2 morons and a work of art is destroyed. Fantastic.

Morons yes, work of art destroyed… not so much.

Street art/graffiti whatever you like to call it, by it’s nature is only ever going to have a short lifespan until it’s either painted over by the authorities or covered by a rival writer/artist.

That was until until Banksy’s work started to sell for stupid money and people began cutting up bits of wall and flogging it…

Out of interest why did you hate the Fiat? I’ve never driven a standard fwd car so quite interested to hear your thoughts.

I can imagine coming off the back of a the handling of the Elise and v8 of the TVR it’d be a bit of a let down!

Twunts of the highest order, spending hundred of thousands of pounds of donations pursuing purely political agendas.

Bought a Fiat 500 with my old man when I was about 9 for a few hundred quid and learned to drive in it. Later we fully restored it when I was about 19, full nut and bolt job but moved house so unfortunately had to sell it… we’ve since bought another one with a mint shell and currently collecting all the go faster bits ready for the rebuild. Photo is of the 2nd car we bought thats currently awaiting resto to begin…

At 17 bought a Pug 106 to pass my test as a cheap way of getting some no claims and being able to insure a proper car. Less said the better!

As soon as insurance was affordable I bought an Alfa 145, great little van of a car. Bikes in the back, sorted the suspension out plus a few other bits it was like a little go cart! Loved that little ugly thing.

Next was a bit of an on going project thats still with me today. Currently the only 4×4 converted Fiat Coupe on the road in the UK I think, running engine and drive train from a Lancia Integale instead of the usual fwd setup.

Then had a VW Caddy for a while to keep me on the road whist working on the Fiat. This was hilarious, most attention I’ve ever had in a car – not sure if thats a good or bad thing! Stupidly low but fun.

Then that grew into a Ford Ranger, mega workhorse, only car I’ve ever made money on and bizarrely had the best service history of any car I’ve owned.

Next I went back to Alfa and bought a 156 2.4 wagon which was a great car. Got through tyres at an alarming rate and ate front suspension for fun. Got put through a flood, dried out and lived on for another 2 years.

When that died I did the standard thing and bought a Skoda Octavia petrol VRS, goes well enough though bit dull but super practical for the bikes/dogs etc.

Also currently have this pulling horses around and general utility stuff, surprisingly useless for bikes though!

I’d be very interested to hear how you get on superfli, though I’d like to have made decision and booked it by then!

I’m a big fan of coaching. I’ve been a full time guide in the Alps for the last 7 seasons and would still bite the hand off anyone offering me some decent coaching.

Completely agree.

I’d like to think I’m fairly handy on a bike, race results are getting better but know there is huge room for improvement both in terms of technique and fitness.

Far better value IMO to throw money at coaching than at the bike!

Still not booked this…

Has anyone had 1 to 1 tuition with Donny?

http://www.neildonoghuecoaching.co.uk

Good to see the results.

Chuffed with 4th overall, I guess all the fast lads must have had the weekend off :wink:

26in wheels can’t be that bad!

All about the 650b! This was mid demo weekend at CC and BPW. It’s really very, very good.

Is the 650b still a bodge of a 29er and 26 with a spacer under the front end? Think I’d rather wait for a slightly more refined final version if I was splashing that amount on a new bike.

I’d imagine you’d be ok on either size frame, I was in a similar position and plumped for a medium Enduro as it was available at the time (26 though). I’ve since bought a larger hardtail and realised I should really have waited for a large though it doesn’t really cause me any problems.

Purely aesthetically if I had the choice on the 29er I’d go large, looking at the 2 sizes at the weekend the medium looks quite awkward in comparison – the larger frame deffo helps with the proportions of the circus wheels.

Great chilled out race weekend.

Stage 1 was a cracker, so much fun in practice and early race runs but a bit of a shame the middle section had to be simplified after day 1 – it was getting very cut up though. Stage 5 was another highlight, from the fire road to the bottom was a great bit of track, would have been even better if it was a bit longer! Stage 3 was the low point for me with only 3 corners and a lot of pedalling, guess you’ve got to have a range of stages though and I like a good moan ;)

Outside of the racing the hot showers in the camping field were a great surprise and the pasta night at the Drovers went down really well.

According to their Facebook page results will be up there later today and will also be sent out via email, photos to follow on Wednseday.

Yeah, it’s loads of fun if you can get past the colour!

Bought direct from commencal site with 30% off, took less than a week to get here.

Welcome to have a go if you’re ever Malvern/FoD way.

Yes, love mine.

Few thoughts and a photo here: http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/slack-am-650b-hardtail-frame-suggestions

Same as above really, I gave up on mine due to the pads disintegrating.

Since then I crashed badly in my replacement lid cracking it. Pads were pinched from the cracked lid and bodged back into the 661 with a few bits of extra sticky backed velcro.

Not perfect but works well enough, now has a light permanently attached to it for night rides to save switching mounts around.

Used to spend a lot of time in Barga, took the downhill bikes out a few years ago and did some shuttling around the area but know there must be so much more we didn’t find.

Would be great to get out there with a guide and minibus!

Malverns are always pretty good up top regardless of the weather. In fact the worse the weather the friendlier everyone seems to be – less tourons about.

If you don’t know where you’re going you’ll likely just potter from one end to the other along the tops missing most of the good stuff but usually a few locals around that’ll happily point you in the right direction.

Yeah, this does look good, also looks better for a sweep up.

Hate is a bit strong but I never got on with my Santacruz V10 (mk1 made from scaffolding and RSJs)

My first fling with vpp or anything other than single pivot in fact and never really liked it – though we did have an understanding – point it at stuff and hold on, felt as capable as a monster truck but had zero finesse.

But then a post work pub ride is unlikely to take you down enduro-style routes. If I’m out doing that sort of riding, it’s at race pace- I’ll stop more often, mid-stage frinstance but when I’m moving it’s the same. Or faster, because I’ve had a rest!

Fair point, maybe ‘very different’ is an overstatement but I’d still say I ride slightly differently when racing, whether thats taking greater risks/committing more or getting on the pedals harder and brakes later. Knowing you’re on a closed trail with marshals and medics on hand can make a (subconscious?) difference too.

I’m not saying I don’t ride flat out when not racing, just more often than not it’s backed off just a touch.

I haven’t really weighed in on FF debate so far… whilst I haven’t felt the need to wear one so far I can understand the argument. Rules are rules, everyone will be in the same boat.

Race pace is very different to a post work pub ride with your mates pace.

I’ll enjoy the descents and ride them quick enough but it’s definitely not the 110% you give in a race – for one thing it just isn’t worth the risks you’d take against the clock.

**Sorry just re-read your budget requirements… it is nice though…

More up to date but slightly less practical version of the GT – Brera?

2.4 jtd so bags of torque and sufficient if not fantastic mpg.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alfa-romeo/brera/alfa-romeo-brera-2-4jtdm-sv-2006/2864230

Alfa GT is a good shout, arguably one of the best looking cars for the money (especially the Blackline spec) and even has proper, usable by humans back seats!

Might feel a bit dated as it’s based on the 147 platform which I believe is a development over the years of the what started off life as the Fiat Tipo years ago… saying that, if you’ve been driving a Berlingo it’ll feel like a supercar! Also being derived from the 147 they’re cheap enough to run and parts are fairly plentiful. Lots of good Alfa specialists around these days too.

It’s a shame you want/need 40mpg as I think you can get the last of the proper Alfa V6s, the 3.2 with a Q2 dif would be a cracking car!

That’s a bit of a shame.

Saying that, if rather ride 4 shithot stages multiple times than 7 pedaly suffer fests… Fingers crossed.

Just read the rider briefing email again.

Am I right in thinking there are in fact only 4 unique stages?

Stages 1&2 on Sat, then on Subday a rerun of 1&2 then 3, 4 and 5 being stage 1 again?

Or is the email misleading/missing stages?

Sounds daft but I’ve had success with an overnight soak in Coke (full fat, no diet/zero muck!) then refit and try to get some heat into them.

Not sure I’d drink the stuff though…

Just got the rider briefing email through for this one – unfortunately no ‘view in browser’ option so can’t share a link.

Stages are described as follows:

Stage 1 – Neil’s old DH. Singletrack through trees, two steep drop offs over a fire road, into steep single track, opens out into finish. Improved and lengthened version of stage 4 round 1.

Fire road climb to the top of stage 2

Stage 2 – Black Trail – single track through trees, drop onto fire road, very short uphill section, ancient track, switch back, deep rut section, over bridge to finish

Fire road climb top of stage 3

Stage 3 – Red Trail – if really windy we may swap to the blue trail.

Single track and fire road climb to top of stage 4

Stage 4 – Old track DH. One of the nicest trails in the area. What MTB guys loved it.

Fire road, some single track to the top of stage 5

Stage 5 – Re-run of stage 1 – depends on weather and how the track holds up. May use another trail.

There’s an (imho, of course) even better video of Steve riding a hardtail… probably an Orange as its years old. Dammit, going to have to find it now! May have been on an old DVD.

Was it this by any chance?

Earthed 3 – hardtails rule section starting out at Delamere forest with Steve Peat and Nigel Page? Pretty much wore out this dvd when it came out…

In all honesty I don’t really find it any better or worse in terms of climbing, GPS says it’s quicker… but I tend to slog to the top, not a natural climber!

I’m about 6ft tall, the 456c was an 18, the Meta large comes out at about a 19 – for me its more comfortable than the 456c for longer rides. Lower bb means the saddle doesn’t feel as stupidly high in comparison to where the bars are I guess…

Andy, yes I did go for the Commencal in the end, so far I’ve been seriously impressed with it especial considering the price of thing!

I built it up using some leftovers from my old hardtail (LEV, 1×10, Burgtec bars etc), a bargain set of Revs and splashed out on some LB carbon AM/Pro 2 evos wheels – all in it sits at 27lbs

The frame is stupidly bright in the fluro matte yellow so tied to go for all black kit. Cable routing is really tidy for external with it all tucked nicely away in the concave section under the top tube.

Ride-wise it’s great, probably the most capable, confidence inspiring hardtail I’ve ridden. You do have to muscle it around a bit to get the most out of it but it’s quick.

Low bb, long front end and a slack HA the thing hauls on the downs and the light wheels help on the ups though it’s never going to be an xc race machine. Running 2.35 Hans Dampfs it grips like the proverbial to a blanket and is super predicable with it (strangely I’ve never been impressed by HDs on my Enduro) I’ll probably swap them out for something smaller and faster rolling after the winter.

As inaccurate as Strava can be, it says the Meta is quicker (up and down) than my old 456c and surprisingly quicker than my Enduro on some downs too.

Overall, yes – I’d thoroughly recommend one if you can live with the colour, if you’re ever over towards Malvern/Forest of Dean you’re welcome to throw let over it.

Always happy to help :)

Good luck with the project – get some photos up when it’s done!

Sure thing, just emailed you.

Thanks for that Rob, straight away looks far better than any I’ve found so far.

Quality of course is definitely more important than location so happy to travel.

As much as I want it to be real it’s just too good not to be a troll…

Photo of you, in your Recaro seated Corsa with a loaf of bread on your head please.

Wilburt certain mods raised it while enhanced safety mods lowered it but by taking the mods that raised it away my insurance quote reduced significantly

Bollocks.

Bucket seats and harnesses will not reduce your premium.

They might be safer on track combined with other safety devices but in a road car I’d say they might even increase risk of injury in a lower speed collision.

Never mind the fact the insurance company don’t know who fitted them and if they had any idea what they were doing (I’m not saying they have been badly fitted, just could have been.). Just as an example, the angle at which the shoulder straps are mounted in particular is very important in terms of safety.

Anyone looking for a really strong spot light I can recommend this for the price:

http://www.mtbrevolution.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=20&product_id=82

Wanted something with a bit of punch to compliment a D-star set up as more of a flood on the bars. Looked at loads of photos of beam tests and went for the S12 as (at the time) it had the longest throw for the money.

Impressive bit of kit for the price, helmet mount is a bit clunky and sticks up a bit if I’m being picky but have been using it regularly for a couple of years now and have without problems or drop in light/battery levels.

Now I quite often leave the D-star and just take the cheap spot light, not as good spread of light but is quite good for forcing you to keep your head up and looking where you’re going!

Be careful with the mags if you’re in the habit of catching your pedals.

I ended up with a set and used to take chunks of metal and pins out of them regularly, added weigh saving I guess but not what I’d look for in a pedal.

…ragging it around beating people off the lights

Did you miss the bit about it being a 1.2 Corsa? ;)

Or where they drive it… race/track cars also need to be insured ;)

A cage in a road car would probably result in severe head injuries if involved in any sort of crash due to lack of crash helmets.

… because I have recaro race seats with chest harnesses and I also have a lot of safety features installed so this lowers the insurance because it’s safer than most normal cars

Yeah… that’s not how it works unfortunately.

Regardless if the seats/harnesses etc are actually safer or not an insurance company will see them as aftermarket modifications and increase your premium accordingly. You want to see your insurance triple? Try fitting a roll cage!

I see the fun in competing against others, wouldn’t race if I didn’t – it was more the “up” bit I was struggling with.

People really use Strava to compete on climbs?!

Where is the fun in that?

Fair point about not wanting to ride a trail blindly behind someone.

What about riding a trail you already know well with a faster rider, if possible get them to ride it slightly off their usual pace or even walk it with you 1st an point out what they’re doing, line choice etc ride it together gradually winding up the speed.

If you can ride the same track or even section of track for an afternoon you’ll quickly learn where time can be gained.