Still liking my Dune. 🙂 wish it was an ICT though, surly make really nice bikes. Got loads of PB’s on descents with it, not sure how because it does everything and goes everywhere I don’t want it to!

I am cutting back on the fatty now though, it hurts my knees if I do big rides on it. An hour on the local trails is fine, 2 hours + and I know about it for a while!

Bit torn on this, on one hand I think if we want car drivers to face higher punishment for traffic crimes, so should this guy – I really think riding without brakes is a silly and reckless fad. But also think that he could have been on a standard road bike and the result would have been the same – result of the accident that is, not the court case.

That’s the trail we will be riding (Applecross to Kenmore).
Cheers Hodgynd. 😀

Think next year we need to make a week of it!

Those Ergon integrated ones are ace. Highly recommended, regardless of fashion.

Thanks Bugeye, looks great. 😀

The only claim I’ve made was 100 % the fault of the guy who ran into the back of me (accepted by everyone involved).

My insurance still went up afterwards and I needed to declare it for 5 years, so unless you have no claims to keep (if they’re unprotected?) I would resist the 50/50 a bit, but eventually just move on.

Life’s too short to ague over it when unfortunately it’ll make little difference to your future motoring costs.

That said, hope you get it sorted out.

Thanks Chakaping,

We’re heading south along the road from Sheldaig, over the pass to Applecross, then doing the off-road bit to Kenmore last.

Initially we where going to do a road bike mini-tour around the area, but it’s had to be cut short so thought we’d throw in a bit of mountain biking too. I’ve wanted to cross Bealach na Ba off the list for years, so happy to do the road work to get there.

We may stay another night in the area and do another days riding towards Torridon, or stay at Fort Bill or in the boarders on the way back to get another day out of the trip.

Map of the ride here!

Seems to have passed now, will rest up though and take it easy this week.

Just got a text from my bro (who I did the ride with), the Kielder 101 has been cancelled! 😥 The ride yesterday was training for it!

Usually do 1.5 to 2 hours on the MTB, with the odd 3/4 hours longer ride.

Generally commute every day 40 mins each way, so definitely not trained for long days!

Did do over 2000m of climbing yesterday, so was a tough one for me.

Actually ate really well (resisted any junk food!) and have been supping plenty of water.

I need all the motivation I can get, so I’m up for still using the forum.

When my bro went from being “normal size” down to XC racer weight, he was on a super controlled diet and doing LOTS of interval training on the turbo. He’s always warning me that the last stone or so is a bastard to get rid of. Think he got near 160lbs before putting some back on because he was loosing power.

IHN Some of us are – email Jon V if you missed the invite. You cant have much more to loose at 82kg! 😉

I’ve had a crap 2 weeks. Was 3 lbs up last weekend, had a very shit week at work and got obsessed with a new game on the PS4, fell back to old habits of comfort eating and not riding much.

Sorted my head out and gave myself a talking too, been hard at it this week and just 1 lbs up today. Still annoyed as I think that’s my first increase all year.

After a hard ride home last night, and reading this thread, I rode the multi to work today, and took a long-cut on some quiet lanes. 8)

Doesn’t take long to remember how awesome (and sometimes scary) it is!

In other more sad motorcycle news, I’ve almost sold my 1980 BMW R100S. 🙁 Don’t really want to sell it, but I’ve been made a good offer and I really would like a car to go mountain biking in new places.

The PS4 Hotas is really great, makes a big difference to the game. Bit crap to use in photo mode, you can get the camera to go anywhere but where you want.

I’ve spent far too much time on this game now though, and not enough riding!

Some of these replies show we have a long way to go with destigmatising mental health

Agree.

Had to full the tank on my Multistrada the other week, second bloody fill up of the year! 😳

Been too busy cycling really, only use the multi on days when I’ve done a long ride the day before and I can’t be arsed to cycle to work. Lost a shed load of weight though. 😀

It’s 3 years old in sept so keep thinking of trading it in, but will probably just keep it as I owe nothing on it and nothings taking my fancy – XR looks nice but the same thing really. Nice bike to have sat ready for the occasional blast though, even if it is a little expensive to service (£800 the next one I think 🙁 ).

Edit : Mboy, that looks like a monster compared to a VFR, Enjoy!

Took an hour to transport my type 7 about 400 ly. Cost about 10,000 credits.

Bit obsessive this game!

9 mil credits now, not sure what to buy. My Cobra mk 3 is doing ok, top level everything, and I’m using it for exploration with 22 ly jumps.

Also have a Type 6 Transporter, and an Eagle kitted out for a fight – I’ve won about 10 fights, and died twice.

It looks like a bigger ship would get me a little more jump range over the Cobra (thinking of an Asp Explorer), but as I’m primarily exploring to make credits, I don’t mind more jumps/stops.

Only just figured out that I only have to use my discovery scanner once to net credits for discoveries, I was going and scanning every planet! I know I can get extra credits for surface scans, but it doesn’t seem worth the time.

Went to the California nebula at the weekend, was a bit disappointed by the view at first, but then realised that you have to move quite far away from any stars for the background stars/nebula/galaxy’s to really show up. Got some nice screenshots and found an outpost with some weird anthill type mounds next to it, with alien fungus growing on them!

Last night I found a system with 3 black holes. I read conflicting reports about flying into them, but though I would edge in and retreat if it looked bad. The warping of the stars as you get close really freaked me out, so I left! Didn’t want to loose 60 odd jumps worth of discoveries, but have it bookmarked to return in the future.

I rode where I wanted when I was a kid, and still do now unless it looks really busy.

I don’t think segregating path users was ever the correct solution (bloody stuck up ramblers wanting the countryside for themselves!), so I use them all and just be nice to everyone I meet. 😀

I’ve ordered the HOTAS too, not here yet though…

Great tips above, thanks all.

I’m resisting those websites, on games like this I think they can kill the enjoyment a bit. I want to learn it all for myself.

I got confused about bounties counting towards the CG too, then I realised it’s only for people wanted in that particular system, so not all of them will count.

If you go exploring and get wiped out, do you keep your discoveries, or are they lost with the ship?

I’ve done away with the docking computer now, can do it faster myself, although I’ve almost taken myself out once – on PS4 the boost button the same as the landing gear sub-menu button… I pressed it too fast!

“why’s that ass-hat boosting his ship directly into the control tower???” 🙄

Got to say, I bought it on PS4 and gave up after about 3 hours when I got really bored! But, decided to give it another go and keep at it – I’m hooked now!

Currently running a Cobra MK3 and have been exploring, trading and transporting goods/people mainly, but last night I built up a small and cheap fighter to go and get some bounties – really fun but takes a while to find a suitable mark. From reading above Nav Beacons are the place to go?

Dropping into an un-explored system and being faced with a white dwarf star was very impressive, and my highlight so far.

I’m interested to go to the centre of the galaxy, so long term would like to either up the FS drive on the cobra (can get 20 whatevers distance if I buy a 1.5 million unit drive) , or find a ship that can do much bigger jumps.

last two weeks cycling 580km in Mongolia

Nice! Sounds like a great holiday, shame about the last part of it, but like you say, perfect timing for the last weigh in!

Don’t know how, but I remained the same over the last two weeks.

Lost 1 lbs the week before last, put 1 lbs on last week while on holiday.

I ate so much junk, I’m feeling pretty crap today actually, need a bit of a detox… Just glad to not have gained anything really.

With a week to go I’m not hitting my new target, but I’ve already done better than my original target which felt (and I was advised was) very ambitious.

I know this thread is very quiet now, but thought it was worth saying thanks to Jon and everyone else publicly once again – the extra motivation from this thread and the chub club have helped me out massively. 😀 Cheers!

Will give tubeless another go, but really seems like its pointless with just a track pump… Will have to borrow a mates compressor.

Was out again for over 3 hours this morning, really liking the fat bike. Did some trail centre stuff, downhill tracks, rocky narrow natural trails, XC loops, bogs, and just riding through the undergrowth between paths!

Got a PB by a long way on some DH tracks! The dune with the saddle down feels like an off-road BMX. 🙂 I like that you can brake as hard as you like almost anywhere without sliding.

Its slips liked any other bike on large wet rocks, but I’m OK with that, it helps with my nemesis, deep mud!

Really starting to get fast on it now, I can see why so many people have them as their only MTB.

Got some nice blisters and calluses developing on my hands, think the stock bars and grips need to go!

Well, tubeless failed! I’ve done lots of wheels and tyres using my track pump and trusty 2l bottle. Fat tyres aren’t having it though, think I need a compressor.

Decided to just put sealant in the tubes for now, but the cores aren’t removable! 😡 well maybe they are and they’re just tight, but I’m not willing to put anymore pressure on them. Its not like Fat tubes are easy to find in local shops!

Northwind, good advice.

lowered the pressure and it started to behave much better. Not sure what I’ve lowered it to, just kept going until it rode better. Seems to roll better too..

Also figured out you have to really exaggerate the action of turning with your hips – if you don’t point your torso where you want to go, the bike will go where it wants!

Once you get through the travel of the tyres and hit bigger bumps, you really realise how stiff the fork and frame are. On similar trails my steel KM is much smoother. I bet the ICT is a brilliant mix of the two, but maybe not worth the extra £1800. 🙂

97kg, so not light!

See, I’m leaning stuff here, I’d have sworn that tyres being too soft would fold about and self-steer…

Guess 8 psi would be next to try?

Edit – Just to add, after doing the chubclub this year, the Dune was my treat for getting under 15.5 st. 😀

Got my large Dune yesterday – god I was excited! Taking it out of the box was worth the £500, what a silly and awesome chunk of tyres and yellow! 🙂

I had some cheap avids laying around, so didn’t bother with the cable discs at all, straight onto the hydros. I was pleasantly surprised it had a 180mm rotor on the front. I did have to re-tap the top disk mount, wasn’t very smooth at all and I was worried about it stripping.

The seatpost is still a bit short at the max mark, but just ok. I’m 5-10 ish.

I was very surprised to feel how light the wheels where. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but they aren’t as heavy as imagined.

I’m happy with the 8 speed kit, I run 8 speed on my commuter and although it feels clunky, it lasts forever.

I went for a short blast, and so far think it’s too early to draw too many conclusions, other than WEIRD and interesting!

I had 10 psi front and 12 psi rear (measured with a motorbike pressure gauge), and any breaking down steep trails seemed to make it stand-up, or veer, or just wobble. I need a bit more time to feel/understand what’s happening with it and adjust when I’m doing I think – but not sure lower pressure would make this better?

Mashing the pedals makes it go in all sorts of directions but where you want. 😀 Guess that wide q-factor has a big impact.

It made muddy sections extremely easy – which for someone who struggles with mud, is great. Rode through a bottom bracket deep long puddle and it hardly slowed down.

Tyres seem ok, though I gather you can get much gripier tyres for mud. Shame the rims are drilled for car valves IMO.

I really enjoyed bouncing it down drop-offs, then trying to get it to slow down and turn for upcoming tight corners! Again, breaking hard seems to make it veer.

It’s much harder work on the climbs than a rigid 29er (Surly KM), which is good because I wanted it mainly for getting in quick and tough 1 hour rides. By the time I get fast on this I’ll be flying on the KM!

All in all I’m liking it, the fun factor is there and I’m itching to go and see what it can handle and learn how to ride it. I think the only issue I have is adjusting my riding to suit it, but for £500 I can see that it will be a load of fun, especially when winter rolls around.

This weekends job, tubeless. 😯

Then I’ve got a whole week off work to ride it! happy days! Will post some photos of my adventures.

A nice subtle Dune.

Weeksy is correct, sods law it’ll show up at 7 tonight though!

Just pulled the trigger on a large dune. Should be here in a few days.

Looking forward to my first ride on a fat bike. 🙂

start eating that out of date chicken in the fridge, and hoping for a miracle

I can confirm sugar free worthers original have the same effect! 😉

Another 2 lbs down* for me, steady away!

(*not due to worthers!)

Glad he’s ok.

Can always trust Guy to tell it how it is!

He’s obviously shuck up by it, and maybe a bit disappointed? I think I’d be very nervous of riding that bike after that, and what happened to JM, so that’s his senior TT over really? 🙁

ABS isn’t necessary – I’d go cheap for your first bike, there’s a good chance of dropping it off the stand, we’ve all done it!

I did 2 years on a few 125 (CBT), 2 years on a “restricted” 500 then onto a 650, then onto a 1200 BMW. The BMW was the easiest to ride and felt the safest – no revving it to death to go quick, just cruising along on torque. 🙂 Big bikes aren’t automatically fast and/or scary. They just need a bit more respect.

If you can afford it, just do your test and get a (cheap) big bike.

That first ride on the CB500 though, that was magic I’ll always remember! I was bricking it at the dealers, dropped the 125 PX off and was chatting to everyone for well over an hour because I was so nervous to ride the 500 for the first time.

Well put Jon. I keep reminding myself the goal is for chubclub only, life goal is to get and stay slim! Made the mistake of relaxing too much after losing weight in the past.

Has been hard this last few months, feel like I’m working extra hard to scrape in small losses. I was really motivated in the new year, and it was easy. Now I’m thinking about (bad) food all the time, its a constant battle not to give in, and when I do I don’t enjoy the food anyway! Makes no sense!

Another 2 lbs off for me. That’s 43 lbs total lost. 😀

Still not to happy about this plateau business! My revised target is pretty much impossible now (unless I chop off a leg!), but I’ll just keep on keeping on until I hit it.

I’ve got the lighter pre Ops KM – 1 1/8 steerer, disk only, simple dropouts.

It’s my favourite bike, ever. Strong, springy, and fast! I’ve got XT brakes/gears/wheels on mine and race it ridged and even take on some local downhill trails. Got a sus fork to try on it too, but haven’t felt the need yet.

The only down side with the model I have is the curvy seat tube – cant drop the saddle much for jumps etc..

I heard that the Ogre (KM with bosses) wasn’t quite as nice of a ride, due to the bosses on/in the fork killing the springiness – I’d guess the newer KM 650B+/29 forks may have this issue too, but I haven’t tried one.

Gutted for LapSteel, Binners and anyone else involved in this, it’s terrible.

Not feeling too spritely this morning after reading the news. 🙁

Thoughts are with the families affected.

(I agree, this shouldn’t be the place for arguing the toss over who is right/wrong, and the ins and outs of terrorism – please stop)

Just sold my fullsus, just one MTB for me now.

I liked it, but they’re expensive to buy and run (which is opposite of cycling to me) – fork/shock/dropper servicing and bearings every year add up.

I run a rigid 29er now, though I have a reba fork for it if I think its needed.

Sure Its slower and sometimes hard work downhill, but I still have loads of fun on it. I take a bit of sadistic pleasure from riding rough trails without suspension. 😈

For the riding you do, I think you’d be OK with ht.

It was an awesome race, right length, right amount of fun trails and perfect weather.

In our team I was basically taking up the slack for an hour at a time to allow my bro (much, much faster than me) to recover ready to put some serious laps in. I was doing 2 laps an hour to his 3! Think we had 18 in total.

Really enjoyed the first bit of single track, we don’t get anything like that around here. Didn’t enjoy the short grassy climb after it, but refused to push up it even once.

Glad I didn’t have to deal with that foam on any of my stints (and glad it wont be back).

Definitely regretted running a ridged bike towards the end, the dried horse trails and braking bumps took their toll!

Had loads of fun, but I’m absolutely wrecked today! looking forward to next year. 😀