Bike Update - Scott Aspect

Hi Guys! I've been riding the Scott lately on some XC routes round where I live. I've also upgraded the brakes and changed the rear wheel due to the freehub on the old one giving up on me. The brakes I went for were Shimano BR - M596. I went for these because of the low price they were selling at from RoseBikes and also because even though the BR - M485's I had on previously were causing problems, they only started this towards the end of their life and they had lasted over 3 years which I think...

Big Mountains

Hello, I've not been able to update on here for a while due to college commitments. First of all, Snowdon was awesome. The descents, the views, the climbs. It was all more spectacular than I've experienced before. Me and my dad woke up at about half five in the morning to conquer the mountain. This is because it was about a 45 - 60 minute drive to Llanberis and in the summer there is a cycling ban on the mountain between 9AM and 5PM. We set off ascending the Llanberis path, the easiest but longest...

Getting ready to hit the trails in Wales!

It's now three days until we leave to go to Wales for two weeks. To be honest I've not been this excited about a holiday for a long while. This is probably down to the amount of mountain biking I have got planned. I've recently been kitting out both the Scott and the Giant with replacement parts to get them fighting fit. You may ask, why both bikes? Well, after evaluating the state of my dad's 1999 Specialized Rockhopper it became apparent that he would stand little chance of staying alive if he...

Shock Guard for the Reign

After reading up on people's problems with the giant reign, it became apparent that many people were having problems with the rear shock due to it being slightly exposed to any crud coming from the front wheel. After looking around I saw that some people had made their own shock guard and mounted it on the down tube. I decided to do the same. I am quite skint at the moment because I am already saving to get the shock and rear hub serviced on the reign I decided to try and make this spending...

Rock jump near Red Hill

I found this little gem of a trail a little while ago. I was a little annoyed I hadn't spotted it sooner though because it runs right along side the main track down towards red hill and even crosses over it at one point. At the top of this little gem is a choice of paths, a steep and smooth hill or a rock drop-off. I had seen this rock drop-off before but hadn't been able to do it on my hardtail. With my new bike I gave it a go. It was a bit overgrown but still great fun!...

Mini Downhill Style!

I've been fed up and sat in the house over the weekend as the weather has been utter crap. It's been raining and storming all weekend which has prevented me from going mountain biking. On Monday night I set my alarm for half seven AM. I just thought, Sack it! I'm going to go out tomorrow whatever the weather! I woke up tired, stumbled down stairs had my fruit and fibre, cup of coffee and a big glass of water. I then went back upstairs now feeling less tired, took a shower and got dressed...

Weekend in the Lakes

Last weekend I was pleasantly surprised when a friend asked me if I wanted to go with him to the Lake District for a weekend of biking. I saw this as a great opportunity to train for MT Snowdon, The highest mountain in England and Wales, which I will be attempting to ride up and down on our family holiday to the Snowdonia National Park in August. On Friday afternoon we arrived at the campsite, it seems like a nice place. The site was located right next to Lake Ullswater which was nice. After unpacking...

Carlton Bank

On Sunday I decided to go out biking. I wanted to go somewhere which could offer me some more technical riding. A mate suggested Carlton Bank which is a good location with many routes spanning out from Lordstones cafe. I agreed, this would be a great test of my Reign 3's performance. It's probably about a six mile on-road ride to the cafe from my house which doesn't sound too bad but when you consider the climb which we had to endure to get there and and the weight of my bike, the task starts to...

New Bike - Giant Reign 3 2005

Obviously there is a massive debate over which is better, hardtail or full suspension? I prefer to think of them as different types of bikes for different purposes. After owning my Scott hardtail for three years I thought it was time to buy a full suspension bike and explore the differences in limitations and riding styles between these two different bikes. I decided I wanted something with a little more travel and a bit more removed from XC style riding because I thought what's the point in having...

Scariest Moment of My Life!

I was out yesterday night on a local route by Captain Cooks Monument. Everything was nice, bike was feeling good, trails were dry, had some good music in my ears! Me and a Friend were riding down a motocross track towards 'Red Hill', a large natural hill which has it's name for obvious reasons. We blasted down it at a fair speed with me in front. At the bottom we discussed various routes to take us down to the car park. I decided to take a route which I've not ridden in a while. It's a flowing piece...

Holiday!

Recently we've booked a family holiday to Wales. We'll be staying in the Snowdonia area which should be good for mountain biking. I've been wanting to do some big mountain adventure cycling for a while now and hopefully I should be able to in Wales. I've been doing a bit of research regarding Mt Snowdon and how accessible it is to mountain bikers. I'd love to be able to ride up and down it. We'll also be near the Coed Y Brenin trail center, so I'll have to check that out as well. First of all though...

You Like This - MTB Movie

Another one of my favourites. "You Like This" is a 27 minute video displaying some of canada's finest riding. Enjoy!...

So, I went for a run.....

Last night at around 8PM I decided to go for a run. I have done this a few times in the past but never very often. I don't really know why I went but I just had an urge to get out of the house as I'd been sat in all day doing bugger all. My plan was to take the main path up to Roseberry topping. I set off walking up until I was out of sight (I don't feel comfortable jogging or running in public, don't know why.) As I approached the path leading to the shooting hut. I heard some chanting and slurred...

Race Face Re-opens it's doors!

The Canadian mountain bike component brand, Race Face ran into financial difficulties and said goodbye in March of this year but now their back! Chris Tutton, a previous employee who left in 2008 entered a "tightly contested bidding war" to regain control of the company. He is now managing director. I am hoping they will carry on revolutionizing the sport of mountain biking for many years to come. Good luck to them! My Race Face Bar and Stem Combo feeling strong and looking good...

Follow Me - A Mountain Bike Film

I've recently been watching a variety of mountain bike movies in the hope that they will inspire me to ride faster and to give me more confidence on more gnarly trails. My personal favourite is "Follow Me" by Anthill Films. It follows some of the most amazing riders as they tour the globe ripping it up on some pretty spectacular trails. Please feel free to suggest some of your favourite mtb movies! Here's the trailer for "Follow Me". Follow Me - the Teaser from Anthill Films on Vim...

Red Hill Route

Thought I'd share one of the trails which I ride. This trail is only five miles long but it contains some pretty sweet technical riding.  If your just getting into mountain biking this is probably one to avoid. The ride starts by the information centre in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire. Firstly you follow the road all the way up to Gribbdale Gate which can be a lung-busting climb if your not used to this kind of riding. Next, you take the path up toward Captain Cooks Monument. This is now a...

My Bike - Scott Aspect 45

Hi Guys, Thought I'd post a bit about the bike I ride. I have a Scott Aspect 45 from the good ol' year of 2008. When it was stock it had a Suntour fork and an Alivio eight speed drive train. The forks didn't last long. After a month or so of riding they had seized up. I took it back to the bike shop and explained what had happened. They were good guys and put a pair of the same on straight away! After another month of riding the same thing had happened so I took it back again and they fitted a...

Welcome!

Hey Guys, First of all, welcome to my blog. I am going to be posting lots of stuff just generally about mountain biking on here. I'd be interested to find out where people ride and what bikes you guys ride, so if you like the blog please follow it. Keep an eye on the blog as I'll be posting some video's and routes in my area. Happy Trail...