not snowing now – was raining quite hard – now it’s all turning to ice – weekend should be a blast!

second the summer lightning – you’ll need 4 mind -the first one is always a bit sharp but you’ll settle in to it. . . .

snowing in the peak now. . . . riding this weekend will be interesting!

WET!

proper wet – my advise would be get out v.early while it’s still semi frozen . . . .

great mag this month – with aspects of riding that most of us can relate to. have to say last month’s wasn’t great but definite return to form with the curent one. keep up the good work chaps.

go to Evans – especially if they go to Robin up in Kendal. Rob was with Wheelbase in Stavely and Biketreks Ambleside before that – top bloke and best mechanic i’ve used – proper stickler for detail and an OCD type attention to detail . . .

Washing is the key folks, all waterproof, breathable fabrics rely on the outer shell repelling water and the inner coating or membrane providing wicking and breathability.
With most fabrics you must use Nikwax or similar cleaners, or soap flakes! – (except for event which needs to be washed in detergent), and apply a reproofing agent -(again except for event -where heat is most suitable.)
In my experience most jackets that’leak’ are actually wetting out on the outer and then condensating on the inside. Makes sense really – if the outer fabric of your jacket is waterlogged then how can water inside get through it?
Even some ‘new’ jackets can have issues – as many will have been on a slow boat from China for a couple of months, then sat in a warehouse for another month or two, all teh while the DWR can break down – and once that’s gone the jacket ‘wets out’, and you get the breathability issues mentioned above.
i’ve alwasy found Endura kit really good so with the Endura stealth i’d recommend giving it a wash and then maybe a re-proof and then try it again?

I ride in the Peak at least twice a week and have been running Specialized Fast Trak Pro’s (2.1) but really hard – 60psi? they cut through the thick stuff but offer enough on the looser climbs. they are a bit iffy on the real rocky stuff. loads better than the semi’s i tried a couple of months ago 1.7’s – thinking skinny tyres would cut through the mud – 2 detached ribs, an inflamed sternum and serious back bruising made me think other wise . . .

simple.
paramo for winter and Autumn – put it on and forget about it.
eVent for summer and for fast and light when you’ll be carrying it – don’t touch Gore – it’s DESIGNED to work best in very cold and DRY conditions – it’s breathability falls the wetter it gets – not really UK friendly!
only slight downside to eVent and paramo is the need to keep them clean – i.e i wash mine weekly as i wear them everyday but my paramo(s) have done me proud for 6 years and will last indefinitely – teh eVent is incredibly breathable – to teh point of feeling cold when static.
hope that helps.

no. previously a resident in the ‘proper’ north – Cumbria and Lancashire

Yes – but up not down. . .

finally got it!
my epic during a summer trailquest this year. . . has more pink now . . .

]last go. [/url]

ok try again . . . . .

sorry . . only recent pic of my epic.

Maybe try ‘The Little John’ pub in Hathersage – they have self catering apartments out the back – not sure how many they sleep but may be worth a look, and they have 3 guest beers on tap – they had a really nice dark porter on last night. luvverly!

I would have been keen to show you the trails but I’m on a tour of the Welsh trail centres that weekend. . . . first time for me!

hope you get something sorted.