Just try RICE – rest, ice, compression and elevation. Keep it cold, take it easy and rest! Excellent replies, and topical, above!

The car mini compressors are okay but lack the initial burst of pressure required to get the tyre on the bead – which of course I found out having bought one. Oh well. Comes in handy for other stuff too!

Sorry to see that some bastid has nicked your bike – good luck getting it back.

+1 for BBB – really good stuff, and £25 cheaper than the equally good FSA ones.

TACX is the best value – £10 or so – and last longer than XTR ones!

hope ceramic for me too – 18 months and totally smooth with cleaning; also the regular hope bearings on my other bike have been fine too.

surf-mar: http://www.cyclesuk.com/363-500467?sid=6a2c9fe9beaf8f22 may be a couple of sauserwinds left if you get in quickly!

If the cold is above the neck then I'd take an easy ride – no more than an hour and wrapped up well. If on the chest then stay in and watch bike movies for motivation when you're better!

Shine on you crazy diamond and Wish you were here. Awesome.

+1 for CO2!!!JUST DO IT! When I first went tubeless it went badly. After a long night of frustration and swearing I used a CO2 cartridge and it worked first time. Just get loads of soapy water on the tyre and I put some sealant in at the start just to get it going – once it's up I want it to stay up, as it were :-)

I use this one – http://www.xcracer.com/shop/viewproduct.php?productid=58 and good value too!

Also – Maxxis tyres go up a dream with a track pump – found Schwalbe to be a bit harder to inflate.

Ah. Bit of a downside to on-line purchasing there then :-(

I second the part about saving for Hope brakes!

You could always try posting a Wanted ad on Bikeradar, XCRacer.com etc. as well?

Some genuinely brilliant pictures on this thread all – really good to see that much talent – feel quite inspired now. Thank you!

I'm on the 95 kilo side of things and have gone for hope pro 2 and DT Swiss XR400's on my hardtail. Awesome wheels – and having broken two lighter sets of wheels I appreciate the reliability.

Very nice bike indeed Sputnik – you are a lucky man! Pedal On have always been a top bunch too . . .

Crikey – that's terrible. I hope they all get well soon!

swisstony – really glad that you've got it sorted and it wasn't too expensive.

I change mine every 3 years or after a big stack, which in my case was 3 years ago and I cracked my last helmet on that one :-)

Joolze – awesome pics – thanks for the link!!

Ti29er – I for one was just under prepared to be honest! I think the organised chaps made the most of it – there were a lot using the drops. All great experience though – that's why I entered and have done so again this year!

Scotabroad – the funny thing is that nobody really knows if they're going to finish or not. The declaration of intent is made by showing up at the start line, the finish is down to your efforts plus fate \ luck \ whatever. Serious mechanicals, injury, the weather etc. can stop anyone. The fact that you've entered and are training for it in most respects is enough in my book. Just prepare as you are doing, turn up and ride! It took me over 11 hours last year – not a time to be proud of but I'm really happy that I entered. Oh, and don't forget midge repellant!

I'd be inclined to accept the new frame and be very grateful to the shop but complain to giant – that's fairer I think!

It will look awesome – new shiny stuff = good!

Only had the bonk once on a merida marathon. I could not believe how awful I felt. Never again. I always carry spare gels just in case. That's because I ate so much junk when I got back I had spots for a week and felt very, very sick for 4 days.

You'll be fine. Just step away from the scales. . . . .

what tommid said . . . .

I for one liked the article and the rest of the magazine. I don't like every article published but that's life. As above I like the high calibre of writing and objective reviews.

Won't say what I voted for but great to see such a large turnout – first time I've had to queue as well.

I'd used sales@madison.co.uk BTW. Very helpful!

That's one thing I got wrong last year. I didn't really use the bike as storage for tubes etc. and used a camelbak hawg. It was fine for purpose but I ended up doing the ride with too much on my back. I didn't carry enough food either as I'd thought the feed stations would have more substantial snacks. Oops.

The newcastleton stop was awesome – I seriously pigged out there – but should have used the drop facility and didn't. I will this year!

And I'll carry enough fluid for riding station to station.

All good though – looking forward to it!

Just got my reply this afternoon! Said the same as above – take them back to the retailer where I bought them and they'll look at it and discuss with Madison. All happy days . . . . . .

BUT – Shimano still don't make aftermarket piston kits and the warranty is for 2 years. Seems odd when almost every brake manufacturer does make spare parts. Scary stuff . . . . .

What a serendipity this is! Poetic justice springs to mind.

What a bunch of gits. With the talent in team GB we'll still get most of the medals.

Ti29er – some really good pictures there so thanks for posting the link!!

trailofdestruction – never too early for tyre discussions! Anything fast rolling will do well as the singletrack is all weather, fireroads were pretty good and there wasn't much mud last year. Please note that the microclimate comment earlier is accurate – be warned! Nobby UST's were fine for me – nothing toooo nobbly given the distance travelled on fire roads, IMHO!

http://www.nextdaytyres.com – just excellent!

trailofdestruction – there are lots and lots of fireroads with a lot of singletrack thrown in. And a fair bit of climbing. Most guys were running faster rolling tyres – I did it on nobby nics.

+1 for both nuun and elete electrolytes – they've both worked for me!

Ti29er – sympathies on the cold – the missus kindly gave me hers :-(

On the OTT – damn right if it works for you. It's good for preparation, mental strength and confidence – the confidence is really important. We all prep for events our own way, checking the saddle for long distance fit is very important – 4 hours comfort is not always the same as 10 hour + comfort!!!

CRIKEY! I'd used a polar S720i HRm with barometric altimeter which generally isn't too bad on the gain thing! Anyone else got some elevation data from the ride??? linky here for previous conversations:

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/kielder-100-lordy

Agreed. Donk – I rode it last year and tracked around 12,000 feet of climbing. The silty soil there eats brake pads though so be aware of that!

Don't freak yourself out with the 100 mile thing. Just focus on the cut off's – break it down into smaller challenges. That'll make it less of a problem. Build your mileage up and focus on the mental challenge. The body can do a lot if your mind wants it to . . .

Have done a similar exercise – if not drive train check the pedals – stealthy noise from there possibly. Saddle is quite likely as per djc1245 – very annoying – and if the greasing above doesn't help just change it!

On my full sus sometimes the cables make noise rubbing against the seat tube – check that too. Good luck!

I think you should go for it! You have nearly 4 months to train and as said above it's all in your head. Just do it!