Hmmm, now this is a quandry for me: as a local I don’t really want anymore people riding up there (!). However, I would like to meet some of these famous STW types!

QE Park – eh?

Ah, just saw your budget. Try Fenix then, I keep a wee emergency one in my back pocket that seems ok as a back back up!

I’ve been using the new USE Maxxx 2 Joystick with no complaints this winter.

Aaaaah, how I remember my first tt when I were a junior, gave it all I had coming into the finish and puked over the timekeepers feet!!!

Mmmmmmmm, me likey, especially the thumbies – I’d buy em.

As a Banks fan I’d say just about any of his ships names, but I do Like “No More Mr Nice Guy” and “Just a Little bit Bent”.

I usually ride on my own and don’t see many other mtb’ers, but what I do find annoying are those few I see that treat natural or Upland Path trails with no respect i.e. skidding, short cutting or riding with no consideration for the damage they might be causing to old delicate singletrack.
Go back to your trail centres.

Now sporting some risers and rather worn Pythons.

I’m still on an old pair of Hutchy Pythons, which are lovely and fast, grippy on rock and given me no bother apart from in mud and on wet roots. I bought Nevegals and Rampages neither of which fit on the rear – Titus Racer X, but I run the Nevegal up front in the winter and just keep the Python on the rear ( weird combo, but ok for me). Pythons getting kinda worn, so thinking of the Racing Ralphs next. Oh and I broke my collarbone on wet roots when using the Michelin AT’s – so I’ll no be using them again!

tootallpaul, post up your findings on the RR’s especially if you can find some wet roots!!!

I have been using the 29er 355’s for nearly two years now on rocky terrain (Cairngorms area) and had no problems so far.

Oh I dunno, I’ve picked up some good bargains recently; a chainsaw in good nick, half price and some unmarked as new Oakley m frames for £20… Beezer!

Mmmmm, tricky one, depends on how many brownie points I want to trade in with the missus! Might get a wee play on mtb early tomorrow (like 7am-ish!) Then really holding out for a “proper” mtb ride on sun involving mountains, etc.

I love the trail, so does the 29er! Although my old ML8 was excellent at steaming up Lactic Ladder – nowt climbs like one.

Yep, my three year old was desperate to watch Cbeebies this morning, but dad “had” to watch the news!

Oh I dunno, guess Im just getting old and grumpy, but they seem to have gone over to the yoof market. Or is it that I’m just out of touch ( rose tinted spectacles of Joe Murray geometry steel HT’s, long n’ low cockpits and Etto helmets).

They lost it about 10 years ago.

Call me f*rkin mad, but I’m running Eggbeater 4Ti on my bike! No justification whatsoever, but they have lasted nearly 2 years including 2 x Scottish winters.

Well, having used Flites almost exclusively for the last 15 years or so, I shelled out big bucks for a new carbon one for the roadbike – OUCH! it’s just not working for me, I’ve persevered, but to no avail and I’ve stuck it on the big bouncy bike which I don’t use for long rides. I’ve recently demo’d a Fizik Gobi, which was lovely and am waiting for the carbon version to float into my friendly LBS!

Sanny, yes it’s do-able if you want to slog across the peathags! But even we lot haven’t bothered!

ML8 info asked about a week or so ago – as an ex owner I commented on there (as did another ex owner, bike shop mechanic, who rides a lot of bikes).

Welllll, I’ve kind of gone all strange like and got a Titus full sus’ 29er! Honestly, it’s a great bike for round here; fast for the long pedally bits, but lovely over roots and rocks. Easily handles the big hills with “only” 4″ of travel and with a 90mm stem and some recently fitted wide risers, more than nimble enough for the tight tree sections. With the recent dry weather I’ve been enjoying the speed of Hutchinson Tubeless Pythons, but through the winter I was using Panaracer Rampages or Kenda Nevegals (up front – **** all useful fits on the back!) When I need to ride a 26er a use an old Ellsworth Id, which even with nearly 6″ front and rear doesn’t feel as relaxing on the steeper, rocky bits, but it’s still a nice fun ride.
Oh and none of that singlespeed, rigid guff thank you very much…. apart from maybe Mr Toop! (Bothy Bikes)

Oh and just to add, in a year of riding, Inc’ a Scottish winter, the bearings were still smooth and corrosion free with no “slop” in the rear and no problems with the shock.

I had an ML8 and agree with Martin; probably the best suspension bike Ive ridden for big proper mountain days up here in the ‘Gorms, where there’s big rocks and lots of pedalling. But, and here’s the rub, I have long legs for my height 5’10″(or as an x roadie I like to ride on tippy toes!) and with the post up enough on a medium I was way too far back behind the pedals. Basically the further out you have the post the further back you sit due to the very slack seat angle. If it hadn’t been for this I would still be riding one, with the 36’s up front it was a great ride.

Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 rarely off the D300, but I would like the 18-200vr for family snapshot stuff. Although what I really “need” is the 70-200 f2.8

Well, I’m doing the family thing, shopping in Edinburgh for kids shoes! But I will ride tomorrow, or else……

I don’t think “real” trail workers could afford to go anyway. 😉

Oh dear, I have always followed F1 and I had hoped Lewis was a worthy young winner, but it does look as if he’s a liar? Not good and not good for an already dodgy sport.

I have a T5 and have fallen foul of the dreaded mobile speed cameras – was doing 70 on a 60 A road and the buggers said (when I queried it) that as a van I should have been doing 50! Jings, good job they haven’t seen me on early morning dashes on same road at ???mph!!
All this in a van that goes and stops better than my wifes focus!

Ben 10 and Team Titan with young son and Super Fat v Superskinny with missus!

Well I do avoid certain local trails that I know suffer in the wet, but loads of other f*ckers don’t. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Boxing hard to beat, but run away first.

Ah, of course, Tats – I forgot them, not got time though, so will try some DIY facial piercings.

I am a dad, a husband, a provider, a self employed worker and a bike rider – in that order. Not so long ago I was a selfish, self centred bike rider. I am a better person.

Me and my 29er like it….

I don’t know what’s happening in the rest of the UK, but round our way most everybody riding anything says hello.

I have to agree with the unfunny bit.

All above is good gen, but would also add “Doo Below”, Winking Owl and The Cairngorm all good for beers and craik.
If I was off I’d come out for a ride too.

I’m with mrmo on this one, a wee seat pack with inner tube, CO2 thing, small Park Tool, SRAM chain link, tyre levers. In back pockets Pertex shell or waterproof, gel or bananna or jelly babies, phone and that’s it for 90% of my riding if I am heading into the back of beyond I’ll carry a wee pack with all the gubbins you lot carry.