I did a bivi not too far from 40mpg (about 5 metres) and had

– Alpkit PD400
– Hunka bivy bag
– Pacific Outdoor Uber mat (half length – I am a short arse).
– Synthetic down jacket
– Cycling kit (went to sleep in my riding clothes).

Started out a bit chilly, got out the bag and did some star jumps for a few minutes. Warmed up and then had a decent night’s sleep.

PS the person in mind does not have any prior experience of the internet.

So things like text friendly news websites, etc will probably be the main content viewed.

Drupal is very functionally capable as a CMS but the learning curve is incredibly steep and not very intuitive to use.

I would recommend WordPress as a starter.

I would recommend Joomla or Drupal if you find that there isn’t a plugin or module for WordPress that doesn’t meet your requirements.

Not sure about the uni, but Loughborough and the surrounding area is an MTB desert.

I agree that if you’re not storing things on the iPad (only apps), then 16GB is plenty.

This depends on the apps, some iPad 3 apps take more space due to the increased resolution.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/14/2870374/new-ipad-apps-larger-size-retina-display

I would recommend getting the 32Gb as a minimum. This should be fine used in conjunction with something like DropBox.

Went with Digicert in the end and used the SAN certificates. Saved a load of money, albeit not mine, so all good stuff!

Thanks for the replies, will start doing research.

I haven’t read most the thread, too long. Though I thought I would add my view.

I am fairly brand agnostic though dislike the monopoly that is Apple.

Below is my device inventory.

Works laptop = Windows 7
Home netbook = Ubuntu 12.04
Works phone = Motorola running custom Android ROM
Tablet = iPad v3 32Gb (no wifi)

Note: I had the choice of an iPhone 4, recently used it for a week and decided to stick with the Android because I prefer Android on a phone rather than iOS.

After much research the tablet I purchased was an iPad, despite not being an “Apple person”. Reason being is the quality of the apps and the continued support for the OS (ignoring iOS6 / iPad v1).

I avoid the use of iTunes because my Ubuntu netbook recognises the iPad (out of the box) and allows me to upload photos, films, routes, maps, etc.

English mustard, steak goes very well with it. And black pudding sarnies, yum..

My other half as the SLE form of Lupus which is a chronic illness and she was recommended to use the Post Office.

linky

They are reasonably priced and have a good reputation amongst the Lupus support groups for paying up when needed.

Time for a ramble so apologies in advance.

I’ve been racing on and off for since the early 90’s. Mostly XC back in the day especially racing in the Cannock Chase Classic series.

These days I am probably fitter and faster than back then and these days I enter XC, 12hr, 100mile and used to do 24hr.

One word to describe all of this and that is fragmentation. So no wonder XC races are stagnant. I can remember entering a Gorrick and Paul Lasenby winning the Masters race riding a big 6inch heavy monster bike, but it didn’t seem to slow him down!

These days the Southern XC and Gorrick series are mostly roadies. I now race on my singlespeed as it adds an element of fun and because riding a singlespeed is self limiting this limits my expectations so I don’t get peed off if a whippet with shaved legs gets glory in the open category.

I am curious with switching over to road because the category system seems rewards progress. With MTBing it is very difficult to judge progress using the current category system.

My younger brother does road running and their club structure is very much geared up to local competition similar to road clubs. This is why when a chap at work asked what the difference between MTBing and road riding clubs my response was as follows;

“Road riding clubs are similar to running clubs where there is an element of competition and going faster. Whilst MTB riding is similar to golf because playing golf even in a group is a solitary exercise as it is you against the course and less about your against other golfers. Similar to riding a singletrack section through the woods with mates. You may be riding with others but you personally negotiate wet roots, berms, drops, jumps, then go to the pub to chat about it.

In golf you start at hole 1, negotiate bunkers, avoid the rough, the off-camber par 5 fairway and then go to the 19th hole to chat about it.”

This is why I think MTB is like golf.

PS I don’t play golf anymore just MTB.

For me I think it is a combination of factors; cost, time, lack of variation of courses.

I’ve done 3x Mayhem 24h solos. The last one I did in 2009 they messed up the timings and the results for the SS class was incomplete. I hear this year they lost laps again and messed up. Echoing Mostly Balanced it is beyond belief that they could not afford to put a covered marquee in the transition area.

I did Bonty 24/12 this weekend. The organisation was great and the timing was spot on. The transition area was covered. Despite the poor conditions it was still a laugh. Sections of the course were taken out as the conditions deteriorated but this meant that lap times remained the same and enjoyable. Whilst Mayhem would turn into a 3hr exercise in wading through treacle.

For me what I am looking in an event is attention to detail. If I am to spend time and money on an event I want it to be value for money.

An example of this was Kielder 100 last year. Great organisation and felt that my money was well spent. Again I enjoyed this event despite 13hrs of rain/drizzle.

Each year I have a budget in terms of money and the number of weekends for such events. My thoughts on next year is to pick fewer events that which offer a more varied format and offer value for money. Strangely I may be spending more money next year doing something like the Bearded Man Race in the Brecons. But if the event is good and I think it is money well spent I don’t mind.

Spending £60 (or whatever) for a Mayhem solo entry + £10 guaranteed 9am delivery and riding on the same course doesn’t real appeal.

Not recommended if you like your knees. I did an xc race on mine and lost count of the times I bashed said knees on the wide top tube when honking out the saddle. I’ve also got a scandal, I would recommend a Scandal for racing.

Cheers Toys.

Purchased. That is a bargain.

One last tip from me…

Rice pudding! Record number of tins consumed = 16 at Mayhem 2008

Heart rate monitor and linked to online diary like Polar.

This is fine for efforts under 2hrs. Over this you run into the problem of cardiac drift. Whereby your HR reduces for long duration effort at constant power.

linky

Over 2hrs my HR is reduced by 10% of max for the same perceived effort (guestimate). HR monitor is still really useful (I use one) but you need to understand what the figures are telling you for long rides.

I did a 12 hour not long after I started mountainbiking and did pretty good considering, but by the end I was thinking “how the hell do people do this for 24 hours”

Ride slower! Not trying to be silly but the hardest thing I find is to exactly that, ride slow. Getting used to pace that is sustainable is key. If you can feel that you are above a 7 on the RPE scale (below) then back-off. If a hill climb forces you to build up lactate, get off and push.

I’ve done a few 24s and the hardest part is the first few laps and slowing down to a pace that is manageable. Once I’m “in the groove” I switch my brain off and pedal.

not until I get home to measure.

Slight high-jack.

I’ve got a Shimano XT front mech.

The front mech is off a RM ETSX-70 (2004).

Sold the RM and got a hardtail running 1×10 so I haven’t used it in years.

Cracking, tickets book.

Going to see this on Monday. Haven’t read any of the above in case of spoilers.

I’ve got fed up of watching poor 3D films. The only one that seemed seamless was Avatar. I would rather watch a 2D film than getting a headache watching a botched 3D version.

Is this a “good” 3D version?

Will strip down at the weekend and perform a “roll the axle” test.

Put in a new bearing though hope it will last for the 40 mile spinfest got planned for this evening.

Take the cube and forget about the full. Most of the route is gritty fireroads. Less weight the better.

Oh and if it rains don’t forget to take spare brake pads.

edit: double post

NON-PC JOKE ALERT

A Ozzie I once work with stated that the perfect woman has the following attributes:

3.5ft tall
bucked teeth
flat top hair style

Reason: so that one may benefit from certain services whilst being able to rest your beer on their head…

END OF NON-PC JOKE

My perfect woman is my missus.

+3 for the Montane Velocity DT 2.0 Jacket.

Very waterproof, not as breathable as Event (but this is subjective as any jacket is not breathable enough) but very light and rolls up small.

Up close and personal with bluebells, from a recent bivy trip.

Thanks all.

It needs to have six “notches” in it as the tools that is used to fit it has six pegs to fit the notches.

Cheers richen. I will take a piccy when I get home tonight. But it basically looks like this (lockring on the left).

ZX Spectrum 48+ for me.

Zynaps, Code Name MAT 2, Cybernoid, etc

Rose tinted memories…

I’ve got a Geko also. I had an all singing, dancing eTrex and I sometime use a smart phone if I am walking.

For the bike though a Geko is simple to use and more importantly easy to operate with gloves.

BTW I supplement the GPS with a proper map and compass.

For battery life the Gekos is pants, around 6hr. But you can get 10 – 12hrs with Lithium Ion AAA batteries and if you turn off WAAS (more accurate GPS).

Good shout Keith. I’ve also ordered this jacket. Reduced from £70 to £21.

I don’t actually need a jacket but sometimes a bargain has to be had!

clicky

Northwind: I respectfully disagree, lack of impartiality means inconsistent reviews.
The c456 review was inconsistent in mbuk compared to wmb. This thread highlights that the performance of a particular product is the least considered criteria for their reviews

I canceled my subscription to wmb last year and rather glad I did now.

No wonder the c456 got a rock bottom rating from MBUK…

I’m a 5’7″ short arse. Inside leg 29.5″. I have a 16″ c456 with an in-line post and a 50mm stem. The setup is spot on for me.

Hi 40mpg,
I had the same problem with a router at work. I solved the issue by using a different flavour of WPA. I will check the router at work tomorrow and will drop you an email.

James

Thanks DM52 will have a look at that. Always thought Dell were good value though they aren’t built like they used to be. But they are cheap for the money.

Open mind regarding model manufacturer. I do a lot of DB development and the db sizes is many GB in size so an i5/i7 is preferable.

Totally flummoxes me that a software eng doesn’t know exactly what his demands are in a work tool, and asks a bike forum?!

Chat forum to be pedantic…

What I want is a 14″ laptop with a 1440 x 900 screen but you can’t buy them anymore. They are all 1366 x 768. I work from home at time so would rather have a laptop with a larger screen res than a monitor. Though may have to go down this route as I don’t want to lugging a 17″ behemoth around on a bike.