So, unfortunately Mbnut can’t make it now due to work commitments; can anyone else make a ride out over Surrey Hills on Tuesday morning?

Mbnut, you able to make it? No worries if not, just need to know either way. Cheers

Looking to book the hotel now, I’d like to be as close as possible to the potential start/finish point.

Mbnut, can you please drop me a line about where that would likely be? Jeff3bream at hotmail dot co.uk

Well, sunrise is about 08:00 so I suggest we start out then, if we plan on about 3hrs out then it should leave me enough time to get cleaned up and the airport for no later than say 12:30.

Would that work for you Mbnut? Means I can come without lights as well then, which is a bonus with hand luggage only lol.

That would be fantastic Mbnut if it works out, usually there are showers at the airport if not so no worries, or I just go home smelly/muddy 😆

Is there a local hotel you could recommend me?

And that was a good tip about the ebike hire as never ridden one; maybe for next time.

Just checked and I have the Osprey Flare; for work travel I’d say you should make sure the access is easy and volume adjustable. the Flare or similar cover that with multi entry zips on top and slide straps to adjust volume. The Talon in the above Wiggle link is a nice pack but not really practical for quick easy IT access when travelling.

Personally I have been using an Osprey rucksack for the last few years and am very happy with it, they have a commute range but depending on the volume you require will determine if it fits your budget.

Weeksy, that sounds perfect, I don’t know Swinley but I’ll be picking the bike up from the shop so you can advise the best place to park/meet.

13:30 blue loop and meet weeksy at 14:30 back at the meet place; then head out for red etc loop. Finish time for me is 16:30 as I have to give the bike back, unless someone has a loaner I could switch to.

tuskaloosa, any chance you could do Tuesday morning, even if 7:30am?

Hmm, just realised the bike shop will shut at 16:30 so I guess I’ll have a drop the hire bike off by then!

So ideal ride time for me would be 13:30 till 16:30.

Thanks for the hotel tips; if Mbnut can do Tuesday morning at Surrey Hills then I might sleep near there, so it’ll be an easy early start to head out. Either way I’ll happily buy a beer to anyone who can make it out 8)

Back in my mountain adventurous days we spent 3 nights camping on the glacier at the back of the Midi whilst hitting all the local summits, fantastic days. I’d say it’s must and the cable car across to Italy, wouldn’t think you’d have any breathing issue as long as you don’t run about, like the other said.

Will never forgot the first time you walk out of the Midi fully kitted up and cross the snow bridge onto the ridge, wakes you up very quickly with exposure like that 😯

Great replies, that’s the spirit.

Just off the phone from the Bike Hub and have booked their Whyte T129 hire bike; it’s not a lot of money and I can hand it back muddy without feeling guilty but thanks for the loan offers.

I hope to arrive about 13:00-13:30 and would welcome anyone who can show me around. I will try to find a local hotel to stay in so I won’t be time limited; I can also bring my lights and ride again later if folks are able to ride.

What time could those interested arrive? weeksy says from 3pm but what about you siwhite & HansRey? Could anyone start from say 13:30? I’d be happy to do an hour and half before 15:00 and then carry on into the dark…..

Mbnut, I’d also love to ride the Surrey Hills, would you be available to take a ride out on the Tuesday morning? My flight back from Gatwick isn’t until 13:50 so I could easy fit in another ride if you were free and able to loan me that bike.

Swinley is a great idea, I can take a hire car and it’s only half an hour from Guildford.

I’ll probably do this if no one else can help.

Thanks

I contacted them through their website, my MT8 wasn’t holding pressure, sent the brake to their workshop and they sent me a new one after a week. Great service

I guess it all comes down to the conditions you ride in regularly as the Chupas are working great for me. I’m lucky that in my area there is no real mud to clog things up; mainly a sand base mud.

Before I bought the Stache I was also considering a steel B+ option, specifically a Tarn and posted a question about this; one post that hit home was from pigyn: ‘I say don’t bother with steel for 3″ tyres, what’s the point? Compliance you can’t feel through 3″ of squish?’.

Anyway, in the end picked up an ex-demo as new Stache 9 and been really impressed with it, it’s like a fun fat bike. It’s agile and can actually be ridden fast without my legs exploding.

How about Gore? Have a pair of the Essential 2.0 myself and love them.

Just read that VW link and I’ve experienced all those things, but it doesn’t say if it’ll brake till/through ABS activation?

Me neither and I wonder the same 😮

Had it brake very hard, flash red lights and beep very loud; but I took over at that point.

But I do wonder if it will brake till ABS application in an emergency; just not brave enough to find out!

To date I’ve been borrowing the neighbours cheap mini compressor, like you describe, the only issue was getting the flow/volume right for it to work well. Was fine once pressure was built up and I took the core out.

Time to sort my own solution now though; was planning to buy a mini compressor but after this and the Air Shot thread I’ll follow the home made path now.

That Kool Stop looks pretty handy, after a similar experience earlier this year I bought something similar to that Pedros DH lever but you have to be careful when using it not to damage something.

And thanks for the Nobby link; will probably follow that path. Wish me luck with A&E!

Lol, when you put it like that, making an air powered bomb sounds even more fun! Will it be safer if it’s charged in a metal tin? 😆

Looks like it works fine but isn’t it rather expensive for what it is; surely at this price you could just about buy a mini compressor? And that’s something you can use for much more than just inflating tyres.

Or am I missing something?

ToddleBike, pre-balance bike 8)

Junk segements aren’t really an issue here in Sweden, not that many really where I ride. But see your point and take back my default starred option 😆

Hmm, didn’t realise segment data was stored on the device.

Personally I run Continental Touring Plus on my winter bike and I’m very happy with them; not the lightest but very puncture resistant, great pattern for winter and have a low wear rate.

I have the 520 and have been playing around with it. You can turn the Strava live function on but by default Strava segments don’t pop up on your screen when you ride. What you need to do is ‘star’ the segment you want to see and then when you come within 150m of the segment start it automatically pops up on the 520 screen. Then it counts you down and says GO as you enter the segment, it then gives you live time progress through the segment so you can see if you are in front or behind the chase time.

It’s a great feature but a little painful to have to ‘star’ every segment you want to pop up. This is less of a problem for local rides you hit often but when you visit somewhere new it’s a bit of a pain.

Now I’m hoping someone has found a way to ‘star’ every segment by default?

I organised a trip out there with a few guys a few years ago, was very well taken care of and they adjusted the riding to our skill level and wishes. Wouldn’t hesitate going back if I could.

Even did a bit of a write about it HERE

I know the feeling about travel guilt; I travel quite a bit with my job and when I have to stay over a weekend somewhere far away I feel guilt for planning my whole time riding!

But like others have said, sure you’ll miss each other and I agree with the statement that it builds the relationship bond. Certainly find that with my family anyway.

The only thing I miss when doing this type of thing is actually sharing the experience with someone, your own memories are great but when you share the experience it’s defintately a greater feeling and the years after. Take them with you and let them explore NZ as well, from the comfort of a camper van or something, your backup crew 😆 And your 15YO will probably come back with a different view on life 😉

Thanks, yeh the Earth Riders group are being extremely helpful, so looks like I’ll have fun there.

Thanks for the reply; I’ve already posted up on there and another local MTB site. Just trying STW as well as sometimes it’s a small world and all that.

Stop moaning, you rode my new bike before I did 😯

Sorted 8)

Just need to fetch it next week now and I’m rather excited at the prospect 😀

New toy in waiting for me, a mate picked it up yesterday and I’ll fetch it next week. Rather excited at the prospect 😀

Think I’ve found one now, just need to seal the deal 😉

Sounds about right 😮

Just be glad you haven’t got Magura MT8s; for the love of christ I can’t bleed the rear setup properly. Well, I can, and it works without problems for about 2 hours and then, usually about half way round a Marathon race, decides to go to the bar 😡 Plus the Magura bleed kit is rubbish.

+1 for the SRAM pro bleed kit 8)

I’m looking for a deal on a 19,5 now, can be a 5, 7 or 9 but they seem thin on the ground at the moment.

Anyone seen a good deal at the mo?

Annoying rhyming man is annoying. Also, link to this study or I’m calling bullshit.

😆

Found a good deal on a ex-demo Stache 9 but it’s frame size 18,5 and at 6’2″ I believe I need the 19,5. Any comments?

Couldn’t find the Stache at Evans!?