Stupid zero mph crash? Me too. Must be something to do with being SS solo – lack of race beer maybe?

I broke a rib when I was ahead of my target. Did one more lap, but that was stupid.

I get my MR11s here

Don’t know a UK source

Sounds all too complicated.

Get rid of your gears and get out and just ride. That’ll fix everything :D

Sounds like the weight saved going tubeless is exceeded by the amount of stuff you have to carry in case of puncture….

Yeah, I’m an unbeliever :D

Should work. I’ve run some of a motorbike battery, but I haven’t done it for long, so I don’t know if there are any heat issues.

2 things you can’t teach an employee, 1 – honesty, 2 – intelligence.

Lack of intelligence can be worked around.

Dishonest people can never, ever be trusted and that poisons a business environment.

(BTW I would have sacked the supplier too for offering an inducement to one of my staff to act dishonestly)

and I was blaming BT…

I’ve sacked people for less. He was dishonest plain and simple.

Still washing stuff.

House still a tip with all the gear from the campervan.

Bikes still dirty.

Cracked rib still sore.

Smile not gone yet….

Don’t knock the fashionistas. They’ll pay over the odds for a good bike which helps the bike industry, and then shortly after, it’ll be the wrong colour and we uncool people can pick it up at a bargain price.

The answer is to use 2 stickers :D

Don’t rule out the Genesis IO. It has very good handling and punches well above its weight.

You can get the complete bike on special for £330! Spend the money on better brakes and wheels, and use what’s left over to take you and the bike to somewhere interesting for a riding holiday :)

After this Puffer, I’m fed up of bike battery packs. They cost a fortune and most have their own connectors which prevent you using any other battery pack.

I think the answer is to buy a power tool that uses the same voltage, and use its charger and battery for bike lights. Of course a few connectors would have to be made up, but that would be the problem solved.

I’ve spent lunchtime wandering around looking at likely prospects.

I don’t mind the little red lights. Big ones are can be a nuisance if they’re mounted low.

It looks like it’s going to be the mildest weather yet for the ‘Puffer, so it should be a bit of a breeze.

We had worse days last Summer compared to the weather we’ve had up here this week.

Probably be a little mud though…

My 90 year old uncle swears by cod liver oil. He can still run around and play football with his grandchildren.

If you’re like me, when they collapse in the middle of a 12 hour night race and you’re too knackered to notice for 2 laps.

I reckon that might be a sign they need servicing.

I now avoid that problem by using a carbon rigid fork – seeing as I didn’t notice I didn’t have suspension, I figured I could do without it.

Just a bit more info –

If you’re racing SS Solo at the ‘Puffer 24 Hour this weekend and haven’t contacted me, make sure you tell the Big Kilted Spannerman at the Square Wheels tent, because he’s co-ordinating the prizes.

(I’ll be too busy – I’ll be taking my bike for a long walk :) )

BTW weather is still tropically warm for here at around 0 – 2 degrees, so this looks like it’ll go down in history as the Hot ‘Puffer.

Not enough room on the event site. I think (but don’t know) that they’ll let you drop off your stuff and then go park at the designated parking area.

However it’s a very narrow track with soft edges when it’s been raining, so if you can, park your car and carry your stuff in.

I suggest you get a folding trolley if you have a heap of heavy stuff. It’ll save a lot of faffing about.

I’m not sure what’s happening about campervans – probably the same as last time – on the laybys on the course.

Firstly my bias, I’m for a republic and think that royalty is an irrelevance.

This is a nasty ill-intentioned beat up. The film was done by a young loon at an age when he is entitled to the odd mistake. In the section of the film I saw, I got the impression the context was affectionate and not intended as a slur or insult.

To my mind, intention is what counts, and what we should be cracking down on is the anti-free speech numpties.

I’d still take the ice tyres.

I find when the smooth rock bits get muddy, studs are brilliant.

I suppose I shouldn’t mention that they’re also ace on muddy roots :wink:

I’ve done every ‘Puffer and there’s always somewhere that the ice tyres pay off (except the climbs!)

You can get a kit to do it yourself. Can’t remember the link, but it’s one of the car restoration parts suppliers. Next time you’re in a newsagency check the old car magazines, you’ll find the adverts there

Got one. Nice bike. My road bike comparison is my Pompino and Flying Scot.

Even better it handles nicely offroad. I’d like it to be a wee bit lighter, but that’s the only thing I can think off and it is not major for the sort of bike it is (ie not noticeable in use).

It’s going to be a good ‘Puffer then, just need some high wind and lightning to make it interesting :)

Share tip: buy up stocks in companies that sell derailleurs and brake pads.

Recognise the inevitable, single speed it now! Glory, and possibly vast wealth awaits you :lol:

Add Golspie to that lot. The ride down from the monument more than makes up for the pain of the climb

Prizes for solo single speeders at the StrathPuffer 2009:

There will be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for the gentlemen, the same for ladies.

Also some best in class to be decided on the day. There may or may not be some random stuff, depends what gets thrown into the pot by supporters.

There will also be a £100 cash bonus if the first male or female solo also wins overall male or female solo (ie beats the gearies).

Mud, mud, glorious mud!

700c wheels with CX tyres anyone?

Get yourself into the Highlands. No need to go near a trail centre – you’re allowed to ride anywhere.

Just visit the nearest mountainbike shop to get all the local secrets.

Aviemore and Strathpeffer are good places to stop off for a few days.

I didn’t realise you had a compulsory bike wash in SSCX events.

I found a stiff wire brushing to abrade the surface makes it much easier to soak the paper.

Tell the police. This dog is going to bite someone else, and has probably bitten several others.

I’ve always used Graphic Converter, and every time I stray, I go back to it.

I nearly always ride on my own (in the Highlands). This had made me a conservative rider – I’ll walk technical stuff that I know I can ride, and take care on downhills. Also I dress for the mountain rather than the bike.

Garry_Lager –
There was a guy on here recently talking about getting a flat in Torridon (v remote area in Scotland) and finding his pump was broke! Walked something like 15 miles back carrying the bike – It might have been before the site broke so I’m not sure if the thread is here anymore. Anyway, walking 1 mile in cycling shoes with the bike on the shoulder is a chore – 15 is heroic.

The Beard – Member
I do a lot of solo riding nd it never really crossed my mind that it might be a bad idea until I was up in the Highlands in the summer and was riding across a mountain pass all on me tod. After riding for three or four hours I got to the highest point of the pass and was well and truly on my own. Suddenly the weather turned, cloud came down and the wind and rain picked up. Never felt so alone! Took it very easy on the descent and almost hugged the first person I saw once back in civilisation.

I think most people who regularly ride solo tend to be conservative. If you usually ride in established trail centres or close to civilisation, then it’s important to remember that the mountain can and will kill you, especially if you take risks.

I always ride in lightweight walking boots in case I have to walk out and carry sufficient gear so I can survive exposure for at least 24 hours.

As for those who say you shouldn’t go alone – there is nothing to beat the feeling of being on your own in a remote mountain pass, just treat the mountain with respect, and you should survive.

A thick rough wool zip neck jumper (about £40) over a merino short sleeve base layer and with a gillet on top, covers most circumstances for me. The thick wool cuts out most of the wind on my arms, the gillet protects my chest, and the whole ensemble is more breathable than any cycling specific garment I have bought (and I have a wardrobe full of them). When I steam up the zip gets opened, and the wool is elastic enough to pull up to my elbows. It even handles light misty rain.

For when it’s wet I have one of those Montane Pertex pullover smocks. This folds up to the size of an orange, so it can go in a pocket of the gillet. In real rain there is some dampness, but it’s warm enough.

The only disadvantage for the fashion conscious is that it doesn’t look very mountainbikie :lol:

Really great place for investment bankers to have a good long think on their way down :D

Scotland has suffered enough under the yoke of non-resident landowners.

At least the Forestry Commission is local.

Moses –
…Mrs M finds that kissing me is unpleasant since the beard is coarse & rough…

Then surely she wouldn’t mind you delegating this duty to another lady :lol:

Tough decision, and only you can make it.

My sympathies to you.

Mmm, £200M for 75 years? That’s not much per year for the amount of land involved.

How do we mere mortals get in on this gravy train?