We’ve made contact with Craig Grimes, the guy on a mountain trike from Countryfile. He’s ace. He’s in agreement with our outlook on trails, and sounds like he has great fun trying to conquer some pretty tough stuff.

If anyone is interested, they are doing a rambler from the Longshaw estate on May the 17th. They are looking for abled bodied volunteers to go out with them to help out. Let me know if you are interested.

The more people we speak to, the more apparent it is that this is a battle between DCC and all outdoor users. Whilst there are differing priorities (as there are within mountain biking too) the whole point of getting out into the outdoors is to have fun, and have an adventure and whilst this might require some compromise, it’s definitely achievable.

Check out their mountain trikes.
http://www.mountaintrike.com/product/mountain-trike/

How tall is she?

Where do you live?

I have a 14.5 inch 26 inch hardtail sat in my shed very sad a lonely if she wants to try it for the summer. I live in Sheffield. I’m 4ft9.

From experience I wouldn’t recommend I 26 inch wheel bike is she is any smaller than me. Riding a bike that is too big for you is miserable.

My sources tell me Accessible Derbyshire is also on. Great stuff.

http://ht.ly/M35IO @CraigGrimes

It’s at Dove Stones. This doesn’t look remotely controversial. PD MTB are actually forming great relations with Accessible Derbyshire, the local group: watch this space for more details later in the year…

Surely it would be safer locked to the INSIDE of the car?

If you are getting pain in your leg waking you at night I would think about going back to your GP if things aren’t improving. They work on a wait and see approach with the premise that if you don’t go back, it must have gone away. It’s a good approach as most musculoskeletal injuries get better with time and rest but I’d definitely get a review if it’s persisting.

Just a thought. Wheelchair users are allowed to use their electric conveyances on footpaths.
Should there be a programme of making rural footpaths accessible to them? It might mean removing stiles and such but why should they be restricted to bridle ways?

There is a lot of work to do this. Stiles can also be replaced with gates with radar keys (the type of key that also opens disabled toilets). Accessible Derbyshire are looking at which areas would be sensible to do things like that in Derbyshire. It’s not just wheelchairs: think people with dodgy arms or legs, pushchairs, scooters, buggies don’t like stiles either. There are plenty of places where this could be a great idea: think Longshaw estate, Curbar edge, Chatsworth. They also have ideas for Barbrook Valley but they’ve been up there recently and realised it’s a bit wild for a lot of people with disabilities and are looking at getting people who are a bit more adventurous out there on trikes.
http://www.accessiblederbyshire.org

Last year we went to the Dales Bike Centre for the weekend. Waist height snow on the ground, freezing and it rained heavily all weekend. Had to stop to warm our hands up in each others armpits. Was awesome. Who said romance was dead 😀

I’ve just made the thousandth comment on this thread.

I have nowt to say.

PDMTB, Ride Sheffield, Friends of the Peak and DCC had a site visit last Tuesday. We have subsequently met to discuss the outcome and hope to get something up on the website ASAP. We have until mid-January to reply to their proposals. In the meantime work still continues to build alliances with fellow outdoor enthusiasts so keep on sharing that festive spirit to people you meet on the trials.

Survey issues: I am going to contact the survey monkey admin about this. I know why the problem has happened but don’t want to fix it if I run the risk of upsetting the survey and it doesn’t change the overall results . Over 600 replies so far.

What is even more interesting is that further on in this newsletter is a discussion around Derbyshire County Council’s lost high court battle against a resident. This cost DCC £500 000. This is the same team that has been up on Rushup Edge flattening trails.

“the Council’s conduct fell significantly short of what could reasonably be expected of a public authority in the present context”

Hi Neil,

We met with Andrew Bingham today. He was surprisingly well informed (thanks to people like yourselves). He had already written to DCC as he was “very cross” about the matter. He is going to chase their response and speak to Jim Dixon at Peak Park. He was interested to hear what we had to say and we have and are continuing to provide him with further ammunition. I believe he is supportive of our overall aims, an is particularly interested in the amount being spent on the works. He is also aware of the time pressures (i.e. the 17th of November notice).

So thanks for writing, I believe it has certainly helped as he was supportive from the off. We are also contacting other local MPs. Watching this space.

After a long meeting fuelled only by chocolate biscuits and our passion for sweet trails PDMTB have agreed their next step. Further news and updates coming up when we’ve all had a bit of kip.

Oh, don’t get a jump bike unless you can get it really light. All the other components weigh the same so would be very heavy.

The reason the stand over increases with smaller bikes is because you decrease the reach. On womens bikes the top tube is usually angled down. A longer top tube means it can go down further and give a lower standover. The other issue with short people is that when you decrease the reach you still have the same saddle so you end up standing even further forward over the bike when the stand over is higher. A “scoop” at the saddle is good but you need to have room to stand at that point.

You might want to consider:
Orange five (the diva and the men’s five are similar in size I believe, it might be whatever fits best).
Trek Lush (I have two!, and don’t fit on much else)
Pivot Mach (the 5.7 is bigger than the trek lush 26″ 14.5, the mach 6 is even bigger but the mach 4 is probably smaller).
Cotic soul xs is pretty small if long travel hard tails are your thing.
The new kona process looks very small, the smallest stand over around (The lush is probably the next smallest).

Other things to consider:
If you want to drop the seat to ride down hill, will the post go all the way into the frame? Check a dropper in compatible. I think the diva would be, the lush is with some bodges (see my previous posts on this), not sure about the kona, the pivot mach 5.7 isn’t.
Shorter cranks: get 165 and shorter stem
Narrower saddle (so when you have to move behind it it doesn’t get in the way)

I’m 4ft9, ride a 14.5 Trek Lush but they are 26 inch wheels, they are making 27.5 now.

Don’t buy a bike that is too big, as she gets better she’ll want to ride it harder and it will limit her. You can make lots of minor changes but if it feels too big she won’t ride it. You’re welcome to try mine if you’re anywhere near Sheffield but unless you can find one second hand you’d need to go up a wheel size (grrrr).

BTW. A lot of the new bikes are going smaller wheels for the smaller sizes so check that out too.

Morning!

I’ve had 148 replies so far!!! Thanks to everyone who has taken to time to reply to the survey, this sort of group action is really important and I’m glad all our anger and energies can be channelled into this. I will try to collate the answers later today to give you an idea of what it says. I will also email those who left their email address. I’m off to Wharncouver so will be later this afternoon.

I will bring the results to the PP Picnic on Monday. We already have Singletrack attending and hope to get more press involved by then. Thanks to the support from the Peak MTBers.

If people think they might attend on monday, could they FB message me and I’ll send them my phone number.

Ok, this is the last from me. It’s late but can you complete this survey to show your support. Will help show how many people are upset. Yes, it’s a bit bias, but hey, so are we!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLP6YZC

It takes 5 days for them to publish it online. Too late for this work.

Can everyone also email these people:

Strategic director of economy, transport and environment
Mike Ashworth
email: mike.ashworth@derbyshire.gov.uk

Head of the council
anne.western@derbyshire.gov.uk

I think Peter White (who is in charge of this waste of money) is waging a campaign against us. He’ll only be stopped from those above him.

I suggest we request that the money be diverted to better use: e.g. childrens’ services

I’ve always found 2.1 maxxis xc tyres fine for UK riding. I’ve got a bigger tyre on the front at the mo but will go back to smaller ones for the winter.

I’ve just worn out my 22t ring. I spend my life in it but I quite like a triple as you can get up speed on road.

Seriously though, sort out tyres and chuck out the crap from your rucksack and you’ll save loads of weight.

For £300 you could get some Hope on Crest….. Save quite a bit of weight too but an expense.

Make sure you get the shock/forks right too. No suspension is designed for that weight I’m afraid. Also you might want to mess about with tyre pressures too.

How old is she? If she’s growing quick she’ll quickly get stronger and be beating you up the hills.

I wouldn’t bother making small gains with chains etc. You’ll probably be better off making sure you carry the spare tubes, food, tools, pump etc. as that’ll save quite a bit of weight. Try weighing your pack and see.

Helium in the frame and bars?

Get smaller and lighter tyres. You don’t puncture much at that weight. 2.1 is fine. I’d struggle with 2.4!

Surely she’ll just get stronger on a heavy bike?

You could always get a tow for longer days. Get a dog lead and attach it to the back of your saddle 🙂

It’s actually extremely rare to be in a situation (outside a war zone) where you need to receive immediate blood and therefore need to know your blood type. As others have said, the risk of receiving the wrong type means we wouldn’t rely on a tag and would give O neg if really pushed but can get most people a decent match within 30 minutes (if you phone up the blood bank and say you’ll use up their precious O neg they usually get their arses into gear). Clearly the military would run out of O neg pretty quickly as they do have this sort of problem a lot but they have access to people’s records (and they guys are known healthy) so they can do this.

Cross matching is now much more complex than in the past, particularly if you’ve previously received blood as you develop other antibodies that need to be tested. Those with complex typing issues need to be typed every few transfusions anyway as its an ongoing process. The times when you should carry a card are if you have previously had blood cancers or know you have a weird set of antibodies as we would then call up the blood service and get specific (irradiated/typed etc.) blood on order.

So, if your company says you need it: their occ health doc can arrange. If its for a race, then go private. Also, you’re GP is unlikely to hold this record, it would be the hospital and (for reasons stated above) they may not wish to release this information without a discussion.

Sometimes they just send you the correct light and don’t bother with returns. The lights are so cheap it is cheaper that way.

Hi Ali,

Having just about recovered from an awesome week in Les Arcs with TA last week I’d happily support your crusade.

Given it is a bit of a sticky issue to explain perhaps you’d like to write a letter and share it on here/facebook and we could send to our Euro-MP? (I don’t hold out much luck with the UKIP ones) It’s a bit tricky because they represent their local constituents and I’m not sure if your guides are classed as UK constituents if they are living in France. But hey, happy to give it a go!

On Newsnight Jools called mountain biking “MTB”, the presenter had to stop and ask her what on earth she was talking about.

Biking in high heels in London. WTF?

They are all pretty dull. I think the presenters come over all star struck and don’t know what to say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/27729769

Sorted the routing now thanks. Great to see Evans at their very best. The USE ones will fit.

Glad to be of help! I am fast becoming a world expert on biking for small people. Great to see someone else is having fun on that bike.

If your seat post is moving around then that suggests it isn’t in tight enough, which suggests you need a shim…. I’m no expert but this is what I’d do. There is a suggestion that using a shim invalidates your warranty. Not sure of the truth of that. You can get a nice UST shim for about £6. Feel free to get in contact if you need any more small person help.

How have you routed your hose? I have had problems with the amount of slack you need rubbing on my rear tyre wearing it out.

I’m thinking of solving all of these problems by buying a Pivot Mach 🙂

I have a whole supernatural that doesn’t really work that well but still has all the parts, if anyone wants it for free. Not sure if that’s helpful. PM me.

Did the police look round the house? If you look on his ebay buying he’s been buying fish tank pumps and hydroponics stuff. Wonder what he’s doing this those….?

Try No Balls Biking on facebook. I get the feeling that override is mostly beginners but the people I’ve met from it seem very nice. Depends what you are looking for.

I’m about to start a new flexible job and would be happy to ride anytime, night or day (don’t tell the boss!). Live in Rivelin but head out most weekends and in the week. PM me if you want.

I have a supernatural that doesn’t work very well (the internals are crap). If you want it to take off any spares (or make it work) you can have it for free.

As a laydee and of a similar standard (obviously I NEVER whine) I can recommend the Basque country with Doug. Some nice beaches and food and places to visit if you don’t want to ride every day. Fantastic trails and amazing views and not all downhill.

If you are sick, you need to be in the NHS. Trust me.

If you aren’t sick but want something straight forward doing (physio, a one off consult, basic low risk operation) then you could just pay upfront. This might be cheaper depending on the cost of the insurance.

If you decide to go private, go to see a doctor who also works in the NHS as this is a good guarantee that they will actually give you a good and honest opinion who isn’t Dr Nick Riveria.

Hey Brant, Whilst you are in China Brant, can you make me a nice xs whippet frame?
Thanks Brant.

He must appear now, that’s three times in one post.

They don’t respond to email. You need to use that useless form on the internet.

They then send a returns thing to print out.

Then comes the wait, and wait and wait. For about three months.

There’s no point emailing them. They don’t respond to niceness, threats or even emails written in German!

Did you buy it by credit card? If you have any problems I’d claim through your credit card company as the combination of HiBike and KS are a disaster.

Then get a reverb 🙂

Men would benefit, as HPV can cause warts and cancer in gentlemanly areas too, as well as not having their female loved ones get cancer.

Ordered on Monday, called a week later and delivered on the Thursday. They then tried to arrange delivery for the 21st so I was in the running for two! I live nearby though easy deliver.

Shed arrived. All set up in no time. Living room liberated at least. Am a very happy lady. 🙂