Greetings everyone! Just had my mid life crisis / moment of clarity and got a new bike rather than a sporty car. Thanks to Jack The bike dude at Charlie The Bikemonger for his vaguely exciting steering (no pun) towards the final choice of iron horse!

I am now the proud owner of a Surly Krampus Ops and have wild dreams of ridiculously over expensive (but justifiable of course) upgrades to prepare me for the impending plans of travel to far and foreign places, living as a hobo... And the impending Zombie apocalypse!

Sadly my fitness is a tad limited due to big injury but I need to get my butt in gear and start networking so that I can get away at least once a month and have some fun! To that end, please tell of your suggested localities for days riding and nights snoozing in puddles or of groups that you recommend for regular meet up. I am London based but am hoping that this will not stop me seeing the far expanses of the UK... Or initially from the South East to the Lakes a tad North... And then the world!!

Look forward to your suggestions!

Jon

Well fella, quite an introduction

There's folk all over, keep your eyes on the 'anyone playing out' board and jump in if you see something that appeals. I know it's a cliche but everyone really is friendly and very accepting of anyone 'new' ... and if you have any kind of odd habits, strange behaviour or inability to function in a more formal social situation, all the better

Good sir, I believe that I am of the persuasion that you describe so eloquently! Previously defined as "Nuttier than the love child of a Snickers and a Ferrero Rocher" or "How Brian Blessed would talk if fused with Spike Milligan" Ta muchly for Basic Orientation and I shall keep eyes peeled! Am reckoning a month or so of stupidly silly rides above my capability and expectations and the stamina will once again match the lunacy in scale! Just need to get some decent hydro's on the new iron horse as my intro into BB7's left me wondering if there was a handbrake assist somewhere?!

Welcome!

Your bb7s need adjusted

Wd agree Josh but I've been riding Avids since their first hydro's as I'm a 160 kg 6'3 human tank and need the stopping power of a monster truck even with my wide load grand national sized butt over the rear wheel. On the plus side, the combined weight of me and the Krampus have vaguely exciting momentum on downhills! WHOOP WHOOP. I make up for the slow ups compared to the light dudes by rocketing on the down bits.... Well, I would if I wasn't wiping out in style.... I will have a play still as they cd do with a tad more bedding in and we have a week of rain coming up which shd help nicely.

Cheers bro

I get the impression you're not the quiet type on a trip :)
I'm just up the Euston main line out of london in the Chilterns, some good weekender rides from here. Easy terrain and great riding all the way onto the Lambourne downs. Would be happy to lead (of sorts) a ride from my area. I'll do directions you do the entertainment.

I'll do directions you do the entertainment.

Ha, quality! Thinks it's more a case of...


Although at this point I will go on record and say that I'm not going to decapitate anyone for a shock value magic trick.... Well, probably only myself!

Jameso I will be in touch! I have another work compadre your way too I think! Give me a month to get my endurance up and we'll organise some shenanigans! I'm over near Watford so not a million miles!

What's your iron horse? Whilst I now go Krampus I also ride a considerably more springy 26er!

/ uh oh

Greetings.

Can I have first dibs on the BB7s please?

Mariner, I shall keep you in mind! Prob a month or two away from replacing if you can wait!?

Can do you a straight swop for pair of Tektro Draco hydraulic.
Only five years old still got original fluid - well most of it

Oo oo nnnnng.... Nah! My vaguely exciting momentum and a full bike packing bicycle (+ beer of course) will prob require a set of Saints! I quote like the lazy aspect of enduro brakes anyhoo...

Looking at them is enough to get a bit of modulation going! In fact... This could start the first non Moscow controlled project for mind control bike brakes! They're prob doing it already but with tanks!!!!

Nope nope, just discovered the Germans are there already! Ooh, maybe Focus will bring out the first m-bike. Goodbye pedal power!!!