I could sell you my Soul frame much cheapness it’s only had 1 careless owner. 😉

I bent and dented my seatstay on my Soul to the extent it’s now not safe to ride.
I got in contact with cotic and ordered a new one today & they gave me a nice discount as a crash replacement.
I’ve got a few bikes including an Orange 5 and find myself riding the Soul more than the rest put together.
Three things that I would recommend when building one though are
1. Fit a double and bash (36/24)
2. Fit a height adjustable fork
3. Fit a dropper seat post
These additions would give you one very versatile bike.

The crash I had would have damaged any bike as it fell on rocks from a height of about 15 feet.

Buy a soul, you won’t regret it.

Another great idea being implemented locally is to use people on ‘community service’ to build/ repair trails.
We get work for free and they get transferable skills and a sense of achievement.

Maybe we should lobby government.
1 pumptrack per 1000 homes.

Approach the council or local ranger about arranging trail building days for the youths.
Teach them and get them involved use schools, clubs like the scouts or local cycle clubs.
There’s bound to be a piece of land that needs clearing up nearby ie old brown field sites etc.
That’s what they did local to me, there’s even moneys there just for these projects.
But we all need to get involved more in our community.

I was in tesco at hermiston gate the other evening with post pentland ride munches. There was no bike racks there either nor at halfords and decathlon next door but they all sell bikes. Odd!

I really fancied trying some of the torq products but their cost is way too high even when buying in bulk.
I dont seem to see anyone recommending fig rolls. They work really well for me.

I tend to use ‘real’ food on rides primarily because of cost but after trying honey stinger protein bars I can’t recommend them highly enough, proper boot up the a**e stuff and taste pretty good too.

The weird thing with that dacathlon is that they do a hardtail for £50 less that has a terrible spec.
The sales guy in the shop agreed with me that you’d be mad to buy one over the bike at £500.
Strange sales strategy.

I really want a genesis fortitude but not got the funds.
But I have seen that ridge back do something similar but much cheaper.
It’s called a dual track and can be had for £499.
Not quite a 29er but almost.

A couple years ago I watched a typhoon dogfighting with a tornado and harrier over the lammermuirs. The typhoon seemed to be able to turn at right angles and fly up vertically at crazy speeds.
It was way cool.

Does England need a manager at all?
England always fields the biggest names. With no tactics at all the tournaments they qualify for.
The players then play poorly and blame the long season. The manager is got rid of and it all starts over again.
The press do the usual over hype then slaughter everyone after.

Maybe wenger is getting the boot?

Google ‘tweed trails’ there’s a website that shows waymarked trails in the tweed valley including gypsy glen. Also check out the ‘john buchen way’.
Was up gypsy glen on

On my Orange 5 I run my RP23 @ 190psi and I only weigh 75kg.
What pressure do you guys run?

Hmm I think someone has one them new electric assisted bikes.

Normally about 1.5hours but I love the pie run so ride the matrix & then ride back up the fire road.
Oh and I have to ride the blue descent from the buzzards nest car park so climb back up for that.
When I started riding there in 2005 I could ride it in 1:15 but the route has been altered since then.
I think anything under an hour in good.
That’s now my incentive to lose the belly. Thanks.

Halo twin rail. Cheap, roll fast, pretty puncture proof and arnt too bad off road.
Also come in cool colours.

I was doing two laps of the black last year in 4 hours but on a hardtail it really beats you up.
I can highly recommend deliverance but the climb back up redemption is best described as horrible.
Glentress is great but be their early or late as it can be busy.

I’ve been riding with flats for the last 3 months. I’m still having to remind my self to drop my heels on the descents to stop my feet bouncing off the peddles.
With spds I can descend much faster and jump much higher as being attached to the bike gives me more confidence.
But when riding technical trails I find I focus on the fact I’m clipped in. So I thought I’d give flats ago and I like the difference but still love spds.
If you’re trying spds for the first time I’d recommend using used cleats as they disengage much easier.
I love my spds tensioned quite tight though so you get a nice snap when clipping in.

I fancied getting a fortitude and selling my cotic soul and genesis day one.

I think the time of day and what day of the week are more relevant to bad driving than car make.
Sunday afternoons come to mind.

And still no mention of the dreaded Honda jazz.

Bought a gravity dropper descender seatpost with 4″ of travel.
Pretty light, works well (if a bit clunky) but 1 ride in wet conditions and became stuck Just as I was starting to descend.
A regrease and service later and its silky smooth again.

Just started using the android app, managed 20.
Not bad but no where near a hundred.

I class ny self as a mountain biker so tend to be a little heavy handed with my bikes.
Road bikes feel too fragile to me especially when I’m taking cheeky shortcuts bunnyhopping curbs and speed bumps etc.

I hate spinning!
It just doesn’t feel like cycling.
Yeah your legs go round but I don’t get that nice satisfied feeling I get after been on a real bike.

Genesis day one.
I was using it on a daily 30 mile round trip commute across Edinburgh (not the flattest place).
It cruises at about 18-20 mph and is bomb proof and surprisingly good off road.
When left locked up it doesn’t attract unwanted attention either.
Get one you wouldnt regret it.

I was in dacathlon today and was amazed at the quality and the spec of their bikes.
My pal has a carrera which seems pretty good.
Plus there’s loads in the sales at the mo.

If its a route I know then I always drop my saddle for the descents.
I’ve worn out numerous seatposts with my constant saddle dropping and its a pain to stop and adjust my saddle all the time.
Plus I never seem to get back to the right height as most seatposts don’t have any markings.
Bought a gravity dropper, its ugly as hell but not as heavy as others and just works.
I love it already.
Get one and descend like a god!

I nearly bought one on Christmas day with another 10% off but the misses pulled the plug on that.
Good spec, nice frame and rave reviews.
The sizing seems a bit odd though. Find a halfords you test one.
There is plenty of other offers out there too.

I thought it was a bit cringe worthy but I did laugh when prince Philip got kicked in the face by a horse.

Thanks Andy for the offer. I’ll lend you my Dayone as a swap if you fancy it?

Thanks for the pics.
I fancy replacing my genesis day one with a surly km.
I’ll speak to the in-house banker about it.

What are they like set up with either cross tyres or even slicks and ridden on tow path/road?

On-one inbred?

The immortal line “he doesn’t bite” as this 4′ tall Irish wolf hound chases after you as your riding round your local woods.

I adore dogs when they are used in the roles that we humans domesticated them for thousands of years ago.
I think its so sad that people are choosing dogs (other pets to) as a lazy half arsed child substitutes.
Because that way they to care and look after some thing that they don’t have to compromise their life style for. Also when they’re bored of the animal or dislike some aspect of the animal you can just get rid of it.

Bring back dog licenses
No one with a violent criminal record should be allowed to own a dog
Dogs should be muzzled when in public.
All dogs and owners must complete an obedience course.
Unlimited fines for owners of illegal breeds.

I am not anti dog but I am sick of people unable to control their dogs and not taking responsibility for their dogs actions.

Just been out for a night ride round Beecraigs.
There was a bit of everything going on, from mud/slush to snow/ice.
Good fun though, only came off due to me getting my front wheel stuck in the mud as I went to lift it for some boardwalk.

I’ve got a steel rigid singlespeed cross and 26 er mountain bike sitting in my garage. I don’t fancy another just yet.