Thanks for the suggestions. We got an offer or riding up in Reeth, which was too good to pass up, so we went to there.

Hora/hp – we may have the chance of been shown some more suff in Hebden next weekend by a local, so send me an email, if you may be up for that.

I'll be along, and i'm sure Luke will join me

Its a 24 hour race, so just stay awake for the whole 24 hours.

Went in '08 and just slept on the banking in the rain. All part of the experience.

3 solutions really;

1)Increase tyre pressure, to stop the tyre moving
2)Bit of Talc in tyre between the tyre and tube. Tyre still slips but doesnt pull the tube with it.
3)New tyre, either they dont fit your rims properly, or you've knackered the beading when you've fitted/removed them.

becky – sounds like a similar fracture to you. 6 weeks with my wrist in plaster.

first 2 weeks uncomfortable not able to grip with the hand
next 2 weeks managable
last 2 weeks used it as normal.

Biggest thing was muscle wasteage around the wrist. Take it easy and your body will let you know when its ready.

How you guys carry all of your stuff?

Got a FS bike so rack is out of the question. Carry it all on your back in a 20l bag, or somehow get some of it on the bike?

@Ton – Second bank holiday weekend in May, 28th i think

@Stu – the tent weblink doesnt work (ok if you copy it out into another broswer) Good stuff though

Another here

Theres also the Welsh C2C as well. Similar distance to the St. Bees one.

Hopefully all he rain will clear any remaining snow.

Are you passing through central Leeds Ton? I'll cough up parking money and bring cake.

Also do you have that Leeds to Wakefield offroad route?

Anybody know what the conditions are like up there?

Presuming that there is still a reasonable amount of snow up there. Rideable or ice fest?

I'm sure you'll find someone with an old Rockhopper, that you can buy from them for a couple of hundred.

Ace bike. Pick a basic one up cheap, and if they like it, easy to upgrade everything into an excellent bike

[Yep, me and the girls will be there providing the rain isn't horizontal and/or wind galeforce]

You do realise its Nidderdale. It can go from glorious heavenly sunshine, to hellish rain and fog, in about 4 seconds. All good though.

Stayed in quite a few over the years. Real mix of secure storage so always take a good lock.

I wouldnt move without a full contract. They could easily turn around after 3 months, end your contract and you would be stuffed.

If they only want to commit for 3 months, it sounds like they know something that you dont. Big contract etc.

You either need a permanent contract, or ask them to come back to you in 3 months when things are more settled for them.

When you ge into Scotland take the 'scenic' route to edinburgh (sign posted of the M6). Great road and almost takes you to Peebles

Why not just do both routes and see which you like best.

Dual Carrageway there and B-roads on the way back?

I'm sure you'll soon find which is the best for you

Try and ride with someone who is the same level as yourself. You'll see them do a decent, and then you'll know its possible and have a go yourself.

Its just a case of getting your confidence back, which is a small step by step process. Just get out and ride, and have fun (thats what its all about) and the skillz will come back.

Its fantastic to have seasons and changable weather. You never know whats comming next week, and its good to have a break from certain activities.

Not climbed outdoors for 4 months but looking forwards to dry spring to get out there again.

The changes also make me ride and discover different areas. Muddy local trails, well just go to the Lakes, and leave the Dales for spring/summer when things dry out a bit.

If you suffer from SAD, then the best thing for you is natural light, so even more of a reason to get out there and ride. The exercise adds to the benefit too.

Wharfedale – Well interested if you're doing this route in a few weeks time.

Keep us posted

If you're going to South Wales it would be a crime not to ride the natural stuff in the Brecons.

The Gap ride is fantastic and is pretty much ridable all weathers. Also the Gower route is fantastic for views.

Agree with radoggair. Float may help a bit, but proper setup will help a lot. I've had issues but found that moving the cleat sideways, my foot is further out across the pedal straighting out my knee.

Depends how big, and what type of hole it is.

I've patched up a 10mm cut in my sidewall and everythings seems fine.

Anything bigger than that you may have a problem, and if you do patch it up, make sure you check it on a regular basis, and if it gets worse replace.

Just the drive from Glasgow to Lagan, will make the trip worthwhile, passing all of the Scottish Lochs, Castles and Mountains, and thats before you do any riding.

Fly to Edinburgh/Glasgow, hire a van and travel round for the week. Cheap to do Laggan and Aviemore are fantastic and you could have a guide/local show you round for a day or too.

You've now got me planning my next trip up there now…..

+2
Chew
Luke.Ellis

Anwsering the question.

There are lots of places to ride over here. We're quite blessed we what we have on our doorstep.

Great riding in;
Most of Scotland
Most of Wales
Lakes
Peak District
Yorkshire Dales & Moors
Exmoor/Dartmoor

Depends on what kind of riding you're looking fo scenic, technical, easy, and time of year, with the weather making some places non-ridable.

If i was over here for a week, i'd be tempted to head for Scotland. Good mixture of trail centers and Natural stuff, and go furhter north to Laggan and Aviemore. Great scenary, and very different to Madrid, plus i'm sure someone local will be willing to show you some of the natuaral stuff as well.

ok see you there.

about 3 hours ago + saturday.

The weathers fine, just get out and ride. After the first hill you'll remember why being out on the bike is great

I just phrased it wrong.

Yes duty of care is the responsibility you have to others, but as long as you act in a way that anyone else would then you have no liability.

Sod it, i'll go in early and leave early to be out for 6:00

Ton Wednesday is good with me.

For me 6:30 at a push. Have to get back from Wakefield, and dont finish until 5:30.

You'll recognise me from the Lakes and Ogden rides.

Also did a good route on he road bike today, depending which part of Leeds you live. Centre – Chappel Allerton – Alwoodley – Bramthorpe – Otley – back road to Ilkley – climb up Ilkley moor – across and down to Shipley – Caverley – Kirkstall – home

Ton if you you want to do something from the city centre that would be great.

TJ – think you've gone off on a tangent there with your wiki link. (also dont believe what you read on wiki, most of the stuff is wrong)

Negligence and Duty of Care are two seperate things.

Negligence is where you did something you know you shouldn't have. Guide/lead somewhere you knew was dangerous.

Duty of care just means that you acted in a way that the average person would have done. If you guide/lead somebody down a route that you and many oher people have done in your peer group thats fine.

I can see why people leading rides are a bit cautious, but i hope that the organised rides dont stop. I've ridden some amazing stuff, and met some great people on these rides.

I'll lead one myself, when i can find a good route.

[surely everyone on here knows how to ride a bike ? ]

Yes but theres always the chance that somebody turns up on a Tesco bike, wearing jeans and flipflops.

Its a case that you're not guiding or leading.

You're going for a ride, and if anyone wants to tag along thats fine. Everyone should be able to take care of themselves and ride within there limits.

If you were to get somebody to sign something, thats going to open you up to all kinds of problems.

If you want to ride from the centre of Leeds, there isnt too much that can be done locally. Most of the good stuff is north of Bradford/Otley so you'll need the car.

Best bet is to ride up the Otley road (race the cars) up to Golden Acre park, and then you can follow the Meanwood trail back into town.

The trail is ok, but if the weather stays as it is, its probably going to be too muddy.

As for climbing there are 3 good places in Leeds;
The Leeds Wall – Climbing and bouldering wall 2 miles from the centre.
City Block – just bouldering 1 mile from the centre
Depot – just bouldering 5 miles from the centre. worth the extra distance

Gladly show you around.

Yes, but the 22 hours wasn't done by someone 'normal'. Its probably going to be double that for us mere mortals.

Try these websites:
http://www.davebuchanan.co.uk/links/

http://www.satmap.com/satmap_route_net/view_route.php?route_id=1221

We're doing the english C2C this year, but this route is on the list for next, so i'd be interested in finding out how you get on.

Height and saddle height aren't really related.

You could have two people the same height, one with long legs the other with short, which will make a big difference.

Also it depends on what riding you're doing. Flat riding = high seat to get better pedaling. Rocky downhill = low seat so you can move around on the bike more.

Also BB height is going to have a big effect.

Ask 10 people of the same height, and you'll get 10 different answers based on there body size, where they ride and what they ride.

I've flown with Ryan Air plenty of times, and never had any issue with them at all. Ok you need to be aware that they are going to charge you for every single additional item, but if you dont want to pay for it dont take it.

Flew from Bristol to Bergerac for £12 last summer. It cost us more to park at the airport for the week!

Didnt need to take any luggage, so didnt have to pay for that. No meal included. Its only a 1.5 hour flight i'm sure i can cope without eating.