I had one of those – problem is, if you mount heavy things on them (lights, GPS) instead of light things (computer, backup light) all the bouncing off road means they break fairly quickly. Now I just have less kit on my bars!

Good way to get moving after Christmas, I bimbled round on the SS with a friend. Got up all the climbs, which I was pleased with. Clearly a course designed to cope with wet weather, good atmosphere, but a little dull overall (I was spinning out a lot on the flat/slightly downhill stuff). The one singletrack section I kept getting stuck behind people, which was a bit annoying, but it shows that the event attracts a good cross section of people and encourages less experienced people out, as well as those who do a lot of events.

How would I improve it? Maybe a bit more variety earlier on, most of the challenge came in the last third of the 50K.

Bushwacked – good link to the stretch, there’s quite a few useful ones on that site. Ta.

Keep a food diary – the act of having to write down everything you eat makes you consider your choices a little more. Don’t forget the calorific drinks too.

Doctor who?

Eating – Jacket pot, leftover homemade bolognaise sauce, kale, carrots
Drinking – Water, off alcomahol for January
Listening – Sigur Ros

Was in Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – we had maybe 10% of people in. Managed to fill up Monday and Tuesday, but have very little to do on NYE – so had to visit the bike shop. Took today off as I imagine it will be even deader today.

Main reason I didn’t take it off was to save the holiday too!

I can get the front page (after several attempts) but nothing after that.

Re Mobile Phone Company – if you mean a retailer (Carphone Warehouse, Phones 4 U), then possibly. If you mean a network, very, very unlikely. There might be some consolidation (e.g. T-Mobile and 3 merger) but I doubt anyone will just go bust. Operating profits for the big worldwide companies are in the billions.

Rubeboy – good observation on the low blood pressure. Mine is fairly low (105/70ish) and I suffer from cold hands and feet. Sealskinz Technical MTB gloves are the only ones I’ve found to be warm enough (though others, as stated here, find them too hot). 661 storms were OK down to about 5C, below that I found them too cold.

I’ve not yet found a decent foot solution – I’ve Specialized Defroster “winter” boots (which are waterproofish but not particularly warm), used with one thinish pair of socks and a decent pair of merino ones. I think I’ll have to try overshoes. Hurrah, more shopping!

Hopefully I’ll be there – meant to go for the past 3 years but have failed each time, generally due to illness. Feel fine at the moment… Plan is to singlespeed the 50km course.

Except shop link is giving http 403 forbidden… will try later.

Right, I’m going to buy some stuff from the shop.

I think so… :?

JJB Sports is tipped to be next, Land of Leather/other furniture retailers, Allied Carpets.

Hopefully the demise of places like JJB might allow other smaller sports shops to flourish. Where I live we’re lucky in that we’ve got a real, independent sports shop that sells things you wear/use whilst exercising!

“The Big Book Of Top Gear”, “It’s just like Top Gear on the telly… except it’s a book”.

I’ve read my other copy. It didn’t take long. Probably better suited for 12 year old boys than grown men who are happy to read words rather than just look at pictures. Happy to swap for Patricia book – any good?

From what I remember, flicking the blue lever to the locked position means that the lockout/floodgate is engaged. The amount of force needed to open the floodgate is controlled using the silver dial. With the blue lever in the open position the shock is fully open all the time and the silver dial makes no difference.

So you can ride fully open, or with the tuneable lockout/floodgate engaged. It’s not just for climbing.

Having carried the presents back from my parents, I might be getting the pizza stone I wanted…

mboy – yeah, I thought that the moment I posted!

Yup, planning a quick ride if I wake up early and girlfriend doesn’t. She’ll understand.