Get yourself a few local loops to do. Bit of a mixture: some flat, some hilly, some technical etc. Then ride them lots and try to improve your times. These should be your shorter harder rides.

Try to separate shorter harder rides from longer slower rides. Also if you find you’re doing quite a lot of days, make sure to do the odd shorter, easier spin as a recovery.

double post

Last night, busy but narrow road, young BMXer riding along texting or checking facebook.

2 months ago a lad his own age was knocked off and killed in almost the same place.

STW hive mind fixed global warming

I think it was closer than 15m in 175km. More like 5m! 8O

Like the commentators I was speechless. Turning out to be a great Vuelta.

Worked fine for me. Ah happy memories…

If you’re on a Flash you may as well do the w2 which includes both Afan (the wall) and Glyncorrwg (whites).

Personally I’d be riding over the hill in the Margam forestry linking local singletrack with the remains of the Penhydd

Once on the trails they are essentially the same place

Yes. I avoid try to avoid all caffeine after 4pm. This includes tea, coffee and, most definitely, energy drinks with added caffeine!

If I do have caffeine later in the day I can’t sleep. It’s a powerful stimulant!

The course at Newcastleton and the Exposure event up there were both brilliant. Doesn’t seem to be on at the moment though.
Probably a slightly better course for a first 24 as it’s mainly smooth trail centre

They don’t have rocks there you know.

I met him once in a muddy field. Haven’t seen him since though….

Bonty 24 has been the first one for me and a lot of my biking mates. Good course, good atmosphere. Although a lot bumpier this year than in previous years. (good to run suspension and tyres a bit softer than usual when doing a 24 hr anyway). A few nice views on the way around in places.

Write up of doing my first 24 hr solo

Unfortunately you’ve just missed it for another year.

Also the course at

I’ve got hope’s with stan’s alpha 32 . Not sure about harsh, it’s a road bike after all, maybe a bit heavy. Going to convert to tubeless ASAP.

very good

Valleys Tourism website
http://www.thevalleys.co.uk/heartandsoul/

So trail centres aren’t proper mountains, and mountain routes aren’t proper biking!

Avid brakes

I dunno.

This weekend I’ve treated my body like it is invincible and now I feel extremely fragile.

Just go a bit slower. Not a lot, just a little bit less than your normal effort. Then see what happens…. If it wasn’t slow enough try slower next time around.

For really long rides don’t go above your lactate threshold. you can work this out with a HRM but I think it sounds like overkill for your requirements. Just don’t get to the point where you are out of breath with the bloody pounding – if you go there, you’re going too hard. you may have to get to this point on some of the harder hills but it can usually be avoided.

I run a 33t chainring on my 1×10. It’s e13 I think.

I just did Google maps on campsites near merthyr but I do know the manmoel area

Lots of nice one on Gower. Slade is tiny but really nice, like 10 pitches.

Apologies I only just read your post properly re Brecon recommendation

I just did Google maps on campsites near merthyr but I do know the manmoel area

Parc cwm darran is close by. Also a few over the hill near Brecon about 30 main drive. Bit further is pen Y fan leisure park near manmoel- lovely area but a bit far perhaps.

The much comfier, slightly lighter Kium version is also on there for 60 bucks.

Just got one as my old one is held together with duct tape.

All these years riding 26″ feel worthless now :| :(

Apparently Red Bull have backed down on the condition that the brewery never makes energy drinks…!?

Bike for life, eh Loco?

Good question. It tastes terrible so seems unlikely.

To answer the original question, yeah I think it’s worth it. Mainly because I’ve always wanted one!

The Kili Flyer does give a nice mix of lightweight, fun geometry and that special Ti sparkle!

Here’s my Saracen Kili Flyer Ti having just completed Bontrager 24 hr solo a couple of weeks back:

I’m going to trail bike it after the race season – bigger tyres and wheels, shorter stem.

Another from earlier in the event:

Forgot it was on this weekend but yes!

Link to article about neo-naze russian thugs slowly beat teenager to death (not nice reading)[/url]

My MTB history is:

Mid 90s: Raleigh Outland
Late 90s: Cannondale CAAD3
Early 2000s: Replacement Cannondale CAAD3 (snapped the last one on the wishbone seatstay)
Late 2000s: Trek Top Fuel
2011: Cotic Soul (current)
2012: Saracen Kili Flyer Ti (current)

6 bikes in 17 years.

Blimey, great effort and huge achievement. Well done.

That TT saddle probably won’t catch on around there though!

Big thanks to Bontrager / Trek for supporting the event for the last 8 years. Couldn’t happen without them and I thought the Bonty teepee in the main arena was an excellent focal point.

Hopefully the event will continue at Newnham for many more years.

You do know that about half of the Penhydd is still there right?

Just ride up the big forestry track and then come down via sidewinder and dead sheep gully. Frog corner and dead sheep valley long gone though.

Getting up a 5.15 yesterday morning for work…. OUCH! I crawled out of my teepee at that time yesterday and had to use a parked car to push myself upright to have a piss before heading back to bed.

Did the sumo jump on laps 1, 2, and 29! Still tired and sore but glad I did my first big solo.

Amedias, I think I was chatting to you (you were in the sleeves right?). Little chats like that and other words of encouragement made all the different.

Miners Arms beer selection was brilliant on Sunday night, food not bad either. Thanks for julianwilson for the recommendation.

Memorable moments included seeing the sumos all climbing together up the big climb at about 11pm for their last lap – not moving too slowly considering. Then also finishing a lap just before midnight and coming down the grassy slope as the fireworks were going off.

Yeah don’t understand the above VFM comment – don’t forget all the extra stuff as well, i.e. Mike Halls talk, film showing, bands, those fireworks etc. All in about probably the best event of its type in the UK (although I’ve only done one very wet No Fuss event and am sure they can be excellent too).

I think Graham Whatshischops isn’t that bad. Clear Jill Douglas is very polished, has experience and my girlfriend says she has great legs (not that I noticed of course).

Clean your seatpost clamp. Worked for me!