Daughter rode Balblair last weekend, said it was fun and photos looked good. I haven’t been in years but it is a good place for a short blast on the way to the NorthWest coast.

Paisley Freight, sent a large fat bike recently no problems. Also reasonable “bike box” prices.

http://www.mtbtrails.info/Trail_main_page.aspx or Scotland Mountain Biking: Wild Trails vol 1 and 2 are good places to start.

Same height as you and XL is a good fit for me with no adjustments.

I had a V2 and sorry to have sold it. Used it around the Tweed Valley and 6 day cross country trip in France. I found it only struggled on really steep rough stuff but that was maybe more me. I really enjoyed it but moved to a 150/150mm full suss which is a lttle more of a one trick pony in comparison.

First time was scary, couldn’t move and had whispering behind my right ear. Settled after a couple of minutes. I am fine now on haldol and residing in a secure unit…..
Honestly though that was 30 years ago and I have only had it a few times. Can settle it quicker by relaxing and slowly taking deeper breathes. Was really freaky when it first happened.

Should have said couldn’t cross my leg over!

I had something similar last year. OK pedalling, some night pain, couldn’t cross my leg over. Getting off the bike was a challenge. Saw sports physio and gradually settled over about 6-8 months. Now have a shoulder issue which is much more painful.

I am looking to switch soon. What are the thoughts on diesel Vs petrol. Do about 18k annually on mainly rural roads. Previously run diesels but not sure how things will go in the next 4-5 years.

Ordered some bits for a DT hub, good communication and speedy delivery.

Just waiting for my C2W voucher to be processed. Has anyone managed to get an 11-40 cassette to work with the Ultegra RX800? I know Shimano are a bit conservative with their ranges for derailleurs so interested in any real world experience. Planning on using it loaded for a couple of ‘hilly’ trips.

We loved ours and ran it from about 30k to 130k. Got rid of it because of increasing electric faults. Also had issues with Ad-Blue sensor, around £2k of work of which we paid £500.
Fantastic family car and load lugger , very sorry to see it go….

Blades of Glory – my Dad thought it was going to be a War film..

Kinetic and Aire have both been good.

Money Saving Expert, the Martin Lewis site has advice and links which I have used.

Never been able to get spares for Smith sunglasses, I don’t think their UK support is up to much.

I have found Kinetic very good to deal with.

The Caledonian Way, Oban to Inverness?

I have had a 2012 C220 estate for just over 4 yrs. Really comfy and reliable. Done 70k and it is just shy of 100k. I get it serviced by a local garage and bills have been reasonable so far. Enough poke in sports mode if you need to overtake. I drive it in economy 99% of the time and trip says 54 mpg (if you believe it) on mainly a country commute. Only thing that has been a slight issue is rear wheel drive if the snow is wet and packed down (despite winter tyres) but that has only been an issue twice in 4 years despite living in Scotland.

Chemin de Soleil, not a pharmacy!

Chemist de Soleil, Sisteron to Nice bit. Mainly fire road type climbs and XC descents. Has a good website with lots of info.

The National ft Lauren Mayberry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJeqxqhvGBQ

Buy 2nd hand, get a lighter bike which she is more likely to enjoy. Plenty about with better spec than the 2 you mention.

Daughter decided to travel down from Glasgow last night rather than us heading up so went out for a spin in the hills behind Culter near Biggar, basically a circuit with Culter Fell in the middle. The hills were mainly dry and the trackless bits not to bad as the vegetation hasn’t grown up too much. Lovely day to be out in the middle of nowhere.

Still fancy the Campsies at some stage. Thanks a lot for the info, both daughter and son head into the Campsies but now have more ideas.

Thanks Sanny, will let you know.

Thanks. Have managed to trace a route using OS and Google earth. Happy to risk it but will pack a snorkel.

Highlander – epic film and epic Queen soundtrack!!

We were there in November kayaking and hired bikes for a couple of days from Easy Riders. I think they were 29er Rockhoppers – OK but you notice the basic fork, We cycled the gravel road along the north coast to Cotillo and then back across the middle. On the second day we did the reverse but took the gravel road through the quarry and then past the volcanos, this one but anti-clockwise https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/65607

Hi, interested to hear how you get on, was thinking of trying it over 2 days, might be a bit optimistic!

Great fun with a relaxed vibe. Banana Man and the rave at the Crook Inn was a highlight. Next time might try and stop short of Moffat to avoid the queues and midgies.

Hope the weather is as good this year.

Great, thanks.

Daughter has flipped between male and female frames with no issues. Wife has preferred female frames but both are slightly different builds. Wife has longer legs and shorter torso.
I have her Julianna Joplin for sale in the classified…it’s a small full suss and rides cross country and light trails beautifully. She has moved to a more aggro Canyon, again female specific.

AM9 looks similar to Whyte but price not that different when getting similar specs. Might be able to get a shot from a friend. Booked a try out of the Whyte XL for the 2nd. Going out on the 1st as well so hopefully not to knackered to appreciate it.

Gone to new home.

ODI rogues for me too.

Intense Carbine by the look of it. Fancied a Primer but they seem sold out,

Clockwise.

I think tomorrow could be interesting. The Sky train worked hard today and it is a long testing day tomorrow. There could be some winners and losers but it is still a long way to Paris. The other teams need to believe and attack with some panache and remember Froome is human as he showed when Bardet took time of him last year and he could/should have lost much more.

Looks like there is a problem at velogames……

I have an original segment with DB inline which has just been upgraded by TFT. Seems to work well for me at 87kg

HSR 2 turns anticlockwise

LSR 12 clicks anticlockwise

HSC 1.5 turns clockwise

LSC 10 clicks clockwise

Air pressure 230 psi

Hope that helps