Yeah last thing I want to do is work harden that rim!

I'm just a bit worried about it acting as a stress concentration while hammering it down some alpine gnarr-core trail!

Nice one mk1fan, thanks for the advice.

I don't normal ride DH, I have never been on an uplift for example.

This is a trip being run with about 7 mates who are a mix of riders from mainly XC trail riders like me through to a full factory sponsored DH rider. We will be doing uplift almost exclusively and gravity assisted trails, but I would like to try some of the long epic rides that I have heard about in the area.

Yes, I will be out of my comfort zone but that's what I am most looking forward to! Plus, who doesn't like going down!

Another vote for Hurricane

If you havent got this loaded already, these maps are really worthwhile… and free.
UKmaps

Ah cheers for that, Didn't realise the search was fixed 🙄

Singletrack 3/4 is pretty slim at the hem,

As is Gore's waterproof jobbies, so their range might be quite slim fitting.

I've heard good (adequate) things about Asda 20w50 for minis…

It was still the same 2 weekends ago….

awesome!

here's the one soon to be mine!

Here's a cutting question – can minis and bikes mix?

Damn that's Schweeet!

Cheers for the link Ski, Already there! 😛

PJ266 – I had a felicia estate for a bit too, it sure was good to have a proper battle wagon! It's now in Mongolia…

Haha! Awesome, maybe we should start a STW mini massive!!

An RSP was the LTD ED Cooper when its was relaunched after it left the line up in 1971. RSP stands for Rover Special Projects.

The 'S' pack was an performance option offered by John Cooper garages endorsed by Rover.

If you think that every star in the sky is a sun, each one with their own solar system of varying magnitude, then surely there must be another planet that is the 'right' distance from the sun to promote life.

So I'd say 'Yes', in some form or another.

Cheers for the warning Hitman, That's good to know 'cos we haven't ruled out Brechfa yet!

VD- we will be two small blokes that look like kids – even though we are far from it! I'm on a Cove Hustler my mates on a Yeti HT.

Nice one VD. Yeah maybe catch you there. We're coming from Wiltshire so maybe wont be there too early!

What model do you have Ian?

IMO If you plan on sleeping in your van, don't use foam. As it cures (over a long time) its gives off VOC's that can make you feel like crap in the am. Just my experience. You may be able to get stuff that is not solvent based so have a good hunt around first.

to me, tramp looking girls are a thumbs-up.

no townies for me! 😉

Thermafleece and hemp matting.

Where are the trails around Longleat? I live locally and would love to ride there!

EDIT: double post

Done 😉

Tabasco

just thought they might be useful – the number of times the last person in a group has had a puncture coming down a trail and people waiting didn't know if it was injury or mechanical. Think it would be good in this situation.

i'd like a handlebar bag, the small one. I have been after one for ages now.

I reckon we need a group purchase to cut down on shipping costs/maybe get a discount?

a nice swiss-army knife or leatherman?

got the latter for my 18th from the parents and they had the leather pouch stamped with my surname. It will last forever if I look after it and it goes almost everywhere with me.

super-dooper.

I had a set of SKS raceblades but I didn't get on with them – they always rubbed.

My bike (Kaff) has all the provisions for a full set of guards but I want an easy-on, easy-off set that has minimal effect of toe overlap.

Alternatives?

Cheers C_G.

is it just me or the search feature never turn anything decent up?!?

Thanks all for words of wisdom.

Since a lad I saw my mother suffer in a job she hated, coming home after every day morose and bitter that has affected my family for good. I swore from a young age that I would only do a job if it make me happy – its the only way I could see myself having a 'better' life than my mother.

Until now I have largely been in such roles, however they have always been temporary ones and each one I have left wishing it was more concrete.

I applied for this job from an ad in the local paper thinking it would have been a part-time job, meaning I could continue volunteering with the Trust with a view to progressing within that. The job application snowballed and it transpired that it was a much bigger role than anticipated and when in interview I was just stunned at the offer of a 'proper' job. I was told it would be foolish to turn it down- head ruled heart.

Now I just feel trapped in this and wish that I had listened to myself instead of other thinking 'they know best'.

@Col – That very encouraging info. I tried for the Careership last year by was not successful. It would be good to ask a bit later on for some info – is that ok?

It's a sales based role mixed with a bit of engineering solutions in the fireplace/chimney construction industry. I have high morals – its just that some of the 'pressure' selling that I have been told to do doesn't lie well with me. My strong morals have led me into previous (clinical) depressions and it is something I am scared of repeating.

Prior to this I worked as a volunteer gardener for the National Trust and can't stop thinking about it. It was ace – I'd love to do it full time even though (after training costs) it would pay a few pennies more than minimum wage, I don't care.

Ton – no stem as yet. When did you send it?

Fail on so many levels.

It takes a scary amount of force to tighten the fecker onto the axle.

nope, defo 22% radder.

Was only a 10-15mins program. Started at 20.10. not sure about dave-ja-vu.

No ice then…

Still – a blast from the past!

AA – i've used them LOADS and always been good – well, what you expect anyway – no nasty surprises.

But if a jumper keeps them (and you) warm – why bother with heating?

Wear a hat to bed. I did this and also had 3 duvets on the bed when I lived in a caravan in N. Wales. Winter like this just makes you appreciate warmer times.