Merlins',Hanchurch Woods.Excellent in both drections,rooty,tricky,fun.The day I don't enjoy it,I''ll pack it in.

They're popular round here. Great spec,great value.

Too late ,but for future reference Harrissportmail…..but I'm a lure angler.

gordon Ramsey
Compare the meercat adverts
Adam Crozier
the Krankies

Digbeth

I've had one for over a year. I use it in conjunction with a Hope 4. Brilliant dead light and reliable.

Just bought a Vangard base layer,short sleeved ,wore it last night. Ace. Will report when it's done more work.

Sack Adam Crozier.He was a teewat when he was with the F.A….and surprise,surprise he's still a teewat at Royal Mail.

Assos? Mail order? are you mad? Any bike shops round your way?

An enjoyable thread on STW! Trouble is,I'm getting the bug. Did a 50 mile off/on road challenge last Sunday,which I found tough…..and then double the pain…

I use Stans with Kenda tyres.Generally,they have been easy to make tubeless,but the last one,an Advantage proved difficult. The rotating and tapping simultaneously method eventually did the trick.

Nowhere near as exciting as most of the above,but I rode the Goldtec Rough Ride Challenge today. Was going to give it a miss cos I hurt my back during the week. Then decided to ride,but just the 30 mile loop. Was about to set off,when some "mates" persuaded me to ride the 50 mile loop.
Hard work,but thoroughly enjoyed it. A big well done to all the organisers and volunteers. £10 well spent.

Broke mine 12 years ago. Really painful. Regulation 6 weeks in plaster and then physio 3 times a week. I was back at work when the plaster was removed(self-employed window cleaner). I pushed myself hard and was back riding in Enduros(motorbike) 10 weeks after my accident.
I was lucky,a clean break and my wet and cold Alpine Stars held everything in place as I completed the 30 mile loop in agony.
Good luck with your recovery.

If you're driving any distance surely it's better to ride some proper trails?
Not against trail parks per se ,but when you have some of the best riding in the country so nearby,I can't see the point.

It's late October,it'll be a bit wet under foot,but completely rideable.

Made me smile. A mate of mine was asked what tyre pressure he was running at CYB….

I'm using Medusas,great in the mud,rubbish everywhere else. I'm not keen on faffing around with different tyresfor different scenarios,but I can't find a decent all-rounder.
The old IRC Mythos inspired confidence in all conditions.

Casio G-Shock are worth a look.Very happy with mine. I've got an Omega for non riding/work.

It is just a confidence thing. I'm hopeless on technical stuff,but feel that being clipped-in commits me to whatever I'm trying to do,ie, rocky,or rooty descents.I prefer the pedals to be set quite tight,to prevent un-clipping on tough climbs.
If you're not happy with spuds,switch to flats. They're not for everybody.

I can echo most of the above recomendations and add Pere Lachaise (sp?) cemetery.We had a great meal nearby and relaxing walk around the cemetery in the afternoon. A beautiful place.
Can't remember the name of the hotel where we stayed.It was cheap and cheerful,niot far from Grande Defense Station.
We did the weekend "on the cheap" (for Paris)and had a great time.

Phone BETD on Monday morning,they will sort you out quicker than Marin. Mari UK,probably get their hangers from here.

They're both too expensive. I've got a P7. Nice bike,but so's the Cotic.

I bought a frame that came with one of these fitted.The saddle looked well past it's best when I bought it,but the previous owner recomended me to try it,because it is so comfortable. A year later,it's still there,looks even worse,but it's the best saddle I have used. Have experienced no problems.

Nice garage! Round here it's illegal to keep sars in garages,motorbikes and bikes only.
My garage has potential,but I'm not organised,or tidy enough. ie,I'm too lazy.

Do you drive,to your meeting place? I like to ride to our meeting place if feasible. Seems to spin some life into these nearly 48 year old legs.My stamina has improved and I was never a quick rider,So I'm happy.

orange 5, a cracking bike,just as good as a 575.

If it was ten quid to ride Llandegla,I'd happily never ride there again.The Peaks are closer and way,way more fun.

I've got some Spesh Sub-Zeros. It rarely gets cold enough to wear them,they are warm. Had them for seven years now and they're as good as ever. Never washed 'em thogh..

Coming from a different angle,just because kids say that they're ok,the opposite might be closer to the truth. My Mrs. works with the disruptive kids at school. They're usually hard-faced,foul-mouthed and generally unpleasant.My wife is very good with kids of all ages,and eventually they open up to her. Mum and Dad have split,they pretend that they can cope,but really they just want their mum and dads.
….But life isn't that simple,been through some tough times myself,so can sympathise with you.

It's the best trail centre that I've rode. The Marin is good,it's the lardy,lazy gimmers that can't climb ,that moan about it.

5 10 and a 17 for me. Seems compact compared to my 575,but very flickable.

This site may have shite taste in bikes…..but musical taste looks a bit more like it.

I found mine completely rideable on many a grim day……
I've had mine for a year,2 rides per week and the novelty still hasn't worn off. The perfect bike for the Peaks.

I was in the Peaks today,still got my summer tyres on, Dread Treads. Superb on rocks and roots. Shite,as you'd expect,in the mud. Any tyres will "do" at trail centres.

MMmm a real bargain!

I'm not convinced by skill courses,or the "how to" instructionals in the mags. You ride 'em,or bottle 'em. I'm prone to bottling certain stuff,but I've got nowt to prove and I'm self-employed. Doesn't stop me from enjoying riding my bike.

I've got an I Beam one aswell. It's falling to bits,but it doesn't creak and it's very comfortable.

kat,i'm not going to offer any advice,i can't improve on ,or add to any of the excellent post from the STW collective.
Reading your posts has reminded me of just how intense we are,when we're young. It really does feel like the end of the world,when you're ditched.
I hope that everything works out for you. Life is great!

At last some serious advice for a concerned parent.This is STW at it's best.

Sorry for jumping in,he works at BETD,Newcastle-Under-Lyme.He's right about the amount of 575s round here.
I'm 5 10,ride a medium.It is a big bike,but a joy to ride.