5'7" and ride a 16" iO … you'll need a pretty long seatpost but otherwise you should be fine.

Aidan … ygm

Don't reckon you'd be far off the mark with a Vango Tempest. The 200, 2 man version should have enough room with a nice big porch. It'll also cost about £85 online. The 300 will be a touch heavier and exceed your £100.

*Sorry you're right, that 3% reduction in distance could be a real lifesaver 😀 … and someone has to stay behind and man the tipee. It's too big a construction to leave on its own!

*Shouldn't take the p1ss as I'd have given anything for 4 miles less when riding back from the Trans Cambrian mission.

Flipflops or Crocs could be well worthwhile … won't weigh much and might just save wet feet.

Yea that'll make all the difference 😉

Just had a look at that link John … that's my road and field that is, however the bluebells might not be 😀

Stuart

Cheers Sam, I'll look forward to mine snapping now then 😉

I've used one off road quite a lot. It does move around a bit but you really don't notice it. I tend to use a Carradice bag support just for peace of mind, a friend uses a Super C with a QR bracket and it's fine. I can fit just enough stuff in for an overnight bivvy trip or a week of hostels.

The older it gets the better it looks too 😉

Stuart

You lot are quick … do those routes include all 13 grid references or 11?

Stuart

I'm with Rusty Spanner here … Not a fan of backpacks but the AlpKit Gourdon is great … see below.

http://welshridething.blogspot.com/

Stuart

I'm looking forward to it and I'm not even going 😉

Had your email John and will reply … hoping to get the grid references out today sometime. If you're on the list and haven't had them by Sunday check your spam folder.

Cheers
Stuart

'If someone is bricking it, their conscious brain is shut down'

"Tis so true … it's one of the reasons people panic brake, you know right on the edge of a drop or step. Often don't even realise they've pulled the brakes on.

Stuart

As glenp says get them to understand that sitting down is not an option … it's something even quite experienced riders will do as anxiety levels rise. They're adults so be honest with them, explain what will and will not make them crash, they'll either except it and continue to ride / progress or they won't.

Yes a skills course would make a massive difference to them … but I'm biased 😉

Have you considered that they may not trust your advice? Don't take that the wrong way but I do see lots of people who spent their time riding with good riders but they find it difficult to accept their advice … if that makes sense.

Stuart

Something in this months TGO mag about this … best thing they found was hydrogen peroxide solution … they reckon it didn't bleach the clothes either.

Don't i0s have grub screws and a bolt up axle?

If you have a clear exit and a large enough braking area after the steps then don't think about braking. If you have to brake then do as glenp says and alter your position to compensate for the forces generated by braking.

Don't hang off the back of the bike … instead try to stay relaxed and allow the bike to move beneath you which will put you in the correct position relative to the bike.

Don't lock the forks out … you paid good money for them so use them.

Good luck

stuart

Bribe me and I'll give you a route 😀

Tell you what flatfish give me £200 and I'll sort you out a route round the Beacons, sort you out a field to stick your tent up, print you a T shirt and bung a few energy bars in your pocket … job done 😉

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Girls Only courses or one to one tuition (which isn't any extra) … free bunkhouse too.

That you need to hang off the back of the bike when going downhill off road ..

If you ride on flats then you're not doing it properly ..

You can't ride SS on flat pedals ..

You need 6" of rear travel to ride the final descent of the ClimachX … whoever said that was a proper nob 😉

Simwit have a look here http://welshridething.blogspot.com/ you'll find the GR for last years Welsh Ride Thing that flatfish speaks of. If you need anymore info / advice get in touch.

Cheers
Stuart

Tin foil ?

I've got an F14 and to be honest I'm not that impressed, the fit or quality doesn't seem the best. There's very little adjustment for the strapping (you can't alter the cradle at the rear) and I seem to have put a dent in it without the aid of crashing. If I was buying again I'd look at a Fox flux.

Stuart

Aye Alpkit … the Airloks? are very lightweight so would make a great bag liner.

Stu / Sheldon you're more than welcome, we can all practice our rad skillz or something like that.

Sheldon please bring your bike … so I'll have somewhere to hang me jacket to dry 😉

Don't worry Stu I'm been as slack as everyone else … which'll be why I haven't sent my prize down to you yet 😉

The quality is very good, I took a look the Super Twinkie Taylor borrowed off Shaggy … certainly looks like it'd stand up to any amount of abuse.

Is this the second lot you've ordered then Taylor? … it must be, the others were due weeks ago 😉

39 : 18 on my Felt, good for proper off road.

Plenty of rock steps at the top and enough to keep you interested for the rest … I often gauge a descent by how many push down it and the top section of the Gap sees a few.

I'd say do the Gap road … do it in the right direction and you'll get you descent. You can ride from Brecon.

You find that you're riding in the Beacons not the Brecons … Brecon is just the town 😉

Think you'll find Earls are a US company.

Ta … don't worry, I'm instructing so I'll be out in the rain with you but nearer to a kettle which as you know is very important to me 😀

It'll p1ss it down … it's Easter and my birthday so the weather has no choice 😉

"Don't have your full weight on the saddle" … if you're riding something technical the most dangerous place you can ever be is sat down!

Cheap / nasty flats are a real problem as are some of the poorer designed more expensive ones. 50/50's spring to mind there- as the spindle body is the highest part of the pedal there's no cocave for for foot to sit into(yes, I know Sam Hill seems to manage alright). As has been mentioned earlier, move your foot into a more forward position than you would if you were clipped in as this will help stop your foot coming off the pedal in a backwards direction and never fully straighten your knees, this stops your feet lifting and coming off sideways.

Stuart

As Aidan says … it's very common for people to try and land rear wheel first (believing this will prevent an over the bars type accident) landing rear wheel first often has the opposite effect and throws the front wheel into the ground. If you've a down slope landing allow the front to drop the idea is to put both wheels on the ground at the same time. If it's a flat landing still aim to land the wheels together but you'll need more input as you'll be trying to hold (NOT LIFT) the front wheel and keep it at the same angle as your landing.

Stuart

I've got 17's on my Carver and I really like 'em. I believe they don't look too funny either. 😉

Stuart

Taylor … John asked if I was out over Easter but I'm instructing so stuck here. I said that perhaps you might have a trip planned. I've obviously ne idea if you have or haven't but just thought you might 😉

Stuart (sturat!)