Bourg St Maurice might be worth investigating.

All the loops near Ladybower in the Peak District are easily started and finished at train stations.

I’ll be moving back to uni a week on Monday so it’d have to be before then I’m afraid, away this weekend too. Email in profile if you want to try it next week.

Pretty good at slow balance-based stuff, and loose rocks. A strange combination I know, but there you go.

Rural France is really nice to drive in, as are the motorways, but the cities are absolute chaos.

Tolouse would be another option for flights, not far from Bagneres de Luchon.

Thread hijack: I find that my knee can pop/snap on steep climbs with each pedal revolution – I can both hear and feel it. Had it with flats as well as SPDs, so not convinced it’s cleat position. Anyone got any ideas?

My Bell Super definitely saved me after a bit OTB in the Pyrenees, and the extra coverage low down on the back of the head might have prevented some serious damage. Instead, I was only left with a slight headache.

I’m in Whaley Bridge if you want to try mine Crispy1980. That sounds like it’ll be crazy slack, 65 degrees or something like that?

It’ll climb fine at 130, my pikes are at 140 with 20mm ride bars and It climbed a dream on steep farm tracks. What’s the other travel amount your forks have, 150mm?

I’ve had mine just over a week and I’m loving it so far, size large at a shade under 6’3″ with a 40mm stem and 740 bars. Shock settings wise, I tried the settings Cane Creek reccomended for the El Guapo 29, then changed them to the settings the team riders had been using and found it much better. HSC 3 1/4 turns, LSC 3 (I then added a couple of clicks so it’s now at 5 clicks from minimum), HSR 3 1/4 and LSR 15 clicks. I’ve found that it pedals so well that very little LSC is needed. I do wish mine was blue though.

Shimano m520 pedals will be spot on for your needs.

There will be some shooting tracks up there, but there’s nothing on OS to suggest anything other than that and I’ve never heard of anyone discussing the existence of trails up there. Sorry I couldn’t be any more help than that, despite being able to see Combs Moss from home!

Eccles Pike is pretty devoid of riding, I live on it! Lots of stuff in the Goyt valley, definitely worth an explore!

Having ridden at Zona Zero, it’s definitely a shame that there isn’t a round there two years on the trot. The big descent from the abandoned church on route 9 is probably the best descent I’ve ever ridden.

No EWS at tweedlove next year, but all of the SES rounds looked pretty good, as does POC King&Queen

How much is the One-Up guide? Not actually seen for sale anywhere yet. I cut up a superstar XCX guide to try and improve security a bit but I’ve yet to see if it works

Ragley Bigwig?

Broke every rule of bike photos I know. Driveway is being resurfaced as I type this, hence the MOT.

What feel was that? If you can put it into words, I know feel is very subjective.

Cheers gibbonarms, those settings are very different to mine! I started with 1.5 turns HSC, 16 clicks LSC, 2 turns HSR and 9 clicks LSR. Took 2 clicks LSC off during the ride as rapid small hits were feeling a bit hard, seemed to smooth things out a little bit. Those are the same settings as the team riders used aren’t they? Tempted to try them next as they’re so different, and see what I prefer/ whether I’ll like something in the middle.

Snowdon is fine to ride outside the hours between 10 AM and 5 PM, nothing to stop you pushing up before then though (although later is obviously going to be quieter. Marin Trail and Penmachno are both about 40 minutes drive, with Coed Y Brenin approx 1h20.

The position feels comfy, just different, I’ll keep the position as is for a while, trying to avoid spending any money for a bit as I’m very skint.

I’d buy one for the minimal nature of the guide, rather than any improvement in chainring life. Unless they’re lots of money, in which case I won’t buy one at all.

First ride verdict: faster, up and down. Climbs well, didn’t have any issues with climbing, the front end stayed planted without needing to think about it, and grip was incredible. Descending, it definitely encourages hooliganism, in that I was riding sections I used to brake for without the brakes, just to see what happened. Only negative was that the chain kept falling off, but I think that was a combination of a draggy free hub and a worn out chain. Looking forward to seeing what it’s like in corners now.

It’ll probably be pretty wet, worth keeping off it when it’s wet to preserve it as much as ensuring you have a good time. Have a look at Keeper of the Peak on twitter to see if there have been any updates from someone that’s ridden it today :)

I was really impressed by my old Arch EX on hopes, built by Moonglu mind. Handled two years of North Wales and the Peak district surprisingly well, think I only trued them once in the time I owned them.

Looks like I’ll need a Narrow/wide rather than using the chain guide I’ve got on at the moment, can’t get the guide low enough to clear the chain without it hitting the pivot bolt. Feel like that’ll be cheaper than finding a low profile chain guide like the new OneUp guide.

Large, doesn’t look very 29er-ish does it?

Now I think about it, for year-round riding, I’d be heading somewhere like Finale Ligure or Sospel. Not the alps, but if you’re moving solely for somewhere to ride, then it doesn’t have to be the Alps.

Bourg St Maurice/Les Arcs would probably be my aim, mainly due to the variety of riding available. Remember that there’ll be snow for approx 6 months of the year though!

Oh my, I wish I’d not seen this.
Edit: Panic over, they’ve not got any blue large frames in stock so I don’t feel the need to buy one.

Not worth going to. That’s not to say it’s particularly bad, it just has no redeeming features as a town (other than Cycle Store, which is pretty good.)

Cheers, I’ll head up that way tomorrow and see what’s going on.

Any idea when? Might head up tomorrow afternoon if it’ll still be there

Cheers jabbi, useful to know! I’ll probably wait out for one of those then and put it on the back (It’s a shame that the grid compound is harder than the control, as I’d probably just get a pair if that were the case)

That’s what I meant to say when I wrote “In an ideal world I’d just get a butcher control” :( I’ve already got Butcher Control on either end, can’t get Butcher Grids in the UK.

Nant-Yr-Arian. Admittedly we got lost at one point but I didn’t feel the climbing was sufficiently rewarding. Would like to go back when the weather isn’t horrendous too, as that made us rush rather than take our time.

I bought a 20l Evoc FR pack and I’ve been very happy with it. The thick waist belt does get a bit warm but it also seems much more secure than a normal thin waist belt so It’s a compromise I’m willing to make.

EDIT: It is big though, too much for most of my riding but it’ll be nice to have the space in winter I’m sure.

Troy Lee don’t seem to have one, so not them. I’m about to get my Bell Super replaced so I’ll follow this with interest.