Flew Manchester T1 to Greece (Preveza) with Jet2 on the 27th July and back again on Sunday – no problems either way at all!

Bah

Pyga bikes are now distributed by Nottingham Powder Coating LTD, I presume they will know about powdercoating a bike

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pyga-bikes-opens-european-hq-and-powder-coating-nottingham/

Thanks, sounds like whichever we chose we are in for a nice holiday!

Thanks, it looks like it’s between messini and the one in Croatia, messini looks better for cycling.

Ah i forgot – I need a new chainring for the MTB so I want to try an oval one, if I currently have a 30 tooth should I go 30 tooth oval? I think I do as spinning is so much better for my knee than mashing.

I have Osteoarthritis in my left knee, I broke my tibial plateau 15 years ago, which mashed up the lower articulating surface of the knee. The surgeons rebuilt it with bits of my hip and metal work. I was told I’d get arthritis but thought that would be when I was older (42 now). A year ago it really started to hurt following two hard rides and playing football with kids. I had an X-ray (MRI wont work due to the metal) and it confirmed moderate degenerate changes in all 3 knee compartments, moderate is the level below severe and severe is bone grinding on bone. So there is not much cartilage left in my knee.

I was struggling to walk and stand so had a cortisone injection and physio. I’m not sure what worked but it was much better in a few weeks. I had stopped cycling, the physio told me to get back on the bike, he also spent a long time trying to get my knee to go straight again. I had lots of exercises to do, these started off focused on straightening the knee, then moved to strengthening it with squats and lunges and then moved into the gym doing leg press and leg raises. I suppose I know that its not going to get better so I might as well use it and put up with a bit of pain and discomfort. It looks as though everyone varies so find out what works for you and keep doing it…..don’t let the muscles waste away – it takes longer to get the strength back.

I don’t think I have the boost valve, its the RT3 model, Ill have to have a look on the shock and see. Thanks for the info though.

I’m 6ft 2 with massively long legs a d have an XL, I’d say you want an XL, my saddle is pretty high but the reach feels good and I probably have the same torso length as a 6ft person (36 inch inseam).

Got mine from mboy a few years ago and no probs at all

I did the same as sharkbait and the new door are great, the integral garage is now the dirty entrance to the house

I had one in my knee in mid June to help with osteoarthritis and its been very good, before hand I could hardly walk now I’m back to riding with no issues apart form the worry that I will do too much and aggravate it again. I also now do lots of foam rolling on my leg and strength stuff in the gym. The arthritis is the result of an injury 15 years ago and basically I should have been doing all the knee specific strengthening stuff all along.

The result of all of this is that it feels much better, I don’t know how long it will last but I’m trying to get it as strong as possible in the mean time.

in the tradition of recommending what you have and ignoring the specifics of the question:

Dyson cordless thing, its great on the solid floor we have downstairs, very quick and easy so do it more often. upstairs with carpets we have an old upright corded dyson which does well enough (dog does not go upstairs very much though)

The chuckle brothers were in the panto we watched the year before last and they were brilliant. Absolutely made the show and even had my 70 year old Spanish (does not speak English) mother in law in stitches.

RIP Barry

Hi higgi, I might be interested it that if letmetalktomark is not.

I’ve had a Following for the past 3 years, I’ve not ridden it as much as I’d like to have recently due to knee issues but got to ride Cutgate on it last weekend and it reminded me how good it is. For the last 2 years I’ve had it in a the low setting, I’ve got very good a reading the trail to see where a pedal strike might come from. Its been so good at cornering, great at downhills and pretty good at climbing, although you need to get on the front of the saddle and weight the front wheel down.

Since Christmas I’ve changed it to the High setting but only ridden it a few times. I think I prefer it, it was certainly good for Cutgate, I pretty much rode to the top from Ladybower without getting right on the front of the saddle and it was great on the downs (but they are not particularly twisty).

I’ve been very happy with it, at 6ft3 with very long legs the XL seems to fit well, my body is relatively short so the length feels right. I need to change the bushings so interested in the needle bearings if anyone knows the size to buy?

I think you are referring to getting up and putting in a few peddle strokes when the saddle is down during a descent or when contouring? If so I have this same problem, I broke my knee several years ago and I’ve not ever been able to do this since. Standing and climbing on the road or off road is fine (although I’d rather sit) but putting a few strokes in on a downhill I find that I need to sit to peddle. I presume my problem is that I have weak legs and just need to force myself to do it and get the strength and coordination back. I don’t think the rear suspension helps though.

Hicks Lodge blue is great for little kids, its only a few miles long has interesting fun bits, lots of single track, berms and rollers, nothing technical and only a couple of short hills which you can help push them up if needed and a cafe a play ground at the end. My 6 (nearly 7) year old has been doing it fora couple of years and the first time was on a 16inch bike.

Sherwood red is all rideable by a determined 6 year old but its getting on for 9-10 miles so the last few sections might be a bit whingey! Do Hicks Lodge first

I have a 6 and 8 year old. Hicks lodge is perfect when they are young/new to riding. You can do the big wide easy green trail and do sections of blue (with fun and easy berms and bumps). You can then progress to a full blue loop or 2. then stop at the cafe whilst the kids play on the playground stuff. been doing this for the last 2 years, the then 4 year old needed a bit of a push up the small hills but they are no problem now.

Sherwood pines is then a good next level, the red loop is pretty flat and not too technical, my 6 year old can manage this, once again you have the option of jumping on the fire road and there is a cafe and place where they can build dens at the end.

Whinlatter blue is a step up in my opinion, mainly due to the climbing. The loop is not too long but there are a couple of reasonable climbs which make my kid whinge. We have only been able to do the full loop of this in the last few months. But you can do the first couple of sections a few times or do the first half (only 1 climb) and build up to doing the full lot. Whinlatter has a great playground that will entertain the kids for ages.

These are the 3 trail centres I’ve done with my kids.

My wife got a sex club invite too, I did not :(

Took me 45mins to drive from hucknall football club (sons match) to East Leake (sons triathalon) on Sunday morning, its 10mins from Loughborough to east Leake so you’re looking at a pretty long commute…..

If you’re working south of the river then live south of the river. The commute from the north will be crap, and generally nice areas to the south…..

only 6 30min episodes….

Camelbak podium – we have 10 between the 4 of us. I got 4 Cannondale team branded ones for the boys – very unique at sports clubs means they are easy to spot.

Wensleydale and bread with marmalade, that was my get home from school snack 25 years ago (would also line the cheese up along the trough in the celery)

I got some camper ones for Christmas one year – they are the best slippers I have ever had (and I see they should be as they are pretty pricey)

these ones from crc, bearings feel pretty rough but hes 6

I got my 6 year old some plastic wellgos with plastic pins. The pins are kind of rounded off. They seem grippy enough but should not mash up his legs when he spins a pedal

I like Whinlatter, I like Cannock and think they’ve done a good job on the Monkey getting in the climbs and descents.

Also enjoying Sherwood Pines red at the moment – its just the right length (10 miles) and level of technicality to make my 6 and 8 years old boys feel like they’ve done a proper ride and has the benefit that they can clean all the ‘climbs’ (some of which look pretty big when you’re 6 on 20inch wheels)

Good looking dog!

Get him used to the rucksack, I’d love to see him being carried around in one in 2 years time!!

Went to clip and climb with 9 8 year olds and 2 6 year olds……I had lots of fun

Was worried….now happy

I’m going too, not yet packed enough stuff to fill up whippersnappers car so I’m not ready. Going solo and aiming for as many laps as I can, 7 or more sounds good but I have no idea as I have not ridden it. If I can have a price of cake every lap that will help

I have a scar on my eye lid from a springer that my parents had when I was 6minths old! My lab collie cross has a scar just below his eye from a springer he tried to make friends with when he was 6 months old! I have a scar on my lip from our old bearded collie who i scared when I was about 12. It all depends on the dog (not necessarily the type of dog) but you don’t know till they have grown up a bit.

I’d get a cross, I’d trust my lab collie cross with anything but then that’s just him…….

I wouldn’t plant anything that close to the foundations, do you want roots growing through the foundations? Do you want the roots to suck the water out and cause shrinkage (if you are on clay)…..

I left mine for about a year or more without topping it up. Then got a puncture that would have sealed if I’d topped it up, I know this cos I fixed the puncture by topping up the sealant. So you do need to top them up more frequently that every year.

Our 10 year old mutt gets Wellbeloved Senior and does very well on it. Hes always had wellbeloved, when he goes to my parents he gets something cheaper and it makes his poos sloppy. I’d rather pay the extra for hard poos (easier to pick up) and a reduction in carpet bum skidding as the harder poos squeeze his bum glands…..

When I’m there I ride up from Portinscale (up the Thornthwaite bridleway) do the red north, red south then Blue. That gives you a nice big climb from the valley floor to the highest point of the ride in one go.

I spent months making the same decision. previously had a Tarmac and I’d ridden a Supersix Evo in Spain and got on well with it. I had obviously not ridden the Canyon. I really wanted discs (probably a hangover from doing the Whitton in the wet for 2 years) and was more drawn to the Canyon (not sure why just preferred it). In the end I went for the Canyon, have done a few hundred miles on it in the last few weeks and I’m very happy with it. It fits well (Xl at 6ft 3in) is comfortable, feels super fast but not nervious, looks nice and has great braking!

Just asked the kids this….5 year old went for pork with crackling, 7 year old went for lamb. I was enjoying the beef we were eating at the time, so I’m going to go for all, at the same time, with roast pots and yorkshire puds and thick home made proper gravey