I still recall getting dirty looks from CXers for daring to pass them as they teetered down the descents on the last of these "multi discipline" rides I did.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1072601256 As for tyres, it's looking largely irrelevant as right now unless my back / shoulder sorts itself I doubt I'll be able to do it anyway. On the original subject, it was mainly about finding tyres that were as fast as I could get away with so I could kee...

Just measured... was running 14psi by the time I'd finished letting air out. I just don't think that's going to work out (too much risk of burping / rim damage).

Aye, is terrain dependant though obviously. Spend a lot of time on fireroad / road, then higher pressures are generally best. Lower for rocky surfaces etc. Point being, I can get away with running my draggier tyres at much higher pressures (allowing smoothness on rough terrain) which leaves me wonde...

Tried a Crossmark up front and a Speed King on the rear today. Wasn't too bad for grip (aside from a couple of sketchy bits on wet rocks), but the Speed King (3c protection) is ridiculously bouncy. I don't know what pressure I ended up letting it down to, but I'm almost certain it's sub 20psi, which...

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Just to prove that Richard will sleep outside ... here he is

Clearly photochopped. I can tell by the pixels.

Ha, have tried that. Have also tried Nytol. Neither seemed to have much of an effect.

One thing I would say on SPD... consider getting them fitted professionally. I nearly permanently ruined my knees by fucking up my cleat placement and doing some seriously long rides without realising.

I'm trying to get the old negatives moved over to digital. Will have to get some up of 80s me when I finally get that project finished.

80s me is a little younger than some of the pics in here though.

I don't know if this is chainring or pedals. I recall it wasn't comfortable at the time...

You'll almost certainly wreck your shins a few times. I have quite the collection of scars from "refining technique".

Well, in the end on that one we ended up basically plonking ourselves on a footpath just off the fireroad because we simply couldn't find any flat ground... so walkers in that case. ...and I can barely sleep under a tarp, I'm not going to just be able to "lie down and sleep". To be fair, I...

Logic really doesn't come into it... and no, it's not a fear of axe murderers. I'm more worried about someone half inching some of my stuff as they pass by (or as previously stating, running into someone that's annoyed because I'm on their land or something). Sure, that's city boy thinking, but that...

I have, they slipped around massively. In fact I went through about 5 different pairs before I ended up buying the five tens and finally being happy with the grip situation (especially when wet underfoot). Edit - To clarify, this is grip when seated rather than when standing, when any old (relativel...

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. Is there any real difference? Never tried 5:10's as they seem to be fragile, take ages to dry and expensive. Not really ideal for mutliday stuff Grip. Less of...

More when I'm asleep. I'm constantly on edge for noise. Have never got more than a few hours sleep outdoors.

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...