That looks like a fantastic trail, will def make the effort to get there at some point.

Poly thanks for your post, some really good info there.

And everyone else of course 🙂

The time of year is utterly crap to be honest, but no point in dwelling on it as I can’t do anything about that. Shame it wasn’t early summer as I could have taken a couple of months out and got some decent riding in.

The director did know it was probably coming and had warned me; but as the UK branch is a subsidiary of an international operation the decision wasn’t solely his, and I think he had been trying his best to prevent it.

I’m not about to start stealing stuff that is no good to me and put myself in to a compromising position, but I may try and take a couple of items with me if they won’t be missed and will be of use.

Guess I will just have to spend the weekend hoping that Monday may bring some more definitive answers.

What does she actually like to do with her spare time, rather than what do you like to do?

I’m sure I saw a lad on a Commencal about that size this weekend, looked like a well thought out bike.
Don’t know if that will help you or not.

I was going to post the very same question, so I’ll now sit back and break out the cookies 🙂

Really amazing that you sound so positive and up beat; you are an inspiration to us all.

Good news and well done.

“I beleive, I beleive”

Can they hypnotise you so that you can spell correctly? 😀

Paid £279 for a pair of Formula The One (new style) new from this ebay seller http://stores.ebay.co.uk/nfcycling

Great service and I thought pretty good VFM considering cheapest I could find anywhere else at the time was CRC at £269 EACH.

I have to echo comments about UK bikes skills, but if it was something physical it would be the Deemax I have on my Session. Paid £250 for a pair on ebay as the guy had listed them as D-max and no-one else bid. Came with enough spare spokes for 3 wheel rebuilds too 😀

Being trained in the force!

Running in boots will also really mess up your Achilles tendon, hence why many pro runners will actually cut down the back section of a running shoe to prevent this.

As others have said you need to strengthen the ankles rather than try and support them continuously.

Sounds like you need a lesson with UK Bike skills before you do yourself some serious damage and put yourself off the bike for a long time.

If you can afford it, you definitely won’t regret it and it will protect you far better.

+1 Jedi

I just don’t get it, why does it make a difference to anyone on here what he is wearing? The impression that other trail users get from him is not going to come from him wearing a neck brace, far more likely it will be from the way he interacts with them.

Bennetom is obviously out enjoying himself on his bike, that’s all that matters. Ride and enjoy!

Thought it best to check as everyone else was talking single ply.

I’ve been running a 2.5 Dual Ply with no problems, went up very easily too as had been on the bike a couple of months with tubes first. Looses almost no air either.

Don’t forget to buy your tubeless valves too, I used the Mavic ones which were as easy as they could be on the Deemax.

Just seen your reply now, 2 minutes and I’ll go and have a look at the bike.

Tony I’ve been running a Minion on front of the Session tubeless since before I was at yours last. A bit of Stans goo and all has been fine for me for the past few months.
You may need to inflate with a tube overnight first though to get it to seat properly.

I now have Formula “The One” on both bikes (one older style, one newer) and couldn’t be happier. So much better than the Avids they replaced.

Some people do seem to think they can be a bit “grabby” but I like them that way, and I find I can still get great modulation. One of those things you may need to get used to at first though.

Make the trip to Jedi, it’s 100% worth it.

I’ve been twice now and will go again when I am ready to step up another level in my riding.

Where are you Cruzheckler, if you’re anywhere near Basingstoke I have some here on my desk.
Sure you didn’t get a little sachet included with the new seals?

It has to be considered that possibly the role has much more than can be detailed in an interview.

I used to short-list through interview, and then do a first days training with those that were successful. This then gave both parties (the applicant and the company) the opportunity to get a better understanding of each other.From these I would say about 25% didn’t go further, but this was their choice as much as ours.

Certainly wasn’t a “free days work out of them” as these candidates had training officers, management time, lunch/tea etc provided, and didn’t do anything towards generating an income.

It does however really help weed out the “chaff” as it shows a certain level of commitment from the potential employee.

I used them last year for a warranty issue on my 55 ATA, was expecting them to be away weeks and expected the worst.

What I actually got was great speedy service, and was very impressed. I shipped the forks on the Monday, on Tuesday got a call from Windwave to discuss the work as I had requested, on Wednesday I had the forks back and fitted to the bike by lunchtime.

Because of service like this I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again, in fact if I could afford some of the new 888 for the DH bike I’d buy in a shot.

Hope this helps.

Peter I was in the same boat not that long ago, so can understand exactly how you feel at the mo.

The best thing you could do by far is go and see Tony (Jedi,) to install the basic skill sets to your riding. I can’t sing his praises enough and am certain my riding would be nowhere near the level it is if it hadn’t been for him.

Once you’ve been there Swinley is a good option ( I’d be happy to show you around 1 weekend,) as it has some fun and forgiving DH runs. Avoid Cwmcarn for the minute as IMO it is no easier than Aston, and the runs go on much longer. Best left until you’re feeling a little more confident.
Chicksands is also good for practicing what you’ve learnt, I find the dual track great for this and there’s nothing there that you shouldn’t be able to manage.

I haven’t been to Woburn yet, but maybe see you there sometime.

+1 on Bodum, had one for at least the last 7 years and still going strong.

You can certainly cash them for a fee, but also bear in mind there could be a clearance time of up to 12 weeks.

Google search has just brought up the map below. I used it when I was first learning Swinley and it’s not bad. The trail “The Stickler” has a great extension that is not shown that loops in and out of bombholes, and the Labyrinth is always worth a run or 2 if you prefer things pointing downhill.

The lookout is in the top middle.

Try this group, normally have an evening ride on a Tues[/url]

If it’s a metallic you’ll definitely need a coat of lacquer.

Had a Parrot kit that wires in to the back of your car stereo just using a harness inline with the existing wiring kit. Easy to fit, works absolutely perfectly and you syncs all your contacts etc everytime you get in the car.
Wouldn’t hesitate to buy another when this one bites the dust (been going 7 years so expect it to at some point soon.)

I was quite impressed at the honesty of all on the bus when they were asked as no-one tried to falsely claim them.
Good to hear you got them back.

Tony will do wonders for your riding, and he’s not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do or aren’t comfortable with.

When I went for my first session with him I was also a little nervous as I was very new to the whole off-road thing, but Tony certainly put aside those fears and gave me a skill set that I’ve been continually working on for the last 5 months.
The skills I know have made me faster on the trail, more confident both on the ground and in the air, and generally increased my enjoyment overall. When it has gone wrong I have also generally been able to work out which of my skill set was missing to cause that.

I now have my 2nd session booked with him next Monday, and part of me is nervous that I won’t perform as I should. It’s just natural for some of us to be that way I think; and honestly I think Tony just wants you to enjoy riding and doesn’t have any expectations of what you should or shouldn’t be capable of. (I could of course be quite wrong here and apologise to Tony if that is the case, but I don’t think I am 🙂 )

To sum up, don’t worry just go and enjoy. You’ll probably surprise yourself, and don’t forget to post how it goes on here.

You’re looking at 3 or 4 weeks in advance if you can do a week day.

I’m really looking forward to my 2nd lesson with Tony at the end of the month.

You wouldn’t need an excuse if you were driving this bus

My brother helped on some of the paintwork, stunning in the flesh.

I gave up on the 16th August last year as it was the day my best friend was murdered in his home. I’ve heard that once you’ve smoked you’ll always have cravings at some point, and when I do it makes me remember my mate and the great times we had.
Previous to that I’d never managed in 20 years to give up for more than a few years, this time I haven’t faltered once.
Did use the inhalator to help me, and it stays in my pocket if I’m out drinking etc just in case I’m tempted.

I’ll never go back.

All great suggestions, and I’ll be investigating them all thanks.

Certainly have some homework to do this evening now 😀

Any alternatives from the evening crowd?

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, only had time to have a quick look at Trail Addiction so far which looks pretty good.
I’ll definitely be having a look at the others too though when I have 5 mins.
Keep them coming, I’m getting all excited 😀

Thanks GH that saves me a few quid. 😀

I’m 6’2 and currently ride a Large Norco Fluid LT, and sometimes I do think I could perhaps ride a medium so I could throw it around a bit more. I don’t think you’d regret buying a medium or a Norco full stop IMHO.

Add a link to your facebook pages and ask your friends to sign it too 😉