I was on the MTB yesterday and had a blast on the CX bike this morning. Not far, only 14 miles but worth it for the early morning sun and quiet roads etc. It was a tad brisk at the start mind you. Feel better for it as always.

I am on my 3rd Soul, had to sell one due to financial reasons. Bought another and sold it to my brother and got the updated frame, sold that for a F/S then regretted getting rid of the Cotic so when my brother decided he wanted to sell it I bought it back then lost interest in bikes. Missed the bike so when I spotted the frame for sale again I snapped it up, built it up with 120mm Reba’s, 1×10 Shimano Zee, carbon seatpost and bars, Mavic 717 rims on superstar hubs and a Thomson stem. Weighs in at 24lbs and more than enough bike for me.

Climbs well, descends way beyond what you would think for the bike, predictable to fling about, corners like a startled gazelle and easy to ride on the limit. I have ridden mine at all the big trail centres, Nevis Red and loads of natural stuff without issue.

All in all a brilliant bike and one I’ll definately not be getting rid of again. Can’t really see past them or what I would need a “bigger” bike for.

Get yourself a nice BMW E46 M3. I had one last year and loved that car. Made every trip fun and was very good at “making progress”.. Never once considers the environment as I gave it a boot full of the load pedal. What a noise!

Oh and the mention of Nissan Pulsars GTI-R’s always makes me smile. My Dad and Brother had them and used to embarrass silly expensive cars on a regular basis. 315bhp and just shy of 400bph respectively in a small hatchback will do that! Sub 5 seconds to 60mph.. Mental quick and great handling.

Mega Lol’s! Couldn’t resist mate. Roll on Saturday, passed Comrie today on my way to Furnace and it looks good. No snow to tell of. Roll on Saturday.

Steeper… Push it…. Ride it fast…. Alan doesn’t do any of this! He rides like a big girls blouse (being polite). He used to drop his saddle to ride down kerbs and refused to ride off a foot higher drop at Ae a couple of years back.

Lovely bike but he will still spend most of Saturday eating the dust from my tyres and staring at my arse as I disappear into the distance on my 26er… The shame!

Seriously though mate, it looks the granny’s flange! Looking forward to Saturday.

No salt required..

I ditched the camelback about 3 years ago, hated the bloody thing anyway. Never felt properly balanced on the bike. Now I have a saddle big with a multitool, spare tube, puncture patches, zip ties and a chain link. Pump on frame if nobody else is carrying, food in back pockets and water bottle. All I have ever required.

Can’t stand riding in jackets so if it rains I get wet.. Simples! Or take the Gilet to keep it off the body. I get the feeling some people just automatically pick up the rucksack or camelback to go biking with no real consideration to if they actually need it or not.

Looks good mate. Did u spend your podium points wisely?

Live in Dundee city area for 10 years, grew up in Carnoustie which is not far away. Much prefer Dundee as a place to live, everything is on the doorstep and some great riding nearby. Even the green circular is a good cycle for a local Sunday jaunt.

It was a dump a few years ago, but as others have mentioned there has been a lot of money spent on developing the city and surrounding area. I doubt you would regret the move mate.

Looks to upright for the downhill segments!

Colour is irrelevant when bargains are on offer.. Any pics?

I did see that Montane one and like it alot, was hoping to avoid black! Sick of seeing a wardrobe of dark colours. Where did you get the Tog one from Neal?

So I see. Looks good though.

Got to be the Alfa.. I love 159’s, and yes red leather is definitely acceptable in Italian cars.

Can I just ask if you can “make progress” if your not very good?

I ask because I want to know how to make my bike 1×7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14… And I don’t know what I need, so instead of searching on here or google I’ll open yet ANOTHER thread about it and ask.

In the mean time, I’m off to check if a new wheel size has been invented so I can niche up my life and make the trail come alive!

Also.. I’m not reet sure what this thread is about, if anything!

Endura do some nice jerseys with different Whisky brands etc on them. I have the Isle Of Skye Brewery one and it’s a nice fit. It is black so a bit boring but looks nice.

Not sure how to prevent getting them but when I feel it coming on I take Echinecea pills or droplets in water. It usually stops it getting to bad and clears it up quicker.

I though I was susceptible to colds as I seemed to pick one up every other month, I mentioned it to the doctor on a routine check up and he suggested I may have sinusitis.. Turned out I did, had an operetion to remove nasal polops and been much better since. Hasn’t totally sorted it but definately much better.

Overrated IMO.

Pay to get in to ram packed pubs full of drunken people I don’t know or care about?

Nah your ok! Got some nice food last night, cheese and biscuits and a couple of beers to chill out.

Read what I put in brackets..

Good thread this.. I think STW has pushed me into the grumpy old man phase of life early. Marvellous.

My list is:

Alan Carr
Any Radio 1 DJ
Steve Wright
Graham Norton
Anybody from reality TV
Katy Hopkins (truly vile individual)
Those bloody Kardashians
Cheryl what’s her bloody name.. (Used to be Cole)
Chris Evans
Miranda
Tim and Jeremy bloody Vine
Lewis Hamilton (I know it’s meant to be inexplicably.. But good god do I hate that man).
Most MP’s.. Crooked bandits!

That’s it off the top of my head. I’m off to calm down before I burst a blood vessel.

Just noticed Chain Reaction are doing the Suunto core all black for £188, plus I have a £15 off voucher. £173.. Be rude not to perhaps?

Some good suggestions so far here. Thanks folks, the Suunto ones are really nice and have all the guff I’m after on them.

Thanks for the offer Lee, looking to buy new though. Nice watch all the same. May save a few more pennies and go for this one..

http://www.francisandgaye.co.uk/mens-skyhawk-a-t-radio-controlled-eco-drive-watch-JY000002E-p2034?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=citizen-men-039-s-skyhawk-a-t-radio-controlled-eco-drive-watch-jy0000-02e&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=CNO4_4SR6cICFUT3wgodcRIATQ

I read the watches don’t always come in the manufacturers box? What’s the delivery time like providing the watch is in stock?

Had a look on the creation watches website… They are cheap!

Anybody used them before? What’s the catch? If any.

It is a very nice watch.

I seem to be having a pre mid life crisis though and fancy something with multiple gadgets… Because I am not buying a 29er…

Hope a fancy watch will make the trail come alive instead!

Yeah I spied that last night, not in stock though so could be waiting ages for it. That price reduction was meant to end last night aswell! Must not have sold as much as they predicted.

Heard this earlier on today and only just managed to get the full story. What a dreadful thing to happen at any time.. But at this time of year it is unthinkable. I have family and friends living in Glasgow but all ok thankfully. I also passed a bad looking accident on the M6 today.. Looked like a fatality judging by the screens arriving on scene! My thoughts go out to all concerned. Can’t imagine what they are going through.

Stay safe everybody.

The real question is though:

How much more alive will the trail become on this bike?

I’ll still whip your ass on my old school 26er, but I suppose you will be having more fun on the bigger wheels!

Do you need this frame?….. No
Does it look bloody ace?….. Yes
Will it make you any better?…. Maybe!
Should you buy it anyway?…. Yes

I went on holiday to Norway last year, it was freezing. I woke up 1 morning and there was an ice cube in the bed next to me.. So I picked it up and through it in the fire… And it went… Insert fart noise here!

2 guys walk into a pub and go to the bar, 1 guy says to the other “right donkey… What you having?” Other guy replies “a p.p.p.p.pint of G.G.G.Guiness please”..

So the guy orders the drinks “2 pints of Guiness please, 1 for me and 1 for donkey” the bar tender serves the pints and they sit down and drink them.

1st guy gets up… “Right come on donkey, your round, hurry up im off for a piss”

So 2nd guy goes up to bar “t.t.t.two p.p.p.pints of G.G.G.Guiness p.p.p.please”..

Bar tender says “no problem sir, 2 pints of Guiness coming right”… He starts pulling the pints and says to the 2nd guy “I think that’s terrible by the way”…

“W.w.w.what says the 2nd guy?”

“The way he calls you donkey!”

“Oh eeoow…eeoow (donkey noise) He always calls me that”..

Courtsey of Mr Connelly.. Always make me laugh.. And before anybody gets offended at the stammering content, my brother had a really bad one for years and I have one when im n.n.n.nervous!

Good interview and great video.. I’m sure that’s his car! What a beast. I really like his book, I’d love to go biking with him, he has a passion for the same things I do!

I can honestly say I have a man crush on him..

That’s brilliant.. The detail is stunning!

I have a Giant TCX SLR 2.. Very happy with the bike. Id recommend one, comfortable on longer rides and on road, handles good off road aswell.

I have a small your welcome to have a squint at and have a shot on. I’m in Dundee tho, not far mind u! Closer than Kilmarnock!

Looks like something that could be useful for invading small countries.

I like it, I imagine the bar ends will make all the difference to its performance.

Cheers mate. New narrow wife chainring ordered as dropped the chain countless times yesterday!

No probs people. Glad you have made use of it.

That RS6 is very nice indeed. Far to many fun police activists on here! I had an E46 M3 last year and absolutely loved it, I would just go for a drive and “make progress” whenever I could… Didn’t kill 1 single person or myself! Unfortunately the prospect of unemployment meant I had to sell it.

I have driven lots of fast cars but nothing wanted to head butt the horizon or begged to be driven properly like the M3.. I bloody miss that car, 1 day I shall have another..

Drive what you want, but don’t expect me to sit behind you as you dither around in a dull, unimaginative, under powered collection of metal resembling a car.

I want the house to look nice and be comfy so yes I don’t mind a cushion or 2.. I do however draw the line at my wife’s obsession for washing powder/liquid. The ones in the shop have to be smelt and analysed…. I just don’t care enough what my clothes smell like after they are washed!

I come home from work, cycling etc.. My clothed need cleaned. I put them in the wash and they come out smelling better than when I put them in and with no mud or oil on.. Job done

Do I care if they smell of spring meadows or sea breeze… Not a jot!

I do get a bit pernickety over the cleaning mind u.. My wife just leaves it to me now.

I know… Just typing my feelings.