Whitstable

http://www.highonbikes.com/sunrace-mx80-11-speed-mountain-bike-cassette-11-50-silver.html

Is one place. Few others too. Google ‘CSMX80’

I’m about to go from 2 x 10 to 1 x 11.

Current thoughts are XT M8000 shifter, SLX M7000 long cage mech, sunrace 11-50 and a sram X1 chain. Just weighing up 32 or 34t narrow wide but will probably go 32 initially.

We went to Erpeheide CP in Belgium for Feb half term this year. Had a great time. We had a ‘pony cottage’ where our girls had their own pony for the week. They loved it! Great pool. Decent restaurants on site or we cooked. Was 1/3 of the cost of the UK sites. Would definitely go back. Heard good things about the Dutch Port Zealand and De Kampervenen sites from friends who’ve been.

There’s lots of good singletrack around Thornden, Clowes and Blean woods. I’d happily show you round. I’m away this week but back next.

Does look lovely that.

I remember those battle beasts, but would never have known the name!

The golden age of cartoons and kids toys.

Blitz. Age 37 1/2.

Out of interest I’ve just measured and I’ve got 45mm of seatpost below the collar so could get away with a 150mm dropper.

Standover wasn’t a massive factor for me so didn’t pay too much attention to be honest. I mostly focused on reach. The large is fine though. I’ve got a 125mm reverb in there with a bit to spare. A 150mm might be touch and go but not tried. Here’s a pic of mine with the reverb in my normal high position.

What about 11 speed with a sunrace 11-50 cassette? Almost the same range as 12 speed.

I’m 5′ 9″ on a large. Tried both and preferred it over the medium. They size up on the small side.

At 5′ 8″ you’re also in the overlap between medium and large according to their size chart.

SUGGESTED RIDER HEIGHT

Medium 160- 175 cm 5’3″-5’9″
Large 170-185 cm 5’7”-6’1″

If it felt cramped I’d give the large a try.

BB is pressfit 92 but hasn’t been an issue. The Deores are solid and functional and the DT spline wheels are nice. Haven’t felt the need to change either personally. It comes 2 x 11 as stock so easy to go 1 x with a new chainring.

The Bird bikes will have more standover and be much longer in reach for a given size. The carbon Occam will be lighter. It’s around 28lb in large as stock. If you can demo both I would. I demoed an aeris120 in ML and the sizing and geometry is quite different. I personally got on better with the Occam but could easily see how someone else would prefer the Bird. Both great bikes but from my limited experience of the short demo they have a slightly different character and depending on what you’re looking for, you will probably gravitate towards one or the other.

If the spectral felt short then you might prefer the Bird as I think the Occam is similar in reach to the spectral. Unless you can size up?

Just one thing to add…..check the sizing if you’re going to go for it. I’m 5′ 9″ and the sizing chart has me towards the top end of the medium range or bottom end of the large. I was able to demo one in a local shop and went for the large which fits really well. The geometry is great but they size up a bit shorter in reach compared to some.

I’ve also got one, bought last year in the same end of season cyclesurgery sale. Mine is the 2016 which is the same frame as the 2017 I believe but came with 2 x 10 xt/slx rather than 2 x 11.

I also absolutely love it. It’s light, stiff, pedals really well, pops off everything. It’s a proper do it all trail bike. Equally happy on an xc bimble in the woods to whatever you can throw at it.

Not had a single issue with mine so far. Put a reverb stealth on it and changed the saddle and tyres. Probably going to go 1 x when the current drivetrain is worn which is getting close.

https://www.cyclesurgery.com/p/orbea-orbea-loki-27-h10-2017-Q1211115.3499.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpN2NkZiv1QIV0antCh3adQOFEAQYASABEgKRYfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Just wanted to say thanks again for the suggestions on here. Had a cracking night last night. Ended up eating at Riddle and Finns in the lanes which was fantastic. Some of the best seafood we’ve ever eaten. Stayed in the lanes for a few drinks and then finished the evening at the black dove which was pretty cool. Wife was amused that the night was basically planned on here, so thanks from her too!

Glad you’re getting on well with them.

We were at SUP Armada last weekend at Bewl Water near us in Kent. 2 nights camping and SUP’ing on the reservoir. Weather was a bit hit and miss with some lovely sunny spells but some rain and bit breezy on the Saturday. Really enjoyed it overall.

We took our ITWIT but also took out demo boards. I was really interested to see how a premium board felt as I’d not been on one to compare before. I tried a 10′ 8″ fanatic fly air premium and didn’t think it felt much different from the ITWIT. The deck surface was perhaps a bit nicer and I liked the colour scheme but I wouldn’t pay 3 times the price for one for sure.

This is what our Trusts policy states on this:

Staff who have no previous NHS experience (or have been out of the NHS from more than 1 year), should be appointed to the minimum of the pay band.

In exceptional circumstances managers may wish for the candidate to start at a point higher up the payscale based on their previous experience and skills that they can bring to the role.

There is no automatic entitlement to match a salary from outside of the NHS, and the additional benefits that the NHS provides to its workers should be considered when deciding on a salary point.

A salary higher than the minimum must not be offered until the manager has evidence that clearly shows an equivalent level of knowledge, skill and experience working at that level to warrant the point on the scale. Consideration should also be given to other staff within the department who have had to work through the incremental scale to get to their pay point. A copy of evidence of this knowledge, skills and experience should be forwarded with the confirmation of appointment form.

Verbal or written offers of a salary higher than the minimum point should not be made until it has been signed off by the Head of Resourcing.

The incremental date will be set to be the anniversary of their start date in post.

Before increasing the point on the scale consideration should also be given to the possibility of recruitment and retention premia (RRP). RRP can be awarded to posts where there are difficulties in recruiting due to market restraints, it can be awarded in the short and long term. If it is felt this is a more appropriate channel managers should speak to the Resourcing team who can advise on next steps.

Winter just gone I’d finished a section of trail and was riding along a fire road when I noticed a twig stuck under the front mudguard. Lent forward to try and pull it out whilst still riding slowly, but somehow folded the front wheel under me as I lent forward. As I was clipped in, I couldn’t get a foot down and ended up stacking it and landing chest first onto the end of my bars. Cracked rib.

We just bought this and used it at the weekend for the first time:

http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/coleman-mosedale-5-tent-p407253

Very easy to put up, good size and the blackout bedroom was fantastic. Best nights sleep we’ve ever had in a tent. All of us, including 4 and 6 year old kids slept until 8am which is unprecedented. Seems good value.

Another vote for SE. Massive battery life improvement on the older gen phones. As big as I ever want a phone to be. Does everything well.

Only started 7 years ago but in that time:

3 MTB

Decathlon Rockrider
Vitus Blitz
Orbea Occam AM (Current Bike)

1 Road Bike

Vitus Decium (Current bike)

Cheers for the feedback.

Currently 2 x 10 (22-36) which was stock on my bike. I’ve stuck the figures into a gear calculator and the 11-50 with a 32t ring gives pretty much the same low gear (0.66 vs 0.63) with a loss of approx 2/3 of a gear off the top end (3.02 vs 2.87/3.40). Seems negligible and can’t see the extra expense of even eagle GX being worth it if it works well. No need for XD driver. Cheaper components to replace.

Just woke me over the water in Kent. Almost constant lightning flashes for last 10 mins. Not sure I’ve ever seen so much. We’ve got the rain too!

Well done Weeksy. Unlucky with the DQ

Had a mare. Got the kids down with 10 mins to spare. Signed up for Cat C, got the bike on the turbo, grabbed some water…..1 minute to go jumped on the bike and start peddling, only to find I haven’t attached the bloody cadence sensor back on to the chainstay! Missed the start and couldn’t be arsed to do pootle round. The house is a mess so my exercise is now a bit of tidying up instead. At least the bike is on there and set up now so hopefully get on tomorrow instead! Good luck Weeksy!

Helpings of chilli

Haven’t been on Zwift for a while but might try the Kiss race at 8pm if I can get the kids down in time. Wife’s away for a couple of days with work so can’t get out on the road. Good opportunity to get back on Zwift.

We’ve got this one and it’s really comfy as a bed and a nice sofa too. We didn’t pay £750 for it though. Got it about 12 years ago from MUJI in bluewater and it’s still going strong.

http://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?Sec=19&Sub=82&PID=5266

Very happy with my 2016 Occam AM but these look lovely! The 29er TR in particular.

Three stand out for me.

Liverpool vs Newcastle 4-3 Stan collymore injury time winner. Such a bonkers game!

Liverpool vs Milan champions league win. Comeback of all comebacks

Miracle of medinah. Another unbelievable come back.

It’s obviously something delicious about the swing in emotions when victory is snatched from the jaws of defeat. Nothing like it.

I’ve got the one in your first link. The light is decent as a wide bar light. I pair it with a Cree spot light on the helmet and it works well as a combo. The rubber fixing strap is crap though. However, it has a screw hole in the base which is the same fitting as for a standard camera tripod/go pro type mount, so I bought a compatible clamp from eBay for a few quid and that works well.

In true recommend what you’ve got tradition, I’d suggest a look at the Orbea Occam AM.

Fantastic bike. I demoed it against the aeris 120 and Whyte t130 and it my preferred choice although lots to like about those two as well.

Had an email yesterday saying the 2018 Occam bikes are to be announced next week so might be some deals about soon on 2017 bikes. Looks like cycle surgery have started discounting which is where I got mine from. Full carbon bike here (which is what I have) for £2699 and WELCOME5 code gets another 5% off that.

https://www.cyclesurgery.com/p/orbea-occam-am-m30-cs-spec-2017-Q1224437.157.html?gclid=CKDd2Nj0gdUCFca77QodDUYNwg&gclsrc=aw.ds#/rdl

Might be other retailers discounting soon so could be worth keeping an eye out.

On a side note, a little trailer appeared on my FB feed the other day for the next series of mountain bike adventures. I liked the first series despite some obvious flaws. Will be good to see it back.

As mentioned, we’ve had the 10′ 6″ one for a few months and have been really happy with it.

Thanks again. The Black dove looks a good option actually. We’re staying at Malmaison at the Marina (got a good deal) so that’ll be en route back.

Thanks again for the advice. Had a look at some of the restaurants mentioned and lots of great looking options. Thinking I might go for Riddle and Finns as the seafood on the website menu sounds fantastic.

Was talking to someone else today about places to go out after and there was a mention of Bohemia. Any opinions on that?