ah ok…cheers

http://www.burls.co.uk/tiRoad.php

Burls will make you a bespoke Ti frame for a grand. I got a 29er there this year, couldn’t be more in love with it.

Day 6 of 8 on Transpyr and the bladder infection is flaring up….810km, 20,000m of up, 40c first day then riding perfection punctuated by monsoons. I’ve just carried the bike for a mile uphill through a mudfest and I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself. Best week of my life.

This thread is magic.

Last year was 8 days on Transpyrenees (which I heartily recommend, going back in 2014), think this will be a fallow year as family means I can’t do the training again. Am off work until March so will get a week in Tenerife with Lavatrax in Jan and boys trips to Afan, Peaks, Lakes and Stanes. Dragon again.

Heres the Channel 4 report.

http://www.channel4.com/news/andrew-mitchell-plebgate-police-cctv-downing-street

Coppers stitching up a cabinet minister because they arent happy with changes to police pay and conditions. Lets have the buggers in court.

Yeh I had a lovely ride on Monday from Peaslake in the cold sunshine. Almost bone dry on the main trails but looks like rain on the way.

Any of you guys fancy a midweek ride over the next couple of months please do holler, I’m off work until end Feb, prob get down to Surrey Hills once/twice a week, start around 1030…….

Going to go myself next week some day……are the trails marked/obvious?

Who knew they made bars now too? Damn I love Thomson.

and cords

Yeh I’m not sure I want to slog round for 4hrs……dont suppose I can change can I?

I never found dubbin to really keep my feet dry. Goretex boots or these days I’d have thought Sealskinz merino socks would be just the job.

Its going to properly chuck it down tomorrow, all day. 500 riders on a 7 mile loop for 4hrs? Its gonna be very muddy. (Thanks Sherlock)

I’m on a 100mm travel Ti 29er hardtail, that covers just about 99% of my riding…..if you’re more all mountain than me 120mm up front will be plenty. Good points above about landings, I hadnt thought about that.

Another happy eyewearbrands online shopper. Also http://www.irisoptical.co.uk/ are very good value for very nice frames and if you live in London they have shops you can visit then order online or in-store.

I had to get glasses this year for the first time, test paid for by work and I got lots of good advice from the optician. Got my first pair from them and happy to pay for the service but the back-up pair were online as all future pairs be.

Do Leeds fans have a bit of a reputation?

Troll….ignore him

Beavers are terrific but some people (me) had a hard time getting them up tubeless. Mud-X cover all the bases, maybe pair with a Nic or your regular tyre of choice on the front.

Hah great effort, beautiful and ridiculous.

Yes, sorry….you need a spare 1k and there is a recession.

My Burls 29er is still pretty niche but shouldnt be. You ALL aught to think about buying a bespoke frame from Justin Burls.

I switched to a Ti 29er in the summer, Burls hardtail. Set up fairly racey and light and 100mm forks on the front. I’ve had it up big mountains in Scotland and never wished I was on a full susser for a second though I have felt the need for a slightly longer fork. I wouldnt change as it suits 99% of my riding as is but if you want more of an all round bike maybe get 120mm forks. Certainly wouldnt bother getting a susser for all day comfort reasons, just isnt a factor for me on a big wheeler.

You do see a fair amount of people at races on full-suss 29er so some people clearly prefer them. With me I’m just glad not to have the hassle of maintaining bearings and a shock, have had my share of headaches over the years, glad to see the back of them.

Israel arent angels but the UN and its resolutions can go take a running jump. You want something approved by the Security Council? Better go cap in hand to Putin’s Politburo and the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

Someone remind me about this in a year, what say we all go have a nice ride in the Surrey Hills next Rememberance Sunday. Maybe meet in Westcott, ride over to Peaslake for 1045 to pay our respects, have a cuppa and a chat with the locals and the Legion, then ride on.

The Beeb really has lost its way in the last decade or so. I listen to Today and there’s always something good on BBC4 but apart from that there isnt a whole lot that interests me. Sky News is way better, the sport is all gone, the comedy seems to consists of endless panel shows with the same clever dick comedians and the drama cant come close to the output of HBO and Showtime.

BoJo nails it

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/borisjohnson/9671346/BBC-investigation-Smearing-an-innocent-mans-name-is-the-real-tragedy-here.html

It wasn’t just that it showed Newsnight taking up the cudgels against paedophiles, after the embarrassment of the axed Savile exposé. It went one better. It pushed all the buttons. It was like a dream come true for any vaguely resentful and Left-of-centre BBC producer. It was a chance to pour unlimited ordure on a man who – in their book – jolly well had it coming. He is rich, he is a toff, he is a Lord, he is a Tory, and – joy of joys – he is an EX-AIDE TO MRS THATCHER.

I got some American Classic Race for my 29er for £530, weigh in at 1450g. Very happy with them, they do heavier duty rims too for a bit more weight.

Crossmax ST are very good but I dont think I’d bother with any wheel that didnt have regular spokes again, getting replacements is a stupidly expensive headache.

I really want to read Bring up the Bodies as well but I don’t want to have too long a gap after reading that before she writes the third.

I can tell you how it all ends if you like?

Just finishing Wolf Hall, really enjoying it. I’m only reading fiction in 2012 after years of politics and history. Next up The Great Gatsby, then probably Bring Up the Bodies.

Book of the year for me so far is Matterhorn, no contest.

I dont think many doctors would tell you to keep exercising through a cold. I spent the weekend wrapped up on the sofa letting the bug do its worst.

I knew it, he’s getting a 29er……

How long until Phil’s Great Big 26″ Clearout?

Vapour owner here, terrific all round bike though you are going to want switch the crappy wheels. Got it for the BB7s, canti scare me.

Mechanically speaking, I’m Kermit.

Thanks for the link, most likely I’m going to try and keep them nice and clean then get a professional to give them a proper service in the springtime. Just hoping they stand up to a bit of UK filth better than Fox.

dunno…..fairly new so havent touched them. Do people regularly self-service Rockshox? Most likely will give them to Evans next year for a service at some stage.

Yeh saw that…..paid £360 for those exact ones (with remote lockout) 3 months ago. Great forks, thats such a bargain.

Peter Capaldi lives round the corner from me. I feel like saying “mate you were fantastic” but he’s pretty scary looking even on the W7 bus to Crouch End.

Let’s have your favourite Tucker moments.

“I’m going over there now to stick his head in a verbal deep fat fryer!”

It’s a Seumas Milne article. Don’t waste you’re time, he’s a Marxist.

If you had about a week in the area would you stay in Moab the whole time or split with another town? Clearly I need to leave time for a blowout in Salt Lake City with loads of hookers and booze and stuff.

You guys are the best

The 29er is relatively new, got it as a XC race bike but left it slack enough for Lakes trips, I’m going to take it, put a fat tyre up front.

I checked the seasonal weather forecast, reckons average high in Novemeber is 9-13c…….if its clear blue desert skies that must be beautiful but chilly high up. Doesnt sound like anyone thinks late Nov is a stupid idea.

Anyone stay in a nice B+B?