the yeti hardcore are great soft chunky grips

i like the non lock on version as comfier – have tried both versions

shonky

Bonty mud x or Jones ACX or Trailraker on the rear

Nevegals are good too

hi,

i have a few for birding / nature watching – is it for this application or astronomy?

if nature – i would reccomend kowa as good for the money – you can pay thousands – and yes the dearer glass is a lot nicer than cheaper stuff – mine were bought 2nd hand and a good way to go but i still envy the high end stuff

email me if you want advice

snowpaul at hotmail co uk

paul

cheers

I actually loathe Assos and its marketing BS. Truely hideous – those shades are pants and ott expensive.

I do not understand the attraction of the brand – having sold and tried some of their kit I was left rather underwhelmed. Roadies and tri types go nuts for it and its a mystery to me why.

Kit for wannabees imo see tri reference…

paul

email me if you want a local delamere guide!

paul
snowpaul at hotmail co uk

I spent 2 summers cycle touring / hiking there – email me if you want any tips

snowpaul at hotmail co uk

paul

Thanks ! I did cadair idris this sat and the ranger / llanberis / telegraph valley this sunday ! we took all the gear and some ! I know and respect these mtns an awful lot !

sounds like I may hike it first to scope it out

cheers

paul

I used to suffer from cold bits – now I am often too warm – as I keep my core warm as I can

eg tonights 25 mile road ride – merino socks – winter boots – windproof bib tights – warm 200 wight fleece vest – windproof top and gloves and a windproof fleece beanie under my lid = toasty – stopped my cold hands which used to make me nearly cry

paul

i use army lightweights or german army moleskins – cheap and durable

paul

Buy 2nd hand – be a bottom feeder / ebayer

If you buy wisely / maintain kit you can lower your biking costs BUT personally I think current prices are stupid.

55 quid for an XT 9spd cassette? THINK what 55 quid can buy you electronics / food etc…

I am using deore now as I burn through kit regardless of ‘quality’

Square taper is ace as is octalink – HT2 is not as good.

I wont be buying a new bike again

paul

Not a fan in my opinion

hey ho

Rik,

you like the same stuff as I do – esp lakes / peak stuff – malham cove is a great scenic but not too techy riding ‘ more gentle xc ‘ – try up the cove and then out towards settle and back – round the tarn – down towatrds kettlewell and back up mastiles lane – good xc route – if muddy…

Ingleborough is A MUST DH and very hard on a hardtail at the top – the trails round Dent are pretty good and again a sense of space is awesome…

I love riding there – suggest powys next time !

paul

I am a regular there – cheers for the heads up – I will pass the word out – that bit off trail is a great bit of singletrack

ditto the ring police comment in case things escalate – where was the wire out of interest? I ahve had probs in the past with logs etc up on the xmas tree selling side…

email me

snowpaul at hotmail co uk

1)Lakes
2)Exmoor
3) Shropshire / Powys !

paul:)

forget the price – I am more concerned that he put a gravity dropper thingy on a race bred hardtail…. heresy i tell you

paul

sounds fair to me if he was a genuine danger to himself and others

paul

As a regular rider round there – the stiperstones are quite good – not as good as the mynd but its a good linking bit between the mynd and eastridge ( very nice trails – even signposted etc )- still worth a look

paul

My minor problem with hunting is based on the experience of meeting a few out on the moors – the clients had massive attitudes ( staff were ok ) etc – have met some ok types too but it definitely doesnt float my boat to pay to kill animals – I have shot clays and thats ok in my book…

However each to their own – My biggest issue with shooting estates as I see it is the organised killing ( ILLEGAL ) of birds of prey in the name of protecting shooting estate businesses.

I know that not all game keepers are bad but I bet a lot of them are ordered to do it and even tourist drawing white tailed eagles in scotland are not immune – however scotland is punishing landowners there now by withholding grants etc if raptors are found suspiciously ‘dead ‘ on their land. In england / forest of bowland the issue with hen harriers is interesting. Even recently up in the peak that case of a sparrowhawk…

I am a keen RSPB member and the stories / phots I have seen of poisoned raptors and other ‘vermin’ ( foxes / badgers etc ) and even peoples pet dogs are horrific. I know 2x wildlife officers in the police and they all have stories of being unable to prosecute due to lack of evidence/resources or simply society / courts not being willing to act.

Bear that in mind that if you pay to shoot then you are party to this.

I think that shooting live animanls for sport is frankly an anachronism that deserves to die out like bear baiting. I have no issue shooting clays etc.

Why anyone would feel the need to pay in some cases many 1000s to shoot game birds I have no idea. Maybe its just me. I dont buy the whole ‘ it gives people in the countryside jobs ‘ arguement either. Set up other buisiness – farm / diversify.

Its a complex issue.

paul

My 2ps worth – stick to shimano. Have had zero problems apart from the odd alloy chainring bolt freezing and cracking when releasng – my fault for not looking after them – replaced by steel bolts – win.

I use deore middle rings as they last longer being steel. Have used truvativ in the past = not as good shifting. Raceface are poor life wise.

Been a Middleburn user duo/rs7/8s too. Nice looking but the rings do not shift as well as shimano ( as Njee found) and had a fast wear rate for me – so bad I ditched the duo although i liked the ratios.

All depends on what you want. Shimano gets my vote.

All religions have issues – simplest to avoid it all and create your own. I like trail gremlins myself…

paul

I love pentax kit – got a few bodies etc – am selling a P30 if anyone wants it?

paul

Ton is spot on = QR lever / hite rite !

second the nearest bin

most of the gear problems I see / cure on behalf of my mates are due to dirty or more often than not KINKED cables from being stored or put in a car badly which can kink the inner cable causing drag – or frayed cables = I would try new inners and outers – maybe run full outer too?

i run knackered kit on my commuter and it shifts sweet…

tis the cables my friend!

paul

or maybe dirt was meant to mean ‘ bad ass ‘

so he was saying that ‘you probably think you are bad ass’ but in a negative way as in ‘ NOT’ from the 90s – he was being an arse but hey its an easy trail centre ridden by wrexhamites riding stolen bikes who are on the dole… I wouldnt worry about it….

paul

had the same – odd bit of blood – usually after epic rides in the wet… docs gave me ‘ drink more water dont strain’ and its a pile….

paul

Suggest drag in freehub / freehub failure – does the chain ‘bunch up’ if placed in a work stand and pedalled / freewheeled?

paul

I use glasses ALL the time – had to take mates to a + e in the past re grit / mud insect hitting them…

I read that a shrewsbury cyclist died in wales re not wearing specs n an impact to the eye caused a crash…

wear them

Its a great proper day out style of riding – the calf is a big old slog… the descent to ravenstonedale is ace – best for the summer or when frozen !

its good and under rated – easier riding tech wise vs lakes but still epic in feel

paul

I am interested too !

paul

Ti does break – been there…. broken aluminium too but never a steel frame – not tried carbon yet.

Reckon a steel frame is for the long haul as easier to weld / swop a tube out / add braze ons etc but for racing – probably go aluminium / carbon and replace when they age / get damaged

paul

I have both of these shoes ! The mt92 is the one I use most now… leather seems more durable and better grip – I do miss the neoprene ankle closure though – BUT if its really horrible I use gtx ankle gaiters….

I ride 5-10 hrs in a ride usually in the lakes / powys / mid wales and embrace a bit of hike a bike / river crossings so both boots have had hard lives… for me the mt 91/2 is the better boot.

hope that helps – oh I know someone who has a brand new boxed pair of mt 92s in 43 for sale

snowpaul at hotmail co uk

From another perspective re head injuries and any possible prevention – my girlfriend sustained a head injury nothing to do with biking – a severe concussion from being hit on the head.

I have never had such a bad year looking after her. Her memory / cognitive abilities and personality changed for the worse – thankfully she is on the mend now.

Most people / her workmates / family and friends had no idea initially what effect it had on her. She was a real mess – couldnt walk properly / concentrate or focus. She was unable to work / drive or care 100pc for herself for months. Her mental state and emotions were a mess. People generally have no idea what even a ‘trivial blow’ to the head can do to a person AND their loved ones who are left to look after them. Charities like Headway were a godsend. I spent too much time in hospital with her seeing other head injury victims. Not nice.

I would like to add that this experience has made me reconsider the way I ride and ski/snowboard – ie I now take less risk. She is back riding again – and she has vowed never to not wear a lid.

I would always wear a helmet as I have cracked a few biking and doing snowsports – Its hardly an inconvenience and great for deflecting branches in the woods…

A bit of a ramble but anything which helps protect your head is not a bad idea.

To those who have avoided a serius knock to the head whilst not wearing a helmet – you were lucky. Think about your loved ones looking after you if the worst happens and how it would make them feel if a helmet would have prevented it.

enjoy riding

paul

Thats awesome! what camera / mount you using? whats the music?

our collie loves to bike with us – she is post injury now and up to 3 hrs no problem top speed now down to 24mph ! We used to do 8 hrs no bother – been up all the hills in quantocks / exmoor / cheddar / lakes and wales and a fair few in scotland!

As soon as she gets her bright yellow coat on – its game on with high pitched yips all round….

dogs are great….

paul

take it easy or you may end up with post viral fatigue – been there – nasty period of my life

shimano all the way

paul

hi anna,

bird geek here too – its def 100% a northern hobby – stripes and colour give it away – we have peregrines on our local church and I see them daily – definitely not a peregrine. They are bigger and more bluey grey in colour. Both amazing birds – watching hobbies hunt is an inspiring experience – acrobatic to say the least when chasing dragonflies. Peregrines are more powerful and intense.

happy trails

paul

hi all,

Our border collie has probably clocked up more trail miles riding with us – both on FC trail centre and REAL bridleway riding than the majority of internet warriors on here…

The dog can run – I mean RUN all day and still want to play with her toys – we have to be careful how much she does to prevent overuse injuries – a 15/20 mile ride is NO bother to her at all – she is actually way quicker than me or my riding mates apart from balls out long grass descents.

On routes like the brecon gap or walna scar or long all dayers in the quantocks / exmoor she is faster than us !

She can be seen wearing a fluro yellow coat which allows other trail users to see her and take note. She has been atop nearly every bikeable peak in the lakes / wales / peak in both winter and summer including cadair idris / hellvellyn / skiddaw / ben lomand – I would rather have her around than a lot of humans to be honest…

We are just back from doing a weeks riding up in scotland. No problems with the dog. Everyone we rode with were quite surprised how quick and most importantly how CONTROLLED she is – ie waits to be told to cross a trail / road etc – she is exceptional – my springers arent the same and I wouldnt take them out in the same way.

Her crap is carried out by me or her when she has her panniers on ! I hate poo bags in the trees !

I would like to see less of the dog hate and appreciate that forestry land is for everyone. If my dog ever slows you down it would be a fault of mine for not stopping to let you past – tbh it rarely happens !

paul