I did my first one in many years at Gorrick last month – totally unplanned (decided en-route to Swinley when my mate cancelled meeting me). Not many people on 150mm bikes wearing baggies but I entered, had fun and did OK in the end! Came back and told the kids about it and they now want to try so we’ll be entering the Black Park on too!

Go for it – I hadn’t done any training and prepared with a curry and a few beers the night before and still managed to enjoy myself.

If entered the ‘fun’ class and felt a little like a cheat, but the timings in the more serious classes were no good for me. I placed well but would’ve been very mid-table in a ‘proper’ class, way behind the leaders.

Good fun and good training for the Tweedlove Enduro I’ve also entered this year!

I can manual over doubles and trebles at speed, but cannot do the cruise along the trail on the back wheel manual that a few guys seem to have mastered. Watched Donny’s ‘L’ technique video this weekend so I’ll give that a try.

Interested to read this thread. I’ve been cycling and gym-ing off and on for years, but with no real structure. Signed up for the Tweedlove Enduro this summer so thought I’d try and take it all a little more seriously. Have added a couple of 45 minute spin or watt bike classes to my week and now last week have added a short session of weights to the end of each class – 5 x 5 deadlifts and squats on one day and bench press, dips and pull ups on the other.

Is this going to benefit me much? I’ve noticed my cycling has improved with the spin classes, have much more power on the hills and generally feel faster on the bike – is this small amount of weights (which I can certainly feel the next day) going to help without hindering?

Sorry for the thread hijack!

garage-dweller – Member
By that I obviously meant the bike and not the state of the garden.

I’ll have words with the gardner!

matt_outandabout – Member
Nice one.

Get the stem spacers above the stem – I found that with small bikes/high bars, there was not enough weight on the front tyre for grip, and they fell off on corners…

Thanks for that – will give it a try as she does seem very ‘hands high’ at present I have to say.

andysredmini – Member
Are the red cable, pedals, chainring and headset meant to match the berries on the bush? I think you are one shade out.
Good work on the rest of it though but try harder next time.

CaptainFlashheart – Member
Cables, headset and pedals match berries.

Excellent work.

The devil’s in the detail!

JoeG – Member
Needs a dropper!

It did have one at first as I had a Reverb lying around, BUT, it was too high when fully extended and she couldn’t operate the thumb button. When she gets a bit taller I might try and find short drop cable operated one with a long lever.

No! I rode there last Sunday and had to stop and de-mud my bike before I could ride it back up! Very claggy but all rideable and as challenging as it always is when it’s wet.

I love it equally when it’s wet or dry – totally different challenge but great either way. Only usually manager 6 runs with a pedal back up when it’s wet versus 8-9 in the dry,

Unsure where you are based but one of my biking group is an implant specialist of high regard and often tells me horror stories of having to redo bad implants so be careful of where you go – make sure they have a good track record. If you’re down south, let me know if you want his details.

Altura Attack 365s – first pair lasted 3 years of heavy use and just replaced them with the same again.

Yes I just have.

Arseholes

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/Almax-Immobiliser-Series-IV/Almax-Immobiliser-Series-IV–Squire-SS65CS-Lock–Defiant-Ground-Anchor__p-70-131.aspx

Not cheap but the best never is. You could always sell it to the Navy if they need a new anchor chain!

Holy Thread Resurrection! On my way home from boxing training tonight and remembered I didn’t check back to this thread to see how you got on. Well done the both of you!

Went to a new boxing group today and paired up with a guy who was training for a UWCB match at the end of March and after a few rounds of sparring I was thinking that I could easily kick his butt so maybe I should sign up for one! Roll on 10 mins later when I get paired up with someone else who’s probably 3″ taller and a good 10kgs heaver than me and had a pretty severe look on his face. He was pretty wooden in his movements and I could easily see his jabs coming, but I dropped my guard after throwing a jab and BAM! Full on jab in the nose which made my eyes water and next thing the coach steps in as it’s bleeding. Stopped it and then 10 mins later we’re doing piggy in the middle (take it in turns in the middle and do 30 seconds sparring with each of the other 6 guys/gals). Matey boy comes in again and I stiffened up with nerves and BAM! Another full on jab in the nose which led to me having to stop as it properly exploded with claret everywhere! All over my shorts, all over his gloves and I even had some in my hair! Didn’t hurt so much this time but he looked pretty worried and apologised at the end..

I’ve always thought that a UWCB could be fun and started off this session feeling confident I could do OK, but not so sure now sat here nursing my nose with a cold beer! I’m 6′ and haven’t sparred against anyone much taller than me before and it was a bit of an eye opener how advantageous long reach can be, and how important it is to get your guard back after throwing anything.

Think he was fairly experienced and I assume most people doing UWCB aren’t, but I wouldn’t fancy being paired up against someone like that.

Think they had some in at Pedalabikeaway at the FOD this weekend. I bought Magic Mary’s from Bike24 and they came in 2 days – amazing tyres for this time of year.

I had a new Zaskar in 1991 (Aged 13 – spoilt brat!) and the guy I sold it to has still got it (friend of a friend). Assuming it’s in OK condition, how much might that be worth today if I was to buy it off him? From memory it has Suntour XC Ltd groupset and pretty average spec elsewhere as I took the nice bits off to put them on a Team Stumpjumper.

How do you Aeropress users find it? Mine seem to be a bit hit and miss and often end up too bitter. Have tried various methods but never quite got it right!

I’m a lost cause too. Only instant I vaguely like is the Starbucks one but it’s chuffing expensive and still not as nice! Mate had one of these at the weekend which I plan to order:

http://www.hartsofstur.com/acatalog/Bodum-Stainless-Steel-Travel-Press-Set-Lime-Green-K11067565.html?gclid=CPbZqtCN98oCFasV0wodYxUBCA

deviant – Member

The steeper sections drain well, just stick Marys on front and rear…

Amen to that – I stuck Magic Mary’s on the bike and they were astounding!

I have an Atera Strada with a 4th bike kit (3 kids so 5 bikes but put the smallest in the boot!) and it’s very good. Had a Thule one a few years back which was probably slightly easier to use in terms of clamping the bikes on, but the slide feature is very handy and the Atera is much lighter to manhandle off the car. Had three FS bikes on it on Saturday and then four family bikes (smallest best going on first which means the most expensive is last on which I’d probably say isn’t ideal!).
Atera Strada by CJK007[/url], on Flickr

v666ern – Member
hughjayteens
You are Danny Hart and I claim my £5

Rumbled… Although it was pretty cold at the weekend so I didn’t have any problems sitting down!

That’s a neon yellow Bronson hiding under that mud!

We hosed down our bikes and then hosed down ourselves! God bless GoreTex..

Quick update if anyone is thinking of giving it a whirl in the wet – was great fun, all fully rideable if a little gloopy in places. The DH runs were much more challenging than in the dry and all the better for it!

Managed 14 runs in total and felt suitably exhausted later on.

]

Specialized Small Fry here too. My youngest was/is tiny and pretty sure it fitted here OK at 1. She still wears it now and is nearly 4 as she doesn’t seem to have grown much!!

nre – Member
I think hughjayteens means Suntour XCT JR rather than SRAM!

Have used them on 2 builds for my kids, around £20 delivered (from Germany) on Amazon…

Erm yes, that’s what I said! :oops:

I fancy the Fenix 3 HR when it’s released soon. Tried on a regular one and it did feel pretty big TBH which is my only reservation with my dainty wrists!

Like the idea of an inbuilt HRM for daily use and the option of adding a chest strap and bike speed and cadence sensors when doing sport. Got the wife a Fitbit HR for Christmas but it lacks GPS which I would certainly want. Not sold on the styling of most fitness watches like the TomTom so think the Fenix 3 could be the way to go.

Awesome! I wanted to be a BA Pilot from the age of 6 and then changed my mind when I got to uni. Still not always sure I made the right decision and always love hearing about people that followed their dreams.

What planes is she on?

kilo – Member
Didn’t realise someone was air-ambulanced off. Hope the rider is ok.
Was it definitely the air ambulance? Just after we arrived they were loading some guy into a normal ambulance which caused a log jam for people trying to leave. I think someone said it was a bust ankle (he as busy texting when I saw him)and it occured in the carpark / access track rather than on the course

That’s what they announced over the PA system and I did see a helicopter hovering above where I parked shortly after. This was about 30 mins after my race finished (so maybe 11am) and there was a massive queue of cars to try and get out. They said it the exit was closed for 45 mins due to the helicopter landing.

I did see the guy you mentioned on the deck near the exit so at a similar time, so maybe the organisers just got excited with their announcements!

Just looked up the Southern XC races – I’m quite near Black Park so might see if the kids fancy the race on the 20th of March as two short laps is probably a better introduction to racing!

Did your kids enjoy the race? Mine sounded keen to try when I told them about it. Don’t think there was anything too technical for them to to tackle although I think mine need more practice with gear selection if I’m not going to be there to shout ‘change gear’ at them!

I feel like a minor fraud as I managed to come 2nd in the ‘Fun’ race which I am very chuffed with (especially as most others in the race were on carbon 29er hardtails and fully lycrad up), but looking at lap times I’d have come very much mid-table in the 3 lap race and way down on any of the more serious ones! Still helped the hero dad status when I got home and my daughters made me a MASSIVE silver foil medal!

@i_like_food I have decided to use them now – they’re SRAM XCT JR 152mm – only about £15 from a French MTB site. Triple rings but I’ll just fit a single NW. Had decided to just buy another Islabike but managed to get hold of a 13″ Rockhopper frame on ebay so building that up now. May end up as the only kids bike with 20mm axle and a pair of Rockshox Arygle Airs but that’s what I have so I’ll give them a try!

I’m glad you posted this! Was planning to meet a mate at Swinley today but he bailed at the last minute and having read this post last night I decided to pop along and enter the race! Wanted to do the 3 lap ‘Open’ category as 15 miles is what I usually do at Swinley, but it didn’t start until 1230 and I needed to be home by then, so entered the 2 lap ‘fun’ race which was a bit short but good fun and a decent re-introduction to racing. Weren’t many others there in baggies on 6″ travel bikes but it’s all good. Apart from a duo effort at the Big Dog 5 or 6 years ago with zero training, it’s the first time I’ve raced XC in 22 years and whilst I’m not in any massive rush to do it again, it was good fun and made a nice change.

Hope the chap who was air-ambulanced off is OK.

I’d heard great things about Bodeans but found it very mediocre. There’s usually a great street food market on Brewer Street at lunchtime and Soho Bikes is nearby too if you want a nice coffee and to ogle at the bike porn.

I’m a bit of a burger connossier and my favourite is Patty and Bun. Near Bond Street and Selfridges. Can’t book and gets busy but the burgers are amazing. Tommis Burgers on Thayer Street (nearby) is also good. If they fancy something a bit grimey but cool (teens may appreciate it) then Meat Liquor on Welbeck Street is worth a look. Byron OK but food at the others better imho
Burger and Lobster also worth a look – burgers are good but pricey, but my 8 and 10 year old both chose half a Lobster (same price) and loved it!

RopeyReignRider – Member
I had it as a spotty oik. It never held me back or stopped me becoming a bad footballer or mediocre mountain biker.
I’d avoid the meds route and would definitely not even consider meds from the interweb!
POSTED 1 HOUR AGO # REPORT-POST

Ditto. Stopped all exercise for a month and went to a Physio who put some tingly electrodes of some sort on my knee which I recall relieved the pain very quickly. Have bony lumps just below my knees now and can’t kneel on hard surfaces.

Depending on the property sizes and local housing levels it can be a planning issue as you’re effectively reducing housing stock. We work on prime central London property and it happens quite often but half of the houses in Mayfair and Belgravia are empty most of the time anyway..

I looked into it before when I lived at the end of the row of cottages and next door came on the market but it didn’t make financial sense as 3 bed houses in the area had higher value per square foot than 5 bedders.

Speak to local agents and ask about impact on value – most lenders are happy to lend on almost anything if the LTV figures are low enough.

I’d been an XTR user for years abd went XX1 with a 32T on my 27.5 Bronson – best thing ever! Not quite as slick a change as XTR, but far more ‘definite’ and the 1 x 11 with XX1s range is fantastic.

Highly recommended. I quite fancy trying XTR Di2 1 x 11 just for the bling factor, but can’t see that happening on my next bike.

I travelled from London to Ireland to buy a rare M3 15 years ago. Was a risk but I spoke to the guy at length on the phone, he sent close ups of all panels and wheels etc and I spoke to the local dealer who looked after it. Made a weekend of it and had an amazing drive back through Wales.

If the cars right, a few hours travelling is no biggy.

Daffy – Member
Is it tall enough to put something like this in?

Linky…

There are cheaper versions and you could get 2 in on each wall with the kids bikes above. This would give you storage for 8 (N+2) with easy access to all bikes.

I don’t think it is but will double check. Good point re security although the sheds are meant to be pretty impenetrable plus I have a ground anchor and battleship chain for my pride and joy. Not that fussed about locking the kids bikes up. Main concern with floorstand was I’d imagine the bikes might flop if the tyres are skinny or may get stuck in of they’re fat?

That one I linked to is cheap enough to get a try I think. Have heard mixed advice about hanging from saddles when there’s a dropper post. Plenty of alpine uplifts transport bikes this way and they swing about on the way up too, but I guess that’s for 10 mins at a time rather than days or more.

Nope?! I have a reverb on my bike – will it get harmed hanging from the saddle with the rear wheel off the ground? Obviously much less load then my backside, but in the opposite direction of course.

I’ve just picked up a 13.5″ hardrock frame for my 10 year old – have a 1 x 9 groupset and most bits. Need wheels, brakes and forks (which I have my eye on) and we’re good to go!

thepodge – Member
Too steep and too short

Size up and fit and angleset? Fairly sweeping statement before you’ve ridden it don’t you think?

We’d been told by the agent that our vendors were trying their luck and were open to offers of 5-6% below but some dipsh1t who hadn’t even put their own house on the market made an offer via another agent of full asking and we had to match that even though we were in a position to move quickly. In the end we decided to bite the bullet and not lose the house we loved and wanted to be in for the next 20+ years for the sake of admittedly a big chunk of cash.

On paper it’s gone up by 10% within 16 months so no regrets but wouldn’t have even if it had dropped as it’s perfect for our family and nothing else we’ve seen since was competitive.

What are the Garmin Fenix watches like? Quite like the look of the new one with built in HRM – don’t do much running but when I do, would be nice to keep track of that too.