My first DH-style event and had an absolutely amazing day. I fulfilled my 3 primary aims:

1. To Finish
2. Not to die
3. Not to finish last (I finished 3rd last :D )

The event ran like clockwork, the weather was out of this world and everyone was chatty and friendly.

Big thanks to the organisers, stewards, behind the scene-ers.

It’s not enabled to view on mobile devices….If it weren’t for that I’d be dropping it like Barry Norman.

I’m heading up to Grizedale on Nov 9th with a couple of beginners, is there anywhere to hire bikes round the visitor centre?

Yep, looking forward to it. Just got to convince the other half to let me drive down early enough to get a few laps in during the practice session.

If you see a brow beaten loner who looks like he’s never been to a DH event before come and say hi.

Thanks superfli. I’m a hardy west country boy though, so took the option of camping.

See you on Sunday (I’ll be the guy with icicles hanging from my eyebrows!)

Thanks Domino. The power of STW forum strikes again :D

Second The Northern Quarter Restaurant (bit pricey though). If you’re round that neck of the woods and there’s no queue nip into ‘Almost Famous’, amazing burgers (even if the staff, and the concept, are increasinly disappearing up their own backsides)

Expect a full Jay Rayner / Giles Coren / AA Gill (delete according to political persuasion) review on your choice tomorrow!

Picnic short of a sandwich them lot.

Bit of a brain dump, but….

There’s a great turkish restaurant on Deansgate (don’t be put off my the neon lights!) called Topkapi Palace.

Southern Eleven is alright if you like your meat.

Australasia – middling sushi, great ‘ambience’ (a little too much style over substance IMO)

I ate at Entrecôte (on Kingstreet) the other day (50% off food and wine voucher from the food market the other week). A fantastic steak, salad and house red – but not sure i’d pay full whack.

If you’re looking to push the boat out, San Carlo’s

Value for money, the Banyan Tree is pretty difficult to beat (though mainly Indian food and a bit of a walk).

Panama Hatties on Kings Street does some good Mexican food (on that note, avoid the new Revolution de Cuba – utter 5hite)

There’s also a great Indian place on the corner next to Akbars that do some really interesting Pakistan dishes, but I can’t for the life of me remember what it’s called.

Open lid – as suggested on the Pearce website (but mainly because I don’t have a full face)

nickhead – Member
I rode at Hopton weekend before last – was pretty wet, and quite slick. I had an Advantage on the front and an Ardent on the rear which was a little sketchy and lacking in traction in places….

Based on experience of various Gravity Enduros, I wouldn’t go too chunky (HighRoller/Minion etc) as there’s going to be plenty of climbing on the transitions, and the stages look to have a fair amount of ‘along’ as well as ‘down’ in them.

If the ardents and the advantage were a little sketchy, wouldn’t it be better to go with a highroller / minion? Or is there something inbetween you would recommend?

I’m a bit of tyre novice, and the idea of starting a tyre thread on here terrifies me to my very core….

Just like to add my thanks to the organisers, it was my first XC race yesterday and I was made to feel welcome – a great atmousphere.

I was doing the last bit of the death climb when those horses trotted past, wreaking havoc on my line. I gave the best ‘FFS’ face I could muster!

Good going Scottfitz.

We had blinking horses at Lee Quarry yesterday in the middle of the race ffs!

I;m heading down to Hopton next weekend as a complete DH and Enduro novice any tips (technique and gear) would be gratefully received.

Thanks!

Just the Sunday for me and can’t wait, my first gravity enduro!

I look forward to starting a ‘What tyre thread…” in due course.

I’ve just got a good set of lights for the bars and a back light, is that enough, or do you need one on the bars and the helmet?

Want to go tomorrow, but if I need another set and I’ll have to wait.

That manager didn’t hang around to answer many questions did he / she?

I live right opposite, but will stick with Cooksons / Harry Halls.

It just re-enforces the old adage, never trust a clean bike shop.

Crikey, that’ll be a 6am start from Manchester!

On a Saturday – ouch!

“cycling laws had created a generation who may as well be French.”

Classic.

To coin a popular phrase: “Well jel”

Sorry superfli, didn’t mean it sound like that! I’m just worried I don’t have the right gear! And ‘does it really matter’ was acutally a genuine question!

I have one set of tyres.

Rain, shine, wet, dry.

Not even very good ones (Continental Mountain King 2.2in)

Does it really matter?

Bump. Good cause, and entries now open.

I have entered…but may have over-estimated my categorisation.

Just exactly how fast do you have to be to be considered a ‘weekend warrior’? I chose that one as the route for the category below looks a little flat :D

Good luck Frosty.

Where are you riding?

Good stuff! Given there are no Sunday collections, I assume the post mark will be for today.

I couldn’t see an ‘offer ends’ on the page btw, and joined only on the promise of a free t-shirt! :D

slowboy, I was just thinking ‘Whatever could be causing this lower back pain?’, as a begin the z week in a row of 60+ hrs slumped in front of a PC! I think that is the root cause.

Thanks, time for some posture correction

Thanks chaps.

I was mainly standing on the climbs over the weekend (due to the gradient). Obviously I need to swallow my pride and get out of the Big Ring….

I posted mine yesterday, so will probably miss the 3pm deadline. Will i still get the t-shirt!?

I’m in. Good cause and looks like a good intro to DH.

The North Nibley route in the Cotswolds.

I’m planning on doing 4-5 laps of Lee Quarry next week in preparation for the xc race on the 14th. I am with car and bike rack should anyone want to join from Manchester.

Pure Mountains would be perfect

http://www.puremountains.com/

Suffer fest all the way

Marv-view-luss!

I am in.

A FS with semi-slicks wil be suitable, right….?

You’re absolutely spot on. Who needs mates? I’ve got this far with very few, a couple less won’t matter.

Is anybody doing TP in Spring 2013 then?

Markgravo,

That is the most superb light set-up i’ve ever seen!

Thanks a lot slugwash.

We’ll be on touring bikes, (well i’ll be on a road bike). Is that route still suitable?

Thanks,

I bought the tool kit, I think it’s a decent nab for the bits you get. And though it might not be quite as high quality as other stuff, it’s hardly going to break on you!

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

The rear light does indeed take batteries, but you’re a better man than me if you can get in to it without smashing the thing to bits.

On a confirmatory note, I’m assuming that you attach the main light to the handlebars using the O-ring?