I recently changed over to an Alfine 8 on the hardtail~ I was previously running a hope singlespeed hub with a doctored 6spd cassette, due to the added wheel strength you get from a dishless build: when I discovered the Alfine builds almost dishless, I decided to give it a whirl.

To start with, the additional weight out back takes getting used to, and I also noticed the wheel has less compliance due to the shorter spokes, however, all told, I’m sold; it’s nice being able to change gear without pedalling and the ability to fakie without the chain derailling is a godsend. Bit early for me to comment on reliability and maintenance, but no doubt it’ll prove its worth.

Ultimately, as has already been mentioned, hopefully the future is in a bb mounted gearbox, with standard mounting available to the whole industry.

I’ve found Nevis Range generally pretty helpful and friendly, and Glencoe the same (apart from the miserable bag that used to sell passes at the booth in the winter)

No comment 😆

In all fairness, Glencoe does have a lot to offer~ I can only hope if nothing else, this has been a wake-up call

It was definitely the same car… parked in Caol shopping centre, where my car was also parked: the driver (who I recognized) got in, reversed out and drove off without noticing me.

In hindsight, I should’ve gone to Plod, as I did now have the correct number, but at the time, I was with my parents, whom I didn’t want to worry.

The heavy in the Saab could be purely coincidental~ I have no hard evidence linking that incident to the resort; however, given the events of the day, the body language of certain people the next day and the fact that sometime later, I saw the same car parked in Caol, where many of the resorts management live, I’m trusting my instincts on this one.

For the record, I don’t think Andy had anything to do with this.

Lets have a quick look at things that were originally proposed and agreed:

Red track finished, with berms and rollers built by engineering team by May

Pump track next to carpark in time for 2012 Macavalanche, once again built by engineering team

Cliffy lift open for Big Mountain Tours by June

I could go on…

Response from Andy on this would be nice…

So he was to look into it then, never actually agreeing to put you on the payroll?

Interpret that how you see fit…

Lets have a quick look at things that were originally proposed and agreed:

Red track finished, with berms and rollers built by engineering team by May

Pump track next to carpark in time for 2012 Macavalanche, once again built by engineering team

Cliffy lift open for Big Mountain Tours by June

I could go on…

Certainly there is some truth in what Andy is saying, however, it was not agreed that it would be one day a week~ can you imagine just how pathetic progress would’ve been if we’d agreed to that?

What’s more, I clearly remember Andy saying if I were to accrue more days than the rent of the office, he could look into putting me on the payroll, though in fairness, he did mention this was not the preferred outcome. At this time, I stated I didn’t want to take the piss, so when I finally tallied up my days, I took 10 off (i.e. £750) as goodwill and offered several payment options.

In the end, we did agree that it would pay this sesaons rent, but I think it’s fairly obvious why I’m not returning.

As for you Tommygun… are you by any chance a samaritan 😀 ?

Having had a season pass there the winter before and taken part in the coe cup, I was highly impressed by the overall vibe and glad to promote the place… who knows, maybe it was simply taxing times with delays from the previous winters storms and nerves from the gamble they took with accommodation… maybe a case of right place, wrong time.

The failed promises, misunderstandings and departmental differences I can forgive… after all, no one is perfect, but refusing to pay after all I did is sickening.

Glencoe is never going to be a trailcentre in the traditional sense; much like the Nevis Red is not a trailcentre trail; however, it is only about an hour and a half from Glasgow…with the uplift, views and close proximity to gems such as Kinlochleven and Fort William, with suitable development the area could be a viable mtb holiday destination, with enough varied riding for a week and then some.

However, with unscrupulous, exploitative and rude behavior being in abundance, I’m sorry to say that without some major changes, this potential will never become a reality.

Mr Sinatra, even from beyond the grave, your lyrical aplomb is outstanding 😀

Funny you should mention that Bob… sounds exactly like the remedial work I had to do after the digger went through the 1st time though obviously the winter will have played a part as well.

In all fairness to Andy, he does work hard in trying to turn the place around and for the most part, seems to be a genuine and friendly guy; whilst I was there, he put a couple of days work in on the trail (which was much appreciated); other times he was probably on the trail to check progress and discuss issues… however, expecting me to swallow a bad debt when he is the one making money is really not on.

I think the stuck in a rut mindset continues within the majority of the management, which is probably the greatest obstacle of all to progress.

It’s great that the SDA are progressing the trail, though considering thus far I’m the one who’s effectively paid for it with my labour, not to mention supporting myself whilst doing the work and promoting the trail in the 1st place, some acknowledgement wouldn’t go amiss.

Your father was a wise man~ thankfully the shit washes off, but the arseholes stay arseholes 😀

😀 Rainy Sunday = Dunking day

Hooray for soggy hobnobs!!

Can highly recommend one of these bad boys

TPB, you’ll be fine; there’s nothing too taxing and you can take it easy for the 1st few runs and build your speed up over the course of the day; there’s no sections which require total commitment from the word go, but there is optional lines which you can work up to.

I’d say it has elements of a bit of Chavannes in Les Gets, with some Caddon Bank from Inners thrown in, all sprinkled with a bit more texture in the form of rocks and all the trees removed for uninterrupted views of breathtaking scale and beauty.

Ridden with caution, it assumes a technical character which is fine on a hardtail, ridden balls to the wall, it becomes more of a speedfest… although this helps skip over the worst of it, you need dual ply tyres and plenty of travel to soak up the thick n fast hits for those in between moments when you can’t unweight.

Thanks for the review of the Glencoe Red Northwind, you’re spot on on a number of points and I wholly agree in its current state it is more of an easy DH, as weathering has taken it’s toll on the surfacing.

Its certainly true it’s a work in progress (and nowhere near what I have visualized once complete) and feature wise far from machine built… I’ve slaved my summer away turning it from a grotty fireroad into it’s current state with nowt but sweat, natural materials I find on the hill and a power barrow, singlehandedly (save for one weekends much appreciated volunteer help (watch this space for more opportunities to take part))

Amongst other things, there is also plans to open up the Cliffy lift (an experience in it’s own right!!) with an Alpine style descent on what is guaranteed to be the UK’s most scenic ridge ride.

A pumptrack down at the carpark is also on the cards… in fact, I’d appreciate it if you pester Glencoe Mountain to make it happen, but don’t let them know I sent you 😉 (just mention something about you’d heard one was going to be built and asking when it will open 8) )

If you ever fancied trying your hand as a bike courier, there’s always opportunities… (genuinely)

Awesome news… really like the design on this… the engineer in me is drooling at:

rearward axle path
low and central shock mounting
slack n low geometry
steel construction

but in traditional engineering fashion decides he knows better and suggests shorter chainstays, and would like to know more about the leverage curve.

Just had a quick squizz at the armour Glencoe Mountain provides and it certainly has a hardshell protector, though whether or not it’s in full compliance with SDA guidelines is a grey area.

£5 more than a normal days uplift for timing (and prizes) make it a bit of a no brainer really… although I’m biased, having built the trail, it is a great mix of challenge and accessibility and as Northwind says, a full DH rig isn’t a prerequisite, although I would advise DH tyres… obviously, it is still a gravity trail and a fast one at that, what with the chairlift n all, the red status simply reflects that the levels of danger and lunacy are somewhat relaxed over Glencoe’s traditional reputation as the UK’s toughest DH 😀

ENTER HERE

On a dry day that would’ve been mighty impressive, but factoring in howling winds and lashing rain on top, he’s shown exceptional grit and skill… very well done 😀

Doing an awesome job in some horrendous conditions… just seen him passing and flashed my lights in salute!!

Some oldies…

Not sure if you’d be interested, but if you’re not too worried about brands, LIDL have some quality bike kit in at the mo, so you could splash out on the 456 and still get sorted within budget.

I’m no pedant, but I’m guessing a “w” in this case might save a world of pain

Took me a while, but once I saw your genius, there was some chuckling to be had 😀

It’s no understatement to say the whole area has some of the very best riding in the UK, but I would say that, wouldn’t I…

Err… So you cut your mileage by 90%, gained 1.5 stone, but concluded it was all muscle? Good luck with that! Even riding a rickshaw I’d be dubious of that!

Cycle up the mound in Edinburgh with a vehicle totaling 450kg, or if you like, the whole of Leith Walk or Dundas Street with 200kg then get back to me on that…

the pain and hulk like growth of my legs seemed to suggest that something was going on down there, though in fairness to you I forgot to mention the mileage of my leisure time cycling (of which there wasn’t much in London, but plenty in Edinburgh), which would have helped balance out the whole aerobic hullabaloo.

Anyhoo, I’ll race ya 😀

I was a courier for a while and averaging 2-300 miles a week, was pretty fit weighing around 13.5 stone… a career change 😀 to rickshaw rider saw me put on another stone of muscle… continuing that career to Edinburgh added another half stone.

So, although there is no scientific data to back this up, the likelihood is at 15 stone, I had a greater power to weight ratio than at an already fit 13.5 stone, however, the weekly mileage was far less (maybe only a 10th)and it’s probable, that I had a lower level of aerobic fitness, but a higher level of anaerobic fitness.

Regardless of all this bumpf, the simple fact is, when I felt good, I performed better, whereas when I felt less motivated I performed worse.

Basically what I’m trying to say is there is so many variables, that it’s very hard to come up with a definitive answer… my guess is, you were excited to be on the bike after a break, thus motivated and in a positive mindset, so the hormonal stimulus was sufficient to overcome any additional mass, saggy or otherwise. 8)

Being as you’re wanting it for freeride, it makes sense to have a smaller frame to give you more room to manoeuvre, that said at your height I wouldn’t go smaller than 17″, which should still be enough to get the saddle to a decent pedalling height for more versatility.

With that in mind, I’d be quick and get the 17″ Blue Pig X before it sells out!!

The good news keeps coming… they are both highly improved, with much investment having being ploughed into new paths and mud being but a memory…

The best way to do the loop is Lairig Eilde 1st into Lairig Gartain~ you can ride most of the way up Eilde, into a beauty of a descent towards Dalness, before hooking back and fording the top of a waterfall back up into Gartain… it’s mainly hike a bike back to the crest, then a sweet descent back to Alltnafeadh, albeit with some monstrous stepping stones, some of which require a dismount.

As mentioned, the military road needs a dry spell, else it is a quagmire, but there is some great technical riding on the rocks above the study!!

The Traverse of Buchaille Etive Mor more or less parallel to the road is a great descent, but more of a push up ride down affair.

Thats enough freebies for now 😆

There’s a world of opportunity~ plenty of riding around these parts; check website in profile for details…

I’ve put some serious aggro into some 55 RC3 ti’s and despite a cruel regime of shredding, they have been utterly faithful, cossetting throughout with an eerie level of comfort and control; add in the money saving and it’s got to be done…

Glencoe is swiftly evolving~ come the end of August, it’ll have plenty of jumps and flow; if anyone fancies free uplifts, quality banter and a sense of achievement, we have a dig weekend on 11/12 August… come along and be a part of something BIG.

Berminator

Did about 14 miles with a 30+ kg backpack with all my worldly possessions including a towbar mounted bikerack strapped on in the hot sun in Australia a while back.

This was along busy roads into Cairns and the bike was brakeless…

I’d get some 36 Floats and reduce the travel with a spacer (or just run a tad more sag)