Lol! Thank you so much, you lot. Not only have you give me great and very helpful answers, but the classic STW ribbing (in this case, of my outrageous American spellings in a few areas) have put a big ol’ smile on my face.
WE WILL CONQUER WALES IN OUR RV/’motorhome’.

That is good to hear @MoreCashThanDash 🙂

Great points @muzz. Thanks.

Bike was in stock.
Online order tracking has been saying ‘Stock allocated’ since order placed. I can see others asking for updates on Twitter and FB where they’re in a similar position (stock available but no progress) but are weeks further down the line than my order.

I do think it’s fairly likely there’s nothing to worry about and this is just adjusting to surge of orders and shift to online only (majority).
It is also quite possible that the group has been hit really hard by shops closing, cash and payments out are freezing, and orders keep coming in but products slow or stop going out. Hence wanting to get a sense check here, to extent possible.

Thanks all. Appreciate the experiences, and do agree about smaller places faster at the mo.
Will hang in there and hope for a good outcome.

(Debit card is my only current option, for those feeling judgey 🙂 – but point noted, it would be smarter to make other big purchases through friends or family’s credit cards).

Debit card…

Thank you people, helpful thoughts.

And for those asking, this is her: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrwilleeumm/sets/72157630063262831/

Appreciated.

Thank you peoples! Loving the last response 😀

Great advice, thank you.

Another question: how much would it typically cost to have a tow bar fitted?

Thanks both.

Cotic Rocket? 🙂
Think an Ibis or Lapierre would suit your riding.
Some of the Titus range that On One are selling might be worth a look too?

Thank you – very helpful.

Still open to helpful responses.

Thanks both.

So if I go for 1 x 10, I’d be interested in recommendations on reliable low-fuss kit – what do I need to buy? 🙂

GT Timberline
— big gap —
Genesis Altitude 20 (current HT)
Cotic Bfe
On One Inbred 29er in commuter build (current)
Orange Blood (current FS)

Nice one Stevelol. MOAR!

Thanks mrmo – this is the route I’m taking, cheers.

Muddy – generally I agree, but I have to decide when the trade off between learning and screwing things up costs more than taking to shop. It’s a fine line as I’m pretty klutzy 🙂

Cool. Did you get over to the other side too? Big Dog was on the left hand side of the park, but there’s a joining section across the ‘top’ and then lots more good stuff on the right hand side. In fact, my favourite trails are all on the right. Lots to see and do 🙂

A belated thank you for the helpful comments. Cheers.

Cheers guys. Where’s a good place to pick up some well priced Pikes?

Thanks peeps. Pikes are sounding good.
Anyone had experience of Magura Thor, just out of interest?

Personally I was hungover and tired when we did Brechfa, and I found the climbs pretty knackering, so I’d say take the XC, but like I said, it was a bit of an off day for me 😉

Ardents? Nice reasonably low profile all-rounder, as far as I can make out.

This is wicked. Thanks all 🙂

lcj – that’s a very generous offer. Will be in touch!

Nice one.

V. nice.

then use a good quality chain lube that dirt doesn’t stick to

Please name such a quality product. Am currently using Finish Line wet lube – goes on a treat, but attracts filth 🙂

Just did this. Took no time at all. Am relieved and delighted all at once. STW win.

The best option Chichester way would be to hook up with the Quest people, someone put the (strange) link above – something about southdownshosting.

Other than that:

Stanmer singletrack outside Brighton is excellent. Recommend Brighton MTB rides for the inside track. This is where we ride mostly.

Friston is good for mini DH and an OK XC loop.

Tilgate is the same IMO – good miniDH and OK/poor XC.

We tend to mix this stuff with regular trips to North Downs and occasionally to Swinley, or better – Wales 🙂

Having a really crap experience with Send It Now.

Didn’t pick up the box, impossible to converse with, and confusing to understand which bits are them and which are Parcelforce who do the delivering and seem to do pretty much everything but take the order and offer refunds.

A good lesson for me in ‘Pay cheap, pay twice’ 🙁

I respect other peoples’ experiences, but just in my limited experience over the last few days, Senditnow = AVOID.

Thanks both. Will investigate.

It’s not that lovely lime green one that went recently? 😕

I had a Tick on my willy once.

It was French.

The tick, not my willy.

I didn’t die.

Classic STW. Genius.

Covert.

Happily rode it this very sunny morning.

Lots of twigs and leafy stuff on the first half of BKB due to recent forestingness, and it was hard to tell what was different from the original Barry Knows Best (as it’s now Barry Knows Better) but the second half with the nice whoopy berms was tidy and normal.

There was one pile of small logs right next to the trail, but nothing on the trail at all apart from afore mentioned twigs and ferny-leafy bits.

So basically, I’d agree with your drama queen bit – bit of an over exaggeration IMO 😀

Thank you Khani.

Hi Craig – blooming good idea, but just checked and nada. Thanks though!

Genesis Altitude 20 aka ‘The Winter Mud Bike’.
This spec – http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/altitude-20-2009-mountain-bike-ec017156

Balls 🙁
Surely this should just be easy to cope with numpties like me.

Just lolled at some of the comments. Tried to explain the STW banter to my wife. She didn’t get it. I’m glad 😀

Thanks Mildred, Gusamc and Esher – I’m good now. Sounds like they’re OK as long as you don’t get a faulty one. Like most things in life 🙂 Cheers.