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Latest News 12/07/2008 Day Trip to Scotland 5am wake up (raining) get my shit together, have a bit of breakfast then its 5:40am and Sam arrives! Bikes on the roof, gear in the boot and off to tesco to fill up with (expensive) fuel, arrive at Glentress with butterflies in my stomach uncertain as to what to expect? gear up and off we set (still raining). Climbing, climbing and some more climbing then we reached the first piece of action! the Orange graded FreeRide park, quick blast down a set of tabletops and berms to the bottom then as we were pushing back up (you're not allowed to ride!) we noticed a set of wooden drop-ins into about a 30-40 foot run out! Excellent, that looks scary and exciting both at the same time!!! A few minutes watch of a couple of other riders to see that its ridable (One guy on a Kona Stinky is launching the middle drop-in and landing half way down this 30-40 foot run out!) eventually I manage to persuade Sam to have a go so I can get a picture of him, which he does! Then its my turn I have a couple of run ups to the middle drop-in to see if its possible to spot a landing? It is, just about! But by the time your dropping off the end its too late anyway as you're already commited! WooHoo down to the bottom pretend to do the Wall rides but really just boost a jump off the bottom of the run-in ramps! Time to move on to the proper red route trails, so we carry on up the trails untill we get to the first descent! its nothing to fancy and probably one of the first descents built at Glentress but just a little teaser to get you into the swing of things! Then its another climb this time it takes us all the way up to the Excellent 'Spooky Wood' descent, we followed all the trails then untill we had done the Red routes apart from the last few back down to the Cafe/ Car Park, then we went back up and found the Ewok Village which is wooden sections with raised platforms and SeeSaws etc then we descended on the Black runs untill we picked up the Red run back to the Car Park. Brilliant!!! Quick Bite and a rest at the HUB cafe then we headed over to Innerleithen which is only about 2.5 miles down the road. We had no Idea what to expect but were on a high from the riding we had just done (If we had have stopped at the Orange graded Free Ride park at Glentress after riding the rest of the trail I don't think we would have hesitated on any of the drop-ins) However now we were faced with a Car Park full of DownHill riders on some big old rigs and there was us on our tiny little girly trail bikes!! (how embarrassing) Still at least we were riding up to the very top not just getting an uplift a tenth of the way! (hang on whose the stupid one here?) anyway we set off on our climb without really realising how far we actually had to climb! Turns out the climb was around the 6 mile mark and boy did we know it! Apart from a short section of slightly downwards trail which would obviously mean that we would have to regain the height we just lost! and another section which was a steep steep fast descent into a trough then a superb step up jump! it was just non stop climbing on single track or fire road and the single track had the added bonus (or pain in the arse) of rocky step up to negotiate! it felt like we were never going to reach the summit, as just when you thought you could see the top it just turned out to be another false summit, Bummer. Once we did get to the top though we were greeted with some fantastic views over the rest of the surrounding hills, there was a pile of rocks that everybody who had accomplished the ride had obviously decided to add to, and so did we! I put a tiny little one on top and Sam did the same then he decided to add another bigger rock between the two we had just placed and it almost all fell down!! Ok now we are at th highest point or are we? Oh I won't bother to start the Video Camera here incase this isn't that good a descent (I thought!) what a descent it was! and the next one to! DOH!!! wished I had set the Camera rolling now, that was two absolutley brilliant descents ( brand new to! according to the Guy who came past us on an SX Trail, he had moved from Sussex for a better life in Innerleithen! I think he may have just found it!!) Ok its too late to re-start the two descents we had just come down as we had already lost about 150m in height and about 1 mile and just couldn't be bothered to ride back up, especially being short on time. Start the camera rolling and get some footage of the next few descents (bare in mind that its pretty much 6 miles of descent) the next few descents are a little Wales Coed y Brenin stylee rocky twisty and fast n fun! then its onto Plora Graig and Razors Rock, a little short climb then onto the best part of the hole descent 'Cadon Bank' one word AWESOME rolling descents with three rock drops each one getting bigger as you go with the third being around 2-2.5 foot high on an already steep descent, berms and jumps woohoo absolutley brilliant! Pity I had already run out of space on the SD card this is the descent to get some footage on! Back to the car, get changed discreetly (not that it mattered everybody else had pretty much left hours ago) back into the car Totally stoked over a fantastic days riding! back at my house 22:50 pm tired legs aching but still unable to sleep from all the experiences witnessed in the day! Pictures here and video footage here Trail review here (only Glentress at present, Inner to come) Q: Would I recommend anybody else getting up very early and driving around 8 hours worth in one day to ride two brilliant trails in scotland? A: What do you think! Get it done, stop doing the same old trails every weekend, get out there, make it a date and you won't regret it!
03/07/2008 Just got back from a four day course with work, it was down near Reading at a place called Wokefield Park. I have been several times now and always knew it was fairly near to Swinley Forest but it never really inspired me to go and ride there while I was down on courses ( I always thought it would be too much hassle trying to find somewhere for the bike ) That was untill this time! The guy who was sitting next to me for the four days (Kevin) had brought his bike down with him ( Lucky sod ) and went to Swinley forest every night! on the last night I arranged to follow him over there to find out how to get there for the next time I am on a course! Unfortunately I am not on another course untill 2009 which is a bit of a bummer! Here are a few pictures of Kevin heading off towards the trail ( I would have followed to get some action shots but the trails are a fair way away from the carpark when your on foot )
07/06/2008 Been out for a great ride this morning with Kev Parks (three times winner of the MBR 'Best of British Killers' Competition) and his two mates Copper John and Pete, AKA Typhoo) We met up at Wildboarclough which is between Congleton and Buxton and rode up to the A54 then down to Three Shires Head and back up to the back end of Three Shires Head and back down again via the rocky/droppy route to Three Shires Head then Finally climbed out, up the grass past the farm, then left along the A54 and then down Cumberland Brook and back along to Wildboarclough! The Bad weather held off which was great and the route took us approx 2.5 hours. The only down side was that the Crag Inn pub was closed and didn't open untill 12 noon, Bummer! Anyhow pictures are in the Gallery section under Macc. I'm off now to rest my weary legs and get a shower!! 24/05/2008 Latest pictures (x3) from weekend ride at Dimmingsdale, Cheadle staffs in the new Dimmingsdale gallery more as and when I get take some! Well what a difference the dry trails are to ride compared to the usual soaking wet BUT fun soggy ones we have had for about the last 10 months or so! making the most of it now before it starts to pour down with rain again and its back to winter boots and waterproof jacket! Planning on going to 7Stanes just over the scottish border 12/13th july to try out the excellent trail centres, any advise on which trails are the best to visit would be very welcome as I don't have time to ride all of them, please leave a mail via the contacts page if you have any advise. Cheers! Also sporting a sore set of ribs after an unexpected section wasn't quite what it was the last time I rode it! ( note to ones self, walk the section 1st ) I was hanging right over the back of the seat down a very very steep (brakes fully on and still sliding at around 5-6 mph) section, and as I reached the bottom there was now a further vertical drop of around 10 inches, my front wheel hit the ground after the drop and the bike stopped dead! Which is where my ribs came into contact with the back of the seat and knocked the wind out of me! Ouch!!!! (boy was my face red!) 18/04/2008 Its true what they say, when you're content you always put on a little weight! Anyway as well as being busy adjusting life to be a Dad with his new baby 'Liam' Steve has found time to write a book about one of his passions, Buggy walking! Steve has been a keen buggy walker for many years now, and even started his own Buggy walking Club ( MABWA ) a few years back down at his local community centre in Madeley, Staffs. As well as Buggy walk guiding and tips on taking corners/berms at speed, traversing across uneven terrain, bunny hopping and front/ rear wheel manuals, Steve holds regular organized days where he will show Mums/ Dads and pretty much anybody how to maintain a buggy and even how to upgrade an existing buggy ( Disc brakes, Lock on grips, night riding lights etc ) Plus tips on safety equipment both for the buggy and walker (Helmet/ Goggles etc) for more info please contact us via the Email section of the website, Re- MABWA ( Madeley All-terrainz Buggy Walkers Association ) Here's a sneak preview of the front cover to his new book 'ALL TERRAINZ PUSHCHAIR WALKS' 'The Peak District" Available through all good book shops, published by MABWA Leisure.
10/04/2008 It is confirmed, Andy has purchased a 2008 Stumpy FSR Comp and will be taking his new steed for an excited 1st ride Sunday morning, he can't wait !! I bet he is dreaming about it right now ( below is an artists impression of what his dream bike MAY look like, he is getting older and should have a less travel not more travel so the artist think this is whats best suited )
07/04/2008 Replaced the rear shock hard ware mounting on my Prophet (bolt kit, ordered through EvansCycles special order team) and replaced the rear bushing/ mount with a heavy duty type from TFtuned, not had a chance to try out yet but it was a perfect fit! Anybody looking to get new rear shocker or fork servicing or if you require spare parts etc then you could do a lot worse than TFtuned, they were very professional/ knew exactly what part I req'd and the item was dispatched the same day and arrived the next day. Also I read on MTBR forum that the Prophet is not being Canned as of yet with rumours of it still being in production for another two years. Thats pretty good news as it only recently received a perfect 10 in MBR to come joint top trail bike of the year, along side Oranges '5' Pro. and to think I purchased my Prophet because 'I liked the look of it' Dumb eh? however a pretty lucky dumb decision. When the time comes to replace my Prophet 1000 I will be test riding a few bikes before buying to make sure that I get another great handling bike and not just drop on one by sheer luck! Andy Simpson is on the market for a new bike and its looking like he will be staying with the Specialized Clan as he is thinking hard about purchasing a Stumpjumper 07 or 08 (undecided as of yet) I thought as you get older you are supposed to get a more sensible bike? whereas Andy is looking to up his game with a longer travel steed so he can go faster downhill!! Steve Became a dad a few weeks ago, Congrats (Baby Liam) and also got to try out his his new fork (Rock Shox, Coil sprung Revelation) this weekend at Cannock Chase and his 1st impressions are that it is a Brilliant fork and rides super smooth/ well controlled. 05/03/2008 For more Cannondale news about the new Rize and Moto bikes visit this link to Cannondales News page Be sure to visit 'The Lodge' on March 15th 2008 for specs on the two new models. 18/02/2008 Ok as mentioned below 08/10/2007 my beloved Prophet is being canned :( Sad days, BUT posted today on another website (Mtbr Forum) I found these pictures of the new models from Cannondale due for release later on in this year, click on or roll over the image to see a bigger version.
This is the Rize Carbon 1 and at present the Rize will come in three Carbon fibre versions with two lower specced Alloy versions, the Rize 4 and 5 As you can see it is a Faux bar design (Not Four Bar or Horst link) and it has 130mm travel front and rear with a welcome return for the Lefty Max, albeit without the 140mm travel of the last model, Bike weight (claimed) = 23.59 lbs (Euro spec)
Rize Carbon 2, Bike weight (claimed) = 24.69 lbs (Euro spec) There is at present also a Rush Carbon 3 which has a claimed Bike weight of 27.33 lbs (Euro spec) But I believe it does not come with a Carbon Lefty Max (Alloy ?, hopefully BUT probably not)
Dubbed the Devils Bike by Dan Gerous
Then for all the people out there that want a bigger travel bike here is the 160mm travel Moto, Currently only available when it is launched in Carbon Fibre But there is reason to believe that they will be bringing out an Alloy version to follow! No bike weight for the Moto as of yet and No geometry specs listed either for the Rize or the Moto. The Moto is a single pivot just like the Prophet/ Perp/ Judge But has a linkage driving the Shocker much the same as the Commencal BUT the lower end of the shocker is fixed to the Swing Arm and is supposed to drive the Shocker from both sides (like a squeezing action) looking at it from the pictures it is a miniscule amount of driving action at the lower mount from the swing arm, But this does take stresses off the down tube on the main frame where the shock would have been mounted, and the linkages also help to prevent side loads on the shocker pivot bearings and help to stiffen up the rear end of the bike by adding support to the swing arms upper section, which is what some people said was the prophets main flaw (Flexy Swing Arm) personally I couldn't feel it on my Prophet, I would say that wheel flex and tyre roll is more promenant on a lightweight set of wheels and tyres than the flexing of the swing arm (Not suggesting that the Prophet swing arm doesn't flex, It does! But then so does every lightweight All Mountain Bike, if they didn't they would weigh around 45 lbs and be classed as short travel DH bikes!)
And another few Pictures, Nice!!
12/02/2008 Just found this on YouTube, Totally Awesome! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jQqGcu2ascc&feature=related And this, but don't watch this one if your tickle stomached http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FhOxlqTvEZU
13/01/2008 Still Not ridden to work on the bike yet! will get around to that once I dont need lights on the way home, poor excuse I know. On the plus, I now have a new set of trail glasses, at last! ( I know, I have to save up for matts wedding, but I think he'd understand, won't he?)
Been out twice now in my new kit which all works flawlessly, boots are Super warm and dry and coat is totally waterproof and lightweight. Still need some new grips though. Rode Macclesfield forest, Cat n fiddle, Danebower Hollow, Three Shires, Cumberland brook then back to Macc forest today with Mark, Dom (Obi Wan, as he got me into this mountain biking lark) Stevie P and Newbie Chris (AKA Sausage) the weather was foul, rained all the way around and it was extremely windy, Especially up near the Cat n fiddle, Danebower. Still had an Awesome day, and the descent down Cumberland Brook left us all really stoked and wanting more. Which was fulfilled on the last descent from the forest along the fast bridleway to the last gate before exiting to pass the Ridgegate Reservoir, I think I've said it before but I'll say it again, There is always a dog on the loose with the owner no where near on the last corner on this section of bridleway, I think there must be a forum for dog walkers who suggest places to take their dogs to stand on corners to make cyclists fall off, there has to be?
01/01/2008 A New Year, A new years resolution, MUST GET OUT AND RIDE MORE!!! not been out riding since my last post (below) I know, I know, its a very poor show not getting out there riding, but its been a very busy few months for me! Anyhow as I said above must get out and ride more often this year, and with my new kit ( Shimano MW02 Winter boots, Altura Crosslite Jacket) I have even less excuse to get out and ride now as I'm ready for everything, Well apart from looking good on the trail that is, Still haven't got a decent set of trail shades even though the ones I want only cost £12, later on this year when I have a bit of spare cash. Right now saving up for Matts Wedding in New York (the 'Big Apple') which is in Aug of this year and I only have £100 saved so far so I'm afraid trail shades aren't top of my list at the moment! Stevie P is expecting his first child in March of this year so a lot of riding is on the cards in Jan, Feb, early Mar of this year before all his time is taken up looking after the little one I expect. I need to work off some of this Christmas Belly fat I've managed to strap onto my front this year, so I think the skinny slicks may be making another appearance this year, just need to work out a route to work which doesn't involve getting killed on the A50 by the Britannia Stadium (Stoke City) 18/11/2007 Been out with Dom and Mark this morning to Macc Forest, Dom text me at 7.30 asking if we were still going because it was raining hard and windy? I said of course, its Character building. As I was driving towards Macc I could see what looked like snow on the hill tops! And yes when I got there, there was bloody snow on the hills and it was blowing a gale but not raining much, which was a relief. Overall a great morning riding just a shame Dom didnt get to push his bike to its full potential, We weren't the only riders out either there must have been 5-6 other riders out as well, so we weren't the only daft people out! Last descent down to the bottom of the bridleway gate from the top of the forest high View point (Near Nessit Hill downhill course) was a really fast and muddy/wet blast and great fun, cant wait for next opportunity to get out on the trail. Think I need some Seal Skins or Winter Wet shoes though!! Link to Pictures of the riding in the snow on Charity lane 14/11/2007 My mate Dom has finally got around to getting a new trail steed ( Full Susser ), so hopefully I'll be out this Sunday morning at Macc forest with Mark Mac, Dom and anybody else who cares to join us? meeting at the parking spaces by the Leathers Smithy/ Lower Reservoir at 9.30 am. 5/11/2007 Been out on the bike a few times since the replacement of my swing arm, everything is working fine now and NO annoying creaking/ clicking coming from the swing arm. If you have a prophet/ Rush with an Annoying creak/click from the rear end check this link out Prophet and Rush, Sources of Noises technote The ground is great at this time of the year around Staffordshire/ Cheshire as it is wet and creates more of a challenge over rocks and roots, yet it still offers a resonable amount of grip on the more firm dirt and gritty trails, Cold fingers and toes, soggy wet riding gear, getting back to get into a Hot shower, Awesome. Winter riding is at last hear!! Older News What Does the Future hold for the Honda G Cross Riders? 16/10/07 Honda Downhill Bike Team Is Shutting up shop, So No More Lovely Honda G Cross Bike Stuff Going On And No More Riding The Honda Bike For Greg Minnaar, Matti Lehikoinen, Brendan Fairclough, and Cyrille Kurtz. Follow this link for a full story ....................................... 08/10/2007 So happy, got my bike back yesterday from Royles with a brand new swingarm and can't wait to go riding !! I would recommend using Royles, they give a great service to their customers and their staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Their main stay of Mountain Bikes is TREK and Commencal but they do sell other brands as well including Cannondale, Marin and Whyte. ....................................... Oh No, I Found out the other day that my beloved Prophet is about to be discontinued next year as they will be bringing out two new Cannondale models, there is talk of a 130mm travel bike and a 160mm travel bike. Also they have stopped production of the Lefty MAX 140 and all UK Prophets now come with standard forks fitted, this is to reduce costs of the bike and try to be more competitive with other bikes of the same price group. BUT, haha sorry all Lefty haters, there is rumour that for 2008 Cannondale are bring out the Righty!!!! probably in a bid to try and even things up a little? check out Cannondale questions at Anybody seen the new bikes for 2008? click these links for some pictures I've found while just browsing Speshes New line up looks pretty good, including a pretty impressive Womens selection. This one below is a dodgy foreign MTB forum but shows some early shots of Cannondales expected 2008 bikes including a new Scalpel and this one is a really weird new Urban Street commuter bike from Cannondale Cannondale Quantum Leap Urban Mobility Bike Trek's new Remedy unveiled at Interbike, looking Awesome indeed Currently looking for a bike for my wife, she is really interested in the 2007 Kona Lisa Checked out the spec and it is a great bike for the money witha lot of top kit that my old 2004 Rockhopper could only of dreamed of having!!
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