Diary of a Mountain Biker

Ride Archive

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3rd April 2005 Richard, Huey, Sue and Roger - MBR Killer Loop, South Downs

Huey and Sue are really upping their game in readiness for the Marin Rough Ride and at my suggestion, we head down Chichester way for the recently published MBR South Downs killer loop.

Here's all the photos from the ride and more commentary plus a route guide.

Video Clip of Roger's bike skills (right click and save target as) - 2.73mb Movie file

prepping the bikes in the lay-by

some of the wide open spaces on the South Downs

17th April 2005 Richard - Pitch Hill

After spending Saturday morning at Huey's where he tunes my front and rear mech for me, Sunday dawns brightly. It's a fantastic day, bright sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. But is anyone interested in riding with me? Seemingly not as I head off to Pitch Hill again on my own.

Despite the midweek rain the trails are bone dry and after doing all the usual favourites, the bike only requires a light post ride dusting.

I call into dialled mikes on the way home as he has offered me a prototype frame to test longterm (similar idea to the MBR 'longtermers').

Never one to miss out on an offer I reverently pick up the large sized double butted frame and carry it home with me. Did I mention it was titanium? No, didn't think so.

God it's beautiful. My camera and therefore these pictures don't really do it justice but I shall enjoy building this one up.

It weighs in on the wife's digital kitchen scales at 3lb 11oz (that's 1677g to the youngsters). This is 30oz lighter than the Prince Albert - that's almost 2 lb's!

Bookmark this page to watch out for the build spec.

dialled bikes prototype double-butted ti frame

the crisp welding on the headtube

the down tube and bottom bracket, wider than the PA at 73mm

what a day - the viewpoint at Pitch Hill

this kind of shot is popular at the moment

the triangular downtube

the rear triangle, braced at two points

some nice looking cable guides for both mech's and disc brakes

the disc mount and dropouts

21st April 2005

After the excitement of picking up the new frame from Mike on Sunday, I spent today building it up with the new parts.

Here's a before and after picture but check out the details of the dialled bikes double butted titanium frame full build...

this...

plus this + forks, brakes and wheels from the Prince Albert....

...equals this!

24th April 2005 Richard, Elliot, Will and Magnus - Pitch Hill and Holmbury Hill

It's the first proper ride for the new bike and after picking up a car load at Dorking station we head for the usual haunts at Pitch Hill.

Magnus is new to the area and we show him some of the best it has to offer. Pitch Hill is noticeably drier than Holmbury Hill and we make an unwise decision to visit Parklife. Whilst a welcome bridge has been built over the largest of the water filled bombholes, the whole trail is still slimy and littered with murky puddles.

After heading down Telegraph Road and back up the rear of Holmbury Hill we take a fast descent down Barry Knows Best, pausing to avoid the girl lying in the middle of the trail with blood pouring from her head to Peaslake and back to the car.

The hills are full of riders today ith two different groups asking if we 'know any decent trails round here'. We also spot Oink and his crew and Warren, he of the Chocolate Foot fame.

The ti frame feels really great. The obvious difference is that it is noticeably lighter than the Prince Albert. Not so obvious but apparent after a few miles is that the handling seems more responsive and the whole bike has that titanium 'zing' feel, best summed up by Elliot who after a short test ride said that gear changes seemed to flow through the whole bike.

The frame also feels a much lighter ride than the Morning Glory (although the bikes have been built for different purposes - see below).

Now is this all pre-conceived ideas bought on by someone who has just been given an expensive frame to ride for nothing? No, I don't think so but if you want to decide for yourself you will just have to come out on one of our future rides and try it.

As for Mike's idea for testing the prototype thoughts, he had this to say...

"the aim was to design something along the lines of the proven Morning Glory / Prince Albert geometry but that would appeal more to people who like to keep their wheels on the ground.

Therefore, thinner walled tubing, less gussets but still with the ability to ride, handle and climb well on a 125/130mm fork.

The new prototype is more subtle looking than the original Morning Glory, and although it's more than strong enough to handle the rigours of cross country/trail riding, it's not a jump or freeride frame. We are currently testing 2 versions of the frame - butted and straight gauge."

Latest video of Will - right click and 'save target as' to view (1.6mb MOV file)

Elliot on T1 just past the new downhill section.

followed by Will

Elliot gets stuck in the 3rd bombhole

Magnus on Telegraph road

...and Elliot

Magnus on his Giant XTC 02...

...on his way down Barry Knows Best

30th April 2005 Richard, Mike, Tim and the varied cast of Chocolatefoot and stopadoodledoo - Pitch Hill and Holmbury Hill

Tim is a rider who has the pleasure of working for the same major PLC as me and we agree to hook up at Dorking station on the last day of April with dialled mike and various members of stopadoodledoo and chocolatefoot including the legendary Hora in attendance too.

After driving to Pitch Hill we head straight for Caution Steep Slope for the customary daring of each other to attempt the difficult lines.

Jonny decides to go for the drop and double and after a quick warm up on the six-foot drop, he attempts the trouble with disastrous consequences.

Luckily(?) your favourite site was on hand to capture it all in glorious technicolour and I'm sure Jonny will look back and laugh at this in the future, once A&E pop his shoulder back in.

After that, the ride broke up into various splinter groups and we headed for some of the more usual riding spots.

We sessioned on of the bombholes with Ant being the most successful whilst I only managed to get the front wheel off the ground. A poor show.

Due to that ever growing list of tasks back at home I had to head off early but those who stayed for the rest of the ride had a great time.

(right click and 'save target as' to view) - 1.6mb Movie file

Check out the video as Jonny attempts the 'drop n double' at Caution Steep Slope and comes off worse. CARE: this is not for the faint hearted - best viewed with sound.