Was there on Sunday, first time, great place. Was expecting the blues/reds to be more like BPW but they certainly weren’t.

There was all sorts of bikes there so don’t let that put you off.

Uplift was good, apart from having a newish driver who did seem to struggle. There were periods a big group was waiting and then only one bus would show up, which was disappointing, but more often than not there was a bus with spaces waiting as soon as you hit the finish. Managed over 10 runs.

Will be going back for sure.

You get used to it. Ride within yourself on tracks you know and it will be grand.

Had no issue with the Superstar cheap one on my old bike. Gave it some hammer too.

Dickies, Carhartt (expensive) or maybe Uniqlo.

What about going for the ‘older’ Nomad? Very similar geometry to the new Bronson, just 10mm more travel. It’s a lot nicer to ride than the Bronson of that year IMO. I am biased though.

I ride around Darwen tower/roddlesworth a lot so yeah you could pick up the Witton weavers near the dye works on Egerton road and as you get onto Tockholes road take the right up Lyons Den and you’ll end up at the tower.
Can then go around the tower or straight down into Roddlesworth and over to Abbey village as Ecky-Thump says depending on how far you wanna go!

You could head over to Great Hill and down to White Coppice? I would avoid at peak times as it’s full of walkers most of the time, good run down though.
From there follow the Goyt to Anglezark res.

I had the same thing on an X9 10 spd shifter with the cable, it was new too.

I also smashed my x1 11 spd shifter cleanly off the other week, the casing broke, not the bracket. It does still work so I’ve got half a shifter which I’ll be keeping as a spare, though in my experience they are never quite right if you completely strip them down (though that is likely my poor bodge skills).

I know you mentioned you dislike it but Game of Thrones is so good, will be great to watch over winter just in time for the new series early next year. Band of brothers is also great, as is the Pacific.

I’ve enjoyed Vikings and Black Sails but neither are crime dramas, Hell on Wheels is a fun watch too – kinda a ‘dumbed-down’ Deadwood.

Fortitude was quite interesting, though not much really happened. I did enjoy it though – possibly worth a look.

Sorry to hear, hope you’re back on two wheels in some form or another in the near future.

BPW in August.

Afan in August.

There are better but for fast food I think it’s pretty good. I personally would rather pay the extra for Five Guys than Mcds/BK etc. I haven’t been to GBK in a long time as it was pretty poor when I last went, so it surprises me to see it compared.

If you’re in London/Manchester there are much better place to grab a burger, but they won’t be as quick. Don’t go to the Covent Garden one as it is permanently busy – Shake Shack is in the market which is also similar to Five Guys, and also priced similarly.

Burger tip for London is either Honest Burgers or Bleecker burger. Both cheaper and better than Five Guys.

Bought some Maxxis rubber from Next day tyres and did indeed get them next day. Great service.

Superstar special worked for me. Have an E13 XCX on my current bike though.

I have dropped chains frequently with clutch and n/w so I would always run a top guide. Cause may be me being a clumsy rider/poor setup/chain alignment but I haven’t dropped a chain since so that’s all that matters.

Llandegla or Brenin.

It’s open, I was there last Saturday.
First time and we did The Wall, was pretty good Zig Zags was the best descent. Was absolutely roasting and the fire road climbs weren’t that fun.. Could of been sign posted better as we did the ‘new’ start and ended up heading in completely the wrong direction.

The bike park bit is fun too, a really good ‘dh’ line with some proper tables at the bottom. We did the Wall and sessioned the park for quite some time.

Would go back but possibly try Whites Level!

I run an E13 XCX fine.
I experienced a lot of dropped chains on my 1×10 nw with clutch so wanted the extra safety, probably don’t need it as I think it was more to do with chainline on the 1×10.

If you have matte paint go matte, gloss go gloss. Simple.

I recently applied it to my new bike. Follow the instructions and make sure you’ve got all the gear before hand. Use plenty (and I mean plenty) of soapy water mixture.
I admit I struggled to get it perfect in places, but you get the hang of it after applying a few strips.
The strips are cut to suit the frame and is so worth it over buying a sheet of it and cutting yourself.

Also leave it 24hrs before riding.. I didn’t and some rain/muck got under the corners.

As above, use the education discount. I think if you buy online you get extended Apple Care for free too. Apple Education

I would probably say a Macbook Pro, though if he’d be travelling a lot an air might be the way to go, although you sacrifice a little on processing grunt.

I’d just say spec the best you/he can budget as it will last longer.

Also get a decent portable drive, 1TB should suffice and get him to back up his stuff routinely!

I ride a 2011 575 )XL) with same year Fox 36s fine, though perhaps the newer models are different.

I have some Fox ‘Enduro’ knee pads which are pretty thin and comfy, wear them all time, great in winter as they keep you warm too. Wear bulkier pads for any uplifts or places I’m likely to do some damage to myself!

I crash quite a bit and rather take chunks out of the pads than my knees.
Though depends on what you’re riding and your skill level I suppose!

You’ve probably done this but if not… close all the apps – double tap home button and swipe up.

Failing that back it up, factory restore it.

Will do, I have it from the 10th – 13th July and am planning of putting in the miles.

Yeah there is something honest about them which I like. I have been riding an Intense all year round and it has not taken to the freezing mud and millstone grit of my local moors so the reliability does appeal to me.

This is of no help. I am considering one too, trying one out in a couple of weeks so I will let you know.
Though for more than half the price I could get the Capra AL-1..

I too like the straight ‘beefed up’ top tube. Also apparently some geo changes?

This will be my only bike, so will need to perform on uplift days, bike parks, local blasts and long xc rides.. Has anyone used a Five for this? Is it worth going for the extra travel of the Alpine?

Mildreds in Soho, busy at peak times though.

Mine has a similar gap on my main trail bike for the past year and I haven’t died yet.. It does get a lot of hammer too.
Appreciate I’ve just jinxed myself..

Had this with my mavic wheels, I just bought fibre reinforced tape from a model plane seller on ebay and wrapped a few loops around it, job done. Get some o-rings under the presta valve washer thingys too.

Out on the bike near my house climbing a short, sharp hill I heard some squeaking and rustling up ahead. Turn the corner I see a squirrel being chased by my own cat. Cat caught up and squeaking promptly ended.
Cats seem to have the legs on squirrels though she hasn’t brought any back to the house, she has and still does bring rabbits, birds, chickens and whatever else she can get her paws on though.

Did ODI create the first lock on grip?

I like it, usually a L but I think the fit, although perhaps a touch big, will allow for some layers to be put underneath and also allows for stretch on the bike.
Not had the weather to test it out yet.

Cool, will give it a go. Can always return I suppose.

Cheers for the heads up, been looking for a decent jacket for a while and love a bargain!

How do these fit? Tempted to order one but I’m usually a L so not sure on XL..

No more 3L

The ‘100oz’ is the 3L mate.

Bladders\Reservoirs quite cheap too – here.

Edit – very cheap, 3L for £12. Ordered.

I would avoid the 2.0 petrol. The 1.8t is a pretty good engine, reliable and very tuneable if that’s your bag.

I own the MkV GTi and love it, if your budget could stretch there’s no comparison imo.

In regards to what to look for I would say rust (mkvs are prone to it on the wings) quick google revealed this – mk4 golf common faults.

If you’re interested in a mk5 let me know, been researching them a lot, as I’ve recently bought one!

Not sure if it will be your thing but won’t a Banshee Spitfire take 26″ or 650b depending on dropouts? Could be a good way to gradually migrate – was my plan anyway.

I stand to be corrected though.

Saints for me, though I admit I haven’t tried any of the others mentioned.

My saints have taken a beating and still smooth and grippy, take the washers out of the grub screws though.

Hell on Wheels is pretty good. Western but not as difficult to follow as Deadwood. Vikings is similar, but obviously about Vikings.

True Detective was awesome, really looking forward to the second series.

If last nights conditions are anything to go by be careful up top.

Stepback is pretty much unrideable with sheet ice across the pathway most of the way up. Mostly where the path is in the shade.

Long sloping front descent is better though quite a bit of ice about half way down.. seems fine at the top so I stupidly pressed on and skidded off track once I hit it.

Not sure what Lyons Den is like but drainage is usually better on that path.

Warm water in a spray bottle. Job done.

Honest Burgers.

Cafe in the Crypt.