Call me old fashioned, always pack an OS map, does tend to resolve issues like where Macclesfield, Edale, Ladybower are currently lurking.

Another thing I did was ride the liaison stages at my own pace, I rode with others every day but when/if I was slower I let them go.

Ahem, don’t know what TP ’15 holds in store but TP ’10 everybody was off their bikes and carrying them a lot of the time on the climbs, descents were amazing, don’t go at full tilt, go at 70%, that way you will last the course, also safer. Enjoy!

I have filled in the survey but having mountain biked around Bradford trails for 10 years or so am v happy the way things are’ it ai t broke don’t fix it.

So that went v well, discovered great new to me trails, ended up dropping down off the moor right by peckets well, so many to choose from, great fun. Thank you for input.

So, I have my OS map, your directions, am off shortly to check it out. will le you know how I get on.

Thank you ton and daveyboywonder, not quite the route I worked out but yours looks simpler.

Motley Crew were there one aft and this Dad asked if his lad could follow us down, he had the cheapest looking market stall mtb you ever saw, I was dead against but the others said why not, anyway he sailed around the red, loved it, turned out he was the UK motocross champion for his age and had borrowed his sister’s bike….otherwise I would say stainburn def not for the faint hearted.

Ilkley Moor, muddiest it has ever been, staying clear of it till May me thinks, give things a chance to dry out.

Alternatively just stay on the gr 221 to deia and have lovely fresh fish lunch at beach side cafe. That too is v rocky techy in places.

Recommend riding out from Porto Soller on the old Soller road head up past the abandoned hotel on the gr 221 direction deia and then turn right on the track to the light house. V rocky and techy linear there and back route. There will be walkers but it is a great shortish route.

They are privately owned woods initially planted by the current owners father back in the 1920’s, he purchased the land and planted the first trees as a commercial wood business, initially the wood processing was actually done on site. Shame though, all those lovely trails gone, was walking there yesterday trying to locate old trails but all gone, some new ones emerging though. Site is going to be totally replanted apparently as part of the ongoing business.

My soundtrack is bird song, wind in trees, rustling leaves crackling frozen mud. If I want to know how far I have gone I have been known to measure it on an OS map with a piece of string. Technotastic.

I did it in 2010 aged 51. It is a very tough and challenging race, you need a fs bike definitely, v good technical skills, there is a lot of exposure, a lot of climbing, you need to be vvvvvvv fit. If you love mountain biking in stunning scenery definitely go for it.

Tramantura tours, expensive but know some good trails, they are based in Soller and Puerto soller

Ta b.a.nana for your route suggestion, I was actually coming off the slabs looking for old bits of the former super flowy lovely techy route I used to ride and love. I am grateful I rode those routes a fair few times before the slabs were put down, I have my memories! I just hope they don’t start putting them down anywhere else or I really will cry.

http://www.firstaidtrainingbradford.co.uk/

24k route around Pen Y Ghent with MOtley Crew

When I was a youngster living in London backin the 80’s I worked as a cycle courier. Then I got a job as a bus driver. Earning a living doing either job trying to navigate London streets was hard enough and the pay was crap. These people are idiots. Delivering a proxy message was never that urgent. Thank goodness for email.

+1 hatch bag quality product.

From home to St Ives via Shipley golf course Lane onto Druids Altar, lovely views over Aire valley then down along cheeky trails to river Aire back home, W Yorks, Bingley, lovely little ride.

Re Tramantourtours.com, there may be no pool but it is beachside and beachside v child friendly.. Also +1 the riding there, it is excellent.

Well I have cycled along that bottom track and had to haul self and bike over v tall drystone wall when I got to the end which comes out on to Manor Drive. All this highly trespassing of course.

Well I go down that path, it veers a sharp left by a hole, follow that trail along til you hit another trail near a dry stone wall, there you can go left along to agap in a dry stone wall and down to the track that comes out near Steven Smiths or you can go right and follow along to a field which you cross to the golf course and then to the back lane by Shipley golf course. The trails are narrow, techy, roots rocky, steep sided and great fun. Blair witch project has got nothing on cottingley woods, sad about all the felling, bits of my favourite trails through there have been obliterated but I have had great fun working out some really good routes over the years.

Shipley glen and harden mor never looked so god.

I was clipped by a driver once as a pedestrian, it was proper scary. I reported it to police and independent witnesses also voluntarily reported it to the police and he got done for reckless driving.

Out with the MOtley Crew for 3 hours icy ride around Oxenhope, Ogden reservoir etc in West yorks. They are a group of women mountain bikers who have been meeting up and riding out first Sunday of the month every month for 10 years. Good going. A tad breezy, a tad cold but magnificent views over to East we could see the Beverley towers and N York moors and to the west on the horizon was Pen Y Ghent and Inglebrough. Nice.

Bingley Bash of course, harden Moor lovely as ever .

Sunday at Langdegla, first time there for about 5 years. I love trail centres they are brilliant we are so lucky to have them , was supposed to be at Coedybrenin today but forecast of rainsleetsnow for Wales saw me hotfoot it home last night. Sunny forecast for tomorrow so may be Gisburn bound.

I took part in TP 2010. All I can say is whatever bike you choose, however much it weighs, practise carrying it up the steepest , longest hill/mountain you know. Cycle back down turn round and repeat ad infinitum.

Ooh and enjoy it. It is fabulous albeit a tad tiring.

Rangers pass, Snowdon, February.
Puerto Soller tracks, Majorca, September
Gisburn Post Xmas ride.

Puddle tastic Gisburn, I heart a lot. Soaked within seconds of riding it today but loved it all, even the massive ‘dad gangs’ who seemed to popup everywhere.

It is all down to luck. I am 54 tomorrow, rode without problem til June this year when I got chest infection that is still with me and my riding ability has shrunk massively. Still go out, slower, much shorter distances, still enjoy it, just differently.

Ps there is a mt loop guide prob might be able to buy it from a book shop in Hebden bridge. It is a tough, long 48 mile day ride v hilly if you doing it this month you need to start early to get the day light.

There are 2 Evans bike shops by the train station at Leeds, one is a bike secure park and a proper shop just along the way. Don’t know if they hire bikes.

Absolutely, Dame Eaton cashing in, her trees, her logging, no worries. The mud was crunchy on top treacherous sloppy underneath. I was there at midday just as everything was melting. No doubt in another couple of hours it will be proper frozen again.

Went up to St Ives this morning to have a look at your handiwork, very impressed, cannot wait to ride it, will contribute financially.

I did Rangers with a pal back in February. Great fun, great day out, loved it. Want to go back.

Thank you for posting this, a refreshing change, interesting to hear about Yemen team, hope they get to UAE race.

Back from bike ride now, still fuming, seriously, this forum supposed to be about discussing bikes and trails, if men want to slag off wives/girlfriends go to chat forum. End of.