Fab conditions up on the Eastern Moors today – funny that the trails got quieter the closer we got to Sheffield!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Co2hl7YMZHi/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Last day of a fab week of biking in Gran Canaria – it’s the first time we’ve done a winter sun trip and definitely going to do it again 😎👍

I’ve got a Rab Xenair Alpine Light – fab bit of kit. Packs small, great warmth-to-weight, reasonably weather resistant and doesn’t look out of place for everyday wear.

Not an insult but a nice bit of muppetry – I was grimacing my way up the climb to Bastow Edge and got stopped on one of the steeper bits by a walker. He then asked me to check my Garmin and tell him what the gradient was 🤣

Many thanks for featuring my #stwfgf photo – made my day 😁

Anybody struggling to download the new issue in Pocketmags? The app just crashes with the new issue but previous ones load fine. Any ideas please?

Anyone seen weight or pack sizes of the gilet? Nothing obvious on the Endura website …..

I really like the vapour rise stuff – got a VR Alpine which I use for biking and seems to work well in a huge range of conditions just by layering differently. A base layer and a light-ish mid layer work well for proper cold winter days. Equally I’ve used it on mild an wet days with just a short sleeve layer underneath. There’s a very light soft touch liner that feels ok next to skin and also adds a bit of warmth just compared to a shell.

Also got a VR summit jacket buts that’s more insulated – great for waking on cold days but might be a bit warm for biking.

The trails around Cambus O’May are probably a good option – gentle spin out along the old railway trail then a nice low level network of trails in the trees 👍

The Rab Filament beanies are worth a look – it’s that slightly bobbly textured fleece material and is very stretchy – wicks really well too.

Started using the Peatys link lube – seems pretty similar to Purple Extreme – smells lovely and minty too 😁

Set out to do 5000 miles this year and just managed to do that so pretty chuffed. All outdoors and maybe one third off road – a bit more on the road this year keeping it local and with no travel or weekends away. It’s been good to have something to aim for along with exploring all the little lanes and tracks around us. Also did over 160,000 metres of climbing 😯

My favourite combo is a WTB Sendero on the front and Venture on the back – seems to work all year round off road and is even OK on tarmac.

I always wear very thin Lycra knee warmers under pads – other than those thin g- form pads I’ve always found they rub. The knee warmers sort that out nicely and also stop pads smelling quite so badly 😁

Guns of Brixton 👍🏻

Yep – had great view of the ISS last night too – not seen it before so that was pretty cool 👍🏻

Loved the Vaults for the grip but got fed up of rebuilding them – now on Hopes and they’re running really nicely still.

Think I’ve always been lucky with the Shimano brakes – running 4 pot xt on one bike and hope e4 on another. Shimano win easily on stopping power, Hopes seem to have better modulation. Never had any problems with inconsistency on Shimano brakes but usually do a quick lever bleed when I change pads – only takes a couple of minutes

Both Hope and Shimano have been way more reliable than the SRAMs they replaced – last Alps trip I went on there were 5 of us had SRAMs and all had big issues when they got hot. Nobody running Hopes, Shimano or Magura had any issues at all

On balance I’d go for the xt 4 pots – soon get used to the extra power – just don’t squeeze as hard! I wouldn’t underestimate the value of a shedload of stopping power – on long descents it saves your arms.

Just ignore the sign – it’s not legal! A few others have mentioned it on the local Facebook pages – it’s a popular track for walkers, runners, horses and bikes.

That’s the same farm who used to have a particularly aggressive dog tied up right next to the bridle way where it goes through the yard.

On balance it’s still a reasonable deal for what we wanted – I’ve just renewed at a slightly increased cost relative to last year.

These are great https://velotastic.co.uk/product/brands/speedsleev/speedsleev-ranger-saddle-bag/ – only fits 1 tube but room for multi tool, tubeless repair kit, tyre levers. Best seat pack I’ve used so far – nice and secure and stays well clear of the dropper.

There’s a larger option but looks like it might rest on the seat-post ….

Northwave seem to work well on my fat feet :-) Got a pair or Arctic GTX winter boots and a pair of the Arctic shoes too and they both fit well without having to size up.

Really like the fit of Specialized shoes (got a pair for summer riding) but I couldn’t get into the winter boots without a proper wrestle because of the neoprene cuff.

From the same seller :-)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-6500-ZX-26-W-27-Spd-19-5-Aly-Frm-V-Light-Hand-Built-New-Bits-Ace-ride/123954430473?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3D4746f33af7664c9094823d625b2b7fd5%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D123954425318%26itm%3D123954430473%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

Tried a few similar mudguards but these are the best I’ve found so far for the gravel bike – nice and stiff, rattle-free off-road), plenty of clearance and relatively easy to remove and re-fit.

Majority of use so far is with 700x42c Resolutes – looks like they’ll work with 650x47c – still plenty of clearance around the stays and width gives OK coverage.

Bit pricy but worth it …

I keep looking at this one but never hit the buy button … https://bikepacking.com/gear/rockgeist-gondola-review/

Maybe the Alpkit Continuum project?

https://www.alpkit.com/continuum

This review https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/spank-industries-green-filler-carbon-killer-review-oozy-trail-760-vibrocore-bar/ seems to say that they’re not as shock absorbing as a good carbon bar and a bit heavier but significantly cheaper. They seem to agree with the Singletrack review that they’re significantly better than a standard aluminium bar.

Thanks – very useful links

What are your thoughts on tick removal tools? Which is better of the card or tweezer type?
Thanks,
Simon.

Took the plunge and bought some Speedrockers – bit pricy but very pleased so far. Easy to fit, good coverage and seem pretty sturdy – no rubbing at all even off-road. They’re on a Sonder Camino so admittedly there’s plenty of clearance to play with even with 700x42c WTB Resolutes.

Using SKS Raceblade XLs at the moment and they’re OKish in terms of coverage but seem to be pretty flexy and easy to knock out of place so they need regular adjustment.

Dead easy to remove and refit though ….

Tredz website has some photos of a bike with those SKS Speedrocker guards on – looks pretty tidy ….

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.SKS-Speedrocker-Mudguard-Set_212923.htm

My commute is just about 22km each way – aim to do that 3 times a week. I’ll generally take the long way home once or twice a week if the weather is nice – adds on about 10km to the ride. I can stay on quiet lanes or cycle path for about three quarters of the journey so pretty lucky there.

Aiming for 3 days seems to work for me – gives the flexibility to work round other commitments and avoid dodgy weather.

Thanks for the heads-up on the half price Winter Marathons – got a pair heading my way now :-)

Another vote for WTB Resolutes – just picked up a replacement from Bike-discount.de

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/wtb-resolute-42-tcs-light-fast-rolling-tan-sidewall-28-folding-684482

Nice balance of grip off-road and reasonably quick on tarmac too – seem to be much tougher than the Riddlers they replaced

@lardman

Plenty of technical rocky singletrack to play on – Jose is also a trekking guide and knows how to put a good day together that includes good riding, somewhere interesting to stop for lunch and the opportunity to explore different locations. Definitely better as an off season location if you’re not used to heat – we’ve been in September and it’s been pretty warm (mid 30s) – over Christmas it was between 15 and 20 degrees.

We’ve got some friends who know Spain well (they’ve lived and ridden all over Spain) and regularly return to that part for the quality of the riding.

I put a few photos on Instagram as simonr1000 but happy to try and answer any other questions.

How about CostaBlancaEnduroLand https://costablancaenduroland.com/ based out of Altea on the east coast of Spain?

Just come back from a great week of riding over the Christmas break.

WTB Riddler 37c perhaps? A nice file tread with some good sized lugs on the edges.

Currently using WTB Resolute 42c back and front – bit slower feeling than the Riddler but grippier off-road …

Dodo’s Delight (from Reel Rock 10?) is good fun – well worth half an hour

Also from Reel Rock … A Line Across The Sky

North Of The Sun is good too http://www.northofthesun.no/

Looking forward to Dawn Wall – think it’s out later this year