Hi – I had the same problem. My eyes kept watering on fast decents & I tried clip on sun lenses but they were poor with low sun on partially shaded track.

I got myself a pair of Rudy Project Rydons with the rimless RX inserts. The Rydon lenses are photochromatic Impact X – so pretty tough & scratch resistant. I shopped around & got then for about £130 (I think) & the RX inserts (about £50) I got glazed on line pretty cheaply with my perscription.

Not cheap – as has been said but I wear them all the time for cycling & also when on Hols for windsurfing (with a tie on the back). They also look pretty cool!

I have an A6 2.5TDI Avant Sport & the wife an A4 1.9TDI Avant – 03 & 04 respectively so not the later models.

The A4 is a bit tight in the back particularly if you have large children or 4 adults to fit in. The later ones may be more spacious.

The auto gearbox on the 98-2004 cars is an absolute lemon (its a CVT box) and is best avoided – google the forums! The quatros use the tiptronic box which is fine. I get a careful 33mpg with the A6 & the wife’s A4 about 45mpg. Both are excellent cars – but the A6 is much nicer to drive for longer journeys & will hapilly cruise all day on the motorway at a good speed.

Yep

Out this morning with 2 others for our usual off road ride around the tracks in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Temp of about -1 with all the gloopy tracks frozen into hard ruts which were particularly difficult where the horses have ripped them up. All the puddles were frozen over & it was great fun crashing through the middle of them & shattering the ice.

It was pretty cold with the odd snow flake but did 19mi – which was a bit less than usual – but at least we were out!

+1 for Endura Therolite bib-longs. I wear a full length set when its really cold & knee length ones when not quite so cold. I’m 6ft with a 34″ waist & a L fits me nicely.

Pads are more comfy – but I have another set without pads (they were cheap!) which are ok as long as the ride is not too long.

I have some L endura tops but tend to wear XL in Gore tops…

Yea – a good practical idea for those of us still going out in the wet & mud!

I have a pair of Shimano MW80 goretex boots & wear sealskin socks BUT the wet was running down my legs & into the socks or boots if I wasn’t wearing the sealskin socks. I looked at an old pair of walking gaiters but they were too baggy with my bib longs…..

So I bought a pait of black rubber gloves (yes I know I could have had pink or yellow!) & cut off the arm part. I now wear these tight against my ankle & over the top of my boots / socks so all the wet stays out of my boots…. and they just look like a 4″ extension of the boots. Job done!

Necessity IS the mother of invention!

Yep – done this to good effect & ridden tubeless too….

Used Stans no flats fluid in my tubes for a couple of years & works really well. I had no punctures for the whole of last winter & as I was removing my mud tyres in the Spring I found about 6 large thorns on each tyre pinning the tubes to the tyre that had been sheared off on the outside of the tyre & sealed on the inside of the tube with the fluid. I use Schwarble tubes that have removable valve stems – like the tubeless valves – but you could use car type valves (which the core comes out of) if your rims have a large enough hole.

I ran tubeless in the summer & the tyres DO have a much better feel can be run at lower pressures and are lighter initially. You do have to top up the fluid however every few months as I found that it does dry out. So the initial 50ml does get added to so the weight must go up a little.

So tubeless IS great but tubed tyres with fluid is also pretty good too…As for the weight diggerence? I must be carrying a few LBs of mud around everytime I go out at the moment……

Hi
I have tended to run a full length outer cable up to the mech and do away with the exposed cable & the little bit of short outer as it just picks up all the mud etc. This way you can keep it well lubed & protected. I just get some small black zip ties & attach it to the cable lugs. Job done…..slick shifting!

Used them a few times now & their prices are often as good as OR better than CRC & postage is swift.

Their Hope / Crest wheels were the cheapest I could find & I have just got a set of 29ers after a set of 26s last year.

I have also used Merlin a bit recently who are also cheaper for some things…..

Hi Soap

Bleeding Hope Tec brakes is little different from bleeding any Hope brakes. I have done lots of cars so bikes are pretty easy….

I have never bled them ‘bottom up’ that seems a strange thing to do – probably involving syringes etc

Get a nice fitting nipple spanner (small ring etc)& a tight fitting length of clear plastic tube. I also have a small glass jar with some older fluid already in it – to avoid air being sucked into the imersed tube.

I adjust the angle of the brake on the handle bar (& pos swivel the steering) so that the resovoir is horizontal. Make sure its always topped up. Use Dot4 or Dot5 but dont mix them. If you are not sure whats in it – use enough fluid to push the old stuff out. I think Hope recommend 4.

Pumping the lever is good as it builds up pressure – then open the bleed valve whilst holding the lever compressed. Lock off the nipple before releasing the lever. You might need to do this several times to get all the air out BUT dont allow the fluid level to drop too low as air will be pushed into the system again.

You are supposed to ‘peel’ the gasket back on – which I try to do but always top the resovoir up to the brim so that the gasket & top displaces the fluid – onto the surrounding rags.

Thats what I do and I am sure others may have some additional tips.
The Tec brakes are extremely adjustable with bite point etc.

You may be doing this already – but hopefully this may help.

Hi
I have a large Titus FTM carbon & run a set of Rockshox Revs 150mm on them; low rise bars & 110mm stem – as I like to stretch out…
They seem fine to me – but they are u-turn down to 110mm (I think). I am 6ft & 12st 12lb (& going up a bit over Xmas!).

Hi

Dealexteme (DX) do fantasticly cheap lights – including Magishine – and a whole range of other interesting things….

Check out –
http://dx.com/p/360-degree-swivel-universal-bicycle-rearview-mirror-w-mount-154614

for £2.86 – postage paid this bike mirror is a steal – although it may take a few weeks to arrive…

Yea – I read this a few weeks ago & it explains a lot!

As a cyclist (off road mainly) I always look out for cyclists & give them plenty of room BUT I too had a near miss a few weeks ago when pulling out from a junction in my car & one appeared from ‘nowhere’.

Yea – I read this a few weeks ago & it explains a lot!

As a cyclist (off road mainly) I always look out for cyclists & give them plenty of room BUT I too had a near miss a few weeks ago when pulling out from a junction in my car & one appeared from ‘nowhere’.

Hi I pay £330 for the year. Its cheaper as I am 50+ and pay in one lump sum (12 months for the price of 10).

I get 2 Squash courts; 2 badminton courts;& unlimited use the swimming pool& Gym & fitness classes – including spinning…..

I do only play Sq though and I was paying the same for 2 courts a week…..

The wife pays £600 to a Nuffield Gym – which would work out OK if she used it 2-3 times a week…………

Hi Joe
a good question…I read on here that Bike Magic is dying – but I never really used it.

I use this mostly & BikeRadar (http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=10014 for posting rides etc (MTB – Hitchin Sunday Rides.

I occasionally look at MTBR(http://www.mtbr.com/)as many searches seem to take me there. CyclyBuddy (http://www.cyclingbuddy.com/) looked interesting but does seem quiet.

I recently stumbled accross MTBE (http://www.mtbe.co.uk/) which looks promising….

SingleTrack does seem the most active forum – but I would be interested to know of any other good ones…..

Plus 1 for Kaspersky here.
It tends to come out in the top for comparison tests & I have paid for it & used it for many years. Barclays were giving it away free (3 user license)for their on line banking.

Hi
I have one like the one from Merlin. Its got ‘Biketool’ as a make on it & is pretty good – I have noticed that Evans do a similar one. I have quite a few Park tools but can’t see their bike stand being much better than this.

Hi Bigbloke

105th? Are you one of the Silly Grinners?? I’m from Hitchin Riders & have riden with you guys a few times.

Looking at your lap times we must have been running pretty close together for much of the race. I was bolwn out in the last lap however & was just trying to keep upright in the mud. Pirton – & riding in Herts is good training…

I dnt know how the 4 hours (6 lappers) do it…

Hi Guys – No problem Johny – I don’t even know what a ‘Softy Walter’ is anyway.

The results are on the Time Loops website page:
http://www.timelaps.co.uk/results.aspx

Our top guy got 12th in the 40+; & another 52nd in the under 40.

A good start to the Series – it can only get better from now on!

Well done – Johnystorm!
I was one of the ‘softy waters’ on the 2 hour race…..After 2 laps in the piddling rain the course was pretty much a mud fest and my last lap (3rd) was just for survival.

So well done for going on and doing another 2/3 laps. I exceeded my target of bettering 150th & beating those older than me (I think..)and came 102nd – which is better than lasy year – and not bad for a 58yr old who only really rides on Sundays….

I’ll be there with about 5 others from the Hitchin / Stevenage area. Some very good & serious & others less so – all with different expectations. Did 2 last year which was the first racing I’ve ever done. My target was to beat those of my age(edness)and ideally get into the top 150 in the over 40 2 hour race.

See you there!

Great article – that explains a lot…..

Cheers – I woll try & watch it on catch-up TV!!

Hi – what programme was this on? Time / channel would help tooo.

Thanks

I was out this morning with a set of compression bib-longs & goretex wet trousers on top – expecting the rain that was forecast all morning.

The rain didn’t arrive (hooray!) and I was too hot so took of the over-trousers. I think I looked really dashing in my XU compression biblongs……..pantomine stylee!

Now to hand wash all the mud off em….

Hi Sticky
Yep I thought I would show you some of our local singletrack highlights riding up the Balk (in Lilley); and down Chalk Hill (outside Great Offley). Not to mention Telegraph Hill – local MTBers will know them well.

We’re out tomorrow morning again to go on another of our classic local rides – 8.30am outside Pine Hills Hospital, Benslow Lane, Hitchin. There is some unrestricted parking along the road.

All welcome for a 2-3hr ride….. John

Another one for Rudy Project Rydon with x-impact photochromatic lenses & RX inserts. I have some racing red lenses too I can swap in.

I think these are pretty good as you dont really see the inserts as mine are rimless. The inserts are pretty expensive though (all types – but shop around to get the cheapest). I also got mine glazed by one of the cheap on-line companies ‘specs4less’ I think.

I have also used them for windsurfing………..

John

Hi
Yes I had a similar problem that started after I did the C2C with 8 hours of cycling each day – and persisted….

I read all the online stuff up too which seemed to indicate a front knee pain if your saddle is too low & back of knee if too high. I also use SPDs and like my saddle pushed back so I can stetch out.

I checked out my set up with 2 of the methods listed: 109% of your inseam (crotch to floor)from bottom of pedal axle to top of seat; and 88.3% of your inseam from cr of crank to top of seat.

My seat was a little above both measures (although it felt OK – no rolling / rocking pelvis) – but I dropped it about 1cm.

I have only ridden it once for about 3hrs so far – but the pain seems to have gone away…….

John

Hi

You can get the full product – Microsoft Office Suite – if you are a pupil / student / parent / teacher – an education copy for about £70. I happen to be a teacher, but most people are one of the above, and no evdence is asked for.

PC World / Dabs.com & many others do it….

John

Hi Chappers & Co

We ride out from Hitchin every Sunday @ 8.30am for about 3 hours around the local tracks. And there’s lots of them. We go up as far as Stotfold, round towards Luton (taking in Gt Offley & the famous Telegraph Hill); down around Whitwell & over beyond Stevenage to Walkern.

There are about 30 of us but generally get 6/7 out regularly. We come from all around with 3 coming in from Stevenage. We post the rides on Bikeradar.com (Forums-MTB-routes & rides-mtb Rides-‘Hitchin’). The log of our most recent rides are posted on ‘cycle buddy’ & search ‘SG6’.

We meet outside Pine Hills Hospital, Benslow lane, Hitchin & there is unrestricted parking there – should you wish to drive.

There is also another couple of useful outfits you can google: ‘Silly Grin’ – who are a good bunch & ride around Beds & Herts; & ‘OTT MTB’ who ride out from Hapenden.

Hope to see you sometime – ALL welcome!!

John

I got a set of Hope Evo hubs & ZTR Crest rims with a thin moulded on polystyrene type of ‘tape’. I left it on – didn’t use tape – just a valve & fluid & it has worked perfectly.

On another bike with Superstar switch hubs & ZTR crest rims I tried to use the yellow tape – but it was wider than the inside of the rim so I just used about 3 widths of plastic electricians insulating tape with valved & fluid & this has worked well too…

John

Yep it works really well!

I have gone tubeless now but did this for a year or so first. I have used schrader valves & removed the valve core with a core tool & then used presta valves on my other bike with schwarble tubes that have a removable centre – like the stans valves.

I had NO punctures at all – for the whole year – and when I took my winter mud tyres off the tubes were pinned to the tyres with numerous long thornes – but they were sealed on the inside with the ‘no flats’ solution.

John

Audi A6 Avant – take care!!

I am on my second A6 Avant 2.5TDI Auto and I love them. Great engineering & build quality BUT….my first had a toptronic gearbox (same as BMWs) and went for 220K without any major problems…..

My present one a 2003 Auto has a CVT (constant velocity gearbox) auto transmission and this is an absolute LEMON. If in any doubt read the audi forums. I’ve just spent £2.1K having mine re-built Ouch!! New ones are about £4k plus fitting. Some A4s have the same box…..

If you want an A6 (excellent cars normally) go for a manual OR the Quattro A6 version which still has the reliable tiptronic box. The later ones (post 2005) are said to have the updated 7 plate clutch – but they were in the yard to be re-built along with mine……

You have been warned! – John

I use this ome mainly as I build bikes & the classifieds are Ex. Bike Forum & Chat are normally also interesting.

Use BikeRadar – to promote our group’s Sunday Rides (Hitchin Sunday rides); and I read SillyGrin & OTT MTB’s ride forums which are local& occasionally join them. I also browse MTBR forum.

I used to visit several Audi forums too….

Hi – just loaded my ride this morning to Garmin Connect from an Edge 705. All seemed to work as normal. Perhaps its a device thing…..

I use IE – for info.

John

Hi I bought 2 sets of new wheels last year – for 2 different bikes:

A set of SS wheels with Evo switch hubs & ZTR Crest rims for £220 (although I see they are cheaper now!). I then had to buy a tubeless rimstrip / tape. Although I eventually used plastic insulating tape as the yellow no tubes tape was too wide…

I also bought a set of Hope Pro Evo 2 wheels with ZTR crest rims from Winstanleys for about £260. These came with a moulded on rimstrip (saving money) & were far more tubelass ready.

The spoke tension on the SS wheels is much higher (& a bit worrying) & I feel the quality of the Hope wheels is much, much better. Although about £40 cheaper – given the choice I would have go for Hope / ZTR every time….

John

Hi – Yep mine is working fine too.

Uploaded my last ride last Sunday & just loged in & re-connected. No new activities found (as expected) but all is working ok.

John

Hi Bex – do your own thing in the race & don’t get carried away by others doing theirs. I only ride once a week but did my first MTB race last year at the grand old age of 57! There were a few older than me on the listings and I did manage to overtake many and think I came about 150th out of 200 in the over 40s – which was a result for me.

I am considering doing the Thetford Winter series again this year and feel a nervous anticipation just thinking about it! I have a much lighter bike this year so will try to improve on my last years placing…..

John

Endura Thermolite are pretty good. I have a couple of pairs with the pad & one without. I also wear some of their knee length ones (bib knickers?) for when its not too cold.

I do have a set of Stealth bib-longs but find them much less flaxible and very hot – although I have only worn them in drizzle. They might be better in a downpour….

John

Cheapest I found a while ago was Winstanleys for a Hope Evo 2 & a crest rim. They also have a wide choice of other wheels.

I too would be interestred in cheaper……

John