Snow!

It's snowing and has been all day, check it out! About 2 to 3 inches now and it's gone crazy in last 20 mins! Still in the lull made a snowman family!

James
Producer / Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

We must be mad!

Jon and I headed to Llandegla today to burn off some Christmas Do calories! -2 in Macclesfield how cold can it be we thought? Ffffffin cold is the answer. Two tees and a coat plus a hat after 5 mins I couldn't feel my fingers!

The trails were very crisp and quiet though, and wicked quick in the singletrack so we had a great time! Also good to see some trail maintenance with the worst worn parts of the original trail being spruced up!

It's always a long way back to the car though and to top it off it started snowing!! Brrrrrr.

Anyway on our way home now with Jon driving, so work on Wideopen Issue 11 continues! See you all on the 30th, have a lovely Christmas!

James
Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

Messing around in the woods...

Putting together Issue 11 for Wideopen and Dunc's just dropped off some photos of Jon's Blue-pig that are for a great feature in the mag... I thought I'd share a snap of all the fun in the woods! :)



In other news on the 19th December we'll be riding at Lee Quarry or Llandegla (dependent on the weather) and then 30th December in Macclesfield.

Rock and Roll.

Rain rain go away...

Woah wet wet wet through today!

I picked up Kev at an unearthly 8am this morning in damp but fair weather. As we headed for North Wales a few spots of rain and even on arrival at Gwydwr still looked ok. I think it was about 3/4 of the first climb when the heavens first opened - and it continued to repeat the cycle all day.

So damp (and muddy) conditions, what about spirits?
Not a chance.
Awesome fun today - bags of grip and hella fast. Tony and Kev's first ride at Gwydwr - both really enjoyed themselves. We made decent time doing the loop in 3/1/2 hours, even with some filming. Props to Kev for managing all day, well more than managing, whooping Chris's arse by the end of the ride, on a 4X bike with short seatpost and small selection of gears - despite this he found a setup that worked.

So back to the roots of Fearingout, and all smiles. Good to see Chris back out on a bike - and nice to be in a group again. It's been too long. Inevitably talk turned to 2010 - and calls for Scotland in April and Spain in September are still ringing in my ears... personally I think we'll be in Scotland before then! Peebles is calling...

Gwydwr 15/11/09

Gamut P30 chain device

Thanks to the lovely chaps at Madison a Gamut P30 arrived in the post today.

First impressions are good, solid feel, quality finish and simple fitting. This is the P30, a dual ring device, and one that'll be fitted to the Cotic Bfe when it arrives in the new year. Brief first look in Wideopen Issue 11, out before Christmas.

RRP £114.99
www.madison.co.uk

James
Producer / Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

Llandegla on haloween...

Kev and I headed out last Saturday for a blast around Llandegla - it's over a year since I was last there and I wondered if things had improved further. It was certainly popular, with a full car park at 9.30am!! The climb was nice and steady, but when we got to the top we were greeted with an area of the forest completely cleared - so where the trail used to snake through the trees you find yourself railing down an exposed hill side. This part was never amazing, but the exposed nature had taken it's toll on the trail with heavy braking bumps in the corners (from poor riding on full sussers by the BMW driving Specialized riding weekend warriors). I was worried that the popularity of the trails was going to have caused heavy wear on the following sections too!!

Although the first black was quite worn in the berms (making it a bit hairy on a hardtail) things weren't too bad and improved the further we went - the trail really quietened down too! The black sections really are superb, great flow and pump. The climb back out to the start though is still a slog.
When we got back to the visitor centre the pump track was being ridden by chavs on full sussers (oh dear, it won't last long) and the skills area was a little tame in most parts and then the jumps were at each end of the extreme - dead easy (but hella fast) or dead hard (but just rollable!).

So all in a good day out. Nice to be out on the hardtail. Can't wait for the Cotic.
Gwydwr next in November. See you all soon!

Llandegla 31/10/09

Wideopen Longtermer - Ragley and NukeProof first look...

First report in from Jon aboard the Longterm test bike - the new Ragley Blue Pig, built up with a selection of tasty Nuke Proof parts courtesy of the lads at Hotlines...

A nice new build to suit my need for a slightly longer roomier hartail without loosing the fun factor of my Orange SubZero comprising:

16" Ragley Blue Pig in Skwosh £259.99 www.ragleybikes.com
Billed as a Revolutionary Steel long travel hardtail, featuring a very distinctive 3 finger chainstay allowing massive tyre clearance whilst providing enough space to run a 36 tooth mid ring with no issues.
Bridgeless seat stays and chain stay mounted IS disc brake give a very clean looking idividual rear end. A key feature of the frame are the bolt on cable guides providing flexibility in cable routing choices.
My initial impressions of the frame were 'WOW' an amazing looking paint job with custom placeable sticker set.
During the build the bolt on cable guides fought all the way but the benefits in looks and flexibility outwayed the dificulties.
The paint job, however didn't please during the build, a coating of paint around the top of the seat tube and along the clamp slot required removing before the seatube could be fitted.
The paint reared its increasing ugly head whilst trying to fit the rear wheel, I have ended up removing the paint from the non-drive side dropout to allow ease of wheel fitting.
Once the build was complete the Ragley had impressed me no end with a great ride and resonsive handling it climbs easily and descends with a smoothness that it's length can be thanked for, but showing it a rocky rugged track shows it is no bland ride it was flickable, chuckable and most of all fast!
Here's to a winter of muddy, rocky and fast trails around the Peaks, Wales and Scotland to fully test the Pigs gravity desceding and brutal ascending attitude.

Nukeproof: Warhead 27.2 x 400mm seatpost £44.99, Warhead 50mm 31.8mm stem £59.99, Warhead SL 1 1/8" headset £39.99, Warhead 760mm 20mm rise Bar £44.99. www.nukeproof.com
What can be said for initial impressions of cockpit parts and seat posts? well with the Nukeproof kit a quality finish and attention to detail springs to mind.
The surfaces and fit were flawless with great quality graphics. The Headset is smooth and compact and time will tell its durability. Lets see how things run and how they cope with a winter of grit and mud!

Nukeproof Neutron Cromo Axle Pedal £69.99 www.nukeproof.com
After many pedals requiring adaption after first ride (get the grub screw box out) I was pleasently surprised to feel comfortable straight off with the Neutron pedals. They are noticeably thin whilst still featuring a deep concave design. From the specs the seals, bushes and bearings indicate a good lifespan should be expected and the finish still looks as good as new even after a few gritty rides and a couple of comedy crashes.

Nukeproof Generator all mountain wheelset £299.99 www.nukeproof.com
Featuring: Nuke Proof Generator hub set and SunRingle MTX 29 rims. New in built up but not yet ridden, can't wait as they look and appear the part.
The sticking Glass yellow hubs are a bold statement wihich actually go well with the Orange of the Blue Pig, It's nice to have an individual looking hub which isn't an anodised show piece.
The build of the rims appears spot on with good spoke tension and no obvious abnoralalities. Sealed bearing front and back should see a long life with minimal maintenance which works well for me and my favourite mud and grit.
A few rides over the next week will give me an initial opinion as to there performance.

Overall the build has gone well with minimal problems and a continued long term test will let the bike prove itself, here's to seeing you on the trails as you can't miss me on the orange and yellow beast!

Jon will give us a more in detail look in Issue 11 (out Christmas), with a wrap up article in Issue 12 out in 2010.

Nukeproof Generator Rims

The new set of rims arrived today for Jon's Ragley Blue Pig build, look great quality and striking! Certainly look the part so we'll see if he can get them built up in time for testing at Llandegla on Saturday.

James
Producer / Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

Old and new...

Tonight, the last weeknight ride of 2009 (clocks change Sunday) and a mix of old and new...

New'comer' Mark joined us for his first proper mountainbike ride after splashing the cash on the company bike to work scheme on a top line GT Aggressor. Some decent Marzocchi forks (rebound and a 15mm axle - 130mm travel) and Avid Juicy three brakes (in white!) being the high lights.

New'bike' Jon was out on the Blue Pig - first time I'd seen it built up and it looks amazing - lovely details and so bright in orange. Great design and great graphics, it looks a lot more expensive then it is - which you can tell when you try and adjust the seat, poor tolerances make it a bit stiff to say the least!

So old, yeah well that's me and Charity Lane - 6 years this winter, and what a fantastic 6 years! Tonight the weather was a little cold, wet and typically autumnal in Macclesfield Forest. The usual route and banter and climbs got us to Charity Lane. Dropping saddles we attacked hard, and the rain has washed off the loose surface leaving something wicked fast, absolutely insane - great great fun both Jon and I were 'on it' today - big smiles. Mark came into view pulling a jump over the bottom water bar - good man - he's already addicted talking about pedal upgrades and getting some wider bars from Jon!!

Onwards we headed to do the full loop and drifting in the leaves down the new bike only trail, careful braking points and flat out we got back down to the motorway tired, wet, muddy but happy. That's what autumn is all about. Great stuff...

Next ride Llandegla a week tomorrow. See you there!

Macclesfield Forest 23/10/09

Fast and Loose (FOFO2) trailer...

One word - incredible. I can't wait until November 23rd.

Foot Out Flat Out 2 - Fast and Loose Trailer 2009 from Aaron Bartlett on Vimeo.

Yours truly did the graphics and DVD box/disc design! :)

Mobile posting

Now I've got my new phone I can post on the go! Here's just a test post to see how things work!

James
Producer / Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

First timers...

First time we've seen Kev's new Commencal tonight - lovely looking bike, and god is it orange!!! It's described as day-glo and photos don't do it justice!!

So fixed seatpost and no small ring up front yet Kev managed to ride 95% of the route tonight - amazing. Great commitment.

Charity Lane was wet - and slippy (too wet for grip). After a few weeks on the full susser I was probably over confident, and the head wind had me struggling with gears (trying to find one in which to make progress). I don't know quite what happened but I had an off, the bars twisted. Luckily I always carry some tools so onwards with a little bruise to the thigh and a big bruise to the pride.
We headed straight on at Standing Stone to find yet another motorway being cut through the forest by UU - it's amazing they find the money for all this but no real investment in biking trails!! Still the old push up track is now officially bike only, and a real gem flat out - although slightly hairy in the leaves and mud.

So a good ride tonight. Kev's keen to get out again once he sorts a few little niggles on the Absolut. I'm just itching for this Cotic now! Can I really wait three months!!!!

Kev's Commencal Absolut 4X

Wideopen Issue 10...

For those of you oblivious to Facebook and the 'Wideopen News' bit on the left of this site - Wideopen Issue 10 is here!!! (at last).

Yes it's been a long time coming - so I hope you all find it worth the wait. Jamie and I have had a hard summer outside of the work and the mag. We want to thank you all for sticking with us... 2010 is shaping up to be a super year.

Spent yesterday at the Cycleshow and it was great to meet a few new faces, put some faces to names, and visit a few friends. Some positive noises for more product tests, and possibly some advertising revenue to put back into the mag and race team. All good.

Personally the most exciting discovery is that the new Cotic BFe (which looks awesome - Jamie is putting some snaps up on Wideopen before Monday) will come in XS - 14.5" seat tube, 22" top tube, 16.5" back end. I.e. pretty much half way between my Chameleon and my Coiler in size - so perfect. We'll get one of the first ones for test in the new year!! :)

Out riding tonight - perhaps the last week night ride of 2010 :( See you at the forest!!

Autumn is on it's way...

Just Chris and myself tonight - and a good ride - it's been a few weeks.
It's been quite dry recently, mainly drizzle if anything. It brightened up nicely this afternoon and as we unloaded the cars in bright sunshine it was really quite pleasant.

The bite in the air told us it was autumn soon though, as did the leaves under wheel. Chris and I put the world to rights climbing up to Charity Lane - just like old times and really quite energising.

Charity Lane was dry and fast. Awesome fun today. Cumberland Brook a few weeks ago really paid off and I was loving the Pikes and new wheels. Really fast, pinned, and the whole run came together so well I was loving it. Chris however came down with ETA on - ooops!

Onto the singletrack and despite Charity Lane being dry, and not much rain, it was slippy. Front end going sideways in mud, finding grip on dry roots! Madness.

Good fun all round.
Will next week be the last weeknight ride of 2009?

Other news:
Kev has splashed out on a Commencal Absolut. Expect to see him out with us from next week. Reinstate!

Sunday 18th October is in the diary for the next weekend ride.

Jon's Ragley Blue Pig photos...

Those that don't have Jon as a friend on Facebook won't have seen these yet, hot of the press so to speak...

Lovely looking bike!

Jon's Ragley Blue Pig

Useful transport and Posing

The Wideopen Ragley Blue Pig test bike had been built up, lacking wheels at the moment.
I had her finished thursday evening so she got packed for the trip to cambridge! Yes extreme bike in cambridge. So it was functional transport for a shake down of a new build, sounds sensible, within 5 mins I stacked it and landed, gloveless, on the pavement. Ouchy.
Overall a very responsive bike, puts power down so well, and with familiar wide nuke proof bars handled proper!.
Day 2 of the Bluepig,
Bandaged and gloved up, it's a tow path ride whilst filming Em's 8 cruising the river, the bike was so smooth even at low speeds, problem was the 'pig wanted to be ridden properly and Minions do not like sand and hot tarmac.
I think the best thing I can say about the bike before riding her properly is 'bling'!
Chained up outside the Fort, a group of 'cool' kids crowded round her checking the details, best of all on the way off they shouted 'this is a proper good bike whoever owns it' they got a thumbs up and a knowing nod! this was closesly followed by many city or 'shitty' bike riders slowing down to see what they could have won!

And as a bonus note whilst I've been writing this on the balcony 3 couples have stopped and used my motor as 'vehicle porn'

The itch...

...no nothing like that!
and nothing like Elly's chicken pox either.

I feel Scotland calling, that's all. Anyone for hardtails down deliverance?

All this talk about France...

Jon and I headed down into Wildboarclough tonight for a different sort of Thursday night ride - which started very unusually with a 30 minute push up Cumberland Brook.

Aboard full sussers with armour and full face we had every intention of flat out reinstatement and I'm pleased to say both of us were certainly feeling 'on it' - what an awesome ride!
The top half is wideopen, loose, mixed surface dropping into a more technical slab ridden shoot, where line choice is harder than you think picking routes across loose shale and leaning the bike into the edges of the track for the last ounce of speed.

Second half starts slow, with a bed of loose pebbles making progress hard work and sketchy, then your dropped into a tight bridleway - rocky as hell with some pinch points but just roll fast through here... the loose surface dissappears and things speed up, wicked quick - before a slight climb. Then all hell lets loose as you drop again taking a rock strewn line or my option the rooty banked left line - nailing it down here buzzing like hell pedalling between little root sections and then it opens up and it's a flat out pedal down to the lower gate.

Through this and the small ford and it's all over - far too quick.
Jon and I found ourselves wondering if France will be like this? But longer! Let's hope so!

Cumberland Brook 17/9/09

Full bounce and smartphones...

Just short one tonight...

We'll be heading out Thursday to ride Cumberland Brook. Anyone up for it let me know. Although it's certainly rideable on a hardtail it's a lot more fun and scary fast on a full susser. Jon and I rode there a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it so that's why it's back on the agenda. It's worth noting though that it'll be a push up, and probably only a few sessions on the way back down as it's 30mins to the top!

In brief - looking at finally chopping in my Nokia 7210... anyone got any opinions on the 3 stuff? I'm wondering about the E61 set up with push email using Mobile me or Google mail... I know it's not an iPhone but it's £15 a month versus £30+ with the cost of the iPhone upfront too!

Gaaaaaaaa I love the Chameleon...

Jon and I headed out for a Friday night (vs Thursday) ride this week... it's been about a fortnight since I last was out on the bike and it felt too long!
I was on-board the Chameleon... the Coiler is a heavy bike for sunny evenings - and the bottom bracket needs replacing... great excuse to 'bed the brakes' in on the old hardtail.

Jon was recovering from man flu - but all the same was still not bad climbing tonight. The Chameleon really benefits from the lock down on the Z1s that the old AM3s didn't have, so I motored ahead. The weather and views were amazing and three days of dry weather had dried out Charity Lane a treat.

With Jon's man flu I headed down first - and I was hollaring and whooping like a mad thing, the Z1s (first ride on Charity Lane with them fitted) really have transformed the bike - fantastic confidence, pinned lines, flat out pedalling, great flickiness, light front end easy to pull up it was amazing. I was stunned. The most fun I've had in Macclesfield all year - awesome.

Jon was a little more down beat - the flu had killed him. On to the singletrack and unfortunately the dry weather hadn't worked it's magic here - and the limited drying time had actually just turned the top surface to slime. Shame, but not enough to take the shine of a truly awesome summer evening. Shame it's September!!

Other news - met up with Jamie (of Wideopen fame) earlier in the week. Great to see him and sup beers/ciders. We're heading down to Cycleshow in October together for the mag... maybe see you there?

Macclesfield 11/9/09

Elly loves BMX

Have I broken my daughter?

Unlike most 2 year olds 'I watch Charlie Lola!' at bed time, or 'In Night Garden' in the Hilton household Elly announces 'I watch bikes'!

Not just any bikes either...
Try and fob her off with an old Fearingout DVD 'do you want to watch Daddy on a bike?' - results in 'NO!!! BMX!'.

So perhaps the fact her Puky is brakeless is a sign of things to come?

Anyway - here is Elly's favourite - the Fit lads on the Ride DVD 'Ride to Glory'.
Truly awesome (plus I love the Charlatans).

Enjoy!

Blingy bling bling...

Thanks to Pete at Hotlines we've landed a few goodies for Wideopen on longterm test. After misplacing my bar end caps at Lee Quarry I mentioned it and a lovely set of titunium Straitline ones arrived - awesome. More bling then I'd ever splash out for at least I can see what all the fuss is about. Hopefully I won't have cause to test out the sparking claim!

The Ragley Blue Pig also turned up... this will be kitted out with Nuke Proof gear, Shimano SLX groupset and possibly my old AM3s so we can put it head to head with a few other bikes... eventually Jon is planning on buying it off Hotlines and using it as a third bike... though he'll need a third set of forks if he wants to keep the Orange on the trail too...

A piece of good luck...

Chris and I headed out to Charity Lane tonight - and were a little late leaving work as I'd forgotten to put the handbrake on my car in the morning, and came back to find it butten up against another car's door across the car park! Ooops! Left a note on it and just heard from the chap that he's happy there is no damage - thank my lucky stars that was a good reminder about concentrating first thing in the day!

Anyway yeah a chance to try the new wheel and forks on Charity Lane - and despite finding some play in my bottom bracket and a chain that was skipping a little GRRRR it was fast and flowing. Perhaps a little too easy now? Hardtail out again I think! Still great fun and I was knackered at the bottom from pedalling flat out. Bring on the time trial/racing!

Both of us being late headed back down the road so no idea how the singletrack has stood up to the rain of the last week...

Anyhow here's a comedy photo of Chris adjusting his pads. Happy days.

Tony's back from France...

Tony is just back from a trip to the Alps - sounds like he had an amazing time, he sent over a few 'tourist' snaps, attached below. Words from the man himself:
"It was France I went to, it was amazing! I lost count how many times I shat myself -some of it was so steep. When we stopped all you could smell was brakes!! I'll send you some photo's if you want. My cousins got an evil shot of Matt clearing a table top. I'll try and send you that!"





Sounds amazing. Planning has moved on for the Europe 2010 trip, and we're narrowed down to Chamonix or Morzine. Keep your eyes peeled for more information soon!

Wake up boo!

Driving down into the beautiful valley today from the Buxton road towards Wildboarclough in the gorgious morning sunlight and I was struck by just how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful area.

I met up with Jon at just after half eight and by 9.15 we were at the top... 30 minutes push! We'd forgotten just how long Cumberland Brook bridleway is, and just how mixed the surface and gradients are... after a quick pad and helmet up Jon and I made a first run with me tailing Jon. Wow - the combination of full face and 20mm bolt through transformed my ride, both of us were buzzing for a second run so off we pushed again. Second time not so lucky as Jon said I motored off he was pushing to stay in touch and blew out. The tubeless system couldn't seal the tear in his sidewall so I leant him a spare tube. Whilst he was repairing it I pushed up for a another run - great fun and finding some good lines and then again... pssssssttttttttt. I punctured too! I only had taken one tube so ride over for me.

Jon and I headed down to the car filming a few sections before making an early dart for home. Great fun and a good ride. Hopefully next time we'll have more luck!

Wildboarclough 22/08/09

Anyway repaired the tube, fitted my new chain, new rear tyre and removed 2 of the 3 rim stickers on each wheel. Looking good!

New toys for the boys...

Nice big parcel arrived today... but not big enough considering how much it cost! I'm sure £££ buy me less and less every year!

Rear tyre, 180mm brake upgrade and chain for the Coiler. New disc brake pads for both bikes plus some new spare tubes... over £100!

Ouch!

Something to play with tomorrow night though. Photos of the beast when she's finished... and I hope to get out on her for a quick blast down Cumberland Brook on Saturday... anyone interested?

That's good

Good day today... hot though. Tony, Jon and I took an early dart to re-ride Lee Quarry. Dry as a bone today, and where Jon and Tony found grip, I felt sketchy. A fork tweak later and it was even worse! Way to slow rebound. Sped her back up and found some pace late in the day...

Met some lads, nice little chat - they'd heard of Wideopen!

Bad news though - lost a bar end cap (my fault, not tightened up properly after the bar swap!)... will see if I can get something via Hotlines when I get my new wheels! :)

Re-run

In place of this weeks ride we're heading back to Lee Quarry on Thursday, to re-run this Saturday's failed attempt. Plan is get there for 3ish and ride until 5. Anyone else up for it?

Lee Quarry photos...

Lee Quarry 1/8/09

Slippery when wet...

A short note whilst I'm waiting for news from Tom - not the most successful trip to Lee Quarry today...

We should have given up when James turned up and found his rear wheel seized! We free'd it up but it was seized again within half a mile so he turned back. Unlucky - but the offer of my nearly new XT wheels is there mate!

Onwards and some good chat saw us meet Jon, Ross and Tony sessioning the first section.

So far so good.

The second of the singletrack descents, berms and whoops with a few big tables at the bottom, was pretty wet. We all had a run down before pushing up for second run. Out comes the camera and Tony sets the standard fairly low - and Tom roles in to one up him... he enters the first berm well, nice and fast - second one fine but slightly odd line - and then the drainage gap in the third still rocket speed and the carbon forked Scandium framed hardtail dug in under him and literally catapulted him face first into the berm. Ouch! (possibly caught on camera - more on that later).

Gashed knee, elbow, nose and lip - and a mild concussion. Ross helped him back to the car whilst the rest of us finished the loop. It was clear by the time we met up with them for lunch that Tom's ride was over - he'd even forgotten where he was temporarily... So with the day cut short I loaded my gear into Ross's car, and drove Tom back to Macclesfield A&E.

That's where we're up to... still raining - Tom's car on the drive, waiting for a call to go and pick him up. BBQ off - weather is appalling.


As for the rest of Lee Quarry, great great fun. The hardtail really ruled, and the new forks were well matched to the frame and inspired even greater confidence. I really left the full susser for dead, which is quite a feat on the rocky trails. Can't wait for next time and get a few loops in, hopefully in the sunshine!

Something fishy...

Well the PIKEs arrived on Friday and today was the first chance to do anything bike related... progress has been quite swift so far...

The Chameleon is now 're-born' AGAIN - this time with the super smooth Z1s. No travel or stiffness increase over the AM3s but a big performance increase (plus handy ETA for climbing!) The look lush!
As the new Pike's are silver the white Wing-bars on the Coiler have also been swapped over onto the Chameleon - which is now quite 'white' but does look awesome... remaining tasks before my birthday ride are changing the front tube (slow flat - that's gotten worse) and replacing the chain.

The Pikes are amazing looking too and the black Wing-bars and them have found themselves temporarily setup whilst I source a 20mm front wheel, brake upgrade (pads and 180mm rotor for the rear) plus new chain.

Rock on.

Alpine preparation?

Just Jon and myself this fine evening after a week of torrential rain and the downpours had really changed the character of Charity Lane and it's approach. Funnily enough, without chatting before hand both Jon and I had taken full face again! This time Jon even took new goggles - true 'alpine prep'.

Charity Lane was light speed today. The forks must have known they've been replaced as they performed amazingly, a real transformation and with the full face I was spinning out. Halfway though knackered, so some work to do on general fitness I think...

After a quick pose (see above) the singletrack was sketchy as hell. Great fun.

So the Coiler is retired for a month or so now. As well as new forks, it needs a new rear brake setup, new wheels, new rear tyre, new cassette, new chain.

The Chameleon will be rebuilt this week with the white DMR wingbars and the Z1s, ready for a birthday raid to 75% certain Lee Quarry! See you there!

Whistle whilst you work?

Get the cryptic clue?

PPPPPP IIIIII KKKKKKK EEEEEEE!!!

Yeah I was offered deal of the decade from Col at Fli/MTB Direct on a set of 2009 Pike 426s in silver and succumbed to the 20mm front fork. I've been avoiding this for 2 years, saying it wasn't necessary on a 5" bike blah blah blah heavy blah not enough travel blah expensive blah!!!
Having ridden the Genesis for Wideopen earlier this year I've been swayed by the big axled monster.

The Z1s have served me VERY well and remain a truly awesome fork that marked a change in the riding I did, and my confidence to push on hard - eclipsing anything I'd ridden previously. These will find a new home on my SantaCruz Chameleon and the cheap(ish) AM3s currently on that bike will be temporarily retired - for re-use on Cathy's bike in the near future.

So tonight is the last ride on the Z1s, a fitting place to end the journey, back where it all began in Macclesfield on Charity Lane.

Goodbye old friend, I'll see you soon...

Full face... a difference?

So amongst the scattered rain storms and dark clouds Jon and I headed out this evening for the usual Macclesfield Forest jaunt, this time with a difference...

Full face.

Yeah Jon's had his for a while, and during Stinky ownership Mr Warnock sported a nice little number (including bling goggles) but it's taken me a while.
Now yeah I got it to review for Wideopen, so it hasn't cost me a penny, but why else did I want to try one?

Well both Scott and Jon talked about a feeling of invunerability, invincible if you like... and with talk of a trip to France (or Spain) for a gravity orietated holiday in 2010 to celebrate my 30th it seemed a good warm up to ride local trails I know with one...

So I didn't really know what to expect to be honest. A nice fit, and it looks great too (IMHO), but would it change my riding?

Hard to say is the short answer...

Unlike Maxxis super tacky tyres, or 5:10s it doesn't change the handling or contact points so the bike and your speed feel the same, but somehow I wasn't as worried about being thrown off course and found myself looking further down the trail. So yeah a gentle but growing feeling of invunerability.
But what held me back really I think is the 130mm forks, which don't do quite enough to keep my confidence up when the going gets rough and loose.

So, as planned, a 20mm setup is on the cards for next year - to be bought this year.
Pikes? 140mm, stiff and highly rated, but with only a 10mm increase in front travel - or Lyrics with 115-160mm (similar to Jon's All Mountain 1s) to give a similar performance but with increased flexibility... or is 160mm front, 130mm a bad idea... I don't know.

All good.

BIRTHDAY 2009
We're riding somewhere local-ish on the 1st August. Keep an eye on your email but current favourite is Lee Quarry. We'll have to see I guess... followed by a BBQ at Casa Del Hiltano.

See you next week!

Macclesfield Forest 16/7/09

More toys on test...

Yet more goodies turning up in the Wideopen mail bag this week... a Madison jacket and Bell helmet.

For general arsing around riding in the UK it's sensible to have a decent jacket, and Madison are hoping to plug the gap with a range of really well priced and specc'd options for you to choose from.

We've just got a Trail jacket into review, which is a lightweight, waterproof, breathable shell - priced at just shy of £80 RRP.

Hopefully I won't have much chance to wear it this summer, so expect the first proper test later in the year... although with the UK who knows! I could be wearing it in August! First look in Issue 10 (in production at present).

Morning at Fli

Just spent a very pleasant morning visiting the guys at Fli Distribution in Glossop, just up the road, for a feature in Issue 10 of Wideopen. The place has a great vibe and buzz about things, and we finished off the coffee whilst perving over the latest Twenty6 goodies (my god the pedals are amazing) and had a sneak peak at the 2010 O’Neal gear (helmets, protection and riding gear) which looks pretty special.

Picked up a Skad helmet for longterm test in the mag as well - so keep your eyes peeled. It looks awesome and matches the Wideopen race jerseys!