly.

Hope that's not a second hand lid! In fairness you can probably find decent brand new gear that's a bit less bling for the same sort of price as second hand Alpinestars. Try shops like Hein Gericke or J&S.

I wear a two-piece base layer. If you can fit jeans or tracky bottoms under your leathers, they are probably too loose and not protecting you very well.

I have a 34" inside leg and I often find trousers are way too short. The overall length is not such a big deal if they still tuck into boots OK, but having the knee and hip armour in the wrong place is a big issue. Just try loads on, they all seem to come up different. If the armour is in the right place but the leg length too long you can get them shortened.

Hi Jen, I'm having the same problem. I can't fully zip up my old Oxtar boots any more and the velcro doesn't quite meet. Which isn't very reassuring. This is because I have mild lymphoedema in my legs following cancer treatment. So far I haven't found any bike boots that fit over my leathers and fasten fully. However, in normal boots I have no problems at all, I don't even need the wide fitting variety and again I don't have any problems with ski boots. For some bizarre reason bike boots seem to be designed for people with chicken legs. My other option is to buy 'bootcut' leather trousers for the bike so that the boots fit underneath, but I often struggle to find trousers that are long enough. I'll let you know if I find anything.

I agree. I only live 15 miles away but I hardly ever go. If it's a nice day, it's packed to the rafters and the roads around it are truly awful.

Matlock last Sunday was a nightmare. I ended up riding through and not stopping, it was just heaving. But hey, if it rains, you might have the place to yourself!

I'm out today. Not sure where or when yet. Not sunny like yesterday though.

I'd be very wary of buying a lid online. Who's to say how carefully the Post Office will handle it? At least when lids arrive at retailers they are secured and cushioned on pallets.

Always back mine in. My drive slopes down to the garage so I'd never get the bike out otherwise.

Did my car test back in 1985 when I was 17 but I was a penniless student and couldn't afford a car, so I cycled everywhere. Then I got a weekend job 35 miles away and a very long walk from the train station. So I got a 125, no training or CBT required in those days, you could just ride a learner bike on your full car licence. I hated it at first but it was a means to an end and I eventually did my part 1. Plus I got lots of male attention, very few wimmin had bikes in them days. Anyway, that bike only lasted me just over a year (I fell off once and a few months later the engine died!). Then I went and studied/worked abroad and in London and bikes were very far from my mind. Fast forward to 1995 and I had been living in Nottingham for two years reliant on public transport. I knew a lot of people with bikes and kept thinking about getting another one. So I got another 125, the law had changed and I had to do a CBT and part two. But after that I got a 250 and it was my main transport for a couple of years. I eventually tired of riding in rubbish weather, I really hated it, so I got a car too. But I've had a bike ever since then for leisure purposes only.

Have a great time everyone. Sorry I can't join you all.