Excellent – I’m in.

The Lowepro Dashpoints have vertical and horizontal closures so will fit either on a waist belt or on a shoulder strap.

Been using the Dashpoint 20 for a few years now to carry a Canon G10, Olympus XZ-1 an more recently a Panny LX100.

Knee pads on every ride for me – current favourites are the Endura Singletracks. As above really – just become part of normal riding kit.

Elbow pads only really come out for Alps trips or bike park stuff.

In bikepacking mode:

Some very thin lycra kneewarmers underneath? I use some cheap DHB ones and they work a treat.

Looks like a cracking day out – we do something very similar starting from Hope. Cut Gate should be running nicely at the moment.

You’re right – you can’t cross Howden Dam but it’s fairly easy rolling round past the visitor centre – good opportunity to stop for a brew :-)

A couple of options for you ….

You could add an extra loop to this one http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nerovfstnhgducdd

Or shave a little bit off this one (different start point perhaps?) http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=znykcjrynlzzegpm

Slightly off topic but the Superstar bearing extractors are a relatively cheap way of making the bearing change a lot easier …

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/bearing-removal-fitting-tool.htm

Is your bearing a good fit in the swing-arm?

I got through 3 sets of bearings in 18 months with persistent problems with play in the swing arm.

Went back under warranty and the ‘fix’ (bodge?) was to loctite the bearings and put in a new axle (the new axle is an anodised version of the older one). Seems to have worked OK but not an entirely satisfactory solution on a relatively new and expensive bike.

Bought a pair of Endura Singletrack pads a few months ago and love them. Relatively low profile, useful amount of protection and comfy for pedalling. Best bit is that they’re not slip on so got a wide range of adjustment – straps go all the way round the leg at top and bottom so still very secure.

These are the ones …. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/endura/singletrack-knee-protector-pads-ec062551

Both good value – in different ways. Another vote for doing them both.

You’ve got a lot better chance of cleaning Cavedale if it’s quiet – once you stop its hard to get started again.

Pindale takes you conveniently down to a stop at the Courtyard Cafe in Hope :D

I’m on my 3rd warranty claim for a stealth reverb – getting hacked off with it now. However, when it’s working the action is really smooth and there’s minimal side-to-side play.

Even if the Lev is no more reliable it’s got to be easier to remove and refit with a mecahnical rather than the hydraulic remote. More robust and less faff for packing up the bike and travelling too. Both good reasons for choosing a Lev Integra over a Reverb Stealth.

I was out biking in the Peak a few weekends ago and saw Rob Hayles on a skateboard. Just wondering when Rapha are going to start doing skate wear.

Just bought the 18ltr version a few days ago – haven’t used it yet but there’s no unusual smells – I’ll let you know after a few rides!

Fit for me is great and the combination of the spine protector and relatively flat profile makes the bag really stable. Nice big snack pockets in the waist belt too – that’s what made me choose this one over the others.

The only review that mentioned the smell was this one http://www.bikeradar.com/au/mtb/gear/category/accessories/luggage/backpack/hydration-packs/product/review-camelbak-kudu-12-pack-15-48985/ – can’t believe that over the length of a ride or even a weekend that the smell can permeate through the inside of the pack and through a bladder.

There are plenty of others that don’t …
http://enduro-mtb.com/en/the-review-camelbak-kudu-12-pack-with-back-protector/
http://enduromag.com.au/site/bike-news/presscamp-2014-camelbak-really-have-got-your-bak-with-the-new-kudu/
http://www.mountainflyermagazine.com/view.php/tested-camelbak-k-u-d-u-18.html

Interested to know what other people think.

I use CollectPlus – mainly for the convenience of being able to drop it off very locally. Can’t remember precisely how much – about £5?

Looks amazing. We were up there a couple of years ago – planning a return trip this year on the way back from the islands.

…. and a great excuse to dig out the photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/simon_r/sets/72157647478659401/with/15023430838/ :D

We’ve found that there’s not much in it pricewise between ferry and tunnel when taking the van to Europe. Difference is negligible once you start thinking about fuel, tolls, accomodation, etc.

Used the tunnel in the last couple of years simply because it’s more convenient and quicker.

Has anyone tried the Camelbak KUDU as an alternative?

Thinking that the 18l version looks like a great size for Big Days Out.

Big weekend of amazing dry and (almost) dusty riding in North Wales :D

18-P4054984 by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

05-P4044916 by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

17-P4054982 by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

08-P4044925 by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

14-P4054967 by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

16-P4054973 by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

21-P4054987 by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

25-P4065016 by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

Same issue here too.

Found that the SRAM narrow-wide rings seem to wear quicker than others – got through two in fairly short succession. Had a Blackspire ring on for a while now and seems to be quieter, wearing better and still keeps the chain in place. Maybe the wide teeth aren’t quite as wide?

Look forward to hearing whether the Shimano XTR type tooth profile run any quieter and deal with dirt better.

LUST feels like it’s tougher – definitely heavier and stiffer. Always struggled with them though – very tight fit on the rims yet difficult to seat properly.

The EXO TR stuff (High Roller 2 and Beaver 2.2 at least) seems to be plenty tough enough and a cinch to set up. Never had an issue with split sidewalls despite plenty of rocky abuse.

Used the Ardent 2.4s on on the back of my old Orange Alpine for a long while and found them to be a good balance – roll really well (for a big tyre), pretty tough (with an Exo casing) and good cornering grip. In line braking wasn’t as good as a High Roller (or similar) but still OK. Never tried on up front though – always used a sticky Minion DHF.

A bit of the opposite for us.

Had several opportunities to move but decided to stay put largely because of the location and proximity to good riding and open spaces.

However, now considering a move purely on the basis that it get us somewhere better still!

Stayed at the Chill Chalet in Bourg St Maurice a couple of times.

They had access to local guiding companies who would do guiding-by-the-day. Prices always seemed quite reasonable although we opted for finding our own way round in the end.

Yep – same happened to my Stealth too – replaced under warranty.

Soon realised the folly of hidden cable routing – might be neater but it’s a PITA to sort out when anything goes wrong.

Yep – I enjoy 2 too – there’s one left hander in particular that catches you out.

Mines been working well for about 6 months now and it’s seen some fairly foul weather – still working smoothly though.

Very occasionally (every other month or so) it sticks about 10mm into its stroke but only rarely and pulling it up seems to sort it.

I use an under-the-saddle lever to make swapping between bikes easier – obviously avoids any issue with sticky cables.

Virtually no side to side play either and no sign of the collar loosening.

@Pawsy_bear – I like the tip about using a cut-down rubber glove as a gaiter too – was trying to think of something suitable.

Just splashed out on some Northwave Celcius after my old Shimano boots started to leak quite badly – this weekend should be a pretty good first test of them – fingers crossed!

Tried some defrosters on but couldn’t get my feet into them – even big sizes with thin socks on wouldn’t fit.

Attractive thing about the Northwaves is that they’ve got a big bellows tongue so they seem to be dead easy to get into even with thicker socks.

Sizing and fit seems to be similar to the Shimano boots – maybe a touch narrower but the toe box is bigger – more wriggle room.

In winter a Gore Phantom soft shell with (sometimes more than one) smelly-helly underneath. Warm but not too warm and fends of even pretty persistent wet weather.

If it’s a bit milder I’ve got a Rab windproof whic is great – it’s an older version of this one http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/windshell/pertex-equilibrium/alpine-jacket.html

Got a Gore paclite waterproof that comes out when it’s really wet – might have been expensive but I reckon it’s worth it. Waterproof and at the same time really does seem to be very breathable – also washes up way better than anything else I’ve owned previously.

… and another one from Betws Y Coed that same weekend …. there was a bit of surface water around!

[/url]
20150110_125547[/url] by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

“Old School” trails at Coed Y Brenin from a couple of weekends ago :-)

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7-20150111_120736[/url] by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

Purple Extreme is my current favourite – seems to be a good balance of durability and staying clean particularly out on the wet and gritty Peak District trails.

Elete electrolyte drops for me – just add a few drops to water. Fine in a hydration bladder and doesn’t make it taste funny.
Always carry a gel or two in my pack ‘for emergencies’.

I run my Thompson without the remote – still way quicker than getting off, wrestling with a q/r clamp, adjusting saddle, trying to get it straight again, etc.

Cable remote is also just another thing to try and keep working through the winter.

Got a reverb on another bike (obviously with the remote still) – the ability to tweak saddle height without removing hands from the bars is nice but something I rarely do (for me anyway!) – saddle ends up fully down, fully up or at ‘woods height’.

So, extra benefit from having a remote seems to be relatively small compared with having the dropper in the first place.

Mine’s an Inbred 29er most of the year …

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21-P5042197[/url] by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

…. unless it’s dry and sunny and then the road bike comes out

Here’s one from a weekend away in Wales out in Gwydr Forest ..

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01-PC064146[/url] by Simon_R[/url], on Flickr

Moved buildings since but a while ago we got wire lockers put in (with each locker tall enough to hang clothing) with one of those long cyclindrical electric heaters running underneath. Worked a treat.

Now using the cable tidies under my desk – less than ideal!

+1 for the Howies Dyfi – got an orange one and although it’s not hi-viz it’s still pretty visible. The mesh down the sides and under the arms help with breathability too.

Use one of these for commuting http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-night-vision-gilet/
Pretty good cut for cycling but you might want to go down a size if you don’t want it too flappy.

Also got a hump rucsac cover and at least two rear lights – not taking any chances!