I would suggest a bag.

Not untrue, but it might be drier next year!

Torchbearer is a more pleasant ride IMO, far fewer people on the course.

I’ve never understood why car manufacturers make these prototype bikes.

I do like those Klunkers

Bad luck, just swap them out. Deore rotors can be had for about £12 and they do the job.

I have a similar problem with my Deore. Worked perfectly for about a year then developed the symptoms you describe. I’ve just bought a new caliper from CRC for about £20 to swap out, hopefully that will solve the problem.

I quite fancy swapping to Hope, but can’t justify the price differential as the Deore’s did work flawlessly for a long time.

If I could tell you who they are about to sign for 2016, you’d realise that they’re going to kill the business.

Anybody with any suggestions about who they’re signing?

That was Devolder (Trek). I heard he was OK but lying motionless to avoid being smashed into by the charging peleton.

Proper mudfest, I was in a 24hr quad team. As mentioned above it was pretty humbling watching the solos grinding round and round and round in the lashing rain, you guys are hardcore. Hopefully a bit drier next year, and hopefully the pizza tent will stay all weekend!

Renshaw’s abandoned, that’s got to hit Cavendish’s chances in Paris.

I have some cheapish Endura mesh liners which I find much more comfortable than my Altura or Shimano ones.

24hr quad.

Riding a Sanderson Life, but also bringing a Fatty along which everybody in the team must ride at least one lap on!

We’ll sort out the target once we’ve arrived and had a few beers I expect.

I have a Genesis Equilibrium, rides lovely although I have not compared it directly with much else. They are made out of various different qualities of steel depending on price, mine is Reynolds 725. I’m 6’2 and am happy with the fit of my 58″.

What food do you guys eat?

Much appreciated.

Did it last year, good fun. Price might seem steep but it was well organised, had well stocked food stops along the way, and good bike washing facilities etc. at the end. The route was mostly open and rolling, nothing technical but pleasant enough. It was a very hot day last year and I’d had numerous beers the night before which did me no favours. If I was closer I’d be doing it again.

I use an Alpkit Kraku stove
https://www.alpkit.com/products/kraku
and an Alpkit Mytimug650 mug/pan
https://www.alpkit.com/products/mytimug
with a 100g gas canister, all of which fit inside the mug. Very compact and fine for heating stuff.

[Edit: beaten to it…]

Sounds like you need a second bike.

You can use an Alpkit Airlok Xtra drybag with the extra straps instead. It’s not tapered but if you pack it right with softish stuff you can strap in on firmly and it’s also only £8.

I bought a second hand On One Fatty from the Classifieds for £600ish. Good fun for short blasts although it doesn’t replace my main mtb for longer rides.

Summer’s coming…

Riding fixed creates a flywheel effect which aids carrying momentum, meaning both climbing and maintaining speed on the flat is easier. (Apparently. I don’t actually ride fixed but I do significant hilly road miles on a 42:17 singlespeed.)

I had this once before with Mountain Kings. I would just bang a load more sealant in there and give them a good ride to get it moving. I use café latex rather than stans because it can be injected through the valve without even removing the core. After doing this once I never had the problem again.

I ride with lots of people who wear knee pads for XC, often as a confidence booster. It depends on how risk averse you are and how gnarly your XC rides can be. I don’t have any for anything and my knees have survived so far.
I also prefer shorter shorts.

I thought you were going to mention this:
Clicky

Shouldn’t we actually be inventing new stuff rather than celebrating old stuff?

Meh. I prefer steel to carbon.

Reynolds 953 has my vote

There’s some interesting riding around if you know where to look. Early morning coast path is a winner, along with the Poldice Valley, Cardinham, and other bits and pieces. As mentioned above bridleways are not very well interlinked and require some map work beforehand. Hook up with the Cornwall Mountain Bike Club V2.0 or Penwith MTB Facebook groups and post up when you’re coming down and hopefully somebody will be able to show you around.

To me a bike is about fun and the most fun I’ve had in ages is on my fatty. The speeds have probably dropped but I’m no world class rider anyway. I just have to look at mine and a grin starts. It’s not to replace any other bike but what it does is make me giggle like an idiot.

This.

Inspiring stuff, I might give it a bash next year (I say from my sofa with a beer).

V8?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5WO9nulOXc

Thanks for that. I must form a plan.

Excellent

Vulpine?

I put Stans in the tubes. I run at about 8psi although I don’t have an accurate gauge.

Cornwall Mineral Tramways

It’s neither of those, but they’re both decent videos and worth a watch! I’m pretty certain he rides over a really big rock next to the Don Whillans memorial hut right at the end.