i bought the costwold mountainbike book a while ago, great investment, cracking rides in there. I dont live so near the costwolds now…maybe i should go back!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1906148147/ref=asc_df_19061481473054740?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=1906148147

i fitted some ridiculously expensive campag brakes to a road bike once when i still worked at a shop. I couldnt believe how powerful they were for road brakes, very impressive. Might be worth looking into if your desperate for more power?

that is very helpful indeed! thanks!!

my springer is superb and to be honest i have never had a problem with him chasing anything except pheasants, and then as long as im moving he just wants to keep up. the comments about springers needing enormous amounts of exercise is true, mine is mental and its only a big garden that he runs around all day, as well as a run evernight that keeps him sane, amazing dog though, no fear, will go anywhere and is genuinly hard to keep up with on techy descents

park at blackpool car park and climb to the top of high vinnals (there are signs, blackpool car park is near moor park school if you sat nav that place, its on the old road to leominster (not A49)
from the tower on the top turn right facing it and descend, you will spot an old DH track follow that down the hill to another road, climb up the road climb to the right and enter the next wood called bringewood – follow the fireroad and turn right at the end to the top, there you will find national series DH tracks / xc tracks, no signs but explore. i either climb back the way i came or at the bottom of bringwood head right and follow a trail along the bottom – you cant miss it, at the forest centre head back into mortimor forest and descend back to the car park. dont know if that makes sense, it will when your there, i spent my whole childhood riding around there but now only go very occasionally when i visit the parents, should be good riding now, is fun all year round but can get very wet and slippery on the roots :D

i have to disagree with the only for aesthetics comments.

i have mono mini’s, probably 4 years old a had the standard 5mm nylon hoses. Fitted goodridge and it made an enormous difference, such better feel, i used to feel the flex and mushy-ness (yes that is a word) with the old hoses. Cant reccomend them enough!!

i love the sound of this event…i know my route planning has big impact on this but what sort of average mileage would i be looking at per day? just working out whether my current fitness level would allow it.

i really wish i could do that! i want one before the orange paint job…the raw finish is so cool.

btw – paul YGM!

i have the thule bacpack. so no need to buy a towbar / roof bars first. i got it for the van and its awesome, they do a slightly smaller one for cars, might be worth a look…

ive used roof,towbar and now this and its my favourite. Just dont buy cheap.

where is this bargain!?!?

any update by any chance?thinking of heading up tomo….anyone been out today?

cheers

thanks for that info, might wait a couple of weeks.

yes that adaptor will work

i wouldbe suprised if you dont need to adjust your caliper after!

i know some manufacturers use slightly different thickness discs so just check that the hopes are ok with your brakes

i have a transit connect, you could easily get 4 bikes in there as am empty van – i have the lwb high rof mind, although probably get 4 in a low roof – they are a bit wider than a caddy.

as mines a camper conversion my bikes go on a rack on the back so’s not to dirty my lovely cushions

i work at the local school as a PE teacher, we take the kids BMX racing in summer, its awesome. Steve the guy who runs it (ex flat land rider) is super cool. If i had time i would get out on the track more, its loads of fun. Scott Beaumont is down there from time to time i hear. Meant to be one of the best tracks in the country……

springer, no question

absolutely bonkers but will happily beat any bike down twisty singletrack (they favour straight through brambles, no fear!)

sounds good…always fancied the american handbuilt show, bristol is a bit closer so worht a visit

get one, right now!
i have a little connect i converted into a camper and its amazing. Ok its small, but that means its warm cheap and easy to drive/park.
its my surf/bike/snowboard wagon. We did a week last yr at -16 and its been fine, i go away most weekends because i can. FC carparks are great for an overnight stop and you wake up at the trails before anyone else is there – how cool is that! i love mine, although parents have just picked up their T5 with pop up roof and being able to stand up inside is cool!! if i had the money id get a bigger van, but couldnt live with a big sprinter…you have to find a compromise especially when you think of the small roads where some trails are?

been to scotland last 4 years…its all about timing, new year last year, waist – chest deep powder all over cairngorms, unreal, got better and better until about may, just couldnt afford another trip up there. 4 years ago though went up with no planning and very poor snow. when its good, its very very good!! but dont tell everyone….

stayed in the van up there the one night, got stuck with around 15 others, they opened the centre just for us, was like having the whole mountain to ourselves, unreal! try getting that in europe

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try again…..voodoo wanga powder coated baby blue

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voodoo wanga, powder coated baby blue

wasnt really disputing the value, just thought they had lost their classy look, i have a 3 year old wanga and still love it……

taiwanese was a generalisation, i have no deep hatred of people from taiwan!

yeh 32:16 is fine for cannock, one switchback is tricky, but all well rideable

because everyone else does….no i mean i chose 32:16….people must have copied me!

if i ride ss and dont have a beard is that ok!? concerned that im breaking some rules…i dread not fitting in!!!!

voodoo wanga or cotic for sure, i ride a wanga, my friend a cotic..its a tough decision..paint on a wanga is crap though mine looked tatty very quickly, although a cheeky powdercoat has sorted it

i dont think i could ever trust it…..the words “you only have yourself to blame” spring to mind though!!

palmer cash? worth the import postage imo

ive got a super thin but very wind proof north face one, its amazing, think i paid £50 at a cotswold outdoor…..its a winner

bit of an outside suggestion!my gf got into riding a few years ago, her favourite then, and still now is nant yr arian near aberystwyth.
super smooth man made sections, super flowy, always quiet, nice mix of manmade and natural – which has a nice techy river section, nothing scary, always a winner! to be honest i love it to, guranteed good time.
it does have one long long climb at the end but a great place to try!!

cannock gets VERY busy so maybe not reccomended!?!?

meant to be a great ride around lynmouth / porlock way, always fancied trying it – you will need to like climbing though!!!