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5^th & 6^th October 2002 – Afan Argoed & Cwmcarn

It was my birthday on the 5^th and I treated myself to a new set of wheels – Hope XC_hubs, disc ready, laced to Mavic_F519’s. What better way to test them than 12 of us on a trip to South Wales and the pleasures of the purpose built trails at Afan_Argoed and Cwmcarn. See here for a full report and pictures.

Mike - Cwmcarn

Elliot – 9 Foot Trail

Richard © merrony.com

12th October 2002

Great news - Diary of a Mountain biker has gone international. Check here for our first page translated into Spanish. Huey, Roger, Dave and Mark – you are now internationally renowned riders; but don’t start expecting me to pay you appearance money!

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=es&sl=en&u=http://www.diaryofamountainbiker.co.uk/Summer.htm&prev=/search%3Fq=

13^th October. This week I have been mainly updating the site. No riding, but whilst we are on the subject of Europe, here's a great photo from a French magazine - VTT or Velo Tout Terrain (All terrain bike) taken in California.

As long as your French is okay, this is a really good magazine if you find yourself in France and desperate for a mountain biking fix. The staffers seem to all have Santa Cruz's.

If you have a great biking picture you feel should be shared with the rest of the world e-mail it me.

On the bike front, I cleaned my bike properly following last weeks trip and serviced the headset. This was on it's last legs but following the service should be okay for the next few months

Send to my mobile

© Velo Tout Terrain le_plus_photo_VTT?

19^th October Richard, Dave & Dan Box_Hill n back.

First things first – I invested in one of the new Hope M4 disc brakes this week and fitted that on Friday night. This is mainly because I am a bike tart but also because the poor performance of my v-brakes is well known to everyone I ride with. Of course, nothing is easy (or cheap) and I also had to buy some new shifters, as the Deore stuff that came with the bike is the integrated shifter and brake.

Anyroad up, a couple of hours and 165 quid later I’m ready to go.

The fitted M4

The Minilever and LX shifter

Dan on his Spesh Hardrock

I have persuaded my brother to get his bike out and onto the trails. It’s a cold but bright day as we tackle one of our favourite routes – a 23-mile round trip that leaves us gagging for more.

The M4’s felt good but are still bedding in, so watch this space for an update.

Dave shows off his new Specialized Sport shoes

Dan discovers ‘The Wall’

25^th October Richard and Sam

A day off work and I take my eldest son out to Track_40. With all the rain this week the chalky surface is treacherous. A quick 9-mile trip keeps me in practice.

Sam

26^th October Richard, Paul, David & Keef – Belmont Downs

Diary of a Mountain Biker gets airborne!!! Here's the obligatory 'big air' shot that any self-respecting site must have. This is one of the BMX ramp builders putting down his spade for a moment and showing the old guys how to do it.

Jack (click to enlarge)

A great day today – Keith 'rigid and proud of it' has bought a 2^nd hand bike from a mate. It’s a Whyte PRST-1 with Hope Mini’s. A snip at £900.

He spends the whole afternoon deliberately riding over rocks and logs 'just 'cos I can'.

Keef Whyte

Paul Hinde

Paul has been busy too. He has taken David’s knackered Dave_Hinde M1 frame (the one that had the rear mech hanger ripped out of it back in February) and built it up into a singlespeed. It's just for messing around on but Belmont Downs is perfect, with challenging XC terrain but no hills.

Paul has chopped out the rear mech hanger and screwed on a replaceable mount plus a tensioner chain - just watch those legs spin!