Given I live about as far from the sea as is possible in the UK I’d probably stay at home. To keep amused I’d get on Strava and keep an eye out for record breaking KOM attempts.

X Fusion quote 1.9kg for the Slant.

Vengeance is 2.4kg.

You’d probably also beat me if we were riding it!

Another way to Sticks Pass from Patterdale is to take the road to Dockray. Turn left until you pick up Route 71 and then head up the bway over (round) the Dodd’s. See:

http://www.mapmyride.com/gb/ambleside-eng/glenridding-dockray-the-dodds-helvellyn-route-688954

But obviously turn off at the appropriate junction for Sticks!

I went there a couple of times earlier in the summer, Antur Stiniog it is not but I had a great couple of rides. Like most other places accept it for what it is and enjoy it for that. Plenty of off piste if you are so inclined. Most fun bits I found were on the hill near Surrey Hills reservoir.

Cheers, Horse

if you’re going to North Wales, it’d be nice to actually see some of it.

You get to see quite a lot of it at Antur Stiniog.

For wiper seal service this video is very helpful:

http://www.mojo.co.uk/dustwiper.html

Take note of what they say about refitting crush washers.

This is also very helpful:

http://service.foxracingshox.com/consumers/Content/Service/QuickTech/32Gen3OBRL_ServiceProc.htm

If you get round to replacing fluids and therefore removing the lockout knob rebound adjuster take note of items 6 & 7 under “installing damper into fork” towards the end of the page. If you miss that bit out do it wrong the lock out won’t work.

Is there a map showing where the black section is?

As above or, ride out the VC as though going to do the TNF at the start of that route continue straight on up the fireroad for a little way. You will come to the exit of The Black, there is ride/push up bridleway on the left (facing the black). You can finish off by doing the lower section of The Riverbed.

The TNF isn’t that good, the first section is ok as climbs go, the descent from Moor Top to the cafe is ok. The bit in between is fire road rubbish. I’m not even sure it that good for beginners, you kick off with a long and (for newbies) stoney climb which requires some technique. I know a few who have been put off by it.

However, if you put some time in to work out where the good bits of natural stuff are you can use bits of the TNF to advantage on your own loops.

Not sure if this was mentioned on the other thread but it is quite useful for plotting routes round the forest:

http://www.ridethelakes.co.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=704

Great kit, fantastic service. I broke one of the zip pull loops the first time I used my bag. Sent them an mail and 2 days later a pack of 5 arrived in the post.

I’m 5’8″ and obviously well nourished at 12.5 stone. I have a medium BFe with the 140mm Fox Supa Noodles. I struggle to find anything it can’t do from all days out in Scotland, rock bashing in the Lakes and Peak and playing in the woods. My limit is obviously somewhat less than that of the bike.

You could try here:

http://www.innerhaven.co.uk/

I’ve stayed here with the family and also with 5 others blokes on a biking long weekend. Cool place, very bike friendly and Andy who runs it is a top bloke always up for a talk about bikes and riding.

Here you go on the first proper weekend out.

Halfway down Sticks Pass, Helvellyn.

Rode there for the first time last Saturday found it pretty easy to find my way round both blue and red. Even managed to work out a few unmarked bits.

The only slightly confusing bit I found was round the Lower Star area, just remember the marker number you are looking for and search round till you find it.

To add to zip tie versatility. Smashed the U part of the brake lever clamp near the top of The Fort WC course but the pin on the brake side were still there. Two small ties round the pins and bars and all is good, well sufficient functionality to complete the route.

See

http://www.stodgell.co.uk/2010pics/2012/09/bridge.jpg

And

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/06/26/cannock-chase-cyclists-riding-high-as-1-5m-bridge-opens/

I won a set and replaced my Vaults on the Bfe with them. The Vaults are much better on rougher stuff, think rocky Grizedale, and are now back on. Probably as much about how good Vaults are rather than Hope being poor per say.

BFe works as an all day bike at 140mm, I’m a pretty rubbish climber but don’t find the BFe hard work. Mine is built to about 27.5lbs but I didn’t put much effort in keeping the weight down.

Ti bolts keep brakes in place on the bars of my BFe.

Grizedale, have a look here:

http://www.ridethelakes.co.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=704

Follow the links to see where each bway is on a map and make your own loop linking the bridleways. You could do worse than link up the Riverbed, Parkamoor and then down Dad, Grandad and The Dentist.

Start at the Ranger YHA, up to the Telegraph to Llanberis. Tourist path to the top then down the Ranger to the hostel. That way you get to finish on some nice downhill singletrack.

I use 2*9 with bash on a BFe no chain device and 2*10 with bash on a Trek Remedy. Neither has a chain device and I don’t drop the chain.

When I got these bikes I set them up as 2* as I rarely used the big ring (I much prefer spinning to mashing a big gear) and it was effectively becoming a toothless bash guard anyway. I never feel the gear range is inadequate.

Another vote for Nevis Cycles, always helpful and good for a chat about local trail options/conditions.

Didn’t strike me as particularly anti. It did play to the gallery a bit but his main points were well made and quite reasonable.

Get a set of these maps:

http://trailmaps.biz/maps/strathspey-map-pack

from a shop in town and go explore.

The Loch Einich ride is a great, ideal evening ride especially if the weather is kind.

Related question, the map shows a bridleway running (short of) parallel to the south side of Cunsey Beck, starting at SD3700,9373. If one had to end the day down by the lake is that one worth riding?

They won’t both come out because you are pushing the pad back against one piston so all the braking force goes to the piston on the opposite side.

It is better to gently squeeze the lever rather than pump it or do an “emergency stop”.

Laggan well worth a visit for a morning/evening session. Don’t forget there are loads of rides round Aviemore for an hour or two blast. Ask in Bothy Bikes and/or grab a copy of the Strathspey trail maps and go explore.

I’ve a BFe so am biased, it will do all that you want of it and probably more besides. You’ll certainly have fun on it in The Lakes.

The only tiresome bit might be commuting on big tyres.

Have a look here:

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/a-cairngorm-loop/page/2

The section from Coire Odhar to the top of Lairig an Laoigh will involve some pushing but it is not too arduous.

Ditto, I also have a pair made by Altura. There is not much to choose between the two.

If it helps, most people who sit on my BFe find the position a bit odd at first and say things like “it is a bit sit up and beg”. Point it down a hill, it’ll makes sense.

True, but sometimes needs must. It was showing no inclination to come off any other way. Mind, I was gentle with the tapping not a big whack.

You could try poking something with a flat end through the spokes onto the back surface of the cassette and tap with a hammer. Mover round the cassette. I had to do this with a cassette that had dug into a Hope freehub body.

What size does Cy recommend for your height?

If you look at the sizing chart on the Cotic web site, he seems to hedge his bets :-)

I should perhaps add, the original pedals were DMR Vaults which I got from a Christmas present. The gunsmoke Hope pedals went on last week after a won a certain raffle prize :-) So neither bits of bling are included in my prices above.

Well the original build cost was about £1100 but that excluded the fork and drivetrain (except the bash guard and one shifter pod) and my original Hope wheels. So taking off the frame cost would give £770.

Late in the build I flogged my old P7 including the Hope wheels for a good price, so got a new set of the latter with Gunsmoke hubs to match the others stuff. So I think the final cost minus frame was about £1100.

I wouldn’t worry too much about riding it all day.

Mine was built with Fox Float 140mm which I already had, Hope wheels, SLX drive train from an existing bike. I added Hope Race Evo X2 brakes and a load of Hope finishing kit including bash guard and pedals in Gunsmoke. Nukeproof bars and seat post completed the job.

It is here.

Can you use the Trek as donor bike?

Some bling for the feet

Courtesy of Moose Cycle and the Tuesday Treats raffle. Go nicely with all the other Gunsmoke stuff on the BFe.