You can’t tell if expanded polystyrene has structrual damage. If it really did save your head, it’s time to replace it. The way they absorb the energy, like seat belts, child seats and crumple zones, is by damaging their internal structure I believe – and you’re meant to replace any of those devices after they have been used.

Polystyrene also goes off over time – though I’m not sure if that’s due to time or to light (possibly UV) so old helmets ain’t as effective.

I’ve put myself in hospital for a week with concussion – I wouldn’t recommend it, particularly as with a lot of people on here your livelihood depends on being able to use you brain.

Broken bones on the other hand are fine; so save money by not buying body armour and get replace your hat when it needs it.

Yes, and yes, comfy and grippy, but I needed longer grips so my son could hold the bars when he was on the LOCT seat so I think I have (fairly new) a pair spare – I’ll have rounded the bolts though.

Iain

As a member of “the Friends of Dalby Forest” (you become a member when you get a season pass for Dalby) I am begining to get a little annoyed by the tone of their news letter. They’re currently campaigning on their website for more walking trails but ignoring the mountain bikers who I suspect (I don’t know) make up a large part of their membership – which I can live with. I was less happy with the article in the newsletter suggesting that they’ve unleased a monster (I think those were the words) by allowing mountain bike trails at Dalby, bemoaning the number of bike racks in the car park and indicating that now there were trails the least we could do is stick to the waymarked trails and off everything else (presumably including the fire road and tarmac road).

Now being the apathetic soul that I am I haven’t done anything but assuming there are a number of other season pass holders out there does anyone fancy turning up at their AGM and getting ourselves voted on to get our say.

I’m not against walkers – I have several pairs of red socks myself and some very nice Scarpa boots – but I think some balance is needed.

Thoughts?

Iain

uplink – Member
That 16 miles of it on the M1 is tedious
50 gets to feel very slow indeed

You need a plan. Switch GPS on, bring speed up to limit, engage cruse control, nod off for a bit.

XT for me – but only because all my bikes are Shimano and I like interchangable parts (between bikes that is)

I’m going to get flamed for suggesting you can use the small block 8, amn’t I.

Slicks shed mud pretty well – only for expert riders though, so if you’re no good get some with spikey open tread.

I always go for a grippier tyre at the front than at the back in mud as I don’t mind the back sliding too much but I hate loosing the front end.

Strangely I find my skiny small block 8 is actually quite good on the back -it slides, but it’s predictable and it clears quickly. Wouldn’t use it on the front though – it’d kill me.

Odd that both Cameron and Brown have both lost children. The chances of both the PM and the opposition leader both being in that situation must be very low.

Strange and very very sad.

oh, I’ve just remembered it may have to be diamond fibre…

[pedant mode] Diamonds were carbon last time I checked [/pedant mode]

Best part of twenty year’s since I’ve been in Blackfriars.

Just reading for nostalgia really – left Glasgow for Yorkshire in 1992.

Any room for an unfit foreigner? Depending on the date I’m up for it. (iain dot miller at ce-electricuk dot com)

Choosing your fork based on the decals!

Welcome to Singletrack World

Excellent. My little one is campaigning for a bike with pedals at the moment – but I think we’ll keep him on the Rothan for another 6 months.

By the way – Has she got an opinion on whether Pikes or Floats are better. That’s how you spot a real Singletracker (opinion doesn’t count if she’s actually riden either of them)

Same person on a different day? :P

mrmo – what’s it on? Been looking at one to replace an old Swinger 3 way (actually that sounds rude in retrospect)

Still got my wife’s 1995 Diamondback Ascent – seriously good deal from JE James in Rotherham.

Guy who works for me does – nice car, drives well, drinks petrol like George Best did booze

Bike friendly? – guess so, but I don’t know

about 1995 – still can’t do it properly though

yes and yes

but I also believe* that this year’s kit is better than last year’s

(*possibly)

(but more seriously the acupuncture did work for me – had that kind of feeling you get after a good game of rugby; slightly bruised but ready to take on the world)

RSI – riding ‘ssociated injury

Not officially released yet, but I’m probably going to be looking for a couple (perhaps 3) electrical design engineers – some good guys who work for me have got other job offers (all internal). Power or utilities experience is good. Various possible locations in Yorkshire and the North East that I’d negotiate over, but probably Castleford, Durham(ish)area or maybe Newcastle.

Dales, Moors and Peaks all in shouting distance – Calerdale if you have to.

I’ll post something when it’s offical but give me a shout anyway if you’re up for it.

Iain

Hugo – In a word, yes. But given the bike (Five 2005) was designed for 130 to 150mm travel (and who knows what axel to crown) not in a bad way. Doesn’t seem tpo affect the climbs noticable but just feels a lot more stable – ‘course that could be because the forks aren’t flexing as much (which they aren’t trust me) but that doesn’t explain why the Floats feel good on the 456.

RJ – Agreed spot on but at 16st guess which is more noticeable, flex or weight?

I guess like I said on another thread on this topic (it is a perennial isn’t it?) this is choice that depends on riding style, size, bike etc. There is no “right” choice only the choice that’s right for you. Do what I did and borrow a set off someone to test- there are enough around.

Now Hugo, what you have to ask yourself is are you feeling big and heavy?

Iain

haorse = horse (obviously)

missed the edit window

Hugo – roughly what I did. I liked the result.

Iain

Half term so noone’s at work to play in t’interweb.

Got both (well float R and Pike non-uturn air). Depends on use. At 16st Floats are too weedy in their QR guise for a full sus, but nice on the 456. The Pikes are nice on the full sus.

If you’re lighter (and most are) the answer might be different. Or on a different bike.

That might not have been that helpful reading it back.

I like the image of haorse riding round the halls of a nuclear plant though.

Very Springfield

How long? B*gg*red if I know. That said I’ve been with the same lass since I was 22 and I’m 37 now (15 year on Paddy’s night you know) so I’m probably one of the lucky ones.

I’ve seen people in a duff relationship for ages, walk out of it and find someone spot on for them ten minutes later and I’ve seen people falter and stagnate.

I personally I never forget anyone – they’re part of what makes me who I am today (and on that basis they’ve proably got a price on their head, but not by me). I’m just glad to be where I am.

Life is a journey, and like all journeys its about where you’ve been, where you’re going and who you’re traveling with.

Gus – I liked you third post. Though the second I’d take issue with on principle.

CG – people evolve but you can evolve together.

(pissed hippy bit noew over back to middle class idiot pontification – you hadn’t noticed the difference?)

Iain

OK Tails, HOw about any of these. September races in the Pyrennes – that should be popular – take the wedding guests too.

Sorry Mr Nutt

La Panoramique

September 6th 2009
Aptly named 18.4km road race starting in Luchon and climbing 1,170m all the way to finish at the ski station of Superbagneres. Entry fee is €8.

La Transpyrenees Comminges

September 6th 2009
Cross-country mountain bike race departing Encausse les Thermes. Further details of courses and entry fees to be announced.

La Lapebie

September 6th 2009
2008 marks the 20th running of this popular cyclosportive. Departing from Luchon, there are three courses available: 156km with 3,400m of climbing, including the hors category Port de Bales; 107km with 2,185m of climbing and 59km with 870m of climbing. All three routes cross the border to Spain at Fos and return to France over the Col du Portillon. Visit the race web site. for further details.
View La Lapebie race web site.

Trail Des Etoiles Mountain Trail Run

September 2009 – Exact date to be confirmed
Depart Bagneres de Bigorre as 45km (2,100m climb) or 28km (1,300m climb) over technical terrain.

Trophée du Lac d’Oô

September 13th 2009
16.5km cross-country mountain bike race departing St Aventin, near ski town of Luchon to finish on a big climb at the high altitude Lake of Lac d’Oô. There is 750m of climbing and the course record, set by current world champion Julien Abdalson is 58 minutes, 36 seconds. Entry costs to be announced.

Foulee du Plateau Lannemezan

September 20th 2009
15km trail race with a good mix of single track, wooded trails and forest tracks. Great panoramic views of the Pyrenees mountain chain.

La Tarbaise

September 27th 2009
Starting in Tarbes, there are two courses on offer: grand circuit 120km (1,237m of climbing) or the petit circuit 75km (592m of climbing). Entry fee is around €14, excluding food.

South of France? New wine just coming (old wine being sold off in supermarkets dirt cheap)?

We bought an MX5, got the Plymouth Santander ferry drove down through Spain as far south as Cartegena, back up through the Pyrennes and back across the channel at Cherbourg taking just under 3 week over it. Lovely trip. St Emillion stands out as a brilliant place to stay in mid to late September.

Depends what you like though.

Crow Road – Ian Banks

Or

On the Road – Jack Kerouac

Float 130Rs didn’t do it on my Five but are great on the 456. Pikes on the Five work well.

I’m 16st.

Depends on the bike, depends on the rider.

Pike, pike, pike, pike

Though to be fair the only other fork I’ve riden it with was a Float 130R – bit short and a bit flexi

140

Just tried Theakston’s Grouse Beater this week – a return to form I think

Other than that Deuchars IPA or Fraoch Heather Ale

I looked at a couple of them but the minimum sponsorship they were demanding was more than I was willing to tap my colleagues and mates for.

Think British Heart Foundation had a decent looking one in the peaks though (assuming that doesn’t count as the south)

How did the romans know 1600 years ago what direction the wind would be coming from today? I mean OK, clearly they did, but HOW?

Got mine from Moosecycles if I recall – it was some time ago ‘cos they just don’t seem to wear like aluminium – strange that. Shifting not as good as Shimano out of the box, but a sight better than Shimano Ali rings after 6 months.

Iain

Thirded – good bit of kit – make sure you have the Euro connector in the car electrics though ‘cos while the rack comes with an adaptor it doesn’t give you fogs or reversing lights. Fogs I could live without but reversing on the car lights in the dark just lights the bikes up and not where you’re going.

And thirded on roofbox – they had to get mine in from Germany as they were out of stock but were really good about keeping me up to date with where it was – think they satellite tracked it across europe.

Edit – 30 second too slow

I paid £70 for a used once 180/160 set – Pads and discs hadn’t even bedded in / scored each other.

About the same speed on my Five or my 456. Less tired by the end on the Five, but probably bigger grins on the 456.

They’ll enjoy that 6 inches of travel on the Adder’s Back climb.