Mine is a grape-based spirit which brings back fond memories from a time in Chile

Soggy Pines on Friday, but got some jumps in:

Nice spin at Hemlock Trails. It was busy considering it was 6:30am!

In between the trails, lots of fun down the back “Maud’s Place” where they have been building some nice table lines and some doable gap lines.

Friday morning was a puddle fest at Pines, and it looks like tomorrow might be the same.

Obviously now my browsing is flooded with ads for SPD shoes. These Vaude ones caught my eye. Seems like a bargain and in my experience, Vaude make top quality stuff.
Not in my size though 😒

For hike a bike, there are two factors as far as I can see:
Rigidity of the sole – the new Kestrals are mega rigid, and I’m undecided if that’s an issue
Grip – they seem to have that covered.

Re the hellcats, is a more flexible sole seen to be more forgiving and have better feel on more technical stuff?

various Fugazi … Sonic Youth ..albums

Me too! I was recently put onto an excellent (very progressive, not for everyone) album, Schlagenheim by Black Midi, and it put me in mind to revisit Sonic Youth, as well as Fugazi and NoMeansNo. I love those musical avenues.

I have the old trusty Thule 591s and love them, especially after replacing the straps with Voile ones.

My mate replaced his 591s with the newer 598s, and he regrets it, saying they are much more awkward.

Announcement regarding our proposed bike park.

Firstly, thank you to all those who contributed towards our Crowdfunder. Sadly we underachieved our target and as a result we have had to go back to the drawing board. For those who contributed, we will be in contact in the next couple of weeks to fulfill your rewards.

The good news is we are still looking to go ahead and try to make this a reality. Therefore, later this summer, we will release a second Crowdfunder and also have a raffle which will include a number of great prizes from some amazing brands that are trying to help.

We have received numerous messages stating just build the trails and it will grow. Unfortunately it is not as simple as that. We have to complete numerous ecological surveys, some of which we have done, meet planning regulations, and on top of that each trail costs roughly £20-£30 per metre to construct. There are also services that need to be in place such as car parking, access roads, water, electricity and waste that all need to be completed before we can even open.

There also continues to be a small minority that feel they can ride on the land already and build illegal trails. Please, if this is you, stop. You are putting the entire project in jeopardy.

Lastly, please be patient. We are trying our hardest to make this happen and sort out all the red tape. We will provide updates as and when we have them.

We have left our crowdfunding page open for donations if you wish to help out.

Thank you.

I had similar when changing fork; in the end I treated myself to a larger disc.

Another one here. Apologies to the gravel averse. I still have the gears on my hardtail as I tend to take it to steeper terrain, and it has more of a sit’n’spin geometry.

Anyone found that sharing has been blocked unless adblocker is disabled? (on the app)

Rain stops play

“bone conducting headphones so the bass is pretty good”
That’s an oxymoron right there

What was yesterday’s?

That could be great for mushrooms. As I understand it, they can grow in light or dark.

I’ve seen where people stuff a laundry basket with straw mixed with oyster mushroom seeds(spores?)
Your planter looks ideal for that

Lovely ride at Pines

Been a while since I’ve cycled Watchwood trails. LOTS of forestry has cleared an area big enough for a shopping centre!

Most jump lines (jumps at bottom of three main lines, and over the quarry end) have been bulldozed, but there are still some lovely tight bermy lines in amongst the trees.

@mrmoofo is that the replacement? how come?

Keen to try out my new Timber Bell, I set off on my bridleway/xc commute, and had three bellworthy encounters:

– Bloke and dogs heard me a mile off, and gave me an “ok mate I’ve seen you, stop bloody digging now” gesture.

– Old man with a cane and J Mascis hair, who shouted “Gor Blimey! Why don’t you ring a bell” as I passed.

– Bloke and dogs heard me a mile off and smiled as I passed.

I think mine is the refuge jacket and I love it. Very good quality. The zip broke after 23 months and I was sent a replacement; excellent customer service.
My previous one was Alpkit, but it tore quite easily, and they didn’t reply to my enquiry to repair it.

That one transition has some properly steep bits that an eBike walk mode can’t handle. It’s also a lot of steps, so hike-a-bike is best. I had a hardtail and think that was the right choice!

I’ve had both, albeit older versions (2010 Mazda and 2011 Octavia Scout) so not sure how subsequent models have changed?

They were both solidly built and trouble free. Overall, the Mazda was sportier and handled well, and the Octavia much more spacious and practical.

I got the Octavia after the Mazda was written off in a massive, final destination style, slow but near death collision with a car park barrier. I was sad to lose it, but the Scout has been a better family/bike wagon tbh.

Stereo Ratchet Sound!

We Are One Composites and their Convergence rim:

there are no false claims or made-up numbers. Our target was straightforward – design a shape that had beauty and function , with a 30% minimum increase in impact strength, and provide the best ride feel we have ever delivered to the rider

Had one of those rides where everything just felt right; berms fast & low, jumps slow & high. Probably crack my skull next ride.

Ten mugs?

I definitely noticed it on my Stif Squatch hardtail, despite the shorter cranks. I think I’m getting more of an instinctive feel for technical strike-free climbing over time though. The worst was a narrow carved out path (as per above) in the Peaks near Mam Tor, which had me dabbing a lot! Luckily those are few and far between for me.
On the plus side, for trails and descents I’m feeling more ‘in’ the bike and berms are noticeably better.

Dr Pepper was invented in Nazi Germany during WW2

False, it was Fanta

stupid false answers

The species of bird Columbidae (pigeons and doves) have a special vocal frequency which doesn’t echo.

Sounds feasible, because aCooSticks

stupid false answers.

The original drummer from 50’s rhythm and blues group The Coasters died on tour when a 400lb teacup fell on him outside a diner.

E:
Belgian Blue Cross from a small farm in Bakewell, as pictured on Country File:

Soon to be enjoyed:

With dauphinoise potatoes and veg, and home made cheesecake (first attempt) for our anniversary meal.

D: probably the nice Spanish red that’s on offer in the Co-Op

L: Podcast “A a history of rock music in 500 songs”, quite an undertaking, but I’m really enjoying it.

Could you see the outline of an enormous bear?

I can’t see a picture, but isn’t the Matterhorn on the border between Switzerland and Italy, a fair bit to the south west of the Austrian border?

I’m about to start The Remains of the Day. Never seen the film so no idea what to expect

A quick blast round the Red at Pines on the gravel bike.

This morning I asked the barista for her mildest roast; she told me my hair looks a bit scruffy today.

.

@sss I like that calendar format. Have you seen the Ball version?

Olive oil? Thinking about it, oat milk uses rape seed oil to give it that creaminess, so it could be a similar thing?