Multitool + tube + CO2 cartridge will fit in your jersey pocket. Or in your saddle-bag if your allergic to lycra.

Great write-up. Is there an overview map of your route?

You know they were tubeless at least.

I had an old pair of Ritchey Ti-spindled SPD's (can't even remember the model, came on my 1997 S-Works Stumpie) – anyway they finally gave up the ghost after 10 years of use, mostly in Scotland. I had to service the bearings yearly, but other than that were great – so I haven't (yet) had the longevity issues others complain of.

Now running the WCS V4s. I had heard there was some issue with Ritchey and Shimano cleats, but I've always used Shimano cleats with Ritchey pedals – as now – with no problems. Maybe once the cleats are worn down enough it doesn't matter.

Anyway – I've been happy enough with Ritchey pedals in general, FWIW.

–Kristan

I think the pink one – pretty as in "you shore got a purty mouth"

Here's the wife's pink 456 – warning: mucho pink content. Pink Hopes, pink SRAM rear D, pink and white girlie saddle, some other pink bits I forget. Being held up by my daughter who also likes pink. I ride a blue Giant, BTW, just to balance it all out.

Corrieyarrick is a definite. If you can arrange for your better half to drop you off in Fort Augustus, then pick you up near Brae Roy lodge, it makes for a nice day out for both you and the family (the latter to see the "parallel roads"). Otherwise an up-and-back is still fun.

Another big-ish loop you can do from Invermoriston, but involves a few miles of road riding, is Great Glen Way down to Fort Augustus, across the Wade Road to near Dalchreichart, then A887 back to Invermoriston.

And if you can sneak away for a day, a must do is Wolf Trax down at Laggan – but that's a couple hours drive from Invermoriston.

–K

I'd second what MadBillMcMad said – do consider a trailer. Definitely more expensive than a child seat, but less faff – especially if you are wanting to use your "proper" bike regularly without the kids as well. We had a Burley trailer that went off-road around our place in Scotland all the time with the kids bouncing around in the back and loving it.

We sold ours on eBay once the kids were riding their own bikes, so I'm sure some deals available there.

–Kristan

Produced by Johnny Knoxville and Spike Jonze – should be awesome! No release date yet, though?

Balsamic?

As Nostoc mentioned – dry on washing line in sunlight is best bet. Biological detergent also helps. Friends here in Singapore swear by using some sort of nappy wash solution as a presoak.

–Kristan

A bit late, but to add my two cents – I have the 355s on Hope Pro 2s. I don't think it's the lightest wheelset (on it own – see next) out there, compared to factory builds from the "big names", but if you are going to use the Stans NoTubes solution it's best. You can run tubeless on a regular tire, saving the additional weight of a UST tire, and through various tire combinations I've only had one instance of burping on the 355's – with Panaracers.

TJ- you're right, but problem is the longer events – esp the Kielder – have pretty much all conditions. The 10UTB for example had fire roads, tarmac, dry rocks, bogs, and dirt singletrack all in a 10-ish mile lap! And then add in weather variability over the course of a long race…

So I guess I'm looking for a reasonably all-round, lightweight, low-rolling-resistance, reasonably grippy tire. I've kind of narrowed my thoughts down to:

1) Nobby Nic front, Racing Ralph rear
2) Conti Speed Kings front & rear

Open to other thoughts. Have heard good things about some of the Hutchison tires, but I don't believe they are meant to work very well with Stans NoTubes.

Does look good, some great footage both up-close and from helicopter, of a great race. Definitely on my to-buy list, but have to agree with Greasyrider – the trailer really is over the top. My response to the final caption "You won't believe what happens next" was "OMG – after over a decade of racing pro, Lance has to fix his own flat!"

Shortbaldone-

Funnily enough – yes, I did and do find myself faster on the Anthem than the hardtail, despite a minor weight penalty.

I can't comment on the pricing, being outside of the UK, but I came from a similar situation as you – from a Ti hardtail with 100mm up front, to full sus. I did a bunch of research, and came to the conclusion that for _my_ riding style the Anthem X was best bet. I looked at Trek, Ibis Mojo, several others – above and below the Anthem price range. I do cross-country riding and racing, and have been totally pleased with the Anthem. I'm not a hard-core rider so the travel has been perfect for me. For UK trail centers, depending on how much jumping, etc your are into you might want the extra travel of the Trance. If you are primarily doing XC (rough XC no less), then the Anthem is a great buy.

Thanks all – between the vid, and the tire lever tip, I should be sorted. Will attempt to not bodge the job completely when I get home tonight! Thanks again for everyone's help.

–Kristan

I had similar issue with my achilles tendon. Tried several remedies including physio massage, rest, chiropractor, anti-inflamatories, and “just exercising through it” with no luck on any.

Was at the point of having to give up cycling for a few months, but what actually wound up working for me was a Chinese Medicine solution – acupuncture (with the little electrical shocky wires as well) and infrared heat, and some nasty-tasting tea stuff. I reckon the tea did FA, but the acupuncture and heat definitely made a noticeable difference within first treatment, and only needed three treatments plus a week off the bike before I was back riding without problems.

Not saying it’ll be a miracle cure for you (although it was for me), but if you go this route, make absolutely sure you use a reputable Chinese Medicine doctor – not the various Chinese herbal places that seem to be taking over the high streets and malls.

Good luck. My experience is whatever you do, don’t just keep exercising it hoping that it’ll go away.

How much dosh is it costing?

I travel a huge amount with bikes, and agree with comments above. Usually no probs to stuff clothes, helmets etc into the bike bag/box, just don’t take the piss. I’ve never been asked to even open the bike box at the check-in counter – I just take it straight to the oversize baggage drop after check-in, so I suppose as long as you are under 30kg with it they probably don’t care.

As for air pressure/deflating tires or suspension, Lennard Zinn touched on this in a couple of Velonews articles – here’s one I found just now:

http://www.velonews.com/article/87519

I usually deflate my tires for no reason other than superstition – I never bother with touching the shocks.

–Kristan

Thanks for all the help, everyone. As mentioned by Dibbs, RapidRise in and of itself works fine, but it blows chunks when you’ve been riding normal derailleurs since RapidFire first came out! I’m still missing shifts, four years on, as the muscle memory is still for normal RapidFire.

So, next two questions. Thinking about XT or XTR Shadow derailleurs:

1) Any real difference between XT and XTR, other than bling factor?

2) I’m running a pretty normal 22/32/42 up front and Mega 9 11-32 on the rear. I never go into Big/Big or Small/Small gears, so can I get away with a “Medium Cage” derailleur, or should I go for the “Long Cage”?

–Kristan

Also – AdamM – I couldn’t figure out how to private message you, so yes would greatly appreciate if you could post me some more pix of your Specialized adaptor – in case I need to try to get one manufactured somehow! Email me at kristanATfortaugustusDOTcom. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for all the help. I called up Specialized UK to see about tracking down one of their adaptors – they were extremely helpful, but as the device has been out of production for so long they didn’t have any ideas where to source. I tried calling Evans cycles (as mentioned by AdamM), but they weren’t able to locate. A quick look through eBay didn’t turn up anything either.

Anyone have any other ideas where to get one of the Specialized adaptors?