I flew with Air Transat a couple of years back into Vancouver (and then transferred to Seattle). The LGW check in desk were offering upgrades for £199. I have never done that before and it felt extravagant, but if they offer it is worth it. Like 80s business class I should imagine, decent food and comfortable seats.

Have a great time in Whistler.

RP, great post. I think mountain biking comes in all shapes and sizes – the sport has evolved over the years but not everybody is the shred machine that we may (or may not) want to be. I am certainly not; I have been biking for a while but still can’t ride off a drop of any size or jump anything well. I am trying to push myself more these days but get hung up on mental blocks which prevent me from progressing.

However, I respectfully disagree with your comment. You are as much a mountain biker as anyone – what you tackle, where you ride and what you like riding is up to you.

I decided to go google Wifi route. It is expensive but I am happy to pay for simplicity. Seems ok so far after being installed last night. Will test over the weekend.

Thanks for the help all.

Thanks both. I love Singletrack World – advice is always good, but I tend to always upgrade on my original plans and end up spending more!!!

Google system on order.

Dazzy – if you are looking for Maxxis tyres in 26in, I got a few from Bike Discount and Bike Components, both based in Germany. For Maxxis, 3C I think is the one to go for if cash is no object (and you are looking for grip). Dual Compound ones are fine for a rear. Most of those will be EXO protection, but you can get Double Down (which I think are more hard wearing for DH). I don’t have any double down tyres, but I was doing more Alpine Trails then pinging it down the bike park.

I think the old High Rollers in 2.35 used to be a lot thinner (I not measured it accurately ever, but still have a knackered one in the roof that won’t hold air tubeless); Maxxis have changed their measurements I think, so the new HR2 in 2.3 or 2.4 is bigger than the 2.35. I have got some Wide Trail (WT) tyres which come up a bit fatter if fitted on wider rims which they are designed for – although I only run them on not massively wide Stans Flow wheels. I have a Minion DHF 2.5WT 3C and a Minion DHR2 2.4WT 3C. Both a bit less easy to pedal than a HR2, but I think the grip is a bit better.

Maxxis do loads of tyres now, but their website does help you look at the whole range quite easily. Good luck and hope trip planning goes well.

If you want guiding, I would highly recommend Pure Biking Verbier

The team there know Phil & Lucy I believe. Really nice guys and showed my wife and I some excellent trails. Might be different when you have more time to navigate by yourself over the holiday.

Can I ask those who sold, why they did? Just interested as I would like to get a van at some stage (which would have to do double duties, as most seem to).

I went on my first Alps riding holiday (well, 2 night mini-break) to Verbier last year. Would thoroughly recommend a guide – we arrived, rode for Fri afternoon, full day Sat and then Sun morning, returning that afternoon. We would never have seen so much stuff if it had not been for the guide showing us the most we could have seen in that time. It almost doubled the trip cost but also made the weekend about 200% better.

Verbier was ace, but there are loads of other options as above. I think it makes sense to either go with mates who know the area or get some guiding, unless you are in a self explanatory, well sign posted place. (Even then, you will always benefit from local knowledge). I rode in Lake Tahoe (California/Nevada border) a few years back now, but the routes were really well mapped (and I did not know any better).

Bike transport is fairly easy with a decent bike bag and a number of the airlines (e.g BA) will include it within your baggage allowance, but then you won’t be able to take a separate bag, unless you pay extra or are in business class). Just check the baggage policies on their websites.

You could also rent locally, if you thought you could benefit from a bigger bike than what you currently have. I took my hardtail to Switzerland and it was ace, if a bit bumpy on the descents.

I am lending my Decathlon Rockrider 8XC to a friend, just getting into biking. It is well specced in an xc old fashioned way (Reba fork, half decent Mavic wheels, renthal bar and shortish stem, 1×9 on the cheap).

I had a go on it when I was riding with him earlier this week; the geo feels horrible compared to my Bfe, but I suppose if just starting out/looking for a more xc type bike it would be fine.

Anyway, there are plenty of good handling bikes from that era, like the P7 above, Cove Stiffees, Chameleons etc that are worth seeking out.

I have two. They are my current bikes and both frames were bought new (2017/2018), the full suss good value for what it is (Transition Suppressor 26 in 2016 frame); well that is my view.

I missed a deal on a 160mm Mattoc fork (I did not need it), but generally agree bargains are on the way out.

I have stock piled tyres.

I am sort of tempted in the same way. But I have relatively large (2.5/2.4 width) and chunky tread tyres on my 160mm Transition. So I could lose some rolling resistance there.

I often use a long travel, steel hard tail for local stuff, which makes me hark back to a softer rear end.

I think the Whyte range is always worth a look for 120mm bikes.

Thanks idlejohn – so that but I have ridden and agree it is 90% red with a bit of a steep rocky stuff.

Where are the rest of the blacks now – is that the enduro stuff referred to on the wall?

DT78 – is that the steep(ish) bit on Whites Level? I think there are some loose and rocky berms on approach from memory, but I am not sure if there was other black part(s) around.

Really like it. I don’t mind the climbing, although the route up Whites I find quite challenging (just hard to get a good rhythm – probably because I have a 26in hardtail…)

Am often doing a morning or evening pre/post work ride, so time is usually limited for me. If you are wanting to do the wall, you can always park at Rhyslyn and avoid the long and flat part of the ride to/from the trail centre carpark down to the bridge (although it is not unpleasant).

Have not done Blade. For those that have, how much harder/more effort is it than Whites Level? Thinking of having a pre-work ride at one of the trails this Friday, but weather looks pants.

I flew BA last year to Geneva; we had cheap business class flights (£50 each return), so were able to take a take a bike bag each plus some clothes. We made sure were we’re under 23 kg but they often don’t weight them.

I called before but it never got any confirmation email, which i had been promised. I did call again to check and they had made a note though.

If you like walking, Stat Point and back along the coast toward Dartmouth is nice. Shuttle logistics might be difficult though.

I lived locally for ages growing up, but only been to Haldon once or twice. I thought it was good fun. Dartmoor has lots of riding.

Blackpool Sands is nice – great cafe overlooking the sea.

I am a Thule fan, but relatively rcently got a Yakima Highroad (which is an update I think of their front loader): Yakima

It cost a lot, but is loads better than my Thule racks and secures via the front wheel. Would get another in a heartbeat.

There are some wise people on here. Good work STW.

Someone close to me has recently made the same sort of rationalization, but instead of going from more to less hours, it was turning down an opportunity to go from flexible work life (with quite a few hours) to more, less flexible hours (and more money). Turned down the offer/opportunity.

If you have got young kids, that that time never comes back. Having two parents around to help (if family situation allows) means that the child care for both parents is shared, so better for everybody’s sanity.

I know there are other pressures in life that make it hard and arguably times are not that certain, but go with your gut. Like a Hawaiin Pizza, if it feels right, it probably is right…

@ oikeith – this sounds like a good deal to me. Boats are expensive, so if you can uncomfortably hot, motion sickness and a jarring ride for £41.50, I think that is a bargain.

On top of that it looks cool!

Well, I have had exactly the same issue on my Transition Suppressor. I have not gone to the trouble you have of sorting it out, but (a) you will find it one day, so keep the faith and (b) you definitely don’t have a rubbish bike.

Mine makes a click click sound, which to me sounded like it came from the BB. I spoke to the LBS store who had a quick look; they thought it may be the frame pivot bolts (the bike shop co-owner used to have a Transition).

Let me know if/when you solve the issue OP.

As above, I think any UK Trail centres will be fine on a hardtail. I used to only ride an XC 100mm forked bike, with old school, twitchy geometry.

I still have a hardtail (26in) and ride it at trail centres and locally; I think the bigger difference is in the more modern geometry (it is a last gen Bfe) which makes it easier to take on the difficult (or more difficult for me) trail features and more confident on steep stuff. I took it to the Alps in September and it was a good laugh (I was hardly doing Whistler sized jumps though).

I have a full susser as well, which I have taken to BPW. I rode with a group of mixed riders and the fastest two people in the group were both on hardtails.

I use Hope E4s on both my current bikes now. I am about 85kg, but if fluctuates as I eat too much and don’t always exercise enough.

Full suss has 203mm/180mm and hardtail 200mm/160mm. The hardtail was in the Alps for 2 days last September and the rear got a bit hot, probably as a result of me riding like a douche and not letting go of the rear brake enough.

My old xc hardtail has 180mm Shimano front and rear and does fine on basic Deore brakes. As above, I would go bigger discs first and then look at the brakes.

Have an 11-42 sunrace on my hardtail. Works absolutely fine with an XT 10 sp shifter and an XT rear mech. I did alter the rear mech to add a RADR cage, but it as quite simple to do.

I have to say it has been fine. Not as crisp as my GX 12sp on my other bike (which is 12 months newer), but no issues. I wanted to go 1 x for the hardtail build and at the time it was a whole load cheaper doing it this way, than any other option.

Thanks Slab. I am going to give it a dry run (packing everything in out own car). We do have the option of putting some luggage in a roof box or something on roof bars on the way to the airport, but the bike bags are going to be the awkward buggers I am guessing.

One thing I did not mention is the place we are staying has (unusually for the US) a small(ish) garage. So the dimensions are 78in/198cm wide by 199in/505cm long. I don’t think that would be classed as small here in the UK, but some of the minivans and larger SUVs won’t fit. Apparently an Audi Q7 sized car does though.

Wow, thanks all. Some fantastic ideas here. Some of the campsites look really nice. I will look properly later today/tomorrow. Really appreciate the suggestions.

Not helpful, but my brother has a 26 in wheeled Anthem 2 2006 model. Still rides it – excellent bikes and I have been very tempted ever since.

If I was not so chunky, I would definitely look at one.

I have had my GX Eagle fitted for just over 6 months, with the old style jockey wheels. For the first time this last week, the chain came off the lower jockey wheel.

I have some new style spare ones that are ready to be fitted as a replacement. It is annoying, but other than that has been a pretty good set up.

I had this issue with Mrs G’s bike. It is a Specialized (Camber) that came with 2bliss rim tape installed already. On first attempt it leaked at the join.

Have added sealent and it is all good now; held up fine and has been ridden locally and in the Alps for a couple of days.

What Trailrider Jim said. If that were my budget, I would be tempted by a Whyte 905. I don’t have one – I have a Bfe with 26 in wheels. But basically any hardtail benefits from fatter rubber within reason, so my (very stiff) hardtail gets ridden with 2.2 – 2.4 rubber in the summer. When I put on some winter boots (i.e. mud tyres) that are thinner, you can really feel the difference. I took the bike to the Alps in 2018 with some decent sized tyres f& r and it was a lot of fun to ride.

I think Whyte seem to have got the hardtail design very well refined and the 901/5/9 range look amazing. Would be on the top of my list if I was starting afresh.

Well, I have too many tyres but have got proper winter tyres on for the mud.

Hardtail:

2.3 Maxxis Shorty Front (3c one)
2.0 Specialized Storm Control Rear

Full Susser:

2.5 WT Shorty 3c Front
2.4 WT DHR2 3c Rear

I am a big fan of the shorty for the riding round here (S.E. between N & S downs). Edit: Meant to say all sizes are for 26 in bikes.

I did pretty much exactly this earlier in the year, but going to Verbier. Child care favours meant we had to keep it as short as possible. We left our kids with Grandparents Thursday pm, collected them Monday am. It was part of Mrs G’s birthday present, so I was trying to do the organisation on the sly. I also benefited from being able to get some cheap BA flights.

It was a mission, but to make the most of the time we booked early arriving/late departing flights and a guide for when we were there. I wanted to take our bikes (free for me with BA), but hiring them would save a lot of effort (although add to cost).

It could have all gone wrong if the luggage did not come out quickly on Friday, or we missed a connection (we used the train transfers). We allowed more time traveling back on the Sunday pm. Again we were lucky we managed to get the bikes on the bus both times, as there is just room for two bikes on the buses that between the train station at La Chable/Verbier resort.

We were out there in September, so this was very much the shoulder of the season and less lifts were open. We had planned to ride as many natural trails as possible, so we hired a guide so as not to waste time and to see the best trails. Having the guide was absolutely worth the money. I am not sure if transfers would have been easier peak season (i.e. sharing the cost of a van transfer with others).

Friday:

Heathrow (6:45 depart!) to Geneva (9:20 arrival).
Collect bike bags/luggage.
Jump on train (I had bought tickets online before). Departed 10:02, but station is literally in the airport. The most stressful part for me was making this connection.
Arrive Verbier (one train & one bus connection) 1pm.
1pm build bikes up – Mrs G goes and gets us a sandwich.
Meet guide a 2pm.
Ride all afternoon.

Saturday:

Ride all day.

Sunday:

Ride till 12:30.
Rest is sort of the reverse of Friday.
Grab lunch, pack bike bags up, showers. Hotel fine for late checkout.
Get connecting bus back to train.
9pm flight home.

Would absolutely do it again, but if we had a day or two more it would be much more relaxing.

Well, I hate to say it but that sounds like a Camber. I just got Mrs G a 27.5 basic Camber; x-fusion shock, proprietary fittings and reduced it was about £1,250 reduced.

You could look on Paul’s Cycles; an Anthem or a Trance would do the job. You could also look at Calibre Bossnut or something from Canyon.

I am not sure you will get something new for £1k with decent spec, but you will get close at just over.

THanks. i Have ordered some new style Sram ones from SJS. Annoying to have to shell out £33, but more annoying mech died mid ride…

My old style Eagle jockey wheels are fine. I think they will break at some stage. Do the Uber Bike ones solve the issue?

I have some of the G Form ones. I have the slightly thicker ones (might be called ‘Elite’ I think), which I bought for the Alps. Mrs G bought some of the thinner G form ones. Really comfortable, don’t notice they are on.

I am also now over 40, so have started wearing them more (and taking them on recent trips to BPW etc).

Stevied has already hit the nail on the head. I have a 2.3 version Shorty on Flow ex rims in 26in (on my 26 in ain’t dead Bfe).

It is excellent and has inspired confidence when it gets really mucky.

https://www.purebikingverbier.com

these guys were ace and I recommend for Verbier.

OP, don’t sell up unless you absolutely need the cash.

I have got two kids and for the last couple of years was definitely 200 miles or so, at best. This year I have got back on the wagon and am aiming for 1,000 miles (still not there mind); I know it is not about the quantity, but I am just trying to demonstrate I am getting more time back on the bike. Although your time on the bike will be less just after the nipper is born, there will be times when you get the opportunity and it will do you good to get the fresh air.

You have a decent bike and selling it won’t bring in loads of cash. I am still riding around on 26in wheels and they work fine; hold onto to it and keep it for the days you can get out.

In a couple of years things will change – the nipper might be on a bike seat in 6 (ish) months and that also brings its own kind of reward. Mine are now on a balance bike (2.5 yr old) and a proper bike (5 yr old); am looking forward to the excuses to all hit Afan for the weekend as a family (perhaps with a bit less drinking than a trip of a few years back…)

I organized part of the stay through https://thebigride.ch/fr/ – they were very helpful. They will also organise a full package if required.

In terms of guiding, I used https://www.purebikingverbier.com/ – Jose there was awesome. Guiding was not the cheap way to go, but for the trails we were looking for (natural singletrack), it was worth it. Riding tailored to ability.

I have only done one trip, but have heard great things about Bike Village.

I am sorry to hear hear that OP. My Mum was diagnosed with early onset in her early 50s, but we believe it had started a few years before and simply was not diagnosed properly. She has not recognised anyone for almost 5 years and is in the final stages of the disease – she’s not 70 yet. She was very scared in the early stages as she had seen the same thing happen to her Mum.

The truth is that it is pretty cruel diesease I am afraid. I would try and get your loved ones to get support as soon as they can. Even if it is just someone to talk to.

My Mum is now in her third care home and my Dad cared for her for many years at home. It is tough on both the patient and carer; there isn’t lots that I can offer, but getting support from the people in the know is important. Big hugs to you and your family.