AK350Z

Great write up mate, thanks for the thought! If you were closer I could probably tell you what they were... You're spot on with the German driving observations anyway, can you imagine the road rage you would get in the UK if you "courteously" flashed people to move over?

Correctamundo! It's nice when its nice

He came to say hi, not interested in caught fish though, must like them still swimming! Few other random offshore pics from a nice day on the Moray Firth:

Great craic!

Very nice mate, I think I spotted "The Beast" when I was reading that new trail guide book the other day. Is Ladybower and Cut Gate over your way? Sadly I'm on shift now, so no biking adventures for a few days

A glass deck to look at what??? The boot??? ah yes.....

Sucker! Haha, no really, that sounds like a good pace to me. I struggle to manage 8mph offroad.

One gunmetal southbound on the M74 above Lockerbie, and another with a plate V6 *** on the A7 oop in the 'Gorms!

Would be nice, but more Lambo glass deck and less Porche spyder please!

Getting some FSA carbon bars which are 660mm so should be ok, I know what your both saying but 110 is way to long so thinking only coming down to 70mm isn't much so not sure, plus really like the 50mm hope DH stem 660mm won't be enough for steep stuff on a 50 stem, you'll probably find the front wheel wants to tuck under on berms etc. Mine are 680 on a 50mm stem and a 68 degree head angle (think yours is about that), and I would prefer them a touch wider.

Yes please!

If you go to a 50mm stem I hope your bars are more than 700mm wide, or the handling will be a bit interesting!

I'm sure after a gentle day at Whinlatter, you'll be ready for a nice proper evening ride Anyways, off up to the 7stanes tomorrow with Phil. Going to Mabie in the morning, and maybe Ae afterwards, but we shall see.

I see you are back then...

I've never found it necesary to use anything other than a cotton cloth unless it's really bad.

(James - yes they are braided, its a Hope option) Woooohhhhhhoooo there! A week to go? I thought it was easter weekend you were coming up? Edit: Just checked my pm's, looks like i've crossed my wires with all these bank holidays! I'm heading off this saturday for my 10 on, so i'll be away mate. Bloody hell..... Edit 2: Ok, now i've calmed down a bit with myself! (I have previous form in this area). I'm going away on saturday, but i'm only doing 9 days soooo, I will be coming back home on tuesday 3rd may, so that should be ok eh? In fact, if the monday is weathered off, I'll be back then. Whats your dates Chris? sorry for my confusion!

Well I sat in all day waiting for the parcel man. He showed up at 3.45pm! At least he had a new frame with him! After signing on the line, I was straight off to Keswick to see a nice man in a bike shop who faced of the bottom bracket for me. Stripped the old frame while pottering about this morning, and I've got most of it back on this evening. Note new purple grips!

Just had a quick play with mine today, seems good. Envy foam gun is a hoot Whats the preferred mix setting anyway? It goes all the way from "milky" to, er, "porn star"!

In the post yesterday: ....And a pressure washer with a foam gun Shame I've just spent 3 days cleaning all the cars! In the yard today: Just waiting for a frame to show up now...

Maxxis all the way for me. Get some single ply super tacky (42a) High Rollers 2.35" http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5845. Might be quite pricey (depending on what you are used to), but it's just like your car, quality rides and grips better. If you do a lot of road/hardpack miles, maybe get the 60a ones - a bit harder but faster rolling. I use the super tacky Minions in the winter round here, but its generally quite rocky and slippy. I'm a bit of a MTB tyre geek though, I've got different combos for summer and winter Might need to swap again for these bone dry trails! What's the difference then Andrew as they look exactly the same the 42 and 60? Which would you say is the best all rounder to save changing Tyres if the weather changes

Hugely easier and cheaper to get an aftermarket hard drive system or a Nurrish one. Assuming the new nissan system is transferable, which I doubt.

Any small people or ladies need a bike? Insane VFM alert on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TREK-FUEL-EX-9-15-5-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-FULL-FLOATER-/250806993409?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3a65430201#ht_2440wt_1139