Why, oh why did I post this thing here???

I went to Holford last Saturday. Rode a fair chunk of Quantocks, navigating with OS map. Immediately, just after I left the car park I absolutely felt in love with this place! I felt like I was in heaven! Couldn’t stop smiling, even on some very steep climbs (and some downs, where I thought I was going to die…)

Came back there on Monday, taking a day off work…

I’m thinking about another day off sick now…

Few days ago I went for a ride after having a quite big plate with pasta with rich bolognese sauce.

I normally have some snack during a ride, this time I didn’t even think about eating! The “ride” included: getting the bike/gear ready, 1 hour drive, 2.5 hrs riding, 1 hour drive back, unpacking/unloading… And I didn’t even want anything for dinner. Seems to work well for me!

In the winter – yes. Beaver front and rear.

I’ve had exactly this problem. After every ride over something more bumpy than rough tarmac my fingers were in agony.

I got the Ergon grips and re-positioned my brake levers a bit up and now the pain is a history! I rode with a friend around Quantocks last Monday and after every DH bit he was almost crying due to wrists and arms pain. I did not experience even a tiny bit of pain, honestly!

Every time I email something project-related to one of my directors, he forwards me my emails shortly after, with annotation “FYI”…

You can always explain yourself: “but I read it on STW!” 8)

Once worked in a meat processing factory. 8 hours shift. My role was to stand by one conveyor belt, which was transporting some breaded chicken fillets and from time to time I had to give it a gentle knock to remove an excess of breadcrumbs from the belt. I had suicidal thoughts…

Another thing to remember when driving through small towns/villages: when you get to a cross-type junction with no road given a priority – whatever comes from your right, they go first!

It feels totally unnatural, but the “right hand rule” applies to most continental countries.

At night all the psychopath killers (rapists? :roll: ) would rather be in town/city centres than in the middle of the forest. And the big bonus of night riding is no dog walkers behind the corner!

Can I be the first to throw a stone??? Please!?

Maxxis Crossmark or Aspen. Both brilliant off-road in any conditions but knee-deep mud and both are a breeze on tarmac.

There is an interesting video on YT (search for a channel “Smarter Everyday”), where a guy learns to ride one of these “wrong” bikes. He tries everyday, then finally is able to ride it – but looses the ability to ride the normal bike!

You’d probably end up with “halfords-style” stem to keep your CoG central!

As per my super-techy CAD work (95° HA):

:D

Oh, many thanks for the links! Yeah, it was Brent Knoll the one I meant! But Crooks Peak is now the one I want to visit next weekend… 8)

or do you mean brent knoll? the hill that stands on its own?

It must be this one! It is on its own, what makes it very spectacular from the car perspective!

On the left, and kind of pointy, is Crook Peak

or maybe this one? :roll:

Wet lube for me – big drop on the side of the pedal and spread it around with two fingers.

I remember racing in Newnham some time ago and it was so dry and dusty, that every single bike had squeaky pedals.

And don’t let the photos/videos of the UK’s MTB fool you – 99% of them were taken in the Week Of Summer, which happen to end about 2 months ago… :lol:

You are not putting the 26″ tyres on 27.5 wheels, are you? :wink:

You posted in wrong section, obviously! “For Sale” is few buttons further! :lol:

If you’re getting SPDs get the multi-release cleats.

They come off a bit easier.

I would say “too easy” – anything fast and bumpy (doesn’t have to be anything technical – think about tractor track) and your feet will be unclipping uncontrollably.

Get normal SPD cleats and set the release screws on the pedals to the minimum.

I’ve got beard. And I don’t trust myself.

Had you been misbehaving?

It was definitely for bat behavior!

It happened to me twice, on a quiet country lane – in the same spot actually. The first time it was a “on the chest” contact while zooming down the hill, the second was a “flaps in the face” sort of thing… :? while riding slowly up the hill…

OK, thanks for getting me on the right track! ;)

Organic pedal!!!

Thanks guys! I’ve got that super skill, which let’s me assess the trail before I start riding it (read: “oh, no way… I’m walking…”) and I wanted to find out how many times am I probably gonna be using it :wink:

Not being from the UK, but living in Devon for 10 years and for some time earlier in Cornwall I found that the only possible way is having two scones: one jam-cream, the other cream-jam.

#problemsolved

I once followed the Police Accident prevention Unit from an event for 15 miles they did not indicate once.

They were working undercover.

I rode a Grande route of Dartmoor Classic (100 miles) in this helmet last year and I didn’t find it at all uncomfortable.

I agree with the most above. Plus the “pssst! psst! psssst!” sound of the suspension forks…

Refreshing the topic… As after riding into the Nettles Jungle on Tuesday night I still can’t stop scratching my arms and legs… I had ridden through some big ones in the past, but this is just beyond everything!

The first night after the ride I couldn’t sleep at all… Some Mutant Nettles out there!!!

It’s got a front mech and 26″ wheels = it’s unrideable. :lol:

Thanks TiRed. Ordered an upright bike.

Minding my own business going up a climb, a lady takes my picture. Puzzled I look at her and she says that there is a sportive coming through later in the day, and its a ‘practice’ shot.

Hey! If it was some roadies sportive you can now probably buy a jpg file for about £15!

Thanks! Shorts and jersey ordered :D

I’ve been struggling with fingers pain on rougher stuff since I remember. Tried many different grips with no real difference to be honest. Until I got the large Ergon GP1. No pain, mega comfort.

I don’t know him, but I wouldn’t mind selling him some expensive items… :wink:

Yeah, obviously you will die!

But not necessarily during the race – however you may feel like you’re going to for the first two laps… :lol:

I did my first race since ages two weeks ago. I also entered it “for a laugh”, but when the adrenaline kicks in, it’s impossible to ride in the “pleasure mode”!

Don’t make the mistake I did, so you set yourself with a slow-looking group at the start. Go to the “pros”. When you start with the slow peeps it is very likely they will be blocking you for a good while… And the fast guys accelerate so fast they’ll leave you nice and open space to start the race! 8)

Didn’t Craft make some sort of cycling underwear, that looked like an ordinary boxers?