Glad it's not just me … 'tis a night just like any other.

Broke my neck a few years ago but didn't realise. Went to the docs to see why I was getting hangovers from hell, that's when they discovered the neck 😉

The injury really didn't mix well with drink so I gave up … never looked back.

Just buy a steel hardtail … it's the way forward 😉

Have a look at the stuff at backpackinglight.co.uk not just MTB but all kinds of outdoor related stuff, inc bikes.

Some is very interesting.

Stuart

Ta … me thinks I'll be investing 😉

Is that in Mach' or further south?

Are you bothying Sheldon?

I've seen 'em in the Holy Trail before but I haven't been in for a while. ukbikestore seem to have them in stock though.

Stuart

Thanks, I shall try again in the shops of deepest darkest Wales 😉

As well as rigid forks you'll also find that odd shaped handlebars will help in the cool stakes. I have 3 SS and the search for the oddest shaped bars is never ending.

Different sized wheels front and back is something I like too 😉

Crazy-legs speaks the truth.

What kind of 'board'? Surf, ply, ironing or perhaps dart?

I got a pair a couple of weeks ago … think it was 5 days from ordering, to me fitting them.

All the women in the Dirty Girls club that use flats wear the girly 5 10s … and wouldn't go back to owt else now.

Yes, they're not cheap but they are worth the money 😉

Stuart (Dirty Girl by default)

I use a slot dropout Inbred for what you describe Ton. Works well … set up with Mary bars (going to try some NC17 trekking bars soon) and a 80 x 30 degree stem, carbon forks and 1.9" tyres it's comfy and handles the off road stuff well, oh and cheap too (not that it's a consideration for you) 😉

Stuart

I use one quite often, find them good for enduro type events. Don't notice I'm wearing the thing really, certainly much less than something on my back.

No idea how heavy they are but mine's the longest lasting ISIS BB I've ever had … nearly 2 years and counting!

I did the first one then never bothered again.

It felt like the organisers didn't give it the time / input needed (IMO) … perhaps too busy with the TransWales. It's a shame though as I think the whole format could be just what the UK needs.

The Avalanche at kielder proves that it can be done and made to work right.

I've just noticed that spoke shirts (with the fat bloke ad ^^^) do them too.

Are PA's out of favour at present? I love mine, gets used all the time for training and guiding duties and I can't fault it. Also have a 456 but haven't done much riding on it yet so can't say too much.

The Orange does look quite expensive when you consider what you could build a nice 456 for IMHO.

Me too … full day of teaching a group of ladies from London. We've even managed to avoid the rain 😀

Stuart

Taylor could be this issue or next … I believe.

It's rained here every day throughout Nov, that combined with the winds is making life quite interesting 😉

Aye, Welsh Ride Thing at the end of May. 48 hours in the hills and mountains carrying everything you'll need. There should be a write up of this years coming up in the mag shortly.

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Gift vouchers for Girls Only courses, one to one tuition, etc.

Cheers
Stuart

Good point Stu … I must also check that his goats are nannies and not billy goats 😉

How about goat derived stuff? … the bloke 2 farms down makes his own.

"thats awesome to hear that you have had a positive reaction to coaching"

So true Jedi, it's always great when you get the thank you email from people telling you just how much their riding has altered (for the better) after coaching.

I think for most people tuition is all about gaing confidence, at the end of the day it's your head that stops you riding something. Once you're shown how to overcome that aspect, then pretty much anything is possible. A good mental approach combined with the correct skills knowledge is a pretty powerful combination 😀

Stuart

Remember a bike takes up quite a bit of room, I find people often build stuff too narrow. It looks ok until you ride it but it's to narrow to flow … it tends to end up with lots of brakes being used.

Shame you didn't jack after the first 3 months when you realised it was sh1te … you might be a manager at McDonalds by now 😀

Sorry it might just be me but why do people go to uni then come out and do **** all with what they've just spent 3-4 years doing?

Perhaps times have changed but when I left school, if you went onto further education you came out and persued that path. Ok, slight middle aged rant over … if I were you, I'd pack a bag, get out into the big world and see if anything there takes your fancy.

I've got some 661 storm gloves, warm and not waterproof … come up small on the sizing though. Also got some sealskin MTB gloves, these are proving to be warm, waterproof and not too bulky considering.

UPLINK you pedantic git 😉

I'll clarify and say the relative TT length rather than effective.

Do the 2010 Welsh Ride Thing at the end of May, it'll give you a pretty good idea of what to expect on the Trans Wales.

You can alter your effective TT length by altering your stem, bars and saddle position so I wouldn't get hung up on that too much. As for running a 400mm post fully out, it will put greater strain on the post and frame but as long as you're within the post / frame guide lines you shoud be fine … I've not split a frame or snapped / bent a post yet.

Me too. 5' 7" and don't ride anything bigger than a 16" off road. As an instructor I see lots of folk with bikes that are too big for them.

It's getting better but some of the lower end of the market still consider an 18" frame to be a small 😯

You'd manage the Trans Wales route most of the time … wouldn't fancy it today though.

Thank you MrsMoo … 2010 website will be up at the start of Dec'. It'll have all 2010 course dates and full details of everything going on next year. 1 and 2 day courses, Girls Only weekends, Bivvy trips, guiding, etc.

Cheers
Stuart

There isn't much shore type stuff, just a 100yd short cut onto the final descent … watch out for the wall ride in the wet 😉

Stuart

I like my Carver, quite comfy for a alu hardtail too.

Stuart