I had a pair of the 2.2 basics. Put up with them for a couple of months but 2-3pinch flats on every ride meant they got replaced. Nice low rolling resistance but not much cop when I really needed some grip.

My mate opened a bike shop and he was utterly sick of the sight of them after a couple of years. Personally, I'd rather keep work seperate from what I do for fun outside of work.

Think I need to go around there and have a proper look at it, then get back here with a proper ad.

1 1/8th, I think. I've not looked too closely at it. Condition isn't too bad although there's some chainslap/suck on the stay.

Another vote for Gore Phantom. Warm but not hot and versatile in a number of conditions. I couple mine in winter with a light waterproof shell for when it pisses down.

Just checked the results and I came 32nd out of 36, so not too bad for a fat giant on a bmx.

Somewhere in the Alps may be nice.

Cheeky!

Julian, I reckon you'd love it, as would Jim. I'm pretty sure Carl would hate it though. Any bike'll do but not sure about your SS. I got beaten by a bloke on a rigid, 15yr old Univega today which rather humbled my two grand of suspension technology. I definitely found a new admiration for cx bikes today. Hayley did remark afterwards that she expects a cross bike to appear soon. Cyclescheme time in December 😀 . Any suggestions for one under a grand?

Bodmin is a bit far for me, but all the others left in the series are close enough to be easy. Gonna do one or two more and definitely finish in Plymouth.

Oldgit, I grew up in Dunstable and never knew that such a thing existed locally. Gutted.

Saints alive, that was fun! Probably one of the best things I've ever done on a bike.

I didn't come last and managed to beat quite a few lads on cross bikes (despite breaking my front mech and being stuck in the middle ring on my second lap) so pretty happy with that. I'd say that if you're thinking about doing one, then give it a go. I was gonna just watch and see what it was about. If I had, I would have thought it was just a load of roadies riding around a field. Instead, what I experienced was a brilliantly competitive, yet surprisingly welcoming experience that made me work harder on my bike than I ever have done before (first time I've had a stitch since I gave up rugby). I'm hooked and well up for another race next weekend.

SWCX: http://www.cyclo-cross.org.uk

I've read reviews that say they won't fit anything bigger than a 23mm tyre.

Spot of grease on the ferrules should sort that.

I think Mike-Check's point is proved fairly well by the fact that Giant produce a range specifically designed for UK trail centres (Talon, or something).

I appreciate the argument for paying and I don't feel informed enough to say yes or no, so would definitely appreciate some clear, unbiased information. Honestly speaking, I know I'd resent having to pay as footpaths feature plenty of gravel, styles, kissing gates, etc. and hikers don't pay for those. That's not to say that I wouldn't pay if I had to. I did once refuse to pay at Aston Hill. A fiver for a few miles of trail is pretty raw, in my opinion.

What I would really object to is the destruction of existing, unofficial trails on these sites, leaving no options to ride but official routes. Haldon is a good example of this where everything is being destroyed and seemingly replaced with flat, smooth, metre-wide gravel paths. I can appreciate why structures (ladders) have to be removed, but otherwise it's just the ground without so many sticks and leaves in the way, so leave it alone.

Windsurfing is too expensive, needs too much kit and requires too much cocking about on the beach rigging things up. Bloody good fun though. I'd love to get into it as I learnt the basics a couple of years ago. Thing is, I could buy 3 decent surfboards for the price of some okay entry kit. There are a couple of places around here that rent kit but they're (ironically) an hours drive inland.

I've bodged one of the things that holds a pump on your frame. Works really well and doesn't damage my helmet.

Further to what Julian was saying, I worked as a Health Care Assistant whilst studying to be a dietitian and really enjoyed it. Have a look at the NHS Professionals website for info, or have a chat with someone from HR at your local hospital.

All the riders had come through and we were just waiting for a couple of vehicles. A load of non-competing cyclists turned up (about 5) so I asked them to stay next to the barrier out of the way. 2 minutes later and one of the motorbike lot appears, screaming and swearing in front of hundreds of people about how they shouldn't be on the course. Told me I can't expect a job next year.

Maybe he was right, but I was just an unpaid volunteer and thought I did the right thing.

Afraid it's Exmoor for me tomorrow, then off to Wales for a week.

I was marshalling at Bideford and had a really nice day until some fat **** in leathers had a go at me for doing a crap job. Watching the riders come into the finish indicated to me that I am very slow.

29er singlespeed would be ideal. What am I looking at->>>>>>>>>>?

As Carl said, let me know your email address and I'll send you the gpx of our ride yesterday. I enjoyed it a great deal. We started at a car park about 20-30mins from Okehampton.

No, but I'm marshalling at the finish in Bideford on Thursday.

Although I have no evidence to back it up, I was once informed that road tax revenue actually only provides about 1/3 of the cost of road upkeep in Britain. If this is true, I'd say we're already paying more than our fair share in road tax. If it's not true, I'm still not bloody paying!

Home-made flapjacks and bike washing facilities for a couple of quid?

Exmoor for the kid this weekend. Have fun everyone.

I'm going to spend an extra hundred quid and get myself a Genesis iO iD when my cyclescheme comes around again in December.

Keeping it under a grand, how about a Specialized Rockhopper? Decent spec and smashing frame for the money.

Couple of authors I've read there (I loved Fforde's Big Over Easy) and loads to check out over Winter. Many Thanks.

As said, outside is outside. However, many premises operate a policy of no-smoking on site (Hospitals mostly operate this). It's not against the law to smoke in these areas but if it's the smoker's workplace, they may find yourself in trouble with their employer.

Other areas, such as train stations, have specific bylaws that can legally restrict smoking due to safety issues.

However you go about it, losing excess weight is a good thing to do. I've knocked off about 5kg in the last couple of months (stacked it on by eating too many snacks and breaking my leg last year) and I feel loads better for it. Climbing performance has improved and my wife is 'digging' me. 😉

And lots of sausage and beer for afterwards?

Talking of painful, I've seen a fair few kitesurfers in North Devon Hospital with very messy fractures after landing awkwardly. I have to say though, it's definitely growing on me after years of thinking it looked a bit naff – loads of good riders up this way. I suspect it's bloody expensive mind (I love windsurfing but there's just no way I can afford it).

Gonna give it a go at the SW round in Barnstaple (1st weekend in October). I've only got a 4" full-suss so hopefully I'll be okay. Very excited to just try something a bit different though.

North Devon

Best bit: Cracking beaches, relatively low populace, the odd bit of surf now and again, mega road riding, close to Exmoor & Quantocks

Worst bits: Boring local mtb, local soil that turns to evil clay as soon as a cloud appears, grumpy farmers with snarling mutts, Emmits/Grockles leaving bloody litter everywhere (it's so much cleaner around here in the Winter), millions of tourists in the water gawping at you as you're surfing straight towards their head

I still miss Plymouth. I'd rather live here than That London though.

Slapshot was mega!

How about Logan's Run?

I was only being cheeky. It was myself and a couple of other lads that started digging at Woburn in the early nineties (I used to live in Dunstable). Went there a couple of years ago whilst visiting a friend and it looked like a building site. Bloody horrible.

Why not take them on a field trip to see a sprint finish? Maybe push one of the kiddies that you don't like out into the peleton to give him a real taste of the speed they go? 😉

Oh, fastest I've had was 55mph down a local 25% hill. I think I could break 60 if I sprint into it, but I've given myself the fear. Tarmac interface at that speed in two bits of lycra may sting a bit.

Can I assume that, as it's in Bedfordshire, the name 'Impossible Climb' is slightly ironic?

Anyone got a gpx file of the route?

Is this the BHF one?