Gently Benevolent who was, ironically, a complete b*st*rd…

😀

I just got a pair of the Northwave Arctic boots as well. First ride out involved driving rain, hail, flooded roads and it was bloody cold. Water eventually got in the top after an hour of filthy weather, but my feet stayed warm the whole time. Took an AGE to dry them out. All in all pretty chuffed with them though, far better than overshoes.

Wasn’t it imported by some nurseries? Either way it’s here now. Dalbeattie forest is right on my doorstep. I’ll be make sure I don’t get any leaves stuck to me on my way out…

I’ve just about got over the prequels. Just about. I can only hope, as has been said above, that without Lucas controlling everything they may actually manage to produce something close to Empire.

If not at least blow Jar Jar Binks out an airlock.

For those of you who hate Mumford and Sons:

Mark E Smith – a new breed of hero

6music is good – yeah they play some stuff I don’t like but there’s plenty I do.

Olympic MTB course! Taken with my phone so it’s a bit small.

Vented jawbones are pretty good. non-vented steam VERY easily.

I quite liked it, thought it started slow but found it’s stride about a third of the way through. Few bits had me laughing out loud…

I get to sit in lots of meeting where people quote various building regulations and British standards. I just sit there sniggering thinking of space corp directive 34124. No officer with false teeth shall attempt oral sex in zero gravity!

Is ‘serious technical flaws’ government speak for ‘someone got caught with their snout in the trough’?

I got one of the BC3 packs last year for commuting and bivvy trips. I think they’re excellent bags. Quite heavy, but they do take the load off your back and onto your hips really well. I have often forgot that I have a heavy bag on! It’s been used and abused and held up really well. Could do with pockets on the hip belt but other than that no complaints. Used it on a multi day bivvy trip and it was excellent. Stable when riding technical sections, the load wasn’t even that noticeable after a few days. They are pricey but worth it I reckon.

See, I have this itch. And it’s sort of a Cotic Soul type itch. These threads don’t help me, not one bit…

I think it’s the most bonkers one yet…

Bloody nervous! Was flying until a month or so ago, now feel decidedly unready and unfit. Still, be ‘fun’, right?

I would recommend a carbon Scott to anyone who will listen

+1

I have a Scale and whilst my riding style may best be described as jey-boy lite, I’ve ridden it (badly) all over the shop, off drops, jumps, rocks and even crashed it a few times. Tough as old boots. Plus stupid light.

I am a big fan of UST nobby nics. Find they are a bit pressure sensitive (though not as bad as Conti UST tyres) but once set right they grip well and roll fast enough (but not on grass…does anything?)

In my experience an experienced CAD technician is worth their weight in gold. Though if you want to make big bucks get into BIM as apparently that’s the future.

I’m now officially lusting after a 29er – I want that Grand Canyon CF SLX 29er, it’s gorgeous…

I regularly still use the big ring! Here’s a pic of a very muddy Scale to demonstrate 😀

Have to say I am tempted by 2X10 though…

Normal radar lenses don’t fit all that well, but you can get them in.

OP – I bought a darker lens for road riding but I use the photochromic one for 99% of my riding. In fact, haven’t needed the darker lens yet. what a great British summer we’re having…

Mine don’t go that dark on really hot days. Apparently they don’t work so well in the heat and I find that they struggle a bit when road riding on those rare really bright hot days. But for MTB rides they’re nigh on perfect. Used them from first light right through to darkness, really impressed. Plus the fit is perfect.

I’ve never been particularly good (more of a confused roadie than anything else!) Lately it all seems to have got worse too. Been properly mincing through technical stuff… And I can’t jump for toffee, despite trying!

I’ve got an INOV8 25L bag which is excellent for riding, it’s so light and doesn’t clip the back of my helmet when descending. If you’re worried about stuff getting filthy just wrap it in a plastic bag (I use an alpkit drybag if I’m worried about the weather). My mate has the slightly smaller one which he loves also. They’re cheaper and lighter and put the weight on your hips, what’s not to like?

Back again this year, thankfully missed last year due to family stuff. Praying it’s dry… Need to sort out getting there and camping as I haven’t had the chance yet… Also riding solo after all my buddies bailed. So do say hello!

I’m in a similar position, I’m no more than a few weeks away from leaving the big smoke and going back home to Scotland. Can’t think of much I’ll miss, I’ve always been more of a country boy, grew up in the sticks, off home so the bairn can have a better quality of life. Living in the middle of some cracking mountain biking had nothing to do with the decision whatsoever. No sir… 8)

The bike looked more fluorescent red in real life…

Ah ha. That will be it then. Pretty useless this time of year then…

Taking the wife and bairn to both days. Must remember not to drool at Ms. Batty too much on the Saturday 8)

Really looking forward to it!

Anyone has spare tickets for the Sunday let me know, my sister and brother in law would love to come along.

I watch Postman Pat most mornings with the kids and to be fair the guy consistantly messes up just about every special delivery that he has in his care. He’ll often drop parcels in rivers, let them be taken by crows, let Jess rip them to shreds (this happened to a bouncy castle). Often Pat will have to enlist the help of emergency services just to make amends for his incompetence.

In my opinion Postman Pat is an absolute imbecile!

Tell me about it! He’s a public menace. Though to be fair at no point does he give up and just leave a card for the parcel’s recipient saying ‘attempted delivery’…

Is Wiggins not still being called Twiggo as he was a couple of years back?

Yeah, Turner will sort you out. Drop them an email.

I am an architect and I do a lot of small jobs like this.

We’ve found the best thing to have a very clear and specific appointment document, that way the client is aware from the word go about what they’ll get. We can also recommend forms of appointment for builders to make sure the relationship between all parties is clearly defined. Managing a client’s expectations is a difficult part of the job as many people have little of no experience of the industry and need guidance through each and every step. It may seem expensive, but you very often get what you pay for.

Yes, people fall out and disagreements arise, that’s why it is also important that any appointment document lays out a framework for dealing with these situations. RIBA have a lot of guidance on their website (so they’re good for something). Alternatively drop me a PM and I’ll do my best to help you out.

A good architect can help guide you through the whole process from start to finish and will deliver the project you want. A good builder is key to this process. Find both and you’re laughing.

I went from a Flux and a 5 Spot in the shed to a Scott Scale. Absolutely no regrets, the Scale is much lighter, climbs better and looks awesome. I’ve ridden silly distances on it and not been too beaten up plus ridden many of the same trails and not had any problems (though a few buttock clenching moments!!) But then I am more of a roadie on knobblies so I appreciate the ar$e up head down position of the Scale a lot more than the slacker angles of the full sus bikes.

Really tempted by a Spark mind you…

I did my first CX race yesterday. Crashed on the first or second lap, can’t remember… Hit a tree stump trying to pass someone on a wee bit of singletrack. Landed on my head. Is it possible to get whiplash from a bike accident? Then had a mad dash to try and get back on.

Still awesome fun. Will do more.

For what it’s worth I had a horst link Flux which I rode for a while. Awesome bike, really was great fun to ride. Did Kielder on it last year no problems (well, other than a hope seat clamp bolt shearing…) But, for me, it wasn’t quite right! With 100mm of rear travel it was very comfy, but not quite fast enough, and too heavy… It’s a fast trail bike, not a race bike basically. I sold it and got a Scott Scale instead. Now that is fast. Very fast. I don’t miss the rear shock at all. I run fat tubeless tyres at low pressure which combined with the carbon frame make for a surprisingly comfy ride. Not quite the same as a full sus but good enough for me. The low weight makes climbing a breeze too. It also descends really well, the handling is spot on. Technical descents are a tad more ‘engaging’ now though!

Can’t see me buying a full bouncer again to be honest. Probably not helping matters much but hey if you liked the handling of the Spark you should try the Scale.

Had one for a while, cracking bike, light and stiff, great fun for blasting around the woods or long technical trails. I started to get into endurance racing though, so sold it for something a bit more suitable.

Only problem I had was at 6’2″ I found the large to be a bit cramped cockpit wise. Layback post and a 100mm stem and it still felt a tad small.

Can’t believe no one has mentioned Bender from Futurama….

Ah, nice. I have the 105 version for commuting and CX duties, they’re ace bikes, really nice handling. Do you get insane fork judder when braking on the front? If it had 2 cage mounts I’d proclaim it perfect.

We’ve had GSP’s my whole life. If you have the time to (properly) train them I’m sure they’d make an excellent trail partner, but, and it’s a fairly big but… they’re completely hyperactive/mental animals. They’ll run themselves into the ground (I’ve had to carry one off the hill on several occasions) they love chasing things (like bikes…) and hunting is what they do. Out on the hill the slightest hint of game and they’ll be off. And I mean off. The red mist descends and BANG, gone.

They need a lot of exercise as they have a lot of energy to burn. I think they make really brilliant family pets, very loyal and they love attention. Real characters. I’d not have any other dog!

It’s a bit of a yank yee-ha, high-five sort of a website but there’s some excellent links and advice here:

Home

I’m a long time veggie and it has never been a problem for me. I train and ride plenty and have no trouble getting enough protein.

I’m quite intrigued by them too, especially for long all day rides and the like. The VR50 ones look pretty good.

Carbon assembly paste is your friend. Buy some.