There's still a 24solo place left if you wanna raise money for St' Luke's Hospice.

Some decent bar tape can improve comfort considerably and is a nice, cheap start.

Actually, it's a bit wet and cold here. Still, better than living in That London.

Nonsense, it's still sunny here.

What're you talking about? Everyone knows it never rains in the Westcountry. 8)

I'll show you about if you can wait a week until the 18th?

Snugg do custom jobs. Memory seems to suggest they do a specific Tri design.

Why not old-school it up with a nice beaver-tail?

Have you been and checked, or is this just something you “know”?

I have a degree in dietetics, so I do know.

Load of bollocks. There are no short cuts or magic miracles to weight loss. Balanced diet and exercise.

Ride more and eat a bit less but make sure you eat enough. Takes time but worth it in the end.

Oh, and don’t forget to support your local shaper. There are loads of good shapers in the UK, so avoid all that Taiwanese crap and get a board that’s built for you.

Also means you can have a custom spray with skulls and stuff all over. :twisted:

BigSurfer, I’m in Barnstaple so give us a shout if you make it back down this way (my office is in South Molton).

Longboards aren’t the only option in small surf, but they are a good one for most people and at my size it’s the only option. How about a retro-quad or magic carpet if you want more volume but without the length? I really fancy a quad for when things pick up in the Autumn. Being 6’5″ and 115kg, my board options/choices are pretty different to most peoples’. I think it’s the way forward for me though as I’m pretty bored with my bodyboard nowadays, unless it’s super-hollow.

Richie, I know what you mean about boards over 9’8″. Had a session on my mate’s 10’6″ and it’s like trying to ride a canal barge. Was bonkers how early you had to get into it. Would be good for 1′ gutless Summer days (think Whitsands in August).

Bigsurfer, where do you live?

Longboards are bang-on for British Summers (and most of Winter). I’ve been sponging since I was 15 but got a longboard for messing about last year and I love it. It’s bloody cumbersome coming up from something a lot smaller though. Now I’ve got used to it, I’m keen to get myself a mammoth job. Maybe 10’6″x25″x3.5″.

I’ve got a very battered 9’1″ I could sell to you for a few quid if you just wanna try it?

I don’t get on with Campag shifters as my hands are big and the shifter gets in the way of my thumb (it sticks out of the side of the hoods). All the reviews I’ve read report absolutely nothing wrong with it.

If you’re just getting into road, as I did this year, it’s unlikely you’ll be buying a bike expensive enough to have SRAM kit on.

I’ve got a Giant Defy which come with a Shimano Tiagra groupset (equal to Deore). I’m quite sure that spending a lot more money on a high-end carbon job with a gucci groupset would make no difference to my riding.

I’ve used City Link to collect/deliver bikes, frames and surfboards. Never had a problem.

Did 3 hours/29km from Tarr Steps on South Exmoor this morning. I’d say about 20mins of it was fun. Good fitness though.

All of my favourite Exmoor trails are around Selworthy, Horner & Luccombe.

This is a 2008 so no go there. I’ve got this years Rebas which are internally adjustable from 100 to 120 or 80. Was hoping the fox might be the same.

Chewing a nettle may offer a distraction to the pain.

Never mind. New series of Reaper starts at the same time on E4 next week, and that makes me laugh ’til I’m shaking.

That’s a bummer.

Early one on Exmoor tomorrow, then Quantocks with the Missus on Sunday. Got some Lieu time owed so may head up the Qs on my todd on Monday.

I’d bring your Orange and the rockhopper. My choice of the two would be the HT but it’d be best you ride the course and decide. Otherwise, the best thing to bring is a fun attitude. I met some great people last year and seemed to spend most of my time chatting to strangers.

I did the race as a team of 6 last year. It was my first event in 15years and got me totally hooked on racing. I’m doing the solo 24 hour this year. I had such a good experience last year that I wanted to do it a different way this time around. I’m also doing it to raise some cash for St’ Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth. If anyone fancies chucking me a quid or two for it, my donation page is HERE

Have fun. See you in 5 weeks.

Shit, it’s only 5 weeks away! 8O

What are you planning/up to, Sharki?

I definitely think chicken runs around more technical section would be good for a couple of reasons.

1. Alternative lines keep things interesting on a course you might end up riding 20-30 times.

2. They would allow more technically minded riders an advantage on the descents. It always pisses me off royally to be stuck behind some lycra-clad ‘pro’on the singletrack who then drops me on the following climb.

3. They would allow novice riders to be able to participate and ride the course fully. My wife is really keen to try some racing but won’t because she’s intimidated by the idea of getting in people’s way and not being skilled enough to ride the course.

As for how technical, don’t forget it’s a XC race. 10′ doubles wouldn’t be appropriate, but a 2′ drop-off might be fun. Some steep chutes would be fun too.

Other than that, lots of singletrack and a variety in the climbs (fireroad grind, tech singletrack, short & steep, etc.)

I’m a Stop Smoking Specialist so no use to you whatsoever (unless you want some support to pack the fags in). Good luck getting fixed though.

I got knocked off my road bike once. Police were called and told me it wasn’t a police matter as no-one was injured.

The only drivers who know how to treat cyclists are the ones that ride bikes. I genuinely believe there should be a cycling element to the driving test.

I’ve seen loads of tourists wearing boardies and a t-shirt over their wetties this summer (**** muppets).

you could just not worry about it and enjoy your hols. It’s likely that no-one is really gonna care, and aquatic activities are loads of fun. Otherwise, start getting plenty of miles in on the bike.

16th of August – I’m on for that.

I’f be quite up for this, except it’d be my fourth weekend of racing in a row. Think I may be a bit knackered by then.

Missus just bought a Met Veleno and it’s bloody lovely. Terrible fit on me though.

With helmets, it should be all about fit. Given the choice, I’d go for the Bell, but only if it fits well.

I got my bearings from a bloke called greenandypants on ebay. As said, £15 for the lot. The OEM ones from Giant are £50 but come with replacement pivots too.

My only experience of the Mendips was racing at Cheddar last year and I hated that, so I’ll look forward to a positive experience instead.

How about the last weekend of this month? I was supposed to be going to see AC/DC but blown head gasket has altered those plans.

I’d propose a compulsory, temporary sterilisation of all infant boys. Then, when they can prove through various criteria that they’re a decent member of society, they can have a reversal of the procedure.

Should significantly reduce the ever-growing underclass in the UK in just a couple of generations.

My advice would be to keep your mouth shut once you get past Northampton, as everyone knows Southerners get a kicking if they dare venture North.

But you could buy a car for that kind of money!

I have considered using aqueous cream. Need to compare the ingredients list to other chamois creams. Otherwise, Assos or Udderly Smooth.

I always thought the idea of chamois cream was bollocks until I tried it last year. Used to get rubbed a lot – had nothing since I started creaming up.

Dressed as Wonderwoman in Scrubs was my favourite. I’ve always had quite a thing for Heather Graham since Austin Powers.

I’d rather not, thanks.

In terms of environmental impact, smoking contributes ~60% of street litter in the UK :( . On a global scale, tobacco plantation is a major contributor to deforestation.

It should also be pointed out that smoking hand-rolled fags is just as bad for your health as tailor-made.

I just informed my wife about this who in turn pointed out that she’s booked a weekend away for us at the same time. Sorry fellas, bit gutted but that’s marriage, eh!

Good luck with the race.

I’d love to join you on this. Need to check with the missus as we’re supposed to be taking a week off for some quality time. Is there an email address I can contact one of you on? How much would I be looking at for entry?

I’m keen but dependant on whether my wife books a last-minute holiday for the week or not.