I can’t seem to find anything on the citizens advice bureau relating to this, any advice?

So you thought you’d try a bike forum?

Is it in the wrong forum? Didn’t realise. Thanks for pointing it out in such a pleasant way

internal recruitment, and she isn’t senior, so really should not be an issue.

Think she will go above her head, not that it will every end well.

yeah, we’ll look into it, thanks for the advice.

Obviously, she is looking for a new job at the moment anyway, as you would with an employer who was like that.

Worst thing is, it’s not the employer, it’s her manager. She will escalate if nothing changes.

Yeah can do, I am fairly free next week, so Tues/Wed/Thurs all work.

I’m similar, mainly hit the off piste stuff at Leigh woods, but have only moved to Bristol recently, so certainly keen to explore more areas.

Keen to get involved if anyone wants to go for an explore.

Having moved from central london myself a few months ago to Bristol, I’m still in the honeymoon period of being able to ride form my door. I spent the last four years driving 3 hours for every ride just to the Surrey Hills!

However, for longer weekend riding, need to head out further to get some proper climbing and descending in.

@samej email in profile if you want to sort something

Where are you in Bristol? I have a car and drive out regularly. Also do some local riding but like you, it isn’t enough long term. BPW, Machen, Cwmcarn, Triscombe trips etc are always potential weekend trips.

Let me know if you want to join.

Glad Hart has started to show form, he is such a talented rider. Skill wise I would say he is up there with any of them, he just had to develop the engine, which he seems to have done now.

Bryceland wearing flats because it’s more fun in the last WC round says it all for me (don’t want to start a debate here), he doesn’t seem interested, and seems to accept defeat far too easily.

Brendog is similar, not too sure why he is competing if he doesn’t think he can win. He has the talent, but doesn’t train anywhere near enough. Look at Gee, whilst he may have lost some speed, he is still in unbelievable shape, and that has always been the key to his success, and why he hasn’t ever had major injuries etc.

I would like to think if I was talented enough to be a pro rider, I would be training as much as possible to achieve as much as possible. The physique of some of the guys racing DH is embarrassing, picture of Sam Dale with his top off on the track walk for the last WC, he has breasts. I’ve got friends who work 12 hour days who are in better shape than him. Obviously doesn’t apply to the majority however.

So I experimented for a bit on my old pikes, however they were 160mm on 650b so not the best comparison. On a short travel 29er fork, I assume you want something relatively soft that ramps up quickly? I would suggest running the same amount of tokens but lowering the pressure, making them more progressive.

Usually, the more tokens you have, the lower pressure you can run, because you are essentially reducing the air space, but keeping the same amount of travel. I would look at running up to 30% less pressure, especially as you’re quite lightweight, and see how they feel, then go up from there.

I got a creative muno mini, very good, and also ‘weather proof’.

not too expensive if you shop around.

Climbs at brechfa are considerably worse, as in harder.

Afan is all more than manageable.

We did a holiday there last year, and only did one day guided, well, it was an uplift with the cool bus guys. Would definitely recommend them. In terms of Vallandry location, firstly, you’ve got probably the best bit of bike park in the area in front of you, well, at least the best trail. After a day of backcountry stuff, we would hang out at the bar at the bottom of the lift, and do some runs down Woodstock, really fun trail.

We found loads of the sides off either the furnicular at Bourg. Also, there is the long trail, sketchy descent I think, which is a good one, long, tight, steep switchbacks.

Aside from that, dig out strava and find your own routes, there are so many around there….

For various reasons, I’ve not raced at all this year, and it’s not looking likely for at least another few months. One of the main things that put me off is the amount of series, and the amount of time I invested over the last few years in racing. The guys at the UK Enduro seemed to have the best intentions, but in reality, were always going to struggle against the BES, with their superior sponsorship opportunities.

I’m more likely to race local stuff now regardless, living in the south west now rather than London, I’m lucky to have a large proportion of races within 2 hours drive. Enduro will continue and eventually will reach the balance point, but needs a few more years to reach this probably.

Funnily enough I’ve been looking for the same thing, don’t mind the fitting of a road jersey, so been looking at them. Eventually found a Fox xc jersey which should do the trick, on CRC.

You could always get a tight fitting road jersey and wear an mtb one over it.

Doubt I would buy the 650b model, with so much else out there at a good price with similar spec. Would probably lean towards a Canyon, or YT. Especially as you can fit a bottle cage inside the frame on the mega.

I haven’t, went to the demo day at Llandegla, but Nukeproof decided not to show up, really put me off. Especially as I have owned a 2014 mega since new and it’s been a great bike.

Review here outlines a lot:

Nukeproof Mega 290 Pro Review: slimmed down and bulked up

I’m still keen, speaking to guys in the industry, 29er ‘enduro’ bikes are likely going to be the next big thing. I suppose now everyone has invested in 27.5, the industry now want us to change again.

i very recently made the move from Hammersmith to Bristol, and the change to my riding has been very good. Now have some decent short trail centre riding, as well as some decent off piste stuff along with that. Also, BPW, Cwmcarn, Mendips and FOD within an hour, very different to the hour and half drive to the Surrey Hills I was used to.

ive got one, and it’s great. I usually wear a medium but sized down to a small as I doubt i’ll wear more than a jersey beneath it, even when it’s very cold. I also don’t want it flapping around so

Like any waterproof, it does heat up inside, and if you wear a t shirt underneath, the arms get a bit sweaty, long sleeve stops this.

Can’t recommend enough.

Yeah, never totally convinced that the geo charts are very accurate.

I would say 5″9 should be on a medium, but the extra 2″ might push me into the large. Been searching in vain and Canyon UK aren’t helpful, offered to go down to their facility and try a bike and they won’t let me, I understand it’s direct sales, and that’s what comes with it, but also it’s nearly £4k, would have thought they would want the money.

ok, thanks for that mate appreciate it. Just really can’t spend that amount of money and get the size wrong!

Looks good, but would expect something nice from Hope. Although it looks very similar to a lot of other bikes out there, so nothing particularly unexpected.

A lot of SRAM bashing on this thread. I’ve had mixed experiences on their equipment, but in the main, it has survived very well. In 2.5 years, one replacement set of pikes and 3 reverbs. The monarch shock has been faultless throughout. Avid brakes are poor but SRAM branded newer ones seem to be improved. My maxle has never been loose, in 2.5 years of riding it.

It just seems you have had bad experiences with them. A maxle falling out is just dangerous, I would get that properly looked at.

free parking by Leigh woods entrance, and can head up to Ashton court from there. Also, I would say a loop around Leigh woods (all marked) is probably more fun. Also you can extend with a bit of exploring further on.

I am in Bristol Monday, Thursday, Friday and Weekends, so let me know and can join for a ride.

I think the main issue is saturation in the market. Over the last few years, the ukge has been the main UK series (regardless of whether people like it or not). Now there seems to be far too many race series, so people are likely to pick and choose.

Funnily enough though, Scott’s Southern Enduro series sold out straight away. I know they are different types of events, but they are known to be well organised, marketed and priced.

If i’m honest, it should have been marketed as the trans-wales, taking a similar approach to the provence and savoie. Also riding natural singletrack that might be new to people, rather than bike park wales…..

Do it. Make the decision and work out all the nuances later, you won’t regret it. Closer to the alps, nicer weather, better food, better women (possibly).

agreed on the whole 3 months employer vs employee thing. If I was being made redundant and they only gave me a month, I would be having the opposite thoughts, but that’s not the situation I’m in….

I will go for the pleasant but firm, here is my letter of resignation, I would appreciate it if my notice period could be reduced to four weeks. Please let me know if not acceptable.

Then will see how it goes – will obvs report back.

thanks all, some really helpful advice. I really don’t want to work the full period, but yet to receive my new contract so am waiting for that to arrive before I hand it in.

Holiday requests are a great idea, just fired over now.

Keep any suggestions coming. And just out of interest, has anyone done this ad then just walked out? I can start the new job as soon as I need to so could realistically walk out and not return. Would be concerned about the company suing for loss of earnings, even thought it’s unlikely.

great, could you PM me a number or anything?

Also, will contact talyermade as looks perfect, exactly what I’m after.

thanks all for your help. Any further suggestions would be fantastic.

The Whisky part is one I’m still keen on, any one have any ideas?

Yeah mini bus and driver is a definite.

Just a Peebles/Edinburgh stag do is a possibility. It’s a loose plan at the moment so looking at all opportunities. Sadly, only 3/4 of us are mtbers on the trip, so riding is out of the question. Also, attendees from all around the world, so don’t want to drag them over here then split the group up.

Agree on doing too much though, moving around locations on a hangover is not fun.

Ah yes, we are planning on getting a mini bus and driver more than likely. But good point.

turkey shelf life should be about 21 days from day of slaughter. so you should be fine

Always been a fan of blow, once upon a time in Mexico, and actually liked sleepy hollow as well. Regardless of the films themselves, he is very good as captain jack, just maybe a few too many of the films made…

Not sure where in Ilkley. The van was parked with the bike inside, and we didn’t open the back of the van, and it’s got a bulkhead so you can’t see through. Looks like it was opportunists.

It’s a black one, with orange SC stickers. Lock on grips have Jimmy on the collar.

go to an independent financial advisor. What area are you in? I could recommend a few good ones.

I have a friend who recently was told, has he invested his money and pension better, he would now be £250k better off than he is, on not a massive amount of money.

Managing your money is very important. and pay as much into your pension as possible. the longer it’s in there, the more it earns

Legend & boardinbob – the current mega frame can’t accept a bottle cage with the piggy back shock. I own it, and have to zip tie a bottle cage onto the down tube underneath

I gave up long ago really, everything gets wet. I find it better to embrace, hence t shirt on Saturdays ride. I find I overheat in a jacket, even on cold days, which makes life more uncomfortable than ever. I’ve only had one ride in the last few years where I gave up after 7km, it just wasn’t worth it.

Also, spending £300+ on a jacket, to then fall off and rip, rendering it useless, just doesn’t make sense to me. Really, unless I rode half the year in rain would I bother. I tend to now work out whether the ride will be worth it, both training and enjoyment wise. Saturday’s ride for example was riding new trails, in a new area, and was awesome, with a good group. Finished in the pub next to the fire.

further afield you have swinley and peaslake. I live in Hammersmith and manage to get out riding most weekends around Surrey

Yeah, so he said release date should be the 10th of this month, so press releases etc. then apparently a small run straight off, but very limited.

Then for normal sale feb/march/april next year. Bad idea if I’m honest, a lot of guys deciding on bikes for the new season will have had theres for 5-6 months potentially by this point. They should have got this sorted a lot earlier.

I spoke to one of the main independent dealers of NP bikes last week regarding this. I currently have the 2014 model, and it’s a great bike, if a bit heavy, and goes through bushings quite quickly, but in general, has been a good bike.

The main info I got was that the new model uses the same suspension layout as the new pulse, which apparently is a good thing – Sam Hill uses it, although I am not Sam Hill. I was disappointed to hear it’s not carbon, don’t get me wrong, carbon isn’t the be all and end all, but it tends to provide for a lighter bike. I think NP will struggle to get an all mountain bike that’s as hard wearing as the old mega’s, sub 30lb, without using a carbon frame. Although with carbon NP handlebars and wheels now available, would have thought these would be on there, so may help with the weight saving.

Apparently it’s being kept at a similar price, so would imagine £3200 ish, with a similar spec to this years. Although, with YT’s, Commencals and Canyons being similarly priced bikes, with incredible specs, and the equivalent specialized, treks now similarly competitive, I think the new Mega may not be as successful as the old one. Certainly I remember the 2014 mega being very popular at endure races. Think the Capra has fully taken over this mantle now though…….

trying to get kids fit at the age of 0-14 is pointless. This is exactly why England will never win any tournament in the near future.

Spain and likes are so good because the kids play with the football at all times. And all the players can play. Pique is a more talented footballer, and more skilful than any if not all England players, and he’s a central defender.

Do it as long as it’s the training. Send group emails to all parents on a weekly basis, updating and justifying points. Email them all beforehand setting the ground rules, and make it clear that you don’t expect complaints etc when some kids don’t play.

I wouldn’t worry too much. It’ll be rebuilt again soon enough I would have thought. Whether it becomes a battle then of building and knocking down is a different matter.

To be honest, I’m not a fan of Swinley, and unless you’re a local, don’t understand the attraction, it’s a flat trail….any local woodland offers the same thing. Just my opinion, i’m sure some people love it, and good on them, glad people are out their bikes.