Well the santa cruz is going to be a better performing bike, but it’ll be 4 times the price, so you would expect that.

Will you be able to tell it’s 4 times more expensive when riding? Probably not…but things such as weight, brakes, gears and suspension performance would be obvious differences, that you would expect most riders to be able to notice the difference.

Will you have 4 times as much fun? Possibly not. Will you end up spending a fair amount of cash on the bossnut to make it closer to the 5010 in spec, probably. I would still be buying a hardtail if I had that amount of cash to spend on a bike, as the all around spec will be so much better. Alternatively, look second hand, you’ll get something a lot nicer than the bossnut.

I would do legs as early as you can in the week. Can take 3-4 days to get over if you do it properly. You don’t want that anywhere near a long weekend ride

2nd hand you’d get a lot more for your money. A great entry level bike though.

aside from the ridicculous name. Not sure what a bossnut is, but likely will find in a backstreet in Amsterdam

There has been a lot of digging recently up there, and whilst i ride most of the jumps that are built, I don’t necessarily agree with all.

For example, the jump line that’s been built by Evian is a totally new trail, and hasn’t been built over anything else. However, some of the stuff over flytipper is now either go big or bugger off. Also, extra gaps on trails like secret santa don’t necessarily help matters.

To be honest, I don’t dig, or maintain trails, and therefore don’t complain, and am, to a certain extent, indebted to the guys who do. So I would never complain, because in the main, it’s a lot more good than bad.

In terms of environmental matters – a small jump being built is unlikely to affect much. Complete fragmentation of the forest from roads being built has a lot more impact, so trail use and maintenance isn’t an issue to me.

Probably ok, but it’s a 9/10 year old bike. Although you my struggle to get a huge amount else for the money. I don’t think some sensible ebay purchases would get you much more. Depends how much it has and will be ridden.

So I believe there is a series called the southern Enduro series next year, as well as the south west enduro series, being done by some of the trail builders who helped out at the UK Gravity Enduros. There is also the Enduro1 events, but to be honest, from experience, I wouldn’t bother.

Yeah, let me know if you want to join, where are you in London? We ride out in Surrey and do a fair few away trips most weekends

You’ve got quite a few options for next year. Two southern series, rounds as QECP etc. Ive done two rounds of the Welsh GE this year and both decent, Charlie is a good guy and makes good stages.

Also the mini enduro at FOD in October is a good starter.

I’m based in London as well and race a fair bit with a few others, let me know if you want to get involved.

Agree with wrecker for once.

I doubt two national series will work. Your average Joe keep mtb going, they buy the expensive stuff, pay the entry fees, but the beer and the unhealthy food. The elites don’t have to buy bikes….(I know how stereotypical I’m being here). Your average Joe funds the series, hopefully the organisers will realise that.

Also, I race to compare myself to the best guys, not that i’ll ever beat them, but sometimes when I’m close it’s a good feeling, I won’t get that if it’s separated.

So I probably will wait for the new mega, as guess it’ll have all the new carbon nukeproof finishing kit, but there will be a price hike surely. Also, if it’s got a similar linkage to the pulse, then it’ going to look a bit like the YT capra potentially, meaning no space for a bottle cage…..

Well I am now totally confused about who is running this. My understanding was that it was Si from the BDS AND the guys from Red Kite, now it’s two separate series. Genuinely the worst idea I have heard yet, and to be honest, most people would ride the one organised by Si, knowing they’re good events.

To be honest, this is not good for the sport. Everyone seems to be against BC, and I’ve seen first hand what they can be like, but we are better to have them on our side than not.

For the first year at least, I think they will us fairly established areas for racing, so would assume tweed valley will be used. I think it will be very similar to the UKGE in a lot of ways.

Lets face it, on the venues list, you’ve likely got Dyfi in mid wales, triscombe, Shropshire, Afan and The lakes (Grizedale?). So all UKGE venues.

Great news. Thats ia everything that was missing from the UKGE, just a sensible, easy to read, press release.

Can’t wait for this.

5”9 on a small? Never met the guy, but unless he has comedy short limbs, I would say he is on too small a bike. I literally hit my knees when pedalling on the small, and i’m 5”11. Having said that, as long as he’s happy with it, doesn’t really matter.

I know they’re not available till Jan, but not overly fussed about riding this winter, my CX bike is more likely to see action anyway.

The Kona won’t come under 30lbs without extra money, and is a similar bike in terms of handling to the mega.

so my mate has a canyon strive, I know how capable a bike it is. Sadly, he is 5″5, i’m 5″11, so sizewise it’s not great.

I doubt i’ll buy untill I try one, but that’s part of the risk. The model I’m looking at I can get for £3.4k, any other manufacturer would cost £4k+ for that spec.

up the bum. add laxitives to your water for release.

Wrecker – the reason why we have so much success in DH as a country is down to properly organised series, such as Pearce rounds as regional, and BDS as national.

Whilst I agree with you, the regional series are there for a more friendly approach, whereas a national series is there to help the guys compete at a higher level, and step up to the international series if possible.

So now we have, and i’m sure there are more so add them in:

Scottish enduro series
PMBA
Welsh enduro series
Welsh Gravity enduro series
Red Kite Enduro
South west enduro series
Southern Enduro series
Enduro1 Series
Mini Enduro
Ard Rock events
No Fuss events
Tweedlove (there will still be an enduro race, just not EWS)
QECP enduros
Potential British Enduro series.

And i must have missed some, these are just off the top of my head. I haven’t included and North or republic of Ireland races.

Slightly out of control, and needs some direction potentially. The more races the better, and gives more choice. Also, now there is a good even spread amongst most areas of the UK. But unless there is some direction from BC/UCI or something, it may not be the best way for the sport to develop.

I know it’s been mentioned a few times, but I genuinely think the best way for a national series to operate would be to have a round within various of the above races every year. So essentially you have regional and national races, creating a form of structure. It means you could spread it more fairly geographically as well: SE/SW/NE/NW England, then maybe two welsh and Scottish rounds. 6-8 races in a series sounds sensible.

I think this is the main problem no one actually can define Enduro properly. See how it all kicked off as a result of that Stage at the UK round of EWS. The UK needs to define what Enduro is, and that doesn’t have to be what EWS is.

Go ahead and define then…….No one is in a place to define what it is aside from race organisers, as they are organising races. If you want to define it, go and sort a race out.

Have to agree with most comments, think ive raced 7 or 8 in total, Innerleithen in 2012 being the first, and still one of the best races I’ve ever done. Hamsterly being the last, and potentially one of the worst.

Whilst the ukge were never going to get it right for everyone, they sometimes didn’t help themselves with poor communication, such as race entry dates, and the whole insurance debate.

However, I do think the moves for full face helmets were a good idea. I remember riding the Dyfi round last year. Stage 1 had an open track bit nearer the bottom of the stage, properly flat out. I was in a half shell and genuinely would have really hurt myself if I had binned it. This is also where I agree with the insurance part as well. Although maybe they should have increased entry cost and sorted insurance themselves…allowing more one race entries.

Regardless, the series was amazing, and had a great time racing it. I cannot thank the UKGE team enough for their time and effort, and hopefully they will have success with their one off events next year. If the races were shit, they wouldn’t have had 250+ people attending every event.

a film called the rise of enduro is pretty good. also, the highlights from the UKGE rounds are also an indicator.

Edit: drop me a mail: t0mwh1tt4k3r (then the number 1) AT hotmail DOT co DOT uk (replace numbers with

Duffer – started on a grad scheme for one company, rotational business type, then moved to the current company after 5ish years (and a lot of hard work). Have been here for about 6 months. If you want to know anymore, drop me a mail: t0mwh1tt4k3r AT hotmail DOT co DOT uk (replace numbers with letters)

Logisitics lead for a massive pharma comapany in London. It’s ok, the pay is good and work life balance is also good. Offices are nice and the people ok. Although no-one seems to have any idea what’s going on….ever.

I hate living in London though, and would jump at the chance to move elsewhere, which I may do in the next year or two. Im in my mid 20’s, and my goal of six figures by 30 is becoming less appealing by the day, the older I get and more I earn, the more I just want to ride my bike and be outside.

I would donate the money back to the state

Ah ok, yes I’ve done it, did it a few years back when I first went there. It’s more than likely a bit smoother these days as it’s been hit a lot more, must have been late 2012 when I did it, so not that far after the place opened.

Advice (from what I remember) don’t hit it too fast, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not big, just more awkward. Run out isn’t fantastic, so would hit it slow, and I would aim more to roll down with your back wheel than full on huck it (bearing in mind, you won’t actually roll your back wheel, it will inevitably get some air). I would look to land slightly back wheel heavy, as it’s a fairly flat landing.

It’s not too bad though, I am by no means a full on DH beast, and actually did it on a trail bike. Just try it.

is this the one nearer the bottom, where you have to go slightly uphill, and the drop is on your right?

just do this:

repeatedly.

Great bike, owned and raced for 18 months.

The 2014 model, for the money, was one of the best bikes out there. Now, not so much…With so many direct sales companies, and other manufacturers offering very good bikes at a similar price, it’s not so clear cut as an obvious choice.

It’s on the heavy side, i would say mine is 34lbs, compare that to a mates canyon stive at 28lbs, and thats a big difference. However, it’s like a small DH bike, and ploughs through most stuff.

The frame has been faultless, with only the shock bushing needing replacing every 2/3 months.

I find practicing stages always helps, just to get an idea of what’s coming, and sessioning any parts that would potentially have me worried. I always find focusing on something, rather than getting worried, helps me a lot, just think about what you need to do, and how to do it. It’s all about trying to ride similar stuff to what’s in races, living in London and racing in Scotland doesn’t help this, but you do what you can I guess.

For me, I still struggle to ride normally on the first stage, and pedal far too much, and don’t relax. I would say that’s the most important part, relax and focus!

To be honest, I used to be all for supporting my local bike shop, but the service and General attitude I’ve had over the last few years has reduced my efforts. Paid considerably more from a local than crc for my last bike, and had no end of problems dealing with them, meanwhile, crc have been very good for everything else….although not looking to start this endless argument again, I’m sure others would say the exact opposite!

Regardless, I’ve bought the ones from the other German website, really appreciate the link, and all the other help as well, cheers.

they look cool, depending on the bike, and also you then need to buy yellow shoes.

Have to say, everyone I know who has them says they are great wheels, until they break. To be honest, they aren’t that light for the money….

well bike discount are doing them for £30. I’ve seen they are in stock in UK shops, but the mark up is ridiculous – doesn’t make sense when I can get it essentially half price!

Thanks for the link George, will have a look!

revolution bike park if you are into more tech dh stuff.

would recommend penmachno, dyfi forest, Brechfa and FOD.

was just riding my bike and couldn’t get out the bottom 20%!

Completely agree. If you are lucky enough to be that talented a rider, then that’s great, but others have to find other areas to improve. I was always finishing around 25-35% from the back. First two races this season have been top 50%. A proper off season look to have helped.

Something else, like the insanity programmes may be of use, having never tried them I couldn’t recommend, but a few friends have got in very good shape from doing it. Seems good for overall body conditioning.

Once you’re knocking on the door of the top 10% in your category, then maybe is the time to worry about the marginal gains elsewhere.

Not true, you’d be suprised how competitive all races are, even at the lower end, and the level pople ride and train at. I race the UKGE and a few EWS, and the level at the UKGE is so much higher than 2/3 years ago. Time in the gym and time on the bike are both important. If you want to race and do relatively well, you need to make time for both, as you can be sure everyone else is….

soho bikes is good for a coffee and checking out the bikes there.

So from my experience, the following will help your fitness, endurance and ability to sprint for longer, not get as much arm pump etc:

Big compound moves, lifting heavy with low reps – deadlifts, squats, bench press.

Dumbell – Chest press, Bent over row, Chest Fly’s

Kettlebell – Hip Swing, Romanian Deadlift, Clean and jerk (can be done with an Olympic bar as well)

Bodyweight – Pressups, situp variations, planks, TRX work

Interval Training – Down to the individual, but I usually do pyramids, so 2 min on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 4 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 2 off.

The above will help, undoubtedlyDon’t compromise time on the bike though, gym training and time on the bike should compliment each other. I mainly do my fitness side in the gym, and use my bike time to practise my technical riding (the part I enjoy!)

One problem with poison is that they eat it, crawl off somewhere, and then die, if that happens to be below your floorboards, you may have rotting mice – not nice, but probably not going to ause that much of an issue.

One interesting point, when we caught our first, we forgot to remove straight away. Went to sort the next morning, we had caught another mouse in the trap next to the original. But mouse number 2 had managed to eat most of mouse number 1 before getting caught…

Just lay mouse traps and kill as many as possible. We thought we had one mouse in the flat, turnd out we caught 5. Haven’t seen one since….Not to say there’s not anymore there, but haven’t seen one for months.

And if I was running BC as a business, I would probably drop DH too. This i where the issue lies, it’s not a business, it’s an organisation in place to suppot and govern all ccling in Britain, something which is fails to do.

Like I said before, they seem to very much give up, rather than look for solution.