walker

So are the rules going to change if there are enough complaints about it? Is the way that the British Championship run really in the best interests of the riders? Again, the splitting into two federations isnt really in anyones best interests and it seems that we've now got a north/south divide, with only the serious top riders riding both... Andrew

flippin' awesome vid mate, loved the editing and camera work! And some of the lines in there were brilliant! such creativity, beast! Andrew

Totally agree with you Matt, is nice having more competitions to ride, but having two federations just doesnt work, we need one series of comps with possibly a few more rounds in the series. This will be better for publicity and the sport in general. This is a serious issue that needs addressing. I can see a lot of people agreeing with this, but we need to be able to work together. Without pointing the finger at people it seems that there are people with too much self interest to see that what has been happening that has damaged the sport. Maybe a new thread should be made to raise awareness to people who don't know the current situation. Andrew

That is a valid point, but I think what Fred is saying is that it might be the end of 20" riders in the yellow route. This is because of the ups and gaps etc being bigger, and this is where the advantage to 26" riders is starting to come in.

I do agree with what fred is saying, being a 20" comp rider myself it seems only fair that the classes compare abilities on different wheel sizes, but i can see that the majority will not mind the new rule as there seems to be more 26" riders around these days in the higher ranks. Having said that, it seems that a lot of the 20" riders in the higher classes travel to events with parents who mind for them. I can see it being them that make the fuss about the rule as they just want their son/daughter to be more successful. In the eyes of joe public, why should there be two classes, having one makes it better to watch and understand and if people think that 20" is a disadvantage (which is debatable anyway, im sure if Ben Savage was back on a mod then we may be thinking differently) then why dont they just ride 26" instead? Nowadays when i go out riding it is quite often that im the only mod rider, it used to be the other way round but then 26" frames have improved so much in the last 5 years, times change... Andrew

its already been posted in the best of the internet thread....

but that would suit riders who can afford to own two bikes...

There are some tricky questions to answer in there that could be very debatable. Looking at the results for the yellow route, the majority of the riders are 26" and the 20" are towards the bottom of the table. This can't simply be explained. The general feeling seems to be that 26" is a progression from 20", so with age and experience a rider will move to 26". The fact that there are fewer 20" dominating world riders must have an affect on this. I used to see Benito as being the rider who you'd bet most on to get up something, but the overall standard of 26" riding has increased dramatically over the past 5 years or so. When it comes to setting sections, the answer must surely be yes, a section can be set more favorably for a particular wheel size. You could possibly say that a particular venue is more favourable for a particular size. If you allow run ups to an obstical then you're favouring a 26", especially if its a short run up. At the end of the day, if the class is combined, then the rider is going to ride whatever is easier, and at the moment this is surely the 26". Its not really a nice thought (some might disagree!), but maybe one day there will only be beginners and young riders on 20" bikes. Andrew

Nice vid! How tall is ur mate on the Kamel? cheers, Andrew

Some good riding there danny, the sidehop onto the narrow concrete wall, but theres too many on/offs, also, that flat gap that you show twice but cut it both times when it looks like ur gonna come off backwards. Dont use those clips! Andrew

Oops, ive just realised its May ur talking about!! haha, thought u meant this weekend, even though its the 26th today, not the 24th!! Oh well... It was my birthday yeasterday by the way, i just can't read properly!! Means i might be able to come then! Andrew

give it half an hour or so...

im watching the f1 qualifying at the moment, what time u want to go? u driving somewhere, its such a nice day we should go somewhere?

what are you doing today boats?

I could do, where are you wanting to ride? to rocks? Andrew

Are you becoming a bike tart JP? Next thing you'll be doing all this to your Megamo to try and top the battle that your having with Mr Raven!

Still think it will be BIU, it'll have to follow the rules of the rest of the series.

It will be BIU seen as its part of the UK National Series...

a little trick to make sure the barb goes into the hose square on, reducing the chances of you cross-over splitting at the barb when knocked: Take an old spoke, shorten it by cutting off the bent end, leaving about 4" left. Attach and threadlock a nipple to the threaded end. File off any burs where you've cut the spoke to prevent it from damaging the inside of you hose. The simply insert the spoke through the barbed fitting and the hose so that the nipple sits on the end of the threads on the barbed fitting. Heat the hose with boiling water to make it more flexible if needed. Tap the nipple with a hammer to knock the barb into the hose and hey presto! Heat the hose with boiling water to make it more flexible if needed. Andrew

problem is, i'll still be wasted from the night before, Its my birthday on friday!

how are you getting there Boumsong? Andrew

Scott, the insurance states that a St John's Ambulance is not required. Its just hardly ever needed and theres also the cost of it, but your more than welcome to pay for it yourself if you feel it should be there. All the rugby matches that ive played in, there's hardly ever been a St John Ambulance there, just a decent First Aid bag and a qualified first aider, and thats arguably a more dangerous sport. Andrew

nice pics Bessel!! Thats right, make everyone who wasn't there jealous!!

Bessel..... And Mr Jones was videoing

really enjoyed watching that! Some real BMX moves on a bike with proper size wheels! Andrew