A recipe for the spring.

The trick is to start with sound basic ingredients. The finishing touches can be changed overtime as items become available and funds make them attainable. Well, that's the theory.

So let's start with a Durango built 1998 Yeti ARC in classic colourway with sexy frame details, immaculate welds and incredible pedigree.

We only need 4" up front - but we need light, reliable, controllable and tuneable. A bit of research gives me a short list, but the final selection is a Rock Shox Reba Race dual air for several reasons - I like SRAM, it was on t'Internet with a £200 off and it's black. When it turns up it has the remote Poploc kit included - another £50 bonus. It is, however, covered in red stickers - yuk. Borrow the hairdryer, heat gently and peel. Hey presto :-) Oh, then add the Colorado flag on the left stanchion - nice !

The frame came into my possession with XTR transmission and so I shall leave this for the time being but will SRAM the chain when the time comes.

I have decided to fit discs even though it will put the weight up a bit. I will never be a whippet because I am too big and i need to consider 'stop' as well as 'go'. I have gone with Avid Juicy 7's (160mm rotors) for several reasons - I like SRAM, I have them on the 575 (180's)and they perform very well, plus I can carry common spares.

I have fitted a Thomson (100/0) stem, left the original USE seat post, and added a Yeti WTB Race V saddle - now discontinued, but Joe from Bromley Bike has kindly provided this one from his spares box. ( http://www.bromleybike.co.uk/ and +44 208 460 4852)

Now the compromises start. I've gone entry-level Mavic for the wheels but, having said that, I have the same wheels on the winter bike (Giant XTC 860) and they are a bit heavy but pretty robust. The cockpit is controlled by a basic Easton bar with Yeti lock-ons for comfort. I'm attached to the same Simano PD-M520's that I have on the other bikes. But all this lot can be changed easily as funds permit.

Finally, and in preparation for some late winter riding, I've gone pimp and poncy with some yellow-walled Panaracer Fire XC Pro's. I think this bike looks rather good.

The obvious long-term job will be to sort out the odd scuff and scrape with a re-spray to match the existing and I will look at this over next winter while I plod around through the mud on the Giant again.

I just had to weigh the little beauty. What a surprise - a shade over 25lb all-in. I don't think I will bother saving up to go lighter .. I will lose some weight instead.

I love Yetis.

Next Bike Project - convert the Giant into a winter singlespeed !

Just when things are looking up ...

.. you get a reminder to keep your wits about you !

Please excuse the shocker at right .. I can't believe that I didn't see that f******* pot hole in the road. The bloody thing was three feet across and about 7 inches deep. I hit it doing about 25 mph, then flew over the bars and twenty feet up the road (apparently).

Luckily I was out with Mick and Stuart on the weekly night ride - but on a road section that links the more interesting off-road bits. That is not to infer that the road bits are less interesting !

I was unconscious for a while, covered in 'claret' and didn't know what day it was.

A free Ambulance ride later, I'm in the hospital, immobilised, being fussed over by the overworked casualty department and, eventually, got home after being checked over, cleaned up and seven stiches inserted in my head. Thank God I ALWAYS wear a helmet or it could have been much more serious.

So - I have a wrecked wheel, helmet, glasses, jersey, tights, headlamp and overshoes and I scratched just about everywhere else - both body and bike. I feel like I have been trampled by a herd of migrating wildebeest and I am less attractive / more distinctive (delete as appropriate) than before. However, I live to fight another day.

As always, I had my camera on board and, thankfully, it was undamaged. Action photographs were taken throughout by the Ambulance staff and, later, by Molly and Stu when they arrived at the Hospital to check me out and pick me up. Thanks for your help Stu & Mick - I really appreciate it. Molly, what would I do without you ...

The pot hole has been reported and the claim form is on the way. Watch this space.