I have the JCB Tradesman 2 as my:

-Smalll enough to fit in front pocket of ‘farah slacks’ without causing a bulge.

-Waterproof

-Can be dropped from height without breaking

-Long battery life (typically gets charged every 7-10 days or so)

Phone.

It’s pretty decent for all of the above. Negatives are lack of predictive text (which may or may not matter to you)

Good luck breaking into that bastard thieves!

To be honest that would be pretty easy with one of the powerful portable angle grinders these ***ts are tooled up with …

Although they usually like to use them once inside the shed/garage/outbuilding as the sparks can sometimes attract attention.

I think a dog is probably the best bet! It will bark or bite but then recently I’ve heard they are poisoning dogs before a break in

Not sure I’m 100% convinced about this. Two big dogs on our property that frequently have the run of the garden and one of them is one of the barkiest dogs ever … didn’t deter local theiving scum from breaking in twice … but then the dogs only bark if there is sudden noise when it’s quiet outside or the noise is just outside the back door. If they break in early evening there is a good chance that any noise they make will be obscured by background noise/traffic etc

Really sorry to hear this.

Just to repeat and emphasise some of the advice given.

– Secure the perimeter as best you can. SYP ‘advised’ me against fitting razor-wire. I still might install it. Consider installing light-weight collapsable fencing ontop of your walls causing anyone climbing your walls to hopefully fall thus causing serious injury to themselves

– Alarm the building you keep the bikes in. Install a PIR and door sensor. Link it to main alarm if possible. Don’t forget to turn it on – even when you are at home

– CCTV. Hate it myself, but you don’t really have a option. Install the best you can afford

– Shotgun land mines. Install as many as you can

– Multiple chains and locks – consider having to spend about 1/3 of the value of your bikes on security chains. As others have said have a look at https://securityforbikes.com/ and make it as hard/time consuming as possible.

– avoid any dark areas in your garden

– secure the building you store your bike in as much as can. Think how you would try and get in if you lost your keys. Bare in mind that by securing one method of entrance you will make them consider the alternatives. Then secure all the alternatives.

– beef up the security on your home. Don’t make it easy for them to break in your house and steal the keys to the shed etc. The ‘soft target’ is the human element. Keeping the bikes in the house isn’t a deterent – they will just break into your house.

– Don’t expect any support/protection from the local police. You are on your own

If doing all of the above doesn’t, appeal then consider getting another hobby for a while as they will be back time after time and will only take you off their hit list when you make it too hard/awkward/inconvenient for them.

Only just read this thread, a disappointing view from SYP

Completely agree. Unfortunately though, I think this is the face of modern policing – and I speak from bitter and disapointing experience.

The emphasis for SYP (and no doubt many other police forces) seems to be like an IT Helpdesk – it”s all about ‘fielding calls’ – i.e. closing stuff down as quick as possible and maintaing those KPIs …

Whilst phoning the driver up and having a little ‘chat’ might have been effective in the long run and made him think twice about punishment passes in the future, it would have made little or no difference to this month’s stats so there is little or no incentive in the policeman doing it.

SYP are like any other ‘service provider’ – you have to chase, chivvy, cajole and mither in order to get results. Unfortunately there isn’t a ‘price comparison website’ where you can select another Police Force …

I still have a lot of trouble understanding why anyone would want to risk killing or seriously injuring another person to shave ten seconds off their journey

Perhaps because some motorists only ‘see’ you as a ‘cyclist’ rather than a person/parent etc.

There was a motorway safety campaign a few years ago that tried to make motorists drive more carefully through roadworks by highlighting that the people whose lives they were recklessly endangering were parents etc – rather than just an anonymous inconvenience in a high-vis jacket.

There’s a strong case [according to at least one QC] apparently for the option of trial by jury to be removed for people charged with death by dangerous driving etc … seemingly the conviction rate is so low because it’s one of the few times members of a jury can empathise with the accused: “juries have a poorer record of convicting drivers, especially if the victim is a cyclist or a pedestrian”

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/08/drivers-who-kill-remove-right-to-trial-by-jury-death-cyclists-pedestrians-justice

Tomcat looks like this

Looking very good indeed HtS!

Not had a great deal of time to do much modelling myself recently as I’ve had a busy winter season. Hoping to pick it up again soon.

If you like listening to podcast interviews with so-called ‘action-sports’ people, then you might be interested in this interview with ultra runner Ryan Sandes:

His comments and thoughts about ‘pain’ are certainly ‘interesting’:

http://wearelookingsideways.com/podcasts/045-ryan-sandes

(also available in iTunes and includes loads of other interviews with people from snowboarding, skating, climbing, surfing & mtb (Tracey Moseley)

I reckon some live electronic acts are more live than others

This … my understanding is that the boundary between ‘live’ and ‘electronic sequenced’ is blurring more and more as customer expectations of the arena type ‘live’ experience increases:

Loads of bands/artists strive to recreate their studio sound in a live setting and the need to synchronise with lighting/video effects etc means using sequences.

Taking a full orchestra, brass section, additional musicians etc on tour and sound checking is impractical or not commercially viable therefore the likes of ‘Ableton Live’ and ‘in ear monitors’ etc are used to help re-create the full recording studio sound with live instruments and vocals.

The likes of Leftfield, Orbital & Underworld were pioneering in the ’90s using technology (building on the work or Kraftwork etc in the ’70s) to recreate their studio sound. Previously many synth/drum machines/sequences sounded awfully thin and tinny even with ‘compressors’, so many synth bands still had to rely on guitars etc to create a fuller live sound – I seem to remember that Heaven 17 stated that were only able to recreate ‘Penthouse & Pavements’ ‘live’ in 2010 because of the advancements of technology …

Reel to Reel tape (as used for drums by Cocteau Twins etc in early ’80s) was unreliable and DAT (used as a backing tape by many artists in the ’90s) was very sensitive to environmental changes like humidity … not great in a sweaty venue.

Numerous current bands like Public Service Broadcasting make no attempt to hide their use of samples and sequences whilst adding live drums and guitars. Other bands like Honeyblood and Royal Blood use drummer triggered samples using an SPDSX or similar to ‘fill out’ their live sound – not many bands can afford to pay for 5 musicians on a retainer etc these days.

To get back to the OP … some ‘electronic’ acts sometimes are not much more than simply a ‘playback’ with a fancy light show … I always used to think Orbital were answering emails on stage with mag-lights strapped to their heads, however they and others are actually adding a live textured overlay to a sequencer and tweaking the output – something that still requires a great deal of skill.

I know there’s no proven benefit to compression socks for example but I find they help my recovery

Agreed – I’ve found that compression socks etc have helped my recovery. I figured that they ‘worked’ in the same way as Flight Socks/Surgical Support Tights and aided ‘venous return’ but haven’t looked into it in depth.

@Colonel wax – thanks for posting the research – there’s some interesting stuff in those articles.

Clicking on the ‘Similar articles’ led me down a ‘rabbit hole’ reading about inflamation … fascinating stuff and it strikes me that medical professionals etc have to wade through countless ‘grey areas’ of uncertainly and potentially conflicting research, whilst the general public have an expectation that everything can be neatly divided into ‘black and white’! (which ties in quite nicely to last nights BBC program about temperature/fever and the use of paracetemol/Calpol in children)

Understandably much of the research I’ve just read seems to be in relation to making sedantary/ill people more active rather than active people faster/more efficient.

You can’t put a price on enjoyment though can you? [whatever way you like your enjoyment!] and sometimes it’s best not to over-think or over-complicate things.

Its is basically interval training which is still the most effective way of improving fitness.

Seemingly very little conclusive scientific research available to support this:

A couple of studies for perusal:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11772161

“Further examination of the biochemical and physiological adaptations which accompany different HIT programmes, as well as investigation into the optimal HIT programme for eliciting performance enhancements in highly trained athletes is required.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657417/

“The results suggest that although HIIT protocols are time efficient, they are not superior to conventional exercise training in sedentary young adults.”

For the record, I’m not saying [High intensity] interval training etc doesn’t work – I just couldn’t find any independent [i.e. not trying to sell something] statistically significant, peer reviewed, ‘scientific’ research to support it … and I know how keen ‘Surfer’ is on having ‘scientific’ evidence to support an argument! ;-)

Saw FreezePro shop also posted Lorne’s write up of your ‘experience’.

My week in Cham was good thanks – although we spent much of it in Italy. Did a splitboard tour of Gran Paradiso (4061m) & Pyramid Vincent (4215m)

Chapter 11 bankruptcy isn’t like what we’d think of as going into administration.
I believe*** (I may be a bit wrong on the details), but it’s to allow internal restructuring.

Pretty much, yes – a number of companies have done this and then successfully continued. NTL did this before merging with Telewest and ultimately becoming Virgin Media.

I can really recommend ‘The Physios’ – 1 Beech Hill Rd, Sheffield S10 2SA (next to the Hallamshire Hospital)

I went over on my ankle quite badly on New Years Eve whilst out running. Loud crack, pain, swelling & bruising etc (I couldn’t put any weight on it a few hours after the injury)

Strapped it up with zinc-oxide tape and got an appointment straight away – Ultra-sound imaging showed ligament damage but thanks to some intensive treatment over the following weeks I was able to get my snowboard boot on three weeks later.

any suggestions for a few stretches post run to help this issue?

Oh dear … the ‘Stretching Police’ will be along shortly telling you that all stretching is a ‘myth’ … ;-)

You can also use a tennis ball

personally I prefer a ‘lacrosse’ ball to a tennis ball, as they don’t squish quite as easily!

For snowboarding/splitboard touring and winter expeditions etc merino is still may favourite by a long way.

I’ve worn the same merino layers for 2 weeks on expedition and been pleasantly surprised by the lack of odour.

A number of my merinos are Howies long sleeve tops that are >10 years old and still going strong. Unfortunately some more recent one (yes Ice Breaker … I’m looking at you) have tended to fall apart, so in my experience, not all merino is equal so it’s worth looking out for the quality stuff.

For running and cycling however, (apart from in truly sub-zero conditions) I find merino too hot once I’m moving so I end up over-heating and soggy.

Interesting write-up nedrapier … thanks for sharing the link!

Really pleased to hear you’re ok!!

Heading out to Chamonix myself for a week this Saturday! Seems that the Spring thaw/freeze stability has been late to arrive this season …

Its a bit ‘next yeary’ though…

steady on … this season isn’t finished yet!!!

I can guess where you went next assuming conditions favorable….

Ok … let’s have a go at ‘whose line is it anyway?’ :-)

Snow pack conditions were pretty favourable – there were reports of a persistant weak layer but this hadn’t been observed.

So which line down do you think we took?

It’s a tease … but I can tease a bit more if you like! ;-)

Well, Glisshop had 20% off Jones Flagships

The flagship is a great board – stance could so with being a being a tad wider, but a great freeride board

Edit:

The Lofoten Islands were in great condition for some very good splitboard touring last week!

Almax chains are very good…

They might withstand bolt-croppers but not the portable angle-grinders which will cut through a link in a couple of minutes

Best bet is to get 2+ big chains … make it as hard for them as possible including depleting the angle-grinder batteries.

If there is a big spike in burglaries then that area will usually get some attention.

I have been corresponding with various senior figures within SYP for the past few months to try to get some focus on the recent increase in mountain bike theft in the West of Sheffield … it is only recently that they have actually included such thefts on their Social Media feeds – previously they were completely ignored.

Also it is actually pretty difficult to patrol places like Hillsborough and Crookes, very compact and pretty easy to duck and dive upon hearing a noisy diesel beat car approaching in the dead of the night

As mentioned earlier, a fair proportion of these thefts actually occur in the early evening during the dark winter months rather than the ‘dead of night’. They aren’t phased by the fact that people are in their homes with the lights on, cooking, watching TV etc … so I doubt they’d be too bothered by a Police van driving past.

I upped my security but fortunately no repeat attempts made

I upped my security … and they came back … thankfully the alarm deterred them … for now at least.

Oh and btw – these ***ts aren’t bothered by canine deterrents either – they seemingly strike early evening when there is still an awful lot of background neighbourhood noise etc, so dogs don’t get so twitchy as they might with noises in the early hours of the morning.

Where does all this high end, targeted stuff end up? Is it time second hand bike part sales were banned, or limited to licensed dealers? Wonder what proportion of s/h bike things are hot.

Good question – I’ve spent ages scouring the usual 2nd hand sites to no avail.

Whilst I’m sure that a fair amount of the 2nd Hand Mountain Bike Market is ‘hot’ my thinking about the recent West Sheffield spate of thefts is that this is more in line with organised crime …

Whilst I’m not for one minute suggesting that this is connected, don’t be under any illusion that Sheffield’s leafy suburbs don’t harbour organised criminals – only a couple of months ago, a group were convicted of [inter alia] possesion of:

one Skorpion sub machine pistol, six Makarov semi-automatic pistols, one Tokarev semi-automatic pistol (loaded), 1458 round of ammunition, seven sound moderators (silencers) and 19 magazines, one-and-a-half kilograms of cocaine, 107 wraps of heroin, two kilograms of benzocaine and 17.5 kilograms of boric acid, which are used as adulterants when preparing wholesale quantities of Class A drugs

B, the police have shown they are more than happy to turn up to other stuff that should be low down on lists

To be fair, apparently SYP did a ‘house to house’ after the recent Hillsborough break ins, whereas previously they have deemed theft of high value mountain bikes not worthy of a visit.

I would like to think that contacting the office of Chief Constable Stephen Watson et al can only help in keeping the pressure on and emphasise the escalating situation regarding Mountain Bike Theft in West Sheffield.

Any recommendations for a chain and padlock

Get the most expensive and thickest chain you can afford and get multiple chains and locks. Expect to pay >30% of the cost of your bike.

Get a big container and fill it with concrete. Set an anchor in it before it hardens for something to lock a chain through

Trust me … the portable angle-grinders these ***ts are tooled up with will go through pretty much any chain in less than a couple of minutes. What you can do is make it harder for them by installing alarms and multiple locks and multiple chains – which mean more time and battery power for them to cut through.

A word of caution though … make the shed/outbuilding/house door too secure and they will go for the next easy option, whether that’s a window or the roof. Try and reduce the amount of ‘dark’ areas on your property where they can ‘work’ undisturbed.

You just need suitable warning signs so that an intruder has the option to not hurt themselves

Not illegal to buy it (I got 15m from Amazon) or to install it. Just that the police ‘advise’ against it – not because of injuring the bike thieves, but more to do with neighbours, workmen, contractors, children etc who may inadvertently come into contact with it – and the mess it can make of them! The Police advise alternative deterrents for top of walls and fences etc. I still might install some razor wire however. Haven’t quite made my mind up yet

Get some shotgun alarm mines, scare the shit out of them

Police apparently quite happy about shotgun mines.

Unlike most places Sheffield has probably the highest concentration of mountain bikers with high end kit anywhere in the UK and the thieves obviously know exactly what they’re looking for.

^^ Pretty much this … They aren’t just driving around West Sheffield randomly trying their luck … they clearly have a list of objectives and targets. The fact that they targeted 4 streets all in close proximity in one night says to me that they are pretty thorough and organised.

we’ve all seen pics of people cutting through a frame as it’s quicker and there’s enough value in the parts to sacrifice the frame and it still be worth it.

In Sheffield, the scrotes apparently just strip bikes of all components seemingly in full public view – someone unfortunately had their road bike stripped of components during SHAFF – they just left the frame locked up …

Been happening in crookes for months

It’s not just Crookes – it’s a big chunk of West Sheffield

Some have been taken from bedrooms and cellars

Very true – keeping your bike indoors isn’t a deterrent for these ***ts. There’s a least two of them, They are big, tooled up, they must have a van and plenty of storage (or a quick distribution network) for all the bikes that have been stolen recently, They know the local Police will do little or nothing and they frequently strike on Thursday evenings …

But yeah – SYP seem to be otherwise engaged arresting residents armed with cameras and a pink recorder etc!

The best I can do is a couple of gold rated D locks and a motorbike chain through a massive kettlebell

They are carrying bolt-cutters and pretty powerful portable angle-grinders – multiple big chains and alarms are needed!

I was advised by SYP not to install razor-wire … which is a shame as I would love to see these thieving ***ts cut to ribbons …

So there isn’t just a button which cuts all power?

My understanding (from a friend that was actually on that lift 15 mins before that incident happened) is that the ‘rollback’ was caused by a power failure – when the electricity cuts out the chairs ‘rollback’ down by there own weight. The triple redundant braking system should have stop that, but it clearly failed.

Thankfully no one was seriously injured.

Also registering my interest in a steel 26″ singlespeed – to replace my Dialled Love/Hate that was sadly stolen recently.

Is it just me or are there less off-the-peg singlespeed frames at the moment?

Driving the powder highway – you can always pay someone else to do it for you!

Haha! yes indeed – I’ve actuallly recommended NONSTOP courses to quite a few people. One girl I recommended it to did a 2 week improvement course and then did the Snow Safari and she absolutely loved it.

Running fitness / bike fitness

I think the only overlap is the cardio side.

The strength/conditioning for running is good for running but doesn’t really provide any advantages on the bike

Yep – I would agree completely. Although I would also add that running is a good, time & equipment efficient alternative for cycling that can provide similar psychological benefits e.g. ‘blowing the cobweb away’.

In terms of muscle use though I find that [for me] running more than once a week or so causes muscle adaptation that results in less effective/efficient and slower cycling. Not a massive difference, but a difference all the same – especially on the longer rides.

I agree with alanf ^^ that the quads are the most noticable muscle group and that they adapt pretty quickly.

Have you heard of this place Nth of Revelstoke

Nope – I hadn’t heard of that! It certainly looks interesting!

Heli days at Revelstoke and Panaroma etc seem to be increasing common/popular! Would love to do a ‘Powder Highway Tour, however I always end up trying to avoid any additional travelling/driving and maximising my days on the snow. Keep meaning to go back to B.C. in the summer when the long distance driving is a bit easier!

Regarding Dupraz – you should be able to demo one from Zero G in Chamonix. They also stock Korua Shapes

What’s your plan for Norway, Digby?

Norway is Lofoten with McNab – I’m really looking forward to it!

The ‘Fifty for Fifty’ is coming on nicely thanks! ;-)

Sorry to hear you haven’t managed to get on the snow this season – there’s still plenty of time I guess, but congratulations on your ‘partner in crime’s’ gestation!!

btw – did you go down the ‘hardboot’ splitboarding route?

Hey Digby,

I’m thinking about a Flagship for powder day duties, lots of places have them 20% off at the moment.

How do you find it in backcountry/tree stuff?

The flagship is a great board and has been ridden in tight trees both in the Alps and Canada and on epic Backcountry days including the classic Glaciers de Marbre off the Helbronner lift.

I’ve got the 2013/14 Flagship (163W) and the stance is just a tad too small (it’s smaller than my Jones Solution Splitboard and Mountain Twin), so I had the guys at Zero G in Chamonix drill me a couple more holes at the rear.

The Flagship isn’t just a powder day board – it’s also a great board for carving!

[The Korua Shapes Tranny 157 is also a tad smaller in the stance than I would like, but only by about 1cm which I can cope with and isn’t worth getting drilled]

I would buy another Flagship in a blink. the design is based on the Hovercraft (which is ‘race board) but with a bit more functionality as a directional twin.

I dont actually agree about Burton. I think they have really upped their game in the last few years, mainly due to the rise of the smaller companies, interesting shapes

My comment about mainstream manufacturers was a general one rather than directed at Burton per se.

To be fair, I think Burton are stepping up to the plate with some innovative designs and solutions to try and get really young kids into snowboarding – which I think is long overdue since the snowboarding demographic seems to be an aging one.

But you are right – it’s an interesting time for snowboarding. The likes of Capita/Spring Break. Korua Shapes, Dupraz and a handful of others are really pushing the surf inspired concept of having a ‘quiver’ of different boards.

Saw quite a few folks riding Capita Spring Break in Canada and handful of Korua Shapes. Oh and one guy riding a Winterstick ‘Original Swallowtail … which looked like a work of art in terms of wood-craft!

Back on Piste again and riding greens and blues like I did when learning 25yrs ago And it’s flippen great!

It is isn’t it? I’ve had some of my best days just messing about on relatively mellow terrain!

What is the quality like? I have read mixed reports on their durability.

Absolutely no problems with durability so far – and I rode my Korua Shapes Tranny Finder for 4 of the 6 weeks I was in Canada. (I rode my Jones Flagship 163 for the other 2 weeks when either conditions were more suited to full on carving or the Tranny was getting a wax)

I guess 4 weeks use equates to 4 annual trips for many UK people and I tend to be pretty ‘heavy’ on my boards – including ‘incidents’ with trees, rocks and the entrance to Corner Pocket in Fernie which has old tyres and a rope to get you over the initial rock-band at the entrance. The Tranny also survived the daily shuttle bus up the ski hill where the board is loosely strapped to the outside of the bus.

I’d buy another Korua Shapes for sure, but this time I’d probably go for something with a more radical design. In fact they actually suggest that you buy one of their boards which is totally unlike any of your other boards.

As the French like to say “long live the difference”! ;-)

I thought your board looked directional from your pic back there.

It’s the ’57 Tranny Finder and the ‘shortest’ board I’ve every ridden but it’s such fun and surprising easy to land/ride switch despite the really short tail. The fat nose gives plenty of float in powder and it carves great!

I know what you mean about the mainstream board companies … hence me looking at the like of Korua Shapes … and I wasn’t disappointed!

thought it might be an idea to ride a smaller twin tip, to mess about on.

Sounds to me like you’ve made you mind up! Well …May I present … only released earlier this week:

Der Otto by Korua Shapes

https://www.koruashapes.com/shop/korua/otto/26/otto

I’ve been riding the Korua Shapes TrannyFinder a lot this season and it is Sooooo much fun!

Each season I tend to do a snowboard trip with the missus and quite enjoy carving & cruising the groomers, riding switch and generally messing about.

And then I try and do a couple of backcountry trips with a guide.

Since I’m 50 this year I’m aiming for 50 days on the snow. – I did 6 weeks in Canada (for the first 10 days a couple of friends joined me) and then the missus joined me for the last 3 weeks. I usually ride on my own in the mornings (especially if it’s a powder day) , join her for coffee and then do a few laps together in the afternoon.

And then I’ve got a splitboard touring trip to Norway and a late season trip to the Alps planned as well.

will I see a difference in the board/terrain/features parks since I last went 8 odd years ago?

depends where you are going. Some resorts have invested in terrain parks with rails, boxes and kickers, whereas others have got rid of them.

I wouldn’t worry too much! I’m sure you will have fun where ever you go!

Oh … and since you’ve not been for 8 years, I have the following pointers:

– Hardly anyone rides with a leash anymore

– Brits on the snow still ride with a massive backpack even when staying in-bounds/on-piste. Don’t forget to keep it on when riding the chair-lifts! ;-)

– Helmets are now [thankfully] really popular, but be careful not to have a ‘GORBY’ gap between Goggles & helmet! Which reminds me. It’s goggles and helmet – not sunglasses. And don’t be tempted to wear a full face helmet either!

– Toe caps now go over the end of your toes … not over the top of them

– try and avoid sitting down to clip in – it stops you getting snow stuck to your bum and helps avoid those awkward moments when you can’t get up and have to roll around like a goldfish flapping next to the bowl

But above all – HAVE FUN! ;-)

He did ask me why all the “bloody old fellas were so fast”

“frictional massage” … not heard it called that before! ;-)

If you cum too quick … try and think of Margaret Thatcher … ;-)