ignore the Plymouth scummers, its just jealousy.

'Ere, it's **** off, innit bey!

Anyone from Plymouth will tell you it's shit.

Cycling is excellent in Devon. Close proximity in Exeter to Dartmoor plus good spots nearby at Haldon and Woodbury. The city itself is relatively bike-friendly too, with lots of investment planned by Devon Council. I'm sure there's at least one cycling club and also a mtb club.

It's not as good as Plymouth though.

I went out on my road bike this morning and was struggling to operate my shifters after 45mins.

Did some snowboard guiding for him a few years ago and was a really nice bloke. Even shouted me a pint.

Not quite the same, but I use a Swiss ball instead of a chair at my desk. Good for the posture and allows me to do various exercises through the day.

I find it really infuriating that so many manufacturers offer bikes in a decent size, but only on mid-spec models (if they bother to import them at all).

I have seen that Kona do a lovely looking 29er (King Kahuna) in a 22" frame, but it's 2 grand for a hardtail!

Solid swell and offshore winds mean I'll be staying home this weekend. 😀

what does AFAIK mean?

Rebas are beefier around the dropouts and also feature the powerbulge thing around the bushings, so are a bit stiffer.

Jambo, that was my thought too.

Is it the 14th or the 21st that you're down? I'm probably free on the 21st if you fancy some company?

Yeah but I had intended on cycle-scheming a new 29er this year, so German sites are no good. Scott also do a really nice looking 29er race hardtail, but not in the Uk.

I had intended on buying a Giant 29er, but they're not importing the XL size. I find this a little bewildering, as I'm not really sure there's a market for 15" 29ers, but I'm sure there must be demand for a 21" frame, surely?

Wembury, Quantocks and Horner Woods on Exmoor are all good Wet weather spots. However, the rain is supposed to stop down this way tomorrow. The wind is also FINALLY set to go offshore!

I email Specialized about their 29ers and they told me they're not importing them into the UK as there's no demand. 🙄

I think it wants to be a family venue.

Haldon used to be good and has the potential to be great, but interfering FC bods have put an end to that.

Whereabouts are you coming from? A mate of mine is organising a group ride on the 28th on Dartmoor.

Set-2-rise was definitely a highlight from this year, although the course may have been dicey if it had been wet.

simondbarnes, are you gonna be at the Plymouth cross this weekend?

I am.

Going to finish the Soggy Bottom series this Winter, then intending to enter Margam Enduro, Set-2-Rise, 24/12, Newnham 60 and the National Marathon Champs (50k), then it's the start of the SW cross season (hopefully going to have a proper cross bike by then too).

I'm not going to be waiting for a Giant as they've decided not to import an of the ones I like in XL, including the 29er I'd planned on buying. It's particularly frustrating as I've had/got a few Giants and the XL fits me brilliantly.

This may sound very stupid of me to say but I can understand hitting a pothole in a car having 4 wheels and being less manoeuvrable than a bike but how do you hit one on a bike unless it is filled with water perhaps and only looks like a surface puddle I guess

Because you're doing 40mph on a road bike that doesn't quite handle as well as a mountain bike?

Europe – Final Countdown (sorry if someone already suggested that!!)

Don't forget Rock the Night, and Danger on the Track.

Considering the weather we've had, 30 miles on Exmoor may be a little optimistic. I might be able to get the afternoon off if you fancy some company though?

my Mum's bought me a pair of the same Truvativ bars that feature on Bigdummy's bike. 700mm wide with 10deg sweep. The front end of my xl trance is way too high, even with the stem flipped, so really looking forward to getting them on.

That would probably depend on whom is driving it.

Minty bum cream?

Went out in the rain this morning. Got into the woods and didn't notice it, and the Sun came out after about 30mins 😀

That'll be a Gore Phantom now.

Have a shit before you leave the house. 🙄

Knickers combined with waterproof baggy outer were perfect for my hack around Cann this morning.

Although I wear roubaix tights for road, I find them just too warm for mtb, even in the middle of Winter. Of course, it never really gets that cold in the westcountry. I might be thinking differently if I lived in Yorkshire.

I've just cancelled my gym membership and will be buying a turbo next week. Added to the Swiss ball and dumbells in my garage, and I'm sorted for training. Much better as I don't have to listen to crap dance music, wait for people to finish using kit or have random strangers disturbing me.

Everything including my eyes. Anything else is just sentimentality. Having said that though, I'm not sure I'd be in favour of compulsory donation.

It's more than just a bit windy in Devon at the minute, and most of my training routes follow the coast. Gonna head out in a minute though and see if I can stay upright.

Nope. New frame, forks and brakes. Everything else stays. I'm planning on continuing to use it as a road bike and just swap the tyres for cross racing.

Thanks for your input everyone. Sounds like I could live without them.

Saves me a couple of quid then. 🙂

My mum's got me a 700mm flat bar. I keep hinting to my wife that I want a cross bike. She keeps telling me to bugger off.

New bike! Getting back into your DH, mate?
Have you tried the Cannondale importer?

is this cann? there have been rumours about biking being banned in cann for as long as I can remember. I think the first time I rode DH there was 1995/6?

It is Cann. Strangely, Mr. Log has been applying his handywork to the less-invasive and well-hidden xc trails, whilst leaving the hideously ugly, poorly built freeride stuff unscathed.

Arse! I'm in Plymouth that day. No fizzy wine for me. 🙁

60% of the time it works every time.

😀

I'll have a babycham