I would echo what AlexSimon said. I picked up a Thinkpad x200 for £150 on ebay a few months back. Think about putting an SSD in it (about £60-70) as it will prolong the usable life span and make it damm fast!

what was the course like?

Erm apart from muddy, really good fun. The stage started off not to steep and fast, before betting techincal with steeper sections. Lots of off camber roots, gullys and a couple of nice drops in Cann Woods kept things interesting. The last stage end section was like being the ball in a pin ball machine! I finshed before my bike did. 😆

I will be there too!

Which snorkel for Mini Enduro?

ndthornton: Yes that is true, not sure though on jumps on a blue graded trail? Trailer jump anyone? 😈

Del: Just replyed to your email, you should have one from my gmail account.

Well now the dust has settled.

Del: I am prob free Saturday with a plan to ride Sunday if you need hand clear stuff. From the data I have at my finger tips (feel free to guess where I am!) Friday looks to be 20-25 knt winds (23-28 mph) so there maybe more work created.

Russ

Del yeah thats the bit.I love the line, so I would just try and reinforce it and improve drainage. The drop at the fireroad brake could be rebuilt to as it has lost some height.

Its a shame that the big sweepy steep corners are eroding so quickly. Not sure how they could be reinformace/protected.

Could you also drop me an email as I’m sure I can help with some ad-hoc trail work now and then! Email in profile.

No Probs. The new feature sounds promising! Riding though puddles is the best bit. 😈

I love the new section at the top of the Red Route fire road/singletrack climb. Any plans for the top part?

Del – As a local to Haldon i’m for sure in your debt! It’s a shame that the maintiance sessions are during the week as I would be happy to help out for a few hours on a weekend/evening.

Haldon does have alot of logging actvity at the moment but I’m sure in the long run things will work out well, esp. as “off piste” gets tweaked and changed. After all change is good right?

<Pedants’ Corner>
It’s Spam Musubi and it comes from Hawaii!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_musubi

</Pedants’ Corner>

I have no idea how it compares to Gorrick’s but it is always a technical lap with everything from roots/rocks and bombholes to technical climbing. Newham Parks stands up pretty well in the wet and the weather next week should not effect it that badly. Tire wise I dont think you will need Mud X’s from the start but bring in case of biblical rain. I am based in Exeter and at the mo it dry and breezy so I think the trails will be well drained before the rain comes. My gut feeling High Rollers might be my choice to start.

Hope this helps a little!

I can officially tell that is sand and dust from a dust storm in north Africa! See http://t.co/274o1CmX for details.

Russ

@Dyffers I know what Jay and Maddie are like so my thinking is more of the same i.e a high technical standard! 🙂

As people might be aware the cafe is shut. From what I know it closed to breaches of the lease around rent and opening times. Good news is that about 40 parties have shown interest in the lease so here’s hoping for a quick turn around!

This is problem with the internet, it becomes hard to judge weather the seal issue is genuine bad design or whether the few who have had issues are just more vocal than those who are more that happy with there kit. 😕

Anyone with XT’s wish to step forward in support?

Hmm at the mo Hope seem to be the best bet for winter.

@geordiemick00 ygm

@jonb well that’s a bummer now. Anyone else got any ideas then? Not sure on the feel of Avids tbh.

@geordiemick00 hmm thats mighty tempting, but I an stuck with a £200 quid max limit. You can also ways drop the price. 😉

“Speed Crap” the only comp where picolax is a banned substance….

I will have to as the BB needs doing but hoping to get the bits prior to sorting the bb and shock bushing. Grr

“A ball ride across the line…” 😀

“I think he macaroni’ed his pants” has to the quote of the day! 😀

@thepodge: Unless you live in my head no…well I hope not….

@cruzheckler: That’s what I have heard but the Giant website if naff all use. I feel a call to my local Giant dealer may be on the cards tomorrow at this rate.

Bucko & Trailseeker: I also have the afternoon off work so was eyeing up Woodbury as the sun should be out!

I this what you are after? Sram X7 LH Shifter CRC

As no one has spotted it, the bike used to be an Ellsworth Joker so must have been a big off.

As no one has spotted it, the bike used to be an Ellsworth Joker so must have been a big off.

There you go. Nice bike to; 🙂

I swear by the Crank Brothers Alloy Pump. It is well made and has the advantage that it has two settings, one for high volume and one for high pressure which is a god send when you have a large volume tyre and want more than 15psi in it!

Russ

Hey dude, glad you got it all sorted 🙂

Russ (The Guy with sweets…)

So a Pair of Fox forks would be perfect but new they are out of my price range!

Anyone got a second hand pair going for between 250-300 quid? 🙂

Very true Jimbo…sadly I can be lazy. 😉 But then I would only blame myself!

So for a Trailstar what Fox’s would work well?

Thanks for the feed back.

I am starting to wonder with the invention of the the tinternet it is getting very hard to find a balanced view as the nay sayers always seem to be more vocal that the people who are happy with there product.

So anyone else want to share there good stories about there forks?

Russ

Hi there,

What is happening by the sound of it is that Lightroom has been set up (in error possible) to automatically adjust the photos on import. When you import check at the bottom of the dialogue box, you should may see something there. Sorry for the vagueness but I am at work and dont have access to Lightroom. I will have a look tonight and report back. 🙂

Russ

Hey sparky,

I am based in Exeter, but willing to travel a bit. It just seems with places like Haldon and Woodbury on our doorstep why the shortage of races?

Russ

I believe the answer is as follows: Back in the white poo days dog owners would let there dogs chew on bones and as a result they would absorb calcium. This calcium would often end up not being absorbed by the dog and come out in it poo hence the white colour. Nowadays people don’t let the dogs chew bones so they don’t absorbed the calcium.

Russ

Thanks everyone. It is about a 30 min ride with a solid climb on the way in. I agree it is a good way to start the day. 🙂

Oh nice, I like it. But sadly a little over budget. Any one else?

So Brant any sign of the pics yet?

Russ