Heading down for the gravel ride. Never ridden in the area so hope I don’t get lost! Really looking forward to the weekend. Weather looks good for Saturday, bit damp on Sunday. Riding a red/white Shand Stoater, if you are passing?.

Hope about Birkenstock Arizona Eva? Light, very comfy and adjustable so hold your feet better than crocs. I just attach them to the straps on my seat pack. Weigh <200g.

Hi , 188cm and just taken delivery of a C4 after advice from Cotic. Mainly bought for longer trips but first outing was GT red and sizing felt good to me. Already has a really short 35mm stem so reducing this wouldn’t be easy if you went for a C5. Not sure what stand-over would be like if you sized up.

Bit of of a pain and must have taken a couple of months for a refund when I sent back a Silca tool. When I checked tracking it looked as if they had received it but it was only tracked until it left the UK – fairly pointless.

I have used a libre with a ‘bubble’ Bluetooth transmitter. This sends my results to my phone and garmin every 5 mins using xdrip. I am really hoping the libre upgrade will do away with the bubble device and do likewise but I am not optimistic.

@Andy – Thanks for the heads up, the discount still applies so you saved me a bob or two😀.

Pressed order tonight so hopefully give some feedback in due course. Aiming to do the Montanas Vacias bikepacking route in September and might even make an appearance at the Strathpuffer.

I am lucky with my Strael, 6ft 2 and 58T is perfect.

Thanks, I love the detail on my Strael, not the lightest but neither am I. My other  half is looking for a bike packing bike but it is replacing a super light (and super steep). Stumpjumper. Other option is a Scalpel HT, very different but if the Holt rides as well as expected it would probably be a better long term option.

Thread resurrection, any buy one? Look good value but hard to find any reviews beyond the initial press release type. I have one of their road bikes which is lovely but looking for some real world experience of the Holt. Does it live up to expectations or any buyers remorse.

I have found Assos work best (expensive but last, can use under MTB shorts when they start to become a bit transparent with age) and also think about your saddle.

We spent a couple of days in Sedona which is just up the road. The guys in Thunder Bikes were fab. The owner took time to put together a loop from the shop which  included the Mezcal Trail. Highly recommended.

Granit ones work well and double up as tyre levers. Can also keep a spare link in them. Can confirm it works a treat when we had a mechanical half way round the Capital Trail.

TRTWorld – not the most reliable/unbiased source. Wonder what the next reaction will be?

Used SLX and Sunrace on gravel bikes and haven’t noticed and difference.

On 11 speed grx a number of us have fitted 11-40 with no extra link and no issues.

Used ours a few times over the last year. Fantastic pack size, no issues with waterproofing but we use a footprint. Material is very thin and a lot of mesh meaning it is much colder than other tents we have used (Terra Nova) which is a minor issue in the late autumn/early spring.

Not far from the city centre and plenty to keep you busy for an hour or two. Although there is other stuff close by to get the best out of them you would need more time or someone to show you around. If the weather looks ok I would go for a spin. Decent views of Glasgow to offset all the c**p in the woods.

Done this route a couple of times. Out of Corralejo through a couple of calderas which you can walk up. Great coffee/cake shop in Lajares. Out to the coast, up to the lighthouse and then home via the cool ‘popcorn’ beach. Mostly gravel with a wee bit of road. Plenty of places to hire a hardtail and/or e-bike.
https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/1266396

There are some decent routes, might be a bit damp in places.
https://welovemountains.net/5-gravel-routes-tweed-valley/amp/
Maps open in Komoot.

I have a pair that are getting pretty tatty after 5 years but still warm and waterproof. Much better than overshoes which my daughter had on today. Just bought a new pair and hope they last as long although a little nervous of how durable the neoprene cuff will be.

Hugely disappointed with son’s experience of mech+aeronautics at Glasgow. I appreciate COVID has had an impact but 99.9% has been delivered remotely. No labs and tutorials sound a joke. When he was struggling and he spoke to a lecturer he was told ‘it was in the lecture notes’, no reference to alternative learning styles/resources.

I am involved with teaching students on a daily basis and am embarrassed on their behalf. Having said that he has enjoyed his time in Glasgow. As others have said I would try and speak to current students, preferably with no flag to wave or axe to grind.

Up half a size 12(46) to 12.5(47) from usual shoes. Similar sizing to a pair that are 5 years old.

I had a similar problem when water got in after I left it out in the rain. Too much grease on the piston causing it to stick?

Rarely had a problem with a sensor coming off. They are much more useful with an additional Bluetooth transmitter that sends the readings to your phone and apps can speak to a garmin watch. Great if you are out cycling/kayaking. Google ‘bubblan’. Huge improvement over finger-pricks and I think will eventually replace them despite the lag.
Downside is alarms can begin to do your head in….

Just back from Shetland. Despite being fairly quiet we were not comfortable parking up and only did it one night. However they are exceptionally well organised with most halls and small marinas having space for half a dozen vans. We had a couple to ourselves with wildlife on your doorstep. All run by volunteers with money going to the community.

Loved the Fairlight website and all the info but found the Faran colours underwhelming and also am a sucker for a nice head badge. Shand were super helpful and got my cash for a Stoater. Glad they did as mine took about 6 weeks while a colleague is still waiting for her Secan ordered in Oct/Nov.

Not me but better half won Alpine Bikes/Trek competition for an electric bike. Only problem was she didn’t want one. Trek were brilliant and allowed her to swap for a bike of a similar value and she is now the proud owner of a carbon Checkpoint gravel bike. Upside for me is that she enjoys it so much that I was allowed to get a gravel bike to join her – result!

It might change the shape of the tyre and therefore the grip especially cornering. However as long as you have enough clearance at the seatstay and chainstay you should be ok. I have been running 2.25 on 17mm for years with no issues.

Interested on the comments about changing to a wild flower meadow and whether anyone has tried this. I thought lawns were too fertile and the grass simple takes over everything even if you try some planting/seeding at the beginning.

My Arkose Novatec freehub failed after a similar time. When I took it off there was water and muck in the pawls. Since giving it a good clean and making sure the seal is seated correctly it has been ok although I don’t have a lot of faith in it as it started giving playing up 5 days into a 7 day trip.

I use a 32/40 on my Arkose on steep hills and when loaded,it would be a pretty brisk walk to keep up. I prefer to have a gear in reserve rather than crank up a long hill with nowhere to go.

Crap thing to happen and I was thinking about who can help near Ullapool then saw the location….

GroundEffect Baked Alaska, just ordered another one after 10 years. As it is merino it doesn’t get too smelly and it has windfoil panels on the front.

Great, thanks, Chain Reaction say they have some. Will just need to track down adapters for 142 to 135, I hope they come with QR adapters.

Does it need to be a 29er? My wife loves her Canyon Spectral. She is a couple of inches shorter but similar proportions. She is much happier on steeper stuff. My daughter also loves it and prefers it to her Julianna Furtado. She was however very lucky in being able to demo a variety of bikes and the Canyon was ‘just right’ for her.

All I want is you

Running to Stand Still

One

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Huge difference between concerts in ’87 and ’93

Thanks, seems to have done the trick, will see how it goes. Otherwise great bike for the trip although I did put on a bigger cassette..

Hi, anyone had issues with the freehub on a 2019 bike? Just finished a cycle around the Hebrides and the freehub is occasionally jumping or locking. Really glad it didn’t happen any earlier.
I know there were issues with earlier models. Also at 8 months old and would it be a warranty issue?

Cocoa Black’s coffee Peebles is generally excellent. Don’t go in if you are on a diet as the cakes are superb.

I really struggle with my size 12. A Scorpio HV is ok but a bit of a tank. I loved a Romany Surf on holiday but it is a composite. I currently have a Valley Etain 17.5 which just fit my feet with slim palm boots. Best bet is to try a demo somewhere.