fearingout

The build has begun...

2011-12-19T20:46:00.001Z

My new Hope tapered headset and adaptor has arrived so the Five build has begun... Forks and wheelset now in!

Five is the magic number...

2011-12-15T17:00:00.001Z

It's arrived!!!! My custom 2012 Orange 5 with Fox Factory RP23... Handmade in Halifax and she looks awesome, I'll be building her over Christmas depending on time, Wideopen Issue 17 and parts arriving in time...

Llandegla la la la la la...

2011-10-24T21:21:00.001+01:00

Well it's a few days ago now but Jon and I visited Llandegla on Saturday for a morning ride. It's always strange visiting the trail centre near Wrexham. ALWAYS busy but it holds some strange memories as the first time we visited it had only been open a couple of weeks and we were NOT impressed... but how things have changes and like a fine wine it has matured and improved with age.

This time we found a few 'new bits' and rode a section described as Dirt Jumps - over in the black singletrack. Great fun but why is it so far from the car! Perhaps they need a second car park!

Anyway we had a great ride, until Jon was riding along fire road between singletrack sections when we heard an all mighty crack and his seat post snapped!!! An ancient Orange one that came with his Subzero many years ago - luckily the snapped bit could be removed and although it was too low to ride up hills he got around with no arse injuries.

So what's up next... I wondered maybe Gwydwr for old times sake?

On-board

2011-10-03T21:08:00.001+01:00

Fearingout 'onboard' from James Hilton on Vimeo.

All set...

2011-09-30T18:53:00.000+01:00

...for Scotland. 3 bikes, 8 wheels and enough luggage to fill the A4!

Jon boy goes solo...

2011-09-18T17:01:00.001+01:00

Solo, well single speed... And not on a big bike either, but a svelte baby blue SE Racing road bike.

Make up your own mind, I think it looks pretty nice but you wouldn't get me on one!

Finding the sweet spot...

2011-09-09T09:33:00.000+01:00

It's a few weeks since I've updated the blog - summer seems to have passed us by and with the first few days of September, and with it Autumn, the weather has taken a turn for the cooler and more typically damp Macclesfield grey-ness.

So what keeps your spirits up at this time of year? The evenings are still light enough for a rag after work so out as usual every Thursday - same routes, same faces... but good never the less - infact you never tire of riding your local trails (do you?).

In the last few weeks I've been lucky enough to be slinging my leg over the Stanton Slackline on Longtermer from Wideopenmag.co.uk, and it really is a lovely lovely bike and fantastic build for these hills. Light and playful. What's become ever more obvious though is the geometry that has an absolutely divine sweet spot. An inch forwards or back in body position and it's gone, but it's easy to find, and once you hit it you absolutely fly. The bike is incredible in the gentler of the rough stuff, so planted and quick, a real pleasure to pick up and jump from rock to rock riding lines that you'd normally only entertain with a short travel full susser around these parts.

It's got me waxing lyrical about riding though, and that's the main thing - the thing that had slipped by with my regular riding companions slowly dropping by the way side... finding the spark was necessary and long over due - and just in time for a weekender in Scotland at the end of the month.

Slack by name - rapid by nature...

2011-08-04T19:56:00.001+01:00

First ride out on the Wideopen test rig, the Stanton Slackline. The chaps at Stanton have built this up with a lovely spec and it's SO light. A totally different feel with such a light build to the Cotic - something akin to the Genesis Alpitude I reckon but with some nice touches, wider bars, adjustable seat post...

Anyway it's a great ride! 1x10 was interesting... I managed to get up to Charity Lane - somehow - but the final switchback climb was too much for my tired legs. On the descents this thing is a machine, it picks up speed like my SantaCruz Chameleon did, but the length gives real stability. The lightweight wheels make it very manoeuvrable. I was very impressed and look forward to ragging it at a few trail centres too in the coming weeks before a writeup in Wideopen Issue 17.

Six is the magic number?

2011-07-14T19:01:00.002+01:00

Record so far this year - 6 out on tonight's regular Thursday night ride. Ryan back from 'injury' for his second ride, Jon (a colleague of Tony in work) out for his first ride. Also good to see Tony and Ross out - and Jon made his maiden voyage on board a rebuilt Orange Sub-zero.

Dry as a bone so Charity Lane was very quick! Great fun on the hardtail this week, last week's sessioning of the bottom paid off with a lot more speed carried into the bottom corner. Bottom of the Oven was very very loose - I nearly had a VERY BIG off - but somehow rode it out - Ryan said he came over the brow to see a cloud of dust and me somehow hanging on to the bike whilst we both roughly headed downhill all over the place!

Got to the bottom to find Jon had a puncture - and then found the rear tyre had been one of his 'homebrew' tubeless system which had been repaired with a tube at some point 12 months ago - hence the tube and tyre were glued together with the remains of the liquid latex! MAJOR ball ache getting it off but with the pair of us on it, things sped up a little.

Then with time against us we did the singletrack - so quick, and incredible fun on the Cotic - I can't wait to get up to Scotland in September on board!

See you all next week!

Photo shoot...

2011-07-12T22:12:00.000+01:00

This is a bit of a delayed update after last week's ride but I've been waiting for the photos from Dunc who came out with us to shoot for Wideopen Issue 16, and the BFe longtermer write up...

Just Jon and I, both on hardtails, both pinned. A bit of sessioning on Charity Lane, Bottom of the Oven and the slippery singletrack. These photos are the 'seconds' that haven't made it into the mag, check out Issue 16 in a couple of weeks to see and read my thoughts on the BFe after 3 months of hard riding...

From Macclesfield Forest 7/7/11

Check out the rest of the photos, and join us for another ride this Thursday - usual time and place :)

Macclesfield Forest 7/7/11

Trusty XT shifter...

2011-07-06T20:03:00.001+01:00

Well I'm sorry XT shifter for doubting you. Upon stripping down the rear gear cable this evening, to replace you with a cheap and cheerful Alivio one I find this, the real reason that my shifting had deteriorated! The inner on my Clarks cables has shifted through the end cap, gripping the cable and meaning the rear mech spring isn't strong enough to pull through. Easily resolved with a spare section of outer and I also took the chance to change the brake pads on the front Hope Mini Mono, the first pair in 7 years! The BFe is ready to roll again this week...

The bug bites...

2011-06-30T20:02:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the fold Mr Cefferty...

After over 12 months of me waxing lyrical on Fridays after weeknight rides or on a Monday after a mega weekend trip Ryan has used our 'bike to work' scheme to source a top end entry level hardtail - a Voodoo Hoodoo from Halfords... Seems a good frame with some solid components, nothing bling but dependable strong and hopefully long lasting. So yeah spot what else has rubbed off in our chats... yup they are 5:10s from Day 1, and you might not spot the front tyre that he's replaced already after just a rag around the BMX track near his home.

Anyway good ride tonight. A dry evening after a week of heavy showers. The Cotic was solid - but the 8 speed shifter is playing up I think, it's done nearly 8 years so perhaps it's time to retire it and upgrade... birthday in August, maybe a 1x10 setup on the hardtail?!

Charity Lane felt amazing, Bottom of the Oven fast. Climbs a lot easier - think it goes to show what a difference how tired you are makes to riding fitness. I feel I'm a lot more rested than the last few weeks.

So Ross joined us too and struggled a little with bike fitness, think he enjoyed himself though - that's the main thing, having a smile (or a gurn) on your face.

And what of Ryan? Well he races hairdresser's cars at the weekend so we knew he'd be competitive - and his fitness was up there with mine. Not to shabby on the descents either and big smiles - we'll see him out next week I think and he's keen to travel to one of the trail centres with us soon too...

Macclesfield Forest 30/6/2011

Snap crackle and pop...

2011-06-16T20:35:00.001+01:00

Great ride this evening - Jon, Chris and I out on hardtails this week as things were wet and I fancied a change from the big bike...

One thing that after all these years is still such a big part of mountainbiking for me after work is the 'therapy' of climbing up to Charity Lane. It gives you a good 30-40minutes to download work and life with your mates. Even better this week we got on to advising Chris on 2x10 setups and Jon dreaming of a hydraulic deraileur system.

Charity Lane is smoothing out, as it always does in the summer. Still loose and rocky but a line has emerged and I felt fast if a little loose. Good to take the full susser confidence back to the hardtail - you pick better faster lines and it keeps things interesting. Chris said I was pulling away from him which is cool, but Jon obliterated the pair of us - both on the downs and the climbs. Animal. Jon left us for a blast back to town - Chris and I headed down Bottom of the Oven - I was expecting to find it very loose and pretty sketchy but today I just felt on it down there, pinned and very quick with plenty of pumping and jumping (pop) at the top before careering down the steep loose bit with a bit of style.

Onwards and Jon snapped a chain (snap) on the way round to the viewpoint so we briefly caught him before he accelerated up the hill and out of site. Up to the viewpoint Chris and I had a relax and reflection on how lucky we are to live, work and ride in such beautiful countryside. Then down the old push up trail which was great apart from some walkers that slowed us right down - despite it clearly saying 'bike trail' grrrrr. Still we were polite to them. In the darkness it was slippery but great fun - tons of adrenaline pumping.

Sorry no 'crackle'. Couldn't think of anything to make the title work better than that. See you all next week!

That hit the spot...

2011-06-09T20:53:00.001+01:00

Well tonight it was just Jon and I as numbers dwindled again. Kev is out long term with an ankle injury (due back on the big bike mid August I reckon - just in time for Scotland in September!). Chris was away with work, and Tony decorating...

So it's been wet the past few days but it didn't put us off. The usual climb proved to be very therapeutic as Jon and I ranted and got lots off our chests. Charity Lane is evolving again and the climb is a lot smoother already... I wondered if this would be translated over the summit. The full sus allows you to carry so much more speed into the rough stuff, but poor line choice meant Jon closed the gap right up and then with the more level smoother bottom section held my tail to the close - result!

We both reflected that last week (singletrack) felt to short, so decided to do the whole forest loop... not before Bottom of the Oven (awesome tonight), I feel so confident on the big bike. Up at the view point watching the sun start to drop in the sky I was reflecting about next year being 10 years of Fearingout. What a milestone...

Not reflecting long though before we nailed the final descent - and Jon was 'on it' pinning and railing the corners finding grip where I thought none existed. I could only just hold him and I felt flat out on the big bike.

Roll on next week - and the rest of the summer on two wheels.

A quick blast...

2011-06-02T22:44:00.002+01:00

Four out tonight including a 'riding tanned' Jon back from a week ragging the Pitch over in the Sierras in Spain. Sounds like he had a wonderful time, I for one am very jealous. Good ride this evening, as Jon and I were joined by Chris and Tony. Just a dryish Charity Lane and slimy but drying singletrack this evening...

Even I felt though that the descents just aren't long enough.

Then I come home to find Dirt mag on the doorstep and an article on Whistler.
Damn it!

Riding with your mates starts young...

2011-05-29T13:24:00.000+01:00

Bouncy bouncy...

2011-05-19T20:42:00.001+01:00

What a ride! This evening Tony, Chris and I headed out. We've had rain in the last few weeks so we didn't know what the trails would be like but in the main dry and fast. Usual route plus extended round to the view point, all done in about 1h20 with a few stops for banter and fitting in Bottom of the Oven.

I took out the old full-susser today though - it's not been ridden since maintenance post Scotland back in September 2010 (at least as far as I can remember). It ran sweet as a nut today, clean shifting, no creaks or squeaks and oh my, I'd forgotten just how fast you can go with a bit of cushioning under your arse... absolutely flying today and so much fun I'll be out on it again next time :)

Tony wants to organise a weekend jaunt somewhere so drop me a line on Facebook/email/text (whatever) if you're keen.

Again, two days two rides...

2011-04-29T10:09:00.000+01:00

This week Jon and I headed out last night for the week night ride, another warm, sunny, dry ride. I was out on the Cotic again and this week everything just clicked for me, I felt totally pinned. Charity Lane Jon sent me down first and the thought he was tailing me down sent me harder and faster than last week, it was awesome. The singletrack was wickedly quick and the ride was just perfect. Awesome...

Then instead of Friday morning riding with Ross this week Elly and I headed out to the forest for her first mountainbike ride on her pedal bike. She was fabulous, absolutely amazing and full of smiles and confidence.

Wideopen Issue 15

2011-04-22T19:48:00.001+01:00

Two days two rides...

2011-04-22T19:30:00.001+01:00

Two rides this week...

First up Thursday night Chris and I headed out after work... After the issues post ride last week with the Gamut chain device and me bending it, I wanted to test the Cotic out so was onboard the hardtail again this week... With a couple of weeks dry weather Chris and I decided to try the singletrack. A fantastic decision - it was absolutely bone dry and lightning quick.

Then this morning Ross and I headed out for a quick blast. I had tinkered with the chain device again last night with Elly's help! It worked much better today! With two days back to back I managed to pick a better line at the bottom of Charity Lane - still need to ride it a few more times before it's as quick as the old one. The singletrack was absolutely amazing today - really pumped the roots for rhythm and let it rip down the top section. Awesome - just wish we could session it!

Week 2 and old faces...

2011-04-14T22:42:00.002+01:00

Well another week and another weeknight ride... this week Ross joined Chris and I for his first Macclesfield ride for about 12 months. I think he enjoyed himself!

We took the pace a little slower this evening (suited me too) with good chat as usual before taking on Charity Lane. A personal reflection - much more confident and 'on it' this week, although I need to push my fitness a little I think to get the most out of the run. The bottom end though really is super knarl these days, the winter has taken a lot of the softer material out of the rock strata on the bottom berm, and the freeze thaw has broken up the edges making the middle a boulder field - it's just not as fast as it used to be, well on a hardtail anyway.

Having seen some pretty mega tree felling from the cars we decided to do the full loop - so standing at the view point is quite different now! Cool to ride past the 'north shore steps' from days of old... the descent back to the cars was fast and fun. Lots of smiles...

Getting home I decided to replace my chain - easy task made difficult by me not sorting the cranks properly and wrapping the chain between the cranks and chain device upon testing causing some damage to the aluminium spider of the chain device. Some judicious bending has restored it's shape but it's still not quite right and the new chain needs to bed in a bit... Fingers crossed she doesn't play up too much next week.

Tomorrow, Jon is riding at Lee before heading up to Scotland with Leo and crew - have a good weekend riding lads!

Dennis the menace...

2011-04-07T20:44:00.000+01:00

Good ride this evening - the first weeknight ride of 2011 and just Jon and I... the weather turned out well in the end and we resorted to the old favourite route wise.

First time down Charity Lane in anger on the Cotic and it felt bullet proof, but the lane was rough after a winter of freeze thaw cycles and I think I found the handling limit of my short frame and mid-range fork. Good fun though, got to remind myself it was the first time I'd ridden it flat out since last October! Smiles despite feeling a bit shaken around, no punctures and no scary moments!

Roll on next week!

Wideopen BDS Round 1 video is MEGA!

2011-03-22T22:38:00.002Z

If you've not seen it on the Wideopen site or via Facebook already, here it is - a mega video thanks to Paul and Tim for putting it together... pro!

Wideopenmag.co.uk: 2011 Halo BDS Rd1 Nant Gwrtheyrn from Wideopen Mag on Vimeo.

Back in the saddle at Lee and Cragg...

2011-03-20T18:22:00.000Z

Great ride yesterday - the first ride of 2011 and Chris, Ross, Jon and I headed the short (hour) drive up to Lee and Cragg Quarry, on what promised to be a lovely sunny day.

The climb up from the car park is a killer - but we slogged it out. You get a little bit of the red route and two fun singletrack sections with drops and berms before you head off for Cragg across the moor - and this section is now surfaced with an all weather gravel - which hopefully will last! Over in Cragg Jon did nearly two full loops and the rest of us mere mortals just one. The first bit on the way out is ok, but the fun starts about a third into the loop, some awesome sections, loads of pump and flow... and the new sections are great - really build on what's there - Tony and his team have done a grand job.

After a quick breather in the sun we headed back down the moor to Lee - and the new cross moor section was very quick on the way back! We went back to the skills area and fooled about for a bit before finishing off with the last three sections of red singletrack - which finished so so well with the little section through the trees.

So what next? More rides planned for the rest of 2011, and week night rides start the week after next when the clocks change!

Lee and Cragg Quarry 20/03/11

Family matters...

2011-01-02T22:46:00.000Z

James
Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my iPhone

Cotic BFe build finished...

2010-12-29T13:01:00.001Z

The Cotic BFe (www.cotic.co.uk) is finished but no where and no one to ride with today...

Hopefully the mild weather continues though and the snow and Ice recedes further!

So the build:

2010 Cotic BFe in XS
2009 RS Recon 351 Maxle Lite
Hope Mini Mono 180mm front, 160mm rear
Superstar Tech2 hubs and Voltage rims
Maxxis Minion 2.35 front 42a, rear 60a
Shimano Saint cranks 22/32
Gamut P30 chain device
Shimano SLX front and rear mech
Shimano XT 8 speed shifter, LX front shifter
DMR Wingbars and stem
Nukeproof post
Charge saddle
Outland pedals

She's heavy, hopefully stable and planted and will survive a Peak district winter battering. More in Wideopen (www.wideopenmag.co.uk) Issue 15 out in
March 2011.

Christmas haul update...

2010-12-25T17:42:00.000Z

Not had a chance to watch it yet but thanks Andrew!

Christmas haul so far...

2010-12-25T09:20:00.000Z

One Troy Lee Ruckus jersey. Very nice! Thanks Cathy!!

Cotic 95% built up now so out on that on the 29th!

Cotic build in progress...

2010-12-23T20:48:00.000Z

Well with Issue 14 of Wideopen out of the way I spent the evening starting on the build of the BFe. It's gone well so far, should get the chain and mechs on after Christmas. Can't wait to give her a ride, hopefully the 29th!

Wideopen Issue 14...

2010-12-23T16:13:00.000Z

Christmas must have come early because Wideopen Magazine Issue 14 is here! Forget your xbox fit or wii 360, this is the must have present for 2010! Click the cover below to launch in your browser...

Episode 10 lands...

2010-12-22T17:10:00.000Z

Whatever happened to Episode 9? It never saw the light of day, poor quality footage and dull riding made us lift our game this year and this one's a banger. Those in the loop should have a copy before Christmas!

Also, I've done Elly her very own DVD with footage of her riding her balance bike throughout 2010.

Merry Christmas and all the best for a fantastic 2011!

Stevie Smith in the making?

2010-11-14T12:22:00.000Z

Elly today 'sessioned' some rooty singletrack in the forest. Great fun.

Memories not regrets poster...

2010-11-05T19:21:00.000Z

Don't you love random stuff. Turned on Genius on the iPhone App Store and it recommended Phoster from my purchase of Hipstamatic. It's a great little creative app that kills 5 minutes and can produce some pretty trick results. Chuffed.

Lee Quarry Web-edit

2010-10-31T10:17:00.001Z

Lee Quarry Web-edit from James Hilton on Vimeo.

Bang crash wallup!

2010-10-30T20:22:00.000+01:00

Hungover as hell.

That's pretty much the headline today... Headed north to Lee Quarry with Kev and Chris (fellow hangover sufferers) to meet up with both Ross and Steve Larking.

The weather stayed fine, the trails were grippy and worn in, the lines flowed and all had fun and felt 'on it' at one point or another.

Kev and Steve started sessioning some ghetto lines in the freeride area, and after a few runs for camera Kev really found his flow and was looking mega cool... things ended in a bang though when the bike lost it's footing on a landing and sent him down hard. Nasty graze and shook up but otherwise ok!

Later in the ride after more berms and jumps and a session on the pump track Steve was larking around (pun intended) jumping into the quarry - whilst it looked awesome on video there was a nasty sound on impact and once he stopped he'd lost the rebound damping in his Pikes! With a serious competition to attend on Monday - his reason for stopping by the North West (en route) we headed back to Macclesfield where we swapped over my Pikes to get him running again! Good luck Steve!

Good ride in general though, fun, my favourite being chasing the jump kids down the singletrack at the end and passing them twice!

Lee Quarry 30/10/10

Best of British?

2010-10-27T20:22:00.000+01:00

Guess what's coming in for Longterm test at Wideopen HQ next week...

A Cotic BFe! We'll be running her for 6+ months to give it a good hammering and tons of exposure in the mag. As I'm a short arse Cy was keen to get an XS size frame out into the media so we'll be onboard a tiny blue BMX size frame as of probably next Wednesday!

So looking back at the photos from February, and remembering how awesome the 'small' frame was I hope the 'extra small' isn't too tiny. Back then the bike impressed with a stable and confidence inspiring ride - but I didn't ride it back to back with the Chameleon which really has become my hardcore hardtail benchmark. The comforting factor is, as I'll have to strip down the Chameleon to build her up, she has virtually identical sizing and geometry - just steel instead of aluminium - and perhaps every so slightly heavier (though I will weigh her before I build her up to check)... oh and one last positive, I'll be able to get the Gamut chain guide on a proper rig as well :)

From Scotland - Wideopen trip 26/2 to 27/2/2010

Facebook 'Like' button...

2010-10-17T19:34:00.001+01:00

Just a short post to point out the new 'Like' button on the bottom left of every post.

What happens when you click it? Well you need a Facebook profile but it then shows one, how many people have liked it, and two shows up on your Facebook wall as a little 'so and so liked this page'. Drop me a line if it's not working for you.

Sunset on the Summer Season?

2010-10-15T00:03:00.000+01:00

Last last weeknight ride of 2010 - promise?

2010-10-13T20:23:00.002+01:00

From Macclesfield Forest 13/10/10

So another 4 o'clock finish and the second chance for a last weeknight ride of 2010. I'm not quite sure what the drawer was but up from 3 to 5 out this week - to enjoy the crisp autumnal evening.

The weather has been fine(ish) all week so the going was dry as James (good to see you out on the bike again), Kev, Tony, Jon and I did the familiar climb up to Charity Lane. It was great to have a bigger crowd with some good chat on the climb and bike chat at the breathers - it sounds as if Jon is on the prowl for some air forks and Kev is on the prowl for a new bike! Good stuff.

So this week I was back out on the hardtail and god how much do I love this bike. It's now sporting nice light but laterally stiff 140mm air forks and it's transformed the bike from a heavy unwieldy dead ride to that seat of your pants twitchyness that makes you smile and keeps you honest. Oh and the acceleration, my oh my it's incredible - the super stiff cranks, super stiff rear end combine for awesome power transfer - and with an old school 8 speed setup it really does feel uber dialled. So the new forks were good and I found confidence on Charity Lane with them, growing as the descending continued. A good purchase.

Jon punctured on the descent (unlucky) but everyone else made it down in one piece. James taking things steady as he talked about maybe having run the Dawg too far into the ground - new bike time Jimbo?

Onwards and 'Bottom of the Oven' double track is getting overgrown making line choice less flexible at the top, but the marbles on a short hardtail were 'fun' made even more exciting by Jon and Kev chasing me down - I was trying to keep off the brakes, jumping literally from one side to the other to avoid big rocks and keep her pointed down - it's that sort of stuff that pushes your limits and improves your skills.

As it was the 'last last' ride we went on to the view point before doing the push up track descent back to the cars. Some lovely views of the sunset (see above - and spot Kev and Jon dissappearing in the distance).

So this week was the best. Fantastic riding. Great banter. Good bike chat. Awesome mates. I can't wait for next year - thanks for the memories and see you out over the winter at weekends!

Macclesfield Forest 13/10/10

I couldn't resist a cheeky extra shot of the Chameleon in it's Mk IV guise - super stiff, lightweight all mountain chuckable Peak district machine... lit with car headlight! :)

From Macclesfield Forest 13/10/10

Forks fitted, Chameleon Mk IV!

2010-10-08T21:14:00.000+01:00

30 minutes of faffing this evening results in new forks fitted and me itching for a test ride! Cragg anyone?

2010 Recon 351 = Pike Air?

2010-10-07T17:01:00.000+01:00

We'll see but at 35% off retail price and a lot lighter than my Z1s on the Chameleon I thought they'd be worth a punt for the Winter all rounder that the Chameleon always becomes!

Remember back to 2006?

2010-10-07T12:59:00.001+01:00

Way back then I had grand plans to run a T-shirt company with eyes on parts and one day frames. Big ideas and big ambition...

After 'conning' all the Fearingout guys to help fund that first batch of T-shirts (I think most of us ended up with 4 or 5 each) I decided that a race team would help promote the brand and be quite a cheap way of advertising...

Posting an ad for rider CVs on Dirt netted several riders, Steve being one of them. He sent in a very enthusiastic email and despite not much of a proven track record seemed somehow worth a punt - back then the team became Ben, Chris Bloomfield, Tom Deacon, Matt Jenkins and Steve... all very keen and excited riders - and all happy to sport Fearingout tees and stickers at the races. Well that's where it started...

Meeting up face to face at the DH/4X National Champs at Moelfre in 2006 was a hi-light and after he started uni up in Scotland we've seen him several times on Scotland weekenders.

Steve stayed on in 2007, joined by Mono, Milky and Matt Simmonds (now on Chain Reaction!) and had a great season racing the SDA on hardtail, as well as visiting us in Macclesfield after the 4X Nationals.

So when I started Wideopen and roped in Jamie and Scott he was a regular contributor as part of the Fearingout team. As the mag became more established and successful Jamie badgered me to make a decision and for 2009 we officially moved him over to race for Wideopen.

Now regularly ragging a Kawaski green Dialled Alpine he's someone I consider to be both an asset to the magazine and a good friend... read his interview on Hardtail nation...

Last week night ride of 2010?

2010-10-06T21:06:00.001+01:00

Good ride tonight, just Kev and I after Tony's classic arrival, look in boot, see no front tyre situation! Mind you he caught us up at the top of Charity Lane - killer work matey!

Charity Lane was wet and grippy but I wasn't feeling it at all tonight. Good times with Kev and Tony, but weak ass performance on the big bike.

So is that it for 2010? Or will we squeeze one more in next week!

Autumn Sunshine

2010-10-06T19:24:00.000+01:00

Scotland Weekender Web-edit

2010-10-03T20:31:00.000+01:00

Fearingout Scotland Weekender 2010 from James Hilton on Vimeo.

Scotland seems an age ago - and this video won't set the world on fire but for those that were there I hope it brings back some good memories :)

Kids are awesome!

2010-10-01T18:34:00.000+01:00

I've been watching 'Follow Me' with my 3 year old daughter this evening, and the innocence of kids is awesome...

"Daddy when I'm bigger you and I can go riding there and I'm going to be the leader and do all those jumps!"

Just spent £260 (down from £400) on some new forks for the Chameleon to lighten her up a touch! Watch this space!

On the way home

2010-09-27T14:06:00.000+01:00

Good weekend had by all, now just the long drive back. Oh well back up here day after tomorow!

That was Scotland...

2010-09-27T13:04:00.001+01:00

All packed up and on our way home, reflecting on the best riding weekend in the history of Fearingout, which if I'm honest is just as much about the awesome accommodation as the brilliant weather and fantastic friends.

It was one if those times you wish would never end but it had too and in the drizzle at the freeride park, tired legs and warm hearts combined to keep us pushing back up for one more go, one last run, one time for the camera.

All good things must come to an end and it leaves me with one last question, when can we go back!

Day 3 done... Goodbye Chris!

2010-09-26T17:47:00.000+01:00

Another quality days riding, today the Fearingout 5 headed to Glentress along with about 2500 other people! Ross reckons only about 30 of them overtook him on the climbs!

Red route was good, new surfaces nicely bedding in and despite 3 day old legs we still found the puff to push it on the downs, but it was all over a bit soon which suited Chris who headed home today (thanks for coming Chris, great company and some good riding) and Ross, but when we got back to Inners Jon and I grabbed full faces and Kev borrowed Ross's bike for a few sessions on Cadon Bike, absolutely awesome! Jon and I took turns leading and following or leading certainly lends different angles to riding! But honestly, getting back to the lodge, cleaning the bikes, putting them in the workshop and chilling out with a beer in the lounge, I could do this forever if Cathy and Elly moved up here as well. One day. Definitely one day!

Tomorrow we're heading to the Freeride park, then home after lunch. A fantastic weekend with friends and bikes, it's been too long.

Breakfast!

2010-09-26T10:13:00.000+01:00

The best way to start the day! Glentress today. Tired legs though!

Curry and beer...

2010-09-26T00:15:00.000+01:00

Day 2 in the sunshine

2010-09-25T17:54:00.002+01:00

Oops, I'm sure it's not supposed to look like that James!

Some lovely photos from today...

2010-09-25T17:16:00.000+01:00

Day 2 done riding...

2010-09-25T17:05:00.000+01:00

Done riding and still Ross's bike needs more maintenance! Mind I can't talk after poising left side crank bolt just before the end of the ride due to me not fitting it tight enough!

Schoolboy error but first the lads spent 10 minutes looking for it, and then by the time we got back and I was walking back they had popped in to www.I-cycles.co.uk and they kindly donated a free one! Cheers guys!

Now chilling out, Kirate Kid on the TV, Kev and Jon on the laptops, Ross on his iPod touch and me writing this on the iPhone! Anti-social bastards hey!

Day 2 Innerleithen

2010-09-25T10:05:00.000+01:00

Well Ross arrived at 9 this morning after an incredibly quick drive up from Manchester. Chris and I were stuck into a fry up situation and Jon and Kev were still in bed!

So breakfast over and bike maintenance starts, couple of gear cable changes, some liberal lubrication and small adjustments in the generously equipped workshop! Heaven!

Off riding in about 20 mins!

Beer and goodnight...

2010-09-24T23:12:00.000+01:00

The Bikelodge

2010-09-24T19:20:00.000+01:00

One word: awesome!

Road trip and blunt shoes...

2010-09-24T19:19:00.000+01:00

Cheers Chris and Kev for driving, check out those Shimano boots!

On the road...

2010-09-24T09:14:00.001+01:00

Fearingout heading north again... First stop Ae forest!

Well that was August... and sunset on the summer?

2010-09-03T08:20:00.000+01:00

Cobwebs! Cobweb on your bike... that's serious but it goes to show that the last month has not seen one week night ride take place - for a combination of reasons. Now we're into September and the true 'sunset' of the summer week night riding...

From Macclesfield 2/9/10

Well Kev and I headed out tonight - aware of the trip to Scotland only a few weeks away and many of us not bike fit! The usual route I'm afraid to say but after 4 weeks off we hit it up with renewed vigour chatting iPod/iPhones and work. Charity Lane was dry and fast and I was really motoring and felt awesome on the hardtail this week. With the confidence of an awesome run we hit bottom of the oven in fading light and I misjudged one of the step down ruts in the doubletrack and hung up the back wheel - with a slow puncture that by the top of the steep bit was totally flat! So with the sun well and truly setting wacked on a few leeches and made it home. Bottom of the oven often holds a sting in the tail for someone!

Out next week again - hopefully meeting a little earlier to make the most of the available light.

Macclesfield 2/9/10

Windy but not wet... revisit to Cragg Quarry

2010-08-05T08:17:00.000+01:00

Jon and I headed up yesterday, taking the afternoon off work, for a second visit to Cragg Quarry. After a heavy shower and rain en-route (along with a bit of fun on the A34) the going was wet but the weather held fine, and both on hardtails we made the trek across the moor from Lee Quarry. First ride around we shot some footage for a web-edit before cockily saying we'd do a second loop which killed me!

I had a mega puncture incident killing both front and back tubes whilst showing off for the camera - but easily repaired with Jon's help.

The Superstar wheels inspire confidence on the Chameleon but have deadened the handling so once the review is over I'll pass them on to someone who really needs them and refit my original lighter wheelset :)

Anyhow - here's the video... enjoy!

Cragg Quarry Web-edit from James Hilton on Vimeo.

See you all out again soon!

Another week another ride...

2010-07-29T21:08:00.001+01:00

Good ride tonight - just Kev and I but there seemed to be a lot of riders out in Macc Forest tonight!

Kept it short, both of us tired and Kev's first week back on the bike for a few weeks, and I'm still trying to get full sus fit for Scotland in September. Another week with the full face again and Charity Lane was lots of fun, maybe a little too easy now though? Singletrack, invincible on the big bike.

We're doing Lee/Cragg quarry next Wednesday - and shooting for another section of the video... I'll be 30 by then as well. Doesn't time fly...

Back on the bounce...

2010-07-22T20:57:00.001+01:00

It's been a few weeks since I've been out on the bike and I felt it tonight!

Tony and I headed out, and it was good to ride the Coiler Dee-lux after a long time in hibernation (with shock and bottom bracket issues). I'm going to keep this short tonight, suffice to say we just did a Charity Lane / singletrack blast.

The Coiler was immense coupled with the full face and I was getting tired pedalling in top gear... awesome fun - and SO quick, and so much more stable. The singletrack was slippery (apparently according to Tony) but I was going so quick I didn't notice hehe.

Roll on next week.

Macclesfield Forest 22/7/2010

Goodbye beard, hello bottom bracket...

2010-07-17T20:26:00.000+01:00

A weeks holiday without a razor and I had quite a cool beard. Cathy hated it though, it wasn't anything like Jamie's monster!

Ordered some bottom brackets from Superstar for both bikes. A cool Aerozine one with SKF bearings for the Saints and an innovative large bearing ISIS for the Race Face Evolves. Fitted the Aerozine one to the Chameleon in 10 mins! Can't wait to get out on a bike, such bad news at home this week that I could really do with a break.

James
Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

That's six for Scotland!

2010-07-01T20:54:00.000+01:00

Yup it's organised, not booked, but sorted... Fearingout hit Glentress and Innerleithen the 24th to 27th September!

Accomodation is sorted for 6, that's Jon, Chris, Ross and I plus newbies Pete and Kev.

Anyhow good ride tonight, dry weather again, Charity Lane was fast and dusty and the singletrack was lush and overgrown but terrific! This is what it's all about, this is Macclesfield.

See you in a fortnight, and also an afternoon jaunt to Lee Quarry for my 30th is planned! Ciao!

James
Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

This Charming Man... (Llandegla Web-edit)

2010-06-25T07:43:00.001+01:00

We didn't take a still camera with us yesterday at Llandegla - but we did take my aging Sony MiniDV Camcorder and grabbed some dusty singletrack footage :)

Llandegla Wideopen Web-edit from James Hilton on Vimeo.

I think we all enjoyed the ride - I certainly found that although the Superstar wheels are heavier than the XC setup I had previously they do add to the bikes handling at speed. I'll need to re-tune my forks a little though as the increase in unsprung mass was making them a little quick in places :)

We'll be back out in Macc next Thursday night - and there will be another afternoon blast somewhere in July - probably Lee and Cragg quarry, again with the video! :)

Llandegla la la la...

2010-06-24T18:16:00.000+01:00

Sat in the pub with Jamie, Jim and Jon after a great ride at Llandegla. Awesome! Twisty, dry, grippy, ripped up though! Burger on the way, good times.

James
Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

Off we go...

2010-06-24T12:19:00.000+01:00

... to Llandegla to meet up with Jamie and Jim from Wideopen. Report later!

James
Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

Foot out, arse over... tit!

2010-06-10T21:28:00.000+01:00

After last week we've had a little rain so tonights exploring of the new trails we discovered last week was 'interesting' to say the least.

The original route is slippery as hell and the corners are a combination of great fun and fear mixed together. No ones tyres had ANY grip, clinging on for dear life and then releasing the brakes for the next straight, great fun and grins all over. We scoped out some alternative routes before realising the mega steep bits are a necessary evil really, there is no way of avoiding them... still good fun.

Grabbed a few snaps (below) and good banter this evening. Good to see Jon back out on the bike!

Macclesfield exploring 10/6/2010

Steep dark and fast...

2010-06-03T21:13:00.000+01:00

From Macclesfield singletrack downhill - 3/6/10

Another week and first up my heartfelt apologies to the guys - I was 30 mins late tonight! I hate keeping people waiting - it won't happen again.

So with the injection of fresh blood the Fearingout weekly ride is really taking on a new vibe - it's excellent and finding new stuff in the forest is igniting everyone's passion for riding.

Tonight, the track that Pete showed us last week was the target so we climbed up Nessit Hill. None of us really new what to expect - Pete's description was pretty vague 'ace up top, then some shit steep bits that are pretty much do or die' - so I grabbed some photos just into the tree line (see below) and then followed them down. The surface was loose but the corners were well established and tyre treads dug in nicely to the soil surface - great fun once you found the flow, leant in and got your foot out - speed crept up really quickly! Then the steep scary bits - and yeah, we all pushed or crashed - by the end of the summer hopefully we'll have it licked! The think that struck me was how much bang you got for your buck, a really decent length track, good fast twisty singletrack and a fresh challenge!

We then rode back up to Standing Stone and did the other woodsy singletrack that was bone dry and insanely quick - I loved every second - it feels so good to be hammering through the rough stuff hanging on to the bike before throwing it into the corners... it may be familiar but it's still every bit as exciting as the first time I rode it 2 or 3 years ago!

So onwards and upwards. Here's to a fantastic summer of riding in Macclesfield!

Macclesfield singletrack downhill - 3/6/10

Elly's new bike...

2010-05-29T17:06:00.001+01:00

Had a lovely family day with Elly and Cathy, headed down to Ludlow to pick up Elly's new bike. It's an Isla (www.islabikes.co.uk) Cnoc 14, and it's a present for her birthday. She's still a little small for it but it's love at first sight, she's so excited and has had me helping her around Mum and Dad's garden. It's pretty cool, nice and light, kids brake levers, cranks and pedals and nifty steering that won't turn all the way around!

So off road riding might be a year or so away - even so the next few months are going to be loads of fun!

Hopefully will get a review up in Wideopen (www.wideopenmag.co.uk) after a few months use.

James
Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

Two days running...

2010-05-27T22:42:00.000+01:00

This week's been 'mega' (my new favourite catch phrase).

Riding at Lee Quarry, and visiting Cragg Quarry with Great Rock's Ed Oxley was 'mega'. The trails were great fun and Jon and I are itching to get back to Cragg with a video camera. Kev came along, as did Dunc on photo duty - we're doing an article for the next Wideopen. Ed was a super nice guy, really chilled out, easy to talk to and did a great job guiding us around. Well worth a call if you fancy a decent training session or guide. The new trails were great fun too and you can see the Welsh influences with the 'mega' berms - and lots of them. Great fun!

Tonight out again, Macclesfield Forest, and Kev and I both out again - that's every week for us two still! Joined by Tony, Pete and another new comer - Pete (on the lovely white Commencal Meta 4). We did Charity Lane, Bottom of the Oven, then rode around the bridleway (where Pete showed us another hidden trail dissappearing off into the gloom) before ragging down the new singletrack and push up trail back to the cars.

Twice in one week is great fun!
I'll get some teaser snaps from Dunc and the Cragg Quarry trip later this week :)

Macclesfield 27/05/10

And now for something completely different...

2010-05-20T21:02:00.001+01:00

Tonight was completely different for two reasons...
First up Kev and I headed out from HOME at 6.30pm (instead of straight from work) and second, we rode up Nessit Hill rather than Charity Lane...

Why?

From Macclesfield DH 20/05/10

Because Kev mentioned speaking to a few of the DH club a week or so ago and being shown one of the older courses, less extreme, that scooted down to the push up track and we both decided it was worth a further look...

From Macclesfield DH

So what did we find? Some good quality, twisty, technical singletrack! Result!
Great fun and we rode it three times, sessioning the third for a few snaps with the iPhone. Shame we didn't have a proper camera... and typically on his last run Kev got a puncture. Oh well! Lovely evening weather wise and a good ride... can't wait to show Jon next week!

Next Wednesday we're off to Lee Quarry at lunchtime for a ride around with Ed Oxley. Good stuff!

Macclesfield DH

A shot in the arm...

2010-05-13T18:48:00.003+01:00

A lovely evening tonight and after a good day in work after a shit few weeks the Thursday night ride is an awesome shot, condensed dose of adrenaline and tonight was no exception!

Full sus and full face for me tonight and I was joined by Tony, Pete and Kev. Usual route and it was dry as a bone and almost too easy on the Coiler! I was getting tired pedalling downhill! We did bottom of the oven which really showed to me how much more stable the big bike is in the steep loose stuff. Then on to the grand finale and a fantastic mega dry mega quick blast down the singletrack! The full sus full face combo had me accelerating like I had an engine! Incredible fun!

Next week new route.

Now off for a curry and a beer or two! Lovely!

James

Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

And then there were two...

2010-05-06T20:39:00.000+01:00

Great ride tonight - just the two of us as Kev and I headed up for the usual route. Not much to say other than the climb was a good chance to catch up, Charity Lane was dry and fast, Bottom of the Oven was loose and sketchy and the singletrack rooty and fun.

We promised that next week we'd try something different - well maybe not next week, but soon!

In other news - checked out my Coiler Dee-lux tonight - and the gears are fine so will not change the cable just yet - but the bottom bracket is loose - so it's either a new one or a chance to upgrade? SLX? Saint? or another RaceFace? I do like the RaceFace Evolve XC - it's forged, light, stiff and stylish!

Scotland and Lee Quarry planning next week so keep your eyes on your inbox!

What a difference a week makes... to the weather!

2010-04-29T19:30:00.000+01:00

From Macclesfield 29/04/10

Another week but wow what a difference - about lunchtime the 3+ weeks of fine weather finally broke with showers turning to drizzle.

So Kev, his neighbour Pete and myself headed off from the Leather Smithy not really sure what we'd find, conditions wise, on the trail ahead.

The climb was fine - and the rain was 'that fine rain that soaks you through' but it wasn't cold enough to be a problem. Charity Lane was good fun - the rain had soaked in but it wasn't a river. It actually showed up the fast, less rocky line better as it was shiny! Great fun today, and despite the conditions I was 'on it' again this week - didn't manage 18th though ;) Pete enjoyed himself this week too - you can tell from his smile in the photo - he's getting into this off road stuff! It's all in the grin - if it's there they're hooked, if it's a grimace... well less promising!

We expected slippery conditions on the singletrack, and we were half right. The grass was treacherous but the trail was damp but not muddy and the roots were ok if taken confidently with speed. Good fun and found a nice flow this week.

One thing I am going to have to sort out is some way of stopping my eyes watering with these 'new' glasses I've been wearing. It's a killer doing Charity Lane, in the wet and having to blink away watering eyes from the wind... maybe I need some proper riding specs??

Anyway - another good week - and that's Kev and I at everyone so far this year! :)

Macclesfield 29/04/10

Another week, another victim?

2010-04-22T20:25:00.000+01:00

Another dry week and this week - another victim? Paul joined Kev and I this evening for a rag around the forest Fearingout style!

Coming from a XC and road background I think he was a little worried about getting his arse kicked or crashing - neither happened... and despite a gentle and cautious approach to Charity Lane there was still a big grin... out again? Hopefully.

Charity Lane is dry as a bone top to bottom now. After the runs at the weekend I tried to head left into the steep section but you've got to have a lot of balls to stay left like Jon did on video - it's hair-raisingly narrow! Still I was pleased with my speed through the steep gulley today. The lower section is like a race track (with big boulders randomly placed - perhaps by someone trying to slow us down?) A first for me - accelerating in 18th gear - I've officially not got much faster to get before I run out of legs on the Chameleon now! Awesome.

We did Bottom of the Oven which was fun too - and after riding it at the weekend I slowed slightly more into the top of the loose section which actually made it faster to ride - great fun - and perhaps now a regular addition to push the skills a bit more on the loose stuff?

The singletrack is running really well now too - and is dry as a bone. It's SO fast it's not the roots sending you slipping sideways, but actually throwing you off the bike that's the problem now - big laughs! Again a few logs placed across the track in places, oddly?

So all in another great dry week's riding. Let's hope this is a sign of the summer to follow! :)

Charity Lane 22/04/10

Summer afternoon

2010-04-18T11:19:00.001+01:00

Had a great blast yesterday and had a play with the new camera, pretty impressed with the results for a first try. Here's to more sun and riding!

Sun, dust and cameras...

2010-04-18T09:03:00.001+01:00

Jon, Chris and I headed up to the forest yesterday for a relaxed mess around ride with the express intention of filming with a camera and tripod and playing with Jon's new SLR. Well we didn't manage the latter but the first two were in the bag!

Laziness kicked in and we met in the small car park at Forest Chapel - before packing up and pushing up to the top of Charity Lane. We got some great shots - video will be up later - but it's funny how much sessioning and filming something you ride every week destroys it's flow! Still committed to the cause we perservered. Once finished on Charity Lane we pushed up for a second full end to end run... and I dug out the full face for the first ride of 2010! Great great fun flat out, the full face removes the wind factor and you end up really nailing it - even on a hardtail. Jon had a coming together with the bank and bashed his knee - ok to press on though. We all got to the bottom high on adrenaline - a fantastic run in the dry.

We dug out the camera gear again and whizzed around to the singletrack. By now we were pressed for time, so couldn't really session and film as much as I'd hoped but the trail was bone dry and SO much fun. Got a few good shots before the agonising double climb back to the cars at Forest Chapel.

So all in all a good ride - great company, fantastic trails, cool to get some footage... and with a nostalgic twinge it reminds me of those lazy summer weekend rides with Scott and Chris back in 2004! If you're reading this lads I hope it reminds you as well!

Fearingout - Webedit 1 - Macclesfield Forest from James Hilton on Vimeo.

Summer summer summer time...

2010-04-15T20:02:00.000+01:00

Well maybe that's one jinxing it and two a little premature but boy oh boy was tonights ride a LOT of fun!

We've had dry weather for nearly two weeks now - and another dry, fine, bright (but slightly cool) day - perfect riding weather. Leo came over from the Park to join us today so a slightly late start and the usual route. Good banter and lovely to catch up with him... we were also joined by Pete, Kev's next door neighbour for his first proper mountain-bike ride (he's a roady by background) - I think it's fair to say he had a baptism of fire!

So Charity Lane - wow. Dry, smooth when it's smooth but rough as hell in the rough bits - cranking like mad and then holding on for dear life down the rough stuff - before pedal to the metal (so to speak) for the sprint through the bottom half. Great great fun today, I felt like I had the lines, the confidence, the speed - everything just gel'd for that perfect run. Awesome and I was grinning like a Cheshire Cat at the bottom with a good 60 second wait before Leo came down!

High drama for Kev as his back wheel slipped in the frame - but commitment for riding down with a rubbing tyre - no real need for brakes from him! Pete struggled with clips but seemed to enjoy it - I guess we'll see him out again next week with flat pedals?!

Onwards and the singletrack. I had a feeling this might be hella fast and it was - awesome. The Chameleon loves this section when it's dry and it was GREAT fun tonight. I really let it get loose through the roots with the dry conditions inspiring bags of confidence. It made me realise how much I missed summer riding!

So that was it - another week gone. What lovely weather, great banter and awesome trail conditions. I can't wait for next week - and hopefully Jon and I are riding this weekend - text me if you fancy it!

Macclesfield 15/04/10

OFFICIAL Wideopen BDH Round 1 vid... WIN WIN WIN!!

2010-04-15T19:54:00.001+01:00

Halo British Downhill Series Round 1 Rheola from Jamie Edwards on Vimeo.

Watch - then visit the site (address in the vid) for your chance to win a Diamondback Sabbath DH frame or a holiday at Riders Retreat. Banging!

Plus 3 (+1 week, +1 rider, +1 puncture)

2010-04-08T21:17:00.000+01:00

From Macclesfield 8/4/2010

So lets do the numbers first... Week 2, Attendees 4, Punctures 1.

Great weather this evening for the 2nd Thursday night ride of 2010, and Kev, Chris and I were joined by Jon this week. The trails were dry, the sun was warm, perfect riding weather. Charity Lane was much faster this week, but as a result it became obvious that the cold weather has left the trail scattered with big rocks - perfect for snake bites if caught at speed! Whoops!

Next weekend ride is the 17th April. Until then I'll see you all next week!

Macclesfield 8/4/2010

Post date: Photos from February, Wideopen's hardtail test in Scotland

2010-04-05T20:57:00.000+01:00

Now that Issue 12 is published I can share Dunc's awesome photos from Scotland. Looking back it was an awesome trip, a real release from the daily grind and winter blues. We're hoping to head back in May with better weather.

Scotland - Wideopen trip 26/2 to 27/2/2010

Read the article here:

April Fool?

2010-04-01T19:43:00.000+01:00

From Macclesfield Forest 1/4/2010

In the hour before we went riding today we had heavy rain, sleet and hail. I wondered if I'd made a mistake with my 'whatever the weather' punt but as it turned out by 4.30pm it was wet underfoot but dry in the sky - and pretty typical Macclesfield weather!

So first week night ride of 2010 and with excuses of beer drinking from Tony and Jon, it was left to just Kev, Chris and myself to reinstate 2010 style. I feel I must mention at this point Chris was riding with a GIRLS saddle. We did wonder if he's end up pregnant or something but actually he reckoned it turned out marginally more comfortable than his old Specialized one! Despite this he's probably getting a brown Charge Spoon - good choice. It'll look good even if you find it uncomfortable Chris!

On the plus side though, Chris was bedding in his new brakes - a bargain set of Hayes Stroker Rydes... £70 for the pair (without discs). No bite point adjustment but firm feel and bags of power in the twin pot design - a huge upgrade from the Hayes Soles (single piston) he was running (forks next Chris!).

Usual route and no surprises. A little snow on the banks up top - mad for April - otherwise Charity Lane was very smooth with all the melt water. The gulley was rough and Chris and Kev caught me up (I was a bit of a wuss) but with that reinstatement kicked in and I dropped a few cogs and pedalled like a man possessed all the way to the bottom. I was really pleased with my flow and smoothness today. Then the singletrack which was slidy and muddy before ragging down the road to the cars.

Have a good easter guys and see you next Thursday! I think Lee Quarry (for a Wideopen Trailscene article) is on the cards in April so get your diaries out after Easter so we can sort something out!

Macclesfield Forest 1/4/2010

Cotic geek head angle calculator...

2010-03-31T19:48:00.001+01:00

I'm a geek - yes I admit. I pour over bike specs, angles, weights,
tube specs and all that stuff. I like to think I know what it all
means but in reality it's just the Engineer in me playing with numbers.

Cotic have a cool geek tool on their site at the moment. Something
that let's you visualise the changes in frame geometry with fork
travel. So what? Well it's pretty interesting actually - as a degree
or two slacker head angle can transform the bike's downhill capability
- yet a slacker seat tube makes the front end wander on the climbs.
Finding that perfect balance is often trial and error with most riders
- but now at least you can pretend to understand the science with
Cotic's calculator!

Check it out:
http://www.cotic.co.uk/geek/

Wideopen Issue 12 is GO GO GO!!!

2010-03-30T12:37:00.000+01:00

Lee Huskinson, Chris Akrigg, Racing in Poland, Adi Gilbert, the Mondraker Summum, Race Reports and more more more...

Llandeglaa laa laa la

2010-03-20T15:49:00.000Z

Chris and I headed to Llandegla today - with the last few weeks at work being a bit rubbish for both of us it was great to be out on the bike again!

Llandegla was wet - very wet - and the snow had not been kind to the open top section, very rutted now and bouncy - as all those BMW driving, Specialized full sus riding yuppies have bounced their way round! The black singletrack sections were good though - some refurbs where it had worn heavily, and it flows flows flows. Loads of fun and I think Chris really enjoyed it too - despite a 'tired' bike.

Back to the car, cleaned up and then the big advantage of Llandegla - the cafe! A lovely coffee served by some pretty faces surrounded by bikes!

When are we out next!?!!
1st April sees the first week night ride - and Lee Quarry, Gisburn and some new trails at Blackburn are on the cards for 2010.

Llandegla 20/3/2010

Riding kids bikes... Again!

2010-03-14T16:56:00.000Z

Well I'm in Chester with the family and I spent the afternoon playing outside with Elly on bikes. She was riding her Puky, and I borrowed Andy's (my little brother) old Trek TR20 BMX! Good fun, and remembering my old DK got me all nostalgic...

Anyway, hope to be back out on the bike next weekend, and weeknight rides start 1st April. See you out on the trails again soon.

James
Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

Scotland... Snow... Smiles!

2010-02-27T13:44:00.000Z

Sat cruising at 70 on the M74 heading home after two days riding hardtails at Glentress for an article in Issue 12. 3 riders, 3 hardcore steel long travel hardtails, and surprisingly 3 very different bikes! Throw in 4 in of snow and some sketchy singletrack and a photographer and you've the making of a classic Wideopen article. Good times. No bike snaps, they can wait until Dunc downloads them. See you all out on the trails.

Oh and special mention to the mechanic at the Hub bike shop, Glentress who let me have some gear cable outer and saved a weekend. Legend.

James
Producer - Wideopenmag.co.uk

Sent from my Three mobile

Like something out of the Arctic!

2010-02-07T13:02:00.001Z

Macclesfield 7/2/10

The first ride of 2010 and it turns out to be a cold one!

Kev and I headed up this morning for a stretch of the legs pre-Scotland at the end of the month. Despite having 4 bikes in the garage only one was serviceable (the Genesis needs a shock pump to set up the forks) so out came the Chameleon for a play. Climbing was hard work in the cold and with all the pies and over-indulgence of Christmas hanging around my waist - but no longer than usual so yet again bike fitness seems to carry over Christmas.

We got to the foot of Charity Lane fully expecting snow patches and a lot of ice. What we didn't imagine was it FULL of ice and snow. Those who know the lane will understand how deep it was when I say it was level with the base of the stone walls at the side - that put it at over a 1m deep. Luckily fairly compact so easy to push up walking on it. Thinking it might ease over the top we pushed up... but it didn't. So for the steep section we jumped a fence and took the safer snow free farmers field which was wicked fast. After a short section of back on Charity Lane I jumped the fence again for a short section before Kev and I headed down the last section ski-style. Lots of sliding and a good laugh.

Back via the singletrack as we predicted there would be more snow on the biker descent the other side of the forest and then stopping by Kev's parents for a nice warm brew in Sutton.

A good ride - and I can't wait for the hardtail weekend in Scotland now... one thing is for sure - these new fangled steel long travel hardtails have a hard job of beating my aging Chameleon - awesome fun today, totally planted - light and sure footed. A brilliant bike.

Wideopen on your Mac...

2010-01-22T12:40:00.000Z

Yes - you read that right! You can now download a desktop application to use Wideopen straight from your Mac*. It's available now, FOR FREE, from the Wideopen website.

Check it out here.

*Internet connection required.

LOCALS: Milky comes good

2010-01-22T12:35:00.000Z

It all started here! Fearingout race team took on SW locals Mono (Aaron Bartlett) and Milky (Jacob Gibbins) as team rider and team photographer for the 2007 season. When we launched Wideopen in 2008 both joined us and Mono went on to produce two fantastic films (FOFO and FOFO2).

Milky - a truly talented photographer - went with him snapping world cups, british DH races, secret sessions all over the UK and europe and has had material in every issue of the mag since day 1.

Now he's put together a short film documenting the South West's local talent and it's a corker. Check it out!!!

Wideopen Issue 11 has landed...

2010-01-07T08:29:00.001Z

and expect an Fearingout site re-vamp during January and February for 2010!

Snow!

2009-12-20T14:18:00.000Z

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!

2009-12-19T13:31:00.000Z

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...

2009-12-09T20:26:00.002Z

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...

2009-11-15T19:41:00.002Z

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

2009-11-13T18:50:00.000Z

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...

2009-11-07T10:21:00.002Z

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...

2009-11-07T10:15:00.001Z

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.