At a guess I think I have around 15 or so…

A great shame. I went every year for 12 years and loved it, but I have not been post covid.

We stopped going as it was all a bit too samey, but it was always a great event with a good crowd of people.

I was only saying last week how much I have missed it and we thought about going next year, a sad loss for the people and the area…but then sometimes ‘change’ is a good thing??

I have used bicarbonate of soda, it seems to do a good job.

Mountain Equipment Ibex trousers for the cold stuff.

Montane Terra pants for 99% of my walks, I love them!

Just what I wanted, thank you!!

Looking to get tickets for Manchester.  I was lucky enough to see them at Knebworth back in 96. I will never forget the moment when Keith Flint, RIP came onto the stage…

I used to live in Far Forest, near Bewdley, FF sits right on the border between the Worcestershire and Shropshire (family still live there).  The Wyre Forest being right on my doorstep. Then I moved to Shrewsbury, so now in the middle of the Wyre and Church Stretton, plenty of walking and riding.

Now I’m a bit older I would like to live in either Church Stretton or move back to Far Forest.

Just buy a licence off one of the many sellers on Amazon or eBay. Had a few in my time and they’ve all worked.

+1

A nice tent but why does it have to be blue?  It doesn’t exactly blend in with the environment.

I have always used a map and compass, until about 9 months ago and I started using the OS app on my phone, it took a while and now its just easier.

I always carry a map and compass wherever I go as I have used them a few times on some of the walks when the weather and conditions have been poor.  The map and compass just reassure me.

I had a clicking on my bike last year, it turned out to be the right pedal.

I have bought a subscription for the last 3 years on black Friday and paid about £15 or so. I use OS Map a lot and I think its good value for money. Eventually I will probably have to pay full price, but IMO still good value. I wasn’t too keen on the new app, but I am slowly getting use to it.

Its like a lot of things if you use it, buy it. I also use an old version of memory map which is just as good

Just made a brew….My theory of evolution…

Good luck and enjoy!

I walked it last year for my big 50, I really enjoyed it.

Not really in the spirit of wild camping IMO, but an over reaction from the farmer.

I have the Endura GV500 insulated jacket for autumn/winter/bikepacking etc. I bought one in the sale a couple of years ago. Its a good warm jacket, I like it.

Too many to count as they are scattered over the house but at a guess at least 20 to 25 (biking and walking jackets) may be more…

Planning on doing a walk and wild camp. I always do something on solstice.  Last year I bivied on Snowdon, it was pretty busy.

I can imagine.. Those 10 miles will feel so good after a long break. How was it?

I absolutely loved it, I came back as the person I was before the accident.  I guess I took cycling for granted, but I cannot express the feeling of those 2 rides, although I did a bit more then suggested but my physio said to listen to my body and if it felt good and there was no pain, so I ended up doing 23 miles then a 16 miler for the second ride.

As expected the fitness has dropped as I use to ride 40-60 miles, but hopefully it will come back over time, but for now its chuffing great to be back on the saddle!

Loads in Shropshire.  This pdf map is a good place to start; PDF Map

I have just watched the first 3 episodes from season one back to back, really enjoying it so far1

Watching this thread as I have been injured and not been out on the bike since my New Years Eve accident.

I have just dusted my bike off today, checked it over, added new sealant and I have every intention of riding it in the morning, but my physio has suggested only riding for no more than 10 miles, twice a week and not off road.  I am a bit nervous, but also looking forward to getting out.

I use Memory Map, a great bit of software.

I have also used this too; https://gpx.studio/

I have a Lunar Solo and last year I bought a Alpkit Tarpstar 2 which only got tested once before completing the WHW.

I was really nervous about using but it performed really well under some bad conditions, including heavy rain, strong winds etc. It stayed upright and most importantly it kept me and my kit dry throughout the trip.  Overall  I am very pleased with it, not a bad pack size and weight.

My current Altbergs have previously been resoled, but this time around its the actual boot that has worn out and is now damaged.

I cant get another pair of Altbergs through my local dealer in time for my coast 2 coast at the start of July, so it looks like I will have to try something else, but as I thought, it looks like the good old traditional brown leather boot is looking like a winner!

Like everything else, there is so much choice!

Very sad news. My first proper MTB was a 1994 Lavadome, followed by a Caldera and a Coiler as my first full suss.

I used Sleepstation about 2 years ago, absolute gamechanger. Keep at it and you will get there. I found after a while I’d begin to wake just before my alarm every day, almost like clockwork.
No matter how groggy you feel it will get better 🙂

Thanks, that’s just what I need to hear!  I am nearly at the end of the second week, a sleep window of 12am to 5am.  The getting up at 5am is quite easy for me, the 12am is very difficult.  I have seen some positive signs that its working, but my god do I feel shit!

Some good tips from @eulach and @kittyr.

Read the book Sleep, by Nick Littlehales – sleep guru / advisor to Man City and United, Team Sky, Team GB etc. Very helpful top tips.

But the main take away for me was that everyone sleeps in 1.5hr cycles of deep and shallower sleep. How and when you go to bed and wake up from these cycles is key. If you search he’s on various podcasts too.

The 1.5hr cycles knowledge, plus his sleep hygiene advice, plus some Headspace meditation before bed has transformed how I feel.

I have just started watching a guy who talks about this very thing, interesting stuff.

Your GP has offered two solutions but you’re not interested in either of them – even temporarily? What makes you think you’ll get better advice on a (mountain) biking forum?

I have tried sleeping pills, they only gave me 4 tablets due to the fact that they are addictive, I dont want to add to the problem!

I think I would know more about myself being depressed than a doctor, 4 minutes into the conversation offering me more pills then looking at her watch.  Everyone who knows me, know that its not depression, I’m simply exhausted!

Also, I have not asked for advice on this forum, I merely asked if anyone else suffered with anything similar to find out what other people are experiencing.

I dont drink alcohol.

Caffeine is limited to the morning mostly, but I have done the whole thing of cutting it out, it made no difference at all.

I am often outside. I am working a physical job which is even harder with very little sleep.

I was walking a lot more now as I have had to stop cycling for a while, probably the rest of this year due to injury.

My phone is tuned off at 8.30pm, I do watch a little tv (no Tv in bedroom).

I watched the Dr Mosley, interesting.

Its getting worse, I’m getting less and less sleep and its really hit me both physically and mentally.  I’m very apprehensive about driving. I have had a few dizzy/unsettling turns probably down to exhaustion.  I am getting really bad headaches first thing in the morning, its like having the worst ever hang over.

My GP is a complete waste of time, they are just not interested at all and only offer sleeping pills, which I dont want! Or they are telling me I am depressed, which I  know I am not and even if I was its probably down to the fact that I am not f**king sleeping!!

I have to say life is really shit at the moment…and I am struggling immensely!

I had a root canal a few years back and because of the soreness I just had soup, chicken soup. Some of this managed to get into the wound and ended up having an infection, it was horrendous and very painful.

Antibiotics and 3 days later the pain eased up and the treatment was finished. I will never forget it!!

Just read this…very sad news.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/almost-every-member-of-staff-axed-at-wigglecrc-as-company-hits-rock-bottom

Very sad news, a few happy memories from some of his events…

I uploaded some footage of a extremely close pass to the police. A couple of inches closer and I would not be here now!

2 boy racers doing 70+ in a 40, they were prosecuted. I have lost count of the close passes and drivers on phones. Due to injury and so many close calls last year I am taking a year off riding and concentrating on hiking this year.

I have recently been in hospital and talking to some of the nurses, you get a real sense of survival and just getting on with things as best as they can.

Chatting to the nurses one of them described the current state of the hospital and the NHS service as ‘third world.

Very sad to hear and see, as all the staff are working so hard on 12 hour shifts to do the best they can. I don’t have a negative thing to say about any of the hospital staff that helped me during my stay, only praise.

As with everything else that’s falling apart, GPs’, dentists, schools etc its down to lack of funding and just too many people. The population is growing all the time, not just in the UK, but all over the world.

I have been watching loads of youtube stuff as I am out of action with an injury and a lot of people are using these types of mats. I guess nothing can go wrong with them. I have never used one, it would be the comfort factor for me.

I usually spend £30 to £40. Only because I am only using it whilst walking (or riding when I can) and I have lost one or two in the past.

Not biking, but still one of my all time favourite films…..’This Mountain Life’. I think its available on Shitflix or Prime…

What if something happened tomorrow that meant you could never ride again? Those dreaded days do happen.

Yes get out!! That dreaded day has just happened to me, I have been told by my consultant/Dr to stop riding for at least the next 6 months, maybe longer whilst my injury recovers and gains strength. To say I am gutted isn’t anywhere near.

On the plus side I can still walk & hike etc, at least I have something……honestly, get out and ride!!

I have had many pairs over the years and the only ones that have lasted are some old Planet X neoprene overshoes, not the prettiest, but solid. I’m not sure if they are the same now or if they are available to buy.