Patagonia Micro Puff hoody/jacket/pullover for the win. Had mine for a decade, everything from snowboarding to dog walking, after kitesurfing and on bikepacking trips. Can get them for less than £200. Gets used every day from about October to April.

Already got one of these, its ace. But I want something warmer.

Cheers guys. Torrent looks interesting. I found a nice Arctyrex jacket but it’s mega bucks!!

Katabatic looks good, but I should have said I want a warmer jacket. I’ve got a couple of Patagonia jackets (bought off here) about that weight.

I was in a similar position about 4 years ago. Successful Deputy Head in a secondary school, spinning lots of plates, and I had a very supportive head. But I wasn’t coping. The day I found myself hiding in the toilets I knew I had to make a change. I was lucky, I effectively was allowed the job I asked for, non-teaching safeguarding lead but on a very good wage. Then a MAT took over and I managed to get a safeguarding role with local NHS trust – I was privileged to do this, fist non-health professional. However, I missed the kids and I’m now an Assistant Head in local Pupil Referral Unit, 10 minutes cycle away. I’ve been hit, punched, spat at and work 11/12 hour days with no breaks, but I do no work when I get home or at the weekend.

What am I saying? It’s not you it’s the expectations of the job, which are insurmountable. You are not failing, the education system is. Plus there are always the options – you have massive experience and a wide skill set. I hope it works out ok for you. Happy to chat if it might help.

5’10” on a large, wouldn’t want any smaller.

Specialized Chisel is a modern xc bike. Rides great.

Stanton Sherpa?

What was the ad?

Rab Down jacket (waterproof one)

In fairness it was the only event we went to. It was a grand day out though 😀

Sorry for the spoiler! Just got a bit excited. We’ve followed Annie ever since my daughters made a banner for her at London olympics.

@Clink, thanks for that, how come you got rid of the Broken road? I’ll be using it mainly for bikepacking not racing.

I had issues with seatpost slippage. I’m sure it’s sorted on newer frames.

I’ve had a BR, now ride a Chisel. Ride of Chisel is good. I rode the Jenn ride this year on the Chisel and certainly wasn’t beaten up.

I’d had enough a few years ago, left as Deputy Head in secondary school. I had a lot of safeguarding experience and managed to get a job working in safeguarding with local NHS (first non-medical person to do so). Steep learning curve, better working conditions, amazing team and ethos, but missed the kids.Now back in education, working in a PRU. I love it, but lack of support for families in crisis is depressing.

Plus 10 minute cycle to work :-)

Dial is a good bet, but I just wish they had put in 2 sets of bottle mounts.

Loving my Chisel. Perfect xc frame.

Where are Evie Richards,Isla Short and Annie Last? Have I missed something?

I could be wrong but I think only Isla is riding?

On that course I would suspect a CX bike would have been faster, be interesting for a back to back test with Pidcock riding each type of bike.

I thought the same.

Not that knocking 5lb off it would make it less gnarr, it would just double the price to add carbon wheels and SID’s. Would make an interesting experiment though.

I built up a current generation Scandal frame with carbon wheels, and 120mm SIDs, was ace. It was replaced with a full sun (Epic Evo) but now have a Chisel frame, which is perfect for local riding (Somerset).

Updated to packing here now too.

Specialized Chisel?
Sonder Frontier or Dial?

Just got a pair of Patagonia running shorts for £9!

We just got back from Brittany yesterday, myself an my wife. She had never done any multi-day riding, so it was all new. We booked ahead and stayed mostly in ‘cabanetapes’, small wooden huts that sleep 2. Booking for these was pretty essential, but it was high season. We came into Roscoff and followed the start of La Velodyssee, then headed to Rennes via cycle route 2. Train back to Morlaix, cycle to Roscoff and job done. A great introductory tour (we did over 6 days). Apart form Roscoff to Morlaix mostly flat along canals/railway lines. Very dusty currently! I agree with cakeandcheese, getting on ferry with cars was ace. People in Brittany so friendly as well.

I used a Planet X Scandal for what you describe, with 120mm SIDs, wide carbon wheels, fast rolling tyres. Cheap but does the job. I also looked at a Specialised Fuse frame, but couldn’t justify the extra £££££.

I have a Chisel, great all-rounder.

I seem to be using a xc hardtail for most riding, but local stuff includes lots of road linking sections. Cope with the Jenn ride in the Lakes though, which was pretty rocky this year. I enjoy light weight on the climbs.

As above I’d be looking at Frame or Wells. I live in Street which is ok. Glastonbury (the town) is like going to Narnia! In my job I’ve heard horror stories about all of then though :-)

Hopefully arm length is longer than the Rab waterproof I bought lats year – traditionally Rab always a long cut for climbing, this as joke. Its a Kinetic jacket, as per the new bike one. I don’t take it bike packing (use an Endura one instead) as arms too short and Kinetic fabric takes ages to dry out once wet. This is from somebody who has always loved Rab kit.

Brilliant, just what I needed! My 830 annoyingly changes to a climb screen (which I don’t need) often just before a turn, when I want to see the map. Presume auto scroll as above, will give it a try.

It was an awesome weekend of riding, thanks Rich. We pushed through and did it in one go, got in a smidge before 3am. Saw loads of owls riding in the dark.

er..training..??

Can sleep in a Berlingo but depends on what kit you are also carrying.

That’s the issue – potentially bikes and SUPs.

Myself and my wife looked at a newer Vivaro a few weeks ago – couldn’t believe how cramped the cab felt. We’re currently considering older sharp Vivaro/Traffic (I’d love the newest model Traffic to now, but we have a budget!) or a Berlingo/Partner/Combo to lug kit around in. Advantage of bigger van is we could sleep in it.

I’ve used JRA stuff (whatever it is) for several years and been impressed.

https://www.justridingalong.com/product/copter-tape-frame-protection-tape/

Waiting till you retire. Is like waiting until you are dead. At least do some of the dream now and amp up when free from the grind

This, both my mum and my wife’s mum died relatively young, didn’t get to enjoy a retirement. Do it now?

My sid ultimate SL is on a chisel frame. Limited edition water theme. Went for high gloss black in the fork as the blue was too much with the water theme.

You’re Chisel’s my inspiration!

@Clink CRC have 2 in stock @ £817 – edit = they’re blue

Yeah ta. For a blue Chisel frame so I think SID blue might be too much!

I’m after a set of SID SL Ultimate 100mm or Select, Crown adjust in black. Anywhere with stock?

Shame they’re not boost as It means I’d need new wheels.

Great, ta!

Are the Scott Marathon series not coming back? They were my go-to events.