And now the Lidl version…

Decathlon Rockrider 5.3
Now Sram x5 all around, Rockshox Recon Silver fork and Quad Nano brakes (both bought 2nd hand from classifieds)

A road bike for commuting/training/riding with girlfriend.

May be investing in a FS all rounder in a few months if prospects allow.

Just seen that they are advertising for a development coach in relation to these new trails, they will be offering coaching as well as just laying out the tracks.

There are a few new pictures in the galleries and they actually look half decent for an urban location. Looks like this could be a really good fun blast for those of us who are Manc based.

Another shout for Arndale Food Market here, if not the picnic areas at the museum’s (which are ace). I would skip the Food Court on a Saturday, Teacup has gone downhill since the renovation in my opinion. Home Sweet Home in the Northern Quarter is good too, friendly service, good eats and milkshakes if you want to spoil the kids.

At the risk of sounding obvious… Lakes?

Whinlatter is apparently good for families/beginners (haven’t yet ridden it myself) and of course there are natural trails of all grades all over t’shop.

Cheers Rob, that link tells me that a lbs I pass is a Trek demo centre, so definitely useful.

Thanks Naranjada, hadn’t thought about them. Nothing on their site but will give them a ring.

If you’re unsure whether she’ll carry on with it I would suggest one of the Triban range from Decathlon. They’re amazing value, well specced for the price and if she does carry on the frames are good enough to be upgraded with more durable/pimp components.

First ever Hebden ride (yes I’m n00b).

Forgot my gloves and helmet, mist everywhere so no views and front derailleur stopped playing nice 1/3 of the way round.

Loved every single second of it! Even if Marsh Lane without a helmet was ‘interesting’…

Sorry Aazlad, only just seen your reply. Very kind of you to offer but my fitness is atrocious at the moment and I’m very much a pootler rather than a pinner, so I’m not up to riding with others at the minute.

Might look you up in a few months when I’m in better shape to see if the offer still stands.

Washing up liquid has salt in it, I steer clear when there are other ray made alternatives already in your house (most likely). As others have said though don’t need to go to mad with the cleaning, the horror stories of fruit combining with lube to make a grinding paste will only happen after weeks/months with no cleaning at all.

Pennine Bridleway is what we can use, not the Pennine Way, which is a footpath.

Genetic brake/part cleaner from the auto store. About 8 quid for a 5 litre can.

Works really well, safe on rubber/plastic pasta, evaporates off to a clean finish and flushes it any water having around in you links.

IIRC both of those lines are run by companies that don’t let you book a bike on in advance, so it’s first come, first served. That said all trains have space for at least two bikes so you’re good if only one other person turns up. If more than two bikes it’s down to the train manager’s discretion, be polite about it, make an effort to keep out the way and you should be fine.

As regards being muddy, get any loose stuff off and don’t sit down, no problem.

Do them all, have an epic day

Ha, I think you’re over estimating both my fitness and free time.

All over the 10 pm highlights show. Good times!

Only concern for me would be the engine. Ours (albeit getting on for 10 years old now) is the 1.4. Normally that would be fine but all the pull is up at the top end, consequently engine is always labouring at sensible RPM and so the fuel consumption is terrible.

Might be different with this generation of cars (not sure if the changes are just a facelift or include revisions to the engines) but given our time again we wouldn’t go for this car and we’re looking to change it soon.

No such thing. Horses for courses, innit.

The Clash.

Deal with couriers at work and I would say almost certainly not. Most are only contracted to deliver until 6pm at latest or it costs the sender more. Get the occasional good egg driver who will keep going a bit later but that’s unheard of on a Friday.

It’ll go down as ‘out of time’ but pounds to pence the driver knocked off early. If the sender is still about at this time they should be able to tell you when they are contracted until.

Could be wrong but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

Whilst we’re on the subject, what’s the best way of stringing the good bits in Saddleworth together without too much road work, do people think?

My girlfriend has worked in outdoor shops for years and swears by spray on proofer rather than wash in.

We use the TX Direct stuff, once the jacket is mostly dry pit it on an airer by a radiator or run a low iron over it for the best result.

In my experience this will be as waterproof as originally but won’t last quite as long before wetting out and needing doing again. Still lasts for months though.

Thanks for this, thinking of going for an explore that way on Sunday, so much appreciated.

Out of interest, any speculation on who might have done it?

In fairness I’ve seen stuff lobbed at pedestrians too. Including my girlfriend.

Someone lobbed your girlfriend at a pedestrian?

Thanks everyone.

I’d seen Grizedale hire but wasn’t sure how much of a flavour of the area we would get there, striking out into the countryside would be my preference. Are there any natural routes from there that we could do?