Penmachno looks to be busy this weekend. I'll be riding both loops tomorrow as I'm only an hour away at the missus' grans in Angelsey. Looking forward to my annual pilgrimage. Depending on how I feel and the time I might ride the Marin too.

Monday I'll be back home and riding in the Peaks. Probably the usual Fairholmes/Ladybower/Whinstone Lee Tor/Win Hill/Rowley/Lockerbrook loop.

Just checked the book. The Blacka route is the most common that takes in dore drops near the ford. This is classed as blue mudium in the book.

the Stanage causeway is red (and crap IMHO) and the broken path in front of the cliff face is black (which is great but not sure if its worth all those road miles, maybe in winter).

As higgo and thisis stated there is the odd bit that could catch you out but generally its fast, fast and faster and trust in your tyres (o and remember the gate that they put in half way down before the drops).

The better and more technical descent is piper house gate which I believe is listed as the black graded climb in the v graphics blacka route.

No, thats not the Blacka Plantation, thats the optional route in the V Graphics Dark Peak Stanage Route towards the Plantation (Stanage).

There are 3 viable descents on Blacka Moor/Plantation that I am aware of. Can't remember which one is listed in the Dark Peak guide.

In regards to OP by stilltortoise If Stanage Causeway is a red then the Blacka Moor/Plantation descents would generally be classed the same although the descent from Piper House Gate into the Plantation towards the ford is much more technical than the most common descent which takes you over the two drop offs prior to the ford.

Dalby Red all day? Yes on a Patriot. Just over 2 hours on something suitable.

Makeshift? Has buying the bike broke the bank? Endura or Lizard Skin Swingarm Protectors are dirt cheap and stop chain slap.

Otherwise I'd go with zedsdead and opt for tyre or better still tube and zip tie it on. You could also use leccy tape I suppose.

With Quinn on this one.

My mum bought me this for xmas one year. Jeff Waynes Muscial (yes musical) version is great with Richard Burton, David Essex, Phil Lynnot, etc narrating the lead roles with some seriously atmospheric (scary as hell when you are younger) music.

The sleeve artwork was also something nightmares were made of.

Just d'loaded it and listening to Horsell Common and the Heat Ray.

Great film. Really enjoyed it. The Mong people featured in Gran Torino were generally newbies or amateur actors but I thought the supporting cast played their part well. He can cut it in front and behind the camera and is a legend of cinema. The dirty harry films, the man with no name films, million dollar baby, unforgiven, the list goes on…….

Asian and Indian food is blinding for vegetarians. Tarka Dhal, Papaya or Mango Salads, Aloo Gobi, Sag Aloo, etc, etc.

Pasta based? Kale and Orechiette. Plenty of Olive Oil. Garlic and Chilli flakes. Fry quickly. Chuck in 4 finely chopped anchovies (you can eat fish can't you?) to thicken and flavour. Chuck in cooked orechiette pasta and steamed/boiled Kale and coat with the oil. Done. Literally takes 12 mins prep and cooking.

Sicilian recipe out of Rick Steins Med Adventures. Tastes absolutely fantastic. Best to wait until Autumn for the English Kale though as its much tastier than the tough bitter imported stuff at the moment.

Ask said neighbours whether they have any poop bags or scooper as there is a dog dump on your patio.

Make sure it doesn't do it again by using some sort of spray deterrent. This usually has lots of citrus in it which pooches dont like. Dogs normally sh1te in certain areas so using a spray will put the dog off sh1tt1ng there. You will need to spray this regularly for a while.

I'm a dog owner and my dog would regularly crap in the next doors neighbours garden much to my horror. I'd pick this up and dispose of it, apologise and let her know that if she ever found any to knock on my door and let me know. Luckily we get on and she likes my dog.

In the end though she put up a gate to block access as she is keen on her garden. Problem solved.

I'm sure if you let your neighbours know that this has happened they will be mortified. Simples.

Of course as you sound a bit tense you could always take the largest kitchen knife round and kill the whole family before setting fire to the property to hide your crime.

No piccies of mine in current guise but I'm running black Fox Float RLCs QR15 140mm forks having opted for the Mojo QR15 conversion from the standard '07 grey Floats.

Thats good to know hora about the Larsens. I think I'm sold. Larsen TT (60a) 2.35 on the rear and High Roller 2.35 on the front.

Not sure which one though. The 60a folding/kevlar is like rocking horse poo. There is the cheaper heavier ST 42a wire bead. Is there a great deal of difference??

By all accounts the standard Conti MKs that come with the 5 are pretty poor. The Protection versions are better due to the thicker sidewalls and black chilli compound rubber.

I've been running MK Pros 2.4s on my 5 for over a year in the Peaks and find them to be a great tyre. Reasonable grip, fast rolling and a sturdy tyre. I do run high psi though.

As for the mud then their grip is limited but they do seem to have a predictable slide. Due to the tread pattern they also clear mud quite effectively.

I am in the market for trying some new rubber and I'm torn between Kenda BG/Nevegal 2.35 combo or Maxxis HR/Larsen TT 2.35 combo.

"No, mine hasn't got a center parting"

and

"Get out your bard"

andy, no I haven't tried a 20", sorry. I test rode the 18" and found it a perfect fit. Decision made. I run a 90mm Thomson stem that was part of the Performance Pack upgrade.

My Stumpy FSR '06 was a medium and frankly too small. Although the large stumpy felt to big. Reach/length was reasonable but I ran a Thomson layback post and that was at the max. marker. A bank holiday weekend with a demo 5 showed me the error of my ways.

I might add that the proof is in the pudding so you are right to try both sizes before commiting

again not sure on headtube but I'm the same height as you andy, I own an 18" Five, if I remember correctly my steerer is just over 200mm and I don't think that my Thomson seatpost is overly exposed and no where near the max. markers.

Roots Manuva – Witness The Fitness

Hopes all the way. I can't speak for Magura or Shimano as I've not tried them but I had some Avid Juicy 7s for a year and pistons siezed in both calipers. They are a b1tch to bleed too with loads of faff with syringes.

Currently have M4s and they've been faultless for 2 years. Although granted, they suffered a little recently after two wet summers and two winters so I sent them off to Hope for a service.

Just to echo everyone else here who prefers Hope, they're well engineered and British built, easy to maintain, loads of power, nice lever feel and pretty robust.

Bottom brakes? Is that so you can pull skids?

For the RF crank arm length I believe the actual measurement is stamped on the inside of the crank arm. Most common measurement is 175mm.

In regards to bottom brackets I would have thought your RF X-Type BB is 68/73mm.

Check the manufacturers website to confirm.

I'm not! I've not ridden for two weeks due to a bad crash and I'm unlikely to be riding for another two. Pants! Saturday's weather looks good in The Peaks too.

Errr no. Certainly elements never seem to dry out unless there has been a continuous dry period a la those photos posted.

The latter mate. Just tightened mine by hand and then nipped up with spanner.

V Graphics Cut Gate is great. Do It. Set off from Fairholmes out and back. Next time I do it I'm adding the Langsett loop (V Graphics again) to it.

I recognise some of the photos:

Descent to Rowlee Farm, Lockerbrook descent to side of res, Fairholmes and Win Hill climb?

Don't know the first two though. Hope?

Nice day for it mind. Wish I could ride.

Apologies in advance Teeto but what tyres are you running on your Heckler? They look quite meaty.

glynP – where did you find the routes that MBR did as they are not in the mag that contains the article? Would be interested at looking at these.

I posted a request up on here last week about Torridon and andy@innerhaven who led the MBR trip offered to help with route advice (although I thought I'd flick through the book and buy an OS Map before contacting him).

The book btw, is like rockin' horse poo. The only place I found a copy was here:

http://www.ernest-press.co.uk/mtb_scot_highlands.html

Nice. Looks great. I'm hoping to ride up there early September. Kenny Wilsons book arrived yesterday so I'll have a flick through this weekend.

When I say out of the blue I've known about the holiday for at least 6 weeks but it was pretty much sorted by the time I'd been told. Which stung a bit.

Phuket, Thailand for a week then don't know. Gone with her best mate. Fly about now from H'throw. Back Fri 14th. God knows what time. Maybe she has not talked to me about it because she senses it pee'd me off a bit. Don't know. Fed up of second guessing all the time.

Yes, I think an impartial chat during the 3 weeks might be a good option. Thanks folks, appreciated.

p.s. I am going out for beers with the lads today but they'll more likely take the p155 than offer sound advice.

That's the thing I_Ache, I don't know anymore.

The relationship was unravelling for some time but neither of us talked about it. Ignoring it and hoping it would go away. I just got so fed up with the situation that I eventually raised the issue (as she wasn't going to). She was or seemed unhappy and so was I.

We talked but not fully. I suppose because it was difficult for both of us. I was completely honest with her and said I didn't know what to do for the best anymore. She was understandably upset. We tried to get things going again but nearly 3 months down the line its back to being the same.

She went on holiday last night with her friend so I've got 3 weeks to investigate my options before talking with her. Its sad.

This holiday was a bit of a blow to the relationship too. It was arranged and dropped on me out of the blue. I just started thinking that she had done it because we were not getting on. She's not really told me much about it. Everything I know about it I had to ask. She's not even left me any itinerary or flight times/numbers. Nothing.

Relate might be an option so thanks I_Ache. Thanks for the info melkor, that gives me something to look at too. You're right nickc, for my own sanity it needs to be resolved asap. Life is too short….

ackie, I sent my M4s off to Hope for a service earlier this year after 2 years of use and was very impressed with their service. They basically came back brand new. Well worth the money IMHO.

I suppose what I'm scared of is that her close friend is a solicitor who helped us buy the house. Therefore she has legal advice and support on tap.

BB – there are many reasons, but after 7 years the relationship has run its course

johnners – we have discussed our relationship or lack of two to three months ago but nothing has changed or improved. I'm not planning an ambush, I'm not looking to rip her off but at the same time I don't want to get ripped off myself.

Would CAB help?

Sorry to hear that. I've always been impressed with Endura products and their quality.
I'm still regularly riding in a 3 and a half year old pair of Singletracks. Best shorts I've ever had and outlived some Gore Bikewear shorts that were twice the price.
Have you tried contacting Endura directly? they may have an explanation or indeed some form of compensation?

funny thing is neverfastenuff I was at the chiropractors and physios for a ripped muscle in the opposite side of my back in May. Maybe it'll balance itself out now I've banged my left side.

Yes, it was a bad case of not looking where I was going as I was concentrating on avoiding said person and letting him know my displeasure.

I'm not blaming the driver, the reason I crashed was an error in judging my speed and spacial awareness, although his interference didn't help.

Just feeling sorry for myself as I'm in a lot of pain and uncomfortable with no idea if I'll be riding next weekend, or the weekend after, or the weekend etc etc.

Wish I was going to Verbier :-(

Yesterday, as I needed to be back at my desk mid morning for work (damn OOH IPT migration) I set off early on my local loop (Eccy woods, the parks, Porter Clough, Houndkirk, Blacka, Eccy woods again). Warm sunshine and not a soul in sight at 8 in the morning.

Again, I'm short on time so boringly I'm doing the same route again this morning (although to spice it up I'll take a different route on Blacka (Piper House Gate)).

I'm free of commitments for the next 3 weekends so the world is my lobster regarding where and when I ride and in the not too distant future I'm in sunny Scotland for a week. Good times.

Conti MK Protection fit the bill nicely. Grippy in most conditions, light, fast rolling, tough sidewalls, wear well.

Had my license since '93 and driven many cars but only owned 3…

'82 X reg Renault 5 'Le Car' 1100cc – my first car, my dad bought it for me for £50 and it ran without trouble for 2 years, great great car. Loads of miles and loads of adventures

'90 G reg Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI – o dear lord, I loved this car, awesome fun to drive and I've not driven anything that has come close. It was stunning in White and if I had the spare money and space I'd buy another one today

'01 Y reg Peugeot 306 2.0 hdi 90 D Turbo – I've owned this since '94 and its been a tremendous workhorse. Bought with 26k on the clock and its just done 90k. With the seats flat it fits two bikes in (wheels out) and kit and does over 500 miles on 60 litre tank.

Need something bigger now though. VW Passat TDi estate, Volvo V70 D5, etc, etc.

Are the Torridon routes point-to-point or big all day loops?

Thanks for the input folks, appreciated.

I'll see if I can source the KW Mountainbike Scotland: The Highlands from somewhere. I'll get the V-graphics book as a starting point as their office is just round the corner from where I live.

Hello Andy, having just re-read the Torridon MBR article this morning I recognise the name. The photos of the routes you took look amazing. I'll drop you a line over the weekend if that's OK.

Cheers