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

I have a dual suspension singlespeed in wait...

Actually I might need to drag that out since my Tripster is fucked and the Inbred PT is being serviced.

I have a dual suspension singlespeed in wait...

If you started using it, the roads might last a bit longer ;-)

The roads were fucked before I arrived.

How'd you fuck a tripster? They're built like tanks, I reckon I'd break myself before the bike. Main reason I take that on trips over the normal road bike

Hippo puts more strain on bikes than most other humans.

I didn't fuck this one up. We were driven into the back of by an inattentive driver.

Hippo puts more strain on bikes than most other humans.

This is true, but two of the three dead Kinesii have been caused by shit drivers.

That's fair enough. Shit. But fair enough.

I never had a pair when they were current, but I want some for my Marin Ti thing.....it's not going to be a bastard parts bin special for ever!

Peugeot for good measure, but what’s the deal with that mtb? Saddle is gone already............. ;)

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New route is gonna get gnarly when the rain really falls... super low underpass is serious ducking.

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I could totally shred that

super low underpass

Do not want

https://m.facebook.com/SingularCycles/photos/a.486050059446/10157914374309447/?type=3&theater

Looks promising!

That’s one of the best bits!

Tried to ride through the forest trail but the slicks slid all over the shop on the mud. Should probably get some chode tyres

Dropper post, where have you been all my life!

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Anyone have a spare 1x11 sram RD and shifter?

These bridges are a little taller @BareNecessities .

Bike is a bit anti, but rides fine. There is an old railway line-turn-cycleway, and it’s long and gradually uphill. Bit of awkward suburbia between home and the Route 45, but after that it’s an amazing route all the way along the width of Swindon. Cannot believe I’ve waited this many years to ride it.

A number of points it narrows and there is some kinda natural stream dropping off either side. The hillside has a load of breaks in the hedge and what looks like downhill walking trails. Probably the adventurous could have an insane speedy drop down there. Will try take some photos next time.

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Yeah, my bike should just about fit under those ;-)

Sure?

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Anyone have a spare 1x11 sram RD and shifter?

Anyone have any spare slim flat pedals?

Back to mtb-ing after 20yrs.
Getting some kit together, I’ll be doing some bimbling around Epping Forest / trail riding.

What’s best some sort of camelback for water?
Worth getting a frame bag or handlebar bag? Is that better than a saddlebag?

Will my old time at ATacs be ok off roading?

I always used to buy the best I could afford for road. Decided to do mtb on a budget. Clothing wise DHB ok? Any other recommendations? Baggy shorts with padded underneath I guess.

Any advice appreciated, in the words of another forumer, I have no idea what I’m doing.

I don't like backpacks as they make my back sweaty.
I think one large bottle in the bottle cage, plus a small frame bag, is a great combination. Frame bag can be anything from cheapo Vaude/Decathlon to super nice Revelate Tangle one.
You can also use an under saddle bag instead of frame bag. Something like this
DHB or Endura are good. My 10yr old Endura baggies are still going very strong, very well made. I only wear padded shorts underneath if the ride will be more than 40 miles or so.

Camelbak/Osprey/etc hydration packs are convenient for stuffing sandwiches, jackets, tools and things in and holding water, but personally I find backpacks sweaty and uncomfortable, so as much as possible I prefer to use a waterbottle and a tool roll. @BareNecessities carries my pump ;)

A small frame bag could equally take supplies and a hydration bladder. Unless you're actually bikepacking, weighing your bike down is not that fun so don't go overboard.

ATACs are fine. Flats and cheap spds are good too.

Wear anything you like. It mostly doesn't matter as long as you can move in it, regardless of what you wear it's going to get horrible and muddy, and if you fall off as much as I do, completely ruined in fairly short order. Long sleeves and trousers are nice in the winter to keep you from getting too filthy and protect you from foliage. I have some nice tough cycling jeans from ION, but stretchy jeans from H&M work well. Baggy shorts are useful in that they dry out quickly and you can wear them with knee pads, if you want to get rad. You can of course spend a fortune on Fox and Troy Lee clothing if you want to look like a motocross rider/enduro bro/power ranger and like fist bumps and making braaaaap noises.

I don't bother with padding, I find I don't need it as you're out the saddle so much, but ymmv.