When I start training hard on hill reps I will definitely get to gagging point most sessions and occasionally full chunder.

Once during a race a few years ago at the top of a big climb on the last lap.

'normal' riding I never reach that point.

Thanks guys. I figured that creaking may be a leading indicator and there was nothing on my short spin. My sense is all is well but still a niggling doubt and I certinaly do not wish to be proven wrong on a 40mph downhill 🙁

The Fort William red is actaully a good comparison in terms of type of riding. However you need to be ready for a very long descent and that really hurts the upper body.

Most people out there are good, competent riders. You occasionally see the odd person who is out of their depth but overall the range is from pro through to decent (though not exceptional) 'have a go' heros.

It is a great event. Back in 2011 I think.

Try and do some uplift days in the UK before hand if you can (not essential but it will help) and get some upper body workouts into your routine.
Enjoy!

As many above.

His commentary is one of my earliest memories as I sat down with my grand dad and uncles for 5 nations matches.

I was too young to fully appreciate the genius of the man at that time but he captivated me nonetheless. So many could learn from his example.

Best commentator ever.

RIP

Not a great update from what you already know but a couple of mates were there on Sunday and said basically it was largely a push up and a treachorous ride / push down.

Was planning on going tomorrow but I guess things will not have improved greatly.

Would be happy for someone to tell me I'm wrong 🙂

Thanks Alexxx. Will do

Fair point tragically. Will give it a miss

Thanks guys.

May order something cheap from them to see if it is fake (guessing it will be).

Thanks all

Definitely going to explore the handbuilt options

May still look at other options. Those Easton may still become my day to day wheels

Will have a look at Pete Mathews

Thanks

Just ordered the Easton's. Even though they are out of stock I think I can wait given I have a broken collarbone and teh Etape is not until July.

At that price they have got to be worth a punt!

Agree that PsycleWerx are a great LBS.

Definitely worth a vist

Stock Nicolai, Turner, Titus, Intense, LaPierre, Cove and probabbaly a few more

Switching between Maxle Pike's and QR rev's I immediately notice the difference. Significantly more flex on the rev's From a riding perspective you quickly adjust though (either way)

Personally I will not buy QR's again. Most of that is just the added security (in my head at least) of through axle

I've a Giant Anthem Advanced Carbon frame for £700.

Dickie – what size?

Think I would have cried had that last kick gone over 🙂

Awesome defensive effort and of course a little bit of luck.

Very sore head this morning!

General update in case anyone is interested 🙂

Had a couple of lengthy discussions with some experts in this field as well as a lot of internet research and made the following decisions (big thanks to all who posted on here as is really helped my questioning)

I will not get surgery. Looking at the x-ray again showed that I was not as displaced as I originally thought (initial shock factor I guess!). The two parts are very close to touching and this morning in particular I can feel them rubbing if I move in certain ways. I also have very minimal overlap.

I will stick with a standard sling. Not a lot of evidence to support the figure of 8 vs standard. May well get a figure of 8 for use when I resume light training.

In terms of excercising pretty much common sense really. If it hurts don't do it. Walking and indoor recumbant for now (yipee!!!). At least the walking will be ok. Will stop me driving Mrs Taz nuts!

Will pass on the Brian Simpson clinic. Had it been local I would have given it a punt. All in though it would have been > £300 to get there and be treated plus a 9hr+ round trip. That money could get me a pretty good turbo for when I am ready.

So again – thanks for the comments. Will post an update in due course

Gutted – broken collarbone means I am unavailable for selection 🙁

This was 'penned' into the diary

Thanks Ant. yes that thought had occurred to me also. Still enforced lay off vs planned or laziness feels different 🙁

Had a good read about these figure of eight slings. Does seem like the benefits of them are not realy quanified vs 'normal' slings.

Lot's of confusion over what truly is the best course of action. Definitely no 'one size fits all' answer or approach

Interesting Mike.

My bump competely disappears when I lie down also.

Booked an appointment with a specialist tomorrow. Will take it from there

Mike

Prior to this happening I think Iwould have agreed. I do think it is not as clear cut as that though. From a bone viewpoint that is probably the case. However potential nerve damage / infection are pretty big considerations

The break that the guy had limited success with is pretty similar to mine 😕

Just spoken to the Brian Simpson clinic.

Very interesting indeed. All in the cost would be ~ £200 including brace. They seemed very confident that they could significantly speed things up.

Pretty sure I will go down this route. Big thanks Mike! Will keep you posted

Mike

That is very interesting.

Off to google.

Thanks all – again

Thanks all.

Your comments / inputs have helped a lot! 🙂

Thanks Strato.

May look into thes figure of 8 slings

and it is 700g

Did not weigh it but thought it was actually lighter than the GD?

Regardless none of them are really going to lighten up a bike.

Have a look at the Rase Black Mamba.

Similar price to the GD but much more drop and much better at the intermediate height selections.

Not had it long enough to comment on reliability but not a lot to go wrong if kept clean.

Only downside is delivery time

10 times – wow???

I'm gong for a walk today but will be 'slightly less than 18 miles 🙂

Also may give the recumbant bike at the gym a pop!

Thanks TJ.

Was yours a displaced or non displaced. It seems that is the critical factor in determining the benefit of surgery.

I agree a non operative route would be my preference if it makes sense.

It is a very useful skill on steep slow technical stuff. Especially if on a new trail and you just want to pause for a moment to pick the line.

I think Jedi's recommendation is pretty much how I learned. Much easier on the MTB than on the road bike. Tyre width being the key differnce.

Once you can do it on the road bike it comes pretty easy on the MTB. Still did not stop me falling off in front of a huge line of traffic a couple of years back :oops:. Could almost hear the cheers 😀

Not coming this year. Will be on route back from San Diego :-(.

It is a top event.

I always manage to acquire a lot of extra tokens as people head away. Last year I must have had ~ 8 pints at the finish. The England / Oz rugby match was a bit of a blur 🙂

The mosh pit in the beer tent was awesome last year. Old men who really should know better 🙂

Ant – may be able to join. Depends if I can persuade the kids to come dig for a few hours.

Maxxis & Schwalbe both probably work the best for initial sealing though the schwalbe's are prone to side wall rips

Kenda's have worked well for me but they do need a little more sealant, more shaking and generally a bit more patience. I have converteed Blue Grooves, Nevegals, SB8's and the Han's Rey one (name escapes me)

Have a look at the Casco Viper if it is for XC duties. Not cheap but IMO much better than the Deviant and the Parachute (I've had both)

A mate of mine had a major face plant at Innerleithen. Since then all of my riding buddies have tried most of the options open to us. All of us bar one have settled on the Casco Viper. The last remaining person is on the Parachute but will definitely get the Viper when funds permit.

The Deviant was too heavy / hot for XC duties IME.

Thank's Ride the lakes.

Was thinking of doing that but feared it may end in tears. Will give it a go.

Field Marshall – never said this originally but I would echo everyone's coments on remote. No brainer for me that it helps you get the most out of the dropper type post

I was about to go for a ride but now I can't as I simple must have this product or my riding experience will be poor to say the least.

Please hurry and bring it to market and make sure it is not cheap! (credit card in hand)

Ride the lakes

How did you fix the slippage issue? I get it a bit and noticed the hole was a bit worn.

Field Marshall

Definintely go for the 4 inch drop and the multi. Use mine all the time. The 1 inch drop for the twisty pedally stuff. The 4 inch for when it gets steep and technical. TBH a 5 inch or more drop would be even better.

I have actually ordered the Rase Black Mamba. Not got it yet so cannot offer an opinion but at roughly the same price as the GD it seemed worth a punt (hopefully not an expensive mistake)

Hi Susie

Yes. You need to set up an acount with DX (assuming you have not). Then you get to see the status of the order.

I did not do this initially and was getting no info back. I set up the account and could then see the order online in my account and a day later got shipping confirmation

Thanks Smuzzy – pity.

Pinches – Go for a Large. I'm just over 6 foot and the large is fine. I could probably go for an XL at a push