Articles written during May 2007

Mountain Biking and male fertility
Channel 4 are running a series called Embarrassing Illnesses which focuses on exactly that. It’s a magazine style programme where doctors get to show exactly why they get paid what they do, having to deal with some pretty rank conditions that patients have avoided facing up to for some time. Although not technically an illness, this week Singletrack magazine have … Read the rest…

My Orange Five has arrived
Well, I’ve seen a box with my name on it anyway! I nipped into Cycleworks on Saturday and saw a big box with the Orange logo on the side, along with my name. Inside were all sorts of goodies waiting to be built up into my dream trail machine.

Familiar Surrey Hills trails
Recently I’ve been doing quite a bit of riding around the local Surrey Hills in my quest to get fitter for our trip to Wales. And I think it’s paying off in that I feel charged up and looking forward to the next ride most days now. Not that I’m getting out most days but you know what I mean. … Read the rest…

Cannondale issue Safety Recall
Now, I don’t actually know anyone who rides a Cannondale. Really I don’t, in fact I actually know more Klien owners than Cannondale owners and the number I see out on the trails is pretty low as well, except occassionally round Holmbury Hill and outside Peaslake Stores. Must be a shortage of dealers locally I guess. That aside though, I … Read the rest…

Girls and Mountain Biking
(Work safe) After a hard ride Mark and Matt seem to have found skin tight, lycra clad cycling Nirvana

Getting fit for Mountain Biking
It’s now only a short time to our trip to Afan in South Wales. Now, I’ve already said that the determining factor in how much we enjoy the trip isn’t likely to be our fitness. After all, we have all day and these places are not designed like some game of Japanese Endurance. I think the main issues are likely … Read the rest…

Cyclists or Bikers or Riders?
Today I came across an article in the Guardian by Matt Seaton, talking about why cyclists shave their legs.

Bedgbury postponed, Afan looming
A while back I posted about our plans to try a few different things this year and stretch out beyond the Surrey Hills.

How to: Make a tyre boot
If you’re running tubeless tyres it’s a pretty good idea to make yourself a tyre boot. Sooner or later you’ll be glad you did.

Singlespeeding
Last week’s night ride was a less relentless pace to the previous week. With the gears on my Inbred continuing to play up, preventing me selecting the granny ring, I started to toy with an idea I alluded to in my 11 things for Mountain Bikers post.

Getting older
I’ve just been reading the MTB Nomads blog which covers Mountain Biking in the South East, primarily the South Downs Way (SDW).

2005 On-one Inbred
A review of the classic On-one Inbred, a refreshing, alternative scamp of a ride if you’re used to full-sus comfort.

Bouncing bike lights
I appear to suffer much misfortune when it comes to bike lights, particularly my rear light.

Orange trial belt drive transmission
Fresh from Singletrack comes the news that Orange are looking into the idea of using belt drive technology in place of the traditional bicycle chain. They’ve got an Orange P7 built up as a unique take on the singlespeed concept.

It’s a Bike, yes. But is it art?
The New York Times has run a piece on an exhibition opening in four locations across Lower Manhatten titled ‘Why I Ride: The Art of Bicycling in New York‘.

Camelbak Bottle review
For 2007, Camelbak have finally done what most people doubted they ever would. Produced a traditional water bottle. Of course, Camelbak being Camelbak they couldn’t just produce a simple water bottle.

The tale of two mech hangers
So I know you’ve all been waiting for the review of my new Orange 5, the build, the birth but I don’t expect many of you were expecting the rapid death either…

I made my bike meow
Last night’s mid week night ride took us over toward Ranmore and the White Downs at a furious pace.

Anticipating wind on the trails
No, for a change this is not an oblique and totally opportunistic chance to slur Dave again.

2008 Shimano Deore XT
Since we’re only just starting to wake up to the fact that Summer 2007 is upon us, the Gods of manufacture have embarked on lifting the skirts on their 2008 kit so we can plan what we’re going to be replacing our worn out kit with next Spring.