Yes they are a brilliant bike but the standard Monarch shock is rubbish,budget in a replacement if you buy second hand its probably worth getting it tuned too, to get the best out of the bike.

Were a LOT faster at carrying now paul.. 8)

Sticks pass

Another one with the one and only Max cousins, I was mincing behind..

Sticks pass is awesome and probably the best descent,that said from Grisedale tarn to patter dale is brilliant too, but you need to do Dollywagon first and its a killer on the arms,

I think the best full day out is from Glenridding to Dockreay and over Brutts moss to the dodds, yes it can be wet over Brutts but its so good to be high up for so long, descend via Sticks or Doolywagon its your choice

If you ddont want to ride with the main group, I would be more than happy to do something easier if you wish, just turn up on the night and we can sort a great ride out. 😉

You would be made very welcome, we meet at the pedlar cafe in Keswick every Tuesday at 1830, I should say we are a very hospitable bunch, although the riding is not regarded as shall we say blue, be prepared four an hours carrying,and 15-20 miles, don’t bother with the lycra, a hip flask and a very good jacket along with the usual mtb attire is essential.

free counselling is provided at the Bank tavern pub at about 10pm if everyone gets back in one piece.

see you there,oh nearly forgot, Its flipping good fun too. 😉

http://www.harvington-house.co.uk acommodation should you need it.

The last time i did it we had about 12 punctures so Dual plys are a good idea, its an excellent descent though, but do be wise as to your start time, its a popular walk

I would check the Auxhilary belt tension, and the battery connection,then check for charging, Ideally you should charge up the battery from a mains supply before you do anything else.

http://www.harvington-house.co.uk

Graham is a regular on the local Tuesday evening rides,he will show you where all the best trails are too 😉

(Keswick tho, sorry)

Its worth pointing out that an OS map is “no representation of a right of way” too,so personally i don’t worry to much about where i ride, but do consider the environmental impact if its not dusty up here in the lakes.
a friendly courteous approach always smoothes the way.

Just to throw a spanner in the works I can think of a few Bridleways that are used by the walkers for parking in the Lakes, two wrongs don’t make a right but at the end of the day access is abused by all user groups,probably sometimes unknowingly too.

yep i much prefer a van,After an older T4, i had an old escort estate for a while but soon bought another van with a up and over rear door to get changed under,the thing that annoyed me most was getting road salt into every crevice on the bike when the bikes were on a rear rack.rusty chains overnight grrrr.much happier with my van now.

Great Dodd is ok in dry conditions but the climb from green side up and over sticks pass would be my choice.(I prefer Sticks West to East tho)

I usually replace if theres play in the free-hub body or the actual wheel bearings,Using SKF bearings packed with waterproof marine grease makes them last much longer and be careful not to damage them on installation.

Hope rider Sam Flanigan in the lakes yesterday

Not a really sharp photo, but I love the way it illustrates the excitement of the last downhill of the day.

If the free hub is sticking,or stiff is there some kind of spacer or washer missing between the carrier and wheel bearing?

Theres plenty of trails around Ullswater that are ok when wet,or theres the coach road from Matterdale end to St Johns in the vale, lonscale terrace near Threlkeld,the list goes on..

I used a bit of hard wood over the none drive side to hammer the axle out, It diddent require a hefty blow though, make sure you support the wheel on something hard that won’t damage the spoke flange hth

Theres a Orange demo day coming up at Biketreks Ambleside on the 15th of March.. 😉

http://www.harvington-house.co.uk

Grahams a keen mountain biker on the local tuesday night rides, ask nicely he might even show you some great trails..

Thanks Jeff..

x1 Boxelder, Scafells the last place I would want to ride in the Lakes, Esk Hause Summit cairn is about as good as it gets..

Check the spring in the rear mech, or remove and replace the seized inner and outer cables,its also possible the shifter is faulty

Pretty happy with my 2011 Mega, although sometimes i feel a smaller frame might have been better (medium 5″8) buit up at 31lbs with a 180 fork, its excellent for the big mountain stuff in the lakes,the standard Monarch shock is a bit pants though,mine has the upgraded RC3 Monarch wich is loads better.

I think the first red NFT climb is a good way of starting your day, after that get onto the mahoosive network of Bridleways as soon as you can,theres some amazing descents and the fox is one of the best.

There is at least four I can think of off Latrigg, difficult to describe on here though, just keep riding from the summit and eventually you will find them all, best done on a evening ride though.

Proper nagecore that, massive respect.. 😉

Are the end caps slightly different in width? maybe they are on the wrong sides.

Its a long shot, but for the Airbag light coming on check the connection/plug under the front seats,this circuit is linked to the srs system and may have something to do with your problem,

x2 For Acupuncture great help on my back pain and helped when i was going through a rough patch too, well worth it.

Cleaning all surfaces with an alcohol based cleaner is vital, to stop brake squeal I use stuff called rubber grease,(red in colour). its used for coating the back of the pad surface but will not attack/damage rubber seals or gaiters,You can buy it through ebay or any good car parts or motorcycle parts supplier. hth

Your best bet is to ask in Biketreks if staying in Ambleside

Boxelder is spot on, Theres quite a few trees blocking trails after the recent storms and the shop staff have up to date knowledge on whats best to do under the current conditions.

As mike smith has pointed out any of the Bridleways are spot on but the shops have some excellent classic route maps and these are probably your best option if you your new to the area. 😉

I have always used grip shift,a great simple design that works a treat, I can use thicker gloves in winter too..;)

“That’s the problem. we’re not all driving gods.”

Agree with riichmars,the throttle works both ways imho.. 😉

Speeding is exceeding the national speed limit scotroutes,I am referring to people travelling slower than conditions allow, or “not making progress” as i was once criticised for in a police accompanied driver test. 😯 and i was on a motorcycle at 80mph!

If theres no such thing as driver frustration cheeky boy then why do we need to overtake?

maybe “driver impatience” is a better word

Ive seen more near misses on the A66 caused by vehicles travelling slowly, rather than the ones travelling quickly.

and whats speeding?

As a motorcyclist, van driver,mountain biker i only travel as fast as i can see, that might be 20mph past schools or 90mph motorway depending on the conditions.

A lot of incidents are caused by driver fustration imho, but you don’t hear of prosecutions for inconsiderate or inappropriate road speed.. 😕

Askham fell, accessed from Lowther caravan site, (Eamont bridge) is a regular local ride,you could ride from whinfell from the southern cliburn to brougham road,do not ride on the A66, its a death trap.

Askham fell, (moor divock) is near to pooley bridge and is probably best known for the descent towards how town,and then the Ullswater single track,return loop from Boredale hause,any of the bridleways on the 150.000 scale maps are ok, but avoid the highstreet Roman road, its a bog this time of year. enjoy.

Make sure you lock your bikes up or keep them in the lodges, i know one of the guys on security and theft is a major problem…

Cakefest its always best to push bearings in if possible, I usually use a bit of threaded bar and nuts, and some thick washers (or old bearings) by turning the nut you have a much better chance of fitting them without damaging the bearing.you can bosh them in with a hammer, but you really need the right drifts, crclip pliers etc or tools to do it properly. iimhe.

Clareymorris is right..:)

Bendetto be sure to call in at any of the local bike shops they will happily help you out with route info, failing that theres a group ride from Keswick on a Tuesday evening 630 at the peddlar cafe, you will need lights, A mandatory beer and short councelling session follows in the Bank tavern pub afterwards.

Yep I have ridden them both and agree with cat vets comments above, the 29five easily the fastest bike i have ridden on the Techy Borrowdale bash, and the Gyro feels like a better trail centre bike,The Gyro climbs much better and for me would be the choice as an all rounder..