Fuzzhead, I’m starting to get a little annoyed at the troll comments; I’m clearly not a troll, and it’s a little offensive.

You wouldn’t say it to my face, so lets not turn this place into somewhere where it’s seemingly acceptable to do so.

Konagirl, thanks for your post – I actually have no problem with the science, nor do I have a problem with informed voices trying to explain to a lay person like myself.

I’m not going to start arguing about something I know nothing about, hence my previous post :)

One for the Singletrackers: https://twitter.com/#!/50ShedsofGrey

I’m going to duck out of this conversation; I didn’t especially want to get into a specific scientific argument about something I readily will admit to knowing little about.

I do know however that there are some clear facts around the level of which man outputs pollution (like CO2) and that this never tied in with the so say armageddon that was being put around in the earlier part of the decade.

Being a mod for Pistonheads I know exactly how these threads turn out, and I’d rather not get lynched for being a bit dim! Take a look here if you want to see a gigantic thread on this very exact subject: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=219&t=995557&mid=15957&nmt=Climate+Change+%2D+The+Scientific+Debate

:)

To those worrying about me being a troll, perhaps I’m not making myself clear.

For many years, certainly throughout the early 00’s, the BBC spent much of their time telling us that we were directly contributing to the CO2 emissions that were causing the Greenhouse Effect, and thus causing massive global warming, which they reckoned we’d end up being a bit similar to Mercury as a result of our evil actions.

I’m fully aware of the natural oscillations of the planet that result in the ebb and flow of the cooling and warming, and more than aware of the maaaaaaaany scientific reasons for what we’re seeing at the moment (I’m no scientist, so I’m not able to argue whats right or wrong).

However, my point was this; we were told for many years that we directly contributed to the melting of the ice in the polar regions. They’ve backed off on this now; telling as it was when Attenborough made the comment at the end of his last nature series.

There was many buzzwords chucked around by groups for political gain (imho) such as Greenhouse Effect, Climate Change and Global Warming that used the human impact as a main contributor. It seems to be that in the wake of this weather, they’ve kind of got a little quiet on the Greenhouse Effect one…

One good thing out of all this bad weather is that they’ve stopped banging on about global warming.

I think the BBC soon shut up after even they realised they couldn’t pull the wool over our eyes any more that we were supposed to all be basking in 50 degree sunshine.

Still, I’ll happily burn a few trees down if it meant a proper summer.

You talking about the Multi Assur card?

Get the Gold one, it gives you heli lift insurance as well.

+1 buzzlightyear – great XC forks, but no AM forks. Just not stiff enough to cope with the hits.

Personally, I wouldn’t – they’re not as burly nor can they handle the hits like a Float can.

I’ve swapped out Pikes for F120’s on my hardtail, using 15mm like you are considering, and while the F120s suit it better, I do miss the extra capacity the Pikes gave me. They are much lighter however, and better for climbing once I’ve got the damping set up correctly.

That said, it’s not to say some clever tinkering could F120’s work better, but I’m pretty sure I’d not want to chuck them down the Alps unless it was XC work.

noteeth, whats the long and short of those objections? Good or bad?

Not so clever at these councily things. Can’t we just chain ourselves naked to some diggers?

I rode the WC course a couple of years back the day before the course shut for the WC and I found it ok.

Technically, there’s nothing that anyone couldn’t ride (road jump excepted) – but I think the key is this, to ride it fast is brutal, to bimble down is not so bad.

I’ve not tried the Red, so can’t comment, but for all those wanting to try the WC course, go for it, just take it easy.

Managed to blag our 530d Touring with a manual, with full leather interior, tree, and M-Tech bits inside.

Outside, 16″ wheels and SE suspension give the best ride this side of a Rolls…

Oh, and all just for £2300. 150k miles and feels new.

Jesus.

That stem!

Only one ever made officially by BMW (although there is talk of another that an engineer has).

Plenty of conversions around though – agreed on the perfect car bit – it’s why I’m in the 530d :lol: – I just can’t afford an M5 AND N+1 bike habit…

:lol: @ wordnumb

MBoy, the later post facelift M5’s had the upgrade to the pistons which solved the oil thirst. That said some do just have a habit.

However, mine was very good on oil; indeed I actually sold it 18 months afterwards having shoved 25k on it, and only lost 2.5k (lets ignore the running costs and maintenance – after all, it was a bonafide supercar).

I’ve had three bikes on a tow bar rack on the back, with the car full of crap (and associated riders) and delighted in destroying an Astra Turbo on the motorway up to and over 140mph – his face as I accelerated past with 3 bikes on the back was legendary.

Too many memories to be had, including a Megavalanche road trip (with a 450bhp S4 estate) – such a utterly drama free car to cruise at >150…

As you say, utterly mental car – it drifted far too well (for my wallet and the rear tyres).

Oh I miss her so.

Some previous fun at Brunters (now have a 530d Touring to do broadly the same thing, but at 35mpg):

My E39 M5 with a 5.0l V8 chucking out 418bhp/400lbft would do 30mpg on a 70mph cruise. It averaged 18 around town, and 22 over my life with it.

Not bad when you think about it.

Mind you, the banzai times I had were interesting; at 185mph you could visibly see the fuel gauge dropping – I calculated <5mpg for such driving (i.e. Germany and at Bruntingthorpe).

:D

In answer to the Q: a well driven 2.0l with a slush box should be getting mid 20’s.

Umm.

From the same site: http://stopbrt2.org.uk/and-better-ways

The Portishead link is one that the area has been screaming for years for; having worked in Avonmouth, and commuted through Portishead once or twice, I know that many Portishead locals would love this opportunity, as well as the benefits to the Ashton Gate goers (footy) and the Beaminster locals who could do with a way of getting across town easily without being stuck in traffic all the time…

Piccie:

I loves mine to bits, so much so, I bought another pair.

ps, they don’t hang down as much as in that pic, they are about level with my kneecap. YMMV.

noteeth

Besides which… it sounds daft, but I think that bridge is a magical little spot, especially at dusk – I love the post-trails ride to the Nova

Absolutely agree; something magical about my day at work being completely washed away by riding along the docks, river and then through that bridge before up into AC.

Having to fight it out with buses really doesn’t appeal.

Sombrio Highline Epik’s.

Not cheap, but utterly well made and fit amazingly.

Mate of mine works at Sustrans, I’ll have a word with him to see what they’re doing; I wouldn’t mind getting behind something if they were looking to kick off about it – it will affect my enjoyable commute, and Bristol for the future – one of the reasons why I enjoy living here. Hence, losing such an enjoyable route will be a travesty.

>growsabeardanddonsRonhills<

What a f***ing rediculous concept. Lose half the traffic lights in Bristol and you’d soon find traffic flow improving.

The bendy buses do work in Bristol on the new routes, I use the 902 and it’s sodding useful, however that route looks utterly daft.

They’ve spent millions on bringing the docks to a reasonable level so that people enjoy the time down there and wandering about. In addition, it’s a very well used commute for walkers and cyclists (like myself) to get into work without going anywhere near traffic.

Now they want ruin all that to appease a couple of out of touch councillors with toes in the the First pie.

Taff, you from Bristol?

Scrap that, just noticed you’re hampshire.

I’ve no KOMs, but having said that, attaining KOMs around Ashton Court and Leigh Woods is bloody difficult, and a 3rd once was my highlight (on the Swoops – now tied 7th).

I’ve managed a 20something on the climb to the gate singletrack which I’m quite proud of.

I’m of the opinion that after Bikefest and the sheer amount of riders constantly riding there, any high result is a good one.

Keeps me aiming to try harder.

I’d personally recommend TrueCrypt.

We tried Bitlocker on our laptops here, and ended up with all sorts of problems with drivers locking up the entire thing. Not sure if resolved, but your mileage may vary.

Yep, as DH.

I have to use it for work, and it’s alright. Buggers up Outlook occasionally, but no particular issues.

Pretty sure there are cheaper ways to encrypt a hard drive though, unless you need the PGP email.

Oh, and it’s the rules to shout, insanely loudly, at anyone in front of you, the following:

ALLEZ, ALLEZ, ALLEZ!

+1 @ Crankbreaker and that bloody song.

Still brings me out in a sweat even now, playing it back in my head.

Other things I can add to the prep:

Take a rear mech, chain and hanger in your bag. You will see many MANY of these broken and discarded at the side of the trail. Indeed, I’ve suffered myself, and had to run pretty much the entire race. Not fun.

Take a first aid kit with you. You never know, indeed last year, we saved a kiddie from going into shock whom had gone white by shoving a gel into him, and strapping up his severely buggered hand. Fingers crossed it won’t be you who needs it, or any of your mates.

On Quali and Race day, make sure you take food and drink and a warm top for the looooooooong queues – and don’t be tempted to get up there too early – it’s very boring. And very very cold. They will squeeze you up through the queue if you end up late, everyone’s very nice.

Take at LEAST 2 sets of spare sintered brake pads or more. If it is your first Mega, you WILL drag your brakes – only the seasoned Mega guys know the course well enough to stay off the brakes – never mind the amount of people who get in your way.

Slow your damping down – seriously, it makes a big difference.

Don’t try to go nuts at the start of the week – you’ve all week to enjoy riding, don’t screw it up (like a good mate. Twice.) by getting over excited and ending up in Grenoble hospital – it’s a long drive.

For Gods sake, have insurance, and insurance that has off-piste heli cover – otherwise you’ll have a big bill should you come off. Get the Multi Assur Sport Cover (I think it is) – that saves you the wnaky docs note palava, and covers you for everything.

Food – buy it down at the town at the bottom of the mountain, it is a LOT cheaper. Same with booze. Go to the L’Etalon for your beers and see Merina and Nathan – they’re legendary for a looooong day’s drinking – they have a potent home made gin (IIRC, I was rather drunk by then – say the boys from last year with the crippled Chris sent you). Alpe D’Huez nightclubs are crap and always empty anwyay.

If you want to go swimming, take your speedo’s – it’s the law (really). Don’t buy them there like my mates did last year – they got fleeced. However being the adonises that you are, I’m sure the off season seasonaires won’t laugh at you. Too much.

Can’t think of anything else springing to mind, but I’m sure I will add them if I can.

Neil (4 time Mega entrant, 2 time finisher (one time in the pro race), 1 time with a working bike)

I’ve a Solomon Paclite and it makes me sweat like a rapist.

Folds up small mind, so perfect for racing and short rides innit.

Canadian born (so Canadian passport) but Brissle mainly.

So, yes, when it all gets too much, I’ll up the family and bikes, and **** orf to Vancouver and never come back.

Hatemail to: 1, The Bin, Desk, Officeshire.

Are the ladies really fawning over the Fifty Shades trilogies that badly?

Is it worth trying to tempt the missus into them?

I did say should :) , never tried it, and never will. I’d quite happy with the Zesty as is, and know exactly what it can handle (which is pretty much anything the Alps can chuck at it).

I’ll take a look at Dirt, I didn’t know there was an article in there, ta.

The SPicy is a far far more capable bike than many DH wanabees give it credit for; now with a bolt through rear end, it’s a serious contender for the all time Mega bike.

Having said that, if I were to do the Mega again, I’d use my Zesty over the Spicy, in the same vein as Nico.

Slight tweaks to a Zesty, like a 36 fork if you must, and so I hear, them fancy bushes, should make it just as capable.

However, if you want an out of the box perfect Alps’y bike, Spicy is your bike (from the Lapierre range).

How random.

Went riding with some mates at the weekend, and one of the chaps had a new ish Mondeo with exactly the same issue!

I’ll point him this way.

If your riding = Alps then Spicy
other if it’s UK riding, then go for a Zesty, coil it if you must.

I’ve got a Spicy and found it to wasteful compared to the Zesty I now ride which is built identically. It gives nothing away other than an inch of so – which, if you’re really honest – are you really needing 6.5 inches in day to day riding?

Think I’ve settled on a Advantage 2.25 up front and a CrossMark on the rear.

Super sodding quick, and drifty :D

As per PJM1974: It’s all about the damping.

Get the damping right and you don’t need as much to compensate.

However getting the damping right requires clever fettling and understanding of the characteristics of the travel.

I’ve had Loco tune my Float RL 140’s and now I can lean on them through anything and know they’ll not give out.

Before, they were a bit uncontrolled.

Likewise at the rear. The amount of fellow riders I’ve had to teach to slow down damping and they eventually go quicker and get less beat up over the course, is unbelievable.

Henceforth, I’d rather have a well set up 120 than a badly setup 140.

I’ll add that I love my Zesty to bits; I love having the extra bit of travel to play with on the descents. However I reckon a 120mm is better for the majority of my riding. A 100mm would likely end up with wierd angles, and a bit too racey for me.

ETA: I love razzing about on my hardtail Charge Duster – it’s ace with a set of 120mm forks. On the flip side I miss my Spicy (although still sitting unbuilt in my garage – that thing seemed to feel like a full on DH bike, which is credit to how well the geo and suspension worked, bearing in mind it climbed well too.

Carlos, thank you for your reply.

This’ll save me the email, so I’ll say this, and repeat what I said earlier: The only grumble I have is a lack of clear taping on the more confusing sections of Stage 1 and 3.

Stage 1 had me with a marshall jumping out at the last minute pointing at me to go left, to which I duly did – right into a bush. A little taping on the left would have helped hugely here.

Stage 3, you’re absolutely right, people should look up, and other competitors shouting at you to go a particular way certainly DOES confuse the hell out of you. Again, as you say, lesson learnt.

None of the other stages struggled for taping, they had natural lines to follow. But I do get the point that some say regarding the drops – they did come up a bit quick on occasion – I might point out I did the drops and big jumps.

However, as you rightly say, the game is to ride these blind – one of the key reasons why I like this series – it’s a great leveller of riders.

However, I would respond to your rant a little in so far as whilst you do get the odd moany bugger, you might find it counter productive to come along having a return rant – I find it a little insulting to be told to put up or sod off having talked up this series to many people. Yes, the quick boys DID get the quick times, but you’ll find that there were many many people at the stages moaning about taping, quite likely one or two of the quick boys (maybe I can count myself in there, seeing as I got 21st even with going the wrong way on S1 and S3).

However, as for the muddy in between bits, well they were ace fun. As for everything else, including the wait for the times, we’re not bloody idiots, we know that it’s volunteers working manually to put together the results – but don’t let the one or two moany gits end up making you piss the majority off. It certainly annoyed me reading your rant, until I thought it through a bit.

We’re all human, but we’re also not all stupid.

In short, my only gripe was to make sure the taping is a bit clearer in places – as SuperFli says, people do get funny about it – I’ve been to many a DH race where organisers get torn a strip for a tape being out of place – and rightly so if someones trained and trained for that race to have it wasted by a mislain tape (even if it wasn’t your fault).

As for people moving the signs, I can well believe it – but I think most of us all know it happens – and I don’t remember anyone moaning.

Carlos, we fully appreciate you defending your position – and we all really appreciate the hard work you and your team put in, especially the volunteers – but try to keep us onside ;)

Or you can try Carpenters Arms, which has rooms too, but food not quite as good – but still bloody nice.

Pony and Trap, nr Chew Magna – beats Bear and Swan hands down.

Sunday lunch is especially nomnomnom.

That’s certainly the right technique; I did the same, but unfortunately there is only so much grip that you can extract out of a Maxxis CrossMark on the rear. Henceforth, rushing at the first bit worked, until I hit the damp chalky bit and span the rear wheel. Dab Dabby McDab.

You’ll see why I wasn’t too bothered that Stage 2 got dropped ;)

Stage 4 was easier as it was drier – the technique there favoured full sussers and a sat down and grind approach, where tyres are less of an issue.