Stevo -where are you? I’m seeing a range of forecasts for next week and know it can change rapidly

Bike park kinda riding – based around lift access (ie no pedalling).

Forecast for L2A looks really hot with thunder storms flagged for when we arrive until we leave. :(

ahsf – what forecast site are you using? Checked a few and forecasting ridiculous weather.

For example…

Off to Les Deux Alpes Thurs to Sun and the weather looks horrendous – thinking of diverting to Les Gets / Morzine.

If it’s a close call on the Minion v MM then I may stick to the Minion just to save some dollars.

Enjoy – if you think you are unteachable I’m sure Tony will enjoy the challenge of showing you how much you can learn.

Changed my riding knowing Tony and every ride is about the smiles!

On my 26″ (Scott Voltage) I’ve sped up the rebound on the rear (Bos Vipr) and used some recommended settings (j-tech) on the front (Zocchi 55ti’s). Haven’t touched the sag as this was set right already – you might need to check it with the new wheels but should still be OK.

Started to feel as fun to ride as my Canyon Spectral.

I’ve got both a 26″ (170mm suspension) and a 650b (140mm suspension) full sus bike – I spent the last couple of rides trying to get my 26″ bike feeling as lively and spritely as my 650b. It was feeling sluggish and dead over jumps and rough stuff. I’m off the the alps with the 26″ and wanted to get used to it beforehand.

After some tinkering of the suspension I’ve managed to get it feeling similar – although I prefer my 650b on steeper technical trails or over jumps at the moment. Still gonna take the 26″ bike to the alps though and sure I’ll get used to it.

I don’t really notice much between the wheel sizes personally – although I rode a 29″ Carbon stumpjumper in South Africa a couple of times a few months back and I did notice the difference, especially on tight twisty singletrack – but put that down to being used to less gyroscopic force.

Keep at it Hora – you should find the sweet spot.

Binners – going in 10 days – at my age not sure physically I’d survive 10 days in the alps. I like your optimism though

Since they are damn cheap I’ll give them a go – Kevlar it is.

How does the stopping power compare? Any noticeable difference?

I imagine crocodile pads have some serious bite… ba dum dum tch!

Made a better support for it out of wood and whacked it from the Drive side – came out first time.

Cheers for the advice!

Any risk of damage?

Poky thing being something like a screwdriver?

Ah, I was talking about these

troy Lee elbow mittens

Yeah, Troy lees are fine when you are warmed up – but so many times I’ll be going down a run with them on my wrists.

Sod it – bought some Scott Grenades (purchased courtesy of far too much ale in the sun)

I like them but when going on uplift days and rougher trails I find the come down too easily.

Been looking at the Scott Rockets or Scott grenades.

While out on a ride I decided I’m gonna get the thru axle and a spare dropout which makes the QR dropout redundant – will get the creme brule torch on it and give it a try though.

Scott IDS dropout on my Scott Voltage.

Damn – the dropouts are too burly to bend back.

Hmmmm… only slightly bent… Off to get adjustable spanner.

QR wheel axle technique

What’s this? I’m intrigued

OK, Looks like I’ll need a new one then.

Now the choice is going to be do I go for Thru axle or QR (which would be a replacement for what I’ve got and give me the old one as a spare)

Suppose it’ll depend on the benefit of Thru axle over QR.

Worst holiday blues I’ve had was after an alps trip last year – couldn’t get into work or anything for about a week afterwards

Good points, my old Spesh Photochromic lenses did change really quickly – gutted I’ve lost them but I have been thinking about changing them for a while now.

Just having a look at their website – anyone know anything about the “Prizm” range – their marketing gumpf makes them look amazing! ;)

Standard Oakley photochromic or just standard lens?

Sounds like you are taking action and hope everything gets resolved. Professional advice is key and some scans will make a big difference to understanding if anything major is wrong

I had some painful back problems for about 12 months and after seeing a BUPA physio for 6 months of regular sessions, I went and saw a private but highly recommended Physio who after one session gave me the tools to resolve what had been major problem and was seriously getting me down. Standing from sitting, bending down and back up, along with getting out of bed became big problems and constant pain during my day.

Turned out my Psoas muscle was tight from sitting at a desk, driving and riding. As it tightened it became really painful and put pressure on my back pulling everything out of alignment. This physio worked my psoas and, while it was the most excruciating pain resulting in me swearing my head off at him like I was possessed, I spent the next week pain free. Now I do what he did myself whenever I get pain and I’ve not had any major issues for about 4 months now.

I’m also using a foam roller loads – 3-4 times a week – I’d highly recommend them for IT band and Glute muscles especially. Also the pigeon yoga pose is great for opening up the piriformis muscle which can become tight and lead to sciatic nerve issues.

If I look at somewhere what part of Cham is best for access to the trails and beer/food?

Airbnb is a good call

Any recommendations Tony?

Les frenes is booked up :(

That’s narrowed it down ;)

Bombers FTW!

Cheers for all the advice – piece of cake when I got to doing it.

Thanks – so what volume are we looking at for a set of brakes (front and back)?

Cheers chaps, good advice and will give it a try

Horses for courses – I think cafell is one of the best around at the moment. Depends what you want though

Cwmcarn – lap of each then a lap of cafell coming down the new downhil

Cheers, I did look at the service they offered and wondered if there were other options that were as good but more cost effective