Thanks, folks.

Have tried that but nothing recent.

They never answer or reply to emails/measages.

I have a Carbonda 696 that I bought direct from Carbonda and built up myself. I run it with Maxxis Rambler 700c 50mm tyres. Clearance is tight but fine. I have a couple of friends who have Planet X Free Rangers who use the same tyres. If this frame is a 696 then it will fit wider tyres then a 42mm.

Maybe spend a day at Pitlochry as well? Brilliant trails just a short drive up the A9.

How often do you ride, BruceWee?

Thanks for all of the input. I don’t really race. I just ride my bike a lot year round. I’m just looking to do more strength training for general health, injury prevention etc.

The Wendler 5/3/1 sounds interesting. Some research online suggests that he has 2 days per week programs and recommends supplementary exercise on some of th rest days.

I need to shift some weight and I’d like to get strong. I completed Ben Plenge’s Strength Factory over 40s plan recently and I’ve used the gym on and off for years. I’ve also done a fair bit of TrainerRoad stuff and on bike intervals in the past. The Strong Lifts type stuff appeals because of the simple, linear progression. I have an Olympic barbell, squat rack etc in the garage.

Iain at The Bike Works in Stirling or Martin at Roots Cycles in Doune.

Heavy – 70/-, 80/-, Tartan Special etc

Beer in Scottish pubs used to be pretty terrible in the ’90s.

If anyone has a GPX for a ride that includes more good stuff than the route above, I’d be grateful for a copy. Failing that, I think we’ll go with that route.

Cheers,
Matt

Thanks for all the advice, folks. I think we might go for this route on Saturday. Will this include all the good bits?

Walna Scar

Thanks for the info, chaps. It sounds like it might be okay. Another option we are considering is the Styhead and Stake Pass route here –

http://fattyres.co.uk/routes/lake-district/sty-head-stake-pass/

How does this hold up in the winter?

I’ve used both Zwift and TrainerRoad. I think both are great but TR is way better for me. Excellent training plans sorted out for you using Plan Builder. Adaptive training means that you always get the right workout. Last year it took my FTP from 301W to 369W in five months or so.

I found Zwift fun but I’m not into the racing aspect and the training programmes weren’t as good. Better if you just want to spin the legs though.

I’d give TrainerRoad a shot. Plenty of MTB specific programmes on there.

I have a Garbaruk rear mech cage and an 11-50 cassette fitted to my gravel bike. Combined with a 38T chainring this seems to give a sensible range for bikepacking and everyday riding. Most gravel bikes seem to be sold with ridiculously hard gearing. I suppose that it depends where you live, but for most of my riding in Scotland I would always go for a wide range 1x setup.

I’ve never been to Pitmedden. It sounds like it’s worth a trip. What’s it like? Similar to Ballo?

I have both and I way prefer the Brand X. I would go with that unless you really need the extra 10mm…

I haven’t been keto for a while, but when I was I used to snack on Almonds, cheese and saucisson type sausage.

Do any of you keto guys do hard intervals or TrainerRoad style training? How do you find doing this when in the diet?

I think the Stanton and Pole hardtails allow use of non-boost dropouts.

Not much. I rode my Hightower with a short offset for a while and hardly noticed any difference. A ride or two and it will just feel like normal.

Thanks folks. Any good routes for Claude Heights?

Masks are still being used in schools in Scotland. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Carbonda 696

Luca at Atipico in Molini is a great guide and will be able to sort you out.

https://www.atipicooutdoorescape.com/?lang=en

Dumyat, Witches, Uni and Mine –

https://www.strava.com/activities/5396142911

A brilliant ride!

Looks like July before they have stock though…

https://r2-bike.com/MAXXIS-Tire-Assegai-29-x-250-WT-3C-MaxxGrip-TR-EXO-

I got one from Germany a month or two ago.

The Privateer 141 is a great bike. Awesome geometry and a decent price.

Yeah, I like the structure of 3 training rides per week. This seems doable with additional fun rides and so far I have managed to avoid missing any workouts. The trails have dried out round here recently though and the temptation just to go and ride in the woods for fun all the time is strong!

I’ve been using Trainerroad since the New Year and I’m currently halfway through SSBLV II. I’ve been doing some of the workouts outdoors recently which is good when the sun shines. I’m currently doing 3 additional rides on top of the low volume plan but I don’t know if this will be sustainable with build and speciality phases.

I’m just wondering how many people keep going with TR training throughout the year? Do you find that you can keep up with structured training as well as your normal outdoor fun rides?

I live in Stirling so I ride here as well as in the mountains and Dunkeld, Ballo, Tweed Valley etc.

The 141 seems ideal for all of this. I looked at the Meta TR as well but I am on an XL and I like how Privateer alter chainstay length along with reach. The Meta TRs chainstays are the same length throughout the size range.

I’ve had a RocketMax and a Highower and I’m now on a Privateer 141. The Rocketmax was a lot of bike and only fun on rides at the Golfie, Dunkeld etc. The Hightower was great and I built it up with a custom link to make it more of an LT. I really liked it on most trails but I fancied trying a steeper seat angle and longer chainstays, hence the 141. The Privateer is great. Brilliant on steep, technical trails but also fun on mellower local stuff. It is quite heavy for a “trail bike” though. I couldn’t care less.

I have size 13 feet and have tried dozens over the years. The best by far are the Pedalling Innovations Catalyst but in the XL size which are even bigger than the standard ones. Second best are probably DMR Vault or Superstar Nanos.

Privateer 141

M5120 in stock here?

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/shimano-deore-rd-m5120-10-11-s-rear-derailleur

I’m running a Sunrace 11-50 cassette on an M8000 mech with no issues on my hardtail. No Goatlink. It might work fine with 51t.

Beer

Yup, 12 speed SRAM and Shimano are a PITA in muddy conditions and require too much fettling. The tolerances are tight and the slightest tap on the mech hanger will screw up shifting. They are also useless on ebikes due to the 10t cog. 11 speed and 10 speed were a lot less hassle.

I have a Hightower and recently bought a Trek Rail 9.8XT. The ebike is so bloody good. I’m pretty fit and can ride the Hightower without ever getting dropped. I’m reaching for the ebike every time just now because it is just so much fun. As a dad with limited windows for bike time it just gives me so much more time descending. Still need the Hightower for mountains and epic rides though.

Agreed! Rodeo in proper slop isn’t that much fun!