Without a doubt, the one that still blows me away now, and the one that properly gave me shivers the first time I saw it is the Wickerman (original)

Oh, that and Dirty Dancing of course…c’mon, she gets the boy n everything!

Point Break ending is a classic, although the soundtrack has a lot to do with it.

It was a tester race for me, not having a 24 hr on the MTB before, and having landed a place at Strathpuffer, I had a bit of a panic and managed to get hold of an unwanted entry a couple of weeks ago (thanks Pete68 OTP)….and then had another panic I didn’t really have a suitable bike and impulse bought a 29er. I wasn’t coming into it totally endurance lacking as have spent a fair bit of time on the road bike over the last couple of years, but I have certainly not been on an MTB much so wasn’t sure how it was going to go, whether the bike would be comfy (it had only had a couple of short test rides), or even if the tyres that came with it were any good.

I had the best pit crew anyone could want with several of out club riders racing the 12 hr teams meaning there was always someone about to help me on the Saturday if I needed it, and my amazing boyfriend then stayed up all night after his race finished to make me tea each lap, feed me, sort the bike out, fill my bottle up etc.

I put a ban on being told my position or how I was doing as I was adamant I wasn’t going to race it and it was in the middle of a block of training. This worked until about 4 am when the OH snapped and told me I was three laps up. I was hanging by that point after riding the first four laps like a trail centre visit and paying for it every lap after I blew…but there was no way I was stopping then.

My legs are ruined. 29ers are fun.

At least the calm before the (next) storm is here….

It’s definitely not dusty

Looks like asbestos board to me, but could be asbestos cement rather than asbestos insulation board. Wouldn’t give a definite without seeing it in real life.

PS – also check for panels under the boiler – it may be a replacement boiler installed sat straight on top an older insulation board panel

Rocket Tom – this is one where I would recommend getting a specialist in too (not me, I don’t mix work with cycling so I’m not touting for business, just don’t tell my boss I’m missing an opportunity ha!)

Looking at the pic there are a few things to question – how old is the boiler – does it have asbestos ropes, gaskets, loose fill insulation? What is the boarding (you are concerned about)? Is that textured coating or paper on the wall (textured coating may be asbestos containing), does the boiler have a flue, what’s the ceiling, and one that is rarely considered, but not improbable in an older residential property – are the pipes lagged beneath floor level/is there loose fill insulation and are you likely to disturb it.

It may just be a timber panel/relatively modern boiler/unlagged pipes, nothing to worry about….but then it may not be and, if you do have AIB there or even thermal insulation it would make a right royal mess if it isn’t dealt with properly. A boiler contractor has a legal responsibility to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 even when working in a residential property, so your boiler man should be aware of this. However, I would say at least 50% have no idea of their own responsibilities under CAR2012 and a good deal that understand the law flout it anyway because customers just don’t want to know. Educate yourself and grill them about the asbestos factor if you do decide to leave it to the boiler operative to decide what to do!

Out of interest, where are you based, how old is the property and boiler?

Also a surveyor/consultant.

From the pics I would say it probably is, but like above, test result to confirm before deciding on course of action. Could be a strange fibreboard. My thinking from the pics is Chrysotile based insulation board, but could have Amosite or Crocidolite content as well. It’s not layered in the same way as your standard asbestolux board, but looks like older millboard. Date of garage? 1930’s?

The HSE website is a very good source of asbestos information. Don’t be afraid to get several companies opinions/quotes and make sure you know your basics/what to expect of a contractor/consultant before going with the cheapest quote…it may be cheap for a reason.

You had the wrong mask on for a start. P2 isn’t adequate for asbestos fibres. P3 is the required filter.

Gutted to miss out on a solo space again. Looks like there was no rush to fill the quad teams again. Really wish they’d use those for solos and pairs.

I’m 5’3″, he’s 6 ft

I rode alot of Audax events in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

A had some good rides at all the distances up to and including 600k.

In the end, I just got a little fed up of traveling to start points to ride my bike.

I prefer to explore the area I live in more and just travel a short(ish) distance to do more exploring now.

But, I did have a good time, just sort of got tired of the same sort of formula of the rides in the end.

Met some nice folk though.

You can ECE and do your own DIY routes now straight from the door. Either solo (my own preferred method) or with other audaxers. No need to drive to the start then :)

I’m lucky that a fair few events go out within an hour’s drive from home but on the whole I prefer solo DIY GPS audaxes as I can make them as savage and remote as I like without worrying about places which will offer proof of passage. With GPS control points you can stick them anywhere – like the top of the nasty climbs ;)

Definitely, without a doubt, go on the date.

So what she was having a good time, she may even be out playing the field. She may even think you could just be a ‘good time bit of fun Mr Right Now’….but….she may turn up on the date expecting nothing, and fall right head over heels for you and find you are Mr Right (and she may be Ms Right).

Life’s short. You just never know what’s going to happen. She may be nothing like you expect, in a good way.

Definitely Alpkit – they are the uber company when it comes to dry bags etc :)

Thanks Esme,

Those are great looking packs. I’ll definitely look into one of those. The straps look pretty comfy from the picture too.

Meh

DH bikes are fun when there is a boatload of gravity, it’s rough and you don’t need to pop and pedal.

Trail bikes better on flatter ‘DH’ trails, fun trails and flicky stuff.

Maybe it’s not that the DH bikes are getting outdated, we are just lacking the trails required to make them worthwhile.

Thanks folks :)

Osprey packs are great and seem to have an increasing presence on the trails so I’ll look into those. Trying rucksacks on is a great idea, but it can be hard to find a stockist, and one with the female specific versions but I shall use the googlemachine and see if I can find some close by. Worst case I can order online and return, but then there’s always the cost of return postage.

I just love my Deuter pack for general trail use, it’s light, works well and fits fine, has been battered a lot and has yet to fall apart anywhere. But they don’t seem to do one that is quite right for leading.

I like the idea of the Wingnut and not having all the weight on my upper/mid back. I do really notice the weight on my back if I am descending steep stuff so having it lower could be a benefit in that way as well as physically. Tis a fugly bit of kit though (sorry wingnut makers…)

I have also been looking tentatively at this, VASTLY too expensive, but the back protection could have a use for enduro stuff, and as discussed on the course, keeping injured folks off the cold floor. Has all the features I had on the ‘perfect back pack list’. Maybe a little heavy. No local stockist for me to try one on though.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/evoc-womens-fr-trail-20l-protector-rucksack/

Get used to dealing with the pain.

Time on the bike helps, and you do adapt. Equally, some days you just end up uncomfortable. Maybe a saddle sore that is just in the wrong place. Deal with it, take painkillers, MTFU and keep going. If you get a real bad one, sometimes just sitting through the pain until it bursts is all you can do. The bursting may at least relieve the pressure and give you a few more hours of relative comfort.

Once you get past the total exhaustion point you kind of stop feeling things in the same way anyway. I have lost my big toe nail four times in the last year (road endurance work not MTB admittedly). Never notice how bad it is rubbing when I am riding, only when I stop and take my shoes off.

When you are shattered you may find you start pedal mashing. Change down a gear, breathe and make a deliberate conscious effort to relax everything. It’s amazing how much energy is wasted being tense because of tiredness and on a MTB it’s even worse as its just energy wasted when it’s soaked up by the suspension.

Thanks for the recommendations folks, I’ll look into the options suggested.

Test rides always advised but smaller wheel might be more appropriate for smaller riders.

Indeed. This is my issue.

All I hear about is how good 29ers are, how meh 27.5″ are and how obsolete 26″ are

I want a 29er, with travel, that jumps well and rolls over everything and grips like a demon…and that fits. I’m 5’3″

It’s just not going to happen is it :?

Thanks Tracey

The wheel size thing is my issue. I am just not convinced there is any merit to 27.5 at all. I’m still on 26 at the moment.

I am a big believer that 29ers are faster, seeing how they have transformed the riding of riding friends and how, even hardened 26 riders, have become big lovers of 29ers.

But it’s finding one that works in a small frame with suspension as well, and that I will be able to feel comfortable on. Maybe it’s a wish too far.

Most fun bike ever

Stiff as a stiff thing

Frick – by the time I clicked ‘go’ I was already too late and on the waiting list 8O

Amazing (and great!) to see an event so well supported and subscribed. Just gotta wait for the drop-outs *crosses fingers

I’ve had 1:1 and mixed group coaching in a number of formats/with different instructors over the last 7 years, but always recommend Tony Doyle http://www.ukbikeskills.co.uk/ as mentioned above. I cannot express just how much he did for my riding, both with immediate effect at the time of tuition (changing poor braking habits), and over the long term when the tuition really started to sink in and become a habit.

In addition, in the summer of last year, I had a 1:1 day with Neil Donoghue http://www.neildonoghuecoaching.co.uk/ for the very practical reasons of 1) he was closer and 2) the waiting time wasn’t as long

I found, much to my surprise, that Neil’s coaching complemented that I had already had from Tony Doyle and I benefited massively from the session. His cornering tuition has stayed with me and, despite spending a lot of time road riding over the last year, I still remember the advice when I get back on the MTB.

I am tempted to have another session at some point with either Tony or Neil.

I have never really found group tuition to be as beneficial as 1:1. The group is either too advanced, or not advanced enough for each member. Often focus on individual problems is difficult when there are other people for the instructor to consider. They are fun though :)

It was a great weekend, thanks to the weather and our brilliant MCS club riders who did excellently. As a spectator it was a pleasure to see pretty much everyone smiling and chilling in the sunshine.

It needs turning into some sort of bike “festival”. Wiggle kill it with their restrictions on who can sell what, who can put banners up etc. It needs a beer tent and bands or the Diprose brothers disco in the woods to come back. There is no buzz in the main arena these days.
The course was great this year, as was the weather, and I’d like to say a big thank you to Patrick and Gatcombe Park.

^ Totally. It definitely has lacked that ‘festival’ atmosphere ever since Wiggle took over with their iron-clad-sponsorship. I am glad to hear they will not be involved next year. MM is a fantastic event, with a great history, but it could easily be destroyed by bad commercial sponsorship.

Thanks folks, for the feedback.

I’m going to go with a pack of Disco Kevlar ones.

OP – I am so glad you asked this question. It is something I have been pondering myself.

I got a 26″ 2013 build, swanky tuned kashima fork and shock, pretty much everything as I wanted it….but then have followed a few people on bigger wheels and saw them rolling whilst I pedalled. Had a go on some bigger wheels (not a Five) and the experience was very different than I was expecting – I really liked it.

Of course…tick tick tick goes the brain “Damn wish I had waited a year and gone 650b”

This thread has somewhat settled me back into getting on and riding what I have. Although I would still be keen to hear from genuine Fiveophiles who have run the 26″ for years and made the change to 650b, for I think they may offer the best impression of the difference.

schmiken – Member

Al, I see your Fat Chance and raise you a Specialized Demo:

^Now that, that definitely wins.

Makes mine look positively dull!!

I wish I could but he died when I was nine and I have been subconsciously looking for a replacement ever since

grinding paste

I got to a Travelodge

Does that count?

Must say though, thanks very muchly to xherbivorex for showing me round the riding at Phillip Park. I am very impressed. It was a brilliant evening on some rather stunning local gems. I ride ‘small local stuff’ all over the UK when I get chance (thanks to work travels) and can honestly say this is one of my favourite places I have seen so far. I just love the feel of the place, and the trails were very well constructed. Can’t wait to get back!

It was a great evening, nothing like splashing about in the rain, seeing urban foxes, toads, rabbits, graveyards, not ending up on the M60 hard shoulder/in a river – all whilst the rest of the world were stuck in front of the telly. :D

So much for Southern Softies…..you lot are all a bunch of Northern Nambies :P

Yeah that was me. Three crashes, saddle sore like I have NEVER known, knackered wrists….never, ever, again (or at least not with Minion-Hi Roller on an Orange 5) :wink:

Legs feel pretty good though!

I was 12 hour solo and chugging along at ‘why am I so overbiked pace’ but only had one, maybe two, riders come past me without announcing themselves….which is amazing considering how frantic the teams were pelting round. Thanks to the 99.99% of you guys who were always polite and careful with the overtaking :D

I think the abduction verdict is wrong – she went with him under her own will.

If the girl was saying ‘he made me believe he loved me but I knew it was wrong, I didn’t really want to go to France’ it would be different, but she isn’t. She clearly went to France under her own free will, and slept with him happily.

15, even 14 is not unusual for girls to become (very) active sexually and the black and white 16yr old line of the law is totally unrepresentative of the massive difference in maturity of teenagers. As a note, one of my close friends met her husband when she was 14 and he was 25, they are happily married and the relationship is as strong now, 21 years later.

This is getting so much press coverage, and yet when 15 yr old girls are coerced into sex by 15 yr old boys (which, lets be honest happens ALL THE TIME) even when they don’t want it/aren’t ready for it, no-one really bats an eyelid.

We need to give young ladies the courage to say ‘no, this is who I am and I’m not ready’. However, even with the best education, I’m betting that lass would have still made the same decision. You can’t help who you fall in love with, and you can’t stop young girls growing up.

Oh, and just to add to the debate…..in many countries in the world she would have been more than old enough to be married and would have to subject to every demand of her husband/have children. This rarely gets press coverage. Is that right? Because it happens in another country we have to turn a blind eye? Because it’s an established ‘cultural belief’ we have to ignore it? I think not – from a female perspective I think it’s tragic that a young girl in love will be denied the chance to fulfil the relationship because of an arbitrary age cut-off point……but I feel it far more tragic that millions of girls never even get the chance to feel true love and are forced into abusive relationships that last their entire lives whilst the rest of the world looks on.

We are so lucky to have so much riding in such a small space!

Ah rightyo – yeah, I know it as ‘Hitchcock’….great putting it all together including the park and steps right down to the Post Office. We normally start it at the base of Beacon – between the bottom of the Beacon flat out fast southern descent and the top of the gold run/gold mine run/rabbit run (depending on who you speak to!) there is the Singletrack that heads North on the Eastern side….drops you into the top of it :D

Ooh is it a secret? Can you mail me the grid references of start/finish?

Really interested to hear the ‘went out and did some riding and…’ review :)