Surfr we've 20 acres here with various 'things' to play on and a 1000 acre forest by the back door so there's plenty to go at.

Stuart

We're only about 2.5 hours from the bridge … and don't tell the locals they live in North Wales 😉

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Various courses including ones to get your wheels off the ground … and back down again 😉

Del I had thought about a Tricross single but can't find any at the 'right' money.

Ye a change of gearing might just be required but even then I might steer clear of the mountain road to Mach' 😉

No … it was to read something that's had some thought put into it. However, for a second I was thinking you and the bloke on the Singular were going to run off into the woods and live happily ever after 😉

Very nice … have you considered writing for Mills+Boon?

I raced the first one last year. I was in the technical class riding a PA, I reckon it was only the black run where a full susser would have been a whole lot better (my downhill bike is also a HT so I may be biased). If you're entering the Enduro cat' I'd say a hardtail would be fine. There were quite a few folk pushing DH bikes around wishing they hadn't bothered.

The whole event went well and had a good vibe, just a shame the timing turned out to be a bit of a mess. I'd say that it wouldn't be a bad choice for a first event as long as you like trail centre type riding.

Stuart

I would say this, but … consider another skills course but this time on a one to one basis. It'll take a lot of preasure of you as you're building confidence. Some people just can't cope with the pressure of being in a group, that's the same for blokes too.

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Remember it is meant to be fun.

Stuart

Sorry, it was a bit vague wasn't it.

The bike in question is a kona Dew drop. Would seem to have quite a heavily sloping top tube which should help with any stand over issues. I'm happy enough to mess about with stems / bars until it feels right.

Thanks

George Borrows Hotel (pub) just down the road from Nant is ok.

Cheers for the advice folk … I must admit I'm drawn towards a CX due to the fact it's not a fully fledged road bike 😉

I'll go and stalk the internet some more.

Stuart

I'm pretty sure you can opt for either at the cut off point … depending upon legs and lungs 😉

I think the short course is 71kish. Last year the Gap was ridden up not down. There was also quite a few 4×4 coming down it which made the climb very hard to clear.

Route last year did seem to have quite a high ratio of road work too.

Stuart

Superstar is the only one I've had not pack in after a few months. Others have included, Crank Bros, Race Face, FSA and Truativ … all shot in side 6 months.

Superstar … 18 months and still going strong.

Stuart

Lock ring should have 8 "slots" for an 8 prong BB tool.

I've run both and I'd say the hardcoat does wear a bit better … but it doesn't seem to make a vast difference.

Stuart

It comes with a bleed valve that screws into one of the fittings (same size thread as a rad' valve). What bothered me was how the internal routing might be.

'Tis true … I can't match Ed's beard 😉

stuart

We've an All Mountain 3 day course running on Sep' 4th, 5th and 6th. Every other day that week we're booked up which is good for me but doesn't really help you much. If you've any other free slots later on feel free to get in touch, bespoke courses and one to one isn't a problem.

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Cheers

Stuart

Tell you what Rich … I'll donate the prize for rider 71.

Email me an address to stuart@forestfreeride.co.uk and I'll send something down to you.

njee20 I'm not saying that effort shouldn't get rewarded. If it's a race I believe the winner should still get the 'best' prize.

Rich I now realise perhaps I shouldn't have used BIG in my topic heading. Spot prizes are great as everyone's in with a chance of winning something … even if it's for having the worst sunburn or just because you're number 71.

Rich I'm on your side here but even a charity event wants to make a "profit" otherwise there's nothing to give to the charity.

I'll define value at a very base level … what do you come away with for your money? Some level of riding is obviously a given (I make no distinction between competetive and non competetive, unless you're elite chances are you're only competing against yourself) but what else do you get? Last week at SITS my £50 got me a camping pitch, number board, toilets and showers. At next months Brecon Beast my £26 will get me a camping pitch, number board, toilets and showers plus T shirt and pasta party … just seems better value.

I find it doesn't stop me enjoying riding. When I'm instructing or guiding I'm not riding for myself but for customers. When I get the chance to race or just go for a tootle then I can ride where I like, how I like … the 2 are often quite different.

I've met some guides in the past who always try to make any ride 'for them' they seemed to view customers as a hinderance that could tag along if they had to … oddly quite a few of these people are no longer guides. 😉

Stuart
http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Cheers everyone … think I'll give them a miss then going off everyones experience.

Stuart

I'm pretty sure it'll be along the lines of, Between the tapes and F1RST both of which were very good … as long as you like indepth coverage of the DH world.

stuart

I reckon MBR would be most down for least up … saying that, I could be wrong, don't go often as I'm not keen on the place.

You heard it here first Flatfish … The Welsh Ride Thing will be on again next year, I've already booked the fantastic weather we had this year.

I'll keep you posted on the T's.

Stuart

Yes it's been ridden in well under 24 hours.

Link to luggage transfer … ask for Paul

http://www.muckyweekends.co.uk/index.html

Cheers
Stuart

Search for Trekmates … they make decent bags at the right money.

Had an email to say entry had been recieved a couple of months ago and the cheque was cashed. I shall await an entry pack.

Cheers everyone.

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk not quite midlands but not a million miles away in mid-Wales.

1 or 2 day courses, free bunkhouse and 1 to 1 tuition at no extra cost.

Cheers
Stuart

I’ve got one of the Sette ones and it works fine. It looks a ringer for the i850.

You don’t notice the suspension in the post as the action is pretty stiff. They do feel a little heavy and they do seem to have a running in period but otherwise very good.

Stuart

I did hear a whisper that Dirt might be putting a series together next year.

Mine was nowt but trouble … wasn’t a camper though (which I’m glad about otherwise I’d have wasted even more money)

Have a look on the accommodation page of http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk there are some campsites listed which might be of some use.

Stuart

I use a Dakine Apex when I’m guiding. Plenty of room for everything … not the lightest but bombproof after 2 years of hammer.

stuart

It’s always cost me less than a tenner … try and fit it in a smaller box.

I’ve used parcel2go.com a few times, cheap and good.

Trekmates bags are pretty good and don’t cost a fortune.

Stuart