Had a Push 116 on my Patrol, actually improved the tech climbing no end as well as making it even more fun on the downs. On slow grinding tech climbs it felt like the back wheel was glued to whatever you were going up.
Not a weight weenie or even known for my climbing prowess so didn’t notice the weight penalty from the RS Delux preciously fitted.
Note: the 116 is a hefty investment but its currently getting reconfigured for fitting on my new Sentinel when it arrives, not many shocks allow you to do that.

174cm on a large, 50mm stem, SC’s seem to size out a little on the short side from my experience.

If you are a fan of shaky video (managed to set my GoPro to a non-Hypersmooth resolution) and 80’s Yugoslavian synth punk then you are in for a treat…..and if I get the video link to work.

Chamberlain waving his written promise from Hitler must be up there, I mean, he signed the document and everything.

I recently bought a complete 2017 SC Tallboy C from my LBS for roughly 2,500 GBP. Its a mk3 so has the current geometry but has the 2017 color scheme so a bargain to be had. Even after upgrading the forks to MRP Ribbon Air (set to 130mm) and Flow Mk3 wheels it still falls under your 3.5k target.
Its an absolute blast, so much so I’m considering selling my Firebird as it now hardly gets ridden.

Just been quoted 16,000 honky (around 1,700 GBP) for a full set to be installed now from my local LBS, shifter an rear mech only purchases not available at the moment.
Wireless is the future and for me, I reckon thats around 3 years in the future, Im usually an early adopter but I think that this is a little rich even for me.

I live in Hong Kong, its pretty crowded, on an island next to the airport, its a major airport. Even though over 60% of HK is country parks you would be hard pressed to find seclusion unless you really went off-piste, during the weekdays.

Isnt it Gear before Wine?

A dropper post, any I have bought or used in the last 6 years.

Do it, your 25, I presume with no mortgage or family commitments so the world is your omelette.
The one caveat I would say with Oz or NZ is try to get a job lined up before you go if possible.

A skill or trade is portable, you can take it with you.

Caught this cheeky little monkey trailside today searching for grubs, didnt seem that bothered by me.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtcwdtJFusc/

Ride in SE Asia so look for light weight kit were possible for summer riding and so far the best I’ve used at Specialized Enduro shorts, this is compared with the Madison, Enduro and SweetProtectiin shorts I also have.
Very lite, nice short length, a single zipped pocket for the essentials and with simple Velcro waist adjustment.

BTW … the atomic attacks on Japan were straightforwardly wrong

Having spend much time in Japan, and with Japanese friends, I have thought of this many time however I recently read Quartered Safe Out Her and in it it gives an interesting perspective from a soldier (in this case in the 14th Army) who was actually on the ground fighting, I believe the same comments could be raised about the Western or eastern Fronts.
In summary, if you can degrade the enemies ability to fight, no matter how much, then you limit the amount of poor sods on the front line who have to lose their lives to defeat them.

If you like snow, the beach and some great saunas hit Jurmala in Latvia, short drive from Riga.

Notice this more and more on my trips back to the UK, I expect its a combination of factors though drugs and mental health issues would probably be some of the main factors.
I speak from limited experience of this as a cousin has recently be ‘sectioned’ (not sure of the correct term) after he went through a bit of a bad patch which at one stage had him living in a tent on the outskirts of Swindon. I also have a relative who works for a homeless charity in Camberley, which is as middle class an area as you can get and it seems to be a growing issue there.
Now living in a place with some of the highest gaps between poverty and wealth in the world, accompanied by it being one of the most expensive places in the world for property but I am surprised by all of this as I never see the level of homelessness/beggers as I do when back in the UK (ironically we do have an issue with European ‘beg-packers’).

it’s the little brown **** that you’ve got to watch for

We get these (German) a lot in summer, although mostly dead as the wife likes to leave some very effective Korean poison lying around in the recesses of our apartment.
Often see the big black ones about and once found one next to our TV, it was a shock to me to realize they actually fly as it took off as I was about to swot it.
Used to see both in numbers in the cheap restaurants in the back-end of Kowloon where I used to work, even remember being with a mate when he found one in his bowl of noodles, never ate there again.
They cant survive microwaving or the nuclear apocalypse.

Your not missing anything.

Nivarna, unplugged in New York.

Amazing album, and one of a series by MTV Unplugged which were pretty pretty good.

QoS is up the with one of the best Bonds.

Die another Day is up there with Octopussy, Moonraker and Spectre.

…and so a conspiracy theory begins…

Indeed, though its more a poor choice of words by myself, I just thought that the Guardian in their current coverage on that particular news topic, were maybe taking a more extreme stance that almost reflected that covered in the article.
Theres a whole different conversation on the difference between news and opinion.

The Sandy Hook Conspirators really do make you despair.

Cant help thinking the Guardian is running this as damage limitation on its current Covington Catholic High School campaign though.

Littered all around the countryside near me, in urban areas they seem to be cleared up quickly by the authorities.

Just reminds me of good morning riding in a local race, usually I’m either pictured pushing or standing looking down on something I have broken.

Can’t believe the Searchers has never been remade actually

I’m thinking Ground Hog Day.

She will win with 55 votes, my random generated number has as much validity as any poll.

Hart seems to be in the right place and the core message of leading by example is something we can all agree to.
Now, if we can just get tampon adverts to shy away from skydiving and riding horses over deserted beaches to an evening of complaining about bike trips appearing to take precedence over family holidays advertising may start resembling reality.

+1 for Blackview, my BV7000 has been indestructible over the last 18 months, battery still going strong and the camera is not too bad. They can be a little ‘chunky’ but so would any phone rated at IP68.

Currently enjoying an uninterrupted view over Victoria Harbor from the 19th floor,HK side and opposite the old airport in Kowloon. Would be cool if the airport was still open but now I just see cruise liners pulling in and out, not the same #firstworlddissapointments

Given up hope of posting so apologizes for the links!!!

Started of the year right with a trip to Rotorua, great trails, empty bike parks and even a copter ride.

Started doing a little more competitive stuff locally as more events are now getting organized, this was a little DH race at Tai Mo Shan (Tin Man).

Been a tough year for everyone injury wise this year, here I had to get Sonny out of one of the local Lantau trails after he popped his shoulder :(

Lucky enough to catch up with an old biking buddy who had moved to Melbourne and ride the Youyangs a couple of times in October.

Finally popped my Enduro cherry last month, the International Chiang Mai Enduro, good fun and will look to do a few more of the Asian Enduro Series next year.

In a meeting, then several after, then a restaurant. Never did get that sale but been together 11 years now, nearly nine of those married.

Wasn’t the Duke of Wellington both a politician and a serving general?

Yes, no kids and the being out of the UK away from family makes Christmas very un-christmassy for me so will probably pop out for a quick 3-4 hour session.

Japan is 5+ hours from HKG, not a skier but maybe too late, if you’ve not been I would recommend just going anyway and spending some time traveling around.
Cebu in the Philippines is meant to be good for diving, short cheap flight from Honkers, Bali is a bit further but not that bad flight time wise.
If you want to get out and pedal you can do that in HK as its still within riding season here, otherwise Chiang Mai is good between now and early April, 2.5 hours flight.
Of course you also have the rest of Thailand, Air Asia should be able to get you there cheaply.

He’ll be along soon ..

Just back from the recent International Chiang Mai Enduro and tend to go once or twice a year, feel free to PM me for info on guides, accommodation etc.
Trails have been worked due to the recent race and I have never seen them in such good condition, there’s even some loam there now which Ive never seen before.
Now till March is a good time to go and now there is a good choice of guides these days that even have bikes that are fit for purpose (though its always better to take your own).

Actually met Phil Atwill at the recent Chiang Mai Enduro and he came across as a real nice guy, taking time to talk to everyone who came up to him and being a generally approachable guy to all the awe struck local young riders. Not a bad rider either and likes a beer so hes no.1 in my book. I think he is the only pro British rider I have met in the flesh so cant comment on others but I like the cut of Danny Harts jib for his sense of humor alone.

As per the original thread I’m on my 6th rear mech, various XX1 to GX models, over the last 2 years or so though in fairness the last one in October was a rock strike (the original 4 were all pulley related). It looks like they have fixed the problem from what I hear and have experienced over the last 6 months…..fingers crossed.

Note: on bike trips I now always pack a spare emergency mech!

For many years I was severely in the red but that taught me to cut back, pay the debt and get back in the black.

once you have that mentality it’s easy to live within you means.

+1 This for me.

I think its impossible these days for people in their 20-30’s not to have to live with some debt bar the Bank of Parents stepping in.

Just watched in all last week, struggled to enjoy it as much as the Colombian series and found the ending a little too implausible.

Sheep farmers spout more bollocks, as usual

https://youtu.be/RxSbTlH0K4w

Running, yes, definitely or I wouldn’t be able to walk the next day.

If a long ride, I’ll stretch to a pint or two.