So we managed to get £50 a month off a PCP deal a couple of months ago on a used car.
We visited the dealer, done the usual. Haggled, kicked the tyres etc.
Advised that we were also looking at another car and would make a decision later. But asked for their best price, and said that was not good enough. So we left.

We waited until 20 mins before closing and called them, said for a deal we will pay X, and no more. In all honesty it was a cheeky bid.
They accepted.

Don’t be afraid to throw in that bid, as even those cars at the lower price a biddable.

Gisburn is wrecked now, too many puddles of unknown depth.
The blue is straight forward, and good for kids.
Ours went round the blue the last time I went when I done the red with a mate.

Thanks everyone some great tips there.
I plan to increase the fork pressure and remove a stem spacer.

Yeah, it’s after homebaked going back down to the fire road that takes you up to the up wet part of the 8.

Bike positioning seems to be key, I am going further back on the bike to over compensate I feel.
I am over thinking, and probably end up overusing the dropper post too. As when I think back, I was more confident in the olden days when I did not have a dropper. When I had my Big Hit.

Skills day seems to be a good option too.

Guys, thanks for the great posts. Pretty much everything you are suggesting makes sense.
I would say my Fork is soft, so I’ll put some wind in it.

Cheers!

I could be over the back, as I think I am holding back on the fear of losing the front and hoicking it over the bars.
The loss of confidence is down to the crashes and each time it’s because the front has washed out. I am very light on the front brake to try and mitigate it, where in the past I could steer into a bend feathering the brake.

Updated main post, it’s Maxxis Minion DHF 3C MaxxTerra EXO TR 29×2.6in, running around 18psi (tubeless), I’d say 15 months old, and part worn.

Thanks

Well I am about 10 miles east along the M65.
So not a massive detour if you are passing.

Let me check tomorrow what I have and I’ll let you know.
I am more than happy to allow a test fit I’d the packs are good.

Where are you?
I may have a set of Thule bars and kit in the garage that I am probably happy to let go for a sensible price.
We had a 2012 and a 2015 CRV in the past.
I need to check the footpack for the 2012 though, however what I should have is across both generations of Honda.

I would say take him around the blue first, just to see if he is ok with it, then probably head back if he feels confident.
I went up a few weeks ago, and found it needing a lot of maintenance.
I done the 8 with a mate, and the wife and kids done the blue and they really enjoyed it.
There is a lot of peddling, especially from the bottom of the 8 to the top part. So that part is a bit meh.
Hully Gully has eroded quite a lot, used to be really smooth and fast.
Mind you there is a lot of maintenance required around most of the 8.
Though I’ll probably go back again in a few weeks.
It’s probably good for getting your fitness levels up.

We got a price last year to replace our roof, we have a hip-back glass roof at the moment. It’s either too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.
We got a price of our local installer whom installed the conservatory in the first place.
Ours is 6.5m by 4m. As a ball park they quoted us £13k.
This was removal/install and plastering the roof with new lights. No skylights.
This was the roofing system they were proposing.
Roofing System

Have a look at Whyte Bikes, my missus whom also decided she wanted a new bike and shall we say also has shortage of leg, liked the compact nature of their compact range.

WOMEN'S & COMPACT FIT

She finds the fit very good, and is single chainring to add confidence and reduce the perceived complexity.

I have these for the same reasons as the OP.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/tifosi-crit-fototec-sunglasses/rp-prod161205?gs=1&sku=sku586321&istCompanyId=8d42cf00-fc35-44ce-8770-97ae3ffd4c16&istFeedId=c759ee22-6d7f-4501-bd00-f1af47c60490&istItemId=iwwariiaa&istBid=t&pgrid=60711842778&ptaid=pla-427822966777&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid%7Cs64AyPK5W_dm%7Cpcrid%7C309840162899%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cprd%7C586321UK&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_JH6_M6T6gIVBbDtCh2pvQGpEAUYAiABEgLfMfD_BwE

These probably don’t go light enough for me, but they are a great option. Venting is good and they very rarely fog up.

Sounds like you may have Keratoconus, I was diagnosed with this 10 years ago and your symptoms whilst riding seem very similar to mine.
I also struggle with transitioning light especially in the summer when the trees are in full leaf.
Another symptom will be decreased clarity at night and halos in your vision (double vision like).
I would request an eye topography test to check the shape of your eye to rule it out.

Correction is by hard contact lenses, though depending on severity you may have to wear 2 in one eye.

I’ve recently purchased a Scott Ransom 920. I am really pleased with it.
I was tempted to go short travel as my confidence took a hit with a few bad crashes
A few years ago.
Decided to bite yet bullet, and go for a full on 170mm travel bike and I must say it’s confidence inspiring.
Climbs well for such a slack bike, heavy though. However it’s worth it on the downs.

I recently got myself a pair of Shimano ME7, as a change from my full on XC race style shoe.
I must say they are excellent, very comfortable and you can walk in them. I did add in an insole as the back is high.
Very comfortable.

Another vote for Strava and their Beacon function.

Believe it or not the road bibs from Decathlon are pretty good.
I got one last year and it’s very comfortable. There is not a huge amount of padding but what is there is sufficient and do not give you the nappy feel.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think a may stay FS, and possibly go down the Whyte route.
Some more reading required and a few visits to my lbs’s.

Cheers

Thanks all for the informative responses.

FS may be the sensible options from some of the replies.
Certainly due to my dicky back and age…

Never thought of the shorter travel FS 29’r.

Cheers

Thanks all, some good ideas and recommendations there. Jedi seems to be the one then.

But Ben at Lee Quarry might be an option as a first pass as that’s closest.

Rocks and slippy stuff seem to be my demon at the moment where in the past I just rolled over them.

The frustration is, I was the fastest downhill off all my mates there is a nice swoopy run from Darwen Tower where I was once the 8th fastest on Strava (no comments 😉).

Thanks I will look into that.

Does anyone have any other recommendations possibly in the NW somewhere?

Cheers

Just so others are aware, we stayed in the Black Bull in Coniston.
We were able to chain our bikes up by the brewery and locked to beer barrels.

Great pub, with a great breakfast

Thanks, we will look into that one.
Most likely just Grizedale, mates 40th, so a weekend of bikes and beer.

Thanks guys I will have a look

Just bumping this, as it may have been missed.

Anyone have any recommendations?