Ed-O makes a very good point there … regardless of anything else it's meant to be fun 😀

Stuart

You're right glenp if you're used to using clips and are 100% happy with it, then don't change … however around half the people I meet ask to have some flats fitted at some point during a course simply as a confidence booster. Yes, I must agree a bunnyhop falls into the same realm as a wheelie with regard to gereral trail riding ie, not much use once you've made it past the trail centre car park 😉

Seeing people unclip a foot due to lack of confidence as they approach a jump, drop, etc is not a joyous experience.

Stuart

If you're thinking skills course / day then it makes sense to ride your usual bike for that. If your usual bike is fs then learning stuff on a ht and transfering it over isn't always that simple … they'll behave in quite a different way from each other. The biggest difference you could make is switching to flats (sorry for the assumption that you're clipped in) whilst learning.

PS if you fancy a course, inc 1:1 http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Cheers
Stuart

Having ridden Aidans Pug (just down the lane) I'd say they're far more useable than they appear and I still want one 😀

Stuart

Ambrose I may have used some of your coal earlier this week …. thank you it was great 😀

Stuart

Ok we're looking at a manual so,

Drop your saddle 3"

Ride at a jogging speed … slightly up hill will help

From standing move your upper body backwards, allow your arms to extend, once they're straight keep trying to move your upper body backwards with your shoulders square

At the same time as you're doing the above try to drop your heels and push down through the pedals (this will make your legs extend)

Don't try to 'yank' up on the bars, it's a shift in body weight and pressure through the pedals which lifts the front wheel. Give it time and you'll find the balance point, altering the pressure through the pedals will help keep the bike there.

Stuart

GEDA are you trying to manual or wheelie? A wheelie involves been seated and pedaling, a manual is what donkeysrock is describing.

If it's a manual (which it sounds like) dropping your seat a few inches will help, also you shouldn't be trying to lift the bike up with your arms that'll just result in the bars turning and the bike going off to one side.

PS: I instruct on a PA so that won't be causing you any problems 😉

Stuart

800 and 1200 wet and dry paper, autosol and a strong right arm. 😀 or a DIY polishing kit (motorbike shops should get you one) but you'll knacker a drill doing it with a polishing kit.

Stuart

We get folk of all ages learning how to deal with jumps, drops etc. Oldest was 73 so 45-55 isn't unusual.

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Stuart

Somewhere up there ^^^ It says sit down more … don't. Suspension is there to keep the wheels tracking the ground and aid grip, not to give you a comfy ride, thats just a little bonus. The most dangerous place to be on technical trails is sat down, regardless of bike.

Sermon over, ta.

Shimano Deore would fit the bill. I also really like Hope stuff but much more expensive.

Stuart

SOOBalias … about 12 miles in the direction of Llanbrynmair at Pennant.

Stuart

We're not that far from everywhere 😉 Coed y Brenin is a 40 min drive, Nant yr Arian 45 mins and Machynlleth just over the hill (that is quite a big hill though) … and there's free accomodation in the bunkhouse so no need to find a b+b / pub.

However, it has to be said we're hardly city centre 😀

Stuart

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk Hopefully someone will be along soon to back me up 😀

Stuart

I'm liking the WD40 idea … think I'd back it up with a lighter though 😉

A stinger is a chain retention device designed for use with 2 front rings and everything that goes with it.

You'd be better with an On One Doofer or the like, that bolts to the rear mech' hanger and tensions the chain from there. I think they're a tenner, so much cheapness.

Stuart

It does indeed look like he is pulling his best 'cum' face!

Scant is the bloke you want … ain't seen him around here of late though.

Stuart

Some flat pedals are pretty poor in the grip stakes (50 50s being a good example) the problem is only compounded by poor shoe choice, hiking boots/shoes do NOT make a good flat pedal shoe. If you hit your leg hard enough any pedal will hurt, so pads would be a good idea. As said above, she needs to learn technique inc' foot placement … it does differ a lot from that of clipless.

Stuart

Mine went last week. I happened to spot something when checking my account on-line when I chased it up turns out someone had just spent £650 on kitchen appliances.

Bank were very good and sorted it out straight away. The card/account in question is only ever used for bike related stuff.

Stuart

Why not join up? It's great.

You don't have to be of a certain age … I'm only 38.

Everyones ideas are going to differ but if you're looking at mid rather than north Wales then I'd take a look at Nany yr Arian, then over to the ClimachX for an afternoon (The final descent certainly fits with, knarly, steep singletrack). Follow those with a 40 min *drive over to CYB for a big helping of rock. There's going to be a certain amount of fire road … it can't be helped.

*Or ride over from Mach'. Infact all 3 trails/centres can be ridden between 'tis very nice.

Stuart

Kojak I carry my stuff in a Carradice Super C saddle pack. I can get just about everything in it. Fastens to your saddle, waterproof and made in the UK.

I find it much easier on the back and shoulders than a backpack.

Cheers
Stuart

We've got llamas. They're not nasty (unless you get a rogue male), don't spit at you (you'd really have to upset one) and are very funny. They do need the company of other llamas, they will live with sheep but it's not a substitute. It's been known for 'intact' males to kill sheep by crushing them … they tried to mate with the sheep.

They don't eat much, about the same as a sheep weight for weight. Grass is enough in spring/summer but they will possibly need hay throughout winter, carrots and goat food also goes down well.

You'll have to trim their nails a few times a year, otherwise they're pretty hardy. We lost 3 old boys at the start of the year which was partly caused by the severe cold. You should be alright with 2 llamas to an acre, that should keep them in grass for the year.

Hope that helps … and they will shit in your house 😆

Stuart

I've tried it again from another account … fingers crossed.

Cheers
Stuart

Thanks for the info bigeyed beans.

Mole I've sent you an email and thanks for the offer.

Cheers
Stuart

We had a gent here on a 2 day training course … I thought he'd filled his DOB out wrong on his disclaimer as it would have made him 73, turns out he was 73. You'd have had him down as late 50's and the reason he was here … because his mate always beats him on the descents and he's five years older!

Like everyone says, once you stop you get old very quickly.

Stuart

Or one of these http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

I've a mate who's an, Erections Manager … works for a crane company.

I don't believe any skills training could be classed as a 'cure' but a good one will certainly help you develop the techniques required and build confidence so you can start to 'heal thy self' 😉

Above a certain level you're mind starts to play a vast part in riding … learning how to control it and get it working for you rather than against will make a massive difference to you're riding.

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Stuart

TGO seem to like it. They gave it 4.5 stars and a best buy.

Likes: easy to pitch, roomy, quite light, large porch.

Dislikes: seperation at rear could be greater.

Stuart

Holy Trail In Mach' had some Sheldon (01654 700411). No idea what model they are or if they still have any … it's been a few weeks.

Stuart

Hiya, I had one which I then sold to a friend. It was too big for me and I couldn't get on with the whole 29er thing (but I am a short arse at 5'7").

He loves it, at present it's in SS guise but has been run as a 1×9. Brakes, bar, stem and saddle got changed from new. The frame looks like it's from a far more expensive bike, nothing has failed and it rides very well, so long as 29ers suit you.

You won't go wrong for the cash … even twice the cash.

Stuart

Quite like the bike … just couldn't believe the price!

Yep, 30mm it is (or 29.8mm).

Stuart

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk but I would say that 😉

Stuart

1+ for Gil … did me some shirts for The Welsh Ride thing. Top job, quick turn around and the right price.

Stuart

Surfr pop me an email across to stuart@forestfreeride.co.uk and I'll sort some out and send 'em over … chance it won't be tonight now though.

Stuart

The faces llamas pull when they eat green apples.

The first pint mug of tea after a long, cold, wet ride.

Seeing shooting stars (not those nobs on the telly).

Having a bothy all to yourself.

Watching my 2 lurchers running flat out just because they can.

Backhander I was only joking about the north wales bit … although it is mid wales.

You're right though, 6 hours is a bit far. Folk from Bristol and below tend to come for a 2 day course to make it worthwhile.

Get yourself into the local woods with a spade, you'd be amazed what you can build 😀

Stuart