The best thing in nosedive's office is my wife. ;-)

I (poorly) shot and (shoddily) edited a video from 2008 which doesn't show much riding (I was on the bike!) but gives a pretty good feel for the event and what we got up to during the day, including the food stops and scenery!

Awesome event, only marred by EasyJet losing our bikes on the way home (hence the trolley curling).

I'd love to go back but would be tempted to take my DH bike and make a few strategic detours!

muddy rides ARE fun. beach rides are not.

this is my analogy. there are surely no fun bits at all in such extreme conditions?

Your definition of fun could be very different to someone else's. Like road riding! I'd rather ride on the beach than the road…

I've done dangerous things that have given me a big kick and left others distinctly scared, no up side for them, even later. I've also had that scared feeling. For example, I hate relatively very safe fairground rides but often enjoy stuff that could have really hurt me!

There's definitely a certain type of person that likes to push themselves to the absolute limit mentally, physically and emotionally. Probably focussed, single minded and driven. If you're not one of them you won't get Everest. I've got a strange fascination with big mountains and can understand the pull, but I just know my limits and haven't got the drive to tackle them myself.

I'll bet, though, you've got a kick out of going for a really tough, grinding, grim rides in the winter. Lots of people think that's mental. Now imagine you're a climber. The fuzzy feeling of satisfaction as you sit down to tea and crumble must be so much more after Everest!

Everest can't be that technical if you can snowboard down it:
http://www.everestnews.com/sb.htm
Bear in mind he had to climb it first! I saw the film of this and Marco was in the crowd. Unfortunately, his next attempt was his last
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/09/0927_020927_siffredi.html

£570 – ouch – must be good s/w.

is there something more budget available that works OK

There's a whole range of Sony Vegas's (Vagii?) to suit most budgets/requirements. I used a trial of the cheap one and it's pretty good so far.
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware

I've been recommended this free software but not had a chance to try it yet:
http://www.nchsoftware.com/videopad/kb/1261.html

Good choice, I'm with you on the Electric.

I had a carbon/blue THE and it was excellent. Did the job well at the Masters Worlds but sadly needs replacing now! I like the price and fit of THE so will be getting another.

I've not used it yet but been recommended NCH by a user on the forum that supports my headcam, literally last night! Looks OK from the site/preview so will be giving it a whirl soon.
http://www.nchsoftware.com/videopad/index.html

Overview video/tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2h0h8X6jcY

Not free but very cheap, Sony Vegas also seems OK and there's a 30 day trial that you can try before you buy.

I used eBay bearings for a fiver. Been going really well for me and it'll take a lot of these before you paid back a CK/Hope, or XT even.

I used a thin blade to carefully life the black flanged spacer out, then a splayed headset cup removal tool to get a purchase on the inner race and tapped them out as you would a headset cup. Tapped new bearings in. Job's a good 'un!

Check out the free options to save the budget if you don't know exactly what you need/want.

Inkscape instead of Illustrator
GIMP instead of Photoshop.

Depending on how advanced you want to get, check out Blender
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/

The pump up spray looses pressure quickly so performance drops off. It doesn't deliver nearly as much water flow. I did use one a few times ages ago and gave up.

Dirtworker doesn't need pumping and also holds 3x as much water.

An electric washer is much more convenient. Only you know if that's worth the cash but I'd say yes.

Not directly. You'd need a 240V to 12V adaptor.

Or check out the Dirtworker site, they are doing a battery powered one soon, that might charge off 240V.

Mine too, has done a great job of the DH bike at a few filthy races in the last couple of years. One full tank will do a reasonable job of a very dirty DH bike.
http://www.gravity-slaves.co.uk/?a=422

It also did an OK job on my MX bike last winter, just needed an extra barrel of water!

I had a 1972 Series 3 and loved it but if it's getting more than occasional fun use, I'd go for a Defender 90 purely for the coil springs. Leaf springs give a poor ride and really limit the steering lock.

You could buy something you don't need and will soon forget about.

Or spent it on an experience that will give you a buzz and remember for ages.

I recommend a day with these guys for one of your best days ever!
http://mxtryout.co.uk/

the big thing with moto x for the "new" generation is that its powered so less effort is needed

That's what lots of people think, but I had my first taste of moto at a mates stag do and while having an absolute blast, I couldn't walk for about 3 days afterwards! Since I got a motocross bike my thigh, core and upper body strength has increased loads which helped me on the push bike too. It's not as aerobic though, sure.

I don't know if moto is 'cool' but it's bloody exciting! In terms of fashion, DH is definitely following moto, not the other way round though.

I'd always recommend size for size too.

Due to the toe rand they can feel a bit snug to start with but do bag out with use and the insole settles too.

This was our 'Peak Snow Fun' last year with various bits of kit, about 10 minutes from my house:

I'd love to get up here some time:
http://www.yadmoss.co.uk/

Great stuff!

Another one I'd highly recommend is Ten by Guido Perrini. Sign up to Vimeo and you can download it:
http://www.guidoperrini.com/tenfilm.html

My wooden jig has served me well – built wheels that have lasted a season of WC DH racing!

Sometimes I even use spokes! ;-)

A couple more photos and a few words here:
http://www.gravity-slaves.co.uk/?a=412

Break out the 2×4's and a saw and go for it. If you think that's roach, you should see my dishing tool!

biking shoes that dont look make you look like you have special needs

I hate to break it to you but as far as appearances go, mostly grown men playing in the mud for fun, what your shoes look like are the least of our worries.

National Farmers Union.
Well, NFU Mutual.

Ring your nearest branch for a quote. Excellent personal service and cheapest by a long way for me on my T4 and now on a Vito. Normal policy, about £30 a month fully comp, unlimited mileage and business use.

You don't need to be a farmer either…

What van have you got?
Merc Vito 110CDi

what have you done inside to improve it?
Lined all panels with roofing flashing tape, insulated, ply lined and carpeted to vastly reduce noise.
Broke out the jigsaw on the door panels and fitted decent sound system and sub.
Built a removable bed that sits across wheel arch boxes with storage underneath.

Problems?
Usual wear and tear but main one with Vitos is rust. Got some spots coming on the doors. Not great.

Seats aren't very comfy and adjustment is weird.

Dash electric failures not too uncommon – £250 for a warrantied repair.

recommended?
I love it, commute in it daily, fit loads of push bikes in or 3 motocross bikes. Great for tip runs or buying new 'white goods' too!

Currently torn between spending a bit on lowering it, remap, seat upholstering and rust touch up or saving up for a T5 Sportline.

Swallows DH bikes with ease:

That Hozan stuff is very very nice indeed! Wonder if that does spokeless wheels too? ;-)

You should see my dishing tool, makes my wheel jig look hi tech.
Plank. 2 blocks of wood screwed on each end. Big wood screw in middle.
Sit the blocks on the rim. Adjust screw until it's on axle.
Flip, check.
Job's a good 'un.

wharnecliffe is for visitors

Yup. The locals can spell it right ;-)

Here's mine:

A few more details – http://www.gravity-slaves.com/?a=412

Hate heights though which is maybe why I got a buzz from it.

Same here – I ended up bouldering 90% of the time. For bouldering chat, check out http://ukbouldering.com/board/

Measure the shell width.

68mm wide shell – 1 non drive side, 2 drive side.
73mm wide shell – 1 drive side only.

The 'extra' 1 is there for mounting chain devices of those bb mounted front mechs.

If it's rough, I'd be very tempted to get a tap run through there at a shop.

I was on a Carter USM video, stagediving. The clip was played on Top of the Pops chart rundown and I got a telling off from my Mum!

Was also on a Bill Oddie TV program about Cheltenham, sat in the Imperial gardens with a mate (gripping program!). My mate was smoking, his parents were watching and he got a bollocking.

Dualit owners – how do you go on with smaller, softer toasted items like fruit loaf or malt loaf?

I've used one a few times and had no luck with the Dualit 'ejector' – the tilting action just squishes and traps small/soft toast against the side of the toaster rather than lifting it out of the slot. Not good design in my opinion.

Can't believe I've just posted about toasters, but good toast is a serious business!

Knock the bearings out and press some new ones in. Fiver off eBay. Mine have lasted well and cheap enough to repeat the job when they go again.

61805-2RS for Shimano or Superstar cups, I think Race Face are the same.

Topical fail blog
http://failblog.org/2009/11/02/safety-fail-10/

We're no longer allowed coats on the back of office chairs, in case we roll back, trap them under the wheels and fall over.

Quote from a H&S Director I know:
There's no legislating for ****.

Artex over the top?

That's the opposite of what was done in our house. At least the woodchip was easy to strip off the artex as it wasn't stuck to much.

…and I need to type faster as the corrections have already been pointed out!

When using off camera flash, remember that the aperture controls your ambient (background light) and your shutter speed controls your flash exposure.

Great explanation and photos but I always thought it was the other way round – aperture controls flash, shutter speed controls ambient.

The flash duration is usually around 1/1000th of a second, meaning the flash will fire completely within any shutter speed longer than 1/1000th.

For example, shutter speed of 1/250th means the shutter is open 4 times longer than the flash duration. A slower shutter of, say, 1/100th, will let more ambient in but still let the entire flash burst in, as would a faster shutter speed of 1/500th, so the only way to control the amount of flash in this case is to use the aperture (or ISO).

Increasing shutter speed will still reduce exposure of the riders face and freeze action as stated. Aperture affects both.

Gutted I can't go, but pretty excited to be racing moto at Peaty's Battle Royal instead, not a bad excuse. Still gutted, did try to work out if I could fit both in!

Hope you enjoy it, I'm jealous!

I'm not cornish, but I am starving…

I'd have home made potato wedges and beans.

Slice a big baking potato into 8 wedges.
Stick a good dollop of olive oil, pepper, paprika/cayenne/seasoning in a bowl.
Coat wedges. Sprinkle with salt and roast on baking tray for 20-30 minutes, turning once.

Beans – current favourite is Branston bloomin' big ones.

I think you've got your numbers mixed up there.

Sorry, yes I have! Thanks.

Icybox – 15MB/Sec (my NAS drive)
USB2 – 60 MB/Sec
TS219 – 75MB/Sec

My NAS is much slower than USB2, as will many entry level ones. This is absolutely fine for its purpose as a large network storage and even streaming video content but is slow for large file access. For things like video editting and Photoshop I work locally then store/backup to the NAS.

Basically, the point I'm trying to make is NAS drives vary in speed. Read reviews and be clear what you expect from it.

Would a NAS drive on an ethanet cable be THAT much faster than a USB2 drive thingy

No, you'll most likely find a NAS drive much slower.

I have a mid price NAS drive on a Gigabit LAN and the transfer rate is 15-18Mbps. The NAS hardware is the limiting factor, not the network. Faster dedicated NAS drives are available but pricey. You can build a server from an old machine but it'll use a lot more power.

USB is simpler, cheaper and possibly faster if you only need the data locally.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/22517-42-ethernet-speed

For fast and RAID, Qnap TS219 looks good but still only hits 75MBps versus 480MBps from USB
http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=113

Like this Mike?!

That's from my FOX No-clips race photos from Chesterfield in '03. Here's the link to give folk an idea of some BMX race action:
http://www.gravity-slaves.co.uk/?g=30

Couple more galleries of big/small wheel bmx racing:
http://www.gravity-slaves.co.uk/?g=61
http://www.gravity-slaves.co.uk/?g=62