The Leisure Lakes Crush looks like a good option for C2W, disappointed by the loss of the Fox forks though, would have preferred to see savings elsewhere.

Had really good results from Maxxis Minions in the wet. Mainly in south wales, but specifically comming off Helvellyn in the Lakes in torrential downpour! I'm using 60a compounds front and back. When my rear wears out I'm thinking of swapping them round and put a super tacky on the front, but I haven't done this yes so can't comment on it (although a lot of people seems to ride this setup).

Take a look at the Orange Crush, it's just over at £1099, but I'm sure some dealer would do it for a grant. Spec is good and you wont get a better alu frame and forks (Fox Float R 140) for the money.

I guess you don't still have the Mini's? My friend bought a new bike with Juicy 3's and after a couple of rides stuck the Mini's straight on.

Did when I was 7. Not any more.

Jealous. In 3 hours I'll be painting skirting board in me flat, and it's my birthday. DX lights haven't arrived yet, so can't even go for a ride after 🙁

There is a lot of mixed opinions but there are many different versions… does anyone actually like the bog standard 2.2's? And conversely, does anyone dislike the supersonic/protection ones with black chili compound?

I've got the standard 2.2's that came with my bike and think they're rubbish so switched to maxxis, but did like the way they rolled and climbed, so have thought about (after people showing some love for them), getting some of the better ones.

Dr Mott's road is a good climb

Had a good day there a month or so ago. Not the most technical riding, but an enjoyable day on the bike (great weather which helped). Was hoping for some more from Minton Batch after what I'd read about it, but was still a good long decent, although very rutty (nearly came a cropper a couple of times – ruts always get me). Basically, nice day out, but no great shakes.

I didn't know you were ment to be hitting full travel… so is bottoming out the fork a good thing? I always assumed it wasn't…

Police just called me… the guy's been charged and is appearing in court on 14th. Happy days! Have to wait and see what the result is though.

I mainly use daily torics and get on with them ok, but do find that they tend to rotate sometimes which puts things a bit out of focus. Not much of a problem most of the time, except when you're booting down a rocky descent, and you can't see the rocks as clearly as you'd like!

Does anyone with toric lenses know how to prevent this?

I also have the Adidas Evil Eyes with the insert and use them for shorter rides, but they're not great in the rain.

Lastly, I have some Oakley Pro M-frames with clear lenses that I sometimes where over the contacts as they give better protection from mud than the Adidas. Oakley do a prescription implant in the M-frame lens which is brilliant, as it gives great vision, and doesn't have the problem of the double lens. I used to have a tinted one some years ago, but it was very pricy (about £350 I think). I haven't seen the Optilabs before, and they look like a good option.

Nice one project, that's brilliant. Cheeky f*uk!

To say it was a "conversation" would be pushing it a bit! Many consisted of me shouting louder and louder in his face while trying in vain to wrench the bike from his surprisingly strong grip! Cops have just called me saying he claims someone gave him the bike, what a cock! They're looking for some CCTV now I think, and have asked if I will appear in court. Damn right I will 😀

I like the suggestions. Think I was right not getting into an actual fight with this guy, as I think his spectator friends would have become a little more active. Although, I was so fired up I was that close to it! Can't believe he didn't just give it up though! Don't know if it would have gone so well with the cops if I'd said "I was this guy with my bike so I beat the f*ck out of him"? I suppose it depends on what happens to him now. If he gets away with it, I'll wish I had given him a kicking!

I use a Salomon Raid Revo 20 sack with a Platypus 2l bladder and have never really had a problem with warm water, apart from the bit in the tube, but with the Platypus I've never had bad tasting water. Even on long rides. (I've even used it when the water's been sat in there for a couple of weeks, and it was still fine).

It doesn't have a suspended back, but there is some decent padding between it the water any your back. Also, two very handy pockets on the sides of the waist strap. And a handy loop of the chest strap for the hose. And a whistle 😉

Films are some of my favorites. Books are even better. Must admit to having read most of the material (silmarilion etc) multiple times.

Did anyone see the Fellowship of the Ring at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this year? Now that was a performance! Live orchestra playing the score in front of the film on a huge screen. Done really really well.

Two Towers in being done next year, can't wait. Get tickets, if there are any!

ETA are great for cycle insurance, but I've opted not to insure my latest bike as the premium on £2500 is a lot! Spent money on locks and alarms, store it locked up indoors and don't let it out of my sight when out.

We did consider taking the Rangers on the descent, but ended up sticking to the Llanberis track. More chance of walkers finding you if something goes wrong. Wouldn't have wanted to stack it on some deserted trail in those condition!

I did this with a mate end of November last year. Don't know if you would class is as "proper winter", but it was about -12 at the top with plenty of snow and ice!

A fair amount was ridable, except where the snow had drifted too deep (no traction). And we crossed over to the railway track for the final section near the top. Snowline only started at the bridge.

We where pretty well prepared, full waterproofs, bothy (life saver for lunch), all except winter gloves! Why I thought my regular full finger ones would be fine I don't know. They came back to normal in about 3-4 weeks.

Here's some pics and a vid… (snow not as deep at the top due to the wind, nice thick coating of ice though)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQd63a8ZK5k

When I rode Whinlatter this summer on my 5, I had the same sort of problem downhill at speed, running wide etc, but later realised I still had by tires at 50psi after cycling hardknott pass the day before! So I put it down to that.

I do sometimes get this feeling at other times too, on local trials that I ride all the time, so I'm thinking that (for me anyway) it's my riding, specifically not committing to corners enough and not leaning the bike enough. General need for me to MTFU is these situations I think 😉

My made came off at Afan, where the trail bends sharply to the left, over a stream, somewhere along Skyline I think. No idea how it happened, and neither does he, but when I came up behind he was standing 6' down in the stream and his bike was hanging upside down off the bridge. No damage to either!

Can't comment if they're Elixir, but my mate recently bought a Scott Spark with Juicy 3.5's and quite quickly put his old Hope Tech X2s on instead. Big difference, especially in the Lakes when there was a LOT of water about. He was pretty disappointed with them, having been used to the Hopes.

Well… obviously the 5! But the spade was used to shift 10 tones of building rubble from the other side of the garden a few months ago, so yes, it should get some credit too 😉 I'll admit though, the rake doesn't do a lot, just leans against the wall all day!

Edit: The spade also does a sterling job of propping up the back wheel away from the down pipe so I can spin the pedals backwards for cleaning. A true multitasker!

If you ride W2, don't miss the left turn under the bridge near the start, and cycle 5km down the river to the right! It's adds an extra 10km to the ride 😉

(Whoops)

My work horse, and I do make it work!

but any work horse needs to be looked after…

Missing pivot fixed with some garden cane!

Got us back to Ambleside from Wastwater

Btw, I don't still live at my parents! 😉

Don't have the exact recipe, but my mum makes the best flapjacks!

The difference is she uses malassis sugar (the black clumpy stuff) instead of white or brown, and she might use black treacle instead of syrup! They are amazing! 😛

Also, add pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and raisins… fantastic!!

Also (2), I've just make some cheese flapjacks which are great too, for something a bit more savory.

Enjoy!

Thanks guys, (for the cheeky hijack). When the time (and money) comes, I'll try and get some demos.

Geoff, P7

Gary, I've looked at the Genesis too, and thought about singlespeed. When would you think about taking out the Genesis over the Five? I was always an avid hardtail fan, till I rode the Five! but I like riding both like you and want a mix. Thanks!

Sorry for a slight thread hijack… there's a lot of love for the P7 here!

Currently ride a Five and love it, but thinking of getting a hardtail (P7) at some point to play with too. How much use would I get out of it? Does anyone else have a similar full sus setup and also a hardtail like the P7, and what do you use each for?

Stick with Orange and have a hunt around the dealers. Most I spoke to when I got my Five would do 10% off if you pay cash (which you are), as they would be paying this (or something) to a finance company if you went with a 0% finance option. Some will even do a bit more, I've heard of upgrades like Hope packs getting thrown in. Even if they don't budge… with a lot of shops doing the 0%, you could stick the extra over your insurance money on that, not such a hit up front then.
Main thing… get an Orange, they're amazing, but then you know that!

Did the 100k beast yesterday. Climbing the gap was a killer. Did feel a bit sorry for the a group of riders doing it the better way round, as after their climb, they'll have had a nice stream of beasters (is that the term) to avoid!

Anyway, hardest ride I've done yet, but I pride myself in riding everything (up and down) that was possible (i.e. all except the steps bit at the top of the gap).

I've had two breakfasts and two lunches today and I'm hungry again! Will this be lunch 3 or dinner 1, I'm not sure 😉

Brecon Beast Sunday for me. First event so I'm pretty excited. Only thing is 109km is about twice as much as I've ever done off road in a day, so not sure what to expect. Although, that was High Street in the Lakes, and I'm sure it can't be like doing that twice back to back, not if some people do it in under 4 hours? I hope…

There's a chain of shops called Octopus that sell cool gifty type things and they do bells like that (not exactly the same one but same idea). My girlfriend got a nice flowery one for her bike! Have a look for one near you, I've seen them in most major towns I've been to.

stuartie_c, Ullapool rings a bell, and I've just looked that up on google maps and it looks about right! Do you have any details of the route, or know where I could find some?

I've used the ETA for a while now and they have been great. It's bike specific insurance so might be a bit more expensive than an add on to contents insurance, but I've had no messing about when claiming and they don't seem to have any stupid requirements in the policy.

They also provide a load of extras now, such as "breakdown cover" and a taxi home. Not sure exactly what breakdown cover for a bike entails but might turn out useful one day. http://www.eta.co.uk/insurance/cycle/summary

Bikes I've insured with them have been from £500 to £1000, but after my last one was stolen, I haven't insured my new one (£2500) as I can't really afford it. I just went for a **** off abus dlock and a little motion sensor alarm, always store the bike inside the house and never leave it out of site.

Go for the etrex h, it's great. If you get memory map or similar, you can stick the routes in easily and follow them on the etrex (handy bar mound is available to £12). But don't leave that map at home!

second nicks, maximum riding, minimum travel