@ aphex2k – good find 8)

there’s a lot of good stuff there (and bad!!)

re: disco_stu

I know what you mean, but I think you’re doing Autechre a huge disservice there.  Their stuff over the last decade is more sophisticated, funky, emotive, banging and downright beautiful than anything that anyone else is making, including Richard James imho

Granted, they’re not always an easy listen, it takes a while for tracks to unfurl in your head, and I find tracks growing and waning on me at different rates.  But for me, they are the ultimate in electronic music.  Everyone else is lagging far, far behind.

Their recent (8 hour!!!) album is still available to stream (on loop) over at NTS:

https://www.nts.live/projects/autechre-nts-residency/

A lot of it just doesn’t make sense until you’ve given it 2 or 3 turns.  But there’s a few immediate bangers on it like splesh (on NTS3) and gonk steady one (NTS1).

I’ve had 4 notifications this morning, for 4 different KOMs that I’d lost, to drivers, and by the time I’ve checked it they’ve edited the ride.

Kinda off topic, in all honesty, but I just wanted to bask in the glory of retaining KOMs

I stemhumped on the one with the mental compression and bumbuzzed on another.  I love my LT 29er, but it is taking me a bit longer to develop full committment on the super steep stuff.  For everything else though, it’s amazing.

watching with interest. same but for tapered.  expecting more luck 2nd hand than brand new

yes it’s tame in comparison, apart from a few terrifyingly steep chutes at Mallard’s Pike.  The rest of it was fairly standard, not particularly steep, just rooty, swoopy fun.

utterly magnificent.  so glad I got to watch that

this is incredible, isn’t it?

TD less than a minute ahead of Froome with another +5000m to go?

How steady is the gap between them?

Try soaking the core in vinegar and then use steel wire (eg from gear cable) to poke out any gunky sealant blocking the airflow?

It will be in its worst possible condition I’m afraid.  I despise it when it’s this wet.

I grew up on it.  think I’m ok.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV10VSyXSUM

gets me every time

I’d be surprised if they weren’t.  6901, 7902, 6802 enduro max

AFAIK the only change they made was the finer pitch on the top link and shoulder bolts

yeah I couldn’t resist that CRC deal.  I wasn’t hell bent on running huge tyres so convinced myself I didn’t need the 30mm.  I’m a serial dinger so I chose the E1700 over the M1700.  The boost hubs looks very spindly!

Sadly I think the road is now shut after a landslide.  It was an absolutely incredible drive.

http://www.gran-canaria-info.com/news/gran-canaria-gc-200-west-coast-road-gone-for-good

During my career I have worked extensively with the same microwave frequencies as WiFi and mobile comms, at significantly higher power levels (i.e. 100’s of kilowatts) than those emitted by mobile handsets and wifi routers. I and my colleagues have always slept very well

excellent PSA

I preferred the rebuttal in yesterday’s paper

anyone got any spare decals?!

To effectively advertise a cheeky route in a sensitive area in poor conditions on an MTB site that has >35k visitors each day is irresponsible, in my opinion. I’m probably not helping the cause by continuing to respond, so this’ll be my last word on the issue. I’d welcome any DM’s if you wish to continue the debate

OK then please let me rephrase

Heavy usage along with the weather has irreparably damaged trails in the Sandy lane, Cavendish Woods, Black Rocks, Hearthstone, Crich woods, and Shining Cliff areas.

Any ‘descent’ is on footpaths, all of it is cheeky and riding anywhere in the valley in a group is likely to result in conflict, especially on a damp weekend in October

If you want some legal, all-weather routes in the area, then I suggest you
use the Vertebrate publishing White Peak book, or go to the Peak District, and Cannock’s just over an hour away

Better now?

awww diddums. Because, as you say, you are likely to encounter conflict, and as benman says, the trails are not in good condition, not least due to recent wet weather and a huge increase in the numbers of riders in the area over the past few years. So sharing a route with you here may not be the best idea, as it may encourage a few hundred others to ride in a very delicate and sensitive area.

There’s nothing official in these areas. Cannock and the Peak District aren’t far away though.

can you take a video? Mine is still a bit floppy after crashes and a rebuild but it’s working fine.

http://www.silverfish-uk.com/manufacturer/Formula/SPARES

which bit are you after?

he was distinctly unimpressive on R4 Today this morning.

I think I broke a zee mech when I first ran the 11-42 sunrace cassette on my tracer

I’ve used an xt and xtr mech with the rad cage for almost a year now. Shifting has been reliable and crisp, with three chains over that period.

AFX

https://youtu.be/RsUUviefQSM

I love this record so, so much

well that was impressive

Sounds familiar!

holding

holy integrated stem and handlebars batman

The Gap road and the Llangorse route are probably within range too

Hope you survived the mud!

Last year I did the Black Mountain classic from the Vertebrate publishing book. I enjoyed it so much I did it again this year. ~45km +1500m. Big views and 3 cracking descents. let me know if you need me to link you up with the gpx

ta Brant

forgive me for going off on a tangent but any ideas if you can re-weld the non-drive side chainstay to the drop out when it separates?

Brant?

Brant??

BRANT???

I can confirm that the section between gargrave and keighley is rather uneven. I didn’t feel especially overbiked on a 160mm travel fs.

Hats off to the organisers, what a great event. My first ard rock. Fantastic to see all abilities catered for, a really inclusive vibe.

Really pleased to complete the frankly amazing loop given recent bike issues and a KO in my last event, with a 22:50 in the enduro. Gutted for mates and everyone else who had punctures! All 6 stages had some fantastic moments, but 5 was probably the pick for me. Hurting today after rushing round in just over 4hrs on my own to make a prior engagement!

I think it’s gorgeous

now that the CFO has commandeered my blue pig I might be able to justify a frame only deal on that

Awesome^^^^^^

Thanks for sharing Generalist – It’s certainly the best I’ve ridden!!

Yeah I did Annat-Coire Lair-Achnashellach-Coulags then a murderous carry up to Bealach a’ Choire Ghairbh for the extra swooping descent to the lochy (taking in stupendous views over to Skye along the way) before rejoining the Annat path.

Question – Is there a better descent than Coire Lair-Achnashellach in the UK?

I don’t think you need a guide, but I would recommend the OS map

The two routes worth doing that I’m aware of are the lollipop (Annat-Coire Laire-Achnashellach-Coulags-Annat) and the loop via the lake over the Ben Damph estate.

Very easy to follow despite it being in completely epic surroundings. There’s a very clear path for 99% of the lollipop route I did, but I did check the map a lot, just to be sure. A wrong turn could have dire consequences but with a bit of prep and good map sense you’ll be fine.

I found this link pretty handy:

http://www.mtbtrails.info/Trail_Venue.aspx?VenueNumber=27