Ooh, and the campsite in Allemont is perfect – a bus service up to the lifts means you have to start earlier than some on race day but at least it’s a nice cruising DH back from the qualifier and the race proper finishes just behind the campsite – no queuing for buses back to town.

Yep – all good advice above. I think training is difficult as there’s just nothing quite like it. Obviously overall CV fitness will help but nothing can prepare you for 1-2 hours of full on downhilling.

My advice would be just don’t take it too seriously. The qualifier is great fun and a bit more downhill orientated (dirtyrider – you must’ve been in the same final as me this year – what row were you in?). The mega itself is just insane, especially with the amount of snow we had – trying to ride the top section leaves you in no doubt that it’s an endurance race rather than full on DH. Bigger bikes are more fun for the qualifier but a suitabley beefed up 5-6″ travel bike is perfect for the main event – there’s enough flat/uphill to make a DH bike a slog (3 of our guys were on Fives and rode them rather than their DH bikes; I rode a 120mm Mount Vision).

Just go there planning on having fun – the atmosphere, course, surroundings and other riders are all amazing (it’s not often you can chat to multiple World Champs on the start line of a race 🙂 )

Edit – a CCDB would be sweet I reckon. One of our riders has an Alpine with one on and loved it

No problems. In fact – you’ve just given my some inspiration for a present too – thanks very much 🙂

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/mybrewerytap

Gawd bless the search engine 🙂

Just stuck one on the front – very fast rolling and plenty enough grip for rocks/trail centre and perfect with a Larsen on the back. It does show a bit of the “Maxxis drift” but you get used to it – I’d much prefer that to the “continental wash out without warning 😉

As above though, I’d stick something beefier on for anything muddy but that’s just common sense really….isn’t it?

Good idea but a flawed concept – unless you wear full length waterproof trousers or tape the tops up they will always let water in through the top, creating an, all be it warm, mini swimming pool for your feet.

Crummy customer service too (ime)

my MW80s seem to be doing a better job of things so far 🙂

🙂 Oops! 🙂

Nothing helpful to say really but that sounds like the sort of thing I’d do! Latest one was dropping the oil contents of my forks on some pretty new shoes – now one’s a very different colour to the other 😳

Hope it turns out ok.

I think, (no actually in my professional opinion, dammit!) to claim to be a doctor with neither GMC registration nor a phd in your specialism is proper grade-A quackery

Not sure if it’s relevant but, whilst I’m just a humble Mr, many foreign vets do call themselves Dr. I guess because in a lot of countries it’s classed as a post-grad qualification. Is it similar for Chiropractors?

I used to think it was wierd but now I don’t really care – I don’t think I’d want to be a “Dr” anyway for the reasons mentioned above, amongst others 🙂

This thread would be sooo much better with video evidence I agree 🙂

coffeeking – the thing was only about 6 months old but you’re right, I don’t hold out much hope of a replacement.

I know when a friend of mine enquired at his LBS about upgrading his roadie wheels, the guy suggested that you were unlikely to see a difference unless you start spending silly money (thousands) and even then……

The power of the mind is indeed strong 😉

Yup – they tend to be reserved for business cards and official documents. Seems a shame but there ya go.

lol @ stoner – we truly are not worthy

You looking for something else to spend your money on now then 😉

An alternative to the SKF bearings is to get some “enduro” bearings from BETD – they’re sized so as not to need the top hats (same as Hope for that matter) and are much better sealed. BETD will fit them too if you send the old BB to them. I know a couple of people who rate them.

Having said that, I’ve got 2 Hope stainless ones myself and like them – they’ve survived the jet wash for a while now 😉

Revelations were better performing and much less hasstle to keep serviced

Really? I replaced my Revs with a set of XMC130s and I’d say they were a significant improvement. They look better (imho), are smoother riding and don’t require the strip & clean every 10-15hrs (not according to the manual anyway – I’ll see what happens when I send them in for their recommended annual service!). They also haven’t developed the almost enevitable motion control oil leak that seems to plague RS of that era.

I like the fact that the lock down releases automatically too – no more getting half way down a cracking descent before realising the forks are wound down & locked out!

My only problem would be the price – I paid around 50% RRP for mine.

All this relates to 2009 models though – not sure how the latest ones compare but they are supposed to be very nice.

These posts come up regularly and have never persuaded me that I shouldn’t take my dog to a trail centre. She’s well behaved, knows her way round the bike, where to run to not get in the way and is well trained enough not to run off without me.

People stating that trail centres are no place for dogs seems similar to those people 10-15 years ago sayng that forests are no place for MTBs as they get in the way of walkers/horse riders.

I’ve been to most of the Mid/North Wales centres amongst others with her and only ever had positive comments from other riders. To my face anyway.

So Ner :P!

Hmm – don’t get me wrong. I am a “royalist” and think they do add a lot to the country (including tourism). I also think a royal wedding is potentially a great occasion etc etc.

I just feel this reinforcing of old news is a bit politically motivated.

Much as it is great news, it does seem to be very good timing politically! The top story this morning was big pay outs to Guantanamo detainees….1 hour later and all of a sudden that’s old news and we’re surrounded by a warm fuzzy glow!

Haven’t they been engaged for a while now – the only “new” news is the fact they’ve named the date……..as Spring/Summer next year…ish!

Sorry – just old and cynical!

lol @ MTG

Joining STW just to defend your local area and slag someone off (badly) – now that’s devotion 🙂

Yup, AFAIK – if the diameter’s the same they should work on anything

Seen this several times but you can’t really get tired of watching it can you :). Bring on the weekend…

I think you can use “Custom maps” which potentially means you can use free software like “mobile atlas creator” to create free downloadable OS maps and copy them across.

As with others, they’re certainly not my “L”BS but I’ve always been very pleasantly surpised at how great their customer service has been – def go the extra mile.

Yep, have done for years. Why?

The “original” Let The Right One In is is a truly excellent film – very atmospheric and thought provoking at the end.

If hollywood manage to capture any of that I’ll be amazed but it has had good reviews

Got mine from there (LL Wolves) last week – looks too nice to read sat on the coffe table 🙂

As Suggsey and Lowey, I’d recommend up Llanberis and down Rangers then Telegraph hill. Almost all rideable on the up and def all rideable on the way down with few buttock clenchers and great views for good measure (on a good day!).

I’ve got a gpx of the route somewhere if you’re interested – telegraph hill is easy to miss. Email me if you want it and I’ll try and find it 🙂

There’s a group of us hoping to do all these and really looking forward to them. Loved Kielder last year – great format.

I quite like the place as a place to nip out for a quick training ride now and then. Ok it’s not the most technical of riding but, as mentioned above, the sheer volume of people and variety of skills levels dictates the technicality of the routes unfortunately. It’s still a buzz if you ride it quick enough. As for the wooden board-walk section – I’m glad to see the back of it! No fun and a pain in the backside (and most other parts of your body!).

If you want something more technical, there’s loads of natural riding in the area and Penmachno isn’t that much further to drive.

Oh god make it stop. 😯

I feel someone is keen for their product’s name to be on the internet no matter what the reason….!

Erm….. I believe there are such things as [cough]keygen[/cough] programs on this here interweb for such matters.

alledgedly!

having said that, there’s really no need as the GB Discoverer maps on the Edge 800 do turn by turn navigation etc etc.

I really don’t see the arguement for not putting the clocks back.

Ok, so supposedly everyone will be “happier” in the evenings as it’s lighter for longer. I don’t know about anyone else but I’m a grumpy bugger in the morning when I have to drive to work in the dark – I hate getting up in the dark and can’t wait for the clocks to go back. Will it really make a difference if school finishes at dusk rather than dark? As for journeys home – surely the majority will still be in the dark/dusk, plus morning rush hour will be in darkness so swings and roundabouts?

It’s been tried before and wasn’t popular so why keep banging on about it.

So there!

edit MTG – ok, nice link. That shows that this is an arguement that crops up every year.

Well I like it – very “fresh” 🙂

Just picked this thread up. Sorry for your loss but it certainly sounds like you did the right thing by him – better that than watch him waste away.

Lymphoma often has an underlying cause (viral mainly) that tends to dictate the effectiveness of treatment and, even with the most suitable cases, treatment is often frustratingly ineffective.

Rest assured in the knowledge you did him a favour in the end.

Even his name is pronounced ‘Is this a Con’!

Nice, hadn’t noticed that 🙂

dazzlingboy – Member

Just checked out that Topcashback site – seems good getting 4% back from CRC for nowt every time. Any drawbacks/catches??

I’ve been using it for a few months now and got around £100 back. I haven’t found any drawbacks yet….except it just gives you more excuses to spend spend spend!

I’d agree – definitly legit. You know the old saying – if something’s too good to be true, fantastic, make the most of it.

I’d probably send them some money as a thank you though – only polite!

😉 😈

Shrops/Powys borders – perfect base for MTBing 🙂

And yes, I remember that old Googlemaps thing – it was interesting to see where people were based.

Or Topcashback 🙂

Yup – think it’s the old Wiggle trick to get you ordering again. I nearly placed an order about an hour before I got the email too – phew! 🙂