Thanks very much everyone. I shall get on to the council in the morning.

Really, really appreciate the advice.

George

Thanks for the advice guys. Have taken lots of pictures – sent them to my surveyor friend who said it’s definitely a cause of structural movement. I will get a gauge to measure.

Yep, the developer is the freeholder.

No party wall agreement in place

My solicitors view was that 1 of 2 things has happenned: 1. the cracks were expected and he should have informed you – rights to appose the development or 2. something has gone wrong…

Thanks

Thanks everyone. Will pick one up next week :-)

Will it definitely fit?

Not for long Mr Baker. Really disapointed with this weeks score but Rebel Alliance march on…

I love mine. I run 30/22 to ensure I was getting equivalent to 22/34 on a triple chainset 26" bike. I know that's exceptionly low, but I find that I don't miss the top gears as it roles so fast down the hills.

Had an issue with it slipping, but taking it apart and cleaning seems to have (hopefully) fixed that. Was worried about changing the wheel, but have my head round that now.

Massive advantage in being able to change gear without having to pedal. Try to treat it like having 8 singlespeeds though – look at what's ahead, select gear and ride. Don't like changing under load on it.

I failed. Made it to the 55 mile mark but was 45mins down. Could have got there quicker but realised at the 47 mile mark that I wasn't going to make it so I slowed even more.

Simply not fit enough to do this. Was going OK to the first feed station then the terrain changed and I just couldn't keep the pace above 8mph. I now realise I stopped too many times…

Learnt a lot though – and will be back next year for more.

Well done to all who finished. I've done a couple of 24 solos this year and this was far tougher

I have this image of the broom wagon chasing me, and me refusing to get in :-)

I'll be there. Pink Scandal 29er, rigid, alfine. Manchester Mountainbikers shirt. Probably on the first broomwagon back!

Good Luck y'all

George

Thinking 36h for strength. No reason not to is there?

Good spot. I think it did.

Thanks

Thanks for the advice. Will check all these things over the weekend

It's a bit bizarre isn't it. They had them there onsite so I presume there is just a delay getting them online?

Thanks. No probs with the Nukeproof hubs? Have heard of a couple of freehub problems

On the other hand – went on a 10hr ride on Sunday… got back and did a good 10 mins of stretching when I returned. Don't usually do anywhere near this much. Don't know what I've done to my Achilles but I have been in pain since Monday morning. It's a bit swollen, and hurts to the point that resting my heel on the bed last night was uncomfortable.

Doctors appointment tomorrow evening

Thanks for the advice. Will try taking the chamois cream out with next time…

Groin chafing. Undoubtedly groin chafing.

You have just highlighted a very good point though. Since March I have been predominatly riding a fully rigid hardtail – was on a full sus before. Maybe that's why…

Both really nice bikes

bigdugsbaws – what saddle is that?

Smuzzy – what forks are they and how much if you don't mind me asking? I am running fully rigid at the moment

Definitely interested Andrew.

Will drop you a mail in a bit. Bloody work. Gets in the way of my "active" social life!

Boys,

If that was it you went out with a bang. Best course, best weather, everything about it was the best thing you've done and I've done all 4 events.

All 15 riders from our club had a blast, here's a few of their comments:

"Brilliant day. Well done to everyone who got involved"
"Brilliant ! Absolutely ****' brilliant."
"Had a blast."
"My first race event and really enjoyed"
"What a great introduction to racing."
"Great event, great course, great bunch of people"
"Have to say didn't think I was gonna enjoy this but for my first race I have to say I really enjoyed it "

Thanks very much for everything you put into it, it really was appreciated.

George

Cheers dude. It will be one of the club who will be coming down to set it up (will let you know who) but I won't be far behind them.

Nice one

G

Andrew, would we be OK to set up our Manchester Mountainbikers Gazebo-y type thing somewhere? I've not seen it but apparently we'd need a space about 10×6 metres, preferably at the side of the track.

I think we've got at least 15 riders in the race and it would be good to have somewhere to leave drinks, fix bikes, shelter etc.

We can get it down there about 8.30 on Saturday morning.

Let me know.

G

Good news… Dinner party moved to Sunday afternoon. Result.

Why do you want my gf to attend Terrahawk? Have you seen the pictures online? ;-)

Right. Will talk to her tonight about attending. I might join Manchester Trev in getting the train in from Mossley and then see if she'll pick me up… Given that she's organising 14 graduation ceremonies this week at Salford Uni and working 16 hour days I might get told to f off, however she may fancy a beer. However that would mean I have to drive…

Rusty Spanner – Very nice use of the word "partner". Did the thought process go something like this:

"Hmmmm, STW board member, probably straight, but, never actually mentions a girlfriend… best opt for partner"? :-)

Myself and my mate Ron did the first HTN – the 12hr one. So we could keep out of the rain / get changed we'd erected a tent. Our partners turned up an hour before the race ended to help pack away. By the time the race ended they were that pished that Ron's missus was opening the door to the tent whilst he was getting changed, telling everyone to look at him, so we sent them back to the beer tent and packed everything away ourselves. She made him get McD's on the way home & then she was sick everywhere in the car.

It would just be easier all round if I go with option 1 or 2 :-)

ps it is girlfriend, in case you were wondering!

Would love to stay and drink beer, but have 2 problems:

1. I'm driving
2. We're having some friends over for dinner… 7pm + finish lap + load car = 8pm… Half an hour home to Mossley and unload… I'll tell them I'll be home for 9, that will leave time for a quick pint with you boys.

Or… Finish riding at half 6, abandon car, have several pints and ride home… turn up at 9, pished…

Hmmmmmmm

Andrew, I'm sad to hear this will be the last HTN having done all of the previous events. Having read through the comments above I can see why, what a load of hassle.

If people judge these things on a few photos of a course then I really don't think they get it. It's a race around North Manchester, what are they expecting? Of course there's not going to be a Jacobs Ladder descent, it's a 6 mile loop of the local woods…

It'll be a blast. The craic will be on. I'll enjoy shouting abuse at some passing racer as he doesn't tell me which side he's passing me on, then I'll probably make myself sick trying to keep up with said passing racer for 100 yards just so I can see if he can ride the bombhole. He will probably ride it and I will probably go arse over tit. If he does fall off/bottle it I will get a small sense of satisfaction. Then, at the end of the day I will go home and drink beer having ridden round in circles for 8 hours – 8 hours in which I am not thinking about work, doing the garden, getting the car MOT'd etc. And next weekend I will go and ride down Jacobs Ladder, however I might have a winge about it on here as there will be no one to race down it.

Keep up the good work mate. I'm just grateful that there's a race on my doorstep…

George

I did it last year. Keen to beat my time of 7hr 46…

First proper attempt at solo'ing. It was brutal. Managed 9 laps and though I swore I wasn't sleeping I had to get my head down for a couple of hours at daybreak.

When I crossed the line I said never again. First thought this morning was "I need to get fitter so I'm better at it". We all know that this will just translate into the same pain but more laps…

+1 for the awesomeness. Had a brilliant weekend. The only improvement I have suggested is marshalling the solo camping area. Some teams invaded and chatted / shouted their way through Saturday night, keeping the missus awake. I was amused though when she said "They kept going on about how hard it was, how 'fatigued' they were and how one member didn't think he could manage a second lap. If it hadn't been so cold I would have got up and told them to MTFU". :-)

Thanks guys. Just didn't want to get halfway through Mayhem solo and it to seize!

Rocky, I have no idea what you mean mate. Can't you just use a reducer headset?

Ex wife's mum used to teach a pair of twins:

Syndney & Pearl Harbour

Hi Ben,

Just mailed you now.

Thanks,

George

I made a vague attempt last year but couldn't give it my all as I had to go to work on the Sunday. This year I'm going for it. Justgiving page will be up by the end of the week!

wow. that looks awesome

Cool. How the hell does that work then? Looks easy to fit, would I be able to do it?

Thanks

Apparently it's a prototype Hope DH bike…

Yeah, Manchester Mountainbikers were out in force for Fluffs Birthday ride – 26 of us in total

Ton,

I did wonder how you'd pulled 40 mins on us, but we did seem to spend a good bit of time off the bike.

No problem on the hill climb mate, I actually felt quite good at that point.

You doing any of the other ones, Mayhem, Sleepless, Kielder etc. I'm down for all 3 – solo on the first 2, should be an adventure :-)