Well, new member Andy DID order a new bike and it arrived on Monday, 4th July 2005. It's a 2004 Specialized Epic FSR and first ride out Andy got a flat, but hadn't taken any kit out with him! Sounds a little familiar...

Andy should be out with the squad on Thursday night, 7th July around the Cramlington area with Jason, John and Terry for a gentle break-in. Gives us a chance to ogle his new machine.

As I've said elsewhere, Andy is a Roadie/Time Triallist/Triathlete and as such is certainly the fittest amongst our assorted little clan. He's done this for quite a few years now. He actually enjoys the uphill sections as they present the kind of stamina-seeking test he thrives on, but he is also getting well into the XC/Downhill stuff and it shouldn't be long before we see bits getting snapped off the Speccy. I'll tell you here when it happens!

I can almost guarantee its first scratches on Thursday when it comes off the back of my car.

Here's Andy in a more familiar role - that of Triathlete, competing in national commtbs all over the country...      

Andy's currently working on the MidAirCrisis squad trying to get them to enter the HardRock Challenge at Dalbeattie sonn - a ten mile run followed by the HardRock Trail on wheels. Crazy or what?

AND NOW!!!

Andy has just bought a Full Face lid, and word is (guess who from) that he's fancying a bouncy rig for downhilling aswell! Come on, do it! (October 05).

Well, he's got one now! Andy took delivery of  THE Freeride Icon aka a Kona Stinky just before the Hamsterley Trailblazers ride on November 6th 2005. He couldn't believe how much easier it made riding the really rough stuff, nor could he believe how much hard work it was to pedal upwards! Anyway he enjoyed it and I've a feeling it won't be long before it, and its owner, resume their normal position at the front going skyward. Andy also couldn't help but notice the difference between the V brakes on his Specialized Epic FSR and the Hayes hydraulics on the Stinky.

And what a beaut the 2005 beastie is - Kona have made a few changes to the frame and rocker arms for 06 but this still looks fantastic, even more so in the flesh with a brillo paint job. More info later after Andy gets the feel of the thing. Oh, and (nearly forgot) - gives us all a ride on it!

 mail Andy at andy@midaircrisis.org.uk