Thanks guys, both those links are Pont Scethin routes so I guess they are both worth doing?

It’s a great ride.

I think the route guide (vgraphics book I assume) starts the ride in the wrong place. Parking in darley dale and going straight into the toughest climb is harsh.

we start in Bakewell mainly to get ice cream at the end of the ride!

its worth seeking out the golf course desent back in to bakewell, it’s a good ‘un!

its a summer ride for us. In the winter the mud can be horrid!

Yeh I meant to mention it’s from the VP White Peak book, I did think maybe it would be better done clockwise.

Thanks for this.  I’m spending two weeks in Bakewell this August, which is a new location to me, so might give this a bash!

Muchos Gracias amigo.

No problem hope you enjoy the route.

I was having trouble posting images and can no longer edit my original post so I’ll try posting some more here.

Thanks for the tip, I’m a bit reluctant to do anymore tweaking of the brakes/pistons as I’ve got them setup pretty well now with just about a millimetre either side of the rotor between the pads.

Would it not be easier just to take the wheel out and let the pistons come out and then push them back in? Something I’ve actually done by mistake already on the rear brakes that I’ve just changed pads and bled.

Just wanted to add a little update. Decided to have a go at adjusting reach, I had assumed wrongly that if the screw was quite far out then the lever was almost at its farthest point. Also, I thought they already felt about right for my fingers.

However, after tightening the screw a few turns it has moved the lever further out which has moved the bite point further away from the bars and has the feel of slightly less lever travel, also when pulled back they don’t get so close to my knuckles. So thanks to dirkpitt74 for encouraging me to try this as it definitely has improved the feel of the lever action.

Mine have a fair old bit of throw. Good when they connect though.

amazing for the price (often under £20 an end…)

Thanks for the confirmation, I always just wondered if I hadn’t got them setup as well as possible, but it sounds as though it’s normal.

Hose length won’t affect lever throw or feel.

I’ve got then – they work, just not as good as my old Magura’s either in power or feel.

Wait until they break, then replace…

So do yours have quite a bit of lever travel too?.

When you bled then did you adjust the reach so that the lever was all the way out?

Remember reading somewhere that if it isn’t it can make them feel spongy/give a bit more travel.

I’ve never actually adjusted the reach as I have quite long fingers and feel they are already in a good position at rest, this suggests they may already be adjusted all the way out.

I use Quickfile, it’s free for small businesses and very easy to use.

You mean like a saddle bag?

Yes but for the frame, specifically below the bottle cage. Something like momo has posted above but cheaper, I’m considering a custom beerbabe bag but wondered whether there was another alternative.

Yeh I mentioned those in my earlier post but they don’t provide any protection for the content.

Great stuff, that’s exactly where I was going to mount mine too, I think it’s a much under-used space on the bike 🙂

Thanks for reminding me about the DaKine Hot Laps Gripper, it seemed the ideal solution providing more protection, I almost bought one a couple of months ago but decided to wait on more reviews.
I presume yours has stayed in place ok over rough trails etc?

Something similar but for the frame.

There’s also:

https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/Fixie-velcro-fastening-straps-p/pol01-7544.htm

and

http://www.mtbstrapon.co.uk

Although these don’t have the extra internal straps mentioned by previous posters. I’m still waiting for one that comes complete with some kind of integrated wrap/bag so everything doesn’t get covered in muck and/or multi-tools don’t go rusty. I could just try and source some kind of small drybag I suppose to do this.

You can get Eurosport 1 & 2 on the BT Youview Box, you may have to upgrade your TV package to receive it.

Thanks Batman looks like they are just about to get them in. Also it appears the Forkchop and Forklift should fit crossbars directly mounted to the roof and not just ones mounted to existing roof rails which means one less purchase and saves more money, as long as the fixing points on my car aren’t too far apart.

I also really like the look of the Yakima Forkchop, they are quite a neat, minimal design so could even be left on permanently maybe?.

But as batman11 said, I can’t find any UK stockists, not even on ebay?. I wonder if another manufacturer do a similar design?.

Cracking books, I too was working my way through the White Peaks book, some crackers around Buxton and Chatsworth.
There is a link here for the White Peaks GPX routes – White Peaks

Awesome, thanks for the link!

<span style=”color: #444444; font-size: 12px;”>No GPX to hand to throw at you but peaks wise, ladybower and edale are probably your best bets for dark peak winter rides as they both drain well. There’s a loop that starts from edale and incorporates Jacob’s Ladder on the ridesheffield website, whilst there’s plenty available for potential ladybower loops. Might be a bit of a trek from Stoke but well worth it if you’ve got the time.</span>

Thanks I’ve seen a few Ladybower/Edale routes but not sure which one would be best to ride in current conditions.

Hey! stop copying my routes. lol. Only joking, copy them all you like. That Eyam loop I did on friday isn’t particularly winterish, there was a great deal of mud. The dark peak is better for rocks and stuff but there’s gonna be mud wherever you go. Have a look on Strava at my dark peak loops over the last 6 months.
I have been hitting Cannock a lot as if there’s little rain the waymarked trails are great, mostly mud free apart from the odd bit, just go faster or do some exploring as well.
Have you been to Llandegla, about an hour and half driving from Stoke through some terrible roads but it’s another place to explore.
I’m maybe going up the dark peak in a couple of weeks time, sunday 25th if you wanna tag along. Drinks on you at the ladybower inn to end.

Hehe, was going to PM you but decided it might be beneficial to others to open it up to the forum. I did see your Eyam loop which looked good but quite muddy in parts, was wondering if the route I posted above maybe avoided those muddiest trails?. I’ve done the Cannock Waymarked trails a few times so was looking for something new, maybe I should just plot my own route on the many bridleways there, although alot of which will be fireroads but I don’t mind that really.
I’ve done Llandegla, it was quite good but not sure it’s worth the drive and hated that climb at the start.
I’ve heard Gradbach can be good this time of year but will still be boggy in places?.

Plotaroute is also very good: https://www.plotaroute.com/

You can enter a distance and it will generate a point-to-point or a circular route.

I just tried https://cycle.travel/map because I found the map colours and detail very easy to spot cycle lanes/routes but when I removed a plot point it would’nt let me add another new plot point.

Pottersmtber, see my earlier post. It will easily carry that.

Yeh thanks, forgot to check your original post. I assume it’s completely stable and never come loose?.

The Dakine Hotlaps Gripper is the closest thing I’ve seen to what I’ve been looking for, however, ideally I was looknig for something that enclosed everything in some kind of raincover like the piggy thing (but cheaper). Also not sure if it will be big enough to hold a small multi-tool, tyre levers and a 650B tube?.

This is the only UK stockist I’ve found for the Dakine one, only blue in stock at the moment:
https://www.theridersguild.com/hot-laps-gripper-45784-p.asp

Thor Ragnarok – Awesome film!

There’s a couple of gpx routes for the peak district pioneer adventure cross event here that look pleasant enough:

https://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/peak-district-pioneer-adventure-cross/

Shorter one is 48 miles. There was also a white peak gravelly route that someone had put together as a named sort of route, but I forget what it was. Someone on here will know.

I’d be interested in any White Peak gravel/off-road rides too. I read on the forum somewhere The Peak District Pioneer has quite a bit of road riding in it so would prefer something more off-road.

Confused. You are wanting some budget bars to replace the oem bars because they look a bit odd from the side?

Bars should be chosen based on comfort and control surely.

As I said in my OP wanted something with more rise too, wasn’t just about the aesthetics.

Do you have any spacers above your stem?
If so, could you rotate the bars so the upsweep is backsweep and raise the stem above the spacers?

No, I’ve already moved my stem above the spacers. Did think about using upsweep as backsweep but think it might look and feel a little odd.

Sign up for bike bargains on Twitter, or go here. http://www.bikebargains.co.uk

Usually something will come up within a few days that you didn’t realise you needed!

Thanks, I already check that site regularly.

Have a look at brand x bars on chainreacion. Only £16 but proper brand and backup. Choice of rise too.

I looked at these but although it states the upsweep is only 5degrees the pictures seem to show quite a pronounced diagonal sweep from the centre to the ends like my current Vitus ones which look a bit odd on the bike.

I have some 760mm low rise black Whyte bars in VGC – 7 rides old if you’re interested

Thanks but looking for medium rise 20-30mm. I think I might try those ebay ones for £10.

Just bought these lights so I don’t have to keep moving my current lights from bike to bike. I haven’t tested them out on a ride yet but they seem fantastic!. Front light very bright, probably just enough to use even on unlit roads on maximum. Only thing I dont like is the light and mount is all one unit, it appears it can only be removed by undoing an allen key bolt but thats not really an issue as the silicon strap makes it easy to take on/off.

Rear light also very bright and nice and slim and compact. I have a Lezyne KT2 Drive Rear light which is rated at 9 Lumens, this is definitely brighter I’d say between 15-30 lumens!.

Absolute bargain!

Awesome, didn’t realise an external version was coming out and certainly didn’t know it was already available!!

Wouldn’t bother with the MBR route , it’s basically alot of fire road on the blue trail with the dog ,monkey and stile cop thrown in , have a look on just go ride there’s a couple of old Evans routes which you can use as a base ,still bits of fire road but no where near as much as the MBR one

Thanks so much for this I had completely forgotten about the Evans Cycles events there!.

Happy to show you all sorts of off piste stuff. If you’re stoke based, if you haven’t already go and see keV and Alex at spokes bikes as they’re top boys and always do a good group ride with quite a few rides over Cannock and loads of evening rides locally

Thanks, do you use strava or any other app to record your rides so I can get some ideas?

I’m in stoke too mate. I’ll send you an email. Where in Stoke are you?

Replied to your pm m8.

Actually there’s two stem cell bags. They are for trail food, flapjack, chocolate and the like. Only take one 750ml water bottle. An MSR Trailshot water filter goes in the Fuel Pod along with the glasses etc. then if the water source might be dodgy I just filter water straight from it otherwise I just fill the bottle directly.

This was the contents of the fuel pod for the Highland Trail this summer.

Seems a heck of a long way to go with only one bottle but it must work for you. Those filters look good but not sure I could completely trust one.

Just bought the Windproof Merino Jersey in Size L & XL: https://www.aldi.co.uk/men%27s-merino-cycling-wind-jersey/p/078292168863600

It’s a really nice jersey and sizing is quite good although I’m not sure I’ll be keeping or taking them back yet.

I’m 6ft’1″, approx 14.5 stone with 42″ chest. The large fits me fine on the arms and shoulders but its a bit tight on the stomach/waist area. The XL fits me fine everywhere but when in the biking position there is alot of baggy material around the chest which will probably flap about in the wind.

It has side panels that are stretchy which does improve the general fit.

He is currently trialling one with a pouch integrated into the strap… I’ll be testing it at a local enduro race next weekend and feeding back.

That sounds promising and I could perhaps add a 2nd strap going around it (like the Bar Fly Hopper) to add extra security.

Back pocket and a stick pod to keep it all together?

I’m pretty sure at some point I’d end up forgetting it plus with a tube, multi-tool, tyre levers etc in their it would be quite heavy and flop around alot.

I’ve just been trying out the MTBstrapon strap. Similar to the Back Country Research strap but available in custom colours…and actually available. Review just gone up on my blog.

I also use a stash base layer from Pearl Izumi (Blog review here) which works well.

Thanks for the info, these look promising and a much more sensible price. The problem I have with these one strap systems is everything including multi-tool etc will get covered in mud and wet and therefore eventually get rusty. Although I had thought about wrapping everything in some kind of drybag first. The 2nd problem is i’m not sure how secure they will be in the long-term, as I had a one-strap saddle bag on my road bike which came loose and so I lost it, and thats just during road riding not off-road. It was one of these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/continental-tube-bag-with-tube-and-tyre-levers/rp-prod39760

I got the BB bag earlier this year. I emailed her asking if she’d consider making a custom one since I didn’t see anything on the site. She replied that she was already doing them but hadn’t updated the site. I got the smallest size, 300mm long, which was circa £35.

It’ll take:

Pump (Mini-mountain morph)
Inner tube
50ml bottle of sealant
50ml bottle of chain oil
multi tool (Hexus)
2 x Pedro tyre levers
3 x sets brake pads
puncture repair kit
tubeless repair kit
repair stuff for non-bike kit
zip ties

This is for multi-day ITTs like the HT550 BTW not a short day ride though I tend to leave it there.

I should add that it’s worth having a mudguard on the downtube to protect the water bottle from sh!t

Thanks for this, I wreckon I could find something a bit smaller and cheaper that I could mount to the seat tube.
What do you and your wife use for more water as I see you dont have 2nd bottle cages either? I see you have one of those fuel stem bags, does that holder your 2nd bottle?

I use an Alpkit Fuel Pod either at the seat post end of the top tube or within the frame. The only thing that won’t fit is the pump but that can go in a shirt pocket. Not sure how it would work with a dropper.

For bigger trips I’ve a BearBabe downtube bag which does take a pump as well as an absolute mass of other kit.

Here’s my Solaris with both fitted – the Fuel Pod is used for stuff that I might need when riding like glasses, cash, etc.

I actually thought about using a top-tube bag on the seat tube like your wife has it as I thought it would look better and I do think that looks quite good. I also like that BeerBabe downtube bag which I presume could also be used on the seat tube. Was it custom made as I can’t see it on their website?.

I use these on different bikes with droppers. Work well, fully waterproof etc. Bit pricey these days; I seem to think I paid about £15 a few years ago.

Ortlieb

I had seen these but some owners have said the plastic brackets break eventually.

1 x 500ml Sains h2o bottle – squashed flat – rear side pocket

This sounds interesting, do you have a link?

You know those funny cycling tops with weird pockets in the back?

Yes but having to remember everything for each ride there would be a chance I’d forget something.

I definitely take tools on every ride. For “quick” rides (by which I mean a 5k loop of the woods with the dog) I don’t bother with a pack but last time I forgot to move the tool saddlebag to the right bike. Obviously I then got a flat on the furthest point and had to push all the way back. Just a fifteen minute walk but given the choice of a fifteen minute walk or a tiny saddlebag with a CO2 cylinder in, I know that I’d have preferred the saddlebag…

WeCog make a number of nice little or not so little bags if you want to run packless.

Yeh I mentioned weecog in my original post but I feel they are a bit pricey for what they are.

Drybag thing

Got that sort of thing under seat — shifts from bike to bike as i change my mind. Never had any moisture/rain get in – has done a few thousand miles and seen some of the most classical scottish weather

I’m not sure a saddle bag with a seat post strap will be dropper post friendly though.