but i’d rather spend the evening doing something outside.

Get a head torch and go trail running at night… I bet it’s hard work trying to out run the wolfman!

I’ve got a set of Fox Van’s on my ’06 Spot and they’re a perfect match. Though I do wish they were a bit stiffer. I know my mate has Pikes on his and swears by them.

BTW there are Rumours

The only part of Rumours I’m interested in is the Chain… The Beeb better bring it back!!!

Here’s a lovely looking car:

I don’t think anyone can call it. With the new rule changes it could be anyone’s year. Heard rumours Ferrari weren’t fully up to speed with the new regs and the like. I do think Renault could be front runners and I’d like to see Alonso up there fighting with the others.

One thing’s for sure, there will be a lot of broken front wings after the first corner at Bert Park…

I just read this on the BBc websh*te about England’s preperation for Saturday:

Despite the renewed impetus to cut their penalty count, England have been training with 14 men this week in case they find themselves a man down against Wales.

Who was it who said Wales by 20? I’d say Wales by 30…

I’d love to make a change – but i’m too chicken and have too many debts from university first time round to consider doing it all again. If I lose my job (which in the current climate is a distinct possibility) then I think I’ll have a good long think about what I’m doing.

You poor wee thing. You must awfy confused.

Who’d have thought a Welsh Tory would actually exist…

We crossed the try line three times on Sunday – admittedly only one of them was actually finished properly but still, that’s more try line action than we’ve seen for a long time. I am optimistic that things can change and that we can get better. :wink:

But then I am every year and we never do!

Max Evans is playing at 12 I think. Danielli is playing on the wing.

If only Williams and then Hadden had groomed (oo-er) Paterson for the 10 role I think we’d be in much better shape.

To be honest I think Lamont has had his day – Scotland Vs. France 2006 to be precise. His brother is sorely missed however, as is Walker.

Walker and Evans as the wing pairing – that’s a combination I’d like to see.

Hadden has called up Danielli to replace Lamont. Now whilst Lamont didn’t have that great a game on Saturday – Danielli??

Why does it take a thumping defeat (I was at Murrayfield, it was horrible – bar the last 10 minutes) for Hadden to sit up and take notice?

The Welsh didn’t play that well either so I wouldn’t be too smug if I were them. Our piss poor performance flattered them. Ireland and France both looked very good and if the Welsh continue to kick backwards/sideways for the rest of the tournament they won’t be winning it.

Barely architecturising in London these days – filthy global depression, sorry, downturn…

Hope all is well with you. Give me a bell next time you’re off oop north!

You going to be dragging that rigid SS monster up Dumfries way anytime soon, Stoner? You can come race me on my 5″ full travel beast… :wink:

The Beard.

Lucky I’ve got skinny legs then…

Cheers all.

I’ve been out with Freeride Spain, was an excellent trip! I recognise a few of the locations in those photo’s!

Damn – really want to go back now…

I got turfed off a bus at midnight last night and had to walk the rest of the way home as the control room had decided the conditions were too dangerous for the bus drivers.

Was pretty cool walking the streets of London in the middle of a night, streets empty and snow falling!

If the top of the bolt has come off can’t you just pull the driveside crank off?

Mrs Beard has got into biking and really enjoys it. Though this wasn’t always the case. For a long time rides used to involve getting roughly half way round – normally the exact point where to turn back would take just as long as to carry on – then a wee tantrum. The bike would have get thrown into the undergrowth and there would be a somewhat heated discussion in the middle of the forest. It is at this point that some random forest user would appear, which always caused embarrassment on my part. We’d finally get going again but normally now both in sullen moods and just wanting home. We’d get home then she’d apologise and promise not to do it again and could we go out next weekend.

And repeat.

Thankfully all this (sort of) ended after she went on one of the excellent Dirt Diva’s courses out in Swinley Forest. She has done two courses now, came top of the class both times and has made a whole group of girly MTB buddies and is keen to do some racing. So I can highly recommend a course, dirt Divas works so well as they run it exclusively for women so they feel more relaxed.

Best bit was on her first course all the women admitted to throwing tantrums when out riding with partners.

I knew it…

Well I’ve bought some cheap Superstar ones to try out so if I learn some new skills and improve my technique it’ll be all good.

That is if I survive Superstar pedals of course!

It’s *you* that drives improvemnets, not the kit you’re usin

Well I suggest a spelling course for starters… :wink:

I know the areas I wish to improve in and feel that learning proper technique is the way to do it – I see riding on flats as a way to improve my technique. It’s hardly a case of substituting ability with kit…

This happened to a load of our favourite local trails back home. We ended up using it as an opportunity to find some new lines and now have one hell of a trail that drops near vertically down a forwarder trail over some decent drops.

Every cloud has a silver lining! :-)

Surely if you’re happy riding clipless pedals in all circumstances then there’s nothing that flat’s would add other than being able to say “I can bunnyhop without ‘cheating'”.

I’d still stick with clips, but it’s my technique I want to improve.

And I already have a decent gouge in my shin from early flat pedals back in the mid 90’s so pads would be used… Pads make you look cool don’t they?

Power Straps? Were they those purple things Dave Hemming used to use? They were cool…

I am considering a course somewhere, but the flats thing intrigued me. I do rely on being clipped in to bunny hop the bike and so forth and I’m pretty sure that has lead to poor technique.

All the old worn rings on my Stylo chainset were replaced with Shimano if that helps.

Do you think a better quality flat bar would make a difference? I’m currently using a cheap Specialized one that cam off an old bike.

Or is that just a case of a fool and his money… :wink:

Nope, if anything it could go higher.

Yes. I have XTR with Avid rotors, works fines.

I have been through three rounds of redundancies in the past year, going through a fourth at the moment. Got a really bad feeling about this one. Already switched to a four day week and taken a 10% pay cut as a result and finding that I have less and less to do each day… I too have a wedding to pay for this year. Wish they’d stop toying with us and just make the damn redundancies. There will probably be more before summer again even if I get through this round…

But hey, more time to ride bikes right?

I used to own 2005 Stumpy HT, it was a brilliant bike. Pretty much as described above. I’d buy another in a shot. Still using the saddle that came on it now actually. Only sold it as I didn’t want such a XC race orientated machine, it was a wee bit harsh for really long days in the saddle and I’m a notorious sufferer of upgradeitis… :oops:

They are 160 IS mount calipers. How do I get extra height out of them? :?:

Specialized may be giant corporate whores but they don’t have make good handling bikes. I used to have a Stumpy HT and it was a beautifully balanced bike. It got thrashed all over the shop. I rode the V-trail at Glentress on it with 90mm forks and V-brakes. Hands hurt like **** afterwards. These days I’d take a 5" full susser… :oops:

Was a brilliant bike and I’d buy one again in an instant.

If I weren’t skint.

There are lots of deep dust traps in between the boulder fields too.

Scope for some north shore then.

Has he been looking at the ugly bikes thread?

We’re going through the same thing here. Except it looks like our directors are cutting our salaries and not their own… :x

Times have loads of float but then you need to twist more to release so might not be best option for unclipping quickly.

Nonsense, just as easy to get in and out of as any other pedal if not more so. I have been using them for a while and never had a problem. Used them with Spesh shoes too just fine. Great if you ride in filthy UK mud a lot.

I do a lot of solo riding nd it never really crossed my mind that it might be a bad idea until I was up in the Highlands in the summer and was riding across a mountain pass all on me tod. After riding for three or four hours I got to the highest point of the pass and was well and truly on my own. Suddenly the weather turned, cloud came down and the wind and rain picked up. Never felt so alone! Took it very easy on the descent and almost hugged the first person I saw once back in civilisation. Well, Glenelg. About as civilised as it gets up there. I do try and always make sure people know where I’m going and always carry my phone.

Though in the days before mobiles it was always a very long, and sometimes painful, walk to get help.

How did we manage back then?

I use the UST version on my 5 spot and really rate them if it helps.

Bib tights do wind me up – how do you go for a leak without stripping off completely!

I got Gore ones with a conveniently placed zip. Absolute genius.

I have to cover my knees or they complain like fury. I’ve got bib tights, 3/4 length shorts, knee warmers – the works. Think the Endura 3/4 MT500 tights I got are my favourite. Fit really well and can be used pretty much all year round.

Cheers Monkey, though I doubt I can use any of those arguments to persuade Mrs Beard that I need a new shock…