excited, but got set2rise first, and very excited about that too.

The next 5 weeks are going to be ACE.

So, just got home from the southern XC at pippingford. That was a totally different level of riding to what I'm used to. Decided I may as well go for broke, got to the front at the start, sprinted off the line and found myself at the front going into the singltrack – not what I was expecting.

Of course people started to pass, but on the advice of a seasoned mate, I turned myself inside out for 20 minutes, and then settled into a rythmn.

Ended up in 18th, not amazing, but I'm happy with it -took me to a new level of discomfort on a bike, and now I know I can take it – looking to sign up for the one on the 13th, just need to check with the boss!!!

Good work southern XC – excellent course, well organised, and a tip top day.

Lessons learnt are mainly to bring twice as much water as you think you want/need, and then take some more. I was sturggling at the end!

Thanks for the advice above chaps – much appreciated!

No riding today. Resting before Southern XC event at Pippingford.

today will centre around bike fettling and eating various cheese at brighton food festival. 🙂

Using it more and more now. Esp out of saddle climbs I like having something solid to push against…..

Sb8 in the back conty mountin king upfront.

hmm. I rarely stop for a beer after a ride (usual night ride is on the way home and a good 40 mile drive).

fuel is factored into commute (plus about 200 yards), so negligible as I was going there anyway.

so for me, effectively free, apart from serial shopping.

whe I ride from home, I ride out my door, and am on trails within 10 minutes and don't need to spend a penny except for when stuff breaks.

Bike bought via cycle to work (which it also is used for at least part of my commute on a regular basis) cost me £500.

Biking is, for me at least effectively free. I tend to spend most on biking clothing and components as they break.

But i'm quite lucky like that.

it happens from time to time. as long as it's not a regular thing I wouldn't worry*

*completely unqualified MTB internet forum advice.

Fleshy bits = 2 months. I've had 2 ops on mine after breaking 2.5 years ago.

aches in the cold, and when I'm pushing myself hard (to the point where I only know I'm trying hard enough if my dodgy shoulder is hurting)

your break is similar to mine, but I'd take it easy for a couple of months if I were you. I didn't and spent a year in quite a lot of pain.

Mine for comparison (and bragging rights)

small block 8? (they are double awesome)

Chris King Headset

I'd make sure you're very sure of your next career move. 6 months isn't a problem CV wise. however, a string of jobs where you last 6 months will start to look rubbish.

So whatever you do, make sure you'll be happy doing it for a few years.

And good luck!

p.s. WRT resigning, just do it. Don't mean to piss on your chips, but I've yet to see a manager cry themselves to sleep because a guy who's been there six months is resigning. He'll understand, and if he doesn't, well it doesn't matter, cos you're off anyway!

I'm hoping that many crew will ignore that strike and turn up for work.

bored now

agreed. had one of those 'quick spin after work then a pint oh look it's nearly midnight where did the evening go' type rides last friday.

God is probably saving up the rain for 19th June, probably in the Malverns.

buggers. Hope it turns up mate. Insured? (I'm not being sanctimonious, none of my bike are, though I'm considering getting it done…

Nicknoxx – Member
This question was asked, and answered a couple of days ago. Three's a search button up there.

sorry if I ruined your night. *sighs at weirdo intolerance of STWers*

*runs off to buy a bottle cage before sunday*

mastiles_fanylion – Member
Can't say I'd find any of the above stag do's particularly appealing, sorry guys.

Maybe not, but they are better stories than walking up a mountain and sitting in a car

As the song goes…

"I'm definately going to hell, but I'll have all the best stories to tell"

good on you boys!

scottidog – Member
I am going to get one of these on payday.

I heard a few reports that water can easilly get in and kill the battery so you might want to waterproof the battery pack somehow. I was planning on a healthy dose of gaffer tape although I am a bit worried that it might overheat when charging with all that extra insultation….

Old section of inner tube. seal up the ends.easily best waterproofing for battery, and also provides non slippage against the frame.

simples.

cynic-al – Member
you will have a wheel better than anything a shop/machine (with the exception of WheelPro Hoops) can produce
Any first time wheel builder can do a better job than a shop mechganic?

I built my own set of wheels without a problem first time. I don't think I did as good a job as a pro would, but I learnt something, and it cost me about the same as it would if I bought them from elsewhere. I suppose it boils down to if you enjoy making stuff and fettling (like me) or you simply like riding your bike.

Purely at the companies discretion – may will choose not to pass on the VAT saving as a way of justifying the cost of administering the scheme and limiting the exposure they have – worst case scenario is that they would have to find £5m!

Generally it's done in order to get the scheme to actually happen, so I'd just make the best of it.

sorry I can't be the bearer of happier news, but at least they are offering it to employees….

Ace – looking forward to it now, longish ride tomorrow and and then taking it easy for the rest of the week….

Does anyone know what time you need to turn up at these things? now much info on the pedalon website…..

OK, entered into Open men for next week.

Next Question:Give me your top racing tips please!

did it just over a month ago at Muc off 8 (practice day)

Can just about lie on that side now, though it's got good and bad days. to be fair, it didn't stop me riding, though it was uncomfortable, and I had to be careful.

If it's not too serious you'll be back on your bike in time for BF, the danger is that if you land on it again before it's mended, it's going to REALLY hurt (I speak from experience).

I still have a lumpy shoulder (though it is rather upstaged by the mega scar on the other side from multiple collar bone ops), and apparently it's going to stay like that.

XC Stu – I doubt it really matters to be honest – none of it is particularly technical – you'll be fine on a HT. I did it on a stumpjumper FSR last year – this year I'll be on my whyte HT.

if you've got both, bring both and see what you think.

Really excited about this event. got a good team of old mates so going to be a good laugh.

what Rockhopper said. Sorry, if you want a new bike, buy a new bike. wear like that can happen after one muddy ride.

no windows in mine, but I make sure there are never bikes in it just in case.

took me 2 years to get back to where I was confidence wise after breaking collar bone (though I was out of action for the best part of a year)….

I'm a firm believer in the fact its your body telling you you're pushing what you're capable of at that time. Just do what you want, you'll feel the urge to do stuff when you're ready.

Happily I'm now enjoying my riding more than ever, though I won't take any way near as many risks as I used to. But I might just be getting older 🙁

Trance X4 seems to tbe the darling of the tests, much nicer looking frame than the boardman, and a fantastic platform to upgrade from.

been using sintered pads for a year now – they are simply excellent, easily the best ones I have used, and by far the best value.

Not used any other SSC stuff, but a mate has some of the superleggera wheels, and seems to like them…..

sellers can't leave neg feedback anyway, but you would be being an arse if you did him over.

I would pull out and offer to reimburse the cost of re-listing (a couple of quid?).

That's the good(and right) thing to do. Give yourself a karma boost.

hmm. if they charged you for it – send it back and demand the postage costs. if they didn't, then I wouldn't bleat about it on a public forum unless you're planning on returning it!

I use MyTracks – excellent integration with google maps and nice stats to play with. I use it to train with.

usuing mytracks/googlemaps you can overlay all your rides onto one map, showing stats of each one.

excellent, and free!

Bit backward to yearn for a bike that is worse than the ones available today.

Trance X4? Fuel EX5? FSR XC?

granted they are in the minority, but you pays yer money and all that. To be fair they seem to have risen in line with inflation.

the bits you get to ride the most are the best – you get to know them so well, every root, rock, tree, drop off.

For me, EP (AKA larrys long one) going down through Wild Park in Brighton, yoghurt pots at holmbury, and barry knows best on holmbury.

All have the vital ingredients of being reasonably lengthy, pedaly, and fast and flowy.

phew! got it off with a cocktail of the above! that was a mission!

Thanks all for your help!

Jim

If I can get a pass, I'm in.

OK, will try a bit more…grrrr.

thanks chaps – no joy with those methods though I'm afraid. annoying!

all quite depressing stuff really. The guy who spat didn't do himself any favours, and BNP guy betrayed himself for exactly what the BNP are.

Sadly all this clip achieves is reinforcing hatred.

That was a massive arse at the end though.

good luck for your race. remember, when the kite is up, SPEED IS YOUR FRIEND!!

Whats Dubai like for wind? I had the feeling it's pretty light most of the time? (I ask because we considered going out there for a while – watersports manager job came up, but the thought of listless windless days put me off a bit)