If you remember I reported on here a while back about the demise of Nannerch, fondly known as 'the Scousers track' in North Wales. It was a real focus of local DHing in the area and was one of the first places Fearingout visited back in 2003.

Well good news to report.

The most active of the guys at Nannerch met with the Forestry Commission, and have begun to create a centre at Foel Gasnach...

http://www.foeldhriders.com/

It looks a real good location - some good tracks and good people. Sign up on the forum and talk to the riders and builders behind it.

So plans afoot for a trip over... whose interested?

Good ride - definitely one part of it is worth doing again... some really good bridleway descents. Weather held out and Phil and I were both glad to be out on the bikes... Can't wait until February for the Wirral ride, and the first proper outing of 'the beast'.

T-shirt news this week hopefully. Get your cheques sent ASAP!

Off riding tomorrow - local area, sussing out some bridleway routes beyond Macclesfield Forest. Just Phil and I unless anyone else wants to join us? Phone me tonight.

T-shirt details finalised. Just waiting for cheques from people before I can place any order with the printer. So far I've got 7 of the 19 T-shirts paid for... come on guys!

Woo hoo!
T-shirt design is done (check out the front page) and investigation into prices - means we are literally weeks away from being a group with a team image!

Anyone whose not emailed me can they please do asap as I need a few more orders to bring the cost down a little...

I can't wait...

Big big plans for 2006! All regular members should have an email detailing ride plans and events in their inbox.

Glentress in April
Afan in September

T-shirt design will be finalised in the next two weeks and then I'll take orders until the end of January. That way we should have them with us by end of February. Watch the site for details and photos.

Looking forward to the 2006 street orientated video already, just need to get Mr Warnock a Moto and learn some skills... Should be fun!

Well, 28th December was the day! I belted back down the road from Scotland to get out on my new beast with the boys. I even had time to work out the front axle shenanigans! All good, very strong. So we met up at the leather smithy where onlookers were gasping at the sight of my motorbike-like new steed!
Up the hill we climbed, and a combo of my crimbo weight and the bike being "a bit" heavier, meant I was damn slow. Still, I didn't buy it to climb! With time and fitness, it will be fine though, plus the added grip from FS is helpful when climbing rocky paths. For example, the final climb up to the peak of Charity lane was a breeze. No skipping around and wheel spinnig for me!
Then charity lane awaited. For the 1st ever time I felt a bit nervous ("For the 1st time ever here, I'm shitting it"), but I turned the wheels and the 170mm forks just ate up the rocky upper sections. The rear end glued to the track too, and somehow I whizzed over about 50 yards of steep sheet ice without too much trouble. I then realised what I was riding on and bricked it! I then twitched the front end and down I went. Seeing the other boys follow me down was funny......"how the fuck did you get to there?!..." etc etc! I think the mammoth grip from my 2.5"s helped, plus the immense weight of me plus bike! Oh, and my DH style skill of course!
So we hit Chris's trail and that was fun in the snow. I then shot off like a beast down the snowy track, bypassing walkers from the barn. The brakes, grip, comfort and confidence were awesome. Not sure if you can tell, but I LOVE my new bike!
Bring on the next ride :)