MTBSolo Member

I use a Blackburn pump but also carry CO2 canisters in case I need to fix tubeless tyres on the MTB. I would always start off with the pump as I don't want to spend money on a canister if I don't have to. I also buy the canisters in bulk on the internet so the price is good compared to buying 2 or 3 from a shop - there are…

If people are after waterproof trousers then ex army stuff (used or new) is worth looking into as it tends to be non branded Goretex. There are lots of sellers on the web and while prices have risen recently it's still good VFM compared to specific cycling kit. re shoes - I use waterproof cycling boots with decent socks…

Yes, it's the Garmin rubber case and as above it has holes where you don't want them over the ports. It's better than nothing though and is less than £10. I've used the 800 off road in mud, grit and heavy rain and it's not gone wrong yet. Though IMO it's more suited for the road than off road. I'll try and find a review of…

Another vote for the 800 here. Does everything it's supposed to well. OK, for me the screen is small for viewing the maps but I think of it as a training tool with maps rather than the other way round. The virtual partner is addictive as you can race your previous best time over a course :-) I've got a screen protector for…

Apricots and figs ...... but I only buy small packets otherwise I'd eat loads of them in one go. Also chocolate hob nobs but they are not even allowed IN the house :laugh:

I find that if I eat a decent breakfast (oats, seeds, say 400 calories) then I can go through to lunch otherwise I'll feel hungry and snack during the morning when good snack food might not be available if I haven't taken it with me. BTW, this works for me and I shall read the articles later when I have more time.

Some bike shops / colleges have courses. To do the basics is actually quite easy so long as you follow the instructions, take it slowly and use the right tools. I used to bleed my own disc brakes but one time I had pressurised the brake and could not work out why it wasn't bleeding when I opened the bleed valve. After much…

I bought a Cube Full Suspension MTB @ 2008 ....frame is well built and it was well specced for the price - though the prices have gone up relative to other bikes since then. I would buy another Cube if my lbs stocked them but they don't anymore. On the other hand, Boardmans are well known as being VFM and I've known people…

I often eat food "I don't need" like this week a load of biscuits at an all day meeting. Then again, they helped me get through the day without going too mad !!!!! Does anyone have coping strategies for when there is food around you should really go easy on ? I convince myself I'll exercise it off later ..... doesn't…

Hi Sarah I agree to find a good local bike shop (lbs) staffed by people who ride bikes - they will be able to recommend a bike to meet your needs / budget and make sure that it fits and works correctly. And if/when it needs servicing they can sort that out as well. They should be building up a long term relationship with…

I've accepted that I can't follow a Vegan diet 100% of the time. This has made it much easier for me as I can pick the Vegan option if there is one but not get guilty with myself if not and go for the Vegetarian one instead. It's better to try for your dream and stumble on the way than never to try at all.

Cheese was a downfall for me.... Well Done :smile:

In this "dry" UK summer we're having I do a quick clean of the mountain bike after every ride (drive chain, brakes, fork) and a fuller clean each weekend. I can't wait until the winter and its a bit drier :laugh:

Chaining up a bike to yours is a standard tactic of a thief. You can't move your bike so have to leave it there. The thief comes back later when it's quiet / less people around and has more time to break your lock. Though in your case I would expect a thief to have done it through the frame and not the rack. Even if a bike…

I usually add @15g to oats for breakfast along with @ 15g of other milled seeds (e.g. flax, pumpkin, sesame). I find them easier / nicer to eat than hemp seeds themselves so will eat more. I'll also add them to sauces etc. in an evening meal. Not sure if they suppress my appetite or not.

Not read up on Insanity but if you're training hard then you might want to avoid muscle loss while burning fat. I've read an article (not got a link to it sorry) where after exercise the carbs you eat reduce the muscle loss while protein promotes muscle growth. Therefore you need both carbs and protein while training.…

Not using protein powder yet but I use Linwoods shelled hemp along with some of their other products in the range - I find them easy to add to lots of different types of food without affecting the taste. Available in H&B, other health food shops and limited range in some supermarkets. also thread here on vegan protein.…

Well I went shopping last night to get some food and it was all looking good for a long weekend in Wales (UK). Woke up this morning feeling really tired, looked at the weather forecast - rain followed by heavy rain and then some light rain - and decided that it can wait for another weekend !!!! So tonight I shall practice…

Thanks for the comprehensive reply ... there's lots there I can use :smile: I'm mountain biking for three days so I won't have any worries on the calories front, in fact I'll probably spend a lot of the time eating !!!!