Today is a bad day.

I’ve lived here just over 4 years. I sometimes find it very overwhelming that I’m here, having moved country leaving everything behind. That sometimes triggers a panic attack for me. It could anything, being on a busy motorway that isn’t like home, or being in a shop that I’ve never been into before, or even just hearing a lot of different accents.

just get out and ride, dont worry about fitness, distance, time etc, just ride

This is what I can rarely do. I often analyse how I rode and beat myself up over it. It stopped me from going out many times.

Very much struggling with anxiety at present. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for almost 20 years now. Panic attacks are relatively new thing for me. I got injured last year, slipped disc. Relapse in April this year. Not sure my anxiety is linked, but I’ve overly worried about my body. So much of what brings on my anxiety is totally irrational. It’s really really tough.

I’ve avoided CRC/Wiggle on the grounds of what they’re doing to the industry it seems. It’s been great using bike shops recently for bits and pieces that I need. I really fear that we aren’t far away from having very very few actual bikes shops around with decent stock.

Evening,

Just a quick update to say the route was largely successful and thanks for the help. I only took 2 short wrong turns! My new Edge 520 actually had most of the BW’s on the built-in maps. It wasn’t technical at all, just a nice route with great scenery.

Cheers

Col

Cool. I’ve found a BW out of the area I’m staying that should take me straight to Ravenstonedale, then I can head over to Crosby Garrett.

Just been looking at the original Bowderdale loop and it doesn’t stretch out towards Crosby Garrett. I either do that loop, or try and find that route that was posted above.

Thanks again whitestone. I’ll probably do the shorter route so I’m guessing that will be a bit less.

Does anyone have a Strava route for this loop? I’m picking up a new Garmin Edge 520 Plus tomorrow and would like to get something fired into that. Otherwise, I’m sure to get lost!

Thanks whitestone. I’m up for just doing it one way, out to Crosby Garrett and can then get a lift back. How long do you think it would take?

Considering that JLR is making a huge loss for TATA at the moment, moving some production from the UK isn’t surprising. This also only applies to certain models in the range. I do plenty of work in JLR Halewood and there has been significant investment there. The automotive industry in the UK is changing all the time.

Yea, that’s part of the fear on talking to him. I’m sure he is fighting his own battle inside, but maybe I just need to put my hand out and say that it’s perfectly normal for him to feel that way. He needs to look after himself too. Neither of them have ever had any major health problems until now, so they probably don’t know how to handle it. They can only go by what the GP/Consultant tells them. I need to find out more about that when I go home next.

Thanks so much for the replies so far.

Oddly enough, a good friend who works in mental health has mentioned that it depression can often be misdiagnosed for dementia. Sometimes when I speak to her I have felt the same, but then when she totally loses where she is on conversations (especially on the phone) I do think it’s dementia. I understand that she is on various medication. I know it has changed over the last couple of years and that she is also on anti-depressants. This has been a separate issue that she has gone to the GP about. She always feels more upbeat when she is given support and had things explained to her. When she tells me she doesn’t want to be around and that she doesn’t see the point I try and reassure her that that’s the illness, not her. It’s so difficult to hear my mum say that.

When I am home I will find out more about what the AS are doing with her now. I understand that someone will be assigned to come and see her once a week/every two weeks to take her out for coffee, help with shopping etc. She is still able to do many things on her own, feed herself, dress, shower, and go to the local shops. Anything more than that and she needs help.

I’d say about 1.5mm or so.

Thanks chaps. Yes I counted the spacers quite a few times, kept thinking I was missing one.

This is an abnormal amount of play though, definitely couldn’t ride it the way it is. Have double checked the Stans box and it’s definitely a Shimano freehub.

I’m Marshalling at the Midweek Madness race at Clayton Vale tonight.  Good luck @st colin

Thanks, I’ll need all the luck I can get. On a blue Ragley Marley

Not the same level as any of you, but have been racing in the Midweek Madness series around Greater Manchester. Coming back from a herniated disc L5/S1 and really bad sciatica, I was somehow able to throw my leg over the bike and do the races. It’s been the only riding I’ve really been doing – the odd weekend ride thrown in – and trying to go flat out for an hour every other week dam near kills me. The last round at Lee Quarry, I have never felt so awful before and after a race. Zero energy all day, didn’t eat much at all and had nothing in my legs. Final round tonight and somehow could finish in the top 3 overall in my category due to an odd scoring system.

I’m thinking of formulating a proper plan for training over winter with a view for next years racing.

Yea, they are the same rim anyway effectively, so I’m only paying for the priviledge of Hope.

Think I’ll go with the S1’s.

So, sitting here trying to justify paying almost twice as much for the Stans Mk3s on Hope hubs over the Stans Flow S1 wheelset…. I’m not sure they will be 40% more performance wise….

Thanks again.

Stupid question, the Flow Mk3 on Hope is obviously a custom build, where is the best place to go for them?

I have SRAM on my hardtail, basic NX though, and i find it a bit clunky, worse than the basic shimano. Been great in every other respect though.

Thanks chaps. Yea, I’ve never had a problem with SLX stuff, but the XT groupset is very close on price.

I can get the Flows for £250 a set which I think is great value. Not sure I’m good enough to run noisy Hope hubs ;)

Only ever used a gel when I’ve hit the wall. Not really a fan. Used a couple when I ran marathons.

Much prefer a decent breakfast and then something light on the ride.

Unfortunately I can’t make it, not feeling great at the moment. Hopefully next week.

Thanks for the ride, really enjoyed it. My hatred for steps knows no bounds :)

I’m a touch early. Road works aren’t too bad at all.

I might bring the boooouncy bike, will decide later.

Should be there for this one. Daft question, will I need my light(s)?

First MNPR for me for a long time, I have a blue Ragley Marley and a dodgy Irish accent.

I will try and make Monday nights ride. Please excuse me turning up on the big bouncy bike.  With impending back surgery I need to keep things as soft and comfortable as I can. I’ve been doing a few XC races lately and the hardtail has been tight work on my back.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

When I moved here nearly 4 years ago I went on a few of the MNPR rides. I was living in Royton at that point so was pretty handy to me. I’m near Chorlton so just inside the M60. I couldn’t stay after for the usual beer and crisps but was always made to feel welcome. Would be good to meet up with the Marple/New Mills groups etc and would like to get to know more of the Peak District.

Finally got something booked, nice little Air BnB apartment just outside Wadebridge. The guy that owns it is a keen biker and happy to show us some local trails.

Now, let’s hope for some decent weather!

We’re 35/30, so almost still young enough to like a party ;)

Nah, we’re happy with somewhere a bit quieter though. Will look at the suggestions.

Thanks for all the replies, appreciate it. We’re looking at the 15th-17th June at the moment.

Thanks for the reply Ross. Paragliding sounds interesting, will have a look at the website.

Travelling from Manchester, hoping to stay in Bristol area on the Thursday night before travelling onwards early on the Friday morning.

Same here unfortunately. Currently sitting on the sofa really wishing tomorrow never comes.

I judge myself on every ride and the outcome is that I’m rubbish. I’m unfit, slow, crap, and look stupid. Injury has played a part in all this. I wonder if it’s worth the effort.

I’m in the doldrums. Last June I suffered an L5 S1 herniation. 4-5 months recovery. Back biking very lightly (light running and swimming also) and then suffered a relapse mid January. I’m a mid pack finishers at very best, racing enduro and some XC. I gave up my entry for the first round of the PMBA this year and I’m extremely anxious about racing the next round in April. Had a biking weekend in Scotland at the weekend and really struggled. I felt awful, was at the back of the pack by a long way all weekend and can’t find the motivation to try and ride more. I don’t really know how to train for enduro, or xc. I really like racing, I like the atmosphere, being surrounded by lots of others riding the same taped trails that you wouldn’t normally do. I’m 35 and feel like I’ll never be better than mid pack.

Any advice?

Well, an interesting weekend. As I was meeting friends from home coming across from Belfast, we met at Dalbeattie for the Friday ride. Not a drop of snow on the trails and actually a really nice place to ride. Has a nice natural feeling to it. Saturday we made an attempt to ride at Glentress. Couldn’t believe how much snow was still about. We made it to Buzzards and up to berm baby berm, but it was crazy. Rode some of the lower blues and called it a day early. Decided that even with heavy rain, it wasn’t going to improve for the Sunday so we rode Mabie instead. Great conditions and good fun.

I honestly can’t see the higher trails at GT and Inners being clear next weekend or even the following weekend.

Cheers all. Good news joshvegas, well as in its thawing. I’ll be packing the waterproofs!

Yea, run an app and keep an eye core temps etc.

I’m running:

i5 4590

8gb RAM

GTX 1060 3gb

23” 1080p IPS panel

I can run most things with ultra/high with no issues. Mostly Assetto Corsa and Project Cars 2.