dirtypot

What part is it? I work with offroad bikes and can't think of anything which should take that long to fit. I've been meaning to post on here for a while - I've read the thread cover to cover a few weeks ago, and your pictures and write-ups have convinced me that the south island (and the Canterbury region in general) looks like a great place to live. Just have to get over the major hurdle of finding a job... I hope you manage to get it sorted and are still able to go out on your adventure and take many pics to post up here.

I went riding in the bushes when the NY course first opened - doing circles round and round and round. I was half way through a workout and didn't want to lose the work I had already done so I just stuck with it - the trainer carried on giving the correct resistance, I just couldn't look at the screen too much - dizzy. I haven't had any power issues though.

It might be a bit of a trek for you, but you should check out Chanel Ysel at Hoodoo Studio in Observatory. She does incredible work with water colours and flowers. https://www.facebook.com/HoodooTattoosStudio/

I see an NC750 every day on my way to work - they look good. It might not be the bike to give you a zing in your jeanpant but it ticks so many other boxes. Great bikes.

That's quite unusual

We've heard that before...

That's the one. I was running on old Crest's for years with no issue until an unfortunate incident with a very large fixed rock at high speed... Decided to go for the 'stronger' Arch to replace it with and it didn't make eight months before the cracks started to appear. And I weigh the same and ride the same as I did with the old Crests. They just pushed the boat out a bit too far this time.

And you didn't jump?

Lekka write up (as always)

Where's your sense of adventure?

I agree. There were severe punishments for one of our guys who went to bed at just after 8pm.

This year after getting a few of my own fines, the group rejected three fines which I nominated meaning I ended up having those three as well. At least I was successful on the fourth attempt

Saturday night is the most fun part of the weekend! I never understand why people go home after the race. A faster team is all I am still missing

Do you only ever look for powerhouses to tow the ladies around for 80% of the race?

That's nothing - our teams biggest age gap was 51 years

For R10k you can get a pair of Nexties and have them laced onto your current hubs. That's what I'd do (its what I did do). https://www.nextie.net/ultralight-mountain-clincher-34mm-NXT29UL34

There were a couple of issues, but they're sorted now. Went for the maiden voyage after work yesterday. Yes, the bike has a bit of an identity crisis with the colours at the moment - that'll be sorted out down the line.

BT Sport (where I watch motoGP) were speculating a few rounds ago about him moving to Suzuki or KTM (I can't remember which...) as a test pilot. That would be awesome! He might just be able to provide the insight to give them the little bump needed to get the to the top. Would be great for the sport.

Take your bike with you and use Warm Showers. Free accommodation, you'll have your transport with you and you'll be able to hit some trails. Win win win.

I learned that sequence well, and it always fired up on the first actual starting kick even in the middle of winter in the UK. I could never manage the standing on the side of the bike and kicking thing though - that felt even weirder than the left foot kick!

Although electric start should be a non negotiable for a big single, it is nice to have the kickstart as well for those 'just in case' moments. I ended up using mine quite a lot on my old 640 purely because it was a KTM so didn't work as it was meant to all the time But that was a left foot kicker, so felt really weird and had to get used to it. It also had a decompression lever which had a knack to it - get it wrong and you know all about it as the kicker lever says hello to your calf...

Just built up a new bike for myself! 2018 Anthem Advanced. Looking forward to testing out the new geo (I'm using a 120 fork, so even more rake than normal, and a LOT more than the old Anthem) and new rear suspension. My blue Nexties sort of match the green frame and keep it nice and light-ish. Looking forward to hitting the trails!

I'm watching my buddy Guy Jennings - he came 12th in 2016 and 10th in 2017. Let's see what 2018 brings.

I've done them both and preferred the Crit Crusher. For me, I liked that the sessions themselves are short - an hour a day is easy to fit in. Added to that is the fact that its constantly changing - short bursts of power then up down up down more power, ect. For the gran fondo you end up doing 20 minute and 30 minute solid blocks of reasonably high intensity. Its great for fitness, but its also really boring!

I've built up a dynamo hub and wheel for one of the top 10 finishers from last year. So this year less stopping time will be needed to recharge lights and devices. Will be interesting to see if it makes a difference. I was really happy with the build - it ended up being lighter than his normal Csixx carbon front wheel!