Not got those particular Northwave shoes, but have had / have multiple other pairs… as bruneep says, they’re well spaced up front for a wider foot. I’m usually a 44 in normal footwear and take a 45 in NW… however just got a pair of their new Outcross[/url] shoes and had to take a 44… Not sure if that’s any help at all! :?

I did as others seem to have and when I recently went 1×11, put an oval Absolute Black 32T on straight from the get go. I’m surprised how little I notice it, but it seems to be beneficial when I’m pedalling ‘properly’ (in circles, as opposed to my usual squares). It definitely provides a bit more oomph on the short, steep climbs and as I prefer to spin rather than stomp a big gear, I quite like it. I’d not considered the knee pain thing, but thinking about it, mine aren’t grumbling much of late, which has to be a good thing.

Just ridden up to the top of Macc forest and seen about half a dozen. Seemed like an obvious thing to do at about ten to midnight, but I saw how clear the skies were, grabbed a beanie and some biscuits and headed out on the Tripster. It was amazing – not seen meteors / shooting stars for years. Bit chilly on the way back down but a very special way to spend a couple of hours that I’d otherwise have wasted fast asleep… :-)

Got a dark navy MonkeySwag NATO on my Pepsi Seiko 5 that I’m pleased with – and have a Watchgecko one for one of the others. Both are good quality and a decent length.

Time. Every time. The Atac XC pedals are pretty dinky so I even use them on the road bike. I’ve got shoes that I can tour in – and wear in a pub / B&B, some more road oriented ones and winter boots that work on the mountain bike and the Tripster. For on/off road stuff, recessed cleats and pedals that don’t mind mud makes a lot of sense.

Definitely agree – it’s something I’ve been doing for a while and, with a line of cars, I reckon (maybe) that thanking the first for giving room seems to positively affect the next. Thank them and it feels like it sometimes carries on…

It’s as easy to wave thanks as it is to gesticulate a grievance. Along teamhurtmore’s “maintaining the balance” theory, I’m of the opinion that (some) people base judgement of a collective on the actions of a few. Jump a red light and the motorist that sees you *may* decide to assume that all cyclists jump lights. Work it the other way and be polite? Might just help, I hope, in my naive little world :-)

Impressive! Thanks for sharing the info too. Ref Garmin 810 shutting down when navigating… just received my third warranty replacement back having had previous ones doing the same. No idea of the cause, but if it’s still under warranty it might be worth a chat with their support people…

Quick update on mine – one of the earliest of the V1s that’s now almost 4 years / just over 11,000 miles old. Not long home from a four day B&B tour from Bristol back up to Cheshire, vaguely following the River Severn for a lot of it on Sustrans routes. Short first day having taken the train down south, then two 60-70 mile days and a short day today.

The two middle days were great – plenty of mixed surfaces to the point that I reckon over 50% of yesterday’s route was off road. Route 45 from west of Kidderminester, up through Wyre Forest, Arley, Severn Valley Country Park, Bridgnorth and onto Coalport was really good fun.

Gravel tracks in a deserted Wyre Forest

The Tripster’s now set up with Ultegra 6800 hydraulic groupset (with the much maligned cheaper shifters, that are actually comfier than they look!), Mavic Ksyrium Pro Disc Allroad wheels (spendy, but highly recommended) and for this sort of trip, I get the Specialized Trigger Pro 38mm tubeless tyres out. Bags are a motley bunch – Alpkit Koala, Blackburn Outpost that amost fills the frame and a Topeak bar bag. The Blackburn takes a 1.5 litre Camelbak bladder with the hose fed forward and hooked to the bar bag.

It was great fun to get away again and the Tripster continues to put a smile on my face – never known a bike like it.

+1 for the Uberbike lockons. Very pleased with mine and great value.

Here you go – my BFe 27.5 today. Does everything I ask of it and it’s my only mountain bike so gets used for all sorts. 140mm X Fusion forks, recently treated it to some new Mavic XA Elite wheels, non-stealth Reverb, old fashioned 2×10 Shimano bits to make it stop and go… like it a lot. Some belters on here though – lovely looking lineup.

+1 for Cycle Centre in Congleton . Top bunch of cyclists with lots of knowledge between them, good stock of kit and sensibly priced as well. You can park close by too if you’re driving there.

Double post

I’d been on ODI Troy Lees for years but wanted to try some fatter grips so have swapped to Uberbike’s thick ones which I’m impressed with. Pretty cheap too.

Blackburn Outpost fits mine though there’s not really room for a bottle cage, but it has a bladder port so I used one from a small camelbak that worked well.

Immense!

That climb up to the finish!

Very nice! *Now* I get the champagne colour – good call.

Northwave do a few: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/northwave-jet-365-evo-mtb-shoes-2016/rp-prod149560?gs=1&gclid=CMiy14HM79ECFUOT7QodVtMATw&gclsrc=aw.ds if you’re a size 42 or 47, or

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/northwave-touring-3s-mtb-shoes-2015/rp-prod148835?gs=1&gclid=CNOghaTM79ECFYG77QodW_AFvQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

crazy-legs – are you using OSM maps? I’ve been in touch with Garmin’s tech support team, done the while reboot thing but still crashing mid ride when just recording, let alone navigating. Next step is to try it without maps to see if that’s an issue…

Done. Sounds like one heck of an event but it’ll be worth it. A close friend has been through the mill with lymphoma so I know how tough it can be. Good luck with it all!

What a finish! Incredible bike handling and strength – and tactics too. Stunning.

Drama! Vos hadn’t put a foot wrong…

They’re not that pretty when viewed from off the bike, for sure, but I’ve got them on two bikes and find them very comfy in use. They’re different to hold than a regular Shimano sti lever but I quite like the ridge that’s made by the hose connector as it provides somewhere to rest your thumb – you get used to it pretty quickly. They feel quite long from front to back too and fairly flat on the back of the hoods.

The action is very light – been very impressed with how they function and Shimano full hydro road brakes are superb. You get used to the looks – and the price is a lot easier to bear than the Ultegra ones!

I wish they did the PDW city ones in black

I was after the same so wrapped mine with 10mm wide reflective black 3M tape and they don’t look too bad – and obviously have a safety benefit at night. Quite pleased with the result but think I really needed to use a 12mm wide tape to completely cover the circumference of the stays. Got it off eBay if it’s of interest.

My recently acquired 810 is either freezing mid ride, or turning itself off – both whilst recording rides. I’ve tried two different OSM maps, thinking that might be the issue and this evening after it crashed about a mile into the ride, took the SD card out and restarted it. The remainder of the ride recorded ok, but I’ve got no confidence in it right now and am not prepared to use the crappy preloaded maps. I’ll try the rollback of firmware but has anyone any additional advice?

Fingers crossed, somafunk.

Had a Stiffee years ago; though I recall that I really wanted a Hustler at the time but couldn’t afford it. So saying, the Stiffee was great fun; a bike that I always felt was on my side and got me out of many a scrape when my speed and line wasn’t matched by my (lack of) skills. Remember a dawn raid on Snowdon on it and it being an absolute blast on the way back down. Happy days – and I’ll look forward to seeing whatever’s coming out from them.

Somafunk – that Hummer looks superb in both guises, but especially the top one. Iain – I still think the Hustler just looks ‘right’ even now. Not surprised you’ve still got it :)

My green Cotic BFe has started sprouting orange bits… the head badge was already pretty bright but it started with bottle cage bolts and it now has orange bars. I think I like it…

All done here too. 50 miler with a mate to finish it (and me) off. Pleased to have completed it again and it was definitely a bit less stressful than 2014 when the weather up here was much worse – I think that’s the biggest factor to contend with, as for me; ice is the one thing not to be messed with. Best of effort for tonight and tomorrow for everyone still going for it – and heal quick to the ones that succumbed to the slippery stuff.

Cracking stuff, richpips. Your (superb) photos bring back memories of cycling in one of the loveliest places on the planet – looks like you’ve had a great time! Got about 60km to go here – hoping for less ice tomorrow to finish it all off.

Got past halfway this evening so fairly happy with progress, though I’m inclined to agree that it’s been a bit of a slog so far with this wind. Pollenca looks very enticing, richpips! Enjoy

On just over 120km after a couple of rides today. Breezy…

I’m in. Did it in 2014 and swore never again…
Got a quiet Christmas planned so no real excuses. Yet. :-)

Uberbike have their “made in Sheffield” ones. XMAS25 gets you 25% discount and they’ve got a free gift worth a fiver with them, so you’re down below £30 – if you need some Peaty Dee-Dars!

I’d used some unbranded valves quite happily in the wheels that came with the bike and swapped them into the new Hope wheels along with somne new Stans tape. Thinking it was the valves that were the problem, I put ‘proper’ Stans valves in and retaped again with more new Stans tape – having read loads of stuff online and watched and re-watched their videos.

One thing I did pick up, djflexure, was that the valves shouldn’t be overtightened but I wonder if you’re right that the profile of the rim bed and the valve base shape isn’t marrying up right?

benpinnick – I’d read the same as you’ve suggested and it makes total sense – if the air can get under the tape, it’ll escape through the valve hole.

I’m struggling with some new Hope 20Five rims… bit like you, I’ve set up plenty of tubeless wheels over the years but it sounds like a similar thing. The tyre bead even locates but there’s air getting out around the valve hole. I’ve tried different valves, retaped them, even got a seal with sealant and a ghetto grommet patch to sit between the valve and the tape but that ended in it losing all the air mid-ride… Seriously frustrating!

Bit cheeky, but I’ve just dropped you a line, mtbtomo – I’ve swapped the ones off my 2017 Defy out and they’ve got very few miles on them if you’re at all interested (and they’re well under budget too). Cheers :)

I’ve run ‘daylight’ lights for a few years and have got through a few, having started out with the same Exposure ones as you. Currently got the aluminium Aldi moon-style one on the rear which is superb. Only ever need to run it on the low setting. Picked up an Evans USB chargeable front one that’s been a revelation – leant it to a mate and couldn’t believe how bright it was when I was riding with him. Cost about £15 and comes with bar mount, weighs nothing and holds charge really well. Recommend both.

Have a look at Giro’s “HV” fit ones – specifically designed for wider feet. Northwave also size up ok from experience.

That’s incredible footage in the first video – it’s beyond my comprehension doing that for an extended period of time. I can just about manage to get my head round sailing at that sort of speed around the cans for a couple of hours as part of a crew, but the energy and concentration required to cope with that across the ocean on their own must be phenomenal. Sportspeople in a class of their own – thanks for the heads up on the race starting.