the chin guard isn’t (and doesn’t) stand up to a crash.

its not a DH helmet which is why its often critisized.
For technical XC with less serious falls I think it would offer alot of protection.

I’m very interesting in learning that area.
Any links to route maps etc that you could share?

it will probably rain

I have one and like it. Much better vented than a reg full face and more suitable for the xc stuff that I do.

If there is, I’ve never worked it out.

Me neither.

Nipper99

Look at the FC web site. See what is open and go ride. Its not that the signs are bogus I just dont think they have been taken down since other bits have been reopened.

pdw

Very annoying, having carefully checked the closure notices on both the website and at the centre. Still had a great time but was really hoping to do Skyline before it closes for good.

Agree the website states all is open as do the signs at Glyncorrwg but it looks very closed when you get to Handy Andy.

My understanding is that the wind farm plans have been held up somewhere and it is unlikely that skyline will close in the near future.

I’m going to wait for the FC to finish their work before attempting it again. Everything after that last diversion is rubbish riding particularly the Bog of Doom.

Good luck with your online retailer!! I think your camera is faulty.

One tip…stop the camera with the top button before turning it off with the front button, otherwise you will wipe the last session.

I wondered about that but mine doesnt lose the data. I still use the shutter button though anyway.

I would format it with the GoPro. If you check the quickstart instructions it tells you how to do it

Never had that problem – sounds like the camera unit is stuffed rather than the card to me. I’ve used mine fine with a reg Sandisc sdhc card and the GoPro ones that you buy from crc.

I quite like this series of books.
The Wales one has the Gower route in it.
You can buy them from Go Outdoors stores.
Wales Mountain Biking

“i” before “e” except after “v”

Beer festival

I like beer. Where is the festival?

Hugor – my brother in law is getting into guiding if you’re interested.

I would be – always keen to explore new areas.
A guide would save from the stress of navigating in unfamiliar areas and at least you know you’ll have a good ride.

Those photos were taken shortly after the diversion signs around Handy Andy.
The diversions signs continue regularly until the start of Deadwood. Granada and everything up to that Handy Andy section was open.
When I rode Skyine 2 months ago there were diversions around the early sections as well but these have been removed.
There are brand new signs talking of a trail closure on the 17th July for some motor event.
You trying to say they decided to leave the others there cause they forgot to remove them?

very nice pics – where is that?

one section would be better named ” The Bog of Doom “

Yes I remember that section!

Hugor – I’ve done those trails at one time or another but most ar fire roads and although some have steep climbs not amazingly technical.

Thanks you saved me from a disappointing day in the saddle.
Skyline let me down today so another would have been pretty shit.

Went there today after hearing that everythings open and the diversions are still active :?
The trail is closed between waypoints 56 and 66 which is 4 sections of singletrack.
The diversions lead to forest roads that would be better suited to mud wrestling than riding.

Anybody tried these routes?
Brechfa trail guide[/url]
I’ve been thinking of giving them a go.

Tom Tom cause you don’t need customer service if you get one

Fantastic bike. Salsas are very underappreciated in this country.
I will be buying one of these when I get back to my home country.

Llandegla is fantastic IMO. Lots of trails and a great cafe.
CyB is of course the standard and you gan’t go there and miss that one.
The MBR and Dragonback are excellent trails.
Marin was a massive let down for me.
Not done Penmachno but I have heard lots of good things.

These kind of cases forced the closure of many great skate parks across many of Sydney’s beaches. It used to be a common features to have half pipes and all kinds of obstacles on the beachfront in a designated area and it was a popular attraction. Again nobody forces anybody to ride their bike or skateboard into these areas, but the law decided that all injuries were the local council’s responsibility.
I hope the UK manages this problem better than Australia did.

Yeh I get that – I fuggen hate it too!
Mainly when I’m swimming but also in my sleep.

Didn’t realise such surfaces existed in the UK!
I’m an Aussie and sandy hardpack is all I used to ride.
My fav combo used to be Ignitor front and Crossmark rear.
If the Crossmark was too slippery for you I’d suggest a Larsen TT on the rear.
Failing that just go with 2 Ignitors – they are seriously good front and rear.

The British are VERY image conscious when it comes to buying bikes

No way – probably the most sought after and talked about bike in Britain is the Orange 5. That rear end looks like it was welded together in someones shed and is not attractive at all. They must ride really well to be as popular as they are.

456 Summer Season.

have you eaten too many pies? what the flip have you done to nose of the saddle?

:lol:
When you eat as many pies as I do you put alot of pressure on your privates when you sit down.
That makes them go numb which makes the girlfriend unhappy.
That Selle SMP makes them feel normal again!!

Hey!! That’s my bike you’re talking about!!!
Haven’t made it yet in the UK but thats a Pivot Firebird 6.6 inch travel beauty.
You will see lots of them on the trails here soon.

When I came to this country for my job 6 months ago I had to choose between my 2 bikes.
Both were less than 6 months old.
I chose the 29er. I haven’t regretted it.
:mrgreen:

Seems to be a lot of claims as to the supposed benefits of 29ers, and I am sure they are better suited to certain types of terrain and riding, but I have yet to see any conclusive proof or scientific evidence that they are overall ‘better’ than 26ers.

I agree its horses for courses.
29ers will get through the super tight and twisty stuff but they will be a little slower.
Most races do not have lots of this type of riding.
Neither do any of the trail centres that I’ve visited so far in North and South Wales.
That type of trail is not good for fast flowy riding. Not that much fun really.

How does this work? Seriously interested.

It has to do with the larger contact patch that the 29er has with the ground compared with the 26er. The greater area produces more traction.
The volume of air in a 29er tire is also larger than a 26er so they alsso behave like any other large volume tire which responds and changes shape more to the irregular surface.
Dry condition riding is also about flotation over soft surfaces to a degree and the larger area means the wheel sinks into the sand or gravel less.
That is my understanding anyhow.
I’ve entered many desert adventure races in Australia and 29ers are quickly becoming the dominant bike in those events.

I started riding 29ers 2 years ago in Perth Australia. The advantages in dry desert riding make it almose cheating.
I brought my RIP9 over here for my 2 years in Cardiff.
Here in the UK most of the riding is in wet conditions.
I think many of the advantages are reduced in these conditions and a couple of disadvantages become more important.
In dry dusty trails the 29er offers massive traction advantages whereas traction is much less of an issue with the soft soil we have in most trail centres.
Muddy trails means the 29er wheel gets very heavy – this is not a problem in most of Aus.
The advantage of rolling over stuff quicker and easier is still there but that is not why I ride 29ers – for me it was the ability to ride much quicker in tight twisty but dryer loose trails, and to be able to out climb most 26ers on steep loose climbs.
There is a great joy in watching 26ers spin out and stall climbing steep loose hills as you cruise past them.

I don’t head out in the rain unless I’m really desperate.
The post ride faff of the bike, car, your gear etc completely outweighs the benefit of the ride IMO.

29er on the back and 26er on the front?

I’m actually being serious (or stupid)….would it work?

It would be silly but the opposite works – 29 front and 26 rear.

Vibration can be a problem when its really bumpy.
For me the middle link fatigues and fails after a while.
The main problem when its low and close to the wheel, is that most of your best rides are spoilt by a bit of mud on the camera usually in a critical place of the view.

I’ve shown it a few times but I attach it here using the roll bar mount.

In Aus where I come from the favoured trail obstacle is the narrow tree gap. This forces a compromise between stability (wide) and speed (narrow).
Here in the UK this obstacle is not popular so I’d go for as wide a bar as you need.
As far as rise is concerned you just need to work out what your preferred saddle to bar drop is and match it on your XC bike.

I’d join you mate but its Monday and I need to work to support my bike budget

please tell me that that is the work of an idle man and photoshop…….

nobody would be tasteless enough to build a bike like that one above with the Twin Rails.

No not photoshop but maybe a man without any taste!!

This has a 160mm fork