What bike and what tyres?
That’s super-quick I’d say.

Riding locally & putting in some miles (3.5hrs) ahead of Clic24 and the Donington bash. Can’t ride the Merida as I’m working.
Tim

That Ardent is a free-ride / DH tyre.
For fast rolling, try the Jones XR.

I’ve moved to the Bonty Jones too, away from NNiccs (on the 26er) as they just wear out so darn quickly and the number of damn punctures…!
I have a pair of 29er XDX to try out next and never go beyond 2.1 (Afan needs no more than 2.1 in my view) at this time of the year. I ride a 1.8 Bonty locally and it just flies along! 2.4 at Glentress maybe though.
Tim

This, being the nature of the beast is so true.
The best views are not normally reserved for forests. I believe that is a given.
By definition there’re full of trees, although Dalby is well “vented” unlike say Glentress’s forests which are claustrophobic at times.
As you rightly point out, if you want scenery, then Dalby is not the best attraction NYM has to offer.
2:02 is seriously rapid. Good luck with your assalt on the sub 2:00 time!
Tim
ps – just catching up with previous posts: 1:50-ish that’s FAST.
Why are some Muppets so concerned in how long it takes me to drive (not ride) to Dalby from Watford?!

OK cleaver-clogs
;)
What’s the correct link / method ?
D700. Always an f2.8 zoom or a 1.4 prime. SB800. 1x Wizard. Dalby Forest.
Tim

Last try!
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AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

I’m not doing very well here.
Trying to post up an image, but thus far I have a link and then the full URL.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vt2giant/3493114575/in/photostream/

click here no1[/url]

Bonty ACX
I have them for the winter riding.
Now it’s dry I have the lighter lower profiled XDX & I’m going to try RRalfs.
At present very skinny 1.8 XR which are very quick around these parts (Watford) where we have no built-up berms or technical sections to really speak of. On them, I’ve ridden the red & black routes at Glentress (not recommended) and Dalby plus Cannock’s Red routes (just fine).
If you’re prepared to ride on skinny tires, it can be a revelation just how quick you can get a shift-on!
Tim

emailed you.
Tim

“We” decided to take a trench of G’s prisoner (like a flange of gorillas but different) one frozen morning instead of just over-running the position.
The officer cadet in charge was immediately zeroed-in by the Para Reg Rep and ended up joining them.
My own experiences are limited to Rowallan Company’s shared cookhouse with the G’s and as you say, their ability to withstand the cold trenches.
However, given the opportunity, I’d miss lunch to spend but 1/2 and hour with Purdey.
Tim

I have a 305 that I have used maybe 10 times and presently resides in its box.
I was going to put it on eBay.

Tim

Sounds good. Dalby seems to have a pro-active team with some good young staff who are taking the bull by the horns & as you say, there seems to be plenty of scope for some more technical sections.
Actually I lied, it’s not 5hrs, more like a 4hrs 53 minutes travel time.
Riding with a broken finger sounds painful, so good luck with your assalt on the 2hr time, I’m looking for 2:17 by October & that’d be about my limit.
Tim

Not as such.
There’s a huge amount of building work on-going, including just after Dixon’s Hollow.
Stu (the head Mtn bike ranger) has BIG plans for Dalby over the coming months and years.

If I wanted to take things easy we’d be chatting over on a golf forum and discussing the various merits of slippers and your latetest Jaguar’s.
Tim

Cannock for sure.
After that Dalby.
Tim

Go for a quick time and forget those other distractions that you can do an a.n.other day. Quick lap times are not about harvesting new pals, you can do that on that very occational off-day when you’re not firing on all cylinders.
Personally, living as I do some 5hrs from N Yorks, taking in the views is not part of the remit.
Just my personal approach to the trail centres.
Tim

The BBC and the Met Office do NOT talk to each other.
Go on the BBC ‘s site and you’ll see in an instant that it’s not remotely similar to the Met’s.
Always go to the Met’s
They have got it wrong every day bar Monday here in Sunny Watford
Remember: the Met Offoice have a collective case of Post Michael Fish-itus. If in doubt, tell the great-unwashed it’s going to be horrible, wet, windy and you’d best stay in doors or re-attach your Crud Catchers again.
The answer: Go, get your bike out; ride.
Hope that helps.
Tim

I managed 2:27 but that baked potato in T le D just before the ride was a huge error! All I wanten was to be rid of the damn thing and not feel so grim and belch for Britain.
I must try harder!
Tim

Have you seen the new Bonty Jones 2.1 XDX tyres?
I used to swear by Nobby Nics, but the side walls are way-too thin and wear out in no time at all. Plus they can be £££.

Tim

I do worry about time?
I’m running short of it.
Thanks

I went to school with a Sean Hardon.

Didn’t John Peel name all his kids after Liverpool footballers, including the girls?

Tim

They were the demo battalion when I was at Sandhurt. Damn fine currys in their cookhouse I can tell you – but I wish the chicken had been de-boned.

I am following up on the NDT testing with me having emailed over some images to Caparo as they’re local-ish to me.
Maybe it’s something they can undertake, maybe not.
There is a British Institute of NDT so failing this, I’ll asked other members on their books.
Tim

All manner of things affect the BP reading.
It varies throughout the day, that’s one thing to be aware of from the outset & very much affected if you’re hungry, if you’ve had any exercise like walking up stairs, if you’re in need of a pee even (joking!) .
I’ve got one at home and it gives huge readings.
Try taking a reading before and then 30 mins after a meal, and you’ll see what I mean.
Tim

I have the Jones XR on the bike as I type, which will suit dryer, faster conditions.
Off to Afan on Thursday, so looking for a more all-mountain tyre really, and the ACX looks about right.
Tim
(I don’t yet have the bike so I’m just getting things ready for my newest delivery!)

5hrs but only when I’m not manic in the office.
Sometimes the HT, sometimes the full sus’.
Meaning I have some 3.5 bikes going onto eBay in the near future (sob!).
Tim

This is exactly what happens when they need replacing:
“Either they stop freewheeling, or the opposite, they just spin freely without turning the wheel”
Tim

I run a RR on the rear on my bikes when it’s dry. NN up front on the 26ers.
I get my 29er on Tuesday, so I’m looking for a 2nd set of tyres for her.I l like the NN for the rest of the year (’til it comes to MM and Sleepless when I go to a 1.50 on the 26er.

I’m definately not looking for a Big tyre, that’s why a 2.0 / 2.2 NN would suit well. I am looking at the Bonty Jones ACX right now instead.

Other recommendations for a tyre for this time of the year?
Tim

You like your kit to match your eye colour!
Can we see this in b&w please, as this one is a little freeky?!
Tim
;)

Bushey. Or Oxhey Village to be more accurate.
I’d be keen to have a look around Ashridge – it’s quite extensive, thelit;e I’ve seen of it.
Tim@t-f-p.com

Select 200 asa as your default film speed / iso.
Put the camera’s control dial to M.
Select a shutter speed of 1/250 second.
(In fact, you could try all the shutter speeds if you like)
It might be that you had it on P and were shooting inside with a slow lens and the shutter speed is 1 second. That would account for the time delay!
Check that the lenses are correctly sighted on the camera.
Let us know how this works out.
Tim

I solo everywhere, so being safe is paramount to a successful trip.
If conditions are so poor so as not to be able to cook in either the porch or better still, safely outside, then there’s always tomorrow’s lunch of chocolate etc that can be eaten in the tent and move meal times about as best you can.
My £0.01 worth. And no, I’ve only done the Summer certificate some 25+ years ago.
Tim

TN Voyager. Bomb proof. Had it 10 years and trekked all over the world. Heavier than yours, but for multi days out on the hill, it’s worth the extra comfort and more space.
Tim

mjp. How tall are you?
You makes the bike look like a kiddies bike (26er)!
Tim

I went digital only 3 years ago.
Sold my Leica gear last year.
http://www.t-f-p.com

Tim

My 2hr Ridgeride
Here is my Ridge Ride along the Ebury way & tow path from Bushey. Turn in land at the Coy Carp and head over Sires Way (?) bridleway, Chorley Wood Common & down to the ChessValley, over the M25, and after a little road work, into the back of WDW.
Tim

Me too.
2002 Passat, maybe £1.5k.
New, my bikes would be:
Turner Flux / XT/XTR £3k
Merida FLX / XTR £4K
On-one 29er / XT £2.5k
Pace RC300 / XT £1k
It still doesn’t make me any quicker or competent!
Tim

Excellent!
I was begining to think that I was out here, mostly on my own. The America Site has a vibrant 29er scene, but not where I normally post.
Hope to collect my On-One Ti29er from my LBS mid week.
Xmas has come late in 2008!
Tim

I’m the complete opposite. The training is way more important than the steed.
My LBS is building my latest creation (it’ll be bike no5 in the shed) , I had all the bits but don’t much care for the spannering – time wasted in many ways.

Tim