Cheers guys, sounds like the 17″ it is then.

I did try one at the Laggan demo day recently. Trouble is I can’t remember what size it was I tried!!

Anyone around the Edinburgh area got one that I could have a sit on?

Another vote here for Five-Tens. I’ve even walked up a Munro in them.

The locals pronounce it Ainster, and the chippie regularly wins awards. Queues can be up to an hour long at times, but the fish suppers are superb.

Do carry a spare rear hangar.

Don’t forget to make sure you have the right sized allen key to fit it.

Myself and Rickmeister (who lurks about on here) spotted a great little piece of singletrack off a fireroad we were on with a bigger group up near Loch Maree. We dived down it and the others kept on the fireroad. The first 200 yards were brilliant, then it was an hour and a half before we were able to get back in the saddle, which included a thigh high wade across a cold river because the bridge was out.

Loads of other examples too. I also have a bit of a reputation within our club for spotting unrideable trails. On the other hand, every now and again it throws up an unexpected cracker, which makes it all worth while.

I was edging towards 100 mm, but having read all the above I’m swinging back towards 130 mm. That plus the fact the 130 mm bike is a P7, which I’ve heard you can’t really go wrong with.

That’s pretty much what I was thinking poppa.

It was a program called Nature and was discussing the impact of more folk visiting the countryside on sensitive landscapes and wildlife.

I thought it was pretty balanced. Dog walkers got more stick than mountain bikers,and the chap did stress that it was only a tiny minority of mountain bikers who were idiots (and he’s right). He also stressed that there was no question of restricting access; it was simply about making more folk aware of the impact they might have.

And let’s face it, there is a small minority of “me first” mountain bikers only interested in their own (supposed) right to ride wherever they want, regardless of how much damage they do.

So U-turn is far more variable then, though maybe a little more fiddly to set?

So if the U-turn lets you vary the travel between 85 and 130, what’s the difference between those and the Fox TALAS shocks? Or isn’t there any?

I know sod all about road bikes, but bought a Focus Cayo carbon bike on the advice of some skinny, lycra-clad roadie chums last year and so far have no complaints.

Apologies if I’m being thick here, but the shocks on the P7 (Rockshox Tora 302 with lockout) basically means you either have the full 130 mm or nothing, doesn’t it? Or does the U-turn allow you to vary the travel (the technical bits of mountain biking have never been my strong point)?

Mostly it would be used for messing around in the Pentlands, which aren’t hugely technical, so I’m guessing 100 mm is enough. There’s just something iconic about the P7 though that makes me want it.

Great news. The way the Ghurkas have been treated is shabby.

Flogging Molly……….sort of Celtic punk band. If you like the early Pogues you’ll love them.

Hilleberg make superb lightweight tents. Not cheap, but well worth the money. Strong and easy to pitch.

I tried a Hemlock at the recent Glentress demo day and loved it. There’s a fair chance it’ll be my next bike.

Burma Rd with Rick and a few others for me tomorrow. Then camping up there somewhere and going to the Laggan demo day on Sunday as I’m in the market for a new bike.

It’s very rare that I’ve ever been so disgusted at something a government (of any party) of this country has done. I listened to a mealy-mouthed little to$$er of a spokesman on the radio this afternoon trying to defend the decision with what were maybe not technically lies, but were 99% of the way towards them.

It’s pathetic the way a government that kow-tows to Brussels and has proved such a soft touch in the past has suddenly decided to stab in the back one of the countries in the world that has been one of our closest allies for decades. Makes me ashamed to be British.

The ending of The Grapes Of Wrath. Possibly the most moving bit of writing I’ve ever read. That and the bit where Tom departs from his mother.

I was careful not to suggest it was likely that they’d put forward an intelligent, well thought out, argument!!

I did read that article, but wasn’t sure if it made me laugh or made me worry. From their point of view it’s actually quite an astute move.

Personally I quite enjoy reading letters/postings/newspaper columns/whatever that I disagree with. Makes me think about things more. And like it or not, the BNP are a legitimate political party, so if someone wants to come on and put forward an intelligent, well thought out argument as to why we should vote for them then they’re quite entitled to, same as for any other party.

It’s the old “I disagree with what you say, but defend your right to say it” debate all over again.

As regards sport, try and take in a shinty match. It’s like hockey with no rules and total violence and whisky.

What Druidh said, and the midges won’t be out for over a month yet.

I’ve done it going from Braemar to Glen Clova. There’s fun singletrack alongside Loch Callater (opposite side from the main track). Be prepared for a serious carry/push over the high bits though. A lot of the downhill into Glen Clova was too technical for me, especially the higher bits, but would be good fun if you’ve got a bit of skill and aren’t a big wuss. Overall though I wouldn’t hugely recommend it unless it’s part of a multi-day route (it was for us).

True, but the then again it’s also good to try different stuff that you might not have considered.

At the moment my wallet says Trek Fuel Ex 8, but my heart says Cotic Hemlock. I’ve presented the case for the Hemlock to MrsKenny as being “large American corporation” versus “slightly more expensive small, friendly British company” and she in fact agrees with going down the Cotic route. I may of course have hinted at the price difference being only around a hundred quid or so of course!

Cheers for that. I wasn’t trying to have a go at anyone. I’m always keen to support local events and shops, plus I’m in the market for a new bike. It’s just frustrating when the website never changes.

Because religious people can’t see that they are fruityloop, so they get angry when we try to tell them.
Sorry to disappoint you, but they don’t. Most just tend to laugh when they read childish silly things like that.

Perhaps you could show me on here where someone putting forward a pro-religious point of view (I’m staying neutral) has shown any sort of anger or hatred? On the other hand I could show you umpteen comments like “child abusers” and “******* retards” that rather make me think all the hatred is coming from one side. I do feel very sorry for you if you really hate folk that much. That’s genuine, I’m not being sarcastic.

someone who takes into consideration what is written in a book about a man, or his teachings, is less likely to be, in my mind, of independant thought.

And someone who doesn’t read books (regardless of the subject) is, in my humble opinion, far more likely to be ignorant on a huge variety of topics. Sorry, poor argument that one I’m afraid. I’d say it’s always a good idea to read books or articles putting forward a viewpoint different from your own.

i personally think that all religions are obscene and all religious people dangerous and deluded. In particular i take great offense that parents brainwash and indoctrinate their young children and i think this is tantamount to child abuse. To put unfounded faith over science and evidence, insults me and bankrupts our society.

I think you pretty much answered your own question. Semi-literate drivel like that is just as offensive as some of the more extreme religious views. By all means put forward an opposite view to religion, or aspects of religion, but please try and do it in a reasoned and intelligent manner. And if you aren’t capable, do try and get someone to write it for you.

I love it, but ditto what folk say about the closures.

Anyone that complains about, or worse, pretends to be offended by, a harmless wee joke like that really needs to get out more.

I don’t pretend to be offended by jokes about Scots. I even make plenty myself. Grow up people.

As Druidh said, lovely beaches between Arisaig and Mallaig, and some lovely campsites (check out the Cool Camping Scotland book). And another vote for Sandwood Bay. And Calgary. And Harris, obviously. Nice beaches on the west coast of Islay.

Eth3er……”a meringue” sounds like “am I wrang” which is Scots for “am I wrong”.

Agreed, the article was poking fun (probably justifiably) at the more extreme end of the Christian faith. However I was more trying to make the point that trying to provoke a backlash with a title like “Christian baiting” was rather puerile. Posting a link to the article was fair enough, it was quite funny. However the thread title was a rather sad troll.

Getting back to the original thread title, is there not something rather sad about posting something titled “Christian baiting”? Had the title been “Quite amusing spoof article” then it would have been fair enough, but desperately hoping to attract the anger of a group that couldn’t care less about you is really rather pitiful. I wonder if the poster would wander about Brixton dressed as a golliwog? Not got the guts probably.

We’ve bought a few paintings over the years, ranging from £50 to £500. Not done as an investment, but just because we liked them. Plenty bargains out there if you hunt around cheaper galleries or go to art fairs or college exhibitions. There’s something nice about owning something unique.

The guys who set their own scheme up……….are you self employed? Or doing it on behalf of your company? Trouble is I work for a large financial company with the scheme already set up and a strict £1,000 limit in place.

And thanks for the bike recommendations.

One more question….do people generally find 100 mm enough for most things on a hardtail, or is it worth going for more?

Speaker, it is with some companies, but not mine. Their arguement is that it’s about getting a bike you can commute on, and that £1,000 is more than enough. Difficult to argue against really.