I went the other way after riding on flats for years I tried SPD for no real reason other than ‘i fancied a go’.

SPD’s definitely allow a little more laziness when it comes to technique. I was fine on jumps and drops for the most part on flats. But if you miss just a little tweak with your weight on the pedals you’ll be kicked off them. Keeps you on your toes so to speak.

My main challenge was riding all the stuff i rode on flats with SPD’s which took a while to get used to not being able to back out. You have to fully commit, Which has definitely made me faster.

I still sometimes put flats back on for the odd ride just so i dont forget. and it all comes back pretty quick.

So in short. Definitely do it. even if its just so you can learn to work with the bike rather than just hanging on, can always swap back as and when.

This time of year. Lots. Always.

Rohan do some that sound like they’d fit the bill

Night in a cracking hotel and a three course meal with champagne, cocktails and many gins.

I first read that as cocktails and many girls.

I looked at the OP2 but the few reports of glitchy software put me off and I decided to go with a more mainstream phone.
I’m sure the hardware is brilliant, but it’s all about the software and its stability really isn’t it.
I’ve got an LG G4 that I got from ebuyer that I’m happy with.

I use the motorex stuff too. It’s really Quite good. Very water proof. Got one of the massive tubs of it.

I’ve used the juice lubes stuff too. that’s also good but a pain to work with as it’s stringy!.

Doe the boots have the eyelets that lock the laces halfway up? If so. try tightening the lower laces tighter and the top looser. Pulls your foot down and back, whilst letting the top move a bit more.

Could try a volume reducer. Basically just a thin foam insole that lifts your foot slightly to remove the empty space in the boot.

It may just be that they are the wrong boots for your feet. Might just be time to accept that you need to get new ones if you cant get them to work.

2-4 a year. plus half price! no brainer… get it.

I don’t even fly once a year and ive considered buying one…

I think the only reason i havent is because I rent one from my LBS. great bit of gear

Either way its a short but sharp climb depending on which road you choose from the two mentioned above. I’d go up to the ugly house from there probably. Pretty much the top of the hill anyway.

I’ve given up. My mug cupboard is full anyway…

I have also never seen a copper washer.

Mine did this. Turns out I just needed to do it up even tighter after a number of recuts and rebleeds. Tricky as you can’t see when it’s seated cos of the protector bit.

Take the rack off the car and undo all the bolts so bits can slide. Clamp the arm in the right place and you can then move everything around till it fits. My Mondraker vantage fits fine and that’s super long.

Are there any topo maps for the area? I haven’t found any.

Anyone got any strava routes for the lesser know stuff outside of the bike park?

I hate elastic waist waterproof trousers as you end up with too many bands around your waist.
I got some Mountain Equipment Karakorum pants, they are a salopette style trouser. Not the cheapest, but they are fantastic and stand up to anything I can throw at them including brambles. You can also drop the back to have a poo without taking the braces off.

Schwalbe also have removable cores. Most ‘decent brand’ tubes do also.

I’ve just got the XL at a shade under 6′

Go bigger.

Rohan make winter jeans, or used to anyway.

where you live and what the water is like has a massive difference on which brands taste good.

I find the brands that taste good with the super soft water at home taste pretty rubbish at my parents where the water is harder. and it seems to work visa versa too.

I really want to go back out now. Was going to go this week, but ended up not working out.

Think my favourite trail out there was the one that goes west from the top of Benalmadena. Think its called R3 on Strava.

Our rented house came with a dehumidifier, because its an old stone house. Its brilliant. Makes a massive difference. When we first moved in we just had it on occasionally when drying washing and the windows started misting up.
It has an auto setting on it, so will turn on if the humidity rises. Just leave it running all the time now. if we are drying washing will fill up in a day. but otherwise empties every 2/3 days and keeps everything nice and dry. no more condensation on the windows.

Its an ebac.

The run down from the Telecom towers

Is that the big ball on top of the hill? That was a big climb! over 800m of ascent in one hit over 8km. Took all morning.

TK maxx normally have some weird and wonderful ones.

Tried a cinnamon bun flavour the other day

We were just riding up the track. Its a long climb, but so worth it, went up there a few times when we were there last year. Just ride around at the top, loads of tracks coming down. Some of them hard to see, but take some strava screenshots before you go. The one that crosses the track a few times on the way down is cool.

I think i get them from tiredness mostly. I used to get them from cheese, but don’t seem to anymore. Some beers will get me, but I hardly drink. I’ve had one from what I think was hot fresh bread before (something to do with the yeast i think??).

Caffeine (loads of coffee) with aspirin and paracetamol seems to help stop them or at least make them less severe if caught early enough. If it goes ‘full on’; nothing with cure it except climbing into bed with the lights off.

I was looking at pretty much the same phones. (not the style as it was more expensive)

I went with the LG G4. In terms of specs, its much better than the Play. Faster processor, more RAM, and double ROM. Yes the Play does have a bigger battery but many reviews on it have suggested it isnt that efficient with it so you dont get much more time with it anyway.. I get easily over a day with my G4 and I use it a lot.

For a very similar price the LG was worth it for the nicer specs, and the screen and camera are fantastic. The buttons on the back are odd to start with but it really does work. and Its got the funky ‘double tap to wake’, it now annoys me when using other phones that i have to push the button.

It also charges super quick, and comes with a really nice set of earphones.

Ive got mine in an otterbox defender case which feels bombproof, but if you will be wanting to put it in a case, don’t get the leather one, the extra thickness wont fit in most cases.

I got mine on ebuyer for £270

I have the grubs snowline boots.
Absolutely awesome. Vibram soles. And so so warm. I got them quite big so wear 2 pairs of socks in them unless I’m just going down the garden quickly.
Neoprene tops are soft and flexible. So fine for walking in.

Yep. Non bio detergent is fine. Just give it an extra rinse cycle to remove any residues.

I get those super fashionable Bawbags in the sales. Very comfy.

Sounds like a ‘different’ kind of party 😉

Some pickled onions from a couple of years ago. Pretty strong, but still good!

I also received the ladybird shed book. Quite funny.

New pair of wellies. Super bright cree torch.

I looked at the Nexus 6p, but look on youtube for the bend test.

It bends really, really easily. Looks like they’ve done something wrong with the design.

Money no object… Note 5

But I just picked up an LG G4 for £270 from eBuyer which is a bit of a bargain compared to anything else with its spec.

Only had it a day, but seems brilliant so far.

Did anyone see the fan theory that Ren was going to the darkside in order to defeat Snoke. When Han says he will do anything, that included giving his life.

This is why he is being torn apart because its pulling him both ways between the light and dark.

Theres a better explanation somewhere online, but it fits!

Also where did Snoke come from??

http://www.theladbible.com/articles/this-guy-s-insane-star-wars-the-force-awakens-theory-has-the-ultimate-twist

the tyre doesnt have any damping to its springyness so will feel as if its bouncing around a bit. always the case on any hardtail mtb iv ridden. especially if youre used to a full sus which still does this, but the damped suspension hides it

one more left! number 25 on that pic above ^^^ in the middle of the wall. cant see anything there?

^^ dont think its a clue. its just a hole in the wall