Cheers guys some good tips i’d not thought off.

Might have to look at some puncture protection for the tyres. The surface will need a bit more than a marathon or they would have been my first choice.

its 8.5 miles, but with 2 good climbs, 1 at 12% but short and the main one (White Horse Bank nr Thirsk) which is 25%

Its more the energy for the climbs i’m bothered about. it takes me about 50mins at the mo.

I’ll be working in a mix of outdoors/workshop so will get dirty at work but don’t want to be the stinky guy.

The Blackburn outpost rack:

And old man mountain:

Are both good options that don’t need any mounts. slightly bigger than the usual randonuer racks but solid options without changing your forks. (Both come with full fitting kits)

and almost single handedly destroying LBS’ all over the land. Threads like this wouldnt even exist if CRC hadnt kicked off the online bike shop revolution.

Yes and good on him, He saw a change in market and moved his LBS online. Good business. If he hadn’t someone else would have.

CRC didn’t kill LBS off, a change in market/consumer needs did. CRC/Wiggle etc saw this and adapted.

I had another great year, first time as a team of ten,

Snapped my chain on my first lap at the top of the redbull :( None of the stalls had a chain I could fit on so borrowed a bike for the rest of my laps.

Enjoyed the course very much, The first of mt practice laps on the SS I rode almost all only slipped on the grass “hump” in the meadow on the right hander. 2nd lap pushed more due to traffic.

Didn’t manage to get track side camping but was only a tent away from the course and sat on the horsey jumps on the last right hand bend of the campsite heckling.

Was great, well done to all involved.

And…. I’m over it.

+1

Even when we win it takes 30 seconds to be back looking at bike stuff getting on with life.

Did enjoy it mind.

MTB is the new golf, Santa Cruz is the new Callaway.

I did a sort ride on flats with my minimus MT00’s, the pedals scuffed the sole up a fair bit (they are pretty soft) also I felt I had no support what so ever.

I honestly think you’d be better changin shoes, for the short amount of time it takes you’ll make it up by using the right shoes.

Over the course of 6 hours would you not all anticipate going out…? Admittedly you’re likely to only get one shot, which is a shame with traffic and that.

Sadly no, we are a pretty mixed team and won’t all be doing 40 min laps.

Yes it will work,

You’ll need a 9 speed mtb long cage mech or ideally a 10 speed long cage road one.

A 10 speed mtb rear mech won’t work.

what’s the crack with the Red Bull downhill section only being on for 6 hours?!

+1

There will be arm wrestles in our team of ten for who goes out in that slot.

Nice video of the course on Vin cox’s facebook, Mud-x’s will def be on my bike.

Pretty sure its this one,

IIRC the larger hub body is the 20mm axle version.

Certainly looks like one.

Early start I guess. get in before the road closures and stay till evening.

In my local,

Little country pub, which on a busy day has 12 people in it. :)

Scotland has the same **** to decent ratio as England, in fact it’s probably worse

Maybe so but the greater population vs amount of land available creates a greater chance of issues arising.

Nothing there that makes you special I’m afraid

No idea what you trying to say here.

I’m not against it in the slightest, just think it needs setting up proper and a “Darwin” clause for landowners.

mtb marathon??

The chain reactions ones that I’ve done sound similar to that. They did use roads but a small percentage.

Pushing/Carrying is really a sad face.

As long as riders know what they are signing up for then do what ever.

I don’t think it would work as well in England. There just isn’t the respect for others.

There are lots of people who genuinely would respect wildlife and farmland. But then there are the daily mail reading cows shouldn’t be in field crew who will cause damage/disruption.

With reference to the OP it is the season where the grouse chicks are at their most vulnerable to being disturbed in their broods, from the point of view of an ex gamekeeper, shooting season would actually be a better time to go, the young grouse are up and about flying better then.

+1 Its a major income to some areas. My local area receives a good income from the hunting/shooting crew.

2003 Team descent 2 £3k

I’ve still got my muddyfox courier.

I’m pretty sure they last longer than 96, I seem to remember them going into the downhill market with some pretty decent bikes, didn’t the athertons ride for them at one point also?

Yes I have, works much better on the front,

Set up like this:

Asked if any public toilets about, as the portaloos were ‘ghastly’. Nobber.

I agree with him, I hate using a portaloo at cycling events after all the energy bar munching Mamils have been through them.

might be worth looking at a top only guide like the pauls components one or similar.

Also worth (as above) checking chain length

essential piece of kit for a roadie.

Keeps your head warm when it’s cold.
Keeps rain out of your eyes whens it’s raining.
Keeps sun out of your eyes when it’s sunny.
Keeps sweat out of your eyes when it’s hot.

+1

But it comes off when the helmet does, and I don’t turn up to bike shows wearing one.

Its just down from me and I ride there a few times a week,

The blue and green trails are pretty basic family trails and a fair bit of it are closed.

I haven’t seen anything relating to a red trail,

There are some really trails about but natural trails, a quick explore on strava will show you where locals go. If you want more help drop me a message.

The shop isn’t open a lot, I think just weekends. Its Pace/Dalby Bike Barn that own it.

I spend most of my time on the road now. I bought a touring bike for long tours and it has now become my main bike, I love just going out in baggy shorts, t-shirt and exploring or looking for a nice pub.

Found some lovely spots not far from home.

That weather forecast looks flippin’ fantastic…

Mud tyres will be on my bike…..

I had a similar problems with spoons, I have a ti one that hasn’t creaked yet.

Can’t work out how much different that lap is from last year?

It looks like almost all of it is different, its clockwise this time. The section names may be the same but look in different places.

Are the orange bits on the map Strava segments?

No sponsered sections,

Strava segments will be all over the place by friday afternoon.

I thought they made a big thing of the trackside camping this year? Looks similar to last year isn’t it?

+1

Coming down from north yorkshire, i’ll have no chance of being near the track.

same applies to 29ers as 26″ bikes,if he fancy a ht with long fork go for it, xc race same.

Go try a few and buy the best one.

I wouldn’t trust anyone on the Internets opinion on a possible crack on a carbon fork.

Let canyon sort and don’t ride it tell they are happy its all ok.

ive heard before like some of you have said about 1x not working with road shifters ect.

Might be people talking about shifter/mech combinations. Like how road 10s doesn’t work well with mtb 10s

Sram and Campag are worth looking at if you want a “clean” look. The shifter mechanisms are easily removable leaving you with just a brake lever.

Swift with Campag

What headsets are you using on your el mariachis?

Hope.

I’d looked at that one too. But finding one is proving difficult.

Charlie the bike monger, I believe is the importer now or has some connection with them.

I’ve had both and really like both,

I’m still with my salsa and have had it about 18 months, I think the ride on the salsa is livelier and slightly smoother plus i like the finish of it.

On the scales they aren’t light but when riding it doesn’t feel like you are lugging something around with you, but i’m used XL 29er steel frames.

Still don’t think either are as good as the 1st gen swift I had years ago.

I’ve been to the bmx and pump track there,

Pretty good fun and floodlit

Give it time and the marketing cycle will be promoting the advantages of the 26″ wheel as bringing the trail to life.

Keep saying to yourself,

Give it time, go to a shop and buy the best bike for the money you have, it won’t be a 26er but it will put you back on the trails and having fun.