probably for about 8, maybe a little earlier.

I’m driving to Lee Quarry tonight from the city centre, but don’t usually get away until 7 if that’s any help?

/error

/error

Thanks – I’ll give that a watch at lunch.

I do go the quarry quite a bit, i did the Hope XC series for some fitness. I guess it’s knowing the lines that are more ‘DH’.

Might try and get a night ride in tonight.

xiphon – Thanks! I’ll give that a go. I’ll live slap bang in the middle of town, but usually have access to transport.

Is night riding an option there, or is that plain silly?

Thanks Scottfitz, but you be a looooong way from Manchester :(
Like nosedive, my bike buying is being closely monitored – so can just nip down the M6 for a 8 hour round trip!

Thanks pocket. *Think* it might be a bit out of my price range!

I’ve got a boardman FS pro to be running on with so should be ok for the stuff I’m doing atm. Am heading to the FoD this Sunday for a whizz around, might see some of you there.

Thanks Hob Nob. No one on here looking to offload then?

I’m hijacking the Glory advice.

Looking at this….
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-glory-FR-/170938760601?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item27ccbe7d99

You won’t believe me, but I’ve got Tom’s website on my favourite’s tab, just waiting for the right time to book.

What’s the STW discount rate Tom? Hello….

I hope it’s not a wind up! Everyone seems jolly nice :D

Full face is on order…

Following the clip on another thread, I’m thinking of heading to Antur Stiniog before xmas (maybe coupled with a day in Betws). I’m assuming full-face / goggles are absolutely essential here?

Anyone else based in Manc on this thread?

Fair game I reckon.

Maybe cause I’ve got a few people at my place who, because they’ve bought a carbon bike and a multi-tool, think cycling is “in their blood”.

Personally, would love to take a few of them on a ride….

Thanks Tom.

That actually makes a lot of sense, because sometimes I miss judge the takeoff and found that having pumped my arms I’m in a rigid position.

I’ve found my improvement has been gradual over the weeks as opposed to any step change after a big sesh.

Thanks for all the tips!

I wouldn’t call myself a DH rider, but only ride up to get down and have ridden done a few gravity enduros. I went to Grizedale this weekend, and chose to loop the black rather than do the the Northface trail! So not got quite sure what that makes me – DHcurious?

Problem being, have an AM bike and can’t justify buying another bike yet :(

Graham Obree is my personal hero. He’s saved me hundreds on gels and energy drinks – every time I think of buying one I just have a marmalade sandwich instead!

If i wasn’t so incompetent, i’d actaully insert the picture. But you’ll have to use your imagination:

Can’t decide if good natured banter
< >
< >
< Picture of Fry from Futurama >
< >
< >
…..Or bullying

Manchester could definetely do with at least a couple more. I mean evans is ‘ok’, but i’d rather wheel my bike into an LBS

*btw, my saddle (not saddle post) actually fell off last night, while, get this, i was just riding along no BS.

Truly karmic.

Hoisted by his own retard!

Thanks guys – looks like i’ll be getting the climbing meters in on Saturday! I’ll have a good look at the train times.

chrisdiesel – very keen, as i’ve never been before. Is there an e-mail address I can get you on? Obviously, I’ll sort you with petrol bunse.

nbt, no – as per my original post – i *don’t* have a car….

Given that Macc ride would be worthwhile, I could get the train to Stockport and then to Macc (about 40mins)

Iain1775 – YES! I’ll have a look into that. Do you know if it’s any good?

Mmmmm you might be onto something there Portly….

Anyone know if I can somehow use the GPX file on an i-phone, and if so, how?

Think i’ll pack the road bike then and head to the Cat & Fiddle climb :(

Thanks any way!

I did the Hopton Gravity Enduro and thought it was a great event.

Don’t get me wrong – it was quite tough. The transition was challenging but easily do-able, while the stages themselves were a good mix of some quite difficult DH and some flatter XC stuff.

I wouldn’t worry too muuch what you’re riding as whatever bike you have it will be ideal in some places and less ideal in others such is the variety of gravity enduro.

I’d be interested, plus 1.

Though on what Rorschach says, looks like we’ve got Bob Hope.

Hopton is great fun and as mentioned above it can get a bit hairy when the rooty bits get a bit wet and slippery.

Enjoy!

Slowrider – I found, on this thread at least, the advise to be incredibly consistent. I guess with jumping there is a right way and a wrong way, gravity doesn’t allow for opinions!

Check the rebound on your suspension, make sure it’s not at the full zebedee, you don’t want any suprises e.g. if the back end of the bike is bucking you slow the rear rebound down. If you are running a CCDB it’s the HSR circuit you need to tinker with.

My rear suss is Rock Shox Monarch RL, but i’m really struggling to figure out how to adjust it properly?! Only ever ridden hard-tail before, so struggling with all the new knobs!

Manualling, for me, is harder than bunny-hopping. It’s the ultimate test of bike control – and something no matter how many hours I spend practising I only manage to get going for a few seconds :(

With jumping, bottle isn’t the problem (my mrs. would say I’ve got too much), from ski-ing i’m happy to be in the air for a long time. It’s just skill and ability I lack :wink:

Nealy – fasntastic! Thanks a lot. I’ve actually got that book (which is excellent btw), but your notes and the added context on the other posters means it makes a lot more sense.

There are 2-3 back to back table tops on the Hope Line at Gisburn, so hopefully by the end of Sunday i’ll be clearing them (hopefully not getting ahead of myself)

Happy riding!

Thanks chaps – some really helpful stuff here. Especially the pre-take off stuff.

I will put it all into action this weekend / annoy Bowland Mountain Rescue even more :-)

Thanks ryan – though that video doesn’t actually tell me how to jump with Fabien Barel :D Though seriously, I found that he doesn’t go into enough detail on the take off and where your weight should be when you’re in the air.

Piedi – Like I said, am well keen and it’s my bday coming up so fingers crossed. But realistically won’t be until next year and I would like to reach a personal plateu before getting tuition

Thinking of doing this. Any idea of the lengeth / nature of the times sections? (Sorry, don’t know Kinklochleven at all)

Yea, I got a pleasant e-mail back from them.

Ah, Steve – not the guy who, when seeing my first stage time, asked if I’d had a cuppa on the way down?

Binners – I’d be keen if there’s room for a little one? Car’s out of action this week, but should have transport next week – is it a weekly thing?

I keep an eye on Manchester Mountain Bikers, but struggling to find time/location that work.

Crikey, I’m beginning to think it WAS me.

I’ve e-mailed Pearce just to say thanks and ask them to pretty please do a series. Call it naivety, but it might work :D

Nice little vid superfli – nice overtake! (Glad I wasn’t the only one!)

The variety was great! I’m still buzzing from the whole day (and aching!) I just really need to improve my fitness, but mainly have three or four days just doing DH with an uplift, and maybe some tuition thrown in – i’m thinking that’s the best + quickest way to improve?!

There was some chap squeaking something! It haunted me the entire climb up 8O

Superfli – I think I saw you a few times! I thought who’s that nutter with the sqeaking shark! :D

I’m nursing some scrapes after a few run-ins with roots in section 2+4.

Any links to photgraphs would be appreciated.