To book some time off work when it doesn’t rain all week. I’m going to struggle if this year is anything to go by.

9 months and 4 days* between me and my brother. My poor mother! We were even in the same year at school. It was ace, someone at home to help with homework, same group of friends, someone who would always want to go out biking, playing football, garden creeping etc.

*he was born a couple of months premature.

Time MX8 pedals and Giro Terraduros work well for me. A very definite in/release action, very easy to get clipped in and offer good grip when not clipped in. I do think the latter two points may be as much about the shoe as the pedal…….they are the best shoes I’ve ever used.

#semenukwasrobbed

Not quite when I first got into mountain biking but this is the bike I have lusted over the most.

Wish Matt Crawford would come back.

Livened up the place a bit.

Any one of these for me, but if it had to be one it would be the Stratos.

Tubes.

I used to swap tyres all the time so tubes made sense. Now that I run two sets of wheels I rarely need to swap tyres so may give tubeless a go.

Nukeproof Mega TR with two sets of wheels. One set relatively light with 700/800 gram tyres the other set a bit heavier bit fitted with DH tyres. This seems to cover most bases.

Nukeproof Mega TR frame to replace several warranty replacement Whyte 146 frames.
I wanted something with a reputation for not breaking………… to be fair it lasted 14 months before it cracked.

I headed over to the West Coast as a last minute decision, stopped off at Balblair on the way, camped at Achmelvich and then did an epic on Saturday.

A few pics.

Balblair by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

Loch Dionard by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

Bealach nam Meirleach by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

Achmelvich beach by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

More here.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskiLgrm3

miketually – Member
We used to butter rich tea biscuits, too.

This, but I used to toast/warm the biscuit first.

With a recently warrantied chainstay.

2015-08-22_12-56-36 by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

I would not go that long if I were you. This was with Lyriks wound to 140mm and not a massive crash.
Edit: this has the extra strut.

IMAG0532 by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

Kinlochleven enduro trails….a rutted mess.

Really depends on where I am, what mood I’m in and who I’m riding with.

It will range from Lycra jey boy to knee pads and a full face.

Leon

I think Rachel Atherton might think differently

Edit:

NSFW

An Addidas long sleeved runners top made from ‘climacool’ that I got in TKMaxx about 10 years ago. Probably a base layer really.

It fits me perfectly
The sleeves will pull past the elbow and stay there without digging in.
The collar is big enough that it works but it does not irritate.
It is perfect on its own on all but the hottest and coldest days.
It dries really quickly…..I sweat a lot!
I think I paid £20 for it.

I will be gutted when it dies.

A couple of us are heading to Morzine from Aberdeen. We’ll be getting the ferry so we can break the journey up a bit.
I think if I was starting the journey anywhere south of Manchester’ish it would be the Chunnel.

My mate used to do the TT and the Manx Grand Prix, he has no screws loose, no insanity, he’s just a normal bloke. In fact, when we used to mountain bike together it was always me who rode the scary stuff first.
As a permanent memento of his TT days he now has one leg shorter than the other and is pinned and plated on all four limbs. As he puts it, ‘talent didn’t match his ambition’.

Yep, finished night shift this morning and decided I would cycle in to work tonight. I’m feeling pleased with myself that I did because it was sodding grim.
Oh, and the wind is due to change direction so I have a headwind tomorrow morning as well!

I managed to do this at a relatively low speed, so it doesn’t surprise me that these guys destroy their bikes.

IMAG0532 by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

This is my favourite route. Not a huge amount of hike a bike if you are fit.

https://www.strava.com/activities/193959884

La Serenissima? Rondo Veneziano the disco mix version

All ready for a week of camping on the west coast of Scotland.
I wasn’t aware that I was running 50/34 x 11/25 until after I got back……no wonder it was hard work 🙂

Untitled by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

Agree with Postierich, the longer ‘classic’ route is a better ride.

That’s a lot of people you know Bregante!

Yes, and it was chuffing freezing.

DSC_0115 by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

…..and in comparison, today at Pitfichie Hill in Aberdeenshire!

*is jealous*

DSC_0115 by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

Cheers for the advice.

I’ll be driving from Aberdeen this year with a couple of mates and heavy bikes. It means I can take a bunch of spares, guarantee my bike arrives and not have to arse around with airports and transfers. I’m going to be there for two weeks so it means I can get to other places if I fancy.

I didn’t bother with Scolty today, but did the Loch Muick circuit instead.

DSC_0095 by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

DSC_0096 by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

DSC_0078 by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

bruneep – Member
Bone dry

Awesome. Cheers.

At Scolty today, work tomorrow

Was Scolty dry?

Finished building this today and took it for a spin round Pitfichie and got lots of PB’s on Strava. Unfortunately I have built it to sell it.

DSC_0059 by MattNSmith[/url], on Flickr

Off to ride Scolty Hill in Aberdeenshire tomorrow morning……it will be dry. This is a rare thing.

On Sunday I’m heading to Golspie.

It’s gonna be a long weekend 😀

I spoent 8 hours in a Herc several years ago flying to Goose Bay in Labrador. A most unpleasant experience!

Aye, I know the feeling.
Lossiemouth to The Azores. The Azores to Bangor. Bangor to Nellis AFB (Las Vegas). Trailing the Tornados out to Red Flag.
At least I wasn’t going to Goose Bay!

A tactical landing into Basra in a Hercules was quite an experience.

Hill of Fare in Aberdeenshire for a quick blast before I start nightshift. I predict I’m going to be tired at 7am tomorrow.
It’s decidedly grey outside, but is dry.

I cannot wait. There are loads of riders in with a shout this year, it’s going to be ace 😀