Okay, forget Covid. Imagine I’m asking the question for a post Covid world!

Agreed re: Golfie and Inners.

Aye, for 3 weeks just now. Hopefully that’s not an issue in the medium term.

I’d still be keen to hear what folk reckon for post Covid winter riding.

I ride with WTB Judge and Verdict on my Hightower. No issues.

WTB Judge and Verdict or Verdict Wet

In that case, does anyone have a GPX file for a really good 4-5 hour Grizedale route? I’ve never ridden around that neck of the woods.

Thanks for the great advice so far, folks! We are staying at The White Horse Inn and Sunday looks slightly better so we might do the Back of Skiddaw loop then.

Saturday looks very wet. I had seen the Duddon Valley loop in an old mag and it looks great. Would folk recommend it? The route I found is here –

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/singletrack-magazine-issue-117-classic-ride-the-duddon-valley/

I also found a great sounding Grizedale loop but it sounds from martinhutch’s comments like some of the descents may have been sanitised. Is this the case? The route is here –

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/singletrack-magazine-classic-ride-128-all-weather-grizedale/

Kali Invader

I’ve just built my daughter a Ragley Marley. She’s 5’2″ and it fits her fine but should last for years. It’s a great wee hardtail!

Fallen Brewery in Kippen has some great beers. Platform C is my current favourite IPA.

Thanks!

Do you need a code for this? I added shoes to my basket but no discount applied.

Where are the £80 Scandal frames? Can’t see them on the website.

Pipedream Moxie. Easily the best hardtail that I’ve owned.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. I ended up with a 2019 SWB Custom Doublecab with 6000 miles on it. Very happy so far. Cheers!

I’ve had an MT500 for a while. When I originally got it I thought I maybe should have bought a mountaineering style jacket instead. I’ve now spent a winter riding in it and I reckon its the best MTB jacket for the winter I’ve had. Wee features like internal thumb loops etc are great. I’ve worn it loads and its still waterproof. I’d just get whatever colour there is and accept it’s a riding jacket not a fashion jacket.

Thanks for all of the help so far folks!

I’ve now looked at and test driven a couple of vans and I’m fairly certain I’ll go for the Custom Double cab. I’m going to buy a year old van I reckon. I’ve narrowed it down to two. One is a SWB automatic model with barn doors. The other is a LWB manual model with tailgate. Both are 2019. This will be my daily driver, family, holiday and bike van. For those with experience, which of these vans would you choose for this remit?

Cheers,
Matt

Thanks Cy. Out of interest, did you spec yours with barn doors or tailgate? I can see advantages for each.

Cy, why did you go for the SWB over the LWB? I’m veering towards the Custom doublecab. Is the SWB easier to live with as a daily driver?

Yeah, I live in Stirling and head north fairly often so it was the A9 I was thinking about.

There seems to be a great deal of pros and cons for both double cab and Tourneo. I guess that speed limit on the Custom van could be a pain. I like the sound of the versatility of the Tourneo but I suppose the security of the double cab would be good. Decisions, decisions…

Does anyone have the LWB Doublecab? If so, how many bikes (modern 29ers) could you fit in with wheels on?

Thanks for that Tracey.

Thanks for the replies. Tracey – sorry, I may be being daft but can you get four bikes in and still use the front row of passenger seats? Do the passengers sit in the single seats in the 2nd and 3rd rows? I was thinking I would take the third row out and all bikes would fit behind the second row. How big are the bikes you’re putting in? I have an XXL Hightower and I’d rather not take any wheels off! Do you have any photos with the bikes in?

Cheers,
Matt

I’m 6’3″ and I think 500mm reach is a minimum

Five Tens with knee length Sealskins. Works well with knee pads and waterproof shorts. Use two pairs of shoes. Dry one and ride in the other.

The Moxie is amazing. I’ve had loads of steel hardtails and the Moxie is by far the best. It’s great on all trails and can handle some serious terrain.

Molini

I might be selling an XL Rocketmax if you’re interested? It has a Cane Creek Double Barrel air shock. I’m slightly heavier than you and it works brilliantly. PM me if you’re interested.

I use an XT drivetrain with a GX 11 speed 10-42 cassette. No issues whatsoever.

I like the look of that haystacks plan Jekkyl!

Lower level?

Pooley-askham moor-howtown-

Then follow ullswater bway to glenridding, hardtop and up towards the knott, cut off for satura crags, angle tarn, and down Boredale hause, and follow UWB back to Pooley bridge.

Cracking days biking, and pretty obvious on map/ground

That sounds great! How long would you expect that to take?

Aye, but freezing level is dropping to 400m on Saturday. It could be pretty icy?

Subscriber
A few lower-level options from Glenridding, could do the Ullswater loop, Boredale Hause and pop up to Grisedale Tarn and back to finish with one of the best descents in the UK.

Or maybe two out of those three.

How do you add Grisedale Tarn to this loop?

Thanks, what is the Four Passes route?

Thank folks. I should have said, we aren’t keen on trail centres. The weather actually looks reasonable – dry etc. We just won’t be able to go really high. Hard routes lower down would be great.

Cheers mate!

I now have two Brand X posts. I have Wolftooth levers for them. They are brilliant!

Boost or non-boost?

Not available from SRAM until mid-June I think. You can get them from German online shops but the delivery charge is steep!

Ideal. Cheers mate.

Thanks for that. I take it there won’t be any issues riding the other trails there if not involved in the race?