As all above have stated, there are clearly variables, percieved speed & comfort, rider weight, tyre width, surface condition. As a starting point 80 -110 psi seems about it. I regularly ride/race on an airfield surface which is superb, maximum high pressure works well in those conditions.

My LBS has Uvex photchromatics, been a Oakley user for ages, but the price was good (can’t remember how much) so gave ’em a punt. Quietly impressed. They don’t go ultra dark, but cope with uk sun, I waer them on my commute, and found after a late one and getting home in the dark, no vision issues. Recommended. (Lime green and white frames!)

I have the same watch as Catfood. Bought circa 1980. Rediscovered it in sock drawer. Guy in jewelers who put in a new battery, claimed vintage stuff like this are making money on ebay right now. And BTW still keeps pretty good time, around 1 min/month. Happy enough with that.

I have a Thule Xpress pro 970, 2 bike ball mount carrier. £50 worth of well thought out rack.

Top pic looks like Chetsford water on Exmoor, or Simonsbath, if so where was the cake stop please? Looks good to me, I’m regularly in that area.

Very nice. Sort of surprised at the weight tho’. It would cost a lot more to get it nearer to 20lbs

I agree with all the above comments, but additionally, why not think about joining your local club, and riding some of their midweek 10s. Standard road bikes are commonplace, after all most people are looking to only better their own times

As Ed201 says, local chaingang will bring on your speed. Will also help with positioning in a group. Its early in the season yet, so give it a couple of weeks of once or twice weekly CG. See how you go.

Diana Ross, Touch me in the morning. Maybe tough to pull off tho’. Avoid Dionne Warwick. Impossible to match the emotion.

Burning spear, Handsworth revolution. Traditional beats . . . . from Birmingham

I’ve got a nice 10 miles, a few rises in it, plus on way home, easy option to loop down the coast to Minehead way, or instead take the MTB and loop over the Quantocks. Sounds alright.

I’ll be doing similar stuff to previous years, some NPS, Enduro 6, BBF, MM. Local – ish Fully Sussed stuff, oh and a bit of road too. A fair bit when you write it down

All the paperwork done, will make the 1st post in the morning. I guess it’ll be full come June, and considering last year was epic weatherwise, I do feel there’s slightly less of a buzz about at the mo. Noon start/finish shakes things up a bit. A good move

I had a GT STS, loved it, always regretted moving it on, I’d buy it back in a flash.
As above always hankered after a Xizang

Stoney,

thanks for posting up new shrek again

Stoney,

that looks Ace, you will enjoy it, no doubt. BTW what are the bars? what and where from the rims?

You now hoping for some fine weather?

I’ve a 2010 XO. I’ve had a series of Giant bouncers (got an XTC too) RS XX forks are very good, hydraulic LO works beautifully too, rear is as everyone says, stiff, taut, bottomless feel. 2 X 10 is great, I’ll not go back, but personally not loving the XX clonkiness. I’d like to try 2011 XTR.

Ok then, so if you’re going to be in the Cockercombe area, a favourite of mine, although more double track, but at speed only really one line down, is due south from the gravel pits just below Wills neck. Also in that area, but you may need to be shown, two descents from the Slades into Aisholt. Enjoy

I know a train driver, a few of you guys in the Taunton area do too. It may not be too tough a job………Not a lot of fun when you’ve just had a jumper though. The regularity is quite surprising

If it helps, I run a compact through winter,(& for very hilly sportives) and change back and forth, as I see fit. Just move the mech up and down, and have a dedicated chain for each. (length)

Two posts before Skoda was mentioned. This on a post about hot hatches. Unbelievable. Towsure site, will sort you out, one way or the other.

Have a look here, good prices, if it’s what you’re after.

http://www.eyewearoutlet.co.uk/oakley-c1/jawbone?gclid=CN6xpeipwaYCFc0e4QodsUbhIQ

I’ve tried a few cheaper (free from work) specs, IME most cheaper models move around a fair bit, but I’ve currently got some Uvex from LBS, and I’m pleasantly surprised. Look good too.

Yeah, sort of. Using S725X as a wrist watch. Really good bike computer. Tells the time quite well too!

Ta! Don’t know how it’ll pan out, but should bring some decent exposure for both, and up the ante before the Olympics. A positive development for British XC.

Long sleeved baselayer, softshell style jacket, Assos does the best, bar none. Something like Gore Tool is also good. Good gloves, and overshoes, a must. Works for me here in Somerset.