Have run maxxis Ardent, ignitors and conti verticals on my 717’s for years no bother.

John, picked time slot 101 and payed through justgiving.

Good luck

Pol

Firstly its hard IMO. Its not the packin in that got to me as i did that everytime i put one out but the habit thats the killer.

I found that it took upto 3 months to break the habits completely. First couple of weeks its all about the will power and getting the ‘pangs’ out of my system but would say it took upto 3 months before i wasnt concentrating hourly on having a cig.

Also you have to get it right in your head, i still followed the routine of going to the smoke shed in work with the others but just didnt have one, so i wasnt breaking all routines at once. At first it was hard but in time my routine was the same but just didnt have a smoke.

4 years on and i still think about it but as quickly as it enters my head its gone and its not accompanied by the pangs.

Lastly, further down the road you can never just have one for old times sake. You will be back on them before you know it.

Ive been looking at the same and the best i have come up with is Addidas Kanadia 4 from sports direct for £43. Reviews are good on these (i own an old pair of Kanadia) The only thing is that it seems they come up short on sizing so best to try on in shop.

http://www.sportsdirect.com/adidas-kanadia-4-mens-trail-running-shoes-213033?colcode=21303344

Ive got the Megane GT estate 150 dci and find the computer returns around 33MPG (running kids around, 7 mile commute). However on motorways it is superb.
I came from a 1.8 petrol Vauxhall Signum which was really slow and very poor consumption which the computer said was around 32mpg yet i was forever filling it up.
When i first got the Renault i had very similar feelings to yourself but find that i am visiting the petrol station less often, its awesome to drive, looks good and when you put your foot down it really does go.

Got the roof bars on, 3 bikes on roof and was still pleased with the return mpg on an hours run and back down the motorways (driving at 60-70).

Mokey the collie

Andy thats awesome, i’ll have to remember to come out next time your riding. Bet from now on everyone with the cameras will be behind you.

Good entrance into the Stack of the Year award, blood, stitches, A&E, Photos. All that was needed to guarantee the trophy was a broken bone, so you must try harder next time 😆

John, you forgot the one of you wearing a dress 😉

Am led to believe this is the bit were he came off on the freeride area.

Get well soon John,

We often do a weekend up there staying at Glentress hotel, they do B&B, have bike wash and bike storage. Its at the start of Glentress trails so you leave car in hotel car park.
Usually we drive up Fri am and do Innerleithan then drive to Hotel (5 miles away), sat do Glentress black, Sun do Glentress Red then drive home.
Food at the hotel is great and we usually try to get a deal to include B&B plus evening meal. Just got this for £50 pppn, although there were alot of us.

I did a 10 point short course in maths to get me back into learning and since completed level 1 maths and level 1 ICT. I started the first course in the Oct and second one the following Feb. What i found (oversight) was that my first course doesnt finish till June so my workload doubled.
This year i have just started another 30 point level 1 course(which combined with the other completed courses will give me certificates in computing)however the next course i wanted to do is a 60 point 16hrs/week course which with the current one running would put me at 24hrs/week. Will have to defer that one for a while.
Tutors so far have been great although at level 1 not needed them much, contact by email or phone but email responses have been withing a day of asking the question which is good.

The main suggestion i have is forward planning, know when cutoff dates are for courses you are interested in. Have a calender with all assignment due dates in. If you spend time organising your year it will go alot more smoothly.

Also a downside i have found is the swapping and changing of courses. The maths and ICT that i did at level 1 has just been rolled into 1 course worth same points but could be completed in shorter period. Changed courses required for BEng to make it more Mech and design so now i have to select new courses to get me a degree in something thats in my field.

Overall, it is worthwhile especially if you have time on your hands. I get alot done when working nights 😉

for a 30 point course its 8 hours per week, for 60 point course its 16hrs per week

I started from scratch and reckon it will take around 6 yrs to get a full degree. I would suggest getting as many points as you can from previous qualifications you can get.

i started out aiming towards a B of Eng degree but they have changed this course now and its more mechanical and design, whereas im more after electrical systems/computer side. As you go along with various courses you pick up certificates and diplomas along the way.

TBH i only started doing it so i could put that i was studying towards a degree on my CV for job opportunities.

Favourite trail centre is Kirroughtree as it has something going on all the way round.

Most challenging event to date is the Mary Townley Loop in the clockwise direction(think it was that way). Its on again in Sept.

Favourite route is in Peaks.

I usually take it to the LBS and see if they can send it. Charge about £10 to box it and send it.

O2 for me too. Have an O2 mobile aswell so brings it to less then £10 a month unlimited downloads. Free wireless router but there is the initial 12 month tie in.
Been with them for 2 years now since switching from Virgin.

I am using an SLX cassette on mine without issues. Will be buying SLX in future aswell.

Would like to see some boardwalk, like at gisburn over the worst of the gloopy bits. As for adding stone etc not sure it really needs it.
I use a single speed round there and part of the challenge is maintaining traction when climbing.

Are these plans to raise revenue for the forest as the only reason i can see to build harder surfaces is to make it durable for the masses. Then any technical stuff there gets smoothed out on health and safety grounds.

Didnt the Delemere bike club and FC work together a few years ago to build trails then the FC overnight demolished them all?

Well done Kiwi, dont suppose you were ss'ing it aswell. Like the bit about the bail out a mile ahead, class.
So if i offer up any secret training road rides this year you'll now be up for them:wink:

Doh, busted 😳

Title needs to be in uppercase too 😛

crezzy – Member
It's double o in woollybacks

Nobby, your the last person who should be checking grammer 😯

nickc – Member
Hang on, that can't be right…Which of you is the real Santa?

Defo not the one on the left with the stupid big wheels. 😆 eh John

A few Santa's at Delemere today.

following on from the above post the insurance only allows 5 non members out at any time.

As regards getting sued, anyone could sue you whether you are leading a ride that caused them harm or you crashed into them they could sue you. We had an instance were a member crashed into a car, i suspect if he had the £12 insurance offered through the club that he would have been covered.

Insure the club for £50 per year through the ctc and thats it. Then if your out and hit someone then if they sue 'the club' then no worries.
Through this membership with the ctc you get get individual/personal affiliate membership insurance for £12 each which also insures you abroad aswell i think.

Your home insurance may offer similar but for £12 its worth the peace of mind.

So apart from the insurance and website fee's thats all it costs us to run our club.

I use headphones whilst on road and off road, when i'm commuting and even make phone calls using handsfree whilst on rides.The only time i dont use music is when out with others or the club rides.At the end of the day i have music on about half volume so not blasting out and can instantly pull one of the ear buds out when necessary.

Coming upto junctions i look round in plenty of time to see exactly whats going on around me rather than relying on sound. Having rode motorbikes made me anticipate others actions as having a thick helmet on, race exhaust and wind noise means you cant hear anything at all on them.

Must admit texting is a nightmare though 😉

I bought the Ellsworth early this year and have loved it. Afew in the club ride 5spots,rfx and flux. Honest answer is that they are both as good as each other(although the anodising on the Ellsworth is alot better). The Ellsworth really does climb well and have just thrown mine around kirroughtree, dalbeattie and mabie without any issues. I am 15.5stone and not had any issues. I think, not checked, that the moment comes in at the same weight as the 5 spot although could be wrong.

I think freeborn have the 2010 models in now which are really nice and just to confuse things abit more really think you should throw the Ellsworth moment into the mix aswell.

Good luck

2 options i would suggest is drive up fri am and stop in Moffat for a fry up, onto innerleithan and do that then go to Glentress Hotel. Sat glentress black and skills area taking red route from skills area/car park down the hill to hotel, Sun Glentress red and take blue route from skills area/car park back to hotel. onto somewhere else for the monday.

or

Fri am stop for a fry up in annan (cafe royale) onto mabie or Ae, drive to newton stewart and stop at Bruce hotel, Sat am ride to Kirroughtree and do red/black (best trail i have ridden), sun am drive to dalbeattie then onto somewhere else for monday.

You could always pick up winlatter(keswick) on the monday.

JohnClimber – Member

Thursday 21st long, fast, flat nothing technical from North of Warrington south of the Mersey then a race back after crossing the Runcorn bridge.

The Woollbacks

Wed 21st John, day earlier next week due to club going to Scotland Fri

(check the ridelist)

Just been looking for info on this and if you look at the rocker hole just behind the shock mount mine has been milled out very small leaving alot of material leading upto the shock mount like your top pic. Going to chase it up as new rockers were supposed to be fitted from 07/08 onwards

mooman – Member

I snapped the rocker on mine. Freeborn were fantastic with replacement. 3day turn around.
Moomin. The rocker on yours looks like the old type. The type that snap! I think the newer stronger types are lighter coloured .. And a little heavier.

Have been assured that the rockers are ok (think i checked on the MTBR Ellsworth forum)I bought the bike in March 09. In Scotland in a fortnight so should give them a good testing.
Freeborn were quick on posting out etc but dont have any sway with Ellsworth in the USA and basically worked by emailing them and waiting for a response, if they arnt carrying it in stock then you are at the mercy of Tony Ellsworth.
My biggest gripe was after waiting 6 months would be that they would give me a full 2010 frame(this was promised by Ellsworth but hey dont hold your breath with them)

Artillerydave – Member

Moomin – Member
I have a Ellsworth Epiphany and must say the bike is awesome, Ellsworth as a company and customer service is absolutely shocking.
I have just had to wait 6 months for a frame replacement. However they havent replaced both front and back triangles so now i have the 2010 front end on a 2009 back end.

Wouldn't happen in Halifax!!

Scaffolding tubes 😆

I have a Ellsworth Epiphany and must say the bike is awesome, Ellsworth as a company and customer service is absolutely shocking.
I have just had to wait 6 months for a frame replacement. However they havent replaced both front and back triangles so now i have the 2010 front end on a 2009 back end. This is were i should throw toys out the pram etc but have been doing that for 6 months so just want to ride my bike now.

Ellsworth Epiphany old or new shape is a fantastic bike. the anodising finish on it is great and smoke is the fastest colour to have. Only available from freeborn(importers/distributers) so if anything goes wrong it has to be stripped down and sent back to them.

Paul who runs the shop now is a great wheel builder but think he keeps it abit quite as he is mad busy with the shop and the bikesyoulike website is run from the premises and employs staff solely for that side of the business, i think.

Top marks from me (another woollyback member)and its my LBS to.

(Paul will be in for commission tomorrow :wink:)

dandan – Member

Liverpool has quite a history of road riding and a couple of top roadie clubs I may even join a club

Just be careful which club you join as some clubs in the area are racing clubs and if you dont keep up you will be dropped.
However road riding is good and dont think you can go wrong with buying a road bike. I have one that i can fit mudguards on as i commute year round but also use it for training runs and the odd event. Still prefer MTBing though just that locally the trails are crap.

You wont regret getting one and am sure there are more people in your mtb club have got them than are letting on 😉 ask Johnclimber

Ellsworth Epiphany 2010 front end, 2009 rear(long story)

Thinking of paying on the day, vowed never to do it again after last year. Found it very tough coming in at 6hr 50. They are doing it anti clockwise this year so will be a different ride which is making me think of doing it but will be on my full suss this year.
Its raising money for a good cause aswell.

Its ok Johnclimber turns up to every ride on a shopping trolley bike, he does ok to 😆