If only we lived in a more rational world, then perhaps Dawkins wouldn’t need to be such a zealot.

I thought the Blind Watchmaker was very good. It might be a little over his head at 12 but I don’t think that’s such a bad thing if he’s interested enough to give it a read.

I love living in Brighton. It’s pretty hard to beat the mix of city, sea and the downs. The riding here is actually pretty sweet (not many rocks though!) Wherever you live, you won’t be more than about 20 mins ride away from the downs. If I could get a job in Colorado, I’d consider a move. Otherwise, I’m staying put!

Also Surrey Hills and Swinley are only an hour or so away and make a nice day out. Afan is about 4 hours drive for a weekend. We also get a bit more sunshine than most of the country down here (though obviously not lately).

I have 29er crests. Really rate them. They’re amazingly strong considering how much they weigh. I’m not sure I get your question though – People buy Crests because they’re light….if you want lightweight, get the Crests. If you’re not so bothered about weight and want a stiff wheel, get an Arch EX or something. It’s only going to be stiffer and stronger.

Yes, Crests can be a PITA with tyres as they are slightly larger than “standard”. However, as mentioned above, there is a bit of knack to it and it does get easier when you get used to them.

Asssavers / Staffan: I got one of the “FU” savers. (perfectly fine manufacture but with printing bodged) I commend you for stickering them up as “F*** ups” and not throwing the lot into landfill. Wish more companies would think like this.

You can get them in the UK from XC Racer (Great Shop!)

£7.49 incl postage.

http://www.xcracer.com/shop/viewproduct.php?productid=242

What about BOR? I don’t know much about them but don’t they make light rims very similar to Stans?

Njee: Thanks, that’s a very helpful summation.

I pulled a 1 inch nail out of my back tyre the other week. The Stans sealed it up pretty much instantly, just like on his “alley of death” demo. Impressed.

You’ll notice Stan doesn’t have any videos showcasing sidewall tears though, it doesn’t fair so well against those 😉

On that subject, has anyone compared Rocket Rons with Ralphs? I like my 29er 2.25 RoRo’s but I worry about the sidewall vulnerability and they don’t make them in Snakeskin….Would get Ralph Snakes with the slight weight penalty but the tread looks shallower / tighter spaced, like it wouldn’t work so well in mud and I’m not a change tyres to suit conditions sort of person…

I’ve already over-posted about the Flash in other threads here but If you want to know anything else specific you’re welcome to email me (address in profile).

I use cheapish skullcandy ones like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skullcandy-INKD-Earbuds-Silver-Black/dp/B003HL04H8/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_1_0

…and they work very well – press right into your ears like ear plugs and stay in place no problem. Down side is the plug bit can come off and you’re very insulated from external sound. However, that can be very nice as you don’t hear the howling wind and rain that’s so popular at the moment.

Really like the Altura attacks though something about the cut of them is slightly odd. Mine seem to be pretty much waterproof. Not 100% but not far off. I don’t do anything to them.

I find this works well to crack lower back:

– Put your beer down somewhere safe, lie down on your back, legs straight.
– Bend right leg fully, so knee is up and right foot is against your arse.
– Twist your lower trunk so that your right knee tries to touch the ground on your LHS. Keep your shoulders flat on the floor.
– repeat on other side.

Bishops Finger for me too, though I wouldn’t turn my nose up at any of them! Quite into the porters these days too (though not SN)

For hills at least it comes down to power to weight ratio. It’s easier to lose weight than it is to gain power and the easiest way to lose weight is to buy a lighter bike 😉

Having said that though, it’s not that much as a percentage of your overall weight. You can look at an online power calculator to see how much difference a 3KG loss would make: http://bikecalculator.com/veloUS.html

Very roughly going up something like Ditchling Beacon (1.2km, 10% grade, 300 watts, 85kg rider+kit, 12.5KG bike vs same with 9.5KG bike)
The bike that’s 3KG lighter would get you up there in: 7m24s vs 07m37s for the heavier one.

Coincidentally, the last bike I built up is 3KG lighter than the previous one. On paper it’s a bit faster but to ride it feels MUCH faster.

I’m Cannondale biased but I really like the 2012 paintjobs…

Also I passed one of these yesterday looking very nice

Yep, crotch snag is the biggest issue with baggies. I don’t know if he can be held directly responsible but I seem to remember shorts crotches being significantly higher before this man came along…

I’ve had a lot of Camelbaks of various sizes. I’ve had a Raptor 18 for a couple of years. It’s a very good pack. I use it for longer trips or in winter when lots of spare layers etc. are needed.

Cons:
– It’s a bit heavier than it could be I reckon.
– I’ve had two bladders leak (supposedly there was a faulty batch) both were replaced under warranty very quickly with no quibble.
– The loops on the shoulder strap that guide the hose have come unravelled (not a big deal and I have used it a lot)
– Hip belt pockets are pretty useless without a zip.

Pros:
– Magnetic bite valve holder is very good
– Pack expands and can hold a LOT.
– Stiff backed bladder is much better for taking in and out.

Overall, though, it’s very good and I’d buy the same one again.

In the women’s XC at Houffalize last week one of the riders jammed her chain quite a way from the pit. Instead of turning the bike upside down, seeing what was wrong and getting a decent go at it, she repeatedly tried to free it by holding the bike upright with one hand whilst pulling ineffectually at the chain with the other. Eventually she gave up and ran 1/3 of a lap to the pit.

Chains can get very jammed in the BB, of course but I suspect she’d have got it out if she’d only turned the bike over…

The multitool in pocket injury does sound very unlucky / unlikely. However, I wouldn’t do it (or a pump in jersey pocket for that matter) I know someone that had a very slow speed fall onto the keys in his jeans pocket when riding and broke his thigh bone into 3 pieces as a result.

My 29er PBR and rest of bike. First Lefty I’ve owned and I love it!

Lefty Servicing: I had to send mine to TF Tuned (via LBS) for a warranty issue (they are the “official” Cannondale UK service agents). Phoned them up after to discuss and they were very helpful. I was impressed. Will definitely use them again when it’s service time.

Top tip for Stanmer Park riders: When cueueing at the tea rooms, try to juggle your cue position to get the younger lad to serve you – The older woman is usually a bit stingy on the portions. I think the young lad must have entered Big Dog and is trying to sabotage everyone’s power to weight ratios with crazy portion sizes (more power to him!)

720mm in Stanmer. I do have to dodge and weave a lot in the half track though. Sent me over the bars in Big Dog last year – a small price to pay 🙂

I took some to the Sierra Nevadas (lots of sharp rocks!) and they survived just fine. However, a guy on a trailbreak a couple of weeks ago had a 1″ gash in his and that put me right off. The Schwalbe website also says something like “caution: superlite, racing only!”.

I’d go for Snakeskin Racing Ralphs next time. Shame as I really like the RoRo tread pattern but they don’t seem to do them in 29er snakeskin. (“Snakeskin” is the Schwalbe name for the reinforced sidewall version – I’m not some sort of MTBing Rod Stewart)

To address the original question: Yes, I think they should leave religon out of it. Besides making it sound like we’re all still living in caves, it smacks of sucking up to the electorate and the Americans.

Happily, I don’t work in this sort of environment. HR recently tried their luck with “Onboarding” but were swiftly told to sort that sort of thing out and it’s become “new staff” or something less vomit-worthy.

Scrub? – You’re lucky! They planted a football stadium to encourage biodiversity on the downs where I live.

There was a really interesting Radio4 discussion on Phillip K Dick (it might still be up on listen again or something). As said above, he was schizophrenic and had a twin brother that only lived for a week or so after birth (he blamed himself for that somehow). Those two conditions informed pretty much all of his work.

I wouldn’t do it as a way to save money – Probably better to hook up in a car share for that. The only reason I’d look at it is if you want to improve your fitness and sneak in some extra miles (I have a 25 mile E/W commute I do once per week for that reason). If I thought the route was dangerous, though, I wouldn’t even consider it.

Cannondale Flash 29er Carbon…Quite racy but very compliant / comfy.

Signed.

I actually managed to get my Rocket Rons onto 29er Crests without tyre levers last weekend (though they are *really* tight)

As above, start opposite the valve and work your way around. When you get to the valve it will look impossible – massive edge of tyre cutting across the rim. Go back to the bottom and squash the bead into the centre channel again, then proceed back around towards the valve squashing it into the centre channel at 6″ intervals. As you get around to the valve, you’ll find you’ve freed up a tiny bit more tyre. Keep doing this 4 or 5 times and you’ll eventually find that with a few judicious expletives, you can just about squeeze the bead over the rim with your thumbs.

Another good tip I read is wear marigolds – you’ll have a much better grip on the tyre without applying any force.

Now is a good time to read up on the profanisaurus, that way you’ll be prepared with some choice swearing at the crucial moment… Good luck!

Obviously they’re not going to be able to tell the difference without cable elevators!!!

http://www.russandrews.com/product-Cable-elevators-4227.htm

Really good windstopper, I use mine a lot. With one Long sleeve base layer under it’s good down to about 2 or 3 degrees. Once the temperature gets above 8-10 degrees, I find it’s too warm (though you can always take the arms off, as above).

My only real crit is that the cut of the thing is all a bit shapeless / baggy from the chest down.

It’s one of those things that’ll last a long time though, a very good piece of kit to own.

I rode on mine after about a week…Actually I rode on it right away as we were on day one of a 3 day biking trip through the lakes when I broke it and the alternative to not riding was a lot of hassle and a crappy time.

The main worry is if you crash again and puncture a lung or something. I just stayed off the technical stuff for a few weeks. Doc said it was ok to ride if there was no pain…sleeping was much worse than riding actually.

hollowgram? blingy cost – nice simple style too

Hollowgrams are ace (though pricey). Amazingly light and stiff and you can fit whatever spider you want. 280g for the crank arms (that’s both of them!)

Don’t think they’ll work unless you have BB30 though.

My road bike is a 56 and I get toe overlap too. You get used to it pretty quick, even with mudguards. It’s really only an issue for me turning out of junctions and I’ve learned to adapt my pedal stroke so hardly notice it now.

I can see why it could be tricky off road but probably the only way to avoid it would be a bigger frame and I’d guess you don’t want that…

Samurai: “There’s quite a well known online porn star called ‘rio’ who is the absolute double of a woman here at work….I’m told. Amazing how many people (men) here know about her”.

Can’t believe no-one’s asked if she dances on the sand yet….

Anyone know if you can get non Tubeless Ready 29er Rons or Ralphs anywhere? (pref snakeskin) – I really like the tread patterns / sizes but the TR versions are too tight on (cough) 29er Crests. Failing that, any other tyres with similar tread pattern / volume / weight? (want something without too much rolling resistance but I’m not up for changing tyres when it rains!) ta!

Was going to try Maxxis 29er Ikons but sounds like they are a bit skaty in the mud and not fast in the dry?…

– Fasted rides to develop fat buring = once per week only from what I’ve read.

– You’re probably better off doing those at zone 2 (low intensity) as intervals are going to be predominantly looking for glycogen for fuel. The higher your heart rate, the more your body switches from fat to glycogen as the fuel source.

– If you do an interval workout with low fuel stores / low blood sugar you won’t be firing on all cylinders – workout less effective. If you want to work out first thing I’d wake up and get a gel down you, then consume sports drink during the workout.

My favourite band too, pretty much since I first hear them around 83. As already said, the stuff you would get into most probably depends on your taste as they have changed style quite a bit through the years and sucessfully absorbed a lot of new influences. That’s one of the things that’s kept them from getting stale.

My favourites are Permanent Waves and Grace Under Pressure maybe. Really hard to say, it’s all so good in different ways.

This is very good though…