I use a Legend HCX. No problems anywhere. The "H" models are superb at picking up signals. Dense forests are no problem. Never lost a signal and I've been using it for approx 4 years.

Can't get McDonald's in the Lake District. Or Burger King. Or Pizza Express. Or KFC, or any other of the junk food chains. Planning authorities have used common sense for once and won't let them in.

A doctor acquaintance of mine told me that Viagra was originally developed to help with poor circulation. He was quite serious about taking some with him on a winter climbing trip to the Canadian Rockies to counteract potential frostbite, until his climbing buddy vetoed the ideas.

I just ask for payments direct to my bank account. Transfers are as quick as Paypal, there are no fees at either end, and once in my account it can't be taken out again. Send stuff recorded or with a courier for large items. Then the only quibble can be with the quality of goods supplied. Make sure you send plenty pictures when negotiating.

EBay and Paypal are not worth using these days. Don't mind paying for stuff through Paypal, but won't take payment for anything I sell if it's much more than a tenner.

Went into Biketreks not knowing it was on. Would have joined in had I known in advance, but I'd finished by then and didn't fancy going out again.

No not a good pet. If you have a field get four or five, but one on it's own? They are herd animals and do not thrive on their own. It will probably die young and unhappy.

P7, as mentioned regularly on here.

Very sorry. I hope that all those who didn't want to know the result will avoid all media, TV, radio, newspapers, internet forums and avoid talking to anyone for the next 7 years. That way it will come as a surprise to them.

(Sorry for the spelling, my corned beef crispbakes were ready!)

You've dropped one of your goolys. Everyone knows there should be four!!!

Going slightly off topic, but maintaining the same theme – there is a toll road running alongside the M6 near Birmingham. No-one has to use it(trail centres), you could use the ordinary M6 (riding XC), but many are happy to pay for the privilege, even though "our taxes" have paid for the original road.

Is there not a corollory here?

575 & Pikes here. Go together very well. That's the 140 Pikes, not the latest which I think are now 160. I heard it said that the 575 was designed with Pikes in mind.

Don't know about head angles, I can't get anal about such things, but it rides and steers just fine for me.

HHMM! Can't really help much I'm afraid. I don't know of a way over there that isn't a messy trudge on foot, and almost impossible to ride. I bite the bullet and use tarmac, or cheat and go somewhere different. Sorry.

Now I need something to miss out the road to Standbury so I can get on the road by Leeshaw Reservoir, didn't see anything obviously bridleway like last time I was along there though.

Where are you trying to get to/from?

You can cut the corner off and miss out Coldwwell Res. From Thursden head just East of North. That too is an improved track. Haven't seen any signs, but the construction methods are the same, so I assume that it too is part of the PBW new bit. Still shown on the map as a footpath, but I think the map has a lot of catching up to do round here.

Goes past this oddity (Not the bike)

comes onto the downhill from above Widdop just before the gate where you turn left to go down to Hurstwood (if you're coming from Widdop).

Yep, that's about right.

I suppose it's too much to hope that there's something new that goes on Widdop Moor on the other side of Widdop Road and loops back across to one of the bridleways on the Walshdean estate…

From what I can see the Pennine Bridleway is being directed past Boulsworth Dyke. There's quite a bit of improvement and signage on that stretch. Don't think anyone in their right mind would think of putting a route over Jackson's Ridge; that's an execrable place!

Eskdale on Saturday. Hard Knott and Wrynose content!

From the road junction at the grid ref mentioned above^^^ the trail goes West of South to join up with the existing Worsthorne – Widdop bridleway at approx GR 898323. It is nearly all newly constructed. I can send you a mmo/gpx, or a screen shot(if I can work one out!) of where it goes.

The footpath marked on my OS maps bears little relation to the track on the ground, which is largely completely new. There is one small stretch on Extwistle Moor itself which corresponds to the map, but you soon turn off it, at a junction that you can miss if going at speed.

Please can I buy a parking permit off you?

Best thing I ever did.

Big payoff, set up my own business, which has been very successful.

A big group of us left and nobody I'm aware of has regretted it. A few who stayed have regretted that though.

If your company is at all generous then you should be looking at a pretty packet with 12 years under your belt.

Exactly the same here. Never looked back since leaving. Never even been back to the office. Have never for one second missed it. Just like OP had no debts and a small mortgage. There's worse things than being unemployed!

Yep, It's the new Pennine Bridleway. Even some small berms on it, but it's bludie steep in parts.

It's the internal floodgate adjuster, but on my new Revs it don't work, so I've left it alone, and haven't missed the function.

I went from Hurstwood to Widdop, then to Walshaw Dean then up Top Withins. The route is up the Pennine Way which IIRC is still a footpath. It would have to be a very good rider to clear that stretch! Then down The Height to come to the road at Ponden Resr. Tarmac I'm afraid past Water Sheddles, then turn off just before the bend to go past Boulsworth Dyke. Into Thursden, past the old ruin. Down the hill and across the cattle grid.

THEN>>>from approx GR 907346 there's a brand new trail that works over Extwisle Moor. Make sure you get the turn to cross Swinden Water and you come back out on the original Pennine Bridleway just above Thursden. You'll pass it on the way out. The last section isn't marked on any maps, and AFAIK isn't officially open. There's a couple of very steep – get off and walk – pulls on it.

Can send you a gpx/mmo if you want.

I was there on Saturday too. Great ride. Loved the new loop 2 after the fire road section. The trail just goes on and on. Not very technical, but a really good XC type ride.

Remember to drop some cash into the box.

Or up at the carpark on the Long Causeway near the windfarm

That wouldn't have been much use today, I was off over Top Withins and back on the new stretch of Pennine Bridleway. Sorry, no I wasn't. Top Withins is a footpath, so didn't go!

^^^^^Totally agree, but it's not a popular stance in miserly mountain biking circles.

Hurstwood near Worsthorne?

That's the one. Been there this afternoon. Not sure how big an area is subject to the fees. The machine is in the small far bit, which has a gate. There are signs that the gate is locked at 5.30, presumably when the days takings are collected. The bits by the picnic tables may not be included. (Is this the dogger's bit?) I parked there and had no trouble. Depends how far UU's control extends. Who maintains the area?

Plenty up here. Want some? You'll have to collect.

I'm 6'2" and have just bought a 19". Seems spot on.
Running Revs 140 u-turn. Hope M4, 100mm stem. Hope PROII hubs with Dt ? rims (5.3 I think) Most of the rest is bog standard XT. Weighs approx 27lbs.

It's a nice bike. I'd forgotten how much fun a HT could be.

Is this ton with a different login?

PIA to get through the door if you visit them. Got one of these electric locks on it, and if no-one's about when you buzz you're just left standing there like cheese at fourpence.

Don't think they are that fussed about dealing with real people.

There was a number of threads on this last year, now lost in the old forum.

I may be wrong but this is my recollection of what was said:-

In essence there are two different types of BB shell. One has a thicker wall than the other. The thicker walled one is approx 1mm shallower than the other, and "off the shelf" bearings don't fit, but stand proud. Enduro bearings from BETD fit, and IIRC Phil Wood ones do. There were some piccies of the different cups, but they too have disappeared into the ether.

Sorry if my memory is incorrect.

I've always set my chain length in absolute top gear, with the rear mech vertical. That has always been long enough, and will allow for those mad moments when I forget what I'm doing and finish up in big/big. But as for OPs original problem I think he's due for cassette, chain and a couple of rings. Get steel rings, and at least two chains and swap them regularly, maybe even after every ride.

Oh yes, I remember "Barley". The witches were either Nutters or Demdikes IIRC. All blown up out of nothing, but superstition, fear and too much adherence to religion caused most of the problems.

Ducking stools could still have a purpose though!

Yep, use one all the time. A very good bit of kit.

Only thing you've got to remember is that they are not some micro PC. They are a completely different unit and you do have to learn how to use them correctly. Once you've mastered that you'll never look back.

Dunno about saying they are a completely different mountain – they are right next to each other, although admittedly it's not easy to go between them.

Agreed, but I think OP is a Lake District virgin, so it's best not to overface him with talk of Foxe's Tarn, Broad Stand, Lord's Rake, West Wall Traverse or that ruddy great boulder that is just waiting for the right conditions to crash down into Hollow Stones and obliterate everything in its path!

have no business brain to talk of

Don't do it.

If you get one of the more advanced versions you'll have the ability to fit a card into the back onto which you can download maps. Garmin Topo maps are crap, but there are free maps out there that are nearly as good as OS maps. Worth going up the range a bit.

I've got one and love it. No problems with tyre clearance. Only thing I wouldn't buy is one with carbon chainstays. The yetifan forum is full of stories of carbon stays that have broken. OK, Yeti warranty is very good, but that's not much comfort if it breaks 15 miles from home. Other than that they can be built up into almost whatever sort of bike you like. Need min 140 forks.

If you're planning Scafell then you're better off looking at Wasdale/Eskdale. If you're planning Scafell Pikes – a completely different mountain – then you're better off starting from Seathwaite in Borrowdale, or Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale. But be warned – both those mountains are remote, and in bad weather are difficult for a newcomer to handle. Navigational skills are most definitely required. You will need a full day whichever mountain/route you choose.