I seem to need to replace the whole drive train every 2000 miles or so. Maybe I need to buy more expensive components.

Good tip: The best investment is a chain wear checker. If you replace the chain at 1% elongation, you can usually wear out 2 or 3 chains before needing to replace the cassette.

The things people leave on the trail, part 3

If you can't see what's going on here, this is a plywood board with 2 dozen 25mm screws stuck though it. It's lying on a narrow bit of the trail between two boulders, pointy side up, covered up with leaf litter.

Fascinating article about tradition. What survives? What's lost?

The Ballad of Geeshie and Elvie: On the trail of the phantom women who changed American music and then vanished without a trace

Me: Ah! Nice cup of tea. There's nothing better than a nice cup of tea. Unless it's a great cup of coffee!

Alison (sympathetically): You really miss Martin, don't you?

Sorry, this won't mean much if you don't know the people involved. Made me laugh though.

The Waggon and Horses, Langsett

Tall Stories' production of Emily Brown and the Thing is fantastic for small-ish children, and it's touring until Christmas; grab the chance to see it if it's on near you.

Emily Brown and the Thing