So what if TA were there first 🙄

Why would Stevo need to GPS the routes! Most are clearly marked on maps.

Thats some strange comments you've made there Steveh.

+1 for White Room. Went with them last September and returning this year as well.

Heard good things about Trail Addiction too but went with the White Room as they seemed more appealing, cheaper and we preferred the sound of their Backcountry weeks. Stevo and Iona are possbily the nicest people we've ever met and were so easy to get along with.

We're not really interested in going in the height of the summer.

Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI……Been doing 500 miles a week commuting in mine with no trouble at all.

Bought it at 70k, now on 94k. Does 50 mpg and cheap to insure too.

Not sure what kind of mileage you'd get for £2k though.

Thats the problem…i did that and now the rebound dial won't sit all the way down and i can't re-assemble the levers properly.

Looks like when you remove the red rebound dial a small tab, that is turned by a cam on the bottom of the rebound dial, is allowed to move forward and prevents the knob from seating properly.

No worries…i'll send it to Mojo for a service anyway.

Looking at mine right now Coatesy….i've never seen an E type mounted mech but there does appear to be a small adapter/bracket connecting the mech to the tabs on the swingarm.

Does that help?

The one and only time i responed to abuse from a white van man, i was threatened with a crowbar 8O…in broad daylight with several potential witnesses to the beating that was being implied!

BadAssBikes is better 😉

Only kidding DJ. Glad you liked AC, i try to ride it weekly but in wet conditions is can be tougher. Bloody fast when it's not though….like now.

Did last night and there were loads of people out! The dry conditions are such a welcome change!

Blackdown was awesome too tonight! but where was everyone, usually see a few people up there??

Comparing Ashton Court to the Qauntocks…thats a first!

As far as im aware Lapierre won't be getting anymore either! in the UK at least.

They'll be starting production of the new range pretty soon i imagine too.

What Zesty/Spicy were you after?

I've just returned from a week in North Wales with a lovely new Zesty 514! Revolution Bikes still have a Zesty 314 and a Spicy 316. Well they did on Friday.

After going in there at the beginning of the week and them confirming the supply problems i decided to buy now rather than wait! Sounds like i was lucky to have got hold of one!

+1 for doing the Doethie Valley.

That is an absolute gem of a trail and feels completely isolated. Can't recommend it or Cwm Rhaeadr enough.

We happily drive the couple of hours from Bristol to do these trails.

For god sake do Loop 2 at Penmachno! Did loop 1 also but aprt from a couple of sections, Loop 2 is better IMO.

Spent last week in a cottage about 100m below the end of the second singletrack section after crossing the tarmac road. The way down from it involved a short but oh so sweet 'cheeky' trail too.

We rode it 3 times as well as doing an awesome 'wild' ride from Treifw (Sp?) via Lynn Crafnant, down to Capel Curig and back over the top via Lynn Colywn (Sp?)!

Didn't do the Marin trail, we'll save that for next time.

Anyone interested in a 2009 Orange 5 cos i know one thats for sale 😉

Sorry!

Mendips is most certainly dry and sunny too. There is dust on my forks!

Did a couple of hours around Blackdown, Burrington Ham and Roeberrow.

What a nice welcome back after a glorious week in North Wales, it was pretty dry there too.

A full length scratch suggests something is stuck in the wiper seal or foam ring below it.

Get the lower legs off ASAP and clean out the wipers or replace with new ones. It's a 15 minute job on Fox forks.

You may be able to repair/fill the scratch with nail polish. A few on here have successfully done the same.

After running 2009 Rev Maxle Dual Air for 6 months now, i'd rather have the 32 15QR VAN R i used to run.

The Maxle is stiff but alot heavier than the 32's. Although for a heavire chap perhaps Pikes/Revs are better?

I havn't got round to getting the Bikefax book and considering the stunning review above i shan't bother!

Looks rubbish 😉

Thanks Hugh….Looking forward to trying this route. Seems criminal to not get out into the hills for a proper ride whilst we're there.

I'm assuming the bridleway up to Cowlyd that starts nearer Capel Curig is not the best way then?

Cant see!

Hi again,

Just been looking over the OS maps for the area and just wondered what the best way of doing the Llyn Crafnant/Llyn Cowlyd loop.

Flattyres route says Cowlyd then Crafnant but a couple of you suggest the reverse?

Thanks,

Nick.

theboatman…..It's clearly yourself you shouldn't trust. Brake hoses don't just decide to leave a caliper 🙄

XTR don't have a 'window' so what gets it the way exactly?

I run XT with my X2 and have previously run SLX. I just removed the 'window'. Problem solved.

Try the Drop-off Cafes website.

Luffy has a house to rent in the village near the cafe.

Not exactly the nicest location though!

Trail centres are great when all your local trails are a unrideable muddy mess and riding them means destroying them.

I'm staggered at the negativity towards trail centres….i've been biking for just 5 years and are therefore well established in biking by the time i started.

Each to their own but i just don't get the negativity.

Well i own a 2009 Orange 5 and previously an 2007 one also. Love it although my wifes 575 is awesome too.

Does that help???

No because i sit in my lovely warm car for 1hr 20mins each way!

…..but i wish i could commute by bike. God i miss my old commute. Give me – temperatures anyday over **** boring driving!

Sent them my 18 month old Vision One light on Saturday after it suddenly refused to turn on. Got a phone call from Paul in the service department at 11 am Monday morning to say they've replaced the switch and battery holder (which was held together with sellotape after i dropped it) and it'll be with me by Wednesday.

Needless to say….amazing customer service.

For my upcoming 30th my wife is taking me to Champery to watch the World Cup DH….and keeps asking how much a Mavic Crossmax SX wheelset is? and last night wanted to know more about the Cane Creek Double Barrel shock!

….so fingers crossed.

Conwy Falls cafe is somewhere i have heard about so will check it out. That extra loop off the Marin trail looks good. I suspect that the technical parts of the Cowlyd route will have my wife off and pushing, maybe me as well!

Hugh….any chance of a link to the Marin extension?

Will order a copy of the book ASAP. I suspect snow could be an issue at the moment.

Keep hearing great things about the Penmachno trail and our cottage has access directly into the forest so we'll be riding that for sure.

Not too keen on really long rides, as it is a much needed rest…of sorts.

Anything really technical and long descents are good. Don't mind rides that are relatively equal i.e: Long climb/long descent.

Not sure any of what i've just said helps?!

That sounds like a decent amount of riding already. I do a similar amount and did the Brechfa Enduro last year (not sure what event you have in mind). I came 60th out of approx. 110 and i lost about 15 places due to a puncture 👿

I was pleased with me effort but could have been abit more fit i reckon. I didn't find the distance too bad, it was far more than any other ride i've ever done in the past! I think i could have done better in my fueling efforts, something i need to look more closely i think.

I reckon mixing in some other types of exercise would be good, if just to make a change from cycling all the time. Swimming perhaps?

Endura 3/4 Venturi waterproofs here…

I have broken every single mudguard i've ever fitted. Waste of time IMO. Nor do they work well.

A fellow guests Pro2 did that in the Alps last year. He had to buy a Mavic Crossline in order to keep riding. No idea what Hope did in regards to replacement.

They replaced my XC hub when the spoke flange snapped in couple of places.

Just sent them my Vision One light that has decided to stop working, will only turn on momentarily. It did that new out of the box too! As long as they replace it i don't mind.

Looks to have been a success 😉

Cynic-al….I.m pretty sure that's La Varda in Les Arc. Never done it but am desperate too!

My favorite singletrack to date is a tie between Helter Skelter into Vedi,Vici whatsit above Bourg St Maurice or Wales own Doethie Valley (only done it once and it was muddy and fun as hell)!

Hope Pro2 laced to Mavic xm819 is what i'm after as and when i can afford it!

Thats for proper UST set-up, Stans if not.

Actually done Curling Simon?

It's good fun, my family play every winter in the Berner Oberland. In our case it's been a family tradition for 40 years. I've been doing it for as long as i can remember.