Some YouTube vids from Thursday and Friday 🙂

Mmmm!

Road passable by many in 2WD. Poma was fine, if a little tricky on a board! Got in 25+ runs.

Perfect alpine conditions. Could, and did board anywhere! 🙂

Up M6 to Carlisle, across A69, down A689 to Alston. 🙂

West Wales? CyB, 'tis relatively near the coast to get some protection from this weather. Looked OK until the last 24 hours of snow…

Cool images Simon! How many panes to make the big panorama mosaic?
Regards
Paul

Best guess is west Wales for anything like.

Also from Sale and have rediscovered the delights of the Mersey riverbank this past week. Run a big gear and give it some!!

Paul

My suggestion is that you should ride with a different purpose when solo.

Turn a bigger gear (unless SS!). Attack the hills. Stop less to 'rest' or stop more to enjoy the view. Work on fitness. Try to do slightly easier stuff in better style…

…cheers. Paul

Worth checking this out…

http://www.winterhighland.info/

*bump*

Sections of MBR are/were closed. Dragon's Back, Tarw etc open.

Looking to do most of Tarw followed by most of DB.

Yes.

Impact shock loads from falls are factors of 10 times normal use and non-impact exercise. Loads of physio etc will serve you well but the real risk is in the unexpected.

Only your orthopaedic surgeon will know how well you are healing. Take their advice.

Good luck!

Good enough to fall on a snowboard? Next northern hemisphere season.

Not a good place to have a (re)break.

Try looking at

http://www.oneplanetadventure.com

would something like this be worth a punt?

Skyhawk

That is of course a perfect intro scope. Like all things, you get what you pay for.

I would still recommend some binoculars if this is a more casual interest.

If you Google 'Choosing a beginner telescope' you will find lots of advice.

Good luck.
Paul

Do not go for high magnification.

Binoculars can be used during the day as view is oriented the correct way.

Astro telescopes usually invert or laterally switch the view or both.

Decent pair of 10×50 bins is a good start. Suggest looking for local astronomical society on the web.

Paul

Cafe/shop etc routinely closed on Mondays.
Car Park and trails normally open but apparently not at the mo.

Thank you to OPA for the regular updates!!

No brain (er). Has lockout, propedal and full.

Works for me!
Paul

A little less adventourous than some:
– get out twice a week for solid effort 3 – 4 hour MTB rides
– do the Mary Towneley Loop
– visit Scotland and the 7stanes
– maybe the Canaries for a week
– more STW forum rides
– keep injury free!

Good luck to all!
Paul

2nd season (mountain) biking. Regular twice a week, fitness continues to improve (quicker than skills!).

A couple of great STW Northern Chapter rides. Brilliant day out doing full length High Street solo.

Need to get a few regular riding mates as main partner in crime completely FCUKed an elbow last January 🙁

Looking forward!!

Seasons Greetings to all STWers.
Paul

Sounds like you've done the research and can be confident that you have made the right decision for you.

After all £2000+ is real money!!

Enjoy!

Paul

Large part of MBR appears to be diverted around at CyB.

Tarw and Dragon's Back in great nick this weekend.

Paul

If anyone passes a gent creaking around Tarw and Dragon's Back on a shiny Stumpjumper at CyB on Saturday morning…

…that'll be me 🙂

Say Hi!

Paul

Had caartilage ops on both knees in mid 40s – early 50s.

Walking is way harder than riding. Suggest some nice eeeasy spins on road or trainer within 7 days. Gradually build up.

Last thing you need is to lose any strength in your quads as they give the knee lots of stability.

Cheers
Paul

Big up there Stuart! (B*****d!!)

France, La Plagne (and Les Arc) in Feb. Legs should be extra strong with all this MTB fitness 🙂

Maybe the only similarity that I have to jedi in the MTB arena – torn calf (and gluteus, ooh err).

Aye Phiiil!

Craig Rhiwarth grey bulk in distance. Llangynog hidden at bottom of the valley.

Berwyns do seem to be an under used gem destination for MTBers!

🙂
Paul

To JE yes…

…TAKE YOUR BIKE!!!!

You will find lots to go at 🙂
Paul

When I saw that they were only doing the 'silver' for the Elite I went bu**er.

It is way better in the flesh as it has shiny and matt sections. I now prefer it to the black (of course).

I think that you will find that the finish is as good as the black if you see them side-by-side.

Paul

52, health related IT.

Go my first MTB and started riding on my 51st 🙂

Paul

Must post a vote for the new stumpy!!

Tried the Trek and the Stumpy was just better for my size, shape, style etc.

Both will be good. Make sure the 'brain' is set correctly on the Stumpy else you will think it sh1t. I got the Elite.

Enjoy! Am sure you will be OK with whatever you choose as you've ridden both!!

🙂
Paul

Paul – sorry you had to drop out after Mam Tor – how's the knee?

Thanks for asking. Bizarrely started ride with Pre-patellar bursitis only to have it pop when I slid off. Knee probably better now than before we started!!! 🙂

Would love to do some more in the Peak when it is less muddy! Only other experience was Cutgate after a dry spell 🙂

Cheers
Paul

Have a look at…

http://www.bikenfun.de

Full range from easy, to short and long XC to mad freeride/DH.

Paul

Had to bail out by road after the first hour. Bit of a comedy off fcuked a knee.

Snowy and muddy!!

Thanks to Chris for organising!
Paul

I know its a commercial forest but that bit thats been chopped was awesome when it was all wooded. Can't even imagine it all exposed!

That has suffered with the recent rain but is way, way, way faster in the dry now it is cleared. Different.

Am taking a roadie for his first MTB experience there this morning 😉

Paul

Current BBC forecast for 06:00 Saturday…

***SNOW***

🙂

Bottled a solo night ride Friday evening, bottled a long drive to Dalby Saturday morning (bugger it was dry). Spent a couple of mind-numbing hours 'cycling' in local gym 🙁

But had a great 3 hours out around Llandagla today and no rain 🙂

Paul

Hi Chris

A Saturday! I may be able to get an all day pass. Usually make an early start esp. now it is twilight at midday 😉

A route with a low peat bog/mud percentage?

Thx.
Paul

Slight hijack – has anyone got map or GPS details for the Offas Dyke extension bit please?

The Masts and Offa's Dyke return is the middle loop here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pspaldin/212018492/

Narrow bottom loop is very, very cheeky and not recommended.

I also use Offa's Dyke within the forest to get back up to the top. Starting by a slight double back just after the new sections by the Tin Hut.

Paul

I managed a 3 hour thrash mainly hidden in the trees yesterday. Black a couple of times, up Offa's Dyke and the red and some old sections.

P*** wet through, top to bottom, outside in, inside out and bottom to top! Need to sort some better wet weather gear.

Aye, been many times but have never seen it so wet, or quite on a Saturday :)))
Paul

A Large. Seems perfect, so far, geometry is a lovely balance esp with the adjustable forks.

Hope it works out for you.

Paul