I got zapped on a Saturday, letter dropped through the letterbox the following Friday

I was last at the bike night a couple years ago and it was then much better organised. I think leaving Ed to the presenting worked much better, last night was just chaos at times. Nobody knew who to take the lead. Saying that I enjoyed the film’s, and the guests made the best of a bad job in terms of the Q&A’s.

Anybody know what actually happened to Josh Bryceland? Thrown out supposedly which was unfortunate as he has been a entertaining guest previously.

Anybody watched any of the coverage on Bike channel? Not seen it myself but OJ Borg and Rob Hayles commentary should be a better option!

The Tour of Britain is on BIKE everyday from the 4th-11th of September with OJ Borg & Rob Hayles. Tune in to Sky 464, Virgin 552 & Freesat 251.

I’ve found cars always give loads more space and time when riding at night.

Going down country lanes its not unusual for them to pull over and wait for me to pass when i’m riding towards them. Sometimes the amount of time and space they give borders on the ridiculous. Hardly ever experience that during the daytime on the same roads.

I rode the west side of Thirlmere, Keswick to Grasmere, a couple of weeks back, so can’t say for sure it is still the same situation, but it was open to bikes, pedestrians and local buses at the time.

When you reach the A591 at the Grasmere side there are roadworks and signs aplenty telling bikes to dismount and walk the new stretch of tarmac, that diverts around the old road.

To be honest it was health and safety gone mad at the time I passed through with how they were policing cyclists and wouldn’t be surprised if they have stopped bikes.

I also got the ‘Dear Rider {name} email’ as part of a team. Assume we are all in and just a mail merge error on team entries.

Not many boardwalks remaining if you are talking about the North Face? Those that are have been modified so nothing to worry about.

Not much rain this week, conditions will be fine 🙂 It holds up well in bad weather, just the North Face sections are a mess following heavy rain.

Llandegla, the only trail centre I’ve ridden where I was surprised to pop out at the finish thinking I was a lot higher than I was, expecting more descent 🙁

I’ve owned a mark2 diesel vrs for 3 years now. Can’t think of any reason why I’d want to swap it for anything else and i’m usually quite fussy! Way better to drive than my old golf, good space for bikes, trips away. Nice on the motorway, fun on the lanes.

I recently ordered a free payg EE sim, you have to choose a pack with the calls/texts but when it arrived I topped up a fiver and just selected the 500mb data option.

EE’s online account management seems pretty poor but hoping I can just top up for data allowance again next month.

Really liking my Mondraker Crafty, can recommend. Long wheelbase which is ideal for rocky fast terrain, not so good if you ride lots of tight switchbacks.

140mm or 150 front, 130 rear

I like the Specialized tyres and also a Lakes rider, but saying that I ripped a Purgatory control on the rear at Grizedale last weekend.

Going to try a Purgatory grid to replace it. Running a Butcher control up front with no problems so far.

Bibs arrived today, so good i’ve just ordered another pair from their ebay store 🙂

I’ve gone for XXL bibs, due to the sizing by height. They look great value for the money so many thanks OP, fingers crossed they fit.

Worth a watch

I’m currently looking into alternatives to mailchimp and I like the sound of Sendy if you have your own server available to host the software.

I’m a local but often ride elsewhere on a Bank Holiday.

Certainly notice a smaller number of mountain bikers away from trail centres. Much like road riding, trail centres just present an easier option to get out on the bike with minimal planning.

I have replica TdF leaders yellow jersey from back in 2007, won it in a Haribo competition.

I’d never have bought one, but I do wear it on occasion. Fashion police haven’t confiscated it off me yet for false ownership!

I was over Walna Scar a couple of weeks ago, and was pleasantly surprised at how well it is riding after all the reports of sanitisation.

I’ve avoided for a couple of years but really enjoyed it. We peeled off just after the bridge and went down to Torver, which is also very good. Or you can follow all the way to the car park, and follow track to the right at the entrance gate and bridleway down into Coniston instead of the tarmac road.

Nice looking spec for the money. How would the large frame size up for someone 6ft 4? The horizontal top tube and reach figures look reasonable and similar to other brands’ xl frames. The website says size large recommended for riders upto 6ft 2.

2011 Stumpy Evo

Great little write up thanks

I’m testing the Carbine 29 this Sunday, bit worried I may like it (a lot!). BUT I’m 6ft 4 so not sure the large Carbine will be big enough and I believe that is the biggest frame they do? No xl frames?

Kind of goes against the ‘need to be tall to ride a 29’er’ philosophy.

Agree the coverage was really poor. The ‘epic’ and ‘Historical’ Col de Turini stage was shown to be nothing more than a couple of tight corners with the cars going what looked like less than 20mph in deep snow, taken up with far to many slo-mo replays.

Thought the commentator didn’t sound interested either. Still rather watch it than Formula 1 though

Exactly the same failure on my command post weekend before last. Took it to the LBS, replacement part received in a couple of days for £25. Back riding with command post the following weekend

Can’t complain 🙂

Also the little horse at the end gave me a bit of a scare in the dark. Just wasn’t expecting the little chap to be there munching away

The little horse on the last section is definitely a unique feature, paid for by parking charges to improve the trail 😆

When I was just getting into Mountain biking a few years ago I was surprised to come across a section of the North Face getting built. My eyes lit up, and it was so cool to see purpose built tracks being built in the local forest. I knew little about such things as trail centres at the time, and you could say it helped push me further into the mtb world and got me hooked.

Back then as a noob rider I really enjoyed it, but as my horizons expanded to other trails I realised that TNF wasn’t really that good. The recent alterations haven’t really done it any favours either (those boulders and bridges urgh!)

It is unfortunate to read comments that say ‘Grizedale’ is rubbish when they actually mean TNF. It’s a shame that a forest like Grizedale with so many quality bridleways can’t utilise them to make a decent red route.

Also good to read your post trailofdestruction, it would be great if Grizedale can get a volunteer group sorted much like Gisburn down the road has done so successfully. I can understand money is tight within the Forestry commission but it would be good to see them putting the high parking charges to use on new or existing trails (and not more boulders!! I’m sure the recent ‘improvements’ haven’t been designed by mountain bikers)

Recently purchased a pair of these for road riding, or as a warmer short for mountain biking in the autumn

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-alp-x-softshell-mtb-shorts/

Paid a bit less but still expensive and hoping they last many years!

I looked at those Endura’s above, seemed ideal but I tried a pair on, and the button came off so didn’t trust their longetivity.

Can’t see why not. Great battery life, nice size and well built.

Really like mine. Have not come across any incompatible apps yet (due to the intel cpu) and i’ve installed plenty.

That’s the one. Easily accessible from the top of Kirkstone pass. I recognise those stepping stones by the wall @1:20 (Walked not ridden!)

Another Manflu victim here so those who are out make the most of it!! 🙂

The sintered Avid elixir squeel horribly with my CR SL’s, but others I know swear by them. Organic’s much nicer but definitely notice the shorter lifespan.

Currently running UberBikeComponents Race matrix pad, best I’ve ever had. Great bite from new, can’t comment on longevity but highly recommended so far.

Couple of bridleways worth doing very close to Seathwaite.

Head up Walna Scar, but turn right at the quarry approx. half way up. Can be boggy up top, but good rocky descent to Stephenson ground. Keep right of the river, don’t cross the bridge.

Follow bridleways around to Jackson ground, Carter ground, back down to Seathwaite that comes out right at the Newfield Inn 🙂

Extend route as required as that’s pretty short but a good starter

Just be aware that the Malcolm Wilson rally goes through Grizedale on Saturday so many of the forest roads will be locked down.

Weather up here has been fantastic though, hope it holds for the weekend!

Removing most board walks, and replacing with horrible large boulders.

Sure any maintenance money could be spent better elsewhere, such as basic drainage etc.

I should say that the north face is partially closed as they continue in their quest to remove all traces of what little flow existed from the trail.

Thankfully plenty of bridleways still untouched, and riding well

Very wet, large sections of the north face are closed, and the forecast is poor for tomorrow so it should be lovely.

Still, it’ll be better then watching crap Christmas TV all day

I have a 2011 Stumpy Evo and find it climbs perfectly well. Much better then my old Commie Meta and that had less travel.

Can’t say I have ridden the latest Zesty’s but I would imagine they climb slightly better but not as fun as the Evo’s going downhill.

You probably won’t go wrong with either, but test them if possible. Only that way will you know which is right for you.

Favourite films to watch are Virtuous and Vast, both by ionate films

Proper European mountain biking, nice scenary and generally decent music. Not much tail whips and jumps etc. They usually make me want to get out and ride.

Had two rats when I was younger, great pets. In the end we didn’t need to keep the cage closed all the time, they just roamed the living room freely, and they actually made a second home in the back of the sofa 😕

Not once did they bite, and they were quite happy to climb from the floor to your shoulder. They learn their surroundings and try to use it to their advantage. ie. They started to realise the fridge was were all the food was!!! (they never actually got in, but made a dash for it as soon as they heard it opening)

No promo caravan as such on Wednesdays stage