That’s shit.

I moved to Manchester from Belfast almost 4 years ago now. I actually felt relatively safe were I lived for 32 years of my life. And considering what Northern Ireland did to itself for nearly 4 decades, some people find that odd. I live in south Manchester now. It’s riddled with a serious amount of ASB. We had to phone the police 3 times in 2 days last week. Two on the same night, attempted burglary, youths trying to steal cars and a mental guy trying to get through our front door at 1am. This area has 999 calls every night about burglaries, ASB and violent abuse. Police can’t cope, people are scared. It’s a nice place, but filled with little shits. Why do they do it? Because they can, and it makes them look like heroes to their mates. Simple gang mentality. And if they get away with it, they’ll keep on doing it.

My girlfriend has a 2017 Liv Pique 3, small. She loves it. She’s 5 3” with short legs and average reach. She loves it. Yes, the geometry on the Liv bikes seems to differ from regular geometry and that higher bb and steeper head angle seems to work. Her body position is central and even though the hardtail she came from had similar numbers in reach and head angle, she is much more confident on this. The wider bars help of course, and she loves the colours – which I think look great.

Thanks for those replies.

Today I’ve got a cold brewing, so perhaps I do have a virus knocking around somewhere.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Sold myself down the river there….

In her words ‘very likely to be a red herring’

Interesting thread. I started distance running back in 2016 when I moved over here to Manchester. Ran my first Parkrun at around 23 minutes or so. Got it down to around the mid late 20’s when I trained for my first marathon then. The following year when training for Belfast I got my 5k PB of 19.25. Came from more miles, including XC over winter, and core/strength training. Also knocked 30 minutes of my marathon time on a much hillier course. Speed and strength work is your friend for the shorter distances.

Big thanks to chakaping for taking me around Rivington for a quick blast. Was very wet and quite muddy in places, but very enjoyable sliding around on the bike again. Has reminded me why I need to get out more.

Yea, it’s the tactile side of it :)

I thought that getting 4-5 tracks per side would get annoying but I do like changing it. The artwork and sleeves are great, too.

As an Arsenal fan you can imagine how I feel after Wednesday night ;)

Nah, fair play to them. They’re playing really well at the minute and I can see them making the quarter/semi finals in the UCL.

As for Arsenal, well, I lost my enthusiasm for them about 6 years ago and nothing has changed. The odd splash of greatness amongst an ocean of mediocrity. I’m surprised we are 5th in the table. I wouldn’t be surprised if we beat City on Sunday, Spurs next week and then loose to Burnley and Huddersfield. Don’t think we’ll make the Europa League finals either.

I’m loving vinyl at the moment. Got my girlfriend a nice little budget set-up last year, Marantz turntable with built in pre-amp, Cambridge Audio amp and some Wharfedale 220’s.

I love the ‘faff’ it adds to the experience of listening to it.

It’s a real struggle for me. Been out since the end of June with a back injury. Have been waiting for surgery but that is off now. Getting back into it slowly. Rode Llandegla last Sunday, 21 miles, 2500ft, and I was busted. My legs had given up with about 5/6 miles to go. It’s going to take a long time building back up again and have lost touch with riding buddies.

I’m based in south Manchester, so not much riding around these parts. Can someone drag me out on Sunday please?

Been too long since I’ve been on one of these rides. Must get along soon now that I’m getting back into it after injury. Has always been a fun relaxed ride out.

Could it be that these riders are getting better because people are riding more? My first full suspension bike was a Meta 55, about 1 1/2″ shorter, 2.5deg steeper and 20mm less travel than my current Reign. Still think I was quicker on some trails on the Meta.

I rode my Marley hardtail around Llandegla on Sunday. It was my first time out in over 3 months and it’s a great little bike. It’s 10mm shorter, 1deg steeper and about 3 inches shorter in the wheelbase than the Reign.

Yes, this current geometry seems to inspire confidence, but isn’t always faster IMO.

Considered a Leon ST FR? I’ve had mine over 2 years now, great car. It’s the 180hp 2.0tdi. Nice interior (VAG bits), drives well, decent boot.

Can say the same as everyone else about MPG. Since new I’ve averaged about 47mpg.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Last night was much better than I thought. We practiced more sink downs which I’m almost getting. I’m keeping an arm up for security but I can now feel myself sinking! After that we slipped on the flippers and practiced on our sides and leading with our arm. For the first time I was able to breath out and in, and back in again. Pretty chuffed that I got it although having the flippers on helped with the momentum through the water.

Thankfully there are no sharks in Manchester….

Thanks all. I’m breathing out fine under the water, although I feel better doing it in stages rather than one long exhale. I’m hoping it will click.

Yea Binners, that’s my goal. At this stage it seems a long way off!!

I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow. My leg/nerve pain has pretty much gone overall, but has been flaring up slightly in the past few days. Lower back stiffness has been present for months now in varying strengths.

Worried that perhaps I don’t need surgery.

I’m 6 2″ and ride a 2016 L Giant Reign. It is 459mm reach. I’d prefer another 15mm or so, but once you get it going it feels great.

I enjoyed a couple of the descent in this video of mine. Think the last one is Les Arcs?

It’s a complicated part of the body!

I’ve had many sessions of physio all giving short term relief only to go back to the usual stiffness/soreness within a week or two.

I doubt you’ve slipped a disc, but best to get it checked out.

I’d say you could be blinkered by your own riding circles. Yea, I don’t tend to notice the younger riders (15-20), but there’s more people in the 20-40 group I guess, as with most sports.

Llandegla in the morning with the girlfriend for her first blast around the red loop.

I think it’s fashionable to hate trial centres. They have their place, for sure. Yes, I prefer ‘natural’ trials, but I really love some sections of trial centres. I also think they are much more appealing to beginners. My girlfriend is really getting into it and she prefers riding at a trial centre. Clearer trials, waymarked, and less intimidating than throwing her into the woods :D

Heading to Llandegla on Saturday with her for a spin around the red. The red there has a few nice sections :)

Well, overall I had a great day. Was in for the full enduro same as last year. 6 weeks ago I slipped a disc in my back, so with a lot of careful back ‘managment’ I decided to go and enjoy if as a nice day out on the bike and not be bothered about the time. Huge lack of fitness with no riding in the last 8 weeks really and holding back in places due to my back, I got around in 23:06. Had two comedy moments that lost me around 30 seconds or so. Stage 3, my goggles fell off knocking my glasses to the end of my nose. Had to stop and sort that out. Then on stage 6 my GoPro launched itself off the helmet mount down the hill. Luckily a guy fixing a puncture caught it!

Enjoyed all stages, with 3 being my least favourite. The transition from 4 was a huge improvement. I hope they keep that for next year. SRAM were also very helpful ;)

’till next year!

That section was good fun last year. There was bodies and bikes everywhere when I passed through.

With all this rain – and more to come – it’ll be a different box of frogs this year.

There’s a chance I might not be riding with my injury, if not I’ll be heading there armed with my camera.

Never heard of him :lol:

Ah, the place that I call home. I moved to Manchester 3 years ago and it’s the one thing I absolutely do not miss.

But you know, I grew up in a pretty strong loyalist area. I remember feeling safe as a kid and loving the 12th of July. Got to make a band pole and everything. But I don’t really remember thinking as a kid what it was about. I definitely remember the hatred, though. Maybe I turned out alright and caught onto to it as a young adult. my mates and I used it as an excuse for a piss up when we were younger. Now most of my friends at home leave Belfast and get away for a few days over that period.

0835 for me on Saturday.

My only concern is the fact I’m injured and have been for 3 weeks. If I’m cleared to ride, I’m going to need all the energy I can get.

Stages aren’t overly technical – although it was bone dry last year – being relatively long and the transitions are hard enough.

Simply can’t afford it :( I have a basic Bupa scheme with work, might be worth exploring.

Sorry to drag this up again. How are you doing Grum? (and everyone else)

I’ve had another bad spell made worse by my bad back. Over a week ago I ran a trail race around Sheffield and afterwards I could hardly walk. Got to the doctors on Monday morning and been resigned to home since then with diazepam amongst other things. Going for an MRI scan tonight and another physio appointment in 2 weeks. My back issues have been ongoing for over 10 years with no clear reason for my problems. Came from a football injury when I was younger and it manifests itself in different ways; stiff lower back, sciatica, spasms, cramps etc.

Really down in the dumps. Had to miss the PMBA Enduro in Kirroughtree at the weekend and can’t do other stuff I’ve booked and paid for.

Thanks chaps. Doing my frame bearings soon and have already earmarked that kit from Giant.

Yes, I’m using an M12 bar on 6903 bearings that have an ID of 17mm. Will look at investing in better kit.

Good news grum. Fellow photographer person here, although my demons give me a hard time about that too.

I’m still feeling tired from my marathon back at the start of the month. Been on a few bike rides and the odd run but still feel a bit drained. But I’ve been really struggling with work. For the last few weeks I haven’t done much at all other than react to some things. I work in sales (engineering) and I’m based at home.

Grum, how you doing?

Did you take the 1.0 or 2.0 – i.e. have you got the manitou or suntour fork?

I have the 1.0 with the Manitou fork. Seems a decent fork. Pretty stiff and the damping is fine for the bikes use.

I’ve had mine since February. Use it on XC type rides. It’s a great bike. Climbs well and the slack head angle shouldn’t give you any issues there. I’ve just developed an issue with my freehub/cassette so it’s back to the shop for the second time. First was a missing wavey washer from the non drive side crank arm. I got mine from MTB Monster in Blackburn and they’ve been great.

Feeling worse today. After sleeping most of yesterday I have been awake from around 4 this morning. Another thumping headache too.

I need to speak to my boss. He’s very understanding and is aware of my situation, but I know I’m letting him and others in my work down by not being at work. All I’ve done so far today is faff around on YouTube. I’ve tried to arrange a ride for this Saturday, but I don’t know if I’ll make it out.

I spent most of todays saying ‘I should be doing this’ and not doing any of it. And that just puts me deeper into the rut. Ruminating about every thought, and wearing myself down about it. I’ve been like this for years. I found some emails to a friend from 2006 when I think people (and me) started to see changes in me.

Yea, been on around 6-7 different ones over the years citalopram being one of the most common. I was on Venlafaxine, a different type, lastly before stopping.

I like the idea of mindfulness. But I’m such a perfectionist that if I can’t do something like that 100% correctly with the best results, I can’t cope.

No. Can’t face the doctors at all. Been trying for years and get the ‘here’s some meds’ and been referred a couple of times for CBT/counselling. Just going it alone with my own head. Slept to well after 12 today and haven’t done that for years.

This time last week I’d just completed a marathon. That doesn’t even seem real.

Not a good couple of days for me. Off work and in a big rut.