Between 7am and 9am on weekends. If I get out on a weekday there's not so much rush as the trails are quieter.

Me too. 3 hours in Wharncliffe and surrounding areas, no more than about 20 minutes of which was spent on fire roads.

Dusty, flowing singletrack all the way. Absolutely beautiful.

Might have a bimble round Wharncliffe – strictly post-op physiotherapy so nothing daft.

The definition of 'competency' probably depends on job applied for.
I've been using PS for 12 years and for some jobs I'm more than competent, but for others I doubt I'd even be close.

If it's not a main requirement of the job then have a poke around, try a few tutorials and I'm sure you'll be able to blag it. If the job requires proper photoshop work, a lack of experience might catch you out.

+2

The connection between mountain biking and hip hop has always baffled me.

I think there's an emu for sale in germany or somewhere. Slightly damaged. Smells of donkey.

Blimey, that's a bit nice!

The LBS boys keeps telling me to put mine level but I go nose down otherwise I get numbing of the plumbing.

House that backed onto ours – the frosted bathroom window was never capable of masking the owner's frequent and vigorous solo sessions in the shower. Same chap never seemed to realise that at night, his open Velux window was usually at the right angle to highlight similar activities when in bed.

Wasn't really a case of walking in on it – rather opening the back door to be greeted by it on too frequent an occasion.

The arcade cabinet of that game was the first living room purchase my dad made as a divorcee.

Thread title inspired by Leslie Chow?

Nice riding and bike though. They're bloody lovely things. Hardtail lines, very pretty.

Since they invented trail centres?

What happened to that magura effort that had the telescopic rubber sheath? There was a video of it on here ages ago, it looked great.

That newsweek site wont get past the bloody advert.

Interesting footage. Wouldn't have thought that was war porn. It was closer to those Police Camera Action or Real Life Rescues programmes on the telly.

Watching helmetcam footage of Somali pirates being chased around a ship holds much the same entertainment value as watching dashboard cam footage of tracksuited Astra TWOCers being chased around a council estate. Although it could be argued that the Somalis are much more justified in their actions.

At work I have been shown a couple of vids I would class as 'war porn'. They helped me conclude that as much as mini guns make for an entertaining addition to 80s action films, when contemplated in reality they leave me feeling empty and rather scared.

I actually guffawed at that.

I think the attitude towards the Five is a great example that for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. The more people harp on about the joys of something, the more vocal the opposition becomes.

For every Five owner that indulges in frequent and public fantasies about being bummed in the wide-open gob by their great value, well sorted, sweet-handling ultimate do-everything trail bike, there will always be someone who can't stand the merest aesthetically repugnant sight or deafeningly thunderous sound of a bit of expensive, recycled filing cabinet brake jacking its rider into a low orbit.

It's funny.

iDave – those horrible things are in vogue at the moment. I see all the fashionable lot wearing them down my gym. It's a amazing what rubbish can be passed off as fashion amongst idiots.

There is no such thing as the ultimate do it all bike. All bikes have compromises, and only you can decide which ones you are willing to make.

Try stuff out, see what feels best, or just buy the one you just want the most. Makes no real difference, they're all as fast as each other and whichever one you buy will cope with far more than 99% of the riding population would likely throw at it.

I don't actually think there are any terrible bikes out there these days, they're all pretty damn good bits of kit.

Arses, is there a match on today? That's the parking at our end buggered up.

well Ive cut the window at the 90deg bend and thats done the job..First bodge job on this bike so far.

Sorry, just settle my confused mind, what did you cut?

Nice ride.

Bling kit: Check
Coordinated forks: Check
Correct size for rider: Check
Propped up against what looks like a dirty great fire engine: Check

What's not to like?

Wire contis have been the tightest, most irritating thumb and lever destroying nightmares I've ever had the displeasure of fitting. Never, ever ever again.

That really is very fugly, though fitting a frame around a three-mile long shock is always going to be a bit tricky.

I get the impression Ferrari are – like all true members of the petrolhead breed – very well aware and fearful of their own impending doom. Soon the handful of proper Ferrari customers will have been lost to recession, guilt or legislation, and no more will that core business be financially viable. So they’re left with no choice but to frantically and shamelessly pimp out their brand to all and sundry, spreading it wide and thin in the hope that once the cars have gone the scarves, socks and aftershaves, the boxer shorts, chocolate bars and USB dongles will keep them in business. Fashion and lifestyle in carbon weave and rosso corsa.

http://sprungseven.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/horriferraric/

If you're going to be leaving it at the station all day then buy something you won't mind losing.

District might be a bit too nice to be stolen!

Rob Warner Pedals – ace!

Richard Herring has been my comedy hero since I was about 11 and is currently on top of his game – it really is great to see.

I have to admit though, it's been a long time since I laughed as much as I did when at the Crucible last year listening to Daniel Kitson talk about his reaction whenever he hears the word 'latte'.

Used correctly and legally, a horn can be a valuable feature I wouldn't like to be without.

I'm out. Surgery beckons.
Look forward to seeing pictures :o)

A Hi-Lift jack (and someone sensible with experience of using them) will come in handy.

Thanks guys – sounds like my decision is made.

With the three speed, how big are the jumps between the gears?

I love the idea of a direct drive, with an under and overdrive either side – that's pretty much perfect for my uses, but it depends on the ratios. If it's only the equivalent of a couple of cassette-sprockets difference either way then it might not be worth it.

I'd like a middle SS gear, a spinny gear for long/steep climbs, and a big gear for fast flat and downhills (I know, moon on stick alert).

Any ideas?

its not a Messiah

+1

shatton moor, yesterday.

There's a great DH trail that runs from the top down to Bradwell – that livens Shatton Moor up a bit.

Although I agree with Jedi – if it's bikes it's just fun. Commuting, railway trails, DH, BMX, epic XC, whatever and wherever, it's all fun.

Trail centre rides always feel a slight bit tame and futile, but I'm out on the bike with other bikers so it's all still good.

That's pretty much how I imagine Chipps' house to be, but with blinged spanners and guitars instead of guns.

I can't place the trail you mean either!

Red sky at night, Turkish Delight
Red sky in the morning, shepherd's pie.

Picking up the canal from Marple to Manchester centre sounds like a good call. With a sunrise start from home it'll be late-morning (on a weekday) by the time I get that far, I would have thought.

I'm really only doing it for the journey. Just an itch I need to scratch, not looking for anything adventurous. I quite like industrial stuff, just spent the morning on my bike exploring the rivers, canals and general industrial dereliction of Sheffield.

Thanks for the info chaps, much appreciated.

pretty bleak and very boring.

By bleak do you mean 'rough'? I'm just thinking of different but not dangerous rides to do in the daytime while I'm unemployed, so boring isn't really that bad. Traffic free but not extreme. Towpaths, railway trails and the like are about perfect for gentle solo riding. I love the Peak proper but I'm not doing solo rides midweek out there.

We're doing Manchester to Sheffield on road, Sheffield to Manchester off road again only coming back via Cutgate in a few weeks if you fancy joining in?

There and back might be a bit much for me at the moment. I was thinking of riding one way and catching the train back.

I'm on the waiting list for ankle surgery – if I'm not on crutches by the time you do it, I could possibly join you for your return leg and catch the train back. Thanks for the offer, keep me informed, I might be up for it :o)

I've just had a letter through about possible surgery, so might be on crutches by the 27th. So if I'm not there don't think me a wimp.