MTB Review: Camelbak Classic hydration backpack

I bought a Camelbak Classic from Blacks the other day. I have been thinking about getting a hydration backpack for months but finally decided that with longer and harder bike trails ahead for me, the 750ml bottle won't be enough. It's pretty good actually.

The Classic has a 2 litres water reservoir in an easy to acces compartment.



Just fill the Omega reservoir up and screw the lock shut. Then slip it into the backpack enclosure.



To drink, just bite the valve and sip. Replacement valves are available.



As a bonus the Classic (and most other Camelbak models) comes with reflector details on the back and an external zip pocket. The pocket is large enough to dump an average size mobile phone and other essentials such as keys and puncture kit.



Here is Jennifer modeling for me during the Friston Forest bike trail. I love the low profile design of the Classic. She liked it so much she practically stole it from me for much of the ride.



With 2 litres of water the Classic should be sufficient for 2-3 hours of bike trail. If you are planning on enduro or epic consider getting a 3 litres Camelbak Mule or Mayhem instead. The bag and water reservoir seems sturdy enough and I know of Camelbak backpacks owners who has theirs for 2-3 years and never had a problem with it. A good investment I hope.

Technorati tags: Camelbak Camelbak Classic Hydration Water Biking Cycling Mountain Biking

MTB Bike Ride: Seven Sisters and Friston Forest

We went cycling at Friston Forest yesterday. The forest contains numerous opportunities to tackle large climbs (50-100 meter of death defying steepness). We took the train to Seaford and arrived at about 2pm. We didn't have much light left (we should have started in the morning) hence the decision to only do a loop of Friston Forest.



For anyone thinking of getting down to Friston Forest, head down to the promenade from Seaford station and cycle eastwards, then turn left into Cliff Grons (National Cycle Network 2). Cycle straight up onto Corsica Road, before turning left into Southdown Road. Next, turn into Chyngton Road/Chyngton Way and cycle up to until the end of the road (about 1/2 mile). There is a golf course on the right. Turn left into Chyngton Lane, a rough byway, until you reach the narrow A259. Continue eastwards on the A259. Take care as the A259 is very fast downhill road and is extremely busy due to be the only connecting main road from Eastbourne to Brighton in this section of Seaford. You will eventually reach the single lane Exceat Bridge, where you can enjoy a lovely view of Cuckmere River. Continue down the road until you reach a tourist information centre. Seven Sisters Country Park is opposite the road, but this isn't where you want to go (there isn’t a bridleway there). Turn left into National Cycle Network 2 and cycle onwards until you see a sign into Westdean, a small village on the south west corner of Friston Forest. There you can chose whichever route you want to. Friston Forest is also populated with waymarkers for technical singletrack riders.

If you would prefer not to head into Friston Forest just yet you could continue upwards about 1 ½ miles where you can visit the small village of Alfriston. There you can make your way westward towards the South Downs Way, where a massive climb to Firle Beacon (705 feet) awaits you, 2 miles from Alfriston. If you bike eastwards (instead of heading towards Firle Beacon) onto the South Downs Way, you will be able to enjoy the view of the famous Long Man of Wilmington.

As I mentioned earlier due to the lack of time we decided to do a quick loop around Friston Forest where we headed east before turning north towards Jevington. Then we cycled westwards before crossing into a bridleway that took us into Lullington Heath National Nature Reserve. Due to the lack of an OS map (we really should just get one) we got a little bit lost until we met a couple who pointed us in the right direction (they got lost too earlier!). I also forgot that we had a compass! Friston Forest seems to be a place where getting lost is a little too easy due to the lack of proper markers on the national trail and bridleways, judging from another cyclist we met on the way home. He forgot his OS map and got lost in the forest too.

Anyway we continued west towards the small village of Litlington before cycling south on the same National Cycle Network 2 we took earlier back to Seaford.

What you need: OS Explorer 123 (Eastbourne and Beachy Head)

There is also a cycle hire nearby Seven Sisters Country Park.

Now for some pictures!

The view of Hawks Brow and Seaford Head from the promenade:



Cuckmere River:



Exceat Bridge:



Westdean:



A flat left towards Javington, or a climb right towards Friston? We went right:





The view downwards after a fucking hard climb:





Rocky bridleway into Litlington:



Litlington:



Sun setting over Seaford:



Technorati tags: Seaford Friston Forest MTB XC Bike Ride Cycling Mountain Biking Bike Trail Singletrack South Downs South Downs Way Seven Sisters Exceat Alfriston Friston Long Man East Sussex Beachy Head

Laughing out loud

Before I continue I would like to point out that I did not watch the match. I had zero intention of watching a footie game today, especially one that stared England, the most overrated national team in the world - made up by egotistical rich boys. But I like to piss people off. So here goes.

England (football) fans are morons. Well some of them are. Remember all these?

1. Get rid of Sven.
2. Becks has to go.
3. Make Terry captain.
4. 5-3-2
5. English manager!
6. Shrek is our savior!
7. etc.

Today many of these fans has changed their opinions into these:

1. Bring back Sven.
2. Bring back Becks.
3. Terry and Lampard are nothing without Makelele.
4. 4-4-2
5. Scolari! Hiddink! O'Neill! Please...!!!
6. Overated chav.
7. etc.

And the funny thing is, there were actually people who were expecting them to win.

Talking heads praising Scotland's defeat of France are even worse. They remind me a lot about raving England fans (and pundits who just can't shut it).

I was at WHSmith today and noticed that they are still selling special edition DVDs from when Germany lost to England 5-1 five years ago. What the hell is that? You win some, you lose some. But the difference is other team put the defeat behind them, reconstruct, throw out the really crappy, overrated and overpaid players, who earns more in three days than 99% of us earns in a year, and went on to the semi finals of the World Cup. England just like to dream about that one time when they hammered another team. Like that other country I suppose.

Fair result regardless...

Technorati tags: England Football Soccer Euro 2008

The most offensive game ever created

While the UK has yet to receive copies of Wario Ware Twisted! for GBA (and some), Nintendo of Europe has seen fit that 'action' game The Holy Bible would get a timely release this November, just in time for the seasonal Christmas shopping.

Hey, if you, as a parent has to decide whether to get Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories or The Holy Bible for your kids, you will be in for some tough decision making. Both contains extreme acts of violence but I can honestly say that The Holy Bible beats GTA, in terms of vile materials, hands down. Where is Jack Thompson when you really need him?

I can already imagine the Wii version of the game. Use the WiiMote as a whip. Hear that Ubi? We are waiting!

Music Review: The Killers - Sam's Town

Okay, I finally had the chance to listen intently to The Killer's new album, after I ripped the album and dumped the tracks onto my portable player. There is nothing better than to listen to music while walking on the promenade with little to care for the world.

First thing first: Sam's Town is a huge departure compared to Hot Fuss. I seriously doubt many fans of Hot Fuss, particularly those who happened to love synth rock, will like this album. Gone are the (mainly) British influence that made up the bulk of the first album. In is Bruce Springsteen, Meatloaf, Queen, Radiohead and U2 (who are way past it BTW - flame me if you will).

It took a couple of seating to get used to it. To be honest some of the tracks has less than ideal intros and I was usually tempted to skip through the tracks quickly (such is my attitude) but after letting go of the 'next' button I relaxed and started to enjoy tracks after tracks with no intervention.

Sam's Town won't blow your mind like Hot Fuss. It depends. If you were expecting Hot Fuss 2 then you will be disappointed. But trust me, while the sound isn't Hot Fuss-esque - it is definitely The Killers. In fact after a couple of seating I was able to trace nods to their previous best selling album. Traces of synth rock is still evident.

Songs are evidently influenced by the late 80s rock scene. Brandon Flowers vocals are evidently influenced by the likes of David Bowie and at times Meatloaf, whom I was a huge fan of back in the early 90s.

While a good album, there are a couple of bad tracks. I would say I prefer the first half of the album (not counting the interlude which was a waste of time) more than the second. My favourite track: The Iron Maiden-esque (lite of course - nobody can touch Iron Maiden) fourth track Bling (Confession of a King) which has an almost unheard of opening soaring guitars (in indie at least), When You Were Young, For Reasons Unknown and Bones.

Like I mentioned earlier. Forget that you are expecting Hot Fuss 2 (though it is much more similar than you might think). And don't skip the tracks!

Technorati tags: The Killers Sam's Town

Received Crud Race Guard / Killer's Sam's Town

It is nice when a couple of things drop down your mailbox. Got a couple today. After last week's bike ride when my arse was peppered with much and with autumn approaching, I thought I would order a mudguard for my bike and I did - a Mr. Crud Race Guard from eBay. I will bolt it to my bike in the weekend and take it for a spin down the South Downs.

Also received my copy of The Killer's new LP - Sam's Town. I believe that the indie scene's bubble is about the burst (commercial speaking) with so many similar sounding albums out there. It is centainly very different from Hot Fuss (an album which I am a fan of). Sam's Town is grittier - more rock than the synth rock that was their debut full lenght. I will give a listen for the next couple of days before deciding whether to pen a review. But right now I would give my thumbs up to the new direction that the band is heading.

Technorati tags: MTB Crud Race Guard The Killers Sam's Town

Yours truly

My new Mii avatar:

And what I hope is a respectable version of Two Jags, clad in New Labour red:

I couldn't do a Tony Blair version as the Mii creator lacks Pinocchio's nose. Also attempts to replicate Dave Cameron failed because it doesn't allow generic creations of me-too avatars.

MTB Bike Ride: Stanmer Park to Ditchling Beacon

We cycled up to Ditchling Beacon this afternoon. It was a miserable day, but we tried to take advantage of whatever that was available to us (it wasn't raining yet). Plus I didn't cycle for two weeks and the route presented to us some really tough climbs. The rain didn't even begin until when we finally reached the beacon an hour after we left Jenni's place. But lucky for us it was only drizzles. The gusting wind was terrible making the journey even tougher than usual. The Beacon was packed as usual with many people taking their leisurely Sunday walks/bike ride. We ended the ride with the need to scrub our bikes down from all the filth (cow poo and mud).

The view of the Weald from the Beacon:



Double rainbow seen just after a short burst of drizzle:



Technorati tags: South Downs South Downs Way Ditchling Beacon Brighton Stanmer Park Bike Ride Mountain Bike