I can’t hid my ignorance any longer. What *is* a ‘pump track’ ?

If you can’t see it lasting then you aren’t looking very hard.

It’s hit critical mass in a couple of years and has spawned the likes of yammer for enterprise micro-blogging.

FWIW, I reckon Myspace is already dying and Facebook will start losing market share to smaller more concentrated apps like twitter. Just a hunch though.

To answer the OP, the STW collective may be interested in

http://twitter.com/singletrackworld
http://twitter.com/coticltd
http://twitter.com/shedfire
http://twitter.com/18bikes
http://twitter.com/lancearmstrong
http://twitter.com/taylorphinney
Tweets by ivanbasso

Have you exceeded the Ringer Equivalence Number? There is only enough voltage on the line to ring 3 (I think) devices. So if you have more handsets/answerphones/fax machines, you might have to disable the ringer on some.

perfect ‘skid’ there.

Have a free ‘wheelie’ from me:

Most of us were brought up on BMX surely? OK we might not have been down the local sckate park or bowl all the time but most will have spent half of their childhood on one wheel or jumping whatever you could find to lie in the middle of the road. Coke cans, planks of wood, mates…

And that was on Raliegh Burners. I figure it must be loads easier on a lightweight decent BMX.

Like rOcKeTdOg I too was up at Nant-yr-Arian. I rode up from my house and did some of the Northern section of the Conti as well as some other bits and headed home from Pendam. Did ponder heading to the visitors centre for a cake but didn’t have time. I only passed one solo rider (female I think) all day passing in the opposite direction near Nant-y-Moch on the wet section. STWer? No photo’s but here’s the route I did.

Edit, oh ’09 Merlin Malt 2

I’ve only ever used a 3/4. I’m about 5’9″ and use a selection of clothing inside the sleeping bag stuff sack for a pillow. The mat only really starts at my shoulders with the pillow above so the mat is just the right length.

Trustyrusty, do all collies find it impossible to sit up straight? ours used to poke his back feet out through his front legs like a right old spacker.

I’ve gone whole days without a single advert sometimes. Perhaps the advertisment backend was down at the time. But even so it’s not major hassle given the service they provide. I’m a huge fan.

Haven’t got anything yet though. That’s the problem. Aside from my Double Fighter IIs which will not fit the frame.

Contis are great for me as I can get a discount and pick them up from the UK distributors after work. I’m running Double Fighter IIs on the commuter at the moment but I want something narrower and faster rolling. Also I don’t think you can get anything over an inch into the BadBoy frame.

To be honest, this is the path I travel on. It gets a bit muddy when wet but it’s never a nightmare.

Maybe I could get away with a slick?

I quietly stopped posting results as I plateaued at 14.7 and even with commuting 14 miles a day on the bike now, nothing is budging. I am probably converting fat to muscle. Still weighing every day though just to be sure.

I do like the look of the roadrat but my funds don’t stretch to one. It seems that I might find a pomp or kaff at the 70-80 quid mark but not likely for a roadrat.

Merlin Malt 4?

Perhaps I’m barking up the wrong tree then.

What should I be looking for for a budget cross style bike. I’m after a comfortable commuter with drops capable of taking in a bit of mud and dealing with pot holes and slimy roads. I thought a kaffenback with drops and cyclocross wheels would fit the bill.

I’ve only ever been served 50mm measures of Baileys as a single. Sounds like the gut was trying to pull the wool over the customers eyes or they were a dullard.

OH NOES. Cookies used for targeted marketing? Is it 1995 again?

Since about generation 2/3 of most web browsers there has been the option to turn cookies off. More importantly users have the option of not visiting sites which store profile data in cookies to enhance the user experience.

I went the Malt 2 route with top spec for a couple quite under 1K and am loving thie bike more than any other I have ever owned. I’m sure a similar experience can be had the a Deore Malt 1. Go for it.

One of these?

I’d always wondered if you could fit disks in there. Oddly they’re on both sides but unlikely to be mudguard/rack mounts on such a frame surely?

Canon 30d with Canon 10-22 EF-S

I’ve got plenty more but you’re probably bored stiff by now! Sorry I love this lens and get carried away.

Tried loads out and nothing came close to the Tempur 25cm foam I ended up with. It may have been over a grand but It’s a great investment and has already made leaps and bounds towards helping my back and neck pain.

2 driveside, 1 other side on a ’09 Malt 2 with XT group if that’s of help

Having said that, Google brings up a place called:

Taylor’s Cycle Centre, Bridgetown

worth investigation

Had a walk around Bridgetown a few months ago and didn’t notice a bike shop. To be honest I don’t think I saw many bikes at all. The roads are not of the best quality.

Anyone spot All Your Base creep in there?

I’d go 50/50 stock/wine + seasoning

’09 Merlin Malt 2

(seat now set 2 inches higher!)

Where – Penrhyncoch to Aberystwyth via Lovesgrove and the Rheidol Trail or the main road depending on legs and time.

What – 1994 Spec Hardrock with yellow insulating tape holding on a bodged v-brake cable, full guards and semi slicks

When 7-8AM, 5-6PM

I have flat wide plates and I find Shimano road and mtb shoes to be a lovely fit.

Wife and I both fell asleep in the final 20 minutes. Is it repeated this week?

LOL GNARGNAR invoked Godwin’s in almost record time there!

DId anyone see the fan on BBC Breakfast this morning? In her eyes he was absolutely infallible. Blind faith.

The faster guys do the Devizes to Westminster (125 miles) in 17-18 hours in marathon C2s/K2s. So anything is possible if you’re up to it.

I used to lead 5 day expeditions on fast moving water in the Canadian Rockies (North Sask, Bow, Kootenay) and we’d usually do about 50Ks in a day IIRC. Will check log books at home, but this was with 15/16 year olds who were not overly used to paddling. up to Grade 3 rivers.

I’ve gone through phases of being interested in strobist but never had the cash for the kit so not taken any off camera stuff myself.

I just got a Merlin Malt 2 with XT, Reba Races and 717 wheelset for a touch under 1K on Cycle2Work. I think there was a price hike a qweek or so after I ordered though, so you might need to alter spec slightly to get under 1K now. Fantastic bike though. I’m really enjoying it for lightweight XC and trail center stuff.

This has been my desktop wallpaper at work for months now.

Razzing yes! Sceamager yes!

*cues Troublegum on spotify*

I just love nicely engineered things. I don’t yet own a decent watch but am looking forward to doing so. It would cost more than my monthly salary take-home to put it in perspective, but I would treasure it forever. Eyes on a Planet Ocean personally.

2-3K tops. That puts a huge selection of beautiful Swiss watches within your grasp without the excess of the 5-6 figure models.