Never found it a problem. Just stand up a bit where you need to, even if it’s just for a second.

I did a few reliability trials and used to train with a road club on a slicked up Klein Rascal years ago. It was o.k. most of the time, although I had to spin like buggery, as I couldn’t seem to honk out of the saddle in a big enough gear, as I would on a road bike.
I’d give it a go. 😀

I used to, but I don’t have enough riding time to justify having road and mountainbikes these days.

I did 30 miles over Cannock. From MD to Castle Ring, up to Seven Springs and back, taking in a bit of FTD / Monkey and some cheek.

I love my Io, such a great handling bike, opened my eyes to what can be ridden on a SS. Had it a few years now and the paint is fine on mine.
It’s been relegated to commuting duties now though, but my new main offroad bike is a Fortitude SS. ( So kind of an Io 29er, I suppose!)

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100_5234[/url] by franklini10[/url], on Flickr
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100_5241[/url] by franklini10[/url], on Flickr

My word, that was boring. From now on I’ll just see what’s coming up at the start and then turn off if nothing jumps out at me. What a waste of an hour.
The only bits I enjoyed were the section about measuring power output against the top pros and the BMX track.
Zzzzzzzzz.

Well put together video and nice riding skillz. Looks more DH-lite than xc to me though. (Feet out in the corners and manuals all over the shop.) 😉 😈
Recognise most of those locations. I live not far from Dudley.

I love it, Clink.
It’s my first 29er and took a ride or two to adapt, but that’s sorted now. I came from a Genesis Io SS, which I was very happy with. This is even better and has become my sole off-roader! I don’t own a geared bike now. 😀

Ooops, sorry! In fact, what I meant to say was that it was rubbish, and on no account should anyone be tempted to ride there. 😉

Tbh, I didn’t encounter many bikers up there – certainly fewer than expected. I was only riding weekdays, though.

I’d like to read it.

I was thinking just the same.
I’ve always loved XC racing since the Gould / Baker Peugeot days, (I don’t compete anymore, but I’d credit Tim Gould & David Baker with inspiring me to race back in the ’90s) and much prefer watching it to DH events. The Olympic XC race was fantastic. 😀
It’s a real shame we have no depth of talent in the UK these days and haven’t had for years. 😥 There are a few promising youngsters, but very often they don’t last long after making the transition to the adult classes.
Not sure why we don’t take XC as seriously as other countries, but there does seem to be a bit of a slacker attitude in MTBing here.

Some trails round my way are o.k.
Others are in the worst condition I have ever seen, yes. Grassy areas are pretty waterlogged and trails impeneterable due to brambles / nettles. 🙁

Sounds like they’ll ruin it so not to risk people getting hurt.
Just watched the video again and the rocky bits are the only interesting sections there. It’d be no fun whatsoever with the technical element reduced. What a waste. May as well cycle round the park.
You’d hope they’ll just include some chicken runs, but I doubt it.

impatient cyclists are selfish types who just don’t care about other people and the rights and wrongs of their actions as long as they can make up a precious couple of seconds.
Sorry, but that’s the truth of it.

Same goes on both sides. A truce needs to be called, and both sides need to grow up.

Yeah, I agree. I see cyclists on a daily basis doing things that will antagonise motorists, pedestrians and put themselves in danger. My comment was aimed at bad drivers, because they are usually more of a danger to a responsible cyclist than the cyclist himslef.

I also think only designated cycle lanes would make an appreciable difference.
You will never educate some motorists to be more aware and many of the reckless, impatient drivers are selfish types who just don’t care about other people and the rights and wrongs of their actions as long as they can make up a precious couple of seconds.
Sorry, but that’s the truth of it.

C64 rocked! I spent hours gaming on mine in my school days.
It was amazing how games programmers stretched the capabilities of this machine as time went on.

Ahh, I’m with you _tom_ … I thought you meant the singletrack sections didn’t flow well, not the trails as a whole.
The only bit of singletrack I don’t like is the fist qualifier bit of the Beast, right from the centre. It just seems bumpy for the sake of it and is more of an annoyance when you’re eager to get going, rather than adding any technical interest. (Bear in mind I was on a rigid SS last visit.)
After that bit though – sweet!!! 😀

Much, much better than last weeks. I enjoyed the Eddy Merckx interview, the bike-fitting and Mega sections and had no problem with Gary Kemp.
It really could benefit with being longer, as there’s no time for much content in each part and a few people could do with having a longer think about what they are going to say before the camera is turned on them! Very amateurish.

Still, on the bright side, it’s about bikes and therefore better than 90% of the utter crap that clutters the TV scedules IMHO.
I’ll keep watching.

I still think CYB is by far the best Welsh trail centre. Can’t really understand the comments about lack of flow.
Penmachno, Nanty and Cli-machx are great too, although I think the final Cli-machx descent was closed for a while – best check if it’s back open first!

Just ridden over a slightly softer surface by any chance?

LOL! 😆
There may be something in that, but I’d ridden a whole host of trail surfaces, from mud, grass, soft soil to rock and loose stones over the course of the ride.

Glad I’m not alone then! 🙂

I’ve never liked them much at all.
I saw them a couple of times in the late 80s, but they were p!$$ poor and in both cases the support acts blew them away.
Peace Sells had some good bits but I don’t really like anything they released later than that.
Dave Mustaine is a pretentious ****t, who still can’t get over being booted out of Metallica, can’t sing live and thinks he’s a guitar virtuoso, having elevated Megadeth above all other bands with thrash metal at their root.
Way overrated IMO.

I’ll no doubt watch some of the events, but I’m not into the whole opening ceremony deal, tbh.
I might have a quick look to see what they’ve put together.

I’ve got some photos my parents took, knocking about from when I was there in the ’70s! Don’t remember much about it though – I was only a toddler.

CYB Enduro in September?

I started out road touring / Youth Hostelling etc in my teens. Joined a roadie club, raced time trials, crits & the odd road race.
On holiday in Devon (1988 or 1989?) I happened across a small local MTB race and thought it looked like fun.
Bought a mountainbike and that was it.

Another vote for Z1ppy’s first route.
I’ve ridden that way many times! 😀

Nice one! Thanks!!!

Only if you sell them to a mate. 😉

An old mate of mine ate a bowl of museli on the motorway, driving us to the FOD in his van.
He used to be a copper n’all.
My bro. was eating an apple driving once – cutting slices off and putting them in his mouth with a large lock-knife. He did have a sudden common-sense moment half way through though and put the knife away!

I’ve only ever snapped badly worn chains.
My brother however, has massive power and has snapped countless chains of all brands and ages.

I ride to work every day on my SS Genesis Io. (Now it’s been relegated to commuting / canals etc by the arrival of a Fortitude SS.)
It’s left outside, but in a locked metal shed with a camera on it.
SS is the way to go for commuting, as I cba to clean it very often when it’s used every day, no matter what the weather. Much cheaper and easier to keep running than a geared bike.

Looks great! Loving that green! 😀

I think the Tour’s been gripping this year. I’ve been a bag of nerves watching it since Wiggo took yellow. I think some folk need to take a moment to remember: a Brithsh rider has a realistic, if not very good chance of winning The Tour De France!!!!
O.K. the racing hasn’t been too animated among the leaders, but I can understand Sky wanting to conserve as much energy from day to day as possible. You never know what’s around the corner.
As I was watching this week, I got to thinking that it might be an idea to bring back the time bonuses for stage finishes, to give more incentive to attack? That should liven things up a bit.
What do you reckon?

I thought it was a great film and fine as a 12.
Proper horror stories with an growing air of menace and a good story are so much better than the jumpy / gore-fest movies. (Which are o.k for a bit of a laugh.)
Wish the DVD had been released as a 15 without the cuts though.

Just a few bits really:

White Industries Eno Freewheel
Surly tugnut
A decent front light
New CD player
New walking boots

Reckon it’s just to keep the rider’s hands in the same place as the pictures change from bike to bike.

Not being doing enough miles recently to do anything but suffer all the way round.
That said, I entered the CYB Enduro yesterday. That’ll be my first event for 12 months, so hopefully be the motivation to get me pedaling a bit more!

I didn’t ride last year, but I’m in. 😀
Got no choice but to rigid SS it, so should be fun! 😯