Penhydd + blue scar to finish

Just a quick note re the JustGiving page – you don’t mention James age. I think this could possibly help with people/companies seeing the potential for growth/development/investment.

Unfortunately I’m not in a financial position to contribute, but wish him all the best for 2024.

A minor point in the grand scheme of the route, but from Newlands Corner, once you reach Staple Lane/Combe Lane I personally would take the North Downs way across Netley Heath, picking up the Drove Road and then out on to Ranmore Road, rather than going down Greene Dene and up the b/w at Honeysuckle Bottom?

On the flip side, I listed a bike for sale last Thursday morning, had a message of interest lunchtime the same day. We arranged a viewing at 4pm and he turned up on time, looked at the bike and paid the asking price in cash. Zero hassle.

I notice they’ve started work on a new road layout/junction at Dunsfold next to the A281, is this where the site is or is it unrelated?

Sorry I don’t know what your TQ map references refer to, but from Cranleigh, I would probably go up the first bit of Barhatch Lane then take the Bridleway on the left (Jelleys Hollow) up to Winterfold to meet Greensand Lane, turn right on the road and along to the junction, straight across and pick up Supernova down to Walking Bottom Car Park.

That route looks good, no drops or anything that isn’t avoidable, I would say the most difficult trail encountered would be Wet n Wild, and the steepest Crackpipe which is straight after. There is of course plenty more, and if you had the legs you could head over to Leith Hill from Holmbury via Greensand way and do Summer Lightining trail (marked from Leith Hill tower) amongst many others over there.

You are right on the Downs Link bridleway at Cranleigh, so it’s easy to use that and do a longer xc route. e.g over towards Guildford, up Pilgrims way to St Martha’s Hill, up water lane to Newlands Corner, then either across using North Downs Way to Netley Heath, down to Gomshall and back to Peaslake OR head back via Blackheath, Farley Heath & Winterfold.

If it was me i’d do all I can to prevent him riding it off should he get through any lock. I doubt the thief would carry an allen key, so I’d turn the handle bars in line with the top tube, takes all of 10 seconds for you to realign when you leave (would also help with passers by not being snagged by them). Also, if its a fixed seatpost, remove and take in the shop with you.

I keep contemplating getting an F56 cooper S, but it is the hassle of transporting the bike that is the sole problem and reason I haven’t.

I wish they did a decent bike rack for it.

Big ride, good luck. 26,000 ft climbing is not to be sniffed at, especially with a loaded bike !

If it were me i’d choose the rigid hardtail with some fast wide tyres.

You can do it. Remember to eat and drink little and often.

Personally, I’d go look at the Elite in Reading @£1,750. It’s not hugely out of your way, you can see the condition and try it first hand. If it’s not for you, nothing lost and you can then consider the one in Lancashire, but factor in the fuel cost of that return journey.

I have a RC529.

Clearance can be a little tight but in my limited use so far I prefer the way the bike rides with the dropout forward.

so, er, why have that as an option?

Because if you run singlespeed (as I am), you need dropout adjustability to set the chain tension.

If you do need to slide the dropouts back, just be aware the they can foul on the rack screws – so it’s best to just remove them (the rack screws).

Pace 529 – also waiting for mine.

Could well be interested in the PNW 170 dropper, assume it doesn’t come with a lever?

Timely question, as I’ve also ummed and arr’d about the Rutlands.

My previous bike I was running 700c and loved the Nano’s on it, but now I’m using 650b and can’t find a tyre I like as much. WTB sendero’s – good on trails, but draggy on anything else. Gravelking SK’s – fast but too delicate, puncture prone and no cornering grip.

Hearing a couple of people compare them to Nano’s sounds like the Rutland could be the tyre for me. Just need to find some stock…….

If it comes down to a sprint, is that final roundabout/right turn going to cause issues for the lead out? Looks like a very short run to the line from there?

Yes. I had 5 bikes stolen last summer (one incident).

Insured with Halifax (all bikes listed individually). I had to provide receipts for proof of purchase, which was the difficult bit as some bikes were 10 years old and others built up from frames.

Got there in the end, then directed to wheelies who obviously couldn’t offer like for like so valuation took place and offered cash values for each.

The bogey strikes – brilliant finish !

Thanks for the info all.

I hadn’t looked it 12 speed previously, so didn’t initially realise it used a different freehub.

I think i’ll just purchase a spare HG freehub to use for singlespeed use, a little bit of hassle but seems unavoidable until a better solution is available for microspline.

I can’t comment on that particular bike, but I had a Mango (Point AR) until it was stolen.

Good for what it was (cheap). Took a fair amount of abuse in it’s stride. QC was slighty iffy in a couple of places, but nothing that stopped it fulfilling it’s purpose of being a bike ! Wouldn’t put me off buying another if the need arose.

No problems with the order process/comms etc but this was probably 3/4 years ago now and believe the company has changed hands at least once if not more…..

£1,100 to £400….that’s some discount !

All out of stock again!

From the website: Love/Hate is recommended travel 80-100mm or 440mm rigid fork.

I ran mine on a carbon rigid fork and it was great.

I ordered a CGR 725 GRX build before Xmas, email last week said it wont be built until 30th May!

@fettlin Ouch, I ordered mine beginning of Nov and received it early Jan.

It’s certainly a lovely ride, so hopefully it’ll be worth the wait for you.

I’m looking at buying one of these but wondered about ease of transferring between bikes mtb/road/gravel. With the saddle mount is it possible/easy to remove the light unit to tfr to another bike with say the seatpost mount? Or is it a faff and you have to remove the saddle rail bracket as well? If you use a dropper do you still mount it on the seatpost?

I thought this was all done & dusted, I’m so sorry to hear you’re having these troubles.

I split and divorced around the same time as you, yet myself and my ex have both owned our own homes for well over 12 months now. I guess I was lucky in just paying a few grand in solicitors fees, but neither of us wanted it dragging out, it only makes it worse for everyone involved, especially the children.

Good luck, lets hope her solicitor makes her see sense very very soon.

Waiting for insurance money to arrive any day now, then I’m looking at buying:

A nice steel 29er hardtail
A supersix evo
A steel or alloy graveller

Have you considered a Pace RC529? Pretty similar geo numbers to the Stanton.

@z1ppy I have one of those, but i’m not convinced it’s the best tool for the job. I think the one posted by @timber above would be more effective.

Pro’s of the bramble cutter:
Light weight, flexible, discreet (it doesn’t look like you’re out to kill someone in the woods)
Con’s:
I feel the curved edge needs to be longer to get more cuts per swipe, it’s not that sharp but I guess that could be rectified, it does tend to bind in brambles if it’s dense

Interested in this, what’s the SLNT like compared to the GGW, similar surface/gradients? I’ve done a little bit of the GGW (Inverness to Drumnadrochit) and that would have all been fine on a gravel bike.

Thanks for the sizing advice (and PSA).

Do the Pro’s size/fit the same as the normal Freeriders?

Love watching Josh Neuman longboard vids on youtube, if you’ve not seen him he does some great mountain pass descents !

Pace RC529 has slideout dropouts so although not ‘singlespeed specific’ chain tensioning is easy and ‘clean’ looking.

Shand Bahookie Single

I need some new ones too as I’ve worn through my TLD skylines.

Does anyone know how the fit of the TLD sprint shorts compares to the TLD skylines?

Thanks, I already have a normal and a thermal gilet which fit me like a glove in medium, so just ordered another in the other colourway.

Yes my daughter is unhappy going to school. They are 15+ teachers down, so combining ability classes etc. She says they aren’t actually teaching anything and she’d get more use staying at home revising (which I’d agree with as she is conscientious).

She has GCSE’s exams starting in May which is the worrying factor, as IMO these are the most important exams of her life.

Least wet and miserable option would be laps of Blue Scar, but not very natural.

Stayed in the region a few years ago, had a road bike and was good for that, I just mapped a few routes out rather than researching.

Did the 2 day Kayak decent of the Ardeche river and can highly recommend the experience and the guiding company we used https://www.the-outdoor-experience.co.uk/2-day-descent

If you look on opencyclemap, there is an an obvious route from Gumber Bothy (near Bignor Hill if you continue on the SDW West of Houghton) to Slindon>Fontwell>Barnham>Felpham. May be an option but depends how clean you wish to keep.

Or from Whiteways roundabout you could go up and across through Rewell Wood (incl. some nice singletrack if you wished) down to Shellbridge Road>Yapton Lane>Bilsham Road for a more road orientated route.

The Slackline does sound exactly what you’re after, I wouldn’t discount it on weight as I doubt there’s much difference compared to the Love/Hate, which isn’t a featherweight as you know (also a Love/Hate owner).

£131 on bikeinn in case you haven’t seen

Also contemplating some as my MW81’s are now falling apart

The previous incarnation didn’t get the best of reviews here but doesn’t really put me off too much

The best clipless MTB winter shoes you can buy

I believe there was someone on the gnarpoon thread who runs a launderette………….found them:

https://singletrackworld.com/members/rubber_buccaneer/