Would be interesting to hear from those who actually rode what they would change next time (if there is one) regarding gear set up, nutrition training etc. A lessons learnt sort of thing.

I’ll be with you in spirit. French themed party (for one) bought and ready to go tomorrow.
I’m also hoping for a Fabian win. Fairy tale ending to a great career?

I have nothing to contribute to this other than wish you luck as I am contemplating exactly the same.
Shall watch developments with interest. Are you doing the build yourself?

Damn! Thought it might have been the Colne valley near Colchester. Might have been interested :-)

Thanks for the suggestions so far, we’re staying a few miles outside Barnstaple.

I live a few miles north of Barny on the edge of Exmoor.Its grim here at the moment but I hope it clears up for you by the weekend.

You want the best buy Niners not miners.

And they’ve survived my clumsy riding on Q’s ,Dartmoor and Exmoor rocky trails.

Rotor BSA30.

+1

The OO gravel roads come highly rated and very reasonably priced so if they do end up not being used much or unsuitable will not have been such a financial disaster.
For me, I’m using WTB Nano race tubeless which have proven fine on 60 mile road rides and blue route trail centre rides

There was an article in Cyclist about this last month, apparently for gels and drinks it’s within 10 minutes.

There was research done using carbon markers in different foods and they were picking the metabolites up in breath after 10 min for liquids

It does but it also says that only minute amounts are seen within 10 minutes, and presumably having limited effect, with the bulk of delivery at 60 mins where I guess you are beginning to see a useful metabolic benefit.

A good article though.

be absorbed so you can start gaining the benefit

it depends on how low your stores are when you take the gel, if you’re bonked, TBH it won’t do much, but if you’re keeping up with your carb intake, you’ll feel fine regardless.

Can’t see the logic in that at all. “bonked” usually refers to a depletion in muscle and liver stored glycogen. When you consume carbohydrate it will be available in the blood stream (dependent on several factors as mentioned) for the use by cells. If you are bonked, and will therefore have low blood glucose you WILL see the benefit once its available.

I did see some availability data recently of when consumed carbohydrate was available for cells but can’t find the reference I’m afraid. If I remember correctly gels where a surprising 30 mins. Still quicker than something like a banana though.

Much as above.
My choice for that area is short travel FS, although that can be tested on some of the downhills which can be testing especially after a wet winter brings rocks and rubble into the trails.

My dream SS is the one I own (sorry I’m not being deliberately STW)
Trek 69er.
Don’t know why, and I certainly don’t believe the “front wheel rolls over things, rear wheel accelerates up quickly” bollocks, but it just is lovely to ride.
Sorry, probably not what you are after looking at the Ti wonderment listed above.

On on Gravel road are a doodle to set up tubeless (with 60ml of stans for thorns etc), very fast rolling and grippy enough for off road excursions – only £15 as well

Somafunk – Think I’ll give the on one’s serious consideration when the Nano’s wear out. Similar weight and £10 cheaper a tyre!!

WTB Nano Race were a bit of a pain to stay up but fine now. I’ve used them for 60 mile road rides and blue and red routes at my local trail centre. Great tyre for me.

I don’t think it matters if the pedals are trail or xc. XTR of both variants are very prone to breaking at the spindle tip.
Yes you can buy replacements as already mentioned but I really don’t think its worth it.
Speaking as a confirmed weight weenie I’ll not be bothering with XTR again and will be happy continuing with XT pedals despite the very slight weight difference.

We’re in a world where, luckily, we don’t need so many people to have such astonishing lives

Sorry Flash. Really disagree with that.

We will always need people like that. Even more so in this shallow, media celebrity obsessed world.

Got back from Gran Canaria a week ago. 25 degrees every day. Certainly topped up the sun!
Personally I would go for Mallorca because of the shorter flight times and more varied riding,especially if you are leaving it until March.
http://www.tramuntbike.com, would be my go to.

Nano race run tubeless(bit of a faff) have been great so far in circumstances you asked for. Will go for something a bit chunkier for full off road.

Sorry – another mudguard question.
Came back from a 60 miler today on Tarka Trail in North Devon and I was covered (dripping) with mud over the back. Grud Guards style fenders clearly not working so I’m going to try and fit “proper” guards, probably PDW type. I run 40mm WTB Nano races.
My question is: have any of you had problems with them blocking up with mud/grass/general trail crap when used off road.
Thanks

You can do it almost traffic free if you use a combination of the Tarka Trail and Granite Way – the yellow route in Stumpy’s download above.I live just off of Exmoor and use these a lot at this time of the year. 60 miler tomorrow!

Its the way road disc calipers are going, so soon groupsets will come with those calipers as standard, rendering post mount frames obsolete (unless you switch the calipers out).

Thanks. I had a chat with a Pinarello dealer recently about should I/shouldn’t I go for a road bike with discs and he said that most major bike manufacturers are working on road discs that move away from heavy mtb style calipers and are looking at systems built into the frames with bladder driven light weight pads.

Will be interesting

Please excuse my ignorance, but what are the advantages of flat disc mounts?

Could I be so bold as to ask your inside leg measurement and the size frame you went for?
How do you find reach on that long top tube?
Thanks

I’m using Ulvangs for general riding. I think they may be a bit thick as a liner sock.
Incredible price though as stated.

Still considering it, but its hammered down all day here on Exmoor and the next four days have rain in them as well.
Even Haldon was wet(well puddlely) yesterday
Will indeed be soggy!

Nose hair clippers from wife.

I think she’s trying to tell me something!

Scu98rkr – this was my initial worry. What would give me enough detail on an off road course to be able to follow it without going wrong.

Another vote for Woolie Boolie from me, an ageing poor peripheral perfusion sufferer. Coupled with Defroster boots work a treat.
Equally, have been disappointed with Baa Baa’s which start out fine but become uncomfortable quickly then fall apart.

Thanks for the Ulvang suggestion. Just bought a bunch off ebay to try out. Even cheaper at the moment on mcj78 link – cheers

It seems to only take up to 28mm tyres(according to BikeRadar review) and costs £7.5K!
Doesn’t meet my needs so not for me.

I run my Air 9c rigid with and without gears. Have smashed it senseless through the rocky trails of Devon without any damage (and I’m not a rider with much finesse)
I love it. Its like riding a road bike off road with big tyres and discs.
However, I do think the basic concept of asking for reviews of bikes and kit from people who’ve spent a lot of money on them (and will always justify that outlay in their minds) as fraught with danger.
Except me of course. I’m very unbiased!!

I’ve used a Saris flat rack for a few years.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/saris/racks-triple-tracks-33-35-inch-ec050222

Had to update it with an attachment when forks went from QR to bolt through though.

European locations. Background, where to stay, how to get there, best trails etc etc.

Did Dave ever do a Dolomites article?

I use one of these.

So do I.

Had a Topeak. Was all over the shop in measurement (could have been a one off defective unit admittedly) and sent it back.

The Halfords one continues to work fine after three years.

Ritchey evomax?

They have a 12 degree flare which is a bit less than the ‘chippers I think.

Bar ends on riser bars?

Or is that a fashion faux pas rather than a component contention?

As a component hate that would be off road Look pedals pedals for me. Lethal things!!

Was an avid Continental black chili tyre user but since going to a 29er I’m running Hutchinson Toro tubeless on the front and rear 29X2.35. They are great in the dry, wet and damp. Definitely underrated

Would agree with you fudge.

I run Toro’s front and back on the 69er and have thrashed them hard with nothing but confident, sure footed response. These are used primarily as a winter set up so not sure about rolling speed.

Rocket Rons for me as well.
Only deviation is a Nobby on the front of the fs when its a bit claggy, and a thunder burt on the back of the ht when its not!

The Trek 69er is the “nicest” to ride. The Czar is quicker. The Niner,as set up, is road bike fast as long as I can cope with the hammering when things get rough!

Sorry…Couldn’t find a picture of the Turner Czar on its own, but does show the three bikes I race on as comparison.

The Czar has performed beyond anything I could have hoped for. The main reason its so fast (relatively with me on it) is that it allows me to ride more efficiently. Smoother my friend said yesterday. And this smooth riding means faster I’ve found.

Very expensive, but worth it IMHO.

Ahhh… Amanita muscaria – great picture