Same boat…live south birmingham so
Cannock is closest but that’s 26 miles as the crow flies or 40 odd via the motorway. Haven’t been since before Christmas, been riding towpaths or road biking locally, I’m itching to get out on the mtb, it’s not to meet up with group rides just to ride solo that’s all I’ve done for nearly a year now.

I probably could drive or take the train but it’s not in the spirit of things and been told local police fining anyone with a car that’s not registered locally to the chase so not worth a fine even though the risk is zero as i won’t be meeting anyone and generally ride midweek when it’s quiet.

Been getting the tech T-shirt’s in the sales there pretty good for mtb’ing and the core Lycra padded shorts but I use them road and mtb, be interesting to see price to quality as they can be a tad expensive.

I did one in the summer, £91 but better than points and declaring it on my insurance, course was Saturday afternoon was supposed to be 3pm-6:30pm, it finished at 5:30, the thing that shocked me was the cardboard box crash test, only 1mph more…

Do I drive differently yep a bit, the road I got caught on used to be 40mph but lowered to 30mph it’s an old dual carriageway but as more houses went up round it it got a lowered mph, problem is everyone still does 40, I know crawl along it at 30mph, I get beeped, bottles thrown, hand signals etc…but get the last laugh as at least 3x a week the camera van is in the same spot.

I found Gap do a relaxed fit version, these are perfect for me, loose in the right places, not too baggy but comfortable. I’ve got some Levi’s but there the untreated ones so keep them for best.

What I struggle with is what to wear when not wearing jeans??!! Early 40’s what do men wear?? Too young for cords and trousers 🤣 can’t wear shorts all the time can you??

I’ve got a DS3 had it since 2013, it’s paid for, low costs, stupidly low mileage at 23k, it’s got an old fashioned 1.6, 155bhp engine, not one of these eco engines. It does the job, bar a new battery due to me not using it much. Oh and a towbar for my bike rack, certainly stands out in the staff carpark, normally get asked why has that little car got a towbar, in reality it’s not that small a car.

I’ve got a couple of sets worth 3x what I paid for them, one UCS is worth over £1k, lego if you get the right sets is worth good money.

I’ve recently got the new Falcon, to build or leave in the box….that set is retiring very soon.

Evolution bikes where really good last year, luckily right by our hotel, bike was ready when requested and serviced all ready to go….can’t remember the owners name but I found him through here years ago, he was a regular poster.

I’ve got the 2019 version but it’s the same as the 2018, and as my commuter it’s a great bike, I use it for quick canal rides, or just work.

The only downside is mudguards, it has no mounts to fit them which is a bit crap. But the stock older bike does everything and nearly 2 years so far I haven’t had a puncture or flat, the tyres may look chunky and heavy they seem fully puncture proof (flat tyre in the morning).

Interested in the new one as it seems more gravel than commute on the road.

I’ve recently got a Rail 7, i ride it when solo biking, tbh it’s awesome for those little loops of uphill downhill, as others have said it’s fast as you like uphill and downhill it’s just planted. I’ve hit bits of trails I wouldn’t of before and I’m out riding longer.

I don’t get the rattle others have said but I do get the whirl of the motor but I think that’s more me as I still ride like a non eMtb so spinning lots when going uphill, I do get a proper workout this way.

Would definitely recommend buy from an LBS, I got mine from Blazing Bikes who have been awesome, I had the crank come loose, and then the chainring which needs a specific tool, unfortunately they are 60 miles away I wish I had got it locally but my lbs are always fully booked and never have the time to help when buying a bike let alone warranty work so blazing bikes got my money. A good bike shop is the key for emtb’s.

I wouldn’t worry too much, it feels the general population has given up, I was on a train from Birmingham to solihull yesterday, turns out there was 20 staff of a company holding a meeting, no facemasks all high-fiving each other they took over the bottom part of the carriage. Got to solihull they all rushed off together, laughing and joking as the got on the train heading back to Birmingham. It was very odd in this current covid situation.

Don’t think anyone really knows what impact our actions have on others, I just try to look after myself.

The biggest part is those ignoring the rules/recommendations vs those who are trying to keep to them, you fall into the later, every so often we do things that feel natural just Human nature.

Do you have to book parking in advance? Or can you turn up on the day?

I picked up a Trek Rail recently and love it!! I don’t need it from a fitness age reasons, it was more a mental block on mileage, definitely helped my idea of what I can do….still ride the stumpy when on group rides but use the Rail when out on my own.

Used to find I would get to 15 miles and while I had power in the legs I couldn’t get past the mental block that I was knackered, used the Rail alternate rides now ride 22 miles on both, so it did the job.

One thing I do like and I know I shouldn’t but hitting turbo on the fire road hills and still powering up with the added assist, always brings a smile to my face!

In hindsight I should of just got a levo sl as I ride round in eco most the time, maybe my next one will be levo..

Course done, content was good and tbh surprising the difference 1mph makes when stopping, delivery not so good, mainly due to the tech you can tell it’s been rushed together as a solution but it’s better than just going to a fine and points. Did learn a few bits, and it was short only 2 hours once it started but took 45 mins to get in and register.

Was about to ask is it a trek, the extra cables are for trek/bonty lights they use the main bikes power supply. The Rail has the same additional cable.

Already Trek’s 2021 out and about and as above some already sold out for the year due to China and the upsurge in bike sales.

Thanks all, have to remind myself to get a coffee before, got a 4am start at work and course at 3:45…

Across the West Midlands all the physical course seem fairly convenient, guessing there’s an excess of office space…

The waiting time to book one is fairly quick so guessing they can fit these in quicker and cheaper than classroom sessions.

If you know what you want blazingbikes while not local, there service has been great! I got mine weekend of the first lockdown, was delivered within 24hrs, they deliver across the U.K. I think it’s the only trek dealer that does this.

Obv it’s a bit far for a warranty issue, but worth a day trip surely??

I quite like the fox launch enduro it does the job but can’t find any like them, the Dainese I had a pair when they first launched and just didn’t get on with them at all.

I went today, was quiet when I started the ride, rammed at 11am when I was heading off, guessing early bird and all that…hopefully will be quieter in the week.

The car parks should of all opened today, no one I know went, hoping everyone went today so I get a few hours peaceful riding, otherwise it’s back to the road bike.

I’ve got a 2018 Roubaix with the second version of future shock, have to say it’s a great bike really is! Mines the carbon version when the sun hits it in the right way it’s a sparkle purple, it’s a stunning bike.

Prior to this I had a canyon roadlite the proper road bike not the current hybrid, I rode that for 10 years before hurting my back last year and found the roubaix in the sale.

Link:
https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/12184/2018-roubaix-comp/

I hurt my back and the canyon was just too much hence the change to something smoother.

Just need to resit the rack, it hasn’t sat properly on the tow bar, got this spot on with my last rack, my new one it’s taking some practice.

I really like the new sirrus x range, but I’m currently riding an Orange Speedworks last years model for work commuting, canal trips etc. Been a good year riding, although considering changing the tyres as they’re tight grip and every tiny stone gets stuck in them.

Very similar we have a holiday booked through tui for Greece in September, Im doubtful it will go ahead, but if I cancel we lose everything, if tui cancel I will eventually get the money back, i think it makes it worse that I still have to pay to get my money back as 75% of the trip is paid for.

Is that the TDF version?

From local reports, practice landing at bhx for quite a few RAF planes getting ready for extension of NHS Nightingale and the other facilities being built at NEC and airport.

I’m at the point it needs cutting…recommendations on clippers, everything seems out of stock.

Thule velospace xt, designed for plus bikes, fat bikes, eMtb. My only gripe with it is blimey it’s heavy, proper heavy! Other than that it does the job well.

I’ve only just got my ebike but the plan is to ride it when I ride solo so I can get more out of me while out and about and ride my other bikes when with others until they get an ebike. Road bike I always ride on my own so no change there.

Trek Rail/ Stumpjumper St and a carbon fuse.

Nope to both, custom to the motor crank.

Mine arrived today! Only ordered yesterday and hand delivered social distanced of course to my front door. Amazing service! I didn’t order from my lbs regrettably but it is someone’s lbs.

So it’s a Trek Rail 7 in the red/black now I hired one before and didn’t realise the weight lol trying to get it up 2 flights of stairs was a challenge, really need to find it a downstairs home.

Didn’t come charged which I’m guessing is a good thing as potentially will just sit there until this curfew lifts. Fit wise it’s perfect very happy with the purchase.

Just ordered mine, been decision making for a while but went for the Trek Rail 7, got it with £800 off and free delivery from an lbs not mine but one that’s a bit further away but happy to deliver!

Hopefully delivery tomorrow!!

It’s difficult to say….the sl gave me that little push the nudge rather than the full eMtb experience, it felt just like my stumpy with a caffeine rush. While the turbo when not in eco mode you knew it was an eMtb it felt heavier but more capable on the longer climbs and relying on my legs as much….

If I was to continue to train / car commute to places to bike I would get the sl, if I could figure out a route from home to Cannock then I would get the turbo.

Saying that I really like the Rail, it’s just the control panel I don’t like it gets in the way…but I have a very good trek dealer locally so I’m probably going to go that way.

That puts an interesting slant on things…

Torn on my next bike I’ve rode a levo and the new sl and it’s bigger bike than I normally use but a great bike! I also really like the rail it’s closer to my current bikes….no idea which I will get.

I’ve got the older speedworks, very wide bars! It’s used as my commuter and is fun down the canals but the old one doesn’t have mudguard holes for fitting even though the description states it does…like the look of the sirrus x as it’s replacement.

I’ve got the 2, use it to carry a med 650b plus bike and normally my mates 29er, loads of space compared to my last rack it’s great! But it’s heavy!! Very heavy compared to previous racks but it’s designed for bigger bikes!

Halfords won’t allow you to top up the initial voucher anymore. I was going to get a Giant Revolt at £1149 so only a smidge away from the golden ticket of £1000 but after going to cycle republic and calling Tredz they apologised that the top up isn’t available.

Still a few other stores to try but looks like those days are over and ours is capped at £1k.

If you find somewhere that does allow it and delivers, let me know, I’ve not found one yet.