I like Merrells mainly ‘cos they make ’em in huge sizes 8)

but never had a problem with them wearing any faster than any other shoe.

For a start do the council leaders work harder becuase of the money – no. I believe studies have shown (just repeating this from something I’ve read/heard) that people don’t generally work harder for more money.

If this really was the case why on earth do banks/business hand out the bonuses they do ? A quick pat on the back for each employee and an email from the chairman telling them what a wonderful service they are providing for the public would be much cheaper, no ?

How many people does the leader of L’pool city council have working for them? And how much would a equivalent level private sector boss with the same number of employees earn?

If you paid less and got lower quality candidates because all the higher quality were attracted to the private sector then you’d probably moan about the quality of the job they were doing as well.

As for MP’s – keep the salary low so they do it as a public service not for financial gain.

If you really want to whinge about other people earning more than you i’d recommend complaining about all the bankers bonuses paid to the staff working for banks that were bailed out by the public purse.

I was recommended this kmc chain which has been excellent.

Spanker just likes laughing at others.

I'd say big difference for in-laws between looking after a 10 month old and looking after 3 & 5 year olds in terms of effort involved in feeding/care/attention.

I'd take the hit on the holiday – it's only a year you'll miss out on.

Cheers. Was going to ride the XC loop and then have a play on this to make it worth the trip over.

6' 7" – ride a 20" Patriot which looks massive till i climb aboard.

Drivers are already charged where i work (goes to pay for the use of the facilities they use – after all as someone who doesn't drive to work i don't want to subsidise their parking place).

Thought it was standard practice, but agree it has to be done with the limitations of the public transport network in mind.

And despite the cost of parking rising it doesn't appear to put too many people off driving – the permit system is over subscribed every year.

So are all those who vowed never to buy from CRC ever again going to relent now ?

that malarky has certainly put me off using crc again. Ok, they've kind of sorted it, but I wouldn't want THAT much email exchange in order to get a replacement/an issue resolved.

My brother has had to deal with CRC over a cracked frame (and associated mess that made of other components). His experience has certainly put me off ever buying a high end item/high price item off them.

Sounds like it's a faff buying £4 grip tape now :-(

Interesting – in London where traffic crawls along at a relatively slow pace i'm guessing cars don't get the chance to jump reds?

Round here (Leeds) at rush hour it amazes me the number of car drivers who'll speed up and run a red – and they must do as the green man comes on on crossings as they are completing this manouvere.

Works both ways.

I use one for my front deraillieur – much easier to micro adjust the derailleur position to stop chain rub.

We rode BMXs and loved it.

Strangely enough i went riding at Hyde Park ramps at 7am a few weeks ago and found a group of smartly dressed(ish) yoofs who had been up all night riding their BMX's.

I have 'fond' memories of turning up to a Kielder Sunmmer Polaris many years ago and wondering why the marshalls were all wearing full mosquito head nets.

Then we got out of the car and found out why. In your eyes/ears/nose/everywhere within seconds.

Gave you an incentive to keep riding though to escape the buggers.

Actually, there is a horse specific trail already there, right at the top. You can gallop several hundred yards on a purpose built strip without endangering anybody

Ironically i've walked down there this year when the chevin was covered in snow – got some great sunset pictures.

TBH, all I'm thinking of is taking out some of the worse (durability / pass-ability-wise) sections, creating or improving other linking pieces so there's a more distinct loop. However, this is all based on the existing tracks that are there and being ridden already. Just trying to make them fit and work together better. And, of course, making their use by riders legitimate, rather than a some fudge of permission / tolerance / blindsiding.

But that doesn't sound like what Matt from Chevin Cycles is proposing – they want

cycle only singletrack route in Otley Chevin

that they can stick their name on and use to promote their brand.

Agree as well that trails should be multi-user.

Have you seen the multi user trails they are building round Leeds at the moment?

There used to be a great bit of singletrack bridleway here which has recently been 'improved' to make it more 'accessible'.

And it's now a 6 foot wide straight motorway through what was a lovely bit of woodland.

No thanks to that.

Not everything has to be purpose built or even built to be sustainable to be enjoyable to ride.

I think i'd honestly be tempted to campaign against this – the Chevin doesn't need any 'purpose built' singletrack – it's riddled with great natural singletrack and long may it stay like it !

Over emphasising the route bikers are expected to take will only be detrimental in the long run.

Not really such a good idea – way too busy a country park to make adding in yet more bikes a good idea. Perhaps a bit NIMBYish but there must be other less well used bits of woodland they can develop ?

If the council wanted to do something useful for the mountain bikers of Leeds could i suggest putting some all weather singletrack into Meanwood Valley – you'd create both a recreational and commuting facility in one go there.

First time out climbing with the kids – my son high on Ilkley Moor by the Cow and Calf. Fortunately mum wasn't there :-)

If taking part in the Singletrack Weekender isn't your cup of tea, and you aren't riding in the mtb marathon being run out of Kilnsey, why not come along to this months Stainburn Dig Day.

No worries – thanks for joining and there'll be plenty more opportunities to get your hands dirty in the future 8)

We (the SingletrAction collective mind) have decided to call it a 'Trailbuilding day' – which means everything from shovelling hardcore to chatting over cups of tea to getting to play with our fine selection of tools and toys.

Fun for all – perhaps we'll see you there !

I like mine for all kinds of riding. But then i am fairly broad in the shoulders.

Having watched the Dirt video where they measured the pro downhillers bars i now realise 750mm is narrow :-)

Good to hear from you Tom and surprised you aren't back on your hip – seems to be a while now since it broke.

If you are able feel free to hobble :? over to the SingletrAction EZ-up this weekend and say hello – will be a few folks there that you know.

Proper Dales riding,

Careful – you'll open up the north verses South/double tracks across moorland verses wooded singletrack debate again.

Circuit round Pately Bridge and the reservoirs north of it is great. If you have time the NY Moors are also good – park at Sutton Bank and head north. Or head over to Rosedale.

The trail centres that there are are also very good – Stainburn if you like it rocky.

If you can find some locals to show you round there's miles and miles of good riding round Leeds itself.

Cheers Tom (and George).

Remember folks, the more digging gets done the more trails we have to ride so feel free to pitch in for an hour or two (or longer…).

An opportunity to post a pic of my favouite toy (although i'm more at home on it on pump tracks than big jumps) 8)

I'd like to help on a dig day but you're too far away

You can still become a member – all welcome – you don't even have to be a Yorkshire person to join (i'm certainly not 8) ).

I find the easist way to deal with these situations is to openly discuss with my son what a gun will actually do to you if you are on the receiving end. It doesn't have to be frightening, just pragmatic, and obviously these sorts of discussions are all the better if the recruiting soldiers are prepared to join in as well (although that seldom happens).

Kids (and especially boys) are always going to play 'war' and be interested in it, but helping them understand the consequences means they can make their own minds up in the future.

Pisspots don't have a retention system to keep them in place on your head so the fit isn't as likley to be as good as an xc lid with a good retention system and surely if it doesn't fit as well it will offer less protection.

Don't know about that – my Giro shaped head fits nicely into the Flak i use and passes the hang your head upside down with the chin straps undone and see if it falls off test 8)

Best thing about them – they're cheap and you can cover them with stickers :)

Edric 64 – Member

Some people on here really seem to have no respect for the country or those who own and work the land .

The farming related detritus i see littering the countryside round here suggests those who work it have no respect either.

In fact i'd say i have more respect because i view it as an natural asset rather than a financial asset.

Back when i had some bottle/skills.

Anyone have a crash on the bike involving a vehicle where it was their fault not the drivers?

Ah yes, forgotten about that one. Many years ago riding back from Students Union down Princes Road in Toxteth, possibly after consuming a few post exam pints. Must have clipped a parked cars wing mirror as i looked behind before turning right.

Next thing i know i'm on the floor between two parked cars with a cut-up face. Racing bike top and down tube was crumpled enough to stop the front wheel turning.

What with it being Toxteth i didn't hang around to assess the damage to any cars i might have bumped :roll:

Just once – Land rover decided to pull out of a line of stationary traffic whilst i was overtaking down the RH side.

Difficult to say who was at fault (him for pulling out without signalling and checking mirrors or me for overtaking) and luckily i just rolled across the other side of the road which was empty at the time.

Walked away with minor bruising.

hp_source – Member

Isn't stainburn a bit short? STW guide reckons only a few km of trails, now if I could fit it in as part of a larger loop that might good, or start & finish there.

If you are more concerned about how many miles you'll fit in to the time allotted then Stainburn probably isn't the best choice.

Stainburn for concentrated riding. You'll need a local guide to get the best out of the other locations mentioned.

I've run an MRP LRP – essentially the same thing – for years. Minimal drag and no noise. Can't remember the last time i dropped a chain since fitting it.

Can't understand why more people don't run them, even on xc bikes :)

I use an FSA PIG with rigid forks (in fact use the same sort of headset in any bike). Still going strong after 3 plus years.

Currently enjoying a Ridleys Old Bob – tastes good to me.

Lancashire Bomber before that.

I was all set to get out for a 'proper' ride this evening and now i'm reconsidering the PT option.

Addictive hamster wheel bike riding kind of sums it up nicely. Cheeky even sounds like he knows what he's talking about ;)

2 punctures put paid to any clawing back of positions after a slow seeding run (felt fast to me though !). The 2nd being just after the fireroad section on stage 6 – having to run down the course past the crowd wasn't the most glorified way of finishing but it probably kept me from being last amongst my mates :) Plus i missed out on all the fun of the drops and jumps :(

Next time i'll skip the light weight inner tubes and stick with the usual DH ones !

2 by 2 racing against a similarly seeded rider was a great format – certainly made me put more effort in than i intended.