Do not move till the light changes , riding a bike does not give you an exsuse to brake the law

This ^

I once jumped a red light to get onto one of the busiest roundabouts in Sheffield before the cars. There were no pedestrians anywhere near the crossing. The police officer coming behind on his motorbike didn’t agree with the “self-preservation” excuse and I got a £15-£20 fine.

Lesson learned

Are midge bars acceptable in cyclocross races, or in the 3 Peaks?

I clambered up the path a bit further and I couldn’t, the path had been completely destroyed by 4x4s.

Well according to a recent STW post, Chapelgate is not as gnar as it used to be. Click here for the post from 3 weeks ago.

Specialized Hotrock x2 here. Proper little MTB and very decent weight.

How about a Crank Brothers Cobalt 11 Carbon Layback Seatpost from On-One?

I can’t comment on the quality, but when I saw the price on their web site today I couldn’t resist getting one for my carbon HT. A little more than your budget, but it ticks all the pre-ride boxes for me.

Not tried them, but like the look of On-One Midge bars

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts on this. Seems like the riding sensibly (where, when and how) works for most people where it concerns FPs … almost unanimously.

Totally agree that the RoW set-up in England is dumb. Access works pretty well in Scotland, which is where I’m from. Maybe riding FPs with consideration is a positive thing, as the historic trespass on Kinder was many years ago.

Just to add to the couple of comments questioning what I wrote about riding on FPs with my mates. I have followed my mates down FPs when out for a ride (last time a couple of weeks ago) – it just doesn’t feel right to me. What it does make me do is question (beforehand) if I want to go on a specific ride knowing that it will take in FPs.

Maybe this is just a sign of things to come (or go in this case)?

Kielder100 is gone. OMM Bike (Polaris) was Cancelled at last minute for different reasons,but entries were low. Planet X came up with the Lakes Epic a couple of years ago but was never repeated. Back in Black is off the calendar this year. The list goes on.

Are there just too many events? Difficult for organisers to make any profit?

Quite sad about it really.

Done

Like here?

Like the associated text on page 25 …

“Derailleur adjustments must be performed by skilled personnel; a badly adjusted derailleur can result in an accident, personal injury, or death.”

I’ve got some Oakley prescription Eye Jackets from these guys http://www.extreme-eyewear.co.uk/

Cost a lot (~£235), but would I wouldn’t be without then. Depends on how stable your prescription is, but I find that I don’t need to change my cycling glasses as often as I get new regular glasses. I can handle the prescription being a little out on them – so the cost doesn’t seem so bad since I’m keeping my latest ones for 5+ years (so far)

If you want different lenses for different light conditions (I have Fire Iridium and Perssimon) then the cost does rack up.

I have an Atera Strada 4 bike tow ball mounted rack. Had roof bar mounted carrier in the past, but love the tow ball system for many of the reasons others have given; ease of access for loading, petrol consumption …

One thing to add. Check the allowable nose weight for your car. It has to be at least the weight of the rack plus bikes. Otherwise the handling of your car will be affected.

I run a 39/26 with an 11-34 cassette on my carbon HT. I ride in the Peaks so go up some steep stuff. I’m a light-weight and fairly quick on the ups. This set-up is fine, but I’d need more gears on my heavier FS. Like an earlier poster said, work out your gear ratios now and compare to what you are planning.

A double specific front mech will better suit the narrower spread of gears. When I first went for a double chainset a triple mech looked wrong but it worked.

Prescription Oakley flak jackets here. Expensive but worth it.

N plus 1

I have both, but if I could only have one I’d keep my HT. I ride in the Peaks, where FS is more the norm, but I just love the simplicity of a light HT.

Try hiring or borrowing a FS locally to help make up your mind.

I have loads of great memories from Polaris in the past, but for me the winter 94 event can’t be beaten.

We’d ridden badly for two days and had a mid-table points score. I was on the look out for a write-up in a bike mag a few weeks later. Picking up MTB Pro in WH Smiths I was chuffed to bits to see ME riding my Dave Yates on the front cover!!!

I have a Topeak RX Rear Defender. It looks ugly, but does a good job.

Just put some Crud Race Guards on my childrens bikes. Look much better, and perform just as well as the Topeak.

The only downside to the Topeak is the strap/clamp. It’s a bit fiddly, but once you have figured it out it does hold the guard securely.

Bagaboo bags are great. You even get to chose your own design and colours. Made of very tough materials. Hard wearing and very waterproof. Had mine for a few years and still looks great.

Signed

Nope it’s in the Peaks for sure. The Brecon Beacons is one of the OMM running events.

Last year Askrigg area was brilliant. As the Peak District is my local ride I’m a bit disappointed about the location too. Great area, but not ideal for Polaris IMO. If the number of entries on the OMM site are correct a podium finish is achievable for me this year.

Check out Ed Oxley’s (Great Rock) skills training. Great teacher.

Thanks, so you think I should contact Cotic rather than someone like TF Tuned, who would machine a bolt to my frame mount dimensions. Just thought I may be able to buy the hardware I need elsewhere.

Specialized Hotrock is a great bike. Well built and light. I have one for both my girls.

I have used these guys without any problems …

Homepage

Sorry to hear about your mates bike. That happened to me at work too, and it sucks. In my case the company also had CCTV (broken) and a secuirty guard sitting 6 foot away from my bike.

A legal friend of mind said I should push for compensation (failure in duty of care etc.), and a reasonable company would meet you part way given the deficiencies in their security. In the end I decided it wasn’t worth the bother and grief it could cause for me at work. But after I spoke to them about it they were quick to put up signs and replace the CCTV – nothing to do with the incident of course 😉

Think your friend would be best to chalk it up to experience.

I also have an Atera Strada (3 bike model, with additional tray for 4th bike).

Sometimes a bit fiddily to fit the support arms to the top tubes, but it’s a great quality rack. Really stable, and holds the bikes securely. Easy to fit onto car, but does weight ~15kg.

In the past I’ve had Atera roof bars and a Hollywood tailgate (strap-on) rack. The tow ball mounted rack is the most convenient to use so far, and I have no plans to change that.

Only downside is the cost – v. expensive – but you get what you pay for.

For anyone thinking about a tow ball mounted rack remember to check the permitted nose weight of your car. It has to be greater than the combined weight of the rack and bikes you’re going to carry.

Don’t chance it. Make a fuss and get your money back.

Many thanks 😀