Living with the No7

The Award Winning 18Bikes, Hope

Having now owned my No7 for a year, I thought it was about time I gave you an update as to how I’m getting on with it.

I collected the bike from 18 Bikes in Hope on the 18th January 2020, from Matt Bowns, co-owner of the shop and the very man who made the frame.

You can read about how I built the bike up and the first ride in my previous blog here.

The following weekend saw its first big major outing with the Ride Holme Ride Out, with around a dozen riders enjoying the trails of Holmfirth, the pies at Addy’s Butchers of Hade Edge and a post ride beer at Magic Rock.

February saw a trip to Coed Y Brenin, where I had an enjoyable few days charging around the forest. The bike really came alive on the flowing nature of the trails.

I felt so at home on the bike I found myself throwing it into the many rocky features with the confidence that comes with owning a bike much longer than I’d been riding the No7.

Soon after this trip we went into a National Lockdown. We were only allowed out for essential shopping and exercise was to be taken from the door. No packing the van and riding in the peak or further afield.

However, we experienced some unbelievable weather. It had been hot and dry for weeks, so coupled with the fact I was furloughed from work, I went exploring, finding new trails and linking trails/loops I already knew to create some epic days out.

I’m so lucky to have some great trails right on my doorstep.

One such route found me hitting almost every type of terrain, loamy singletrack through the woods, smooth gravel tracks and rocky moorland trails, 55km and nearly 1200m of ascent and decent, the longest ride out so far and the No7 took it all in its stride.

I was lucky enough to get tickets for ArdRock again in 2020, but instead of riding the Sport version of the main Enduro on the Sunday as I had done in previous years, I chose to ride the Epic - a challenging 40 ‘country mile’ loop with special stages containing descents, climbs and flat out singletrack.

Anyone who has ridden in the area or indeed ridden the event itself will know it’s hard going, even on a full suspension enduro rig, so it was going to be a real test of skill and fitness on a hardtail.
However, with COVID, the event was sadly cancelled for the 2nd year running, which meant finding another challenge to test myself and the bike.

With the UK still under National Lockdown and no return to work on the horizon, I got the maps out and decided on a route (read about it here).

Soon after I returned to work and with an increased workload post lockdown I didn’t get out on my bike as often as I would have liked. Then winter set in and the trails turned to slop.

Heres a run down of how things have performed over the last 12 months.

Frame

The frame still looks like new with no major chips, dings or scratches.

Clever cable routing means there are no rub points as the cables and hoses are kept clear of the head tube.

I really like how Matt has routed the cables, held neatly in place with bolt on hangers, the lower two doubling up as bottle bosses, running along the top of the down tube and splitting at the seat tube where the dropper cable enters the seat tube though a neat little port, and the brake hose and rear derailleur cable each run along each of the chain stays.

Best Headbadge in the business

With a summer of dusty trails there wasn’t much chance to check mud clearance, however once the rains set in and the trails turned to mush I had no issues with tyre/mud clearance running a 2.4 in the back and 2.5 up front.

Forks

The DT Swiss F 535 ONE forks have been fantastic, from the initial set up I haven’t altered the settings in anyway. With the On-The -Fly damping control I tend to switch between ‘Open’ or ‘Lock’ mode. I find there is enough support with the compression damping fully open that Drive mode is seldom used, and fully locked out helps on those steep tarmac climbs the Holme Valley is well known for.

drivetrain

The Shimano SLX drivetrain hasn’t impressed like I thought it would. While the cranks have been faultless as you would expect, the bottom bracket was soon replaced with a Hopetech unit and the chain was replaced at around 700km after checking it for stretch.

The gear changes are quiet and crisp, even under load, and the range is great, running a 34t chainring gives me the perfect balance between a high gear for those flat out sprints and descents and the 51t lowest gear makes winching up steep technical climbs a doddle.

I am however disappointed with the derailleur, the ‘clutch’ mechanism has worked intermittently, on more than one occasion there has been no chain tension and the chain has come off the top jockey wheel making pedalling and gear changes impossible without stopping and resetting the chain.

The ‘clutch’ switch stopped working recently. I removed the cover to discover the pin that holds the clutch adjustment screw had snapped, unfortunately this part isn’t replaceable so a repair isn’t possible, I am currently running the mech without the clutch and I haven’t dropped a chain and there doesn’t seem to be much chain slap.

As this detail of the derailleur is the same across the range I don’t think it would have mattered if I’d chosen SLX, XT or XTR.

All that said I will replace like for like when stock becomes available, I won’t be switching to SRAM or any other brand.

brakes

With the Hope brakes now on their third bike I don’t think I need to say how much I like these stoppers. I have however struggled to find a set of pads I’m happy with. I used to be a big fan of Uberbike Race Matrix pads but I’ve now had a few sets that lack bite and I’ve also had the springs bend on me leading to the pads not returning and wearing out prematurely.

I’m currently running a set of Gorilla Brake pads which come with, what they say is a super strong spring, so far I’m impressed with these pads but have decided to stick with OEM parts in future and have set of Hope pads waiting in the workshop. I usually run sintered pads year round but I’m considering trying organic pads in the summer.

dropper post

To take advantage of the massive stand over height of the frame I decided to fit a 210mm dropper post, and as I’ve been impressed with the One Up V1 on my Rocket, I chose the V2 for my No7.

In use, it’s action does feel as smooth as the V1, and fitting it was difficult. It would be good if the outer cable hose was held in place on the actuator to make fitting the post into the frame easier. After several bent/kinked cables I had to enlist the help of Mrs Budd to get the post in the frame.

After the first few rides the bike developed a rattle which at first I put down to the cable within the frame. But, when the post failed to function properly I removed it from the bike to give it a service. Following the excellent instructions on the One Up website, I found it was the actuator at the base of the post that had come loose causing the rattle, once tightened with a drop of thread lock the post has worked faultless since.

One thing to say about the One Up is stripping home maintenance is very straight forward with good instruction videos on their website along with a list of spares available.

High On The Moors

Tyres

I’ve always been a fan off Maxxis, and once the trails turned to dust I switched out the Shorty for a Minion DHF up front, and for the first time I opted to fit a Minion SS on the back replacing the DHR. I was sceptical at first but pleasantly surprised at the amount of grip even in the mud.

This summer saw my first experience of a ripped sidewall. With the trails bone dry I decided to have a run up Cutgate. It was on the fast decent back down Mickleden Edge that my back wheel hit a square edge, I felt the loss of pressure immediately. Stopping to check the situation I found my tyre had two holes one in between the side knobs and one just above the edge of the rim (basically a snakebite in the tyre itself) and although sealant had sprayed out it had failed to seal either hole. So I bunged in a tube and finished the ride.

Back home I repaired the tyre with a patch on the sideway and a tyre plug.

I have to confess I was running my tyre with much less pressure than normal so a flat really was inevitable. I usually run 28psi in the rear and 25psi up front, but riding up the track the rear felt soft. I was just too lazy to put more air in and besides I was enjoying myself to much to bother, lesson learnt.

With winter and the return of the usual slop fest, I swapped my tyres back to the Shorty up front and the DHR on the back. My Shorty has developed a warp in the casing which has led to a noticeable wobble, I’m not sure if this has happened in storage or after refitting, but the DHR2 on the back is fine.

After a few rides I found the wobble too much and a little distracting and have ditched the Shorty and put the DHF back on. I think I will leave switching tyres to suit conditions to the pros and stick with the tried and trusted Minion DHF and DHR combo year round.

Contact points

The Burgtec bars and stem are spot on, I like the 800mm width coupled with the 35mm stem. The Bartender grips are wearing well and the Cloud saddle has proved to be a good choice in terms of cost vs comfort, having tried more expensive saddles in the past.

Finally my Saint pedals took one rock strike too many and the right pedal seized causing it to unscrew from the cranks, these have now been replaced by a pair of XT Trail pedal with a smaller platform. The Saints are in the shed awaiting a strip down to see if they’re worth repairing.

I also have a pair of DMR Vaults as I usually switch to flats in the winter but as I don’t own a pair of flat shoes at the moment I will remain clipped in for the win.

The ride itself

As I said earlier the No7, despite the aforementioned component issues, remains my go to bike. I just know I’m in for a fun ride every time I take it out, whether it’s a steady ride on easy going trails or a blast on my local tech.

As you’re balanced centrally between the wheels, when the trails turn steep either up or down, I found I don’t have to shift my weight back or forth as much as I have had to on other bikes. No hanging over the back of the bike on steep descents.

With its long low and slack geometry you’d have thought climbs would mean a wayward and wandering front wheel unless you’re sat right on the nose of the saddle and hunched over the bars. This isn’t the case at all, in fact I’ve managed to get up climbs I’ve found impossible before.

Summer

With a clever choice of tubing Matt has managed to balance stiffness and compliance. No unwanted lateral flex when putting the power down. This doesn’t mean you aren’t left feeling battered on rough rocky descents, the rear triangle seems to manage to take the sting out of the trail. Don’t get me wrong you still have to choose your lines carefully, but thats the joy of riding a hardtail, you’ve got to be the pilot and not just a passenger.

There seems to be a resurgence in popularity of the humble hardtail and I can see why. The You Tube channel GMBN have been putting up loads of hardtail features recently, go check them out.

Cheaper Not Better

Yes there are cheaper hardtail frames on the market, but save that bit longer, spec it with a cheaper groupset, as other owners and members of #ClubEighteen will tell you, you won’t regret it.

Heroes Return, Coed Y Brenin

Products I’ve used this past 12 months to look after my ride

Piggy

76 Projects
Enduro Computer Mount to keep my Garmin secure and out of the way.

Piggy Integrated Storage, allowing me to still run a bottle cage, while keeping my tools and tube out of the mud with the optional Piggy Dry Bag.

HKT Protect

HKT Protect Frame Protector
Another quality product ‘Made in Sheffield’. Available in a variety of designs, including and 18Bikes design. Theses kits come in various sizes allowing you to choose your level of protection.

Peatys Products
Loam Foam, Link Lube, Foaming degreaser and P17 Maintenance spray.
I’ve been impressed with these products, especially the Link Lube and Degreaser, they do an amazing job of keeping your drive train running clean and quiet, and who doesn’t love that minty fresh smell every time they wash their bike.

Stans No Tubes Sealant
I ran Peaty’s Sealant for a while but have since switched back to Stans No Tubes, as I had been running this stuff since converting to tubeless many years ago with zero problems, plus I now carry a Stans Dart which is designed to be used with their sealant and looks way easier to install than those bacon strips. Time will tell.

Kingud
Polish and Protect. I’ve used this stuff for many years now and is in my opinion the best way to prevent mud sticking to your bike, plus as it isn’t a spray application there is very little chance of contaminating your discs.

All the above are available from 18 BIKES with the exception of Kingud

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

Have you demoed a No7 or No9?
or,
Have you had similar experiences with certain componants?

What stuff do you use to care for your pride and joy?

and finally………

Thanks for reading ;-)

See you out there

Tour De Holme Moss

Holme Moss

Rising to the west of Holmfirth on the edge of the Peak District National Park is Holme Moss, with its 228m high radio transmitter station which can been seen for miles around.

The summit plateau comprises mainly of peat bogs and only footpaths cross here. One is the long distance Pennine Way, which now has flagstones to protect the vulnerable peat from the feet of the many walkers making their way north to Kirk Yetholm or south to Edale.

The road to the summit is a favourite among the road biking community. It’s a regular feature on the Tour of Britain race and was a highlight of Day 2 of the 2014 Tour De France Grand Depart.

So, with no permissible routes over the top for mountain bikers and just two roads crossing this bulk of bleak and barren moorland, the A6024 Holme Moss Road and the A635 Greenfield Road, what does this behemoth have to offer the off road cyclist?

I have grown up riding the trails around Holmfirth, hence the name of my guiding business, and I have walked and ridden many of the areas surrounding the summit of Holme Moss. However, until recently, I had never linked them together.

Springs Road above Digley

In early 2020 with the country on lockdown and only essential travel permitted, it made sense to explore from the doorstep.
Initially for me this meant walks in the local woods as the Singletrack Mag, ’No Car, No Gnar, Not Far’ message was spreading amongst the Mountain Bike community. As exercise restrictions lifted, I got the bike out, only going a short distance from home but it was good to be pedalling again.

Three months in and we were allowed to travel for exercise, but I still didn’t want to use the van to get to the trails. After all, I’m lucky to have some fantastic places on my doorstep. But it was time to venture further than my regular circuit.

So one morning, I sat down with a coffee and got the maps out to trace a line around Holme Moss. My aim was to find a route that stuck as close to the edge as possible, using only permitted rights of way with as little road work as possible.

With the route plotted and knowledge of what some of the trails were like, it was time to explore. I was initially going to go in a clockwise direction, but on looking at the profile of the final section I didn’t fancy having the steepest and toughest climbs right at the end of what would be a long day in the saddle, and so I reversed the route on my Garmin and set a date to head out.

Wednesday 24th of June was forecast to be the hottest day of the year, but it was the date I had planned for so I packed plenty of food and water and set off. Riding from home, I was in for an 85Km day - the routes listed below are shorter as I first had to get to the trailhead.

Home of the best Pork Pie

My first stop was J Brindon Addy’s Butchers home of the best pork pies in the world. With a couple in my pack for lunch, I set off. Climbing out of Hade Edge I was soon off road and descending the rough and rocky trail known as Ramsden Road. Holme Moss summit was tantalisingly close in front of me and as I emerged from trail to tarmac near Lane village there were already plenty of road bikers tackling the long climb to the top. But I was going down, heading through Holme Village towards Digley Reservoir, and the climb up Nether Lane and Springs Road with its old grooved flagstones worn by the passing of horse and carts many many years ago.

A brief stint on the A635 led to a right turn at Snoopy’s Cafe, a conveniently placed butty van where the Pennine Way crosses on its descent from Black Hill/Soldiers Lump. It’s a popular stop for passing motorists and an institution for some.

I was now heading down the Wessenden Valley towards Marsden. This descent has a mix of wide gravel tracks, steep stone pitched sections and bracken edged singletrack. Ride Kirklees advocacy group have carried out some trail maintenance on some of the boggy sections, reinstating some old drains, but today it was hard packed, dry and fast.

A long descent in the bag, it was time to climb up out of West Yorkshire and drop down into Greater Manchester. Spinning the legs steadily up past Marsden Golf Club I was soon at the permissible Bridleway of the Standedge Trail, traversing the moor above Redbrook Reservoir and avoiding the busy A62.

At the side of Brunclough Reservoir with the villages of Diggle, Uppermill and Greenfield far below, I stopped for lunch and let the legs recover. Dropping into the valley, a friendly resident kindly topped up my water bottles. It was here that I also met Duncan Philpott, legendary mountain bike photographer and Stefan Amato founder of PannierCC. They were out on their gravel bikes and, having set off from Wortley near Sheffield, it turned out that they were tracking a similar route to me.

Wise words from Tameside Council

Bottles filled, we rode on to pick up the Pennine Bridleway, a fast flat section between Diggle and Greenfield. The gravel bikes sped off into the distance, but our routes would soon split anyway as they stuck to the smoother old railway line and canal towpath while I followed the Pennine Bridleway, first on good tracks over to Carrbrook, then rougher rockier trails into the Brushes Valley. From here, it was steady climbing up the valley towards Higher Swineshaw Reservoir.

It was nice to get a brief respite from the heat as the climb started up a tree lined private road to Higher Swineshaw Reservoir. Soon enough though, it was back out into the open and into the full heat of the day. The temptation for a dip in the reservoir was strong.

I continued up and over to Tintwistle on excellent tracks, rocky in places with a feeling of isolation dropping into Ogden Clough and passing another opportunity for cooling dip in the brook.

At Tintwistle, I had a choice. Depending on how I felt, I could either drop down onto the Trans Pennine / Longdendale Trail for a fast blast on the disused railway of the old Sheffield to Manchester Line, or stick with the original game plan of following as close to the Saddleworth Massif as possible.

With plenty of food and water and feeling good, I decided to stick to the plan and followed the Northern Horse Route as it wove its way alongside the very busy A628, criss crossing its way up the valley. I thought this section would be a laborious slog with the noise of the road taking away any sense of peace and tranquility, but there was a strange feeling of calm as I rode along empty trails, comprising of old lanes, disused railways and wooded singletrack, with the only occasional noise of the road reminding me of life outside of my little bubble of turning the pedals.

The perfectly placed Crowden Campsite provided my second water refill of the day and I stopped to chat to the warden about the current lockdown situation and the effect it was having on the camping and caravanning industry.

St James Church, Woodhead

I pushed on up the valley passing the quaint St James’ church where some of the navvies who died during the construction of the Woodhead Tunnels are said to be buried.

Shortly after passing the church, I was on a section where I thought I might have to brave the road, passing the turning on the left up the backside of the Holme Moss (A6024) and crossing Woodhead bridge before turning off the road again below Pikenaze Hill. However, there is a permissible Bridleway (thank you Northern Horse Route) which heads up and alongside the A6024, crossing this at Oakside Bridge before heading back towards the A628 and back up the Woodhead Valley towards the Longdendale trail where it crosses from Derbyshire into South Yorkshire at Salter’s Brook Bridge.

Nearing the end of a long day……

From here you cross the busy A628 for the last time, directly opposite the Dunford Bridge road and head down towards the village. Turning left just before reaching the bottom of the hill, towards Winscar Reservoir, and riding over the dam wall and through the car park, means that you cut off a big chunk of road climbing. It’s then just a short way to the top before the descent down Snittle Road back to Hade Edge and a well earned beer.

I on the other hand had another 10k to ride home!

With my legs beginning to stiffen, I made my way back on quiet roads happy that the route was everything and more than I hoped it would be.

So there you have it a big day out around a big old lump of moorland.

What are the trails like?
Most are well surfaced rocky trails and only a few sections along the Northern Horse Route would be boggy in wet weather. I was surprised how little actual road work there was considering the distance covered, I cannot give you an actual ratio but all the roads I took were quiet back lanes, and the only real traffic hazards are the A635 and crossing the busy A628.

What Bike would you recommend?
A short travel trail bike would certainly be a comfortable option on some of the more rocky sections of the route, but I rode it on my 18 bikes, No7, 27.5” hardtail and it was more than up to the task.
As I mentioned earlier, I bumped into Duncan and Stefan who were doing a similar route to me but on their gravel bikes, so I would say as long as you were ok with rocky loose terrain you’d be fine on a gravel bike - just be prepared for punctures and a bit of pushing/carrying.

I will put two route files below, one for mountain bikes and one more suited to gravel bikes. Which you choose is entirely up to you.

Stunning views all day long

Are there facilities en-route?
At the time of riding and writing, we were in a the grip of a global pandemic and most cafes and pubs were closed. But if you’re reading this when the world is back up and running, then there are numerous places to stock up en-route as you pass through the villages of Holme, Marsden, Uppermill and Greenfield. Crowden Campsite has a little shop, but this was closed at the time of writing as was the small shop/brew stop at the side of the Fleece pub in Holme Village. Then there’s also Snoopy’s Butty Van (maybe seasonal) on the A635 Greenfield Road.

Where’s the best starting point?
There are plenty of places to start the route. However, I wanted to get the more technical trails out of the way while my legs were still fresh, so I would say the best place to start is Hade Edge and go in an anti clockwise direction as I did. That way you get a nice roll in to the finish and you can drive down to Holmfirth for a pint in Magic Rock Tap (once the pubs are allowed to open again post lockdown)

How long will it take me?
Expect to have a long day. With stops for food, admiring the views, photos and route finding, I was out for nearly 8 hrs.

MTB Route,
All the tough ups and downs….
42miles 4921ft ascent or 66Km 1500m ascent approx…..
https://www.komoot.com/tour/209027754?ref=itd

Gravel Route…..
I have taken out some of the roughest sections and included the Trans Pennine Trail in the Longdendale Valley. There are still some sections where good bike handling skills will be required.
40 Miles 4275ft Ascent or 64Km 1300m ascent approx….
https://www.komoot.com/tour/209030323?ref=itd

Enjoy and let me know how you get on 👍

18 Bikes No 7

I’ve always loved steel hardtail bikes. In fact, with just one exception in the 1990’s, every bike I’ve owned has had a steel frame.

But you might wonder why I’m such a fan of hardtails when full suspension bikes give you the ability to ride harder/faster. The easy answer is that there is nowhere to hide with a hardtail bike. You have to pick your lines, you have to really ride your bike and use your skills – and that’s what I love so much about it.

So, when I was invited to join Team 18Bikes and start riding their new No7 steel hardtail, you can bet that I was excited to put it to the test. Read on to see what (and why) I chose for the build and, of course, how I’m enjoying riding my No7.

First, the demo

I was lucky enough to borrow the shop’s demo bike for a few rides before ordering my frame. It’s something I would strongly recommend to anyone before parting with your hard-earned cash, no matter what bike you’re buying.

The first thing that struck me about this bike was just how comfortable it felt. There was no stretched out feeling, just a nice roomy cockpit.

Secondly, was the ‘snap out of the gate’ feeling I got when stamping on the pedals. You’d think with stiffness like that, descents would be spine jarring experiences, but no! Once pointed downhill, the steel frame came alive, tackling the rough stuff with ease.

Not having ridden such a long bike before I found that I was still shifting my weight over the back (force of habit) on the first few descents, but by the final descent of the day I stayed central over the bike. The long wheelbase and weight evenly balanced over both wheels gives such a stable ride that you can really let rip.

The demo had me hooked and I ordered my own No7.

The Build

Frame

No9 & No7 on display in the shop

The No7 frame is handmade in a small unit on the outskirts of Sheffield (the Steel City). Being based on the edge of the Peak District with some of the finest mountain biking in the country, it’s the perfect place to design and build a mountain bike. For those wanting to know more, you can read about the 18 Bikes production process here.

Back to the frame! 18 Bikes size their bikes a little differently to most brands. At 174 cm tall (or 5’9” in old money) my frame is the 475mm, fitted with a 35mm stem, and with the saddle height at 700mm I have fitted a 210mm dropper post.

Forks

Due to its uncomplicated design and ease of set up, I chose the DT Swiss F535 140 forks. Put in the recommended pressure, a few clicks of rebound, leave the compression damping fully open (recommended by DT Swiss) and you’re good to go.

I can honestly say that I’m impressed.

Wheelset

At the time of ordering all the parts for the build, DT Swiss were the only other company to hold a license for the new Shimano microspline freehub. I’ve fitted an M1900 rim up front with the harder hitting E1900 rim on the back, both with DT Swiss hubs with straight pull spokes.

Tyres

I decided to stick with the old maxim “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” and fitted Maxxis Rubber to my wheels. I’ve used Maxxis tyres for many years now and have always been happy with them.

Up front, I have a Shorty 2.3 3C/EXO/TR and, on the back, the ever-faithful Minion DHR ll 2.4 WT 3C/MaxxTerra/EXO. They’re a tubeless set up (does anyone run tubes nowadays?).

As the trails dry out and the mileage increases over the summer months (once the current lockdown situation improves), these will no doubt be swapped out for something a little faster rolling.

Drivetrain

Having always been a fan of Shimano and with 12 speed trickling down to the more affordable groupsets, I’ve fitted the SLX M7100 12 speed. A 34t chainring and 10-51t cassette gives me a huge range of gears, and 170mm cranks finish the package.

Brakes

The only donor parts I’ve fitted to the build from my old hardtail are HopeTech M4’s with 180 rotors to take care of stopping power. Bought from 18 Bikes in 2009 (yes, you read that correctly!), this is the third bike they’ve been fitted to and, with a bit of TLC, they’re as good as the day I bought them.

Seatpost

With the huge amount of clearance given by the sloping top tube, it only seemed right to fit a massive dropper post. At 210mm the OneUp Components is probably one of the longest on the market.

It’s certainly the shortest overall length for the amount of drop and, at half the price of some of its competitors, it was a clear-cut choice for me - plus I’ve had their V1 dropper on my full suss for some time without fault.

Finishing Touches

My bars and stem are Burgtec RW (RideWide) Enduro alloy bar at 800mm with 15mm rise, along with their Enduro Mk2 stem 35mm. Bartender Pro grips and the Cloud saddle take care of the contact points.

As for pedals, I like to be clipped in so it’s the Shimano Saints spd platforms. In winter I often switch to flats - next winter will see me running Burgtec Mk5 Penthouse.

I’ve also added a bit of frame protection courtesy of the guys at HKT Products. Custom printed with the 18 Bikes logo (and also made in Sheffield) they can custom make frame protection kits to your design.

The First Ride

I collected my new bike in the shop from Matt who had personally cut, mitred and welded the tubes together. In my eyes, you can’t get a better buying experience than that. The only adjustment I’ve needed to make since picking my bike up from the shop is to set the brakes up how I like them!

So how was the ride?

What can I say? This bike is Fun with a capital F!

I’m not going to go into all the technical talk on angles, reach, stack etc. All I’m going to say is that this bike has put a smile on my face from day one. I’ve never felt more comfortable and ‘at home’ on a bike from the very first ride.

So far, I’ve ridden it on my local trails, a day in the Peak and had a week at Coed Y Brenin, before Covid-19 put paid to any other trips. However, I’m really looking forward to putting it through its paces on some longer days out as soon as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

The forks are superb, small bump sensitivity is spot on and they don’t dive through all their travel when you hit the brakes hard. It’s exactly what you want when riding a hardtail and yet they still take the sting out of big hits when you need them to. If you’re in the market for new forks, check them out: DT Swiss demo forks, along with their wheels, are available from 18 Bikes so you can try before you buy.

The gears are exactly what I’ve come to expect from Shimano. Shifting is crisp and quiet and I really don’t think you can go wrong with the SLX level groupset.

I’ll finish by saying that 18 Bikes also do the No9 frame based around 29” wheels and a 130mm fork if bigger wheels are more to your liking.

Demo bikes will be available once restrictions due to the Coronavirus are lifted. In the meantime I’m happy to answer any questions you might have, put them in the comments below or give the guys at 18 a call, I’m sure they’d be more than happy to chat.

The Advocacy Way GPX File

The Advocacy Way

Looking for a challenge this summer?

Fed up of riding round in circles?

How about a linear route with a difference?

Start your journey with a night at The Dales Bike Centre where Stu and his team will look after you. After a hearty breakfast, away you go.

The route follows great bridleways and quiet roads, eventually finishing at Cafe Adventure.

Don’t underestimate it though!

As I found out over the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2018, this ride is no pushover. There are some tough climbs and challenging descents along the way but you’ll be treated to stunning and ever changing scenery.

So here it is the GPX file for ‘The Advocacy Way’

Any questions about the route please get in touch via my contact page.

GPX File

The Advocacy Way: Day 3

Bank holiday Monday.

It was all supposed to be over by now and today was the day for kicking back and relaxing with my wife.

However, I had unfinished business to attend to.

After a hot meal, a warm bath and a good nights sleep, I woke refreshed. Although my ankle was playing up after all the pedalling and pushing, I was determined to get to Hope and finish my challenge.

I left home at around 10am to cycle the 6 miles back to where I had left the route the night before.

It was during these 6 miles that I seriously thought of quitting. My ankle was agony, my Achilles' tendon had really tightened up and I was in pain. All sorts of thoughts were running through my head. the most disturbing one being “what if it snaps as I'm approaching the top of Cutgate?”.

Thankfully, I finally found a pedalling position that eased the pain by lowering my saddle by half an inch.

Game on!

Arriving at Langsett, I started to meet other bikers out riding the trails, chatting and telling them about my ride. Walkers were also taking advantage of the better weather, they were also greeted with a smile and a cheery hello.

I was soon on my own again as I started the long technical climb along Mickleden Edge and then onward to the summit. After the long, hot summer, the bogs that this whole quest is about were practically none existent - but the erosion caused by those avoiding them at their worst was still evident to see.

Up at the cairn I stopped and chatted to more bikers before the long descent to Cranberry Clough.

With no bike packing kit on my bike, I could enjoy this descent to the full and soon enough I was pedalling along the shores of a very empty Derwent reservoir.

My route then took me on some of the classic trails of the Peak District, including the fantastic Hagg Farm Zig Zags. Thanks to the gentleman from Hull, out on his Santa Cruz, for getting the gates on this great descent.

Along the edge of Ladybower, I came to the final climb of the day and the whole challenge - aptly named locally as ‘Shit Bastard’. By the time I reached the top, I was on the ridge below Win Hill and could almost see the finish line.

I had one last blast downhill on the Roman Road towards Hope. Upon arriving at the gate marking the end of the off road section, I was greeted by Jacquie who had been following my progress all day on Strava Beacon.

There were smiles all around and we shared the final road section to Cafe Adventure where my sister and brother-in-law were there with my nieces to welcome me home across the finish line.

So that was it, I'd done it.

It was not quite in the style I would have liked, but I had laid down a route to follow.

Overall it was a excellent challenge in the fact that it really pushed me, and not just because of Sunday's weather. Some sections were an absolute joy to ride, while others gave me that real "what the hell am I doing here" feeling.

The weather on Sunday certainly was a test of character, but once you're out in it, it's not that bad really. I was lucky in that I had the right clothing for the job and had spent the day feeling relatively comfortable.

I also find it quite easy to lose myself in my own thoughts and so the hours out on my own, just turning the pedals, we're almost meditative.

Can't Quit was my mantra.....

Would I do things differently next time?

To be honest, there was little that I would have changed.

I’d take some lights to allow me to carry on into the night, but I reckon that 10-12hrs of riding is enough for anyone. However, if I'd had lights, I could have taken more breaks instead of just ploughing on.

Other than adding in a lighter for the stove, I think I got things pretty spot on.

So there you have it ..........

The Advocacy Way

153 miles. 246 km.

16,300 ft of ascent. 4,970 m of ascent.

Click here for the GPX file

Any questions just ask... 👍

The Advocacy Way: Day 2

Having completed Day 1 of my challenge, I was tucked up in my sleeping bag underneath a tarp somewhere en route.

I tossed and turned, finally sleeping soundly between 1.00am and 5:30am. Wanting to be on the road before daybreak, I reluctantly got out of my warm sleeping bag and packed everything away. The first pedal turned as the clock struck 6.00am.

With bad weather forecast, I wanted to give myself the best start and planned to get to Hebden Bridge before stopping for a real breakfast (caffeine gel and snickers does not a breakfast make).

Back on the trail, I met Paul Kirkham who was out for an early morning blast before the rain came in. Although our destinations were very different, we shared the same route for a good while. It was nice to have a bit of company and we chatted as the miles floated by.

On the descent to Widdop Reservoir, the weather began to close in. We met a couple of bikers coming the other way, having set off from Sheffield the day before on their own mission of riding the Pennine Bridleway. They too were concerned what the weather had in store for us later.

We wished them well and carried on, saying our goodbyes. I headed down through Hardcastle Crags towards Hebden Bridge as Paul headed home.

By now the rain was coming down hard.

Arriving in Hebden Bridge, soaking wet and in need of a good feed, the good people at Blazing Saddles bike shop let me store my bike inside while I went for breakfast. In Hebden, for me, there's only one place to go and so I headed to Mooch Cafe and luckily got the last seat in the house.

A bucket of coffee and a full English was the order of the day. Make that two buckets of coffee!

I left with a full belly and a warm rosy glow.

Heading back to the bike shop, I chatted shop before stocking up on Happy Bottom Butter (is there really a better name for chamois cream) to keep the chafing at bay and set off.

Anyone who has visited Hebden Bridge will know it's nestled a steep sided valley, so the climb was as tough as I thought it would be. The pouring rain made even the cobbled roads a slippery challenge.

I pressed on, once again finding myself on the Pennine Bridleway and the old packhorse trails that criss cross the moors around these parts. Descending to the canal at Summit I received a text from Jacquie saying she had just missed me at Mankinholes and was waiting just ahead of me at the Summit Inn. Her beaming smile cheered me up no end as I rolled on the towpath in the downpour.

We headed for the pub and I stood outside under the smokers' shelter while Jacquie went in for drinks. A few minutes later she came out saying that the landlady, on hearing of my quest, insisted that I came inside out of the weather. So, with my bike stored safely in the beer garden, I went inside to a very warm welcome. Several cokes and a bowl of chips later, I left with a small donation. Thank you!

My journey now took me over the moors once again and across a very busy M62. My life felt like it was a million miles away from those thundering past below.

This section proved quite tiresome and nondescript as the weather closed in even more. I rode on through thick mist and heavy drizzle. Up and down past several reservoirs, I was starting to flag. My enthusiasm was waning through a culmination of the weather and the homogeneous reservoir access tracks I was now riding.

Then I heard a shout up ahead. Jacquie had again followed my progress and was waiting for me by the Rams Head pub on the A672. She passed on some messages of support which I'd been receiving through her takeover of my social media accounts, giving me a much needed boost.

Crossing the A640 I was heading for home territory and a trail I'd wanted to ride for a long time. The descent into Marsden must be one of the best in the area, a real mix of flagged sections, boardwalks and fast singletrack, proving what can be done with properly planned and managed trail repairs and maintenance.

My arrival into Marsden coincided with a group heading for the train station all dressed up for a night on the town. I didn't envy them one bit and I'm pretty sure the feeling would be mutual.

It was here that I met Jacquie again. She asked me how I was and if I was going to continue on from here or call it a day, but with several hours of day light left and being on home soil as it were I said I would press on, and so I did.

The only thoughts going through my head now were of the hills I had left to climb, and the slight disappointment I felt at not staying out another night to complete the challenge in the style I had planned. A message from my sister saying I'd earned the right to a hot bath and warm bed after being out all day helped with my decision to head for home.

The hills proved easier than I expected and I was soon on the final stretch of tarmac before the point at which I had chosen to end the day. This short stretch of road was the hardest part of the day. I really needed to dig deeper than ever.

I really had given it my all today, and it was starting to show.

With my Garmin turned off and a short message recorded for social media, I headed home for a warm bath, a hot meal and my bed. Luckily I had tailwind to take me the last 6 miles home.

I finally stepped through the door at 9.00pm, a full 15 hours after leaving the field just outside Earby. I was tired, broken and my hands and feet were like prunes.

I thought that was it, my Challenge was over and I couldn't carry on.

Until I heard more messages of support saying that I deserved a night at home having endured the worst weather of the entire summer. Others were urging me to finish what I'd started and so I went to bed satisfied that I'd done my best and that I would see in the morning whether I had the energy to finish the job off.

The Advocacy Way: Day 1

Having been involved in two fundraising events for the Mend Our Mountains Cut Gate campaign (MTB Dolly's Mixer, riding from Hayfield to Lady Cannings just outside Sheffield, and the Steel Valley Ride, a circular route starting and finishing at Fox Valley Stocksbridge), I thought it was time for me to organise my own.

Wracking my brains as to what I could do, I literally had that Eureka moment while soaking in the bath.

I thought why not link my two favourite biking destinations, the Dales Bike Centre in Reeth, North Yorkshire to Cafe Adventure in Hope, Derbyshire. As a bonus it would also mean linking the various advocacy group areas along the way.

I decided to name it the ‘Advocacy Way’.

Not long after coming up with the idea, I made my plans known to Cut Gate campaigner, and member of Peak District MTB, Keeper Of The Peak. That was it - no going back, although I still had to create the route and pick a suitable date in which to do the ride.

Now everyone loves a good map and lucky for us we have an account with Ordnance Survey so we have the whole of the UK at the click of a mouse.

After a few hours staring at the screen, I had a line on a map.

Although the route would be going through areas I knew well, over 50% of the route would be unknown ground. I had no idea what to expect, all I knew is that I had to stick to bridleways and byways, no cheeky footpaths (except in emergencies).

Over the summer my better half, Jacquie Budd Outdoor-Girl.com, and I honed our bike packing skills with a few local trips, plus a 10 day trip to the Outer Hebrides.

To give me the best chance of completing the route it was decided that the August Bank Holiday would be a good time and with the weather we've enjoyed all summer, I was hoping for good conditions.

With our accommodation booked for the Friday night, I set up a Just Giving page and watched as the donations came in.

In the weeks leading up to the start I had a few anxious moments about the enormity of the challenge I had set myself, but on the whole I was excited at the thought of the adventure ahead.

Friday the 24th August came around soon enough and with the van loaded, we headed north on the A1. We were soon clear of all the traffic heading to the Leeds Festival and with the A1 upgrade complete we made good time getting to the Dales Bike Centre.

After a good meal and a few pints in The Bridge Inn, Grinton, it was back to the DBC for a final kit check and to sort out the maps I would be needing for the trip.

If you've only ever visited Dales Bike Centre on Ard Rock weekend, you’ll not have experienced the peace and quiet that the place has to offer - and the fact it has dark sky status means you're pretty much guaranteed a good night’s sleep.

The plan was to rise early, load up the bike and head off straight after my coffee and obligatory bacon butty. However, this went out of the window as other guests readied themselves for the day ahead and we all got chatting about our plans for the day.

In the end I left DBC a little later than planned. At just after 10.00am, I rolled out of the car park and made my way south. The first hill of the day was a real wake up call as I pedalled up past the YHA and out onto the moors.

The weather could not have been better, beautiful blue skies with just a scattering of fluffy clouds. A perfect day for a bike ride.

As my legs warmed up I settled into a steady rhythm. Dropping down past Castle Bolton I headed for the river, with Stu's [Dales Bike Centre] words ringing in my ears. Having seen the route I’d planned, he remarked that he wasn't too sure about the stepping stones over the river. I took his comment in jest.

The bridleway to the river was stunning, an old sunken lane with clapper bridge over a small beck. My mind wandered until I rounded a corner and there they were - or there they should have been, had the river not been high enough to completely cover every single stepping stone.

I stood and weighed up my chances, until finally common sense prevailed. I got out the map and looked for a detour.

Taking a diversion through the tourist hotspot of Aysgarth, I was soon back on track. After a fair stretch of road work I was began climbing up onto Walden Moor. Indistinct bridleways made route finding tricky and slow going...but it was never meant to be easy.

The descent into Starbottom was a treat, made all the more exciting with a fully loaded bike.

Out onto the road I was now heading into familiar territory.

I rolled into Kettlewell much later than anticipated and had a very late lunch at the cafe.

I also took this opportunity to check in with Jacquie who was a little concerned that it had taken so long to cover the first 25 miles. I reassured her that now I was on familiar ground the miles would soon fly by.

Leaving Kettlewell I cycled past Kilnsey crag, with climbers hanging around on my right and the show field getting prepared for the upcoming Kilnsey Show on my left. I was soon back climbing again, this time up Mastiles Lane - or ‘the wall’ as I like to call it as it stretches out in front of you, with your neck craning to see the top.

Under normal circumstances I relish these types of climbs, but with a loaded bike and many more miles still to go I knew that I had to pace myself, so I pushed the final steep section before rolling over the crest and descending the other side.

Onto Gargrave, I had a pit stop at the Co-op before heading for the canal. By now I was eating up the miles and my thoughts were turning towards finding a spot to bivvy for the night. I reasoned that as I hadn't planned to cycle through the night I would pedal until it was dark and find a spot in a suitable field, and so I pressed on.

I knew a large section of this part of the route would be on the Pennine Bridleway and found it to be well signposted, although its reputation for having lots of gates was proving to be true.

With darkness falling, I found a corner of a field suitably tucked away and settled down for the night.

Super Noodles and a hot chocolate were to be my treat of a supper but sadly my stove decided otherwise and failed to light. I had plenty of gas, it was the ignition system that failed. I even had a back up piezo, but even that wouldn't light the thing. So it was no hot meal for me, just a half eaten pasty, a snickers and a slurp of water.

I lay there thinking of the day’s events, and what was to come.

An almost full Moon rose over the horizon with Mars for company as I slowly drifted off to sleep, waking occasionally to the sound of owls screeching and foxes yapping.

Cut Gate Project

Overlooking Cranberry Clough

Think of high mountain passes in the UK and your thoughts may automatically bring up images of the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands or Snowdonia in Wales.

But to me, Cut Gate is the Peak District's very own mountain pass. It links Howden Reservoir in the Derwent Valley to Langsett Reservoir, via isolated valleys and open moorland.

Leaving the very end of Howden Reservoir by the picnic and wild swimming spot of Slippery Stones, the trail steepens as you begin the climb out of the valley.

Your effort doesn't go unrewarded and as the trail relents, the views behind open up and that feeling of being in true wilderness takes hold. The only reminder of human contact is the flagstones that line the climb up to Margery Hill. Reaching the top of the climb there is a large stone cairn and the views all around are magnificent.

It’s proper edge of the world stuff.

The descent off the other side down towards Langsett reservoir is a mix of bed rock, crushed stone and flagged paths all of which blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, with only a few exceptions.

The Bogs of Doom

The BOGS OF DOOM are two short areas on what is a classic trail for all user groups (walkers, fell runners, horse riders and mountain bikers). These two sections of deep bog make it difficult to pass in all but the driest of summers or coldest of winters, when the ground is either baked hard (a rare occurrence) or frozen solid.

One of the ‘Bogs of Doom’

Well, plans are afoot to bring an end to having to negotiate these areas.

Two of the country's leading Mountain Bike Advocacy Groups (Ride Sheffield and Peak District MTB) along with @KeeperofthePeak have got together. Working with the Peak District National Park and Moors for the Future, they have come up with a plan.

This has since been picked up by the British Mountaineering Council who saw it as such a worthy cause that they included it in their national 'Mend our Mountains’ campaign.

When the work is done, not only will it mean a better experience for all users but more importantly it will protect what is a fragile landscape by creating a distinct and lasting single path line to help the surrounding vegetation to recover.

To see the type of work which could be undertaken, Moors for the Future carried out some regeneration work at Cutthroat Bridge and Whinstone Lee Tor recently which you can see here.

Due to the isolated nature of the Cut Gate Bogs of Doom, it is going to cost an estimated £75,000 to carry out the work and this is where we come in. By clicking on the this link, you can donate directly to the campaign. Alternatively, you could set up a fundraiser to help raise funds for this worthwhile cause.

Although the campaign was originally the brainchild of mountain bikers, it really is intended to bring all user groups together in a project which will benefit everyone. So whether you're a walker, fell runner, horse rider or mountain biker, show that you care for the landscape we all call our playground and get on board.

Then, in the near future, you can be one of the people at the top of Cut Gate, feeling a sense of pride that you've done your bit to protect this fragile planet.

Mickleden Edge above Langsett reservoir

Long, Low and Slack.... The progression of bike design.

For those of us who passed our driving test in the 80's, can you remember your first car?

If it was anything like mine, a MK1 Fiesta with meagre 1.1ltr engine, no power steering and terrible brakes, you'll understand where I'm coming from. It was ok just pottering about town, but get it on the motorway and anything above sixty and you were taking your life in your hands.

Similarly, when I first started mountain biking back in the late 80’s, I doubt much thought went into how geometry affected the bike's handling. It was more a case of making the bike strong enough to cope with off road riding. Rim brakes were pitiful in anything but dry conditions and suspension (if you could afford it) was just bits of elastomer wedges giving about 50mm travel at best.

1997 Marin Bobcat (photo courtesy of Jacquie Budd)

Riding these bikes with their narrow bars, long stems and steep head angles taught you how to handle the bike over the rough stuff. You needed to pick your lines carefully so as not to smash yourself or your bike to bits.

Moving onto the present day and most people's first cars are much more powerful, even though the engine size hasn't changed much. They have power steering, anti lock brakes, and most now have traction control too. Today's cars are much more stable at motorway speeds with the ability to brake under greater control.

To put that into biking terms, I’d hazard a guess that most people's first bike is an all singing all dancing enduro/all mountain beast, with powerful brakes and suspension that can be finely tuned. Riders can now simply plough through rough terrain, letting the bike do most of the work to keep them rubber side down. Ok head angles have slackened somewhat since those early days and the emphasis seems to be on keeping chain stays as short as possible, resulting in a short wheel base.

So where does "Long, Low and Slack" come into all of this?

Quite simply put, handling at speed is greatly increased by putting you in the centre of the bike and not biased towards the front wheel as a bike with steep head angles does (think a twitchy XC bike demanding a high degree of bike handling skills) or sat over the back wheel as you would be on a full on downhill rig with a slack head angle and short chain stays (great for the downs but not so good on the ups.).

Long, Low and Slack gives you the best of both worlds and, not only that, with its increased wheel base and lower bb you get a much more stable platform to work with. This goes for hardtail bikes as well as full suspension.

Latest generation of the Cotic Rocket with longshot geometry (photo courtesy of Cotic Ltd)

With this progression, does this mean that trails need to get gnarlier?

I don't think so!

Riding bikes will always be fun and anyway, in my eyes, there will always be two types of rider.

Type 1, those with a healthy sense of self preservation always riding in total control and Type 2, those one step away from a Darwin Award.

With this progression in bike design, I see it as a win win situation.

Type 1 riders will feel safer and more confident over rough terrain and Type 2 riders, while they will still ride on the ragged edge of staying upright, have a greater chance of surviving those heart in the mouth, getting away with it by the skin of your teeth moments.

So there you go, my thoughts on the progression of mountain bike design.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

What Have The Romans Ever Done For Us

Advocacy groups seem to be a bit of a buzz word in mountain biking at the moment.

But who are they and what have they ever done for us?

You're maybe new to the sport or a seasoned veteran, riding the trails with absolutely no idea that there are people out there getting together on a regular basis holding meetings and organising maintenance crews to work on your behalf.

So to coin the phrase from Monty Python.

What Have Advocacy Groups Ever Done For Us?

Better Access:

Did you know that some of the access we currently enjoy is down to the work of these groups?

While you're out happily riding the trails, advocacy members are meeting with landowners, land managers and National Park Authorities.

These meetings go a long way to show the powers that be that we are a responsible group of individuals. This has a knock on effect of opening more trails in the future.

Trail Maintenance:

Groups regularly organise dig days, to help maintain the trails we ride.

Working closely with the National Park Rangers, Landowners and the associated authorities, maintenance schedules are drawn up and managed correctly.

Only then can an army of volunteers be called upon and work begin.

Work ranges from simply kicking out blocked drainage ditches (something that they encourage us to do if we pass a drain that is blocked) to unearthing and rebuilding drains and taming boggy sections of track. This helps to reaffirm lines that have grown wide due to people (walkers and bikers alike) avoiding the bogs.

Not only do they help maintain the trails but they also act as a voice of reason when trail maintenance is being taken too far by the local authorities.

But there's a catch

All this great work could all be in vain, due in part to the behaviour of a few bad apples.

Riding illegally on footpaths, unsanctioned trail creation and riding trails closed for maintenance doesn't go unnoticed by the powers that be and user groups who still see mountain bikers as a menace.

It's this kind of "I'll ride where I want" attitude that could easily jeopardise the opening up of more trails and could see recently gained access withdrawn in future.

It's not just mountain bikers

Climbers are coming under the spot light for all the wrong reasons at the moment.

This month's issue of Summit magazine (the BMC's publication) is full of articles and news on how to behave when outdoors.

Complaints from landowners include....

• Walking on top of dry stone walls to avoid mud on the approach paths

• Inconsiderate parking

• Littering

• Toilet habits

• The over use of chalk

• and something new to me, night time bouldering by lantern light

Behaving in this way, no matter how few are doing it, is likely to result in the landowner refusing access. I'm not even talking small out of the way crags, but major well known iconic venues.

Luckily climbers have the British Mountaineering Council on their side, a massive organisation with full time access and conservation staff as well as regional groups of volunteers all working on behalf of climbers and hillwalkers.

As mountain bikers, we don't have anything like the BMC to support our access rights. What we do have are local well organised groups of bikers, all working voluntarily on our behalf.

Advocacy groups Ride Sheffield and Peak District MTB have grabbed The BMC’s attention with a campaign to restore/repair a section of the well known Cut Gate bridleway.

The BMC have even taken up the baton and added the work to their Mend Our Mountains campaign, aiming to raise enough money to help rid Cut Gate of the ‘Bog of Doom’ (or the Notorious B.O.G.) which will hopefully see this iconic trail become rideable most of the year and not just the few dry weeks we get during a good summer.

So if you've read this far and want to know more check out the links below:

Ride Sheffield

Peak District MTB

Mend Our Mountains (Cut Gate)

If you're reading this and you have a local advocacy group with a website which you would like adding to the list, please let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading and happy riding.