Thanks

thats a good start, I’ll get planning and see what I can work out

Looked at self booking for Finland but no (sensibly priced) flights to kitila

I am keen to do Norway, had a Quick Look at packages for laziness but will start playing around with self booking options.

think I’ll give Russia a swerve for a few years at least?

Cheers all

sounds like tabloid fear mongering.

we know Scotland well and have some plans, mostly away from the fleshpots but bikepacking the WHW with the 9 yr old is going to be tough for him anyway, so was getting a bit reticent after reading the midgeapocalipse article!

sounding like a once in a decade midge season, sounds like it’s mostly nonsense and just the usual quantities

thanks

@robola

hence the title midge forecast, so if anyones up there we can see where’s bad and where’s not, so we can plan where to go and where to reconsider!

Haha that’s the article I saw ?

Thanks… that’s great! Good to see a 5footer on a 29er for scale… I was worrying that 29” might make him look like he was riding a comedy bike.

he really wants the intense primer we found and this may give me the confidence to go for it (it’s a long way to drive to get it)

I agree about the livs, they look horribly steep

Very interested in the scout, @poah I can’t pm you for some reason, try dropping me a private message, thanks

First thought was a nice 26” but nothing around anymore

selling the nukeproof but I’m the opposite end of the country in Cornwall.

he does ride pretty hard for a youngster at bike parks, so need something that will work well for him in that environment and also work for longer rides too.

I’ve a YT Izzo… if I could get that in a small size with 27.5’s it would be prefect

Thanks, looked at those livs, can’t convince the boy though… he wants something that looks more modern😂

The difficult thing, is not getting carried away and looking at the sort of bikes I like!! he would be happy with anything but I can’t help looking at mini versions of bikes I’d ride😂

Thanks

i have been looking for secondhand but seems like there might be some new bargains about

Thanks all…
I know most of what you all mention, as I have a fair bit of experience… it’s just been a while since I have dealt with prices.

I am working on assumptions at the moment but I do know building control will be happy with a toed raft and I’m a sure the ground conditions are suitable too

I have a fair understanding of the loads from the proposed builds and a standard specification raft will be more than adequate.

I have mapped out and calculated costs for connecting services, drainage and soak away. I am also ok with dealing with the remaining build up to DPC, to suit the build system.

What I am really looking for is anyone with professional or recent experience having a raft foundation for a lightweight build done.

Just to gauge ballpark costs.

I also have the option of building off pads and going suspended/cassette floor but I would rather build solid floor and start with a raft.

Just need to gauge rough costs

I was hoping sun £15k for 125m2 (setting out, pour and reinforcement)but think I may be being optimistic
Cheers all

Oooh Madeira hadn’t crossed my mind, just had a look and it looks pretty cool, with some interesting air bnbs too
Any recommendation on best areas in Madeira?

Think I’m going to try and find somewhere in Gran Canaria or Madeira
Swimming, running, reading, eating interesting food and some exploring g, should keep whole family happy

Bikes and surf might be lower down the priority list than usual

Thanks for all the suggestions so far
I will probably look at just booking flights and then an air bnb, with some character
Seen some interesting ones in the centre of Gran Canaria
Anyone know what weathers usually like in Mallorca?

Gorilla cage is a good idea!
I have very lightweight minimal kit already, I’m very minimal with what I take

It’s just going to take some adjustment, as I’m used to having all my day to day stuff in a frame bag

It’s going to be interesting seeing how it feels to ride these kind of rides on a full suss.

I guess I could get a small custom bag made up for the frame

Sage advice as always!
Pretty much what I am thinking
The main reason for not buying yet, has been down to not finding anything we want, so may still take some time yet.

The main change down here, is a slowing down, of both properties coming to market and the speed they are selling.

A few months ago, most properties were sold for well over asking price, within days of being listed.

Looks like there is a slight potential to make offers below asking price now, although asking prices are still inflated.

Just need the right house to turn up at a sensible price and we’d buy now

Thanks all
He’s desperate to ride bpw, so just figuring out how, or if, I can make it accessible to him

Good call on dare gravity park, I’ll check it out for another trip too

I like the idea of borrowing an ebike to tow him up!

Thanks
Not worried about the riding, he’s ridden a lot in the alps and our local area, gawton (he’s also used to the push up there)

Just concerned about the length of the push/walk up at bpw

What are the options for reasonable length runs, with an early get off, so shorter walk back up?

I already have too many toys and 3 bikes, so really after a different bike to replace my main endurance xc hardtail, tat is also a bit more fun on the downhill stuff.
I quite like using slightly inappropriate stuff for things too haha

That’s exactly the challenge and why I’d love a spur
It will mainly be still used for endurance xc, multi day Itt sort of stuff but then occasionally use it for enduro and alpine stuff with the boy (I used to ride all that stuff on hardcore hardtail a anyway, so I’m not after the plush descending ability really)

All the info leads the spur to be my best compromise but price is just too high

The izzo sounds like a good alternative at the moment

…and the yt Izzo

Thanks
Good tip on the tri sport thing too, cheers

I’m considering the 290 nukeproof reactor, as an affordable alternative and more used options available for sale.

I’d be interested in hearing any thoughts on it as a close second to the spur?

At 5’11” I’m always on the bottom end of large and seen a couple of mediums at keen prices. Be interested to hear any sizing views too
Cheers

Thanks for all the advice
I have managed to get a great deal on a Fuji xt20, body lens, polariser and batteries for £450
Very happy

Thanks all, some great opinions

If budget allowed, I was leaning towards with a Fuji xt30, or a Nikon z fc

I’m also a sucker for how a camera looks and feels.

I was hoping to find similar but sub £500 used
Some great options listed above for me to start looking at

With regard action shots, I’m more meaning, climbing/mountaineering stuff, rather than fast moving action
Cheers

Thanks again everyone
Cheers @stumpy01 and @shakleton but unfortunately I am down in Cornwall, so you are both an awfully long way away

Many thanks everyone… just trying to track one down to try her for size… no shops anywhere near have any stock

I do like the, slightly, unhinged nature of ktm’s
I like the 890 but it’s too new for me and I just can’t get my head around the way it looks.
The 1090 is a bit less, alien bug looking

@uggski t7 is an awesome bike, can’t fault it.
I just found it a bit meh! In the end.
It’s seriously capable but just a bit bland.
Probably as I commuted on it a lot too and it’s nice to have some extra power to keep you entertained.
The desert sled and the t7 are so similar though. The sled is much more fun on road though but not as capable off road, it’s not bad though

Thanks, thanks, thanks… what more can I say. Some fantastic ideas and tips on here, as always.

@greybeard that sounds perfect

@thegeneralist and @tom-b thanks… it’s all down to the boy though, he asks for the adventures, I wrap my head around routes with maximum epic(ness) and he just gets on with it, goofing about and loving every minute.
He’s pretty big and athletic for a 6.5 year old though and has been dragged out on big missions since he was born
It’s amazing what kids are capable of if just let them get on with it

@elshalimo
Ledge route was my first choice but I have not done it, so good to hear some recommendation for it.

Priority for the boy is canoeing, wild camping and fishing, after he has done the mountain… he literally won’t stop talking about it. He’s been outside practicing with the fly rod all day in the garden

In answer to @martinhutch
Scafel: langdale, stickler ghyl, Jack’s rake (short roped), over to great end for a bivvi. Summit, then back down crinkle crags to langdale.
Snowdon: cwm glas, day of scrambling and a bivvi. Up bwlch coch, over garnedd ugain, summit and back down pyg

And yep, if weather isn’t good, we will just do the tourist route.

I’m having to look at mountains very differently these days, to try and create routes that feel wild but are essentially safe, with easy bail out options, it’s really good fun

Excellent suggestions, awesome thanks
I should have mentioned… I’m not inexperienced and nor is my boy.
I am an alpinst/climber and aware of any potential risks.
My boy is, I think pretty unique and has climbed a lot in the alps and U.K.
We tend to tackle mountains over two days, breaking a normal days route into two, with a bivvi in the middle. He is very fit and capable for youngster and loves big days in the mountains.
I’m just u sure of much in Scotland other than climbing. I’ve been on the Ben several times but only in winter and only climbing.
Cheers all

Brilliant stuff everyone, thanks a lot

I did think, if I am going to fit a suspension fork, I may as well upgrade the front brake to disc.

Not that I have looked but im guessing I can pick up a 26” disc brake wheel pretty cheap on eBay.

Thanks @samcheese, another good option

@dan66 good call, I have been checking out the barebones route too, that sounds like an excellent plan

Thanks @monkeyp, I will bare that in mind, if it looks that likely that there will be lots of pushing, I may take that option

I was, loosely, thinking:
Day 1 Knighton to nant Rhys Bothy
Day 2, nant Rhys to dyfi and back to the bothy.
Day 3, nant Rhys to Knighton

I was planning on throwing my bivvi in, in case the bothy is full, or I’m struggling and need extra time, or I’m on fire and moving faster then planned (most unlikely scenario!)

@molgrips, I thought about that too but not sure about the area, so planning a good return route could be a disaster.

I will have a look and see what else is viable on the return leg though

Any ideas?

Cheers, I’m reasonably endurance fit and also enjoy very long days and a bit of suffering

I was toying with taking it as a tour and enjoying it but limited freedom and an itch to try and go hard, is leading me to try 3 days

I’m guessing it can get very wet? And that could scupper any fast plans?

Anyone know what options are available for 700×50 in tan wall flavour… quite hard to find!