The MTB thread

Originally Posted by speedplay

You can also use the trails that beat you last time to measure how you are progressing fitness wise too though.

hmmm, yeah, not too bothered about that really, just enjoy being out on the trails reliving my youth

Do you take Phil along with you do it feels like riding with your dad...?

Originally Posted by speedplay

Do you take Phil along with you do it feels like riding with your dad...?

ha, yeah! pmsl! but its more like grandad & dad rather than father & son

[northwind]

It's just like the difference between a trackday and a really good road tbh

[G]

Good comparison

[Paul the 6th]

sup gangsta's going to do the mastiles lane on the yorkshire dales tomorrow

will report back with pics & ride report any tips? Got 3 litres of water in my camel back, some torq gels, some flapjack and usual spares (inner tube, 3 x tyre irons, patches)... Gonna get some extra water to take with us. Not a very big route but should be fun

http://www.mtbdales.com/dales_route_guides.php?catid=7

Way too much water man , you should have enough in the Camelback for an epic route with 3 litres . My advice is to start hydrating the day before , don`t bother with gel sachets and crap , they are only gonna do you any good AFTER the ride , in which case it is just as beneficial to stop off for a nice bit of cake and a brew on the way home , you earned it .

mmmmmmm, cake! thats another good reason to ride at centres with cafe facilities

[northwind]

A gel can be a good backup for if you run out of energy, they're a quick strong boost. But they don't last long and they can kick off an insulin crash if you're really lucky, which you do not want (your body produces a jolt of insulin to deal with the sugar rush, then the sugar goes away but the insulin doesn't, and you end up hypoglycaemic).

Better to eat well before, and if you want, snack on something sensible like flapjacks or similiar as you go. If you want a wee sweet boost, jelly babies are good- one or two from time to time is better than a massive gel shot once. All my riding is powered by rice crispie squares and haribos, I should get sponsorship.

And yeah, Badger's spot on, that's a lot of water. Only time i've needed more than 3 litres for a ride was when we were in france, and that was massive, long days in the baking sun. (my normal camelbak's 2 litres and I don't generally fill it full)

Exactly Northy , eat the correct food before the route and have a few goodies to hand . I like the good old fashioned Malt Loaf ..... although they can get a tad "Squeeky" to eat in very cold weather