I’ve got a 3 season synthetic vango bag that works well. I only tend to overnight from March to end of October and I don’t use a bivvy bag. just a sleep mat and a tarp.

Argggh. Wish I’d seen this 30 days ago! I’ll be in for next month though.

I like the look of that. I’m up that way in April so might pay Penmachno a visit while I’m there. That new stuff is guaranteed to have cut up a bit by then.

I was looking into this the other day as I’ve just booked accommodation for a spring visit. The website has been taken down and the last I heard they were trying to sell the house, that was over a year ago.

“first I had a Volvo saloon clip my bar end with a door mirror when overtaking me.”

Surely if you were riding in Primary position you could’ve moved over to avoid this?
Not wanting to have a pop at the op but I just don’t get half the complaints some cyclists have about other traffic. I ride busy town centre streets regularly and don’t have anywhere near the amount of grief some others seem to have.

Oh go on then

So glad I’m not the only one. There’s a long slow climb on one of my local routes, the only thing I think of when I’m blowing out my arse halfway up it in the dark is that if a mad man with an axe jumps out of the shadows and comes after me, I haven’t got the legs to get away from him. It’s pretty much my favourite climb in daylight!

I’ve got one. decent helmet, light enough, comfortable, good fit for me (and I’ve got a weird shaped head). Only negative for me is that the forehead pad split fairly quickly and there doesn’t seem to be a replacement available

All of the above!

A bloke I used to see out and about (come to think of it I haven’t seen him since) had a Focus Superbud that I’d always lusted after. When I heard he was selling it I jumped at the chance and after a quick bounce around the car park on it cash was exchanged and it was mine.

As much as I’d never admit at the time I just couldn’t get it set up right for me no matter what I did. Also, it had 4 nylon bushes in the shock link that would wear out about every 3 months and didn’t seem to be available off the shelf anywhere meaning I had to get them made at £30 a go. After about a year it snapped a seat stay on the final verderers descent at FoD. They very kindly (as I wasn’t the original owner) replaced the frame for me but we parted company shortly after.

Interestingly, both the bike I replaced it with and my current HT (Kona Dawg and a 456, both of which I love) have appeared on this thread.

Took it for it’s first chuck about this afternoon. Needs a few tweaks but love it.

They went on literally 2 minutes after taking that photo, I promise!

And here it is

The real bargains don’t seem to pop up as regular these days. I got some nice Surface clobber through them last year though at far less than half price.

Nice one lads, they look right smart. I had visions of me riding round on a rusty old gate in 6 months time!

Looking forward to building it up now.

Thanks all. Was thinking more about steel deadkenny. Got any pics deviant? I’ve just ordered one without reading the blurb about the finish and surface rust and was thinking I should’ve gone for a painted one. That looks cool though tizzzzle.

Swindon has a town centre bike park (actually, it has 2 now)that has a secure card entry system which costs £10 for life. They even have a workstand and a set of park tools and a pump in there should anyone need them. It’s not perfect, although I’ve never met anyone who’s had their bike nicked out of there I’ve heard a few stories of it happening, it’s certainly a step in the right direction though.

I’ve often wondered how financially viable it would be to rent a shop unit in the town centre to provide secure bike parking and showers etc. It probably costs upwards of £15 a day to park a car in town, would the cycling population be prepared to pay £5 for such a facility I wonder?

The mondraker gravity rally is based in Porlock and uses some great trails. Ballsed if I can remember any of them though!

Swindon to Bristol Oktoberfest, 70 miles in total with an overnight stop on the bank of the river Avon at Dundas Aqueduct. Took the bridleways and byways out of Swindon to Devizes where I picked up the Kennet and Avon canal towpath down to Dundas aqueduct. After a not undisturbed nights kip (setting up near train tracks isn’t a great idea!)packed up and headed into bath through the two tunnels greenway then the railway path into Bristol and Festival Way up to Ashton Court.

All positive then. Just ordered tape and valves, see how it goes.

My fave weekend of the year and I can’t make it as I’m under orders from Mrs DM to be at a family thing on Sunday with the in laws. Gutted is an understatement. :(

The rider.

Yep, me too, was down there earlier this week. Went up to my local park today and cleared a gap jump I’ve been bottling out of since I found it 6 months ago.

Ridgeway is pretty dull. There’s some fun stuff over the Marlborough Downs but without a guide and being pushed for time you’ll struggle to find it. Definitely look at Croft Trail. You’ll find it opposite the Natiomwide HQ on Pipers Way.Croft Trail[/url]

Saw a full on naked bloke on the trail once, literally skipping along and whistling a merry tune. When he saw me he dived into the bushes and put his shorts on but to be honest I don’t know which of us was more startled. Each to their own I s’pose.

Odpod I think the guy that makes/designed them is on here

If it were me I’d substitute Llandegla for coed y brenin

pjt201 has hit the nail on the head, build a trail where there are no natural obstacles/features and people WILL straight line it. Also, IMO, twisting and winding your way through the trees adds to the excitement and gives the feeling of going faster than you are

Had a couple of BB’s from superstar, one lasted a month the other 2 rides. Really wanted them to be good as, apart from the self adhesive puncture patches,everything else I’ve had off them has been spot on

[/url]
IMAG0020[/url] by Daves mate[/url], on Flickr

Coate water, Swindon. A man made lake, originally a feeder reservoir for the canal. Local beauty spot now, regularly voted “Swindon’s favourite day out”. They used to hold diving competitions here back in the 50’s, including world championships. Apparently YOU WILL DIE if you go in the water now though.

Spent the last 6 months finding any excuse not to ride. Had to stay in today as the mrs has been ill and I’ve been itching to get out on a bike all day. Got tomorrow off so gonna ride some stuff I haven’t seen since about May, really looking forward to it.

Took the little un for her 1st lap of the croft trail woods behind Nationwide, she loved it, I was very proud. Temp tomorrow looks like it’s gonna hit double figures so I’m getting out on the downs to recce a bivvy spot for next month.

[/url]
IMAG0019[/url] by Daves mate[/url], on Flickr

Next week’s theme – Spring has sprung!

Afan for a day trip from Swindon. If you’re going to make a weekend of it though North Wales has more choice and they’re all worth a go.

Actually, that reminds me, I really need to get over to Penmachno again.

White tea with one sugar please. Got any chocolate hob nobs?

Work in progress is exactly what it is. Eventually it’ll be a more technical option for that section but will still be avoidable for those that don’t fancy it.

Reports from the weekend say the trail is drying out nicely. You don’t need me to tell you how wet the past year has been.

[/url]
IMAG0014[/url] by Daves mate[/url], on Flickr

There we go!

Oh great, forgotten how to add photos again!

sobriety – I’ve done that Chernobyly trip and it’s well worth it. Very spooky looking around the town. There’s also an old couple who refused to move after the disaster and have lived there ever since. They do meals with all the produce grown or raised locally, perhaps unsuprisingly not many folk eat it!