In this one particular case I'm an ardent freemarketer. Let everyone decide what they want for themselves, let businesses innovate and let the prices of quality kit fall!

Nightmare scenarios? I've had a student email me today telling me she missed her exam due to a mix up of days. Normally bright too! Poor poor thing.

switzerland – I had to check they were actually there

Switzerland are my second team out of the hat :lol:

Well well, guess who I drew in the World Cup sweepstakes!

Loved my Gravity Dropper, for the first three rides, before I had to send it back to CRC for repairs. It doesn't look like I'll have it back anytime soon either. Would I buy again? No, I'm done with beta-testing but the idea is great and yes, although it is humanly possible to go down a hill with the seat up, why not harder, faster and higher if you can?

Having lived on and off in Cardiff for seven years, it's as good as most UK non-London cities (I have a soft spot for Edinburgh). It has all the amenities you need, but importantly it has a good local train network (up to Cwmcarn for example). London is only two hours on the Paddington line, so you can be in and out of London as required. When in Cardiff, I'm based in Adamsdown which is far from the swankiest of neighbourhoods (we have a Lidl's nearby!), but we've never had any problems and it certainly isn't violent although there are a fair few scrotes around. It is also cheap and allows for more of the fun things in life, although on re-reading your first post I see you have a kid so this may not be ideal for you.

Mine is washed by hand, as in no sponge, and subsequently massaged in all the right places. A brush is used for the hard to reach spots. The chain similarly gets a good going over with fingers and a toothbrush. Only then is the bike lubed.

I have a white Alpine, but the best colour combo seen on here was a black frame, orange decals and orange trim on wheels. V. nice.

The fridge

The Gap run would be the most obvious, although it would be a tad rough in parts for the CX bike. This would involve a start from Brecon, over to Talybont (via road), up from Talybont over Brinmore, down onto the Taff Trail (there is another route but this is the simplest), round to the start of The Gap itself, over The Gap and Pen-Y-Fan, back down into Brecon. I can't remember how long it takes me but I'd guess 3hrs is more than ample even leaving time for small flask of tea, flapjack and views.

slowrider – ygm!

I seriously want one of these (money waiting if anyone is selling!). Any idea which size for someone at 5ft 10/12st? I'm guesstimating a medium.

A run around Cwmcarn this morning and prep' for job interview in the afternoon.

I always notice other peoples bikes before the people riding them too

Since acquiring my Orange Alpine I know what it is like to be a well endowed woman wearing a low cut top. Why don't men ever see "me"? :lol:

Btw, I'm in the fair play, "hello", or probably not even noticing camp.

Done – but if you are at an early stage of the research I would retract, re-draft and consider these early stages a pilot study.

Sunline V1s for me, although perhaps a tad overkill for light XC duties: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19267

Just got back from a three day trip around Talgarth and the Black Mountains region. The highlight has to be the Y Dâs descent on the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir loop (ridden in reverse). I don't think I've ridden anything like it in the UK. Think of The Gap> x3 in gnarl factor> and lengthen to half to three quarters of a K. Sweet! Having done Brecon regularly it was good to head over to the other side although as suggested above, it'd be tough and boggy-going after rain. After the last few weeks though it's bone dry. If you can get a couple of days away and are happy using OS maps I thoroughly recommend. If you can get a guide from here, even better! Top weekend.

Click on "Member"

@Houns – looking at your profile pic, I'm sure you'll have beautiful children ;)

Would any of you believe me if I told you that my girlfriend's sister at 32 is a double for Angelina Jolie and is sane and solvent, but from what I can tell has just been plain unlucky with guys? Her problem in the past has been her job. She's in law so has worked crazy hours although she's client side now so that's less of an issue. That asides, she's great fun and likes to keep fit so could easily be persuaded to take up biking. Not that I'm offering her up (she's out touring Argentina and the world at the mo'), but there are good uns out there looking for up to the mark fellas.

Had three full days up in the Brecons late last week and made it over to Cwmcarn Monday. **** the trails are fast at the mo' – sunshine and empty! This was a doubly good week as this was the first time I've been out on the Alpine 160 since buying it late last summer when trails have been dusty. I think I might have leaked a bit of wee on the final descent of the Twirch.

Maybe not the most random, but on Saturday I came across someone's dentures. Perhaps not that odd considering I was just outside of Merthyr ;)

Sunshine, cloud and, err, hailstones in S. Wales.

I'm confused – it is April 1st, right? This looks like one of those ideas that was never meant to see the light of day. Interesting strategy but definitely comes across as the final roll of the dice!

I found myself in a similar situation and went for an Alpine 160. It is a touch overkill for the UK but it serves the "do-it-all" role perfectly, particularly as I spend a month or two riding in France every year. Without wishing to gush, I love it. I tend to agree with others though – if your budget is going to curtail international or local riding opportunities then look around the £2000 mark.

Sunshine here in S. Wales – off up to Cwmcarn in a mo'.

I may have missed it but..

I'm shocked Mach 1, 2 + 3 hasnt been put on here. Hours of riding (up)through grassy fields to be followed by a 5 min gravel path down billed as 'extreme'. Then a huge decent on a road.

Total dissapointment.

Ha – did this last year but lost the trail and descended the road. Maybe I was actually on trail?!

+1 for Lincolnshire on the dullness stakes. Although I go along with two wheels being better than none – there really is little of interest there.

Cos being on two wheels is better than not.

To that I'd have add it's a legal and healthy way of getting kicks going hells bells to raise endorphin levels to the Nth. On the other hand I can pootle with the missus over the hills for weekends away leaving the computer, email and other daily chains a long way behind.

Flapjack for me. When the supermarkets have a decent brand on bogof or such like without too much crap in their bars I stock up by buying a 100 (or so). On a cold day a small flask stuffed full of noodles keeps the carbs levels high.

Sunset in Cardiff have Teocalis, probably available for testing. I also saw some significantly reduced on Paul's Cycles. A buddy of mine bought one – I'd say avoid.

Fight the Power on now – brilliant! :lol:

The one problem with 5.10s is that they let in and retain water due to the massive tongue. Sticky and comfy as hell, but a pair of cheap soft hiking shoes will pay dividends, if only cos they dry quicker on B&B's radiators. My advice: buy 5.10s and visit TKMaxx.

Top tips folk – thanks again. There's a store in Bournemouth so we'll take a look :D

cynic-al – I'm assured it happens to all guys

Don't ya just love targeted advertising!

* (Did anyone else see an ad for Muslima.com and a Muslim matrimonial site?!)

Cos it's boring?

None are particularly gnarly but Whites Level and The Wall have the more full-on descents if taken at speed. Personally, particularly when conditions are dry, my favourite still has to be Penhydd.

Having a boogered knee has meant I've had to stop running for the last month or two. This coupled with less riding than normal has led me to put on a little weight. As well as the obvious (eat less, do more) I'm specifically cutting out all red meat, restaurant and cafe food. By packing my own lunch I know what's what. I've also stacked up on fruit for throughout the working day so as to stop myself nibbling on anything more fat laden or carb intensive.

Work related for me, but very interesting nonetheless:
R.F. Port (Ed.) Mind as Motion: Explorations in the Dynamics of Cognition

Thanks mnb, will do.

It's already looking like I'm gonna have more people to go riding with then I do in Wales :D

Are you timing and berating yourself for not achieving "goals"? If work allows, perhaps time your run for the morning so you're not going to bed in full flow?