Thanks Paul.

We’ll give it a go. What better way to get to know somewhere than get frustratingly lost for half day, while putting mates off mountain biking for life :D

Thanks Steve. That’s a shame, as I thought that was the perfect solution.

Might just go for a mess about, i.e. get some miles in on the paths and then have a little explore.

Or if that cycle adventure guy delivers might still get to Gisburn.

Thanks for the input.

Thanks Harry – Delamere struck me as soon as I posted. I haven’t ridden there before and my understanding is the trails aren’t marked – will that be a massive problem do you think?

Is it bit cheeky ringing up to use a demo….?

Cheers Dean’s mate!

Thanks. I’m flying with an airline who would probably take a measure of pleasure in telling me a bag wasn’t sufficient so I will probably try and source a box from a LBS.

“Un boîtier, s’il vous plaît?”

Thanks Samuri

Thanks Bregate, will take a look.

mt – no, 27. FFS….

Lovely bike – the sun makes it all the better! I know the feeling of getting a new bike / bike bit and just wanting to show somebody :D

Rorschach – I despair. The vein of snide bitterness running through STW puts a lot of people (including me) off.

Nice one :D

Just in time for a super-dry summer…

Pocket mags has been nothing but a complete pain in the backside so far. There’s got to be a simpler way of doing things?

Their’s an online magazine called IMB which I think is really good. It’s a free app with integrated videos (including a lengthy monthly tutorial). Sure, it’s got quite a lot of adds – but nothing which spoils it.

I’ve got a pair of SixSixOne riot pads. I wore them for the first time on Satuday, but found they’re too big. There rather muddy to take back so need to get a medium. They’re on classifieds, £25 posted.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sixsixone/2012-riot-knee-pads-ec034285

Another vote for the giro feature. Fits like a dream and it comes with stickers, yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaa…………….

Lovely stuff.

Out of interest, what’s the chain guide?

Hope he’s ok

Is it this bit?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R3XhCfuNtg

If so, that is nooooo rollable!

Watching the Villa get condemned unfortunately.

That and my bike is in for repair.

I’ll be there next week if it’s on, with female.

Really wanted to get out tonight, unfortunately I had a disagreement with the a gravel landing and Gisburn yesterday. Suffice to say I came out worse off… :(

Just a heads-up, there was some mug on a quad bike on Monday going down the left red route.

Is there a specific ban on motor vehicles?

My chain snapped on Monday (plus I’d ridden 10 miles to get there). Luckily, I had the necessary tools :D

I don’t wear pads there personally, but if someone wants to wear a full face and spine protector I wouldn’t have a problem.

What a nightmare! Post some pics as it might jog people’s memory – I tend to keep my eyes open in Manchester city centre, usually when I see someone on a £1k+ MTB going the wrong way down the tram lines.

Good luck.

Stand down. Managed to get a bed at the Kailzie Bunkhouse.

Very helpful the lady was too!

With a good nights sleep riding a downhill track on a 100mm bike should be a breeze!

Thanks Hol, appreciate the clarification.

You can vouch that I’m a HPOA can’t you?

[quick profile stalk] Hels is a she.

*Top and tailing optional

I can’t access picture hosting sites at work. Website: http://www.cornerhousehotel.com/

Thanks Andy, it was a really good session. I was in the LBS last night trying to get a few other lads along.

I didn’t go last night, I get the feeling Thursday is an even higher standard again.

Just one question, what are the best sessions to get along to for some basic coaching? Trying to figure out how to manual a roller was proving difficult!

I’m going to need a number of practice sessions to be able to,

You will become obsessed with it. Unless you’ve got a real knack for it, it will probably take you the next 6-9 months!

You will throw your bike in frustration more than once if you’re determined to learn how to manual!

Put you’re saddle down to start with. I think of it as a reverse ‘L’ shape. Pump your legs down and then straighten your arms forcing yourself backside behind your saddle – but not actually pulling on the handlebars

If you don’t use flats, start. The fear of looping out when running clipless will stop you putting in a good pump.

People always mention feathering the brake to help keep balance. But if you’re just starting out, I wouldn’t worry about.

Good luck, and you are right it’s pretty essential skill. If you can’t manual, you can’t bunny hop (properly), if you can’t bunny hop you can’t jump (properly)….

I’ve taken to riding flats (the worry of looping out while clipped it was ruining my concentration).

Practice makes perfect I guess.

proudester – yea he can ride alright, I did a skills day with him a couple of weeks ago. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did that video in one shot!

Consistently being able to manual is my everest. Sigh.

I think we’re talking about the same place I_ache, it’s 1.19 on this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwsKacRpKxQ

Ahh, now i see it from that angle, you can roll it if you’re going slow enough. Apologies. Still, one to watch for.

Not sure I agree with it being ‘100% rollable’. There is one bit of northshore where there is 3ft-ish drop (a rooty tree to the left). Not sure how you would roll that?

Nothing dramatic, just one to watch out for

at the end of the day the fittest rider will be the fasted to the top of the mountain regardless of wheel size.
and the most skilled rider will be the fastest to the bottom regardless of wheel size

This x 26

Phew – if it was 2000m, i’d be quietly making my excuses.

See you all Saturday. I’ll be on a black boardman FS pro if you want to say hello. Oh and for reference when you’re passing me my preferred shout is ‘Rider left/right’, I can then cower appropriately.

I’m wussing out and commuting from Brizzle Saturday and Sunday so not camping.

Have just had a nice impulse purchase on CRC though – Oakley proven MX goggles.

Chopchop – I’m going to assume that’s 2,000 feet….

Just bumping this as it’s this weekend.

Anyone else in?

My best stab would be:

“antonymous”

Though I don’t think that really fits the bill. Sorry

Just thought I’d give a quick report from Friday…

It was really good fun, and very laid back. I don’t know what I was worried about! The instructor (Andy?) was a really nice chap and took things at a good pace.

I passed my accreditation and am booked in again for tonight :D

If you live in Manchester, it’s almost criminal not to take advantage of the facility on offer – not exactly expensive either, £5 for two hours in a world class facility (compare that to the snowdome thingy….)

Hora – I must have missed your heckling, cause I hit the deck pretty hard on one occassion and my first thought was: “I’m gonna get some 5h*t for that…”

Looking good!

I’m currently planning my own garage renovation project after buying a place. Quick question….What have you used to lock the bikes to? Is that a rack sunk into the floor? Or are they not locked?

xiphon – yea, that would look the nuts

Will keep my eyes peeled on t’Bay

Hora – your kid is beyond cool 8)

Xiphon – I would def like to give that a go. I usually just mess around on my housemate’s HT in the car park, but it’s a pretty heavy Kona Shred, so would like to pick up a cheap trials bike.

I find I can easily hop over objects when I’m clipped it, but think I’m sort of cheating my sucking up on the pedals. I’ve gone flats for the time being to try and improve technique / not cheat.

By the way, when you say ‘forward-hop’, is that a bunny hop or something different?