Bigface0_0 if your riding buddies think it's sad I suggest you get some new, slightly more robust ones who think it's less scarey … I mean sad 😉

Good luck if it's wet … someone will be needing it 😉

I find multi fuel stoves to heavy and too much fannying about on shorter trips, a litre of fuel is pretty heavy too. On shorter trips (1 to 3 nights) a small gas stove makes more sense … just take your pick from any of the above. You can buy a fold out support for the small gas cannisters for a few quid, which sorts the majority of stability issues.

Sorry Mr Woppit, I missed that bit in your post 😉

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Around 2.5 hours from Bristol, free bunkhouse and a more secluded / tranquil location you couldn't wish for and there's no extra charge for one to one (two in your case) tuition.

I don't think you can take a bike on the train … I'd check though.

Also aren't the Miners and Pyg tracks footpaths?

Vet told us to use margarine (yes really) worked a treat. Cat was covered in oil, worked the marg' in, it broke the oil down, wiped it off … result, non oily cat.

Aye … get some practice in for the 2011 Welsh Ride Thing! 😀

Sure it was a tent not a B+B? 😉

Horizontal TT is 22.5" centre to centre and I'd say it weighs around 25lb give or take.

I'm 5'7" if that gives you a better idea.

I run a 16" Haro Mary in monster cross trim, works really well. There's a pic of it at the link below.

http://www.forestfreeride.blogspot.com/

The husband of a woman who was here training yesterday went and rode Nant … came back very wet and muddy BUT with a great big smile on his face 😉

Just come back from riding in France … IGN maps are good but OS are still better.

Most big supermarkets sold them so you shouldn't be stuck.

Flatfish, thought it was a secret society with only you in it!

The first rule of bivvy club is …

The slowing down bit isn't something you do once you're crashing … it's something you do to help prevent a crash in the first place. Trying to slow down once things get out of hand is pretty much a sure fire way of ending up on your arse as you've entered the world of panic and panic + braking equals trouble.

Aye, slow down and learn how not to crash.

trail_rat … not the backless one. I'd been looking at a backless bag and really like the idea but I'd like a proper look at one before I splashed out. Must say RAB do a couple that I liked the look of.

Down Go-Lite bag here, packs down to nowt and weighs nowt (570g) and has pertex at the head and feet to help with any dampness.

Here here!

Ahem, Boyles law says that, if you compress a gas by reducing its volume the pressure will rise inversely proportional to the change in volume.

In less bollox speak … if you half the volume you double the pressure. So all things been equal your 150mm with 135psi will become 270psi at half travel.

Remember the increase in pressure will also rise as temp' increases too.

He's very big in Wales.

This year the Welsh Ride Thing was done in aid of the Air Ambulance, so it was a charity ride just not a usual ride … it's spread over 3 days and 2 nights with riders having to carry everything they'll need plus they have to devise their own route and navigate.

It isn't a sponsered ride though, money is raised by each rider paying a small fee to take part and by a raffle with prizes kindly donated from the bike and outdoor world. I think if you want riders to get sponsorship then it needs to be something really interesting/exciting to to fire interest … raising money for a kids charity helps here too.

If you've a charity in mind then I'd contact them as they might have some good ideas, etc.

flatfish what do you have on your head?

D+D hammocks are worth a look if pockets aren't deep enough for a Hennessy … mines been on a few outings and has been great so far.

I'm thinking that those celebs might have no real idea what they're asking their bodies and minds to go through. I'd also like to see them "compete" rather than doing it when it suits … but hey good luck to 'em.

Tis pretty impressive but more importantly Aidan is still third on the SS … go on son! 😀

I use a Carradice Super C saddle bag for longer / winter trips and a barly for summer / one night trips … had no problems with either.

trail_rat take a look at a snugpak stratosphere bivvy bag. It's an aluminium hooped job but you can ditch the hoops and use it as a normal bag. You can zip yourself up in it or leave the storm flaps open and just zip up the midge netting. The std pegs weigh more than flatfish's bike but they're easy and cheap enough to change.

I developed a quad insetion strain in Feb. Came on while out on an all nighter, what should have been a quick 40 mile spin home turned into hours of intense pain. The smallest inclines had me in the granny ring and a very low cog out back … stood up! Legs just refused to make any power and the pain was something very special. Lots of massage helped but if I'm honest I can still feel it now if I really put the hammer down … but I imagine that's not what you wanted to hear.

You two might as well move out here Stu and yes 'tis nice cake.

I'd love to come but I'll be single speeding my way (pushing) up the mountains of France … have a good afternoon all those going.

R.I.P

Mr's Norm wouldn't have a pc in the house … so it's not that.

Aye just me then … what's a newb filter?

IanB had a frame bag at the WRT made by his good lady … looked like a fantastic job.

The people that spring to mind would be Carradice … might still be a small enough concern to be interested.

Unless you want to go into Aber' then the George Borrows in one direction or the Druid Inn in the other are your only options really … we're not really blessed with hotels 😉

Someone a couple of months ago was talking about going into small scale production, don't know if owt will come of it and I can't now remember who it was.

I found that a couple of weeks ago so tried to order one. The web page told me that I could order but not pay for it then and there, however they would contact me shortly and I could pay then … I've heard nowt since, which is a shame.

Seems like there may be an appeal set up to help with costs, etc … the joys of no NHS.

That doesn't sound fantastic … fingers crossed for a full and speedy recovery.