The place will be full of middle aged ‘once were rockers’ so Metallica are nigh on perfect – if only anyone will be able to hear them over the din of the pretentious few muttering about how they “were better in the day”…yawn.

The problem with you lot (the moany ones) is that you not properly slow! I did it a few years ago and was so slow up the first climb that there was no queue at all at the first singletrack! Pretty peaceful ride all in all, until we missed out the extra loop and got funnelled back into the ‘pack’.

You welcome to join me on an evening ride if you want someone to show you some of the ‘usual’ local routes, slowly! That’s mtb not road!

I’m not – you might also want to try the ‘Nancy Boys’ in Bollington. They seem quite active as well.

Hora nailed it (with his first post for clarification, sure he’ll say something ‘odd’ at some stage in this thread to spoil that).

There should be no limit to the money spent trying to find this kid, her parents were self centred gits for a night (may have been habitual for all I know) but the kid deserves the best we can offer as a civilised nation. Even if that means finding remains, which seems most likely.

Peak Cycle Sport were very good when I needed a quick workshop repair. I used to use Royles quite a bit but the mtb stuff stopped a while ago (no idea why they did that – they changed from a multi brand into “Trek’s largest single retail outlet” a few years ago and I think it bit them on the arse).

I’ll be using Peak from now on.

globalti – appreciate what you saying, however, time is an issue and there is a HUGE chance that I will screw it up anyway! Parts are maybe 40 quid including a new belt so 140-150 seems a lot in labour to me. I need to find a £15-20 hour odd jobber with a bit of gumption…

Thanks both although still confused by Sadexpunk!!

Why the need for power cable to tv and aerial socket in room?

Aerial is in loft and needs splitting. Amplifier and power pack need installing up there with the power pack being fed off the ring main somehow. The aerial then splits to the aerial points in each room so cable required for that but why the power to the tv etc?

Couldn’t provide a list of what bits you bought could you? I have similar issue. Aerial is spilt two ways but ideally need it three or four ways so need a splitter and booster (I don’t have power in loft either).

Its worth pointing out that if you are in the market for a new one, there are some very good deals around – 9-10k off the top spec model is easy to get. This brings brand new into the 1-2 year old used price category.

The RSP ones seem to be sold out until June

Currys seem to have a few good deals (surprisingly). Get a sat nav with free lifetime maps though. I prefer the sat nav as we share it between cars

mai sushi was OK on Chalton Street – runs perpendicular to Euston Road. Not just sushi, all Japanese food. There are some other places along that road too. There is a Shepherd Neame pub on the road parallel to Euston road (south of Euston Road) or if you like your ales there is the Bree Louise just the other side of Euston Station (its not a long walk if you don’t know the area.

Good timing as they tend to be less busy and more flexible on pricing about now. As above get at least 3 quotes and be comfortable with the guy you use – ask for recommendations etc

aracer – if I may ask, what degree of training / experience did/do you have before you were comfortable taking the kids out like that? Or perhaps close to the beach at sea? Is it years of paddling therefore pretty confident or a few days of training?

I’ve got the box set for sale if anyone wants it?

nickjb – do you have a recommendation for which inflatable? Wouldn’t mind a look at those before I commit. How do you inflate btw? Is it a compressor into the car battery?

For avoidance of doubt for those above, I’m not gung ho with my kids! I don’t want them wrapped in cotton wool either. It looks fun and I will ensure that training is taken up and most definitely the correct safety gear. I suspect that they will get the bug and take this up as a hobby.

aracer – no experience but not planning on crossing the Atlantic just yet – thought I’d start with a quick trip across the Channel – a kid perched on each end should keep me stable… 😉

Thanks all – the Frenzy looks good.

tis done, I’m soaked so the little bleeders better play with it!

Right, structure up and springs were a doddle (which in itself is a worry). Pad next. I need to DIY a solution to the slope in our garden, its not severe but very noticeable now that the bouncing mat is in place! 12 footer would have been nice but garden ain’t overly big.

Right 11 pages into the ‘instruction manual’ and I’m still on the hazard warnings…

Arse…guess I’m not riding this afternoon. Will report back from A&E

Bunnyhop – it was annoying as the battery in the DSLR was dead so that was taken with a little compact through a blind from the upstairs window! This little fella was sat there for a good hour- fluttered around and re-perched occasionally but was keeping out of the drizzle.

A particularly stupid pigeon landed in the tree above it and it was great to see the instant focus of the sparrowhawk. Unfortunately the pigeon flew off…

Its not, I asked

Tytherington Club in Macc itself – has wifi and loads of parking. Use the members bar as its quieter. Or go the extra distance yourself and meet in the Peak – ride after the meeting!

Mine arrived today – looks a little smaller than I expected. I had hoped to be able to get the bike in with only front wheel off – too ambitious?

I got similar treatment in a LBS but certainly wasn’t pushy – just really enthusiastic to show me some of the new kit and bikes they had. I prefer this to the stand around and ignore the customers type approach. Then again I’m happy enough to ask to be left alone if that’s what I want.

Thanks all – will try the bulldog option!

letmetalktomark – now that’s interesting. What shape is the clip underneath? Have you wrapped it all the way around or are the grub screws holding it in place?

wwaswas – there isn’t a lever on the crown. its a disc type set-up and it can be turned but is a bugger to grip. Changing from 120mm – 160mm is vaguely OK but to grip the disc enough whilst compressing the forks to change the travel in the other direction is not easy.

Thanks – would that Suntour lever lock in place though? That would work for lockout but the travel adjust system on the Wotans is simply pull / push and release i.e. it shouldn’t lock in place. The travel moves from 160 – 120 but not in increments.

Excuse my thickness but I now have the thing fitted (after much phaff as I still have old skool narrow bars). Is there something that has to be tightened / untightened on the collar. I’m sat on the thing and it doesn’t move!!

Thanks – it will have to be dry tonight!

Having recommended Olympus Has Fallen I now find myself home alone tonight as well!! 3 more days of free Netflix trial should sort that…

Already back at the shop! Much to the confusion of the staff who had clearly never seen a bike tyre before!

thanks – mine arrived today and was wondering whether to pop them back to Millets

Can I ask why the downer on Performance versions? Are they deemed to be poor tyres?

Olympus Has Fallen – its a bloke night therefore you want action, complete lack of believable plot and the only thinking related to which beer next.

Expected it to be crap and it was a bit, but thoroughly entertaining.

jkomo – you owe me 50 quid!

thanks for posting!