You’re right, he’s wrong. Perfectly legal to push your bike along a footpath.

Of course, if you had ridden instead of pushing, he may not have had the time to get in front of you.

every time I see pics of that Pro6, my heart is filled with lust and envy. you man-cave is equally as desirable. Humph!

Here’s my JTS

Value for money? I’d say Cube if you want to buy from a shop, or Canyon and Rose if you’re confident ordering directly. All German brands and all solid bikes, in my opinion.

which part of the county gets better weather the North or South coast?

Water’s warmer on the South coast. Weather is the same everywhere (i.e. pissing down). All of it is warmer than Yorkshire (especially the water).

I once spent a very entertaining weekend with a bird from Montpellier, and she was smashing.

recomend me a longboard for a beginner, 6ft/95kg

Longboards aren’t for beginners, they’re for longboarding. A decent mid-length should suit.

You may want to order a few litres of touch-up paint if you buy a Piglet.

I have no idea about the headset, but I really, really want one in red.

My house backs on to Braunton Burrows and I often use it for some CX training.

None of the towns in North Devon are particularly attractive, but the surroundings more than make up for it. The mountain biking is a bit dull though. Ilfracombe itself is a centre for every social problem you’ll find, but it must be nicer than somwhere like Liverpool, surely?

Interesting. I didn’t know they made ’em so big.

I have a routine that I try and keep to regardless of race type/importance, by doing set things in a certain order I can create, (the illusion maybe), of everything being normal, and this not being a national or something.

I used to play professional rugby and the above is exactly how I dealt with jitters. I also used to do a lot of positive visualisation before a match which really helped convert those nerves from flight to fight.

My generous rugby build doesn’t do me much good for bike racing, but I still get nervy building up to a race, especially now I’m racing cross.

I was disgusted with how poor the paint on my Piglet was.

WTB SpeedDisc AM rim.

Why the faff?

That pretty much answered that then.

I’d suggest you still give it a go. I did my first couple of races on my full-suss and found everyone at the races to be more than welcoming.

I learned to snowboard in 1991 and have always worn one. Started off with a skate-lid and woolie hat combo before proper ski helmets were available. I’ve tried wearing a hat a few times and have never felt any improvement in my riding, other than my goggles normally steam up.

will 135mm width wheels fit in cx frames?

Most CX bikes are 130mm spaced, although a couple of new disc models (e.g. Pro 6 disc) are spaced for 135mm.

Here’s mine:

Now stripped and turned into a 22″ Kona. Really nice frame, but a touch too small for me at 6’6″.

Lex’s often sell Gore kit at good prices.

No-one seems to have mentioned the advantage discs may offer around mud clearance.

I recall one race last year (my local in North Devon) that featured a particularly boggy woodland section. I ended up having to dismount and clean the filth out from around the brakes on each lap. I was convinced at that point that cantis just weren’t up to the job.

Obviously this wouldn’t be a problem for pros with a jet-wash in the pits, but for a fat numpty like me, it’d really help.

Sold this one a few months ago (and shouldn’t have done so):

The one I owned beforehand:

I can sell you a 20″ Ragley Piglet frame if you change your mind about steel.

I have one. Interestingly, I don’t find it xc enough, so will perhaps be just what you’re after. If you want a 20″ frame, mine’s for sale.

I’m furious that they don’t have a Kona Explosif frame in 22″.

I’m liking your spearfish too.

37 hours of very painful labour for our little lad to come into the world. My wife doesn’t remember much about it, whilst I recall every animalistic, gutteral moan and scream. Worst experience of my life (and also one of the best at the end).

My wife’s already banging on about another (he’s only 7 months old), so it can’t be that painful, can it?

What’s your support medication of choice, morgs?

I’ll be getting those über strong patches (again) I suppose…

Meds of choice: Nicorette 25mg/16hr patch, combined with Nicorette Quickmist oral spray. No disturbed sleep (seen in 24hr patch use) and low risk of adverse side effects compared to Champix/Tabex/Zyban. Far better efficacy than other meds avaiable too. 12 week course available from your GP (total prescription cost = £59.20)

Apply above with a strong commitment to stop and stay stopped, combined with positive reinforcement regarding your motives to stop, and you’re good to go.

The A4 does look tidy. The estate would be good as I can put a longboard or a couple of longers in when I want to leave it in town after a surf trip and not worry

I’ve never tried, but I’m pretty sure my 9’6″ wouldn’t fit in my A4. Nice motor though. My 1.9 TD does about 55mpg. Not that roomy for a big car though.

How about a smaller van? I had an escort van for years and loved it. Big enough to sleep in (just, at 6’6″) and fit longboards in (folding the passenger seat down), small enough to be able to park normally and decent fuel consumption. Vauxhall Astra Max van?

It’s not the winning that counts.

Devon. All the good stuff you get in Cornwall and also has good mtb (although not in North Devon).

NB. Other counties are available.

Still not as pretty as your orange one though, Coleman.

Another Jake the Snake here:

105 groupo & Aksium wheels.
Changes I’ve made from stock:

Pedals – changed to Crank Bros for mud shedding.
Stem – shorter (100mm) for nipping through switchbacks a bit easier.
Bars – Shape and drop preference.
Post – wanted a layback. Also matches stem & I’m a ponce.
Brakes – Kore cantis were seriously awful. Swapped for Avids
Saddle – one that doesn’t feel like a sofa.
Tyres – I’m something of a tyre swapper. My shed bulges with rubber.
Tape – double-wrapped ‘cos my hands are massive.
Carbon spacers added – see ‘ponce’ remark.

How can all of the worst elements of XC racing be so much fun? Pretty much out of action this year due to appalling fitness (new baby, new job) but looking forward to a couple of select, fun events in the SW league.

I did my first cross race on my mtb. Did the job fine and I managed not to come last.

Having to apply your own stickers always irritates me. Otherwise it looks alright. Not sure I’d want one though. Not pretty enough for a nancy ponce like me.

Kona Unit on eBay – click click 18″ too big for your stumpy legs?

I recently had to get rid of my van to buy a car as I had a baby. I loved my van for all the right reasons as mentoned above. It was especially fantastic for when I fancied a cheeky nap in the daytime.

There’s loads of well-hidden singletrack in that there Haldon. Woodbury is the way forward when the weather’s nasty.

100 miles on Exmoor is like 200 miles on normal roads. Steep, steep, steep.

I want to move back to Plymouth. JulianWilson and Fatmuthahubbard from here will happily show you about.

There’s an article in this months What Mountain Bike about a bloke that went on a week-long framebuilding course for his 40th, and came out with a very tidy looking frame. Certainly caught my eye.