After years of wanting to join Brighton MTB but being prevented by the combined complexity of balancing a job that demands too many hours, 2 kids and a bike that kept falling apart, Thursday 4th August marked only my 2nd attempt to get out on a Thursday night and enjoy the trails of Stanmer Park. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Brighton singletrack
Another sting in the tail
So, for the second Thursday in a row I would be spending the evening with a bunch of guys in muddy woodland, last week 180,000 at Glastonbury, this week 20 at the weekly BrightonMTB meet.
The night began as usual in the car park at Sussex uni, greeting a few new faces and comparing new kit. Time to choose a ride leader, and after a little persuasion Rob was volunteered… I think he realised he wouldn’t have to ride UP as much singletrack if he was leading the group! This was the first night ever I had forgotten my pack, so I was half expecting to get a puncture before even leading the carpark.
Off into Stanmer park we rode, up the usual firetrails until we reached the first group of trails at the top. We warmed up with a couple of old favourites, before riding a trail with some nicely built features, first a nice log pile followed by some nicely shaped doubles and berms. The route out of here was a little narrow and more than one person suffered a “bike, tree interface” as Mike likes to call it. Continue reading
Nicolai Helius AC Review
'Radical Amusment'
I bought a Nicolai Helius AC in July 2010. I rode it for a couple of months until the winter mud set in, now that the local trails are drying out it is fast becoming my favourite bike.
This is the second Nicolai that I have owned so I knew what to expect in terms of industrial looking tubes and lovely big welds!
Glentress & Innerleithen April 2011
Innerleithen trail hill
A couple of days after our return from Scotland and reflection reflection on the trip and trails. To summarise; not all trail centres offer the same riding experience, pick one that suits you and a great time can be had, on the other hand one that doesn’t tick your boxes isn’t really going to enthuse you or your riding.
The weather during our trip was hot – mid 20 degC – with absolutely no wind and the trails were bone dry, lovely.
Formula Brake Review
Formula Brakes
For the last 3 years I have used Formula ORO k24 brakes with 180mm rotors. Compared to the previous brakes I had used the k24′s were in a different league for stopping power and control, they have also been very very reliable.
At the end of 2009 CRC were selling Formula ‘The One’ brakes at half price so I got a pair. Then in September 2010 I found that Formula were selling brakes directly from their website, including VAT and shipping a set of both front and rear brakes were less than a single brake at UK prices. A few e-mails later and I had a set R1′s and ‘Mega’ brakes. I have now used all of these brakes on my FS and hardtail and this is a summary of my experience. Continue reading
South Downs National Park
Well, it has started.
Good news folks!
The fanfare around the official launch of the South Downs National Park has been suprisingly quiet about one aspect of the newly anointed status…..parking fees.
The Good Mountain Biking Guide
Check this out at 'active maps Ltd'
A while ago we were asked to contribute to the South Downs section of a new publication…..We provided lots of photos for the South Downs area (including my favourite of Rob dP on p16) and some ideas for riding spots in our corner of the world.
New face on the trails?
New Face
Where I live in Brighton has a whole community of urban foxes but hopefully this fellow wont move in.
It may be a bit of a long shot but…..check this
Single Malt not Singlespeed!
Gill enjoys a Scottish summer!
Here you go for a description of the Strathpuffer 24hr race I did. Not sure it’s going to draw people to Scotland though! Continue reading
Breaking in 2011!
Alex' new wheels
Our post Xmas ride organised by Laura and Alex via the singletrack world forum went off without too many problems, at least for those who actually made it to the meeting point.
The roll time was upon us when my phone beeped. It was Brian reporting that Alex had slipped on snowy roots and tumbled, he couldn’t walk, his wife had bundled him into the car and they were on their way to A&E.
After witnessing this Brian decided that the trails were too slippery so he wimped it and headed back home. Continue reading
