we drove to Avoriaz in 2008 to pick up passes in the morning. On the lift out of Morzine by 830. No probs. It’s less than an hour to ride up there if he’s feeling really keen.

Birdy uses MTB bits, lighter than Brompton, rides much nicer.

It’s possible to drive to Chatel and back for a 9am start from Les Gets, which is plenty of time. Last lift is 6pm which is easily achievable unless the weather is awful.

I’ve done 5 passportes, not going this year and v envious…

He’ll have to pick his number up from the start point, and they tend only to release them on the morning. In theory he should start from his start point but I’m not sure how that would be enforced, especially if you started a bit late.

surely the maths says the lightest wheels must be fastest ? why wouldn’t this be the case ?

well done for keeping them. All ours died in heavy frost this spring 🙁

curiously, I also have a mate with a springer called Toby. Well done to all.

do you know which part of the course ? I was going to have a bit of cheeky practice for the next race…

He looks stronger, so can hold onto the harder suspension setup ? Immense, whatever…

Organising and participating in a charity ride to Rome. 100 miles a day for two weeks. Raised £25k.

I was watching, not racing. You might like to know that the 29ers were having a much easier time on the steps.

fly but take your bike IMO.

really enjoyed that. Using the steps as trail obstacles was inspired !

just off there myself. I hope start is 715 or I’m playing catch up…

What Basil says. Terrifying in anything smaller than a bus. As far as driving is concerned, southern Italy is third world.

I’d be a bit concerned if someone was spraying them with glyphosates too!
Who’d be doing it?, and why?

Highways authority.

It’s worst on motorways / dual carriageways where they want devastation. That’s where the rape is (no it’s not flowering brassicas). Despite the legal position, I use the evidence of my own eyes as to whether it’s roundup ready.

Single track roads aren’t sprayed so not affected. Hence the lovely picture above.

If you drive through Herts / Beds / Bucks, the verges are infested with rape plants.
The verges are sprayed with glyphosate, but clearly the rape is the GM version that is resistant.
It’s choking off the indigenous hedgerow plants, and can’t be killed. It looks like it will be the knotweed of the 21st century.

So in answer to the OP, it’s a massive problem.

idiet. yes, really.

Not much uplift, and most of the best stuff is banned July / August. If you’re going June or September, though, take the bikes for some of the best natural riding around, assuming you don’t mind climbing.

don’t you need witnesses to get the police involved ?

Time for a Pirate party like in Germany.

paleo diet. then your body learns to burn fat and you don’t need any of this muck.

don_simon – you don’t mind the big dogs humping your leg then

Jason King. You know he was the best.

Apart from Ian and wrecker those are jogging shoes. It’s the jogging shoes that are ugly. Not to be confused with running shoes.

Has it a fitness test ? Once you set it up it’s really good, but it is a hassle.

Form the beach at Ventnor to the top Stenbury less than two miles to the north, is a climb that would rival many in in Peak District!

Good God, I know that climb it’s more like the Alps. That’s evil !

(Jack- ex caulkhead)

upturned rim braked rigid fork makes an ace truing stand

People should stop speeding before they complain about dogs.

This.

Dogs bring a huge amount of happiness to a large number of people.

my name is jack, and when I’m not having a bumble I’m usually in a flap.

Named by Phil at MBMB in Chamonix as I was always last to be ready. It stuck and I am often called it in public – especially in car parks by folk waiting for me…

If you thought that was crazy, watch this…

Supercharged

My back has started to give problems when I stopped rowing. I think it keeps your back strong. Should go back to it but I can no longer afford a gym membership…

SDW gets hillier towards the end. If you arrive at Winchester with 2 days to go try to do 60/40.

26er. Lotsa spares overseas.

But I wouldn’t use something as blingy as the Whyte. Theivable and not repairable. Get something steel if you’ve got the funds for another bike

Yes.

Ton, you’re a pathfinder for the rest of us. My bro is ten years older than me (I 51, he 62), and after a lifetime of hyper-fitness he too has AF (and a host of other probs). I think that a load of us on this forum will be in the same boat before too long, and you’ll be the guru !

Been here since the go-far days. Current state of fora is the worst I’ve seen. A year ago it was at its best.

Subscribed to the magazine since issue 1. Really don’t like the new ‘loser-chic’ attitude.

There seems to be a general ‘niceness’ around. It’s horrible.

Mrs flap_jack doesn’t bake flap jacks. But rhubarb,date & ginger cakes come thick and fast at this time of year. Yum.

Guys – why aren’t you riding your bikes?

crocked knee 🙁

1hr v light turbo training this morning.

hobbling.

scan next week.

not happy.

can I start an argument to pass the time ?

buffalo burgers too dry IME.

Crikey, how do you all keep count ?
My meagre list:
Raleigh Montage (1989)
M-Trax 4000 (1996)
GT Zaskar (1997)
Marin xc-frs (1999)

The GT and the Marin are still going strong, can’t see anything I’d replace them with. Unlike the M-Trax whose frame crumpled in 9 months…