I’m actually in Abu Dhabi now and there are far worst places to be in the ME, and tbh in many respects prefer it to the peninsula I call home.

The UAE is a vast and interesting country, with some topography and easy access to the odd mountain in Oman. There’s lots to do especially water based and Dubai is just up the road. Weather is good for eight months of the year, mid 40’s now and getting humid. Many people take a month off and travel over Ramadan and Eid. Overall one of the better places out here, come with an open mind.

I do a lot of cycling out here, as well as surfski, SUP etc.

Phil is a machine, seriously impressive.

I’ll willingly swop – it’s in the 40’s here and getting hotter, riding takes place at 5am…

Also highly recommend Kefalonia, been twice and big enough that I would go back in the future. Some beautiful beaches, definately hire a car – Old Fiat Panda with fold back roof was fun. I’m also a big fan of Crete.

I’m also ‘fat curious’ and after a Beargease Carbon or Borealis Echo in a few months. Does anyone have any experience of these two? Realise they are quite niche.

It would be used properly, sand (lots of it where I live in ME) and Canadian Winters.

I’ve also got a set of Tech 3 E4’s with braided hoses, performed brilliantly in Nepal – best disc brakes I’ve had.

58% for me, still exhibiting too much empathy which is surprising given work this year!

Another vote for Maxxis Crossmark in dusty climes, easy to fit on Mavic UST rims too.

You’re lucky if it’s only one day – here everyday is like that.

No use of indicators, erratic and aggressive driving, texting whilst driving, holding the phone, no use of headlights etc…

I’m lucky to still be here and have pretty much given up cycling on public roads except very early on Friday.

I’ve got a 310XT paid £157 from Amazon in December- well worth it.

Also got an older 305, newer one picks up signal quicker, waterproof etc. Good for most sports.

I respect it but It affects our staff – the late nights, almost no sleep nicotine and caffeine withdrawal, sugar rush etc. one of them ended up in hospital last year. It also doesn’t improve the driving out here either…

porlus – Member
Last time I had my bike upside down I almost lost 1 cm of my index finger

At least I’m not the only one. Me too about 2 weeks ago, lamely demonstrating how to build the bike up and put the back wheel in…

Currently end of index finger stitched on, in splint as fractured bone, and I have to shower with a plastic bag over it. It’s significantly affecting my ability to ride – so in short don’t do it… :-)

Yes me too, yesterday for my Birthday, something to read on the plane back

My eclectic bunch are:

Solarstone – Pure
Paul van Dyk – Evolution
Of Monsters and Men
The Lumineers
alt-J
Passenger – All The Little Lights

Orange Clockwork approx 94
Dekerf Team 1996
Santa Cruz Heckler 2003
Specialized Bighit 2006
Wilier La Triestina Road Bike 2009
Ragley Mmmbop 2010
Nukeproof Mega 2012

Try http://www.shore-lines.co.uk/ – John’s a good bloke.

In the spirit of recommending what you know my Q-car is a de-badged 335D SE touring which is pretty quick and surprises the 316i’s , and apparently is quite rare in that guise. It also has a towbar which helps!

It’s very good just down the road and Qatari not Omani, they also show lots of football with English commentary. I’m expecting lots of National Day Coverage later and beaming photos of the Family…

I use Qatar all the time, they are very good – all classes. Regular trip is Doha to Manchester return.

Service in the air is much better than on the ground but that’s really the inadequate terminal and facilities in Doha, while we all wait for New Doha International Airport to open sometime in the future

Well I’ve just been through this, some good suggestions above. I had a very similar list in my head and my top two ended up being the Mega and the Rocket, albeit I didin’t get to test ride the Covert.

So after a lot of thought, I’ve bought Mega for overseas travel with a downhill focus. Previously spoken to a few owners and they seem universally happy even after the honeymoon period.

I was very encouraged by the Article in issue 76, and not bothered by marmite opnions on the Monarch rear shock. I’ve already got a coil Fox which will fit if necessary and the VFM for a complete bike and equipment level on the Pro model bike in the CRC sale was a big factor, plus the overseas shipping.

I’ve also riidden the Rocket on a demo day – loved it and like the design, engineering and aesthetics. So much so that I’m still considering buying a frame as soon as I’m back in the UK long enough to swap parts over from current bike.

I think it looks better in photo than real life, not mine just in apartment when I moved in.

Thanks for the comments will pay more attention to home décor and bike positioning in future!

I’m based in Qatar so right in the middle when it all kicks off with Iran so Nukeproof name very apt.

Thanks I will, I tried to pre-empt normal STW comments and missed the most basic fail!

In the sandpit

[/url] P4139153[/url] by hankyarchitect[/url], on Flickr[/img]

+1 Konabunny

It’s not great, it’s not paradise but there are worse places to be in the world, albeit I’m not factoring in John Terry and Gavin Henson into the discussion. At the very least the weather’s better than Devon, and I’m writing this from down the road in Abu Dhabi which is great place to be.

+1 Aquasphere Kaymen

Had a Dawes Countryman as a teen, spent all my time taking bits of it making it lighter and also riding mate’s Raleigh Bomber, lived near some decent countryside and loved getting out all day. Whilst in sixth form worked in Halfords selling and servicing the bikes, still remember the day we first got a Specialized Rockhopper in. Mate ordered a Chas Robert’s Dogs Bolx…

Later got a lovely green rigid StumpJumper Pro with Suntour bits, started racing, seeing new bits of UK.

Got older, Stumpy was stolen, bought a Dekerf did the odd race / pub visit with the Magic Bicycle lot on Whitechapel Road.

The rest is history and many bikes / bruises later, it is still the best downtime I have. It’s an accessible activity and easy to travel with your bike and ride new places. It’s generally not weather or season dependant. When I’m working I really miss getting out and riding – even when doing it badly. If it came down to a choice without hesitation the road bike would be the one to go, in essence I think its about a sense of freedom.

I ride in the desert alone – so plenty of water, GPS, mobile phone, whistle, first aid kit, pain killers, lights, spare tubes, pump, tools, food and sun cream!

I also have an LT which used to be on my mmmBop, although I now have a Reverb as well. I really like it as above – good for longer rides and mine has been pretty much fit and forget, I also have the CC Neoprene cover which is good for keeping the mud off the bearings etc.

Took a few rides to get used to the movement, but it doesn’t creak as much as the bloody Reverb, and TBH it’s probably going back on.

Got mine from Bike24 for a good price.

Excellent stickers, YHM all the way from Doha.

I got my mmmBop through them, they are a decent and knowledgeable bunch and very reasonable. They’re also enthusiastic with shops rides out to the Peaks. I would buy from them again.

My perspective as a ‘self righteous prick’ :-) is provide your architect with a clear brief, be realistic regarding the expected outcome, acknowledge the constraints, be honest about the budget, be consistent in your requirements and agree the scope of service, deliverables, fee and payment schedule up front. Being enthusiastic and engaged in the process helps too.

Perhaps the single most important thing is to ascertain where you see the value in the project, and share this, remembering the adage that everything comes at the cost of something else. This mismatch of expectation often leads to projects not running smoothly, whatever the scale.

When I was researching options for my coil 5th Element the place that was mentioned on MTBR was Avalanche Downhill Racing

Not sure if they do the air, but they are in the US and the cost was prohibitive against a nearly new Fox.

Put it like this, I’m sat in Doha at the moment it’s been about 47 today, and generally early to mid 30’s at midnight – and will only get hotter.

Tomorrow is the start of the weekend and I need my cycling fix to stay sane. I’m trying to work out exactly how early I have to get up to drive out of Doha to find some meaningful offroad fun – it’s likely to be 0500 or earlier!

On the plus side there’s lots of work and it’s good for families over here…

Having killed a new XTR rear mech last weekend and put an old M952 rear mech circa 2003 back on the bike, I don’t think the new stuff is anyway near as robust, there’s different kit in the range to provide this durability now.

I agree with the above, worth doing once but no flow.

I did it last year as part of the Glossop loop back over Cutgate etc. Long trudge up A57 not much fun.

Hi Rockhopper just realised who you are. If I’m correct I’ve just seen a photo of a patio on FB?
Back for long?

Hi Cy, are there still plenty of slots for demo day at Calver, just down the road in Matlock?

45+ in the desert getting a bit warm for cycling during the day now!

Congrats to the whole Team but especially to Phil

Lots of respect from Doha