Pangbourne lot are good. this promises a good ride and chance to meet some riders too http://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/mtbike/2010/07/chilterns-challenge-woodcote-nr-reading-berksoxon/

Hmmm ok might try it myself then, thanks.?

it is not in the rules that they have to wear a bikini (with a max. 6cm? waistband) any more – it was in the last Olympics though.

Can’t believe they ever managed to introduce that law. Outrageous (but it did increase viewing which is what it was trying to do).

seen some places on-line like http://www.uk-repair.com or is it best to stick with HTC themselves – any experiences?

just done it today. the old winchester hill bit has dried up nicely now (it was frickin sticky & horrible last week). sooo hot but plenty of water stops especially if you include houses 😉 (i managed with just 1 x 750ml bottle

average riding speed of 10mph is a good guestimate or 8 overall.

not the most amazing of routes, but a good challenge & great views.

enjoy.

probably ‘cos you are meant to be working 😉

I’ve done the one solman links to – it’s a good day out.

was just thinking about going here myself – any (off-road) riding to be had?

Sorry for the slight hi-jack.

yeah the good thing is you’ll find some riders from the masses who ride at your pace naturally on the day.

slightly random at best. I’m same as above i.e. 34″ waist, and have size large. Try them on at a shop is the best option (oh and then buy them there – bugs me when people try things on then buy the same elsewhere) 😉

thanks, that should be perfect (don’t want to have to go into the centre if I can help it).

whoops wrong link 😳
http://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/view-event.aspx?ps=1001407

i’m going (again) 🙂

British Heart Foundation are doing it on Saturday the 21st this month which is probably your best bet as it’ll be supported and signed with plenty of other riders to join in with to help share the pain 😉

http://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/view-event.aspx?ps=1001295

Good luck, it is a beast. Not technical, just on and on, up and up.

I do now I have the superb little Topeak pocket rocket. Tough little pump. Don’t need to use it very often mid-ride, but very useful when you do.

brilliant, thanks.

cycle around the isle of wight (I have a 100km route which you can easily add to).
off road and goes to all the corners. sounds like just the ticket for clearing your head.
more fun than the sdw.

both if you can. doethie is about the setting as much it is about the trail I feel. sum of all parts is greater, kind of thing. over hyped but definately a ride you’ll remember.
ride when dry (if possible).
cwm rhayader is just down the road and great (man-made) fun too. royal oak pub is great too.

the inside looks the same too 😉

only just got it (£250 from Argos), but seems great for what I want it for – kids games etc, surfing t’internet and watching films.

Slightly laggy when flipping the screen, but great for the price.
I also quite like the heavyweight of it.

Wi-fi only here too.

ah ok thanks. Yeah wanted it for film watching too.

got one and an it mate will hopefuly be switching it this weekend.
I’ll let you know how it goes.

how much did you get it for? I’m thinking of selling it possibly, to get the Samsung.

another for wingnut. love them. can’t stand wearing ‘normal’ bags now.
as people have mentioned low down so very comfy, no bach or shoulder strain, sweaty back and the side pockets are soooo useful. I keep tools & food in these. like the fact the main compartment is just one big space.
’tis more expensive than other bags though.

Doable, but it’ll be a hard 2 days, especially with the weather we’ve had (having). 3 makes it more enjoyable.

I was thinking French tv = porn (or at least some boobs) 😉

How come the French laugh and ridicule our accents when we are speaking their language, yet the British women swoon when the French speak English with an accent 😕

The MT cd sounds perfect. Thanks.

or Wingnut – my favourite 😉

great thanks for all those.

Don’t watch the news in English and my wife would not be happy with me finding a French partner 😉

Ah yes, watching French tv (somehow) is a good plan.

p.s. Moelgrips, I’ll go away and figure out what you said to me. Better not be rude.

Can’t get out to classes in the evenings.

anyone use any (good) cd’s?

I like Clif gels & bars, and proper food as much as possible in between too. Peanut butter and jam sandwiches are good.

and jelly babies 🙂

Is it any good? Had a few cheap ones now that haven’t lasted (or worked).
Willing to pay more for something that will work.

Thanks.

Keep me dry. love them. Lighter than the singletracks too, so my favourite shorts at the moment.

I really like my endura mt500

love the anthem, ordered one but stilllllll waiting for it 🙁
at least its not getting filthy in all this bad weather.

yeah I wanted to bomber him but kept my calm (unusual for me) & reported him instead – they weren’t interested though 🙁

wish I had some bombers now.
at least it showed I’ve been right all these years in losing my rag quickly 🙂

someone ran me off the road in a very similar situation, luckily I read the situation & jumped onto the pavement in time. he had to stop immediately in traffic too! anyway when I asked him why he performed a dangerous manuvere which achieved no purpose he told me the road narrowed & he had to steer into me & he’d always choose hitting a cyclist than the (plastic) bollardc so f’off. had he killed me, he would have said ‘whoops it was an accident, I only clipped him lightly’ 😉

you shouldn’t have snacks between meals….which is why I just opt got another meal 🙂

nice (but quite easy) stuff between barnstaple & woolacombe.
more hills to the immediate east of barnstaple, or lots of great stuff in exmoor.
lots of routes & gpx files in here http://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/In-around-Dartmoor-Exmoor-A5-size.html

you don’t say where you ride for the rest (most) of the time?

Buy it for the majority of your riding, so I’d say a hardtail. You’ll have great fun and improve your technical abilities when you get to go on trips.

p.s. agree with Gary. a 29er is more capable/easier on rougher stuff than a 26er, effectively giving you the advantage an extra 20mm or so of suspension would over a 26er.

The 800 is a good training aid and recording rides/data, small and light, but I much prefer the Satmap for following routes on (big clear screen). It also records your data has lots of stats and is easier to use.

this goes onto the waist belt strap http://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/Belt-Pouch.html Use it for camera or phone not food though. I use the Topeak toptube bag for food stuff

already got it now. Oh well. Its a good little gadget (if somewhat overpriced on CRC – £18 RRP!!!).