Would have put a linky in but nealglover beat me to it. I don’t get too hung up on the exact angle, just as long as I’m reasonably close and consistent.

I wouldn’t say always, but I would happily buy from Bird again assuming the bike and price are right given what I’m looking for at the time.

+1.

Also Maxxis MTB tyres assuming they don’t degrade the quality.

Must get one of those ^.

Marketing for safety equipment (especially helmets) that actually states the results of testing for deceleration and “Head Injury Criterion”. Why should safety equipment be selected without any information about how safe it is ?

Yes, sorry I meant Talupe. SOB in place of Stander as he can play right across the back row. If you want a power game Billy V at 6 and Talupe at 8. Antony Watson is another wing/fullback.

Think you are a bit harsh with Ford, I rate him highly despite being on the end of Ben Youngs’s passing. Try to imagine any of the other top 10s dealing with similar rubbish, it may change your view if you can stop laughing long enough. It always reminds me of kids doing the Hokey Kokey.

Not too bad, but not quite there.

2 full backs is plenty so no Mr Payne.

Maitland is a better finisher and defender than Seymour, the small difference in their general attacking play matters for Scotland but is irrelevant against the kiwis.

Centres OK (Mark Bennett is injured), would love to see Ringrose in but we need some beef.

10s, Ford instead of Biggar. The pack should put him on the front foot and he gets the backs going well, he was a big part of England’s 18 on the trot. Biggar sits far too deep and looks like a numpty (which he isn’t) when the coaches tell him to take it to the line.

9s, would love to see Ali Price instead of Youngs, his delivery is less toe-touching/reach for the sky. It won’t happen though.

Hookers. Jamie George is the best hooker in the Northern hemisphere. Best is a good player but can not hit the back of a lineout on more than an occasional basis. Won’t happen again but Tommy Taylor of Wasps is a better performer than Hartley at club level.

Locks, Henderson in place of Gray. More mobile and can pass off both hands. If Ryan was picked ahead of AWJ I would be surprised but would not complain.

Flankers, Hamish Watson and SOB in and Tipuric and Stander (oo controversial) out. Stander was great against the Italians but just an OK ball carrier against all of the others in the 6N.

8s Toby in.

Henson and Ashton can swap stories in the bell-end club.

POM for skipper.

Nope.

3 ropey games TBH, was hoping for better. Not too many making a really positive case for t’Lions. O’Mahony excepted.

Thanks for the confirmation TB.

Hopefully the other games will be better. I think Scotland could get past 40 here.

If you look at the photo on the review you will see that the rear tyre is a 3C DHR2 Minion. A great tyre in many respects but in my experience a very draggy tyre and guaranteed to produce the result described. It is also worth noting that the reviewer was on the borderline between a M/L and a L.

Despite reading that review in WMB first, I have a 120 in M/L though I am also on the border between that and a L – it is very lively, a brilliant bike. My main comparisons are an Orange 4 and a Santa Cruz 5010 – the Bird is better for me.

I demand that you immediately restore to me the missing length from my legs !

FnF are outstanding today.

. . . where did Scotland go? Cardiff, last night. The teams must have swapped shirts after the game.

jambalaya. Furlong for Ireland has been excellent.

“Just a tackle” with a kiwi accent. I’m not sure my sides can stand this.

That was fun !

followed by a light snack:

CF, this is the true Mike Brown ! Only a back, not qualified for true Orcdom.

A very wise choice OP. They are absolutely superb bikes.

Banks.
Plastic wrapping on vegetables.
Over simplification of TV documentaries and science programmes.

What BB ^^ said.

High Intensity Interval Training. Don’t do it unless you are reasonably fit to start with and don’t have a heart problem. There are lots of variations, I do quite an easy one loosely following research at Abertay Uni. Short warm up then 5 continuous repetitions of “6 seconds flat out with maximum load + 24 seconds gentle”. I usually do a few weights before and after. If I’m feeling ambitious (I often am that daft) I will do that session twice with weights in between. I would be fit if I could resist m’lady’s cooking.

Coloplast extender tape works for me too, but I use it for longer trips only as my skin breaks up if I use it regularly.

Forgot to mention, I also do a bit of gym work on a bike (shock there eh!) almost always as a HIT (HIIT) session. Very hard work, but quick and amazingly effective.

Gym sessions for me, but I’m a bit selective as to what I do. Mainly free weights, but I avoid using a flat bench as I don’t like being stretched out that way. Also, I avoid going past 90% of what I think is 1xMax. Some exercises such as bicep curls I stay nearer 50%. If you want to try any sort of gym work my advice would be to start very very safe and sort out your technique first then steadily increase whatever exercise you do. I avoid all work that involves curling up (e.g. rowing machines) as my bag doesn’t like it and tends to jump ship – yuk! When I’m out and about I always make sure that the bag is well loaded with gelling agents as it is an illeostomy and can be very liquid. Only discovered mountain biking after my operation, loving it (the biking that is).

Surely France are cheating, they have not brought Doussain on yet. Lopez isn’t very good but he is at least bordering on sane.

teamhurtmore . . . “Work hard to get the ball, present it to the pretty boys on a plate”
You’ve probably seen this before, but just in case http://ealingrugby.co.uk/?p=14008

🙂

Probably a different model, but mine has a quick release type screw on thingy at the other end. If it gets screwed in a bit it gives the same symptoms as you describe.

Helmet, elbow and knee pads + Raceface DP30 shorts (or shoe inner soles folded) to protect my hips for most rides. If it’s just a quick blast along the Speyside way then just a helmet. I have a significant ambition/skill mismatch and heal more slowly as I get older. It may look like overkill but it hurts a lot less and I get to ride more often.

Tubeless for the last 4 years, got fed up providing the midges with a free meal. Not had a “normal” puncture since though I did get an almighty slash in the sidewalls twice that turned me into bug fodder again. I’ve found that Maxxis are easy to fit whilst Contis make for a good workout. Both are fine once on and sealed.

Berghaus Mens Ignite that I got in a sale a couple of years ago. Love it. You could use almost any belay jacket though.

+1 for Fox Launch Pro. Including all day “jollys” with long hike-a-bike treats.

Idiotdogbrain, just had another look at your photos, did you have any trouble with the saddle so far forward on a bike with such a steep seat angle ? I’m thinking especially when starting – either catching your shorts or with rear wheel grip.

Thanks idiotdogbrain, nice review. Did you consider any other sizes ?

Loads of excellent choices here. Currently sipping a Tomatin which is lovely. If I had a favourite though I would choose Glenfarclas 10 year old. Their 105 is good too though definitely for sippin’ not gulpin’.

+1 for golspie.

I fitted 120 dual air Rebas on a 2012 Anthem X2 26er. Definite improvement even though they are a bit flexy when pushed hard. Recently fitted an angled headset which also works very well to improve handling and stability. The bike still climbs very well but is more of a light, fast, agile trail bike than a XC racer.