Well, I'm not a fan of setting my stuff up (mostly by virtue of wanting a bigger tarp, or a tarp tent instead)... but it's mostly finding somewhere I can get decent shelter, enough flat ground and think I'm not going to have people wander past or have a farmer get annoyed with me in the morning. I'm...

I freak out all day about finding somewhere decent to sleep / getting set up in a reasonable time. I don't really panic beforehand at all.

Still not a fan of this whole sleeping outdoors thing (Yes, I'm fully aware I'm in the wrong place).

I used to use the platform sort of SPDs. http://i.imgur.com/ukBqaak.jpg?1 Edit - Oh, on road bike. Bog standard SPDs... and flappy mountain bike clothing. I've actually noticed people intentionally trying to drop me and getting frustrated when they couldn't. :lol: "That sh*t is like a sail, you...

Out of interest, why wouldn't you try using proper mountain biking shoes? I wouldn't even consider using walking / hiking boots on the bike.

A cheap pair of Vans aren't a bad bet for just trying out flats. They'll give you most of the grip you need.

I have been told on occassion that there's no way I can be efficient enough riding flats to do some of the events I do in a decent time. This is usually before I stomp their faces in up the first hills. Related... When I switched from SPD to flats last year on my turbo trainer, my FTP actually incre...

To be honest I wouldn't recommend sh*t pedals and average trainers to people trying flats. I'd argue that pedal weighting (on jumps and bumpy stuff especially) and pedalling technique is even more difficult to get right using flats, and having trainers with unsuitable soles interfacing with slippy p...

I cycle in Wales. I know no other way.

Clips for about 5 years. Flats for the last 3 years. Would need a very good reason to go back... and I just can't see it happening. Certainly wouldn't be for the mystical added efficiency that clipless offers. I do miss being able to get decent winter cycling boots though. There's an amazing selecti...

A rather swanky Bearbones jersey and a delightfully green WRT T-Shirt just showed up. Good stuff. :)

I might just risk 2 x Crossmark given the stock issues. Might make the descents a bit more exciting.

That said, I literally just got the GPX for the ride and to be honest, the hills don't look that scary to me (I'm still expecting to struggle to hang with CX racers, but still).

Balls to it, ordering a 26x2.20 3C/EXO/TR Ikon for the front and I'll give it a blast on a long route around Afan next weekend. If I struggle with it, I'll grab an Ardent race (though probably go non Exo on that to save a little weight). Edit - Goddamn it. No stock. =/ Edit 2 - lol, none on the Arde...

Where do Ikons stand vs say... Ardents or Ignitors? (Edit - Scratch Ignitors, they're probably overkill) Actually quite tempted to try an Ardent Race. Hmm... and now I'm seeing a Crossmark II. Didn't know there was a new version. That might work quite nicely up front, though it seems no-one is selli...

Did the fiddy-fiddy couple weekend ago on a 29er with ardents. They were overkill for 98% of the route. All depends on weather, and the crossmark is a great tyre so good choice for the rear. If its dry/dampthen why not another crossmark on the front? If wet then maybe something with a bit more grip...

Maxxis aspens are very quick rolling. Even more so than crossmsrks or ikons Last time I tried Aspens I found I couldn't stop... pretty much anywhere. Couldn't get up muddy hills with them either. They're really not a tyre that suits me for some reason. Definitely fast rolling though. Yes rode the 2...

They'll be on tiny pointless tyres, and I doubt there will be much in the way of grass either.

I have a Continental Race King that I'm thinking about using up front, but maybe that's not enough grip? I ran RC all year round, front and back until very recently ... grip has as much to do with technique as it does tyres :wink: Well I be fooked then. :P I've only ridden last years route but the ...

I need a little help. Going to be doing the Dorset Gravel dash with a couple of CX / Gravel bike toting friends of mine and I'm going to be doing my best to stay with them on old faithful. I'm reasonably happy running a Maxxis Crossmark on the back (I know they're sub standard in wet weather, but I ...

Cheers. :)

That explains the parcel I missed... Sorry if anyone's had to amble off to the post office to collect theirs but I figured it was a safer bet to post them 'signed for' than to leave them entirely at the mercey of the post office. Is no biggy. Would normally have been in, but was bouncing around som...

That explains the parcel I missed... =/

What's that you say... four days of cycling in Ireland this weekend to bring me back out of the Twilight Zone?

DON'T MIND IF I DO.

It takes the data from your spot device feed... so yes, you need the subscription.

I just ram my cables back towards the head tube. Never had any meaningful problems so far (sometimes one of the cables catches on an attachment point on the bag, but it's easily fixed).

I assume you got home ok then? Fair play on riding all that! :D