Thanks all. I did try Calibre briefly and didn’t find it great, probably didn’t try it enough to get the most out of it to be fair. I shall have another look.

So frustrating that the kindle itself can’t be a bit more user friendly. I’d like to organise by author, series, genre etc as I please. Still, the upsides outweigh the down I guess.

Wessex fleet do daily/weekly specials so if you are not settled on a very specific model, worth checking them out. We got a Leon about a year ago on a great deal. Didn’t add any extra options to the car and couldn’t change paint colour even,but for a family runabout it’s perfect.

Rode it NQ to St Andrews on full sus and wished I was on a gravel bike for the majority of it. The bits on the sand dunes along north of Leven to Ellie were slow going I found and probably would detour them next time, although was cool to see the old beach defences etc. Enjoyed the sections around Weymss more than I expected to.

Signed up to a 55km ultra in October this year, did a half marathon in 2012 and not run much more than 5ks since. Plan to do one ‘long’ run a week, gradually building up distance, plus a shorter run and also stick to my normal cross fit sessions 3-4 times a week.

Will be interesting to see how the mileage increase goes…..

I have a set of Kinesis Crosslight rims with 28mm road tyres on and they work very well.

Had one as a hire van for a few days, bit different to my LR but got used it after a few miles and enjoyed it. Only complaint was clutch pedal (not bite) seemed very high. Suspect the auto would suit me a lot more, sounds a good buy!

Thanks all, a lot to check out!

I work in wind and previously biomass power station.

The XL canyons seem to be a good size. Felt a lot longer than any previous XL bike I had ridden, I’m 6’3. So a bit shorter but worth a look.

Genesis Croix de Fer.

Have one, love it, therefore must be the best recommendation.

I can’t tell at all. Added carbon bars and post and couldn’t tell between that or my Alu ones either.

There’s a whole lot of cushion of air absorbing bumps and flex etc.

My old 2010 Five was good, all top end parts and nothing needed done apart from consumables. This was a 3.5k bike back then.

My 2015 Genesis croix de fer is an £800 bike and has been equally as good. No suspension or pivots etc, but the cheap parts have lasted very well.

I think it comes to down to abuse / or lack of. If you ride hard and ride it to close to the limit of the bike, and then don’t maintain much, it will break.
Even a cheap bike will last well with an easy life.

Ah, medium. If it was bigger I would have been keen, have now seen advert.

I think I might take a wander along to the local Evans tomorrow for a look at the Ramin.

Surly I think on the pricey side for what I’m looking at this time unfortunately.

Stooge – will have a look!

That Ramin looks reasonable actually! I’ve not seen yours for sale firestarter, but depending on size/price…maybe

Will be a new wheelset for whichever bike so boost or not isn’t a huge issue I don’t think. Re-using parts more like brakes/bars/saddle/Groupset if possible.

99.9% certain I’ll never want to put a suspension fork on it so no worries there with the steerer but good point thanks 🙂

Yeah alloy vs steel is an interesting one. I had only been looking at steel until seeing the Sonder. Comfort/weight are the key concerns I guess. As you say, with tyres with large air volume, plus a comfy saddle and grips, how much will the difference be noticeable…
Also, not going to tour the world etc so steel being easily welded not a factor.

Contigo is looking like a winner thanks! Trail42 does look pretty cool as well.

Based on the best option always being to recommend your own bike, the Genesis Croix de Fer is an amazing all rounder! Have ridden it on many canal paths, mild off-road routes and also out on proper road rides with mates on carbon flying machines. I’m slower up the hills than them regardless, but made up for it on downhills and in the comfort stakes.

Never tried yet but love the look of it! Although I do feel like the Instagram posts I see about it probably romaticize the idea and it will be way harder/colder/wetter than it looks

Thanks all. Had a browse of the Enigma and Sabbath sites and look pretty good! Will check out the others and compare geometry wise to my Croix de Fer which I find fits pretty well.

Yeah I read about the new Sonder bikes with interest. Look forward to seeing a few longer term reports.

Hadn’t heard of Sabbath but they look interesting thanks! Kinesis also seem like a good option. Will check out those others mentioned.

Don’t ride enough to ever wear anything out 😳

Likely to replace full drivetrain as required, probably every few years…

Thanks for all the replies! Some good info there. Offset bushing isn’t something I had thought about, will look into it and see what’s what.
I’m on the original suspension still although just been stripped and serviced so running as well as it every could, would be interesting to see how the newer stuff compares as have never tried pikes or the new Ohlins shocks etc.

33 days with A/L and BH rolled up. Option to buy up to 5 more. Plus an extra holiday on my birthday each year. Could be worse.

Crossfitters have the best all round fitness I believe. Look at the top level athletes, yes in individual events they may not be world class, but in simple terms they will be stronger than a runner and faster than a lifter. And the whole point of the sport was to define fitness and to compete to crown the fittest on earth.
The games starts in a week or so, worth a watch!

I’ll have a look at Cologne. Thanking you 🙂

As far as cheap diesels go, I’ve had a couple of 1.9tdi passats which were great! But I agree with the petrol comments, I just bought a 1.8 octavia 4×4 estate as a bike carrier and its great. smoother, quieter, and still 32mpg.

Thanks for the replies. Will need to source a set and trial fit I think. Will be 1×10/11 so one less issue there.

Falkirk probably a bit far out for a sensible morning commute.

Eurocentral looks good actually. 14 miles. Not sure how busy the Edinburgh Road would be but worth a try anyway

I would ban umbrellas! No more potential eye gouging whilst walking down a street

Sure heated grips will be an essential for a winter commute! And depending on exactly how much of winter, maybe one of the plug in heated body warmers you get?

Yep I agree with the wind comments, the amount of times I’ve had a headwind the whole way round a circular ride makes me believe it will never come from the direction I want so no point planning for it!

Fair points about the scenery getting better heading north, that’s probably the best reason I think.

I hadn’t realised the biggest days would be in the south, I’ve never really been to that area, but assumed the hills would be further north. I guess most roads skirt the hills/mountains rather than piling over them though.

Looks a good service scotroutes! I’ll keep it in mind. Doing it LEJOG way will put me closer to home at the end so guess that makes sense too.

Where is the Bearbones 200? Sounds good!

Yeah agree about the techy side, really anything over red graded I start to struggle with slightly and not enjoy so much. Probably I should actually get my finger out and do some training to get better and more confident, rather than avoiding it all…

Nobeerinthefridge – Member
Do some enduro, tbh I’ve not done many, but the atmosphere is great!. Dunkeld in March would be a good starter, gimme a shout and I’ll be glad to meet up and ride wi ye.

Thats a great offer cheers. Will have a look into the event.

fatmax – Member
Meant to say, Ride to the Sun is an overnight road ride from Carlisle to Cramond beach

I like the sound of this one! And crammond is only a short cycle home afterwards too. Long ride in the dark though, I guess lighting choice must be an issue!

Tour de Ben Nevis is a good shout, looked into that and like the sound of it!

Thanks for the advice 🙂

Option C, I had a diesel Leon cupra/fr for a few years. Looked nice, good to drive and still great on fuel etc, pretty sensible. Would have another!

Been using a Ted Baker wallet the last 7 or 8 years. Has lasted amazing well, plain black leather outside, room for notes and few cards but no coin pocket so nice and slim. And nice bright purple inside!

Thanks for starting this thread! Fathers Christmas present sorted 😀

Have you looked at the Genesis croix de fer range? Had one 6/7 months and can highly recommend!

£17 in Edinburgh. They do a reasonable job so can’t complain too much.

Is tipping still a thing at the barbers?

Thanks for all the comments. Great memories from the trip, nice to see other people like the pictures too!

Yeah they came out not bad for the gopro, I find it pretty good for trips like these, great size for keepinghandy and snapping away.

Culra – yep officially closed for asbestos, but not locked. We nipped in for 30 mins to shelter from wind and had lunch.

The truck is ideal for the bikes I think, although I have got rid of mine now. Niceto drive than a van, and better (for me) than an estate. Will likly be replaced by a Discovery and probably a towbar/spare wheel mounted bike rack.