After burning out a few Karcher pressure washers I went with kranzle.  Metal parts, spares available if required. Had mine three or four years.  Had to replace one washer.

Bought a SC frame and reserve wheels from them.  They are a pretty big operation.

I picked up one of these Naturehike tents last summer – https://amzn.to/4dQx3jr. It’s basically the same design as the MSR Hubba Hubba (I have one of those as well).  I paid around £140.  If you aren’t bothered about colour they have a bright green one for just over £100. For the price it is amazing. The inner mesh is heavier than the type used in MSR, but the poles and other fabric used is on par with the MSR. Even came with a footprint. I tent not to use the pegs as I use the Alpkit Cane pegs which are brilliant. It weighs in sub 2kg.  I’m 6ft 2 and have plenty of room.  Myself an the Mrs have used the tent and can get two full width lightweight airbeds in there without issue.

Naturehike also do some 1 man tents (Cloud Up) that look just like the Big Agnes tent I used to have a few years back.

Made my own based on the Duff Bag.  As my bikes got larger even the Monster Bag wasn’t big enough.  I need to make another bag as I have moved to an XL 29’r now and the one I made is now a little snug on the fork side of things.  I have done a few and they are not difficult to do.  I have gone overboard on binding seams and making mine as bombproof as possible though which takes a bit longer to do.

I’ll be there again taking photos. It’s pretty local to me (30 mins away).  I usually head up to the rocky step on stage 6.  2022 was damp!

Much better conditions this year. A cold start but out of the wind later in the day and it had a hint of summer! Took quite a few images near the viaduct at the start, dam head and near Lewis Burn bridge. https://www.rootsandrain.com/event12925/2024-apr-20-dirty-reiver-dirty-reiver-kielder-forest/photos/filters/photogs2589/

The triangle/exclamation light is a generic warning.  Comes up when fuel hits low, washers low, bulb gone etc.  More detail pops up via idrive. I have a 2018 F31.  Same on the mini and 1 series I had.

BMW are still doing it.  I had a courtesy car the other month.  A brand new 3 series.  Hit the high beam assist button.  Option was available for £10 or 20 per month.  Other similar options could be activated for a monthly cost.

Took photos last year and had a couple of mates doing the middle and longer length routes. You can tell the difference from when/where the photos were taken.  https://www.rootsandrain.com/event11795/2023-apr-22-dirty-reiver-dirty-reiver-kielder-forest/photos/filters/photogs2589/

It probably started raining at least a few days before the race and eased off the night before.  Around 30-50 mins after the first riders started off it started to rain again.  Temp was cool.

Huge mix of bikes, mainly gravel, some hardtail and a number of hand cycles. I spotted one or two single speed hardballs as well.   Most of the route is on forest track but some of the routes cross muddy areas as well.

Double glue with a contact adhesive.  Use this technique for kayak outfitting.  My guide can be found here – https://www.unsponsored.co.uk/press/double-glueing/

Two of the three days was super wet. I was taking photos on stage 1 Friday and then stage 4 for the other two days. High winds on Sunday didn’t help. Hiding under my umbrella trying to keep the camera gear as dry as possible.

https://www.rootsandrain.com/event10867/2023-jul-23-ard-rock-ard-rock-swaledale/photos/filters/photogs2589/

Photographed the Gralloch UCI gravel race on Saturday and was at the Boltby Bash for Sunday. Great conditions on stage 1.

My images are here – https://www.rootsandrain.com/event11523/2023-may-21-boltby-bash-boltby-bash-enduro-boltby/photos/filters/photogs2589/

There were a few MTBs.

I was out taking photos at the Gatehouse of Fleet last weekend for the race. The images from the #ucigravel race – @grallochfgravel are now live.Just a few more still going up. Over 2000 images taken and have the majority of riders. The images are being tagged with race numbers.

Saw my second snapped flat top chain in less than a week. Resulting in a broken Rival axe rear mech.

The images can be found by this link –

https://www.rootsandrain.com/event11841/2023-may-22-uci-gralloch-gatehouse-of-fleet/photos/filters/photogs2589/

That is the last of images and all that can be tagged done and up on Roots and Rain.

https://www.rootsandrain.com/event11795/2023-apr-22-dirty-reiver-dirty-reiver-kielder-forest/photos/filters/photogs2589/

My photos are now up on Roots and Rain. I’m still on with tagging but can’t tag all due to the mud and not being able to read the numbers. Photos are time stamped though.

https://www.rootsandrain.com/event11795/2023-apr-22-dirty-reiver-dirty-reiver-kielder-forest/photos/filters/photogs2589/

My images are being uploaded to Roots and Rain now.

https://www.rootsandrain.com/event11795/2023-apr-22-dirty-reiver-dirty-reiver-kielder-forest/photos/filters/photogs2589/

Does anyone have the 2023 GPX file that could be sent my way. I’m planning to take photographs on the route and upload to Root and Rain/Social Media

New SRAM AXS. XX1 cranks are new with a powermeter by the looks of it.

I used a Phenom for years (preferred the model before last) but have moved to the Power S Works for MTB use and Power Mirror for road. They are both spot on. I even have a Power Expert on the turbo bike, I completed the Rapha Festive 500 the other year (indoors) with this setup. Shape is very similar in use to the Phenom, but having a shorter nose, in my opinion, makes them way better. The Mirror version is more plush to ride that the others.

SRAM one is 5.99

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/sram-universal-derailleur-hanger/rp-prod197404

Great event. I have taken photos the last few years:

https://www.rootsandrain.com/event10167/2022-may-15-boltby-bash-boltby-bash-enduro-boltby/photos/filters/photogs2589/

Might give it a go riding.

I have been out again and decided a couple of weeks ago to move to the GTX ones until spring. Pretty warm, waterproof as you would expect. Worn with trousers I don’t get water getting in the top. Sole is def thicker than the other Trail Cross shoes.

Watched the National Trophy Series last week in South Shields. Looked great fun and pretty accessible. Was feeling tempted to give it a try. Would never be competitive but looks like a great way to spend some time.

I took a load of images and have put them on https://www.rootsandrain.com/event10664/2022-oct-30-hsbc-uk-cx-national-trophy-series-3-gypsies-green/photos/filters/photogs2589/ Totally different to shooting Enduros.

Mate has a T-130 CRS. Same issue. Was advised by TFTuned to get a Fox shock. He managed to find one (Yeti use same size) and it has been great. Problem with the design of the frame and having too much flex.

TFTuned said that in his case the repair to the RS shock would have been straight forward but SRAM/RS won’t supply parts. If the Fox bites the dust there are parts are available. New shock has probably been on a few years now.

A few from Ardrock 22

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cipohm7tthC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Any organisation that offers training or education eg: museums, national parks, NGOs

Staying in education training new teachers:

Teach 1st
SCITT
PGCSE

Civil service recruits ex teachers in sig numbers.

Like this Selle San Marco handlebar gel?

https://amzn.to/3wHEwy3

If anyone picked up some 7Mesh Foundation bib shorts in a large and don’t want them please let me know.

My order has shipped today.

Stormsure glue will work – https://amzn.to/3QNH0Tm. It takes a while to go off but i have used it successfully on a load of gear inc bladders.

My mate has been in contact with sigma. Although T&C allow them to cancel orders it looks like they will be allowing them through. He has had a dispatch message yesterday (paid for quick delivery). My order is still picking but I am expecting it to land without issue.

@unfitgeezer – I’ve been to the Loire Valley a few times as partners folks have had a house out there for years. It’s in a small hamlet way out of the way. Road riding is great but little mountain biking or indeed anything else. Not into wine or castles.

I can recommend the talk museum in Saumur if WWII and tanks is your thing. Area is a big military area, particularly cavalry. Worth half a day to visit.

This zoo – Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine, was also worth a visit last time we went to the house.

Photos are uploaded and tagged.

https://www.rootsandrain.com/event10500/2022-jul-31-ard-rock-ard-rock-swaledale/photos/filters/photogs2589/

Also putting a few of the many on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg3qPKONQ_N/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Some challenging conditions on Sunday. Helped out Mountain rescue with a rider with a broken leg on stage 4. Hence the hold and slight reroute for a period of time. Pretty wet and sloppy.

I took loads of photos and they are heading up to roots and rain now. My internet is naff so May take some time.

https://www.rootsandrain.com/event10500/2022-jul-29-ard-rock-ard-rock-enduro-swaledale/photos/filters/photogs2589/

Pretty wet first thing today but the weather cleared nicely. Was up on stage 1. Loads of images taken.

You can check them out here https://www.rootsandrain.com/event10500/2022-jul-29-ard-rock-ard-rock-enduro-swaledale/photos/filters/photogs2589/

I’m also posting some bits and bobs to Instagram. My Instagram name is @unsponsoreduk

I am a local rider and as yet have never killed a tyre. I use WTB tyres and no inserts. 2.6 Vigilante light/grippy on the front and 2.6 Trail Boss tough/fast rolling on the back. Mate uses Maxis Minions on all of his bikes. He did try Hans Dampf last year for Ard Rock which didn’t work very well. Grip was the issue. Back to Minions for this year.

The terrain is mixed inc road climbs.

I’ve posted some of my images from last year onto Instagram this am showing the conditions last year. Stages 1 and 2 are shown.

https://www.instagram.com/unsponsoreduk/

The trails have been fast and dusty the last few weeks. But it has started to rain on and off this week (as it did last year). Hecklers wood and the bottom of stage 2 will get a bit muddy.

@richardkennerley

First one to get there. Although did a see a sign put out last year that was meant to reserve a spot on stage 1. The spot was a bad one.

Not riding this year, but will be on camera duty again. Haven’t decided where I’ll base myself this year, but will be shooting Friday – Sunday so will probably mix it up. Ground is running nice and fast. Quite dusty even after the little bit of rain that we have had.

Here are some of my shots from last year Unsponsored Media – Ard Rock 2021

singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/allen-keys-and-pliers-on-ma-multitool#post-12437990

On the crunch you unscrew the adjuster to remove it. The bit holder is the hole that remains.