Shocked no one has mentioned –

wait for it.

P7 (the torch, not the bike)

I have a:
Spesh Multi tool
Panaracer tubeless repair kit (this really works on the trail)
3 CO2 Canisters and an adapter
Pump
Shock Pump
2 Tubes
Tyre levers
Spare pads for both X2’s and M4’s
Mech Hanger Turner & SC Superlight
Odd bolts, washers, etc.
SRAM chain links 9 speed
Toothpaste tube (as a tyre boot)
Phone
Wallet
Olympus Mew camera (shock and water proof)
Wind Proof
Waterproof if bad weather is possible
Food, couple of energy bars, mars bar, mixed nuts and raisens
Hip flask (with some single malt whisky)
Penknife
Sometimes a first aid kit
Often arm warmers
Sometimes leatherman
Keys
Occasionally cake!
Water

and yes – it does weigh a lot but I am seldom caught out and have only had to walk out of a ride once in 15 years.

Hmmm.

My current crop of bikes including the SC Superlight and Turner 5 Spot with horst link.

Plus some of the ones already posted.
Klein Attitude in Green, White Pink
Colnago Master
Mountain Goat Whiskey Town Racer
Ti 456 with XO and loads of bling
New Turner 5 Spot XO Chris King hubs etc.
That new £7k Scott Genius Carbon
Merlin Ti Road Bike
Merlin Ti Hardtail
SWorks M2 and GT Zaskar from the early 90’s
DeKerf Ti Implant
Kone Hei Hei – mid 90’s so one of the proper ti ones.
Santa Cruz Nomad
Big Plasma TV, blue ray player and surround sound and some nice units and flooring to fulfill my workshop dreams.

That’s probably about it but there may be more.

they do have a weird double nipple arrangement so you need two spoke keys (the one is specific to the Mavic rim. reportedly they are not difficult to build, just a bit of a faff (read – take about twice the time to build). So a bit of patience and not doing it as part of a busy workshop schedule.

I am still running around on a set of Mavic X3.1 UST rims. These are the forerunner of the XM819! Still pretty true too! And still no tape, easy to mount UST tyres with no problems getting a seal.

Hmm. Llandegla (rubbish tip apparently), Penmachno and Gwydr! Should be a good weekend.

more to the point – wouldn’t it be nice if Hope did some wheels with Mavic XM819 UST rims.

Just a thought.

Definately take some spare tubes and ideally a full susser. The descent towards Brecon is very rocky and you will almost inevitably pinch flat if you are on a hard tail. There is quite a lot of scope for a big off if you get carried away with the potential for speed.

Aside for that have a great day.

I’ll be there. May even go solo! For the full 6 hours. Can we have a nice day and dry trails please Pants.

And no – I am not tough enough but I will give it a go.

And no – Peter Poddy defo not running it. Cap’n Pants is in charge.

I can offer you sympathy. My Spesh BG Defrosters don’t stink. But my Shimano M82’s (I think) that really honked after about 4 rides, the last which was the Mountain Mayhem and therefore quite wet.

If it helps I am using trainer tamers or something similar to keep the smell of my M82’s at bay and they are now allowed in the kitchen. I wouldn’t want to leave them in the car overnight though.

I did some something on Watchdog some time ago about Nike (I think) having to recall some specific models of shoe or boot for the same reason. I believe something to do with either glue or lining.

As above – definately some static friction when on the stand but once riding they are fine.

My HL bushes have a groove in them and yes, there is a small gap betweent the top hats and it is enough to make it all work properly.

Pug 406 estate is dirt cheap and takes 3 bikes upright with one of the back seats down and only the front wheel and seat removed.

Bikes on top of each other are ok if you get something to go between them.

Or a volvo estate. Loads of space in 940’s, V70 etc. Upright both wheels out in the boot.

defo worth going to the lbs especially if you are short on patience.

They WILL have the right tool for it and it WILL only take them 5 minutes and they will almost certainly manage to not damage anything providing the crown race is not made from cheese.

Having experienced this first hand and also talked to some girl friends about it, imho your ‘friend’ should think take up the offer of the second girl he also fancies.

This is because, although he may have seen the other girl a number of times he has no idea what else she is up to. So if he feels he wants to go for it he should. If however he is considering ‘going exclusive’ with the 8 date girl he should have that conversation with her so they both know where they stand.

Don’t let him restrict himself when he doesn’t have to. She won’t. Probably.

HTH 8O

Good luck!

oh and still reliable 10 rides in.

i have a maxx d and am generally pleased with it. This really is a flood but with quite a lot of power. It lasts well, just getting toward half charge after 1.5 to 2 hours on the trails on Maxx setting. So probably good for a whole night out on the next setting down.

I hate helmet lights because I am tall and hit stuff with them but this on its own, on the bars is all you would ever want if riding in a group.

My only minor issue is that it takes a long time to charge up but that isn’t too much of a problem most of the time. You will find it a major improvement on the Hope2.

I am currently using my Maxx D with a Hope 1 pointing almost at the floor because we ride quite a lot of chutes and it is handy to see where I am going in steep transitions before heading over the lip. The hope also makes a good back up. Not that I really need it. You wouldn’t have this issue if you stick with the joystick.

HTH.

I would go for the scottish option. I am a big fan of the smaller centres a bit further north, so Fort Bill, Laggan, Golspie, Balblair etc. You can even pick off a couple of the seven stanes on the way up and back.

I suggest May or September though so as to miss the worst of the midges.

tunnel hill trolls are often on the Surrey Hills, but much of the riding they do is in the Farnborough / Swinley area and way beyond. http://www.tunnelhilltrolls.co.uk is a good start for this group.

It would be worth going on one of the Nirvana Sunday rides, which can be a bit technical but are good fun and the pace is reasonably comfortable if you are fit.

11am Nirvana Cycles in Westcot. The have a web site http://www.nirvanacycles.com
i think.

if it helps i am 6’2″ tall and am running a 19″ frame (large). It fits beautifully. If I were any taller though i would definately go with a xl.