Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Any of you undertaken a MTB skills course? Heading to Morzine in August and wouldn't mind ironing out a few bad habits. Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

Ah, sorry, didn't read properly.

@Farcuss

"Any of you undertaken a MTB skills course? Heading to Morzine in August and wouldn't mind ironing out a few bad habits. Any recommendations would be most appreciated."

As always I recommend Tom Dowie at Chicksands Bike Park, Bedfordshire. Nice guy, excellent training facility in sheltered woodland, a trail surface that dries quickly and if you're there at the weekend then a Thai food van that is second to none. I am utterly biased as I have ridden at Chicksands many times over the last few years as it's such a good venue, sadly I moved away last year.

I think @dancing james has visited him too.

If you're off to Morzine (I rode there last year as did @Howard I think) then it'd be good to mention this to Tom as there are a series of drops, similar to those that you will encounter in Morzine, that would be good to practice on.

Ta very much. Will add it to my list of (2) potentials.

Is there good website for watching the World Cup? Like steephill for mountain biking?

The UCI World Cup Downhill? Normally on redbull.tv

Jedi is goooooodt

had a similar "mystery" sound, only made the noise when the wheel was weighted that turned out to be a broken spoke nipple...check your spoke tension for a loose one

anyone using or ridden American Classic Wide Lightning wheels? Looking to upgrade my wheelset and these fall nicely into budget and requirements

Yeah, I saw that. Also want to watch the XC but can't find a site or YouTube

Know a couple of people who have/are using them - one had them on test and bought a pair, possibly two? Others have them on their long-distance race bike.

The new black run at Swinley looks kinda crazy from the bottom

That is all

Yeah, had a few recommendations for him, but he's booked up until September.

Provide photo evidence or you're just talking out of your pie hole.

Talking of black runs I tried the latest black run on the Wall at Afan. It is an actual black run not like the rest they have there where the grading system goes kind of "Oh, there's kind of a steep bit here with a rock or two. Grade it black."
Or, "Join up two red routes, call it W2 and reclassify it as a black. Because, double the distance."

Anyone watch the Cairns downhill? Course looks to have been fast. I guess that's a good thing for carrying speed into the flat as fuck final straight.

I did penhyddd and y wal last sunday at afan, best weather i've ever had there, nice. Didn't do the black descent off y wal though as i was with non-gnar dudes. How black is it?

Any recommendations on a decent, well priced pair of XC shoes? Mine are stinking from last season of cyclocross and not being cleaned properly, so time for an upgrade!

It's a decently steep run. It's at least something you can call a black run with more meaning than what else you have at Afan.

Giro privateer.

Hunt around and get a bargain (mine were £50 new off eBay)

I had top of the range giro carbon sole mtb shoe previously and there isn't noticeable difference in stiffness.

Was literally just eyeing up a pair of privateer r's for 100 quid on amazon, might just bite the bullet, would like them for next weekend....

Thoughts on using a trail shoe for xc/cx? I see the sworks trail shoe is heavily discounted on evans....I've never even picked up a trail shoe to look at....I guess they'd certainly be ok for dry days...

What size are you? Evans has some reduced, haven't checked eBay.

Fair few pairs!

http://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Giro+privateer&isNewKw=1&mfs=GOCLK&acimp=0&_trksid=p2053742.m2428.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xgiro+privateer&sqp=giro+privateer

Depends on brand, EU46-48, Giro I'm a 47

Laaaaaarrrrggggeeee.

*not my photo nor me in it.

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There's a 47 regular privateer for £50 + 5 post.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/GIRO-PRIVATEER-SHOES-BLACK-GUM-SRP-99-99-/222070701688?nav=SEARCH&varId=520933507402
Can't go wrong at that price.

I've got a pair of these as well. They are good.