good work!

Cheers all.

I'm also looking for some night riding buddies in the Westbury area, thinking of contacting the SPAM crew – anyone from that bunch on here?

There is some good riding around the northern edge of the Plain, a decent cheeky bit of singletrack DH in Erlestoke, the woods are where the 12hr 'Set 2 Rise' enduro was held.

Many friends have the Alpkit jacket and really rave about them. A few have had them since launch and still gong strong.

Rab stuff has really gone downhill in quality over the last 2 years, I'm sorry to say after being a loyal follower of Mr. Carrington. So don't assume you are buying the best with Rab. At the moment other brands, often cheaper, are producing better products. Check out PHD, the guy behind it was the founder of Mountain Equipment. Very good gear.

I agree, that have really gone expensive for no apparent reason (maybe the Timberland takeover?). I now find Patagonia gear is cheaper and just as nice. My friends call me a snob and scoff at me spending £50 on a flannel shirt. Then again, they don't care about ethics.

Certain places which are basicaly cheap hotels (US$5 a night) almost act as a hostel in the way that everyoe staying there is on a budget and usualy very friendly.

Failing that, the Kangaroo Cafe[/url] in Hanoi is a base for ex-pats and western travellers. I met loads of good people here and you can book trips through them as well.

I spent 5 weeks travelling from Hanoi down south to Ho Chi Minh, then up the river into Cambodia. That was in Jan 2005.

One of the best and most memorable trips of my life. Hanoi is a much better city than HCMC – more interesting and less damaged by globalization. From Hanoi def get a trip out East to Ha Long Bay and take a boat trip around the Islands – very touristy but a great sight – I took an overnight boat which meant we got to experience the phosphorescent seas.

In Hue, get to the 'Cafe on Thu Wheels' and take a moped trip around the ancient temples of the area.

Hoi An is very pretty place (but touristy) and a good place to get custom made clothes.

Nha Trang is pretty naff – it was turning into Vietnam's Benidorm when I visited.

Cu Chi Tunnels outside HCMC are worth a visit to see how resourceful the Vietcong were.

Take time to explore the Mekong Delta south of HCMC as it is such a contrast to the mountainous north.

Tip: when getting a ride anywhere (on the back of a moped or taxi) – agree a price first. Cyclos (pedal rickshaws) can be a real rip-off.

Enjoy it – its ace.

Lumicycle has a good-un: Clicky

hehe

2.1 or 2.35 Swampthing for a 5" trail bike?

Same boat here, was thinking of Mud X's due to good reviews of versatility but worried about low volumes – currently run 2.35 Kenda's.

Rab Summit 300 – I've owned for 6 years and its still going strong
ME Lightline
Alpkit

Well fingers crossed then!

I could do with the lights for the Thurs night ride!

RM and PF are not related in this instance – all PF stuff is unaffected.

Nice one Squishy – and congratulations on the test win!

I'm sure HID's can still hold their own, but I'm looking for an LED system. What do you mean by 'aren't as good as'? Overall power, weight, beam pattern?

most often on your scot

tick remover

they come with the 'male' part of the mount that screws into the back of the battery cover. It then fits fine in the eTrex handlebar mount.

The Tiger Lights do look really good, but like the Lumi lights I can only afford a single lamp and as always it looks like I want whats halfway between flood and spot! The Maxx-D is looking competitive!!

Any idea when the Tiger Lights will be back in stock? I'm guessing they will be inundated with trade when the MRUK review 'airs'.

Would you say the beam shot on the Lumicycle website is representative then?

Cheers all, Had not considered Tiger Lights – had not heard of them before TBH which is a shame as the Mendips is home turf! Are they actually made locally and not just designed (I always smirk at the Apple slogan "Designed by Apple in California") ? This is a important point for me.

That's good news that the LED4 has not superseded the LED3. Thing is I see this as an investment – like a set of forks. Does the flood provide enough penetration when riding at speed?

'Messages' by Xavier Rudd

Tune

IMHO, Warmth to weight, Primaloft is not quite has good as high quality down (95/5 700+ fill power) but easily a match for lesser quality down such as 550 fill power. Its far more robust and less fussy about weather conditions.

I doubt you would over-heat in a Photon – I've used mine extensively for walking/climbing/pubbing and find it very versatile. Its also my 'emergency' layer in my camelbak on long rides in the winter.

I used uncut Fleegles last winter – really liked how they felt.

ACX here – good tyre.

Water + Down = rubbish.

If you want a compressible/light jacket look at one with a Primaloft filling. I have had a Rab Photon for a few years now and its really good. Not waterproof, but can shrug off most showers and keeps warm even when wet. Rab Photon

EDIT: alternativly look at something like Patagonia's Isotope

I'm a fan of AA, When I had my mini I used them about 7 times in a year – no problem (except they had to order a flat-bed truck because the dolly on the back of the Transporter couldn't fit under the front of the car!)

Phew!

Stick to Vista – I've never heard a bad thing about it.

I run 175mm on my SS, and 170mm on geared rides. Im not sure if its psychological but I find them easier to crank up the climbs than shorter ones. I have a 30" inside leg.

i've heard 32 twisters work, just.

There's a field next to the Three Stags Heads which you can camp in cheaply.

http://www.greatbeer.co.uk/derthst.htm

nah, Juicy 7's.

Been pretty good for the past few years but have just started squealing even in the bone dry as soon as I touch the levers, both F+R, both on new SSC pads…

i'm impressed with xtr/dura ace 9speed. did stretch but much better than the replacement budget sram.

I like the style of the mag, and its 'feel'. Would hate for it to become an over-produced glamour shoot like all the other mainstream mags.

mine's not been delivered yet…

they could aim their sights at climbers instead. Lots of good climbing near Holyhead. Gogarth etc.

Tried locally first, but to no avail.

The postal strikes are not uk wide – they are pretty localised.

If they are lost in the ether, what chance do I have of getting my money back?

Can you get bags with a waffle sole then?!? 😆