Can’t believe you left out the ‘Playground Smoker’ where you grip the drops with the very ends of the fingers and thumb and cup the ‘lit end’ in your palm.

IGMC

Anyone have a definitive answer or experience?

Cool, that’s what I wanted to hear. Vengeance ordered! :-)

Solaris isn’t available for short arses :(

You going to be out on that tomorrow Matt? Might have to wrestle it off you for a quick test : )

Have had one for a year and a bit and I love it. It replaced a steel 456 and does everything that did but better. I have a 130mm fork on it which I reckon is just about perfect. Rarely bother to wind it down for climbs. Mine’s plain black and the finish seems to be holding up pretty welll, although other people seem to complain that their’s scratch easily.

Mine’s had a hard life too with no problems but again, I’m well within the weight limit. Think they do a dirt jump version that will presumably be tougher.

I’ve been riding rigid SS for a couple of years or so now – 32:16, Mud X, etc. Don’t have a beard but I am toying with the idea of a merkin. Do Rapha make them?

Karrimor stuff on Field and Trek tends to be blinding value and reasonable quality. Think they have waterproofs on offer at the mo. Not cycle specific but might be worth a punt

I’m guessing that the warehouse staff were blinded by the original shorts and are now packing these purely by touch

Not tried those particular tyres but you shouldn’t have a problem. I run non-tubeless tyres tubeless on Stan’s rims with no issues and I know lots of others do too.

I recently bought a Karrimor one from Field and Trek for about £30. It’s really good. V. breathable and stretchy, fairly but not completely windproof and will save you from a shower. Cut is a bit on the flappy side so you might want to size down if you’re after a snug fit.

Recently bought a Vango Icarus 500. It’s cheap (lots of offers about – ours was £150), very simple and quick to put up and has good usable space. You can also get an awning to add open-but-covered space if you need it for cooking, etc. It will sleep five cosily but we used a separate small tent for our two teenagers.

It withstood high winds and torrential rain on its first outing with no probs, despite the fact that one of the poles split before I’d even put it up. Millets replaced the whole tent with no quibble when we got back.

All in all, a good, simple tent. Not high-end, not perfect but worth what I paid and does what we need it to do for short trips.

Best thing on telly.

Cakes. Phwoaarr!!!

Recently bought some Superstar/Crest wheels and I’m pretty pleased. They’re light, work well and look great.

They made awful pinging noises for the first 10 yards of riding so clearly were not built to the highest of standards but I was expecting that. Will keep an eye and tweak if needed.

Got some Endura Superlites which are OK. Fairly waterproof and only just starting to go at the crotch after two or three years. They come up fairly small and they’re not much more sophisticated cut-wise than the ones from Guards Army Gear. I’ll be going for cut-offs when the Superlites die.

And don’t come down until you can be nice.

That’s it! Go to your rooms, all of you. NOW!

All the above is true. Def have a go at coasteering. Try TYF in St David’s for this and other activities.

Don’t think anyone’s mentioned tyres. If you’re running skinny little tyres with not much tread it doesn’t matter how sharp your brakes are on the sort of runs you’re talking about.

Been with Rivierabike and loved it but looking at other options too. White Room is full when I’m free.
Seems the lifts in Chatel stay open a bit longer. Anyone got experience of riding there?

And @ir12daveor – go on, where should I look? :-)

Anyone used Justride in Finale? Prices look OK

Blimey! Switzerland is chuffin’ expensive

Ah, thanks all. I assumed all lifts closed by early Sept. Will look at Verbier.

Finale is tempting, too, but a long way to drive, which is our preferred option

Interesting! Will check that out.
Anywhere else?

Works the ither way, too. I never sell bikes cos they’re worth so little s/h. It’s costing me a fortune in new sheds

Theoretically, you’re only allowed to take folders on the train at that time. You might get away with it but the train’s always packed by the time it gets to Wimbledon. You won’t be popular.

If you’re not in a rush, going up over Boxhill, then Headley and Epsom Downs to Epsom is much nicer

Actual: 47
Physical: 80
Mental: 12

Pushing your limits tends to help you learn. Many people find their limits more easily on a hardtail. However, if you’re not pushing yourself or paying attention you probably won’t learn anything.

Lots of driving for not much riding on some days. It’s easily do-able but you could spend a couple of days each at Afan and Coed y Brenin. Cwmcarn and Climachx are both good but only half-day options unless you do laps or add in other stuff.

Great book, as are BSG and his others

This^

Don’t be fooled into thinking more travel = more fun. It really depends on what terrain you’re riding and who with. 140-150mm travel bikes are a lot lighter and pedal better than they used to but there are a huge number of people out there who’d get more from a shorter travel bike for 90+% of their riding. IMHO.

You can park on my drive for £100/day. :lol: You’ll probably need to arrive early this evening and stay till Monday or Tuesday, though.

With the crowds outside my front door creating the atmospere, I reckon the best view will be on the telly. I’ll save you a seat on the sofa.

Bought a Rockhopper back in 88ish and rode it a bit for a year or two but wasn’t part of any “scene”. Didn’t really discover the technical side of things and tbh found it a bit meh.

Pretty much gave it up for the next 15 years and got into rock climbing instead.

Now I’ve pretty much given up climbing for mountain biking, mainly because I’ve got great trails on my doorstep, a great bunch of mates to ride with and not enough time to climb as well as ride.

At the risk of sounding poncy, mountain biking gives me so many things – a chance to connect with the natural world, challenge myself technically, get a buzz, keep fit and have a laugh with great friends. And, crucially, to forget that I’m old enough to know better. :lol:

I feel so sorry for those poor sods sat in front of the TV

1) It’s annoying. I’d be hacked off if it was me. But…
2) It’s a mountain bike, it’s going to get scuffed sooner or later.
3) Manufacturers can’t possibly hold your hand to the extent you’re expecting.

Accept it and move on.

The key is to eat big at lunchtime and then grab a sarnie or flapjack an hour or two before the ride. If you go for the kebab make sure you post a pic of the vom puddle :-)

I have:
– slot dropout Inbred run rigid/ss
– steel 456
– carbon 456

All are great. Not the prettiest, not the lightest, not the best finished but they ride brilliantly and cost not a lot.

Jeebus!

I’m planning to jump out of the bushes and join the race. I’ve been riding a singlespeed for a couple of years now so I reckon I’m in with a chance, especially now Cav’s off the boil. :D