If budget isn't an issue then http://www.thetorridon.com/boathouse/%5B/url%5D looks very nice indeed. Haven't stayed there but would quite like to sometime.

Is MacAskill made out of springs? Loved the shot of him hopping over the stepping stones.

No experience at all but I'd be happy to help if the timing works out. I'll keep an eye on the thread.

Worked for Mr Tomac.

I've had Schwalbe Marathon Plus 28c tyres on my commuter for over a year. No punctures at all despite the amount of broken glass on some of the routes I regularly use. I've not seen them that cheap but google might have. Think they go all the way up to 38c or thereabouts too.

They'll be needing replaced soon and I'll be buying the same again.

The Smoke is very good deal indeed. My partner got herself one and she loves it. It's not so expensive that she worries about locking it up outside the gym or the pub and mudguards as standard are great.

I took it for a quick spin to check it out after setting the gears/brakes and I was quite impressed. Very comfy.

Lack of a disc upgrade is a wee bit of a disadvantage I suppose and I thought the cables on the tektro Vs took a hell of a lot of stretching. Guards are a bit rattly on rougher surfaces, but overall it's a steal for two hundred quid.

yeah, they're great. Find myself wearing them until it's getting quite dark without really noticing. They do react quite slowly but the only time you'll notice is if you go from bright sunshine into a tunnel or really thick woods.

13thfloormonk – yeah, it was mainly the top section that was in a state but it's a while since I last rode it and it was good condition when I did.

Missed the thread on here but I was out for a pootle around the Pentlands with a mate yesterday after work. First time up there this year and it was a stunning evening. We rode Poet's Glen, Maiden's, Green Cleugh and a rather unfortunate and humped looking 'Nail Trail'. It looks like it's been ridden way too much in the wet over the winter. Hope the weather stays this way and dries it out a bit.

Mastodon at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow.

I usually use petrol to get ride of that "brand new chain sticky stuff" and once in a while after that.

Have you ever thought about what that "brand new chain sticky stuff" might actually be? 🙄

Kiwi cookware-based boosters[/url] 🙂

Is that the Bogle burn road at Eildon franksinatra? If it is I can see why my folks a couple of miles away are snowed in. Good effort and great photos… that big dip half way along must be interesting 🙂

Here's one from my commute from before Christmas. It's mainly hardpacked and icy now so I'm back on the 700c x 28 bike and sticking to busier/grippier on road routes. Not as much fun though.

also available on 4 OD

It's defintely worth a look.

lovely photos. it looks very brrrrrrrr indeed.

Journey to work in Edinburgh was a wee bit different today. Took the MTB and avoided main routes as much as I could. Cut through quiet roads, parks and the Queen's back garden to enjoy as much of the squeaky powdery snowy fun as I could.

Stayed at The Old School House, Torrin[/url] two years ago. Good accomodation and well kitted out.

Great views of Loch Slapin and Bla Mheinn, which is a very nice hill to climb although it might not be suitable for young kids. Lots of good guidebooks for all levels of walking provided in the house though – everything from coastal daunders to scrambling in the Black Cuillin.

Enough room to store two or three bikes in the potting shed and a good place to be based if you fancy a crack at the Sligachan loop.

Local stuff to do includes the boat trip from Elgol out to Loch Coruisk and Spar Cave is worth a look. The Skye Serpentarium in Broadford is a good option for kids on a wet day.

Only possible disadvantage is the long drive to some of the more popular/populated areas of the island.

Best way to arrive on Skye is the Glenelg Ferry[/url] The bridge is fine for the way home but getting there by boat is way more fun.

456 summer season

stolen heater

All I want for Christmas is more time to ride.

The Hives and Cyndi Lauper in a Christmas Duel

Not really a fan of christmas songs, but I enjoyed this one. The lyrics are hilarious and it owes a debt to Phil Spector and Fairytale of New York.

highs

Giving bmx a go at Transgression Park[/url] despite it being well outside my comfort and skill zone.

Trying out track cycling at Meadowbank velodrome. First time on a fixed gear bike and out behind the durney for a full keirin sprint by the end of the session. (scary as hell but so much fun… zooooooooom)

Taking the boat from Mallaig along Loch Nevis to Tarbet and riding the superb trail back along the shores of Loch Morar.

Inviting myself along to a Moray MBC Sunday morning ride when I was in the area. Met some fantastically friendly folk and had a blast on some great new trails.

The bottom section of the Larig Ghru on a quiet spring morning. Perfect.

lows

Screwing up a double at innerleithen and leaving a permanent V8 pin pattern in my shin.

Having to cancel a weeks touring around belgian canals and breweries. (one to save for later though 🙂

A good riding mate losing his job and moving away from the area. Miss the company and the random weeknight trips to innerleithen to play on the downhill trails.

Not getting out on the bike as much as I'd really like to.

PMSL
http://www.27bslash6.com/bike.html

Fantastic 😀

This is a nice diversion along similar lines…

http://clientsfromhell.tumblr.com/%5B/url%5D

Client/desinger exchanges that remind me far too much of time spent as a freelancer.

As stated above, don't stop pedalling.

Don't death grip the bars, relax and don't stop pedalling.

Go hell for leather around the bankings, don't stop pedalling.

I've only tried it the once – never having ridden fixed beforehand – and it scared the bejesus out of me at first but it's well worth it once you get used to it.

Think I'll head back for another go next year… whose idea was it to build an outdoor velodrome in Scotland? 🙄

Oh, the time that you are most likley to stop pedalling is just after a big sprint for the line. Watch out for that one and enjoy.

Spotted this too late to join last nights excursion but I'd be interested in coming along if it becomes a regular occurence, whatever night of the week that might be and whether it's the Pentlands or a wee bit further afield.

Amazing looking trip and great photos. It's posts like these that make trawling through the pages of guff spouted on here worth it 🙂

Reminds me that I really should get out and about in the Highlands more often.