Kited Castlerock quite a few times – wicked place.

This is worth a watch too Powers Of Three

But on the odd occasion that I fancy carving the front of a nice wave I find it really annoying that I can’t get anywhere near it because of hundreds of scattered surfers and if I do I get moaned at for going for it when any number of the 10 guys bobbing about waiting can’t decide if they wan’t to go for it or not and then decide last minute they want to.

Just jump over them. Winds them up brilliantly.

Kiting strapless on a surfboard really pisses them off too. Catch 20x as many waves in the same time as a surfer and ride them for longer.

I surf too when there is no wind, but up here in Scotland we don’t really get localism except one or two beaches which aren’t that good for kiting anyway so not much contention for waves.

I pity you lot down South, I really do.

Why does everyone roll over and let New Zealand always play in black?

Scotland are the home side, NZ should be in their change strip!

In rugby the home side usually change to away strip as courtesy. Much more gentlemanly than football ;)

Scotland performance is embarrassing. Kiwis are playing well but Scotland are all over the shop. How does Southwell still get a game? My 6 week old puppy tackles better.

haven’t read the rest of the thread but here is my advice* –

buggying is for old men with beards. it’s dull.

kitesurfing is where it’s at. don’t mess around just go straight for the water.

*ignore if you are old and have a beard.

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/gary_fisher_collection/29er_hardtails/marlinsinglespeedz/

Sequence Shots

Matrix has been closed on and off all year. It’s really not that desperate. The trails need maintained – they are shagged from a hard seasons use.

you can do it either way but gordonb way involves more climbing back up.

Trek Warranty. Very hard to beat.

Would you say Red Bull are making a killing in general? Or are the huge promotion costs keeping profits down? Because theyre obviously making loads from the (price of can – cost of can), but other costs are enormous.

<pure speculation>

You have to imagine that they are making a killing. They don’t need two teams in F1…

</pure speculation>

I got 6 cans of red bull copy from Lidl for 64p so the cost to produce must be less than 10p a can.

No, that doesn’t mean anything!

Red Bull is a brilliant business model. I’d love to see their production v marketing costs.

I kind of see them as a public service. They persuade stupid people to drink mad induced water in a cool can and in return they give us F1 teams, planes, motorcross, mtb sponsorship etc etc.

Smartwool socks – the very best there is.

Prefer Teko myself for general stuff. Same feel but last much longer than Smart Wool. Hard to beat Smart Wool Mountaineering for warmth though to be fair.

Second Scarpa LS (think that’s what Stoner meant!). Things of beauty – mine are from the last year (2005?) where they were made from just one piece of hand-crafted leather!

It’s definitely SL.

whatever fits your feet. recommendations are totally pointless, with the possible exception of quality in which case Scarpa and Meindl are still good. Salomon are getting better, but aren’t as good. Even still you should buy a Salomon if they are more confortable. You get the point.

Top Fuel?

seriously considering the brakes – how good are they – any comparisons?

Nice blast round GT red this morning. I’ve been doing more natural and/or techy routes recently and it was very good fun just blasting down the red. Spooky really is BMX tastic now though.

Of course it will cost more. Administration of the scheme, administration of appeals, monitoring attendance, monitoring quality of work, supervision, training of forced labourers, PPE for a few place where it will cost.

Give the admin to any civil service branch* They can cope.

*may result in piss poor admin

Trying to get some quality work out of some layabout who is only there so they won’t lose their benefits ?? No thanks !

I see your point but surely it’s simple enough – either work to a pre set standard or don’t get the benefits.

I can’t really be bothered reading the rest of the thread but here is my 2p.

There are a lot of people out of work who are actively seeking a job every day. They have cover letters, replies, interviews etc etc to prove this. Let them be, keep paying their benefits until they get a job.

There are a lot of people who choose not to work at all. They don’t have the paraphernalia above. Take their benefits away. Put them to work for their benefits. If they don’t work, tough, they can starve.

Many, many, many people in the world would jump at the chance to work for benefits. We need to take a hard line with the spongers to cut out this sub culture.

Innerleithen. Pentands. Beecraigs. Various places in East Lothian.

Basically Edinburgh is amazing for local trails.

Sounds like you need lenses with a higher water content? Are you on monthly or daily lenses?

Throwaway dailies are the best by far – no worrying about losing on or cleaning.

goog length. not too short. not too long

bmx track.

not sure if this is what you are after?
http://www.alpinebikes.com/shop/bontrager/jones-acx-tubeless-ready—26×235/%5B/url%5D

fair enough – just wondered if you’d rode one before they reduced the travel. Madone is lush. Some of the P1 builds are mental.

Remedy was a bit of a dog when I last rode one.

When did you last ride one?

Heckler will do the trick. Depends if you want technology or bomproof single pivot.

Elixirs are a massive step above juicy 3s. Much better power and modulation. Much better feel imo.

Remedy? Or a Scratch depending on how much you want to pedal.

Franklins is where it’s at. Will come back transformed.

Pretty sure the 10 and 11 are 150mm forks. I think Trek changed the geo of the remedy to reduce the travel a bit when they brought the scratch out.

I just upgraded from mega cheap 520s which came apart to XTs. There isn’t much difference clipping in and out but it is a bit smoother. The XTs feel like a quality product and do weigh a bit less.

Wouldn’t bother going to XTR for pedals.

Err no. Short axes and hammers are for technical climbing not walking. A longer axe is used for walking.

No. Climbing Axes, which are very different in shaft and pick design, are used for climbing. We are talking about walking axes which come in varying different lengths. Length alone is not the difference.

If we are talking about mountain walking and not climbing, Chrisdb is very wrong. Short is obviously best for climbing but too many walkers use them because they look “cooler” (think long travel hardtail for xc racing) when a longer walking axe is far more functional. The axe element of a short climbing axe is set at an angle best for its primary ice climbing function and whilst it will work for arrest, the shallow angle on a walking axe is better as that is its only purpose.

I am not wrong, just expressing an opinion on preferred (walking) axe length. BadlyWiredDog puts the ‘length is personal preference’ point more eloquently than I did :-)

I find that long axes are unwieldy and harder to self arrest with as it’s not as easy to get your body weight over them. See how many instructors carry an 80cm walking axe – doubt you’ll find one.

55cm FTW. This is my current favourite http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-gb/shop/climb/ice-axes-piolets/raven

Walking Axes are to stop you sliding down the side of a mountain if you slip – they are not walking sticks. Shorter the better. Learn to self arrest (take a course) or carrying one is pointless.

http://www.tiso.com/news/clinics/winter-skills-courses-2011/%5B/url%5D

these are good value.

1. Swapped stem for a shorter one,
2. Threw away the horrible Bonty tyres that came with it.

Do this and you have an amazing bike.

endomondo FTW

Was a fair conclusion.

Hardly extreme trails.

bloody channel 5 :roll:

It is love or hate. Tt’s almost like a bit of a shock the first few minutes.

Can I have 13 beers to go please?

you save quite a bit of weight with a folding bead. worth the extra £8 imo

Cockers FTW

Our new pup, get her in a couple of weeks.