AndyWaterman
journeyman
Reged: 30/11/2006
Posts: 58
Loc: Croydon UK
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From now on we're not receiving questions for the Q&A section via email — unfortunately the MBR mainframe collapsed under the weight of the undeleted messages.
So from now on, if you've got a question for the experts, let us know here on the forum. Our gurus are on hand to help, as are the other forum users.
What are you waiting for? Get posting!
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s_worker
stranger
Reged: 18/03/2007
Posts: 6
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Next year at the end of May, a group of us are embarking on the C2C pretty much as per MBR sept issue, but in five / six days. Were all experience mtb'ers and have started training planning already with a year to get it right. We usually navigate by map and compass, but I hate all the stop / start of map reading. None of us own or know how to use specific GPS, i've been looking at Garmin 605 and Satmap Active 10 - will either of them show me the way or just tell me where i am when i get lost?
And which is the best mapping software?
Steve, Gloucester
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AndyWaterman
journeyman
Reged: 30/11/2006
Posts: 58
Loc: Croydon UK
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I've used both the Garmin 705 and the Satmap.
The Satmap is good, but I've found the batteries aren't great and it's pretty huge. It takes three AA's but that huge screen eats up power and I found it wouldn't last more than about 6hours.
I also find the controls on the Satmap a bit unintuitive compared to Garmin.
I also have used the Garmin 705 which is very similar to the 605. I used this on a Killer loop last week and it was very good — and the battery lasted the 8hours we were out with juice to spare (although you'd need a charger on a C2C).
The problem with the Edge series of GPS units from Garmin is that they will only accept 100 waypoints when you create a route. The etrex series will take 1000 which is far more useful for off road routing. What this means is that you have to create the route as a track. For an explanation of the difference, see here: http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2005/12/tracks_and_rout.html
I created a track in Memory Map (although you can do the same in any mapping software) as a GPX file and uploaded it to the 705, together with the relevant map tiles from Garmin's own Topo GB software. This mapping is nowhere near as good as the Sat Map OS mapping, but it's good enough.
Out on the trail it's easy to see where you are in relation to the track you've created and it's obvious when you have gone off trail. Obviously I also carried a paper OS map — a proven fail safe — but didn't really need it. It's just nice to have.
The biggest thing with any gadget is to get used to it prior to the event. Get it set up and take it out on an easy route before the big trip so you know what's what.
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s_worker
stranger
Reged: 18/03/2007
Posts: 6
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A very helpful reply, but leads me to a couple more questions, how many routes will the 705 / 605 hold? Could I create 5 separate routes, one for each day with a max of 100 waymarkers for each route?
Many thanks, Steve
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Sparrow
stranger
Reged: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7
Loc: Shropshire
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What is the law on riding on footpaths? I have searched the internet and if you take it to the letter of the law a none rideable footpath seems to be a path at the side of a hard surfaced road ie pavement, but even then if it is dangerous to ride a short section of road you seem to be able to ride on the pavement aslong as you give way to people walking. Can you please find a simple answer to this, as around us we are in a very rural setting with the cross country footpaths seldom used by walkers it would be nice to ride some of them instead. Thanks
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duff
stranger
Reged: 08/05/2008
Posts: 6
Loc: derbyshire
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I have just read the June issue. I did the c2c in 98 with my brother and was hoping to do it again this April as it is the 10th anniversary. The trouble was, he has given up riding and i cant find anyone else that is into riding like myself.
Is there anyone in the Derby region who fancies it next year or can you forward my details to those who wrote the letter about next May.
Cheers
Duff
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edis
stranger
Reged: 13/05/2008
Posts: 1
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Can anyone give any pointers about self catering accomodation thats mbk friendly, near the trails, and generaly reccomended.
Thanks Ed.
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prophet_1000
addict
Reged: 07/09/2007
Posts: 494
Loc: Staffordshire
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I have stayed at Trawsfynydd Holiday Village a few times now with my riding buddies, its about 2 miles from CyB, they are Log cabins ( don't be thinking of Switzerland, more really big garden shed ) its cheap enough if there is a few of you and have cooker/ fridge/ shower TV/ Video/DVD etc plus there is a PUB onsite which does pretty good food although you'll probably have to book if you're going in the summer as it can get busy. They are mountain biker friendly, although there ain't anywhere that you can store your bike, BUT its pretty much mountain bikers whgo go there anyway so people pretty much lock their bikes to there cars/each other. Or if you ask when you book up, some cabins (6 berth) come with a sort of conservatory part on the front with loads of room for bikes, although I would not tell them thats what you want to use it for!
Hope this helps?
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My site www.27gears.com
Fresh from the Big Apple, Oh why did I have to come back home? just a few weeks more please!!
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Tommy_H
stranger
Reged: 24/04/2008
Posts: 9
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Q. In a nutshell, you cannot legally ride on footpaths and in general, being caught riding on one will be seen as trespassing – a civil offence – and you will be held responsible for any damage caused. But it doesn’t stop there; in some places, usually denoted by a ‘No Cycling’ sign (or similar), you may actually be breaking a local byelaw and could therefore be committing an offence, in the same way as you would if you were riding on a pavement, whereby you could face a £30 fixed penalty. But it doesn’t even end there; a National Park authority could impose a similar byelaw on their footpaths and breaking this would be seen as a criminal offence and the fine could be as much as £500!
Apart from all this, riding illegally is damaging to mtb’ing in general. Keep it legal.
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Jefferson
stranger
Reged: 16/05/2008
Posts: 1
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I am just about to order a Garmin Edge 705, mainly for the GPS-ability. Can anyone point me in the the right direction to finding a good website (or websites) of downloadable routes (Yorkshire/Lakes in particular) Thanks! Jefferson
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Sir_Queuesalot
old hand
Reged: 05/12/2007
Posts: 1000
Loc: South Cheshire
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These guys seem to have been busy
http://www.mtbsharp.co.uk/
But plenty out there if you Google something like "MBR GPS routes"
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My LBS couldn't fix my brakes so they made my bell louder 
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!!
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Hardmansurfer
stranger
Reged: 19/12/2006
Posts: 2
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Mountain Biking Pyrenees.
I wonder if anyone can help. A few of us will be in the Pyrenees area week 20th September. Can anyone recommend a decent website or a place to go to MTB when we are there. Also will the lifts be open for MTB in Sept ?
Cheers
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More pain in training, bleed less in battle
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ukjmr
stranger
Reged: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1
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In six weeks time or so, we're off to Eastern Europe for a few days to explore. One of the things we're keen to do is get a day or two's biking in around the Tatra mountains. There'll be a couple of us of medium competency, and a couple more fairly fit but having done only a little single-track.
Do you have any recommendations for bike hire and / or routes in the area? It looks ideal terrain, but we won't have our bikes (I'm not risking mine with the baggage handlers). We're fairly flexible on location since we're just going to look for cheap hotels or hostels, and will make up the itinerary as we go along.
Cheers
James
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prophet_1000
addict
Reged: 07/09/2007
Posts: 494
Loc: Staffordshire
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Hey MBR
Where do you submit readers inspiring ride photo's that you always have in the Mag, now that the general E-mail has gone and all stuff has to be submitted to the Forum?
Cheers Paul
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My site www.27gears.com
Fresh from the Big Apple, Oh why did I have to come back home? just a few weeks more please!!
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johnb
stranger
Reged: 02/08/2008
Posts: 1
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I am interested in doing the route from fort william around ben nevis (mentioned in the Q and A section of the august issue of mbr) sometime in the future and wondered where i could find any more detailed information on it e.g. route map etc - any help would be great!
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Tommy_H
stranger
Reged: 24/04/2008
Posts: 9
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We certainly can. We have used the excellent Bryn Cemlyn (www.bryncemlyn.co.uk), just outside Ganllwyd. It’s huge (the main house sleeps 15), comfortable, a short walk from the Ty’n y Groes Hotel for a pint or two, and a short ride from the visitor centre. There are smaller accommodations available from the same folk too.
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