teg

You can't work it out on time alone as it's all dependent upon exertion, surely... Most people won't swim a mile or swim for 30 mins at the same exertion level at which they would run a mile or run for 30 mins. If you have a heart rate monitor, run for half an hour at say 80% WHR and then do the same in the pool and see how far you get in both cases, and you should be able to work it out from there. I'm not sure there's a catch-all rule, and if there is I imagine it'd be VERY vague and unreliable...

The road is still shut from Harvester down towards ED (don't know how far) - or was when I passed through a short while ago. Anyone know what happened? xx

I always thought it was Tirrell, also like Squirrel (the way the Brits say it). And I went to school with a De Crespigny - Di-CREP-nee. Also I think I'm fairly inconsistent on the Dul-itch, Dul-idj front, although I'd never pronounce the w. :) teg.x

PSA: Series 1 of FOTC currently reshowing on BBC Four, Tuesday nights at 9:30 - only one episode in so far. Series 2 rumoured to be on its way soon... teg.x

Hi all Balfe's Bikes - really sorry to hear about your hiccups. Hope everything is sorted soon!! In the meantime (and I'm only thinking until Balfe's is open for business again - I'm all about supporting local business) I know that Pete at Rat Race Cycles does mobile servicing and actually specialises in hand-built wheels, so if you need your wheel sooner Char1ie maybe give him a call? He's the Pierre who posted above and their website is www.ratracecycles.com. teg.x

wasn't in London last year, but year before we were in The Gowlett on Christmas morning, which was lovely - and I seem to remember a free glass of bubbles into the bargain! No idea if it'll be open this year... As for carol services - there's a lovely carols by candlelight at All Saints' in Peckham (the big church you can see from Peckham Rye Station platform) - this year it's 6pm on 16 Dec. xx

I have to say, as someone who commutes a fairly short distance on a daily basis, but who loves a bit of mountain biking at the weekends, I'd love an ED-based bike shop. I agree that every time I've been into Up'N'Running (admittedly, usually with a running query) they've been very lovely, but my bikes are more have-a-go heroes than sleek tri-machines, so they wouldn't be my first choice for bike repairs. I'd love to be able to patronise somewhere local though. T.x