You get used to them very quickly, I much prefer them to sti ... but I like 'push button' technology too, that really is superb on technical climbs :wink: Going to have to trust you on that one! In all fairness, I've never tried a set so it's just the impression I've had form looking at them and pl...

Bearbonesnorm wrote:It'll also provide somewhere secure to dangle your mug from

I've always been a bit weirded out by the idea of bar end shifters. When you're climbing steep terrain/riding technical stuff are they not a PITA?

Depends on the bike, some handle a front load better than others. I prefer a front rack, it does make lofting the front wheel harder while riding rough terrain, but is much better going uphill, standing pedalling and pushing the bike. There are few things as annoying as having rear panniers bump th...

To give an opposite opinion: front. Rear only is a pain in the arse as the bike will basically try and wheelie overtime you hit a climb on any gradient. Front doesn't mess up the handling *too* much sassing you're keep the wheels on the ground, and makes the weight a lot easier to manage in my opini...

darbeze wrote:Not heard of this before...

Local, quirky, interesting...

I'll think about it.

Si

It's a laugh normally, and its a good bunch of people. I think last time there were about 15 of us, so not a massive group, unless Will has managed to find more crazy people.

Good beer, good food and good friends tonight.

Bikes tomorrow night

Not a overnighter in the normal sense. Leaves Captain Jaspers in Plymouth @ 9pm this Saturday. 100miles no the road through the night without a wink of sleep. Last time I did it it was pretty good fun, I'll be there on my Salsa. Route at the bottom here: http://darkmoor.co.uk Facebook group that org...

Yeah, I'd probably be up for that if I'm available whenever it happens.

whitestone wrote:Daniel - your middle shot is of Wrynose Pass from Hardknott.

Well spotted -- I uploaded one and nabbed the caption of another

Wondering around Coniston Water somewhere in-between the above two.

Looking over to the Hard Knott Pass from the Wrynose Pass the day before the adventure cycling festival kicked off.

This one is very situation dependent. When I was cycling across Europe last summer I took far more spares than for an average weekend trip. For the weekend I'd probably throw a few extra camera batteries in and leave it at that. Can always ride out, worst case. Cycling across Europe on the other han...

This one was shot the week following the Adventure Cycling Festival. While everyone else got the sun then went home I stayed up for the following week and the Keswick Mountain Festival. Let's just say it was very wet, and leave it at that. Aira Force in full-force. This was a challenging one to shoo...

Second photo is good Dan. First one as you say, timing off, but would work as a product shot :) Thanks Greg, timing had never been been my speciality. I do need to persuade Luke (the photo subject) to take less gear next time though, his bike was somewhat comical. Mind, only his second trip so at l...

Shame you can't see the face here, I cocked up the timing a bit.



I'll leave it up to you lot to figure out where these were taken

Nice pictures. That's one of my favourite spots on the moor right there :)

It's not a million miles from me, so I may be in. Need to check when the gig I'm going to is first before I can commit though.

Lawmanmx wrote:did you use your new found bike/tarp setup skillz by any chance pal?

Kinda. Did a sort of take on it after Chew needed some shelter from the rain so we rigged the tarp up big enough for two of us under it. Shall be just me next time unless something goes really wrong though!

Thanks for being so welcoming everyone at the festival. It was great to meet everyone.

You'll all be pleased to know the following week was essentially a waterfall, got very very wet, and the good weather left with everyone.

Yep, mine was a big DD. Will be getting a smaller one in due course for bike packing purposes though.

Lawmanmx wrote:is there normal car parking at the event for each day? just seen ... £5 parking

I'm parked in the lay-by opposite the site. Was loads of free space when I parked there this morning (and it's free).

I've not got any accommodation booked at all. I'll be driving up tomorrow sometime, and then if I could meet anyone heading out for a bivvy at Brathay Hall win the Friday that would be ideal, if not let me know where you're heading and I'll play catch up? Either way, I'm planning to pretty much play...

I used ETA Travel insurance last year when I cycled across Europe: https://www.eta.co.uk

Never had to claim but the price was very good, and covered all my gear and most of the bike.

I've done the same as I did last time and mirrored the file here as Dropbox often block files that are downloaded lots: http://cloud.danielgroves.net/RPkmvgcjsM

That will live forever, unless I have a clearcut which never happens on that domain.