Coilers aren't the best for riding uphill TBH, quite heavy and bouncy so a lot of energy wasted. If you're more intersted in going downhill though they're fine!

Anyway most folk will have a general rucksac before they come into possession of a seatpack or a bottle cage/bottle surely? Easier to fire a water bottle in there before splashing out on specific equipment?

TJ IN HELMET RECOMMENDATION SHOCKER!!!

Sorry being peurile there. All hav a wid variety of trails for abilities and experience. You only need a bike really. If you're worried about crashing get some protection{helmet, knee/elbow pads}, maybe gloves and a backpack with puncture repair stuff and drink if your on a long loop.

7 Stanes sites has maps with details and descriptions of the different centres and their trails. Google that.

Make sure you take a dog.

Keeping your dog in between you and another of your group is all well and good but what about when it dives off into the bushes to explore? then bursts back out onto middle of trail in front of some unsuspecting punter who's coming down behind you?

It's happened to me. Not nice, very narrowly avoided hurting me and the dog. Guy said "Oh he's never done that before" then **** off whilst I recovered from a minor cardial infarcation. Just the same glib comment as the three dog owners whose dogs bit me in a former career as a RM postie.

Gets right on my tats TBH. Dangerous and silly. And unhygienic when the feckers shat on the trail. Don't pretend they don't. Owners are too busy riding their bikes to bag it and take it away. In my experience! Not suggesting OP wouldn't pick up after their dog, no no, all dog owners pick up after them don't they?

SO WHERE DOES ALL THE DOG SHITE COME FROM?

{sorry – pet hate}

There is a couple of Kiwis on here but not sure of the time difference? Think it's night time down there at the mo? Good luck with your NZ RnR – sounds amazing!

Jedi, did you get rid of that Demo you were selling?

The woodwork is all gone now!

Cheers for that Tinsy, hav seen a good few superb deals about that's why my head is turned. Totally agre with all the comments about more for the money etc.

Guess I'm just worried about warranty etc, I know DH bikes are built for strength but it isn't exactly unheard of for frames to crack is it? Also concerned I buy a bike of someone who has been riding the bike the way it's meant to have been ridden – i.e hammering it!

With that brand-new Kaiser I'll get the back up of a decent shop and the warranty should owt go wrong with it…

Think it was £25 for the daypass in 2009, assume that there'll be a rise this year?

I doubt you'll need a v10 m6 etc. Why not get something like a spicy which can handle most UK stuff and still be fun on the trail?

Cheers for that, I've got a Meta6 already and a Cove Stiffee and had them down Innerleithen on uplift days and Fort William WC track and when I've been on my mats DH bike can really notice the difference. So think it's about time I get one of my own.

Why is it on here that folk always tell you don't need as much bike as you think you do?

matthew_h – could be! Already have the E-13 bash so how much for just the guide?

Commie Meta6.

Best shop I found for MTB stuff was down nar the Bowery but i can't remember it's name. Just do a google search and the shop on 3rd/4th street is the one I mean.

Loads of bike shops around but mainly cater for the fixie/road markets.

Also a massive Outdoorsy dpartment store in Union Square which had a really good bik section – canna mind it's name either but google should hlp you out further.

for the sake of your paranoia, i'll say "Don't swap!"

Is shizer good or bad in your opinion?

I don't think I post as often as I lurk these days. Can't be bothered with the amount of potential bitchy comments. If I've something to add though I will.

I come to this late but find myself in the novel but not entirely unenjoyable position of agreeing with SFB. Weird. I'll be wearing tight turquoise shorts next…

simonfbarnes – Premier Member
tories

Oh and he annoys you that much big man, that you posted this in the bike forum and th classified forum? Jeezo, life is too short, seriously…

Thought you were going to post a link to his site saving us all a fortun on some bike shizzle! Disappointed, and would have been raging with my wife for not pointing that out to me despite her insistence that Martin Money Savr IS The Messiah…

Why are you typing on here? If this was real I doubt my first act would be to ask STW's opinion. If it is, get to a doctor.

Confessions of an Irish Rebel by Brendan Behan.

Mine is black – not very inspiring i know so I can't be bothered posting a pictur of it! Sorry.

Haiti isn't next door to Cuba,{separated by sea} the Dominican Republic is.

NO mention of them on the news, they're probably all fawning over Brit tourists at all-inclusive hotels to worry about their neighbours suffering. Though I do hope in my heart, that these big hotels are giving up beds,food and water to the disaster relief and we'r just not haring about it…

Oops forgot the number – 07743860625

I used Slik. Brilliant stuff, th chap works alon so don't expect speedy email responses but if you phone him he'll sort you out straight away.

Did any of you ever see one of his research chart things he had in front of him at each game?

Massive chart with meticulous level of detail{that he dug up himself} on each and every player involved. Handwritten in different colours to make it all intelligible.

Andy Gray with your wee video chalkboard? You're having a laugh…

RIP to a true gentleman and absolute legend.

Gave me one the famed Hawick Balls as I was warming up for Hawick 7s in my heyday. Asked if we fancied our chances – I said "Well we're no bad" but as last minute call-ups from the junior circuit I suspect he and I both knew I was putting on a brave face. No surprise when we were humped by eventual beaten finalists Gala in the second round.

Every year when the Six Nations come around you are reminded just how good a commentator he was, a proud Scot he was never biased or Jingoistic like most of the tools{Butler, Moore etc} are now. Sad day.

I CANNOT wait for that glaikit-looking tool to get into power, so we can return to the natural order of things in this country. Cants like him telling what's best for us, cos we are all a bit stupid to know{as a result of our inferior breeding/education}.

Cheers Mr Tall, think that's me sold!

Nice garage mate!

Just finished making meatballs and then the sugo to go with it for the in-laws arrival at lunch tomorrow. Also made veggie chilli for our tea on Monday. Industrious, me? Who'd a thunk it?

To counter that industry I'm going in shower and hading to the pub for som well-earnd pints…

Seriously? Why though? pwick

Ignore that supercillious old perv in shorts on ice. I don't work for Hants but think all F & R services will be suffering as result of Local government spending cutbacks. Easiest way to ease up on the expenditure is cutting down recruitment I'm afraid. That's the story up here anyway… good luck.

Second the firefighter suggestion – salary isn't too great but time off and work/life balance is unreal.

It'll leave you a hell of a time off for biking or "secondary employment" if you want to supplement your earnings…

to paraphrase SFB – surely they risk assessed the situation and decided the ice was strong enough to hold two of them and a car, then decided that the were going to have their enjoyment and didn't want anyone to rescue them if it'd had gon tits up? This country has bcome Health and Safety mad nanny state!

And TJ – we're all a bunch of Jessies for suggsting this was in anyway ill-advised or stupid.

As someone who would be mobilised to arseholes like this if they went in the water, I hope they get the book thrown at them. But suspect they'll get off with a mild reprimand!

He's said he's getting a Berlingo, why do folk insist on continuing to recommend others?

Seriously? is this really needed again? So soon?