I must ride there before I die.

I use an N-Gear Jump Stop, a RaceFace bash ring and an e13 Guide Ring chainring. Works really well and has done since 2005, even with a "normal" chainring.

Another +1 for Weirwolf 2.5s. One of my all-time favourite tyres. Just make sure they're the DNA rubber ones.

I've just been up the bank at the back of our garden picking blackberries in the rain. Peace and crumble :o)

Happy birthday Essel'. Nice bike BTW. Birthday bikes are the best.

Hope you didn't miss the green skewers! Like I said, looked great at the time. 🙂

Don't go for the red. I have not seen a bike that doesn't look hideous with those stupid tyres.

I thought they looked **** awesome, in 2000! 🙄

WWWOOOOOOOOOOFFFF!!!!

He's a beauty, uber cute :o)

Anyone else now really wanting a road bike?

Every year! I had a lovely Wilier about 8 years ago but had to sell it. Every year since I've been wanting to replace it, as soon as the tour appears on the telly.

Currently lusting after one of these:

Mmmmm, PRS hollowbody, drool :oP

Glad to be of service :o)

When I turn the axle by hand it does not turn smoothly, but feels 'indexed', kind of a 'dit-dit-dit-dit' feeling, as if bearings are pitted. This is not normal right? There is also a tiny bit of play.

No it's not normal. The bearings grinding together or clicking into pits in the races could be amplified by the frame and make a cracking sound. Have you tried a different wheel?

"That was uglier than a lion raping a sheep"

– Rob Warner, from today's Freecaster world cup downhill coverage.

Gracia is a legend. I've met him (briefly) and he seemed a thoroughly nice bloke to boot.

In the MTBCut video on the front page he said he wanted to flip the jump he ended up suiciding at Fort William. Nutter and legend.

Ate a sandwich containing both sausage and bacon!

That's a shame, I remember it being fun.

Went up there a couple of times when I lived in Petersfield. There are a lot of tracks throughout the woods between the paths marked on the OS map because they have motorbike enduros there every so often. There's a steep flinty descent into the edge of the woods from Ditcham Park school, known as Widow Maker, here: http://www.multimap.com/s/MbyRyEc0
I keep meaning to go back to explore, as I'm much better acquainted with the trails further north up the Sussex Border Path.

Just took some up to date pics of my gear for insurance purposes so thought I'd share :o)

Yamaha Pacifica 604W

Ibanez RG620QS

Ibanez RGA321F

Ibanez EW20WNE

Pedal board

Mesa Boogie Stiletto Deuce and Marshall 1936

Me in my Xen in 2006, after owning the Karrimor trail at CyB.

I'm a very loyal Giro user and have since moved on to an E2, a much better helmet then the Xen, IMHO.

I think you are more excited about it than you should be…

I'm not that excited, more pleased and proud. It looks more impressive "in the flesh", and should look even better once it has healed, as those who are into tattoos will be able to appreciate.

I've only really posted the pics because I thought it would be a good example to CG, showing what you can have done in relative comfort.

That's OK, she likes maggots and beetroot.

Just washed:

My wife got her first done today, a blue and purple chrysanthemum on her right shoulder. It took nearly four hours and she sat really well. Generally she's a right wimp so if she can sit for four hours then any of us lot can!

This is the last picture I could get in the studio. I'll take some better ones when she washes it later and as it heals.

More work-in-progress pics HERE[/url].

Could be up for that, sounds good. May be able to bring a couple of other non-forum lads along too.

Great vid. Think your dog wants handlebars.
That "massive stick" in the last shot is more of a branch surely!?

Love the trashed disc drive! Why were so many using latex tubes? What did they think would happen to them?

Mamadirt, thanks for sharing the M&P catalogue. Sheer retro p0rn.

Nice work! I've nearly bought that book a few times now but your pics are pushing me towards amazon!

Should say on the shell. What does the small etching say below the Hope logo?

strange effect

Everyone's different I suppose. I'd wear mine all the time if I could.

I've got bronze polarized too. I have had VR28, gold and red iridium in the past and reckon the bronze lens is the best all rounder of the four.

Blazin-saddles, why do you think polarised is "not much good for bike riding"?

Another +1 for Time.

I've been 1×9 since 2005, first on a 456 and then a Sanderson Breath.
I use an N-Gear Jump Stop on the inside and a bash ring on the outside. Medium cage XT rear mech, chain as short as possible. No noise, no drag, extremely simple setup.
Here's a couple of pics of the setup on my old 456:

Why did he put it in the bin?

The Oakley's looks scarily expensive, but thanks for the ideas. Any body use anything cheaper?

Eyesight is not worth scrimping on, IMHO.

I've got some prescription Oakley Straight Jackets, from RX Sport. I use them for everything, including on-bike duties. Money very well spent.

The most important thing: Was his bike OK?!?

Rigid: check!
Old school: check! ('95 Diamondback Apex)

On my ride home from work this evening. Ended up going the long way home (2 hours instead of 3/4 of an hour) because I was enjoying it :o)

How do you guys all find rigid for bumpy stuff – loads of arm pump?

I don't suffer arm pump but my neck and shoulders do start to ache after about an hour. I'm always amazed how fast you can go on rigid, you just need to change your riding style and pay a lot more attention to the trail!

Only just seen this thread. Fingers crossed here. Hope he turns up soon, safe and sound.

One from a road trip of Welsh trail centres a couple of mates (pictured) and I did in 2006. Brings back good memories.

Santa Cruz Superlight, 1999 or 2000 I think. At the time the OTT coloured bits were all the rage! I miss that bike :o(