No car but I could easily hire one.

Abroad would be great but obviously would have to be cheap. UK is fine too.

It’s well worth heading over to Samoens for a day. It’s not in the pds area but its hosting an Ews round this so that tells you a bit about the calibre of riding!

Enduro

I’ve just had some wheels posted through myhermes go missing and they didn’t help at all. Definitely avoid!

A few of my favourite that haven’t been mentioned…
Fear and loathing in las Vegas
A clockwork orange
Brave new world

Whiskey711 – standing on it worked a treat. The shoe has now overtaken the hammer as my favourite tool.

The music of the human voice

Really? Is this a tried and tested technique?

The wheels are tubeless ready which means you just need a tubeless valve.http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/alloy-tubeless-valve.htm

To be honest the wheels are bit crappy though if you plan to hammer the bike.

Eggs

Same brand tyres so that’s all good. I’m going to get in touch with pinkbike now, I feel this could be the next big thing after 29+ wheels.

I’ve just bought one and I think its great. I’ve ridden it a hand full of times so far including the grizedale Enduro. The sizing and geometry are modern (long and slack) and its rides like a steamroller! This means its not the most playful but its fast.
I went for the lowest spec but I’d recommend going for the rockshox spec if you’ve got the cash.

Cheers gyys, great suggestions so far!

Basque Mtb looks right up my street. Did you fly to San Sebastian?

Don’t need them, happy to pedal up

I’m a big fan of Chromag stuff. They have the lynx DT saddle on sale at wiggle for £53 at the minute too. They’re based in whistler too so you obviously get extra street cred too

I was at the Hawkshead YHA last week and they seemed to have a good set up. Pretty close to the forest and pubs within a 10 main walk.

Its well worth doing a day over in Samoen. You bike there via an amazing descent from les gets. Its also holding one round of this years EWS too so that says a lot about the calibre (and steepness!) of the trails.

I’ll be there! Just waiting for my new meta v4 to arrive. If not I’ll be on a hard tail. I’ll be riding with my dad and keeping it steady. Say hi if you see a shiny new yellow meta.

Thirion or Gwin are gonna take this one I reckon. This track is a much better start to the season than South Africa too! Can’t wait.

Big set of jumps at pines and didnt soil myself. Two separate achievements, not related.

I love my 45650b. A bit on the portly side but it’s fast when you point it down! I did just by the frame though and spec it myself so not sure what build planet x are offering.

Good karma, well done!

@Adam@BikeWorks – Brilliant, thanks. I figured 19″ would be suitable. I’m based in Nottingham, home of the worst mountain biking in the UK.

The quality of the Merida stuff is really good. That’s the main thing that’s made me consider them.

@Adam@Bikeworks – Do you know anybody who does demo bikes? Also, I’m 6’1 (the awkward L/XL height) what size would you suggest. I can only seem to find 19″ frames.

@egb81 – The colour for the 160 900 looks amazing in the pics. Hoping to get down to the Nottingham head office soon and see one in the flesh.

@olly2097 – Thanks for the reviews. Looks like they’re starting to come round to the modern trends in geometry (long top tube, slack head angle etc). I was worried it might be a bit to ‘xc racer’ style and be pants DH.

Need to try and find a demo bike to try next!

I guess it must be a delay for all the 29ers then. I’ve emailed to ask what the crack is so I’ll see what they say. If it keeps getting delayed I might just have to get something else unfortunately.

How’s the Root Miller order going on? Mine was down to 5 weeks but has been bumped back up to 10!

I stopped off in Laax in the Flims area. Its a lift assisted resort with loads of trail bike friendly trails and some really cool red bull north shore style trails. There’s even a pump track and mini free ride area on the central campsite (opposite the main chair lift). I think they do local dh races ‘mates race’ style events each week too that anyone can enter.