I did an MBR route of the Brendan Hills last weekend.
Stunning ride with at least 3 or 4 quality descents.
One of those was Granny’s ride.
You can download the route here
I totally recommend it but bring your climbing legs too!
The scenery was stunning!

^^^ can lead to priapism

And while i’m here, there’s some awesome trails off Wooton Common back to Minehead.

Agree I was there last Sunday – amazing trails.
I did the Brendon Hills MBR route.

Its a bit out of alignment. Hope the owner doesn’t build bikes.

What tyres for Sherburn-in-Elmet?

is this spam?

curtains are great

Bump to the top

Damn thats alot of climbing!

I’ve entered this event with a few mates.
I stupidly entered the big one. :oops:
Anybody got any info about the route – maps or gpx’s?
I havent seen or received anything.
I’m using reasonable aggressive tyres – Hans Dampf/Nobby Nic

GW given your stance on helmets I am not surprised with your opinion here.
At least your consistent and I respect you for that! :D

I’m more concerned that they make people think they can’t get hurt, and then ride beyond their capabilities. This is what causes big injuries.

What you’re referring to here is risk compensation.
This essentially is the act of taking greater risk due to the impression that one is safe due to the use of protective equipment.
It is an argument that is used extensively to refute the safety benefits of helmet use in cyclists. ( let’s not go there please!!)
I agree and am concerned that kids and their parents believe they are being protective by wearing neck braces when no evidence of safety benefit at all exists.
Do they know this? I doubt it. I think they should before they make their purchase and hit the trail.

JCL you may be right but there isn’t evidence to support that comment and in this day and age no evidence means its just a matter of opinion which doesn’t count for much.
There isn’t evidence to say that these protective devices don’t work either TBF.
The reason I am interested in this is that I have treated many kids with serious spinal injuries who were wearing these braces. My concern is that these kids and their parents thought they were safer with the braces on.
It may actually be that these braces increase the risk of serious injury and until somebody does independent non commercially motivated research nobody will ever know.

Old people do not belong on public thoroughfares period.
It’s the actions of old people such as those that you encountered today, that will eventually cause all elderly to be outlawed from not only the dairy aisle but the entire supermarket.

What’s the rush, chill out and enjoy the dairy landscape.
Whatever you do don’t pull up next to them and ask them why they didn’t just move over, that could be considered aggressive.

It’s a subject I’ve been interested for some time as someone who is involved in the treatment of spinal injuries.
There is nothing at all published in peer review medical journals.
Leatt have done their own in house testing and I believe are in the process of releasing their evidence in a series of videos.
In the scientific world private research not published for the public scrutiny of the methodology, and conclusions effectively means there is no evidence.

Edit: Here is a link to one of these videos.
Cheers Ant!

I agree with you completely. I have had a few even on the very short trips I do on these country roads to link up trails.
Why do you choose to subject yourself to this in your leisure time?
I would certainly ride road if it wasn’t for this but like your comment and links above I find it extremely dangerous.
I couldn’t count the amount of times I’ve come around a blind hedged bend and a car coming the other way has had to make an evasive manouvre to avoid me, cause they’re in the middle of a single carriage road without enough room for a bike to get past either side.

when this happens to you;
As it did to me recently then you change your attitude to riding on the road and every car is a threat so you ride in a manner that means the car cant try squeeze past and I dont give a frick if they have to sit behind me for ten miles, that’s their tough luck.

I thought these incidents were rarer than pheasants falling from the sky or being shot by a stray bullet on a bridlepath.(page 8.)
Clearly there’s nothing to worry about.

Had nothing but regular trouble from mine. I’ll be changing soon and not coming back. Too many good brakes on the market to be stressing about shit products.

Why is she on the bike anyway when she should be preparing your post ride dinner.

many of the roads are the same layout as they were 100 years ago when people were on horseback, so of course there are issues.

So how many more centuries must pass and road fatalities must occur before the powers that be realize that the roads are not used by horseback any more.
These problems are not just restricted to remote country low traffic lanes, even major arteries are not up to standard IMO. This is a small country with a large population of taxpayers and the state of the roads never ceases to amaze me.
Anyhow I digress.

For all the taxes you pay in this country I still don’t understand why the roads are so shit. Even busy A roads are completely dangerous. The A470 is a deathtrap and those silly single carriage stone bridges that always follow sharp blind corners are ridiculous.

I have schwalbe big apples on my 29 commuter. Great slick tyre.

I hate riding on country lanes due to all these issues.
I often have to briefly to link up bridleway sections.
How people actually enjoy spending hours on the roads regularly dealing with these stressful dangerous situations is beyond me.
I always wave and let cars through at the earliest opportunity even if it means track standing for 20 seconds at a driveway or passing point.
Lots of nutcases on the road and I don’t want an angry one behind me even if I technically have right of way.

How did this happen? Surely not JRA!

Agree with above.
Definately gpx.

Haven’t read the 23 pages to here but I thought the opening cermony was fantastic and worthy of a British production.

I am Australian and recall my bitter disappointment at the 2000 Sydney opening ceremony.
Great Britain stood proud tonight.

I’m a massive fan of the Bonti FR3 on the rear. Fast on the hard stuff but still great in the gloop.

I’m a mincer and I snap loads of chains. I am a bit heavy though which may mave something to do with it.

Maxxis Crossmarks are very quick summer 29 tyres.

Since the long term closure of goodwood and darkside I’m with philfive

Todays ride in the Black Mountains Wales

Looks great. Id eat it. Whats the worst that could happen?

Obtained by my Mrs who’s a stafff nurse on nightshift, she’s already paid the fecker but should she have?

I have a massive collection of these from the University Hospital of Wales (I am staff). So have most of my work collegues. I haven’t paid any of them. Its a bit of a running joke amongst the staff really – nobody pays them.
They keep sending letters from Debt Collection agencies (Roxburgh) with ever increasing penalties then they send solicitors letters (Graham White).
They ring sometimes to remind me of the notice. I thank them for their concern and advise that I’ll pay asap.
Haven’t had a call or letter in over 12 months.

I usually ride alone so have lots of bike photos in beautiful locations. Better than a plain landscape pic I guess.
The alternative is to set up a tripod with a cam on timer mode but what would you do if someone caught you!!

Anyone know when it’s due to reopen?

I’ve read its long term. Rebuilding a new final descent.
I hardly go there any more other than to do skyline.

Cassette about 50, chain prob 30 – 40, usually 2 chainrings 60 – 70 for both.

Brake pads are variable. I went through a new set of pads in 4 laps of the Bonti 24/12 last weekend! Couldn’t believe it particularly when prob 1/3 of those laps were pushed! Pad use depends on the trail surface though surely. I’d be lucky to use 2 sets of pads per year in Aus but they last about 6 to 8 weeks around here. I ride south Wales.

so because you have spent more money than me your having more fun?

Dont be argumentative. Most of the money I spend is on fuel cause I like riding different stuff every weekend. If I didn’t then I would have less fun. How much fun you have riding your local trails all the time is up to you.

if you want to save some money try letting go of your brakes at some point during your rides

My aim in life is to become as awesome and gnarcore as you one day. Unfortunately I am none of these things. :lol:

Camel trail is dull. The coast paths will probably upset walkers. I wouldn’t ride on most of the hedged roads round there.

I think mountain-biking is expensive for me and I certainly do not ride as much as many of my group of friends.

3 full drivetrains per year at 200 quid a go
6 – 10 sets of brake pads average per year
10-12 hours of driving per week to my preferred destinations
1 – 2 pairs of tyres per year
miscellaneous repairs 3 times per year

Adds up to quite a bit without counting unnecessary upgrades (if such a thing exists).

Could be alot cheaper I guess TBF but then it wouldn’t be as much fun.

Do you want trail centres or epics?
The Beacons hold up very well with the current wetness.
Something like the Gap route is easy to navigate and not too technical.
My missus loved it.
There are lots of great natural loops in the black mountains too.
The Mynydd Llangorse is another spectacular circular route.
There are loads more.
None of these routes are signposted so navigation is required.
Happy to link gpx’s if your interested.