We have had an air source heat pump for the past 2 years.
Before installing it we had old electric heaters so anything would be an upgrade. The air source has been pretty good but we have found that adding insulation to both under floor and in the loft has made a massive difference.

Rust around the side load door and arches is the main one for bodywork.

Depending on the engine the 1.9 had issues with fuel pumps and also shearing woodruff keys. The 2.5 main ones are belts and idler pulleys done at reasonable intervals.

Went a few years ago and probably still hungover from it. As has been said lots of motorbikes getting bounced off the redline all night long along with copious amounts of drink. Was great to go see but Bol is definitely better to go to.

Stay in kinlochleven for an extra day and there’s loads of riding to go with different gnarl factors from there.

Have done it both ways and a day for each way. As mentioned if going from FW to Inverness then don’t time trial along the canal as you will pay for it later. 

Much preferred leaving Inverness and heading to FW and taking the high route. It’s not too hard and once your in the canal then you know it’s pretty flat from there to FW.

If you have a reason to start in Ayrshire then do but so much more to see if Scotland than Ayrshire.

As already mentioned west coast for me would be few days in Lochgilphead then head down to arran and down to Campbeltown for some nice beaches which won’t be busy before back upto islay and Jura then upto Oban.

If you need any more ideas around Argyll then get in touch luck enough to stay near Crinan and commute along the canal daily.

Complete curve ball but there’s a massive push up here in Scotland to recruit people into peatland restoration roles. Outside most days in some fantastic landscapes and actually making a difference to our climate crisis surely has to be morally rewarding.

Lovely looking bike.

How you finding the forks?

Trying to find anyone with stock at the moment as serious tempted to get myself one in the al 1.0 spec.

Going to be there from Friday till Sunday marshalling. It’s always good fun and hopefully will be busy.

Definitely doable over 2 days. The first stretch with the many gates was for me worse than the loch side section.

No issue with cyclist doing it just some daft folk out there that want to stop all fun.

I drive a harvester which is the big machines you see in the forest and then sneak up on while they are cutting down trees.

Spent 10 years before this in the police with 5 as a firearms officer and definitely happier now. Lucky if I see another person all week at work now.

National trust for Scotland we’re looking for folk in glencoe and surrounding areas not sure about accommodation.

As for tree planting there’s lots about and once into the swing of it then can be good money through the winter time. Happy to help with if planting is a possibility as have good contacts with a few contractors sites mostly in northwest Scotland.

Sold my property last year with purple bricks and would highly recommend them. Used a local estate agent for the property before that and was shocking.

Think it really depends on the agents. Best thing with purple bricks for me was being able to do things online and outside of office hours which while working was brilliant.

Sold in 3 weeks and used purple bricks conveyancers which were in Glasgow who although slower than I wanted had all the paperwork done in a few weeks.

It’s within commuting distance of some of the biggest employers in the area (coil port and faslane) so if was an easy project would of sold well before now.

Also the grants from home energy Scotland are not much use.Have been through the application process recently would guess air source heating wouldn’t work with out full insulation and windows which you won’t get grants for so bit of a non starter unless your unemployed or on benefits of some sort.

I see he has realised that it’s been done before. Met him in Glencoe a few years ago and he was adamant he would be the 1st to cycle the Munro’s. Fair play can’t see the point in carrying a bike up some but the worthwhile ones then definitely.

It really depends on how much of a prune you want done. Looks to be over road,pavement and driveways not a simple job. For the whole job I would be looking around £250 but that’s totally dependent on the surrounding area and safe places to drop it.

It’s great value for the money. Have one that gets used far more than the expensive gore and endura jackets.

Had a few crashes in it and it’s amazingly tough for its price. Think I was just lucky to be in store when they actually had stock.

Think it’s very much dependent on location. Know Scotland has different funding for some apprenticeship than England.

I’m lucky enough to be part of the way through an apprenticeship starting at 32.

The only difference in age is the wage that goes alongside it.

The truck has been nothing but major problems since it was first delivered and sure the first few teething problems were because they had the fuel gauge taken out of in during the build.😂😂

I really so hope BPW does survive but they are more concerned about building the cabins and accommodation than improving uplift facilities. They are moving into more of a family sector and have spent mega bucks on surveys and planning to get there.

The blue runs are the highest accident numbers but it’s these blue runs which bringing in the cash. BPW wants the all the gear no idea riders who will happily spend £100 a day and leave after 4 runs with a few t shirts and merchandise.

Sadly I’m one of many effected by this and SGN have been great so far.

Got no heating the now but getting electric heaters tomorrow morning but said I’m not in a hurry and sort out the older folk and families first.Just need to dig out the turbo trainer to keep warm.

Was my first enduro and had a great day. Not the fastest ever but considering I haven’t sat on a bike since April I’m happy to just get around and have a laugh.

Have done for 5 years.Started because I was normally commuting 4 hrs a day so time I got home at night was missing out on rides and most family events.Currently spend on average 3 nights a week in the van. I’m pretty lucky that work has a big car park which I’m parked in and got a power lead plugged in. Only in a vivaro so need to be creative with storage but manage without much hassle.

As mentioned join a gym and easily spend an hour at night in there then shower and head back to the van.In the winter just get some good led lights and you can read and watch films at night.

Definitely doesn’t have to lead to lots of drinking as I don’t drink.

The hollow mountain visitor center is really interesting and try get on a tour of the power plant inside the hill. While there drop into St Conans Kirk which is beside loch awe it’s an incredible place.

I bought myself a paramo Alta jacket last year and within 3 days it was returned.Ended up soaked in it after a day out in the rain standing about. The replacements zip broke after 2 weeks of use so again returned.Got my money back and went elsewhere. As said the cut and style of them is definitely different from most other brands.

With regards mountain rescue teams then it’s all a cost thing and who comes in cheapest.Know this year some teams are moving to Jottnar because they have came in cheaper.

Not really a paramo fan tbh.I have a keela Munro jacket that gets used for dog walking duties and watching the kids at football. So lots of standing in the rain.

Waterproof and warm which is all I need.

Was there a few weeks ago and the uplift times worked ok in winter but definitely think in the summer they need to get a full day organised start at 9am finish at 5 or something. Seems to be turning into more of a money centered operation now.

It’s made worse by the first bus not arriving till 10am so by time your loaded and ready it’s nearly 10.15 before it moves if not worse.

I’m also Glasgow based and sure I seen cotic are having a demo day at comrie soon if you wanted to swing a leg over the flaremax.

Get what you mean about needing to get excited about it as sold my trek for that reason it just didn’t do it for me.

Had a 17 reg trafic lwb bi- turbo and it was great to drive. Got a great deal brand new and sold it with 55,000 miles on the clock.Had no real issues apart from the cruise control giving up after 30,000 but Renault fixed it under warranty.Found the lwb easy to drive and converted mine myself to have a Rock and roll bed plus space for 3 bikes with wheels on.

Had mine remapped so definitely not slow and averages 45mph depending how my right foot behaves.

Scotseats also do seats with isofix if you need them

Looks great fun.Have ridden aberfoyle a few times and no chance would I even attempt it in a cyclecross bike.

As already said the main path into the bealach is a short but ok ride and then a few trails in the forest that’s on trail forks which are pretty good but short.Ime is not too bad in the bike just straight blast down, Cobbler is hard going down with lots of steep steps, Narnain is not too bad either on the bike there’s a new path built which is ok but hike a bike to get onto the summit.

Having taken the bike onto being an lochan ridge can say it’s not really worth it.Small sections we’re rideable then had to carry or push but someone of more talent might ride more of it.

Looks good and can’t wait to get a demo on one soon.Can definitely see it being my next bike.

Black is brilliant and always enjoyed it.The option to park and start at the bottom of heartbreak hill is really good as let’s you enjoy the best decent when your still fresh.Lots of off piste stuff aswell if you pop into the shop and ask but it will be a mix of mud and wet roots in this weather.

Enjoy it and enjoy the grippy rock.

Have been working shifts for only a year and absolutely hate it.Work 12hr shifts and a 3-2 shift pattern but including over time end up 4-1.Working 4 nights followed by a day off then swing into 4 day shifts.So miss my old job and currently looking to get back to a day job.

All the above information is good and I have used most.One thing I have tried after being recommended it is to listen to some ASMR stuff on YouTube to get me to sleep.It definitely helps me get into a deep sleep.

Just signed up for this year.Never done an enduro before so will be a good starting point.

Have been through the exact same.
Used to always head to the pub on Friday after work and then spend the night drinking anything I could the rest of the weekend would be spent hungover,ill and not able to do much.

I have now been tee-total for 3 years now and feel so much better for it.Still go to pubs just not as often and always drive.It was hard to break the habit and cycle but once done it was pretty easy to stick to.

Bennetts used to do month by month cover.Was a few years ago I used it but might be worth a call.

Think the buy button will be getting hit tomorrow night.Like the idea of the 145 for normal riding then 160 for uplift and trips to the Alps.

Now just need to pick a colour.

Know the feeling sadly.Im a police officer working night shift last night and had to go visit a family’s home to tell them their son was killed in a car crash when he was driving over to see them for Christmas.

Hard part of the job and impossible not to get caught up by it. 😥

All you can do is be there if she needs to talk and offer a cuppa when she get home.

Working night shift up till the 28th so Christmas day will be spent sleeping with hopefully a ride somewhere local.Off for New year so van packed and getting away somewhere for a few days.

Lucky no family stuff this year and girlfriend is away to her family so I’m a free man.

Both for me depending on where I’m riding.Long rides with lots of climbing and nothing to technical and it’s clipless,tech stuff and flats all the way.

Use the old Shimano am flats and just bought them endura overshoes to try.