Ashley Cole realise finally that he ‘ain’t all that’. COYB

Just thought, you could pay and get the Thames Clipper service from Canary Wharf to Greenwich Pier.

My commute from Lewisham to Bow goes through the Rotherhithe Tunnel in the morning and Tower Bridge on the way home.

The tunnel is safe, there’s a pavement on either side, the only problem I have is the fumes. If you have a mask, I’d wear it.

Tower Bridge would be a scenic alternative, but a bit of a diversion.

The foot tunnel being closed is a bastard.

Have a good ride.

In transporter mode

In monstercross mode

Very nice, weather looks good too

I wouldn’t if I were you – get yourself right. 😯

GJP – I’m not kidding, Its pretty surreal actually, an ultra-techy ‘mini’ downhill loop surrounded by projects, it makes for an exhilarating ride. In the summer NYCMTB host a race series on weekday evenings.

Cunningham Park in Queens has great trails too, they’ve put in loads of work – you can turn up every Thursday (dirty Thursday) and help build.

You can also get Metro-North from Grand Central up to Blue Mountain reserve, the trip takes about an hour. There’s loads of nice singletrack.

Long-Island has some nice trails too, accessible using (Long Island RR from Penn Station).

This is a good starting point for trails, forums, meets. http://www.nycmtb.com

I go over there quite a bit (wife from Queens), there’s loads of riding -even in Manhattan at Highbridge Park.

Its an amazing, mind boggling city, its so diverse – from Bhutan to Belgium you’ll find a vast array of peoples.

Go for it.

I fractured my fib in October, not as severe as your injury but it still put me off my bike for 6 weeks. Its absolutely fine now. I hope yours heals in good time, don’t get too down – it will heal. Take it easy and don’t rush it.

Just an aside, an Ortho Surgeon told me that there is some evidence that Ibuprofen can actually delay bone healing when taken long term (after the initial swelling has reduced). Just something to bear in mind if you’re taking it. (don’t quote me on that though).

Happy healing.

Ah, I see. Thanks.

Aksiums – 4 years and counting. Pot holes, snow, salt, off roading. Not a single problem.

That guy is a prick…..

Something tells me my attempt at cx-ing the Pompino wouldn’t adhere to the rules.

According to the woman behind the desk it was a Delta policy – if you have a bag, no matter what the weight or dimensions, and it contains a bike, you must pay $200.

So if I had a bike which was the same weight and dimensions but full of clothes there would be no charge – crazy logic!

Great pics.

As promised.

I was using it on the road today, yesterday I rode some singletrack and it was a really nice ride. Having bigger wheels certainly makes a difference when rolling over rocks, logs ect.

I think I might get some wider tyres, they’re currently 35s, don’t get me wrong though – they were great off road – so fast and agile. I think you can get Smart Sams in 40, so that might be a good compromise.

Initially I was using drop, but really couldn’t get on with them, the brakes were crap and my wrists ached in pretty much continuously. Lower rise bars may be in order however as it is quite upright.

Anyway, I’m really pleased with it.

Now this is my kind of thread – I’ve recently de-roaded my Pompino and turned it into a weird cross/old skool mtb machine. Pics to follow.

Only the best.

midlifecrashes – That sounds like a good idea, to be honest I could buy a fair bit of stuff over there and sell on ebay on my return.

Any ideas?

NIce pic

It is NY city, there are actually some really nice trails. One in Manhattan, a couple in Queens and loads a short train ride up-state. If they weren’t so easily accessible I’d defo just take the Pompino.

How about a pompino or kaffenback?

Nice sunday morning vid, thanks.

I’m 6’4, and had a 20″ SS, ran it with 120 rebas and it was superb going downhill – didn’t crash once!

I didn’t find the uphill too bad to be honest – although if I got one again I’d probably go for the 18″, it would be a bit more maneuverable.

Any more suggestions?

Hope emailed me back, pretty quickly to be fair, I should learn to be more patient. They offered me a new headset for 35 quid in exchange for my old one. Pretty good if you ask me. Thanks.

thisisnotaspoon, can i just confirm that your Schwalbes are 700c?

stever – thanks for the info

thisisnotaspoon – thanks for the offer, i might take you up on that. i’ll mail you

I’ll be using them on the road, hardpack and mud – so an all rounder I suppose.

stever – how do you find the head angle on the Pompino when going downhill, too steep or ok?

I have not rung them up, no. That’s a good idea, thanks.

Very nice indeedy, probably need to run it SS though. 😐

No, I don’t have a protractor. Not since GCSE maths anyway.

Nice, thanks for that folks..

Anyone know when the new bikes (QED) will be available?

You can use a QR hub, thus it will have a freewheel. Or you can buy a dedicated singlespeed hub with a thread to take a srcre-on freewheel or a fixed cog.

Back home, well fed and happy. Thanks for the encouragement. Nightriding is brilliant, isn’t it?

The ebay headtorch was so so, I reckon I need some handlebar mounted lighting to compliment it though.

Right, I’m off. Fuelled by 2 mince pies and a cup of tea.

I know as soon as it get going everything will be forgotten – and upon my return I will have a pleasant feeling of satisfaction.

Maybe another cup of tea and some boozed will give me the lift I need, I’ve got a new ebay headtorch that needs testing out.