From a different perspective – I don’t have twins but I am that DNA rarity an identical twin – and we both ride bikes…

Just reflect on your good fortunate and look forward to many years of fulfillment, happiness and joy. Yes it can be tough but the good times are ineffable. I’m rather hoping one of my kids will have twins… I think our mum found the 2 of us difficult – she was only 21. One of my earliest memories is elocution lessons for the both of us. We’d developed our own language that only we understood – apparently not that unusual in identical twins. Best of luck.

Strava? what’s that then…

form trumps weight. Keep the weight low and form strict. Bent back ibvariably because of too much weight.

You know what… I don’t car who ‘owns’ the land – temporary custodian. A meaningless blip in 4 billion years of existence – I’ll ride any where in holmbury, Pitch or Winterfold that takes my fancy. Oh and I might even build some jumps as well.

Having kids – best thing we ever did. Trust me you won’t regret it.. I was 30 and was’nt that bothered. Wife was so we did. 25 years later they’ve left home and I miss them. Just me and the wife. Wish I’d had more than 2. Can’t wait for grand kids. Kids give meaning and purpose to your life. On the upside, post kids, I can ride whenever I want to. You know what though? I’d rather be teaching my 5 year old how to ride a bike.

Got one today from Shoreham By Sea Halfords – they’ve still got 2 large ones in store.

Now I look like everyone else does that mean I can join the singletrackworld club?? Spending more time on this forum than I do out on the trails!

Roadies seem to manage ok without a bag on their back…

Funny how in communal showers – yes there are still some around – you never see anyone under 40 using them?

Just down greensand way past high ashes. on the left and right of the trail. Must have been flattened 10/12 years ago. Some of it very high but there was also some lower level doable ns that I could manage. Never did learn why it got flattened. Usual H&S fabricated reasons I suppose.

I remember that stuff esp just down from high ashes farm. Some of it I could manage most not though.

A little more contemporary – dare I mention Redlands and North Shore…

Everything so much more sanitized now and still they moan about gap jumps challenging their pedestrian ambitions. No 5k rigs in the vids, to paraphrase Lance (Armstrong), ‘it’s not about the bike’.

If you can’t handle the modest challenge of evian then Redlands is a reach too far…

I’d of thought everyone would be heading over to winterfold looking for ‘evian’ or is that a deliberate ploy??

What I like about redlands is that I rarely see anyone else there. Trails are def getting more use now though as many formely hidden trails are now all too obvious.

Anyone remember ‘wave of mutilation’ there? The one over the big fallen tree and then sharply up hill. This was from 5/6 years ago. Nirvana built I recall. Now fallen into complete disuse though still just manageable.

Actually it’s owned by the FC but leased to a local farmer who runs pheasant shoots there. The game keeper isn’t bothered by mtbing, more concerned with anauthorised access by 4 wheel drives and quad bikes. Hence the recent steel barriers. Apparently 4wd smashed the wooden gate to gain access.

Been using Nirvana for some years now, as a Yorkshireman myself I find bluff straight talking Simon amusing. Nowt rong wi tellin it like it is…

Yawn…

Actually I think it’s Cumbria???

Thought so, N. Yorkshire at its best. A mini Ordessa Canyon (that’s in the Pyrenees). Was last there about 10 years ago. Now resident London so don’t get upto god’s own as much as I’d like.

I went 1×9 on a 10 year old xtr rear mech – so no clutch – just bought new cassette – 12 to 36, new chain and a thick thin Hope chain wheel. Total cost 70 quid.

Had zero problems so far. No dropped chain, and I’m doing a lot of jumping. Love the simplicity of it all. Strangely liberating not having to think about shifting front rings. Simplifies the riding experience.

Def need to be fitter for the big hills – no hiding on the granny ring.

Without doubt best thing I’ve done since I got a single speed road bike.

Ninfan – Your 3rd pic, where is it??

Went ahead and drilled the rim so it now takes a schreider valve. Easy and worked perfectly.

Now avaiable from Tesco’s for 18 quid, but only for the next couple of days..

Right, I’m def going to get on…

Thanks the code worked and I’m now just waiting for the bits to arrive and then I can go 1×9.

Have this one:

CRCIQ98TWNR

Was thinking of getting a unicycle but not sure how difficult to master. 3 months with 10 mns daily practice?

Go for the Lidl stand. At that price unbeatable value. And it’s robust. And it’s only 30 quid. I call that a ‘no brainer’.

It’s a Wild Cherry – available in red and white blossom right now. I have 3 in my garden and they are wonderfull. Amazing the number of people passing who stop and admire nature’s magnificence…

I’ve also got Magolia’s and Cammilia’s. Isn’t spring wondefull…

That’s funny satchm00

What we need is more youth on this forum… The willingness to challenge rather than accept.

Actually I do have a unicycle – still trying to learn to ride it though…

Sadly I think you’re right b45her. Too many blokes with expensive bikes they’re ill equiped to ride. What is truly depressing is the poverty of expectation and ambition they all seem to have. ‘I like what I know and I know what I like’ seems to be the mantra.

Its not about missing out or being awesome its about pushing and challenging yourself. If you don’t try and ‘up your game’ what’s the point? However you dress it most riders, deep down, aspire to jumping they just haven’t yet committed…

3/4 of the new trail now open. Absolutely brilliant… So much air… Got to be the best trail in the Surrey Hills… Leith Hill is going to get a lot busier… Reclaim its crown from the Peaslake upstart!

Big thanks to All Biked Up who built it.

I had a pair a couple of years ago they were waterproof for about a month. IMHO waterproof gloves are an oxymoron… just too many seams to work properly. And then there are waterproof socks ditto…

I have a 530D M-sport estate. Great car, loads(too much)of power. Used to have a 5 series saloon but got sick of putting the bike on the roof and all the resultant wind noise. Much better just slinging the bike in the back of an estate. I’ve also slept in it a few times – once in wales when I couldnt use a tent as a hurricane as blowing.

Only caveat are the run flat tyres -totally shit. If you have a puncture outside working hours and you need to go more than 100 miles then forget it. They also cost 225 quid everytime you puncture.

I noticed that a bit of the new trail (starts by the steps down to the quarry car park)isn’t taped off and looks in rideable condition.

BTW What’s a step-up?

I was working in Suttgart for 18 months a couple of years ago. Had a great time. Got to like a place where people drink beer in the staff restaurant at lunch time. Even the gym I went to had a bar for post workout beer! Sadly didnt manage any MTB’ing. Didn’t manage Zuggspitze either which I realy regret.

Anyway enough of reminising… Signed the petition.

Coercing my wife into 2 abortions- we were young and without money. 25 years and 2 kids later she still hasn’t forgiven me. I haven’t forgiven myself. We still talks about what it would have been like with 4 kids.

Funny thing is I now have more than enough money and live in a big house empty of kids – they’ve both left home now. Now they’ve gone I feel there’s no focus in life anymore. Yeah I know, nows the time to do all that stuff I always wanted to but couldnt because of the family. I’d rather have kids running around the house. If you’ve got em make the most of them…

Used to spend a lot of time in the Chevin 30 years ago when I lived in those parts. Many happy memories of summer evenings spent there. Not all my activities were legal… but I was young and the times were less censorious.

I was on the Chevin only 2 weeks ago – visiting from London where I now live – had a run as I often do when I'm up there. Have noticed people on bikes there and would have thought there was a lot of potential for some nice routes – it is quite steep after all.

Hope you make something happen – I'll be fetching my bike on future visits.

pjt210 – thanks for the link, have just ordered one! My point is the 8oz it weighs.