Thanks for the recommendations.

Yeah I got some spacers for my 105 which really helped my stumpy fingers to reach the levers.

Ah OK thanks for the info on the bars. What/is there much difference between Cowbells and woodchippers?

A local Sky ride/go ride thingy probably your best bet.

What bars do people recommend for riding the cx off road? I want to change mine for something more flared (I think).

Research so far has revealed:

Woodchippers (not great on the hoods apparently)
Cowbells 2 or 3 good all rounders (what’s the difference between 2&3)
Luxy are the best off road but no longer available and I can’t find out when brant is bringing out some replacements.

Cheers

Sarn helen would be a good/better call then as it’s haaard work in 4 days. Some guy does Sarn helen through CTC which there was an article in Singletrack mag last year. He’s happy to send the GPS of the route he does I believe.

Yes there are a few options but n to s is best for all/most I believe.

7 deadly spins guys have a route for their 24hr attempts which should suit normal human beings for 3-4 days riding.

This is awesome
http://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/Welsh-Coast-2-Coast.html

Lots of superb techy riding.
North to south works best.

Sam have you tried Jones loop bars on your bikes – what did you think?

Yep you’re definitely better off with a small outfit, and one that has been recommended if you can – just ask around friends & family, someone usually knows or has heard of someone. Spend a fortune at a larger firm who won’t be any more useful. That’s my experience anyway (and I’ve been at both ends).

Firestarter – how did you find the swift set up for monster ride duties?

Wondering if I convert mine or get the singular gryphon. I have a cx as well but want something a bit burlier and comfier.

Cheers

Thanks ontor will have myself a look at them as they look ideal.

Ontor what bars are they –
Woodchipper?

Got a cx and wondering if I make my (rigid) singular swift a monster or get the singular gryphon.

Can’t believe the question hasn’t been asked – whot tyres?

Had Isla bikes for my kids from the start too, but the competition has caught up, were cheaper already and now Isla put their prices up.

They are still a good investment due to high resale value but we just bought a Hoy Bonaly 24″ as it was a mtb rather than a hybrid. It was also cheaper, lighter and just a really nice bike. You have to buy from Evans, but at least you can try them out and we got a further £30 to spend in the shop.

another thumbs up for HY-RD’s here.

Toying with getting a Singular Gryphon for this type of riding.

Just Park is great, cheers.

Thanks will look into those.

Residential street would be ideal J4, or J3 if not would be great, thanks.

I’ll look into those train stations too, which might be good if there is no height restriction.

Ah yeah ‘Rent my drive’ might be useful too, always thought of that as being for around London and city centres.

Cheers

I like this http://www.blottshop.com/product/Neoprene-Long-Pencil-Case/4346?categoryId=212%5D

stuff from on one was cheap. Hasn’t worked for me though.

Saturday and Sunday will be most going on, Monday will probably be more nursing hangovers, prize giving (which takes a while as there are lots) and the lake jump. Just go every day, they’re all excellent.

Ortlieb non-roll type one. The one with the rubber…er jonny type thing to keep it waterproof. It ensures the zips don’t get fecked too.

Thanks for the info. dcrainmaker looks good, thanks. I’m torn between the Ambit 3 and Fenix 3 so will try and get my hands on them, but hadn’t really looked into Polar so will do so.

It’s not that well signposted (throughout the year) tbh so you have to slow down, look around or stop to check the signs and it’s bloody annoying making a wrong turn and dropping all the way down a hill you didn’t need to and having to climb back up when you’ve got a whole load more of them to do in 1 day :oops:

I’d personally want to do it with bigger tougher tyres due to the tyre splitting qualities of the trail and its fairly rough so you have to rein it in a bit on the downhills.

I did Sligachan after Torridon but found it sooo boring compared. Torridon was ace but we just couldn’t get excited about Sligachan, apart from the stunning surroundings, and it was also so much busier.

Perhaps do Torridon (lollipop) and Ben Damph the other day (which is nice but easier).

Great stuff, thanks.

ditto mrchrispy,

On One Thicky Merino NOT the thin ones which shrink to various sizes. Grrrr

Thanks, they ‘just’ seem to have/do maps, which might have to do.

I want to see where they go exactly to fit into a bigger ride, ducking off to explore other trails, and it makes it easier to re-find the trail. It’s quite easy to get lost in the forest when you leave the trail to explore :?

Thanks, I wasn’t sure if it uncovered some dark art or cleat setting up or its nothing special and I should just set them up (easily enough) myself without.

I have a few pairs of shoes so thought it might be good.

(bump) no one?

What happened to monkey?

I have a dirt worker and small kercher and am just gentle around pivots etc. No problems.

Perfect, thanks.

40 next year and I think its definitely the time to demand the (MTB) holiday of your choice. Whistler or America for me.

Noted. Thanks. Ordered a smooth to start with :-)

wow, wonder off and come back to loads of replies, thanks.

On Windows 7 so will try MSE and do Malware scan. Have usual firewall stuff to avoid any dodgy sites too, so hopefully (all) this’ll work out.

How would you reply to a prompt of “Application ‘commctl32.dll’ wants access to the Internet, allow? [Yes] [No]”? Erm, ‘No’ (I’d hope).

This of thing isn’t really necessary then? http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/national-deal/gg-download-buyer-54/53398668

Thanks very much.

Want to try one myself, but looked on Amazon & Ebay and there are LOOOADS to choose from.

Think I’ll go for a black knobbly one – anyone have any specific recommendations?

Thanks.

Hope pro 2 with crest rims. Iron cross rims also an option if you want a wider choice of tyres. Tubeless.

Work a treat and I don’t have to worry about riding ‘heavily’

Me too, cheers.

Oh, just saw these too and was also wondering which one of the two stands people recommend for a numpty needing to sort his wheels out.

Send loads of stuff with them and they’ve pretty much always been very good and rectified the issue if they ever messed up. A little slow sometimes but I’m very happy with them.

They’ve had a fire last week which slowed their services down I believe.

Having other people to ride with, mechanics, signage and water etc along the route all helps on the day too. Don’t stress about the training just get some big rides in and get swept up with the flow.

Its a good ride but the gates start to really p!ss you off after a while!
which is another good reason to do it on an event day – more people to hold them open.

Army surplus gortex ones have been recommended on here before.