Our assumption was basically the same, plus people want the ‘kudos’ of doing the same race as the pro’s. Despite it being a casual race that means nothing.
Think we’re going to try for either Friday or Saturday race this year. Only ever raced on a Sunday and it’d be nice to enjoy a few extra beers on the Sat night!

This thread has made me both laugh and cry.
On the plus side I’ve never noticed a real difference in MPG with a bike on the roof (roof bars are permanently fitted)

On the down side its because I usually consider 23+mpg very good and 19-21 is normal average over a tank full 😂
But that’s 20 year old, 3.0 litre, 6 pot Subaru engines for you!

This might sound a bit mad, but where do you store your bike?
I ask because after much trial end error a friend and I determined his howling brakes only became a problem after his bike was stored in his wooden shed in weather over 10°C . Above this temp the oils in the timber seemed to escape into the atmosphere and settle on his brake rotors.

My bikes living in my living room (joys of not being married!) and I’ve had a similar problem after frying foods with the kitchen door open and the bikes nearby.

You can get the Gensis Croix De Fer in XS.

Not sure what the seat tube measurement is though.

My other half bought hers for about £600. It looks great in the green/black/gold colours.

I’ve had prescription oakley photochromic lenses in Flak 2.0’s for about 3 years and really rate them for about 70% of the mountain biking I do, inc night rides.

On really bright summer days or sunny winter road rides, when the sun is low and there’s glare off the road I’ll switch to darker polorised lenses.

Thanks OP. What a great find. I love stuff like this. Looking forward to further episodes. Only downside is waiting for more…it’s frustrating enough waitIng for more Binky!

Glad I’m not the only project Binky fan 😀

Thanks for the info LordH’
I’ll stay clear if there’s ongoing contention with Mushroom Farm.
There’s plenty of places to ride without upsetting people, so I’ll leave it until/if it settles down.

Got anymore info on this Mushroom farm place?
Leicester based and never heard of it.

Didn’t know about this youtube, thanks!

Isn’t the Dakar just something else? I can’t comprehend how they do it.

I’ve broken many ribs and generally dont go to A&E unless it agony and feels like a pointy bit of bone is protruding.

BUT it is also possible to dislocate some ribs. Which you might be able to get manipulated back if thats the case.
I didnt know this until I was pulling a pair of wellies on with what I thought was a broken rib. As I pulled on the welly my rib popped back into place and the pain was almost instantly gone.

I fitted a set of 28c Panaracer race d evo 3’s a week ago. Feel very comfortable (admittedly going up from 25c Conti’s) and roll along nicely.
Can get them in all black or brown sidewall. Only £27 a pop too.

Not really had them long enough to comment on puncture resistance though.

I quite like the app “Freeletics”
Its 99% based on HIIT body-weight exercises that you can do anywhere (including in the gym)
The app has good videos showing correct form and bases the workouts around timing how long you take to complete a set and comparing it to previous times. Ie do it as fast as you can with good form.

Good for ‘functional fitness’ and balance etc which can’t hurt out on the bike.

Previously had an oval ring, and liked the pedaling characteristics but then I snapped a mech off in really remote valley in the Peaks.

Because of the oval chainring I couldn’t do the usual trick and make the bike a single speed.
The subsequent 12 mile hike/roll/hike/roll in carbon soled shoes made me swear off ovals forever!

Usually 34T x 11-46, 11sp (650b)

But recently had to run 36T ring for 3 days in FoD & BPW and did find some climbs tough.

There might be a factor being missed here… the storage conditions.

Is your shed made from wood treated with creosote or similar? Or are there paint tins or fuels that might be evaporating into the atmosphere in there?

A friend in our riding group always had noisy brakes, even when discs & pads were brand new (but bike left in the shed for a bit)
Someone came up with the oily atmosphere idea a month ago. From our observations and tests do support it.

Chopped a bit of my big toe off with an axe.

I’ve been using a coke bottle wrapped in duct tape for a while.
Charging it up scares the crap out of me. I hide in my full face lid and put the bottle behind a metal chest for fear of ending up like a cheap plastic version of that bond villain with diamonds in his face.

Definitely going to keep my eyes open for an extinguisher!

You’re ok to stick to the tarmac path. But riding is banned anywhere else in the park.
I might be wrong but I think the tarmac path is the only official bridleway type path.
The other tracks are footpaths.

TBH its no great loss to not cycle there. Its too busy with dozy pedestrians and nervous Dear to enjoy.

Benny,
There’s also a Midland Bike Orienteering series that runs nearly year round.
If you can read a map its an enjoyable alternative to racing around XC tracks.

The top boys are properly quick. Last one I did I think the winner covered 65km in 3hrs!
There are also humans to compete against too though.

Good way of exploring new areas.
http://www.midlandsmbo.co.uk/about.html

South Leic’ rider here (Lutterworth atm)
Only recently signed up on here so thought I’d say hi.

I’m more of a trail/enduro rider than XC whippet but I’m planning on doing some more FNSS this year after a 3 year break. They’re a good craic and the courses can be quite varied.

As everyone else has said, the best riding is really NW Leicestershire. I had a nice XC ride exploring between Bardon hill and Thornton Reservoir last weekend.
If your south of the city you can do some good hill training sessions on Croft Hill.

My usual riding buddy lives up in Newtown Linford so we know the Bragate Park situation well. Its just not worth riding there. Everyone connected to the place seems to have a bee in their bonnet about us “lethal, maniac” bikers.

Yes I kind of matters to me. Wouldn’t say I ‘fret’ about it though.

Reasons being;
1) I’m fairly light. So lugging a heavy bike about is rubbish.
2) I really like technical challenging climbs, so the bikes got to be kind of light to even allow you to test your skills.
3) Lighter bikes are more fun too. Easier to pop, hop and jump about on!