TNF Hedgehog?

Took the opportunity today for a road run which I normally hate and really avoid if possible. The weather and scenery made it hard to resist though.  A 10 mile circular of the Isle of Great Cumbrae off the west coast of Scotland. Worth it for the views of Arran alone.

If you ride big mountains in the Cairngorms then Hellvelyn will be like a bimble around Loch an Eilein for you.

2 days is a good timescale. Any longer would be dull. Have kit transported to Bridge of Orchy and ride fast and light. Loads of quick food and water options on way as you would know from having done a lot of it previously.

No experience of gearboxes but I had a Rohloff equipped bike. I loved the shifting and minimal maintenance. So I’d  be keen to try a gearbox bike. C of G issues look minimal too. Always enjoy reviews of pinion equipped  bikes.

Don’t buy and get a proper pie. When you get to Dumfries get a haggis and neeps topped off with tattie in a scotch pie case. Or perhaps even a macaroni filled pie? When in Rome….

With the trajectory you have him on, select the day well and you’ll both enjoy. Ridge walking at that age is amazing. I went on to do the A’Chir, Aonach Eagach and the Cullin ridge non stop in under 24 hours in that order after CMD.  If he is still into after that, introduce him to the An Teallach playground.

Mont Blanc for me next year .Maybe something that would interest you?

I did it when I was 11 .I vividly remember it as one of the best mountain days ever. Exceptional weather conditions. I had a lot of Munro’s under my belt though as my dad collected them all and I was doing them with him. Growing up interfered with me completing them. Not many for me to complete now.  From the experience level of the child you describe, my opinion would be that yes it is doable and will be thoroughly enjoyed. It is a big mountain day though . If there is any doubt over the weather then I would abandon. Map reading is difficult and once on the ridge there is no escape route. It is either back the way you came or continue. On a good day at least you can rest as required. You don’t want to turn it into a lesson in survival for him and scare him off.

Your family commitments sound not too dissimilar to my own. I’ve gone through some high end machinery to justify me getting out a pedal around 12 hour shifts, commute, family and renovating a house. What have I now? Flat bar 29er SS. Bloody love it. Crappiest bike I’ve ever had . I treat it like a ginger step child. It needs something, it’ll  get it when it finally breaks. After a horrid day I just go out and beast myself on it and throw it back in the garage afterwards unloved. I cycle with the kids on it. When I know I’m working late in the house, I come in from work and don’t even change clothes, straight out to ride. No water bottle, puncture repair kit or a care in the world. Like being 10 again . Just on your bike for the sake of it and I feel great afterwards. Tackle flooring a loft or whatever mundane tasks lie before me with a smile on my face. I would say I’m fitter because of the SS aspect and my bike handling skills are sharp as I have a go at anything now . No mechanical excuses to be made to cover lack of talent. Who cares if the bike takes a few knocks . I’m sure one day I’ll get my good bikes back, but for now it is more important to be a cyclist and getting out in the fresh air than it is to have the latest and greatest fad . Just get a  bike that gets you out and enjoying that time . Surly Straggler BTW .

Ooft. Shame, but I wouldn’t want to be thinking ‘what if’ rocketing down a bouldery decent .

I can’t see past mechanical disc brakes. Trp Spyke and BB7. Trp edge it but both good in all conditions. Essentially fit and forget. No bleeding etc.

Full 29er size medium in a Suzuki Jimny. Seat down. True story.

I never got on with Aigle. They soles punctured and went squishy .Replaced under warranty and same happened again. Took them back and they don’t replace a second time. The shop were very understanding and gave me 10% off Muck Boots. Never looked back since and can’t see me changing brands for a while.

Mate picked up a Cotic Roadrat. It has given me the urge to follow suit with flat bar, 29er, SS. I had a ride on his Roadrat but found the top tube overly long and didn’t particularly like the stretched out position. Any suggestions of what to look at that gives a more upright riding position?

That is disappointing to hear on such a new van. I don’t know what it is but for piece of mind before the long journey I’d have them replaced. Can you not get the MOT station to perform the rectification? Hose change should be easy enough with ramps.

CCTV at least.

Hadn’t considered the Grand Cherokee .I thought because it is American it would be rubbish on our roads with corners .Trying to find out if they are Mercedes-Benz engines and gearboxes.

Evo? Choose the model from your budget?

I liked the Shogun today. Had it out for around 40 mins. A little less refined than the Landcruiser but the engine felt stronger . Although comfortable,  in the Landcruiser the seat had a lumber support that you could inflate . It made the chair ultra comfortable. Shogun cheaper which could be a factor for me  as I couldn’t see much of a difference? Paying for brand/heritage with the Landcruiser? Oddly the sales person suggested if I was considering the Landcruiser and Shogun he suggested I seek out a Defender .Had one years ago and loved it. Spent time doing it up as a running project as you do with your first car. Got bored of fixing it all the time though when it got you to rugby games they decided it didn’t want to go home again. Went Japanese after that and never looked back. Had hoped the Disco 4 was more reliable .

The thread has pretty much confirmed my internet findings. Although handy with a spanner I can’t afford regular down time . Japanese again it is.Got a Shogun to go and look at today. Same garage where the Landcruiser is located. Sales person phoned me up asking if I was interested. Don’t know much about them but quick research they look ok . Good for towing which I need .SG3 model. LWB.

I’m kinda getting that general drift from the internet. What sort of rectification work have you required? Guessing air suspension and electrical gremlins or more sinister engine/gearbox?

Looks like normal wear and tear to me. Chain drop, rock strikes etc.

If you liked that and have Netflix, have a watch of (Shane) McConkey. Base jumping at a new level . Trying to keep Shane grounded was like trying to keep an eagle in a cage. Awesome documentary.

Myohmytv.  Find on YouTube. Sounds like what you are after.

Got it. Just googled permanent orienteering courses in Scotland .Who would have thought eh. I’m going to do some .Great idea and looking forward to it already . Thanks for the heads up.

I’m in the Scottish Central belt .So there is orienteering courses that you just download and go do yourself? That sounds good for a wee change. What do I Google to find near me?

I’ve always been an avid runner and never found it difficult to motivate myself to get out year round .I enjoy parkrun for some added inspiration occasionally . Looking to add in a fun dimension to raise interest levels again .Does anyone have experience of orienteering and how to get into it? Can you just turn up to an event as in individual and crack on? Or do you need to be in a club? Gain the necessary skills as you go? What is this geo cache business? Is it running events? I know with the ban of fox hunting they now use human ‘bait’. ie setting off early with the scent. That looks like fun to get some cross country miles in . Where/how do you volunteer for this. I remember seeing it on Country File.

Thanks for taking the time to write that up deejayen. I like the fact that from start to finish for a home cooked meal you are looking at an hour. Especially when it is a casserole type dish that would traditionally have taken much longer.

Do you think you could casserole meat on the bone in it safely? Thinking chips/chicken thighs etc.

Any recipes you could share deejayen? Along with method  and cooking times  The chicken casserole sounds good.

The menus seem simple and the ingredients basic. Yes they are something that you can knock up for yourself . However, our current situation is that we have a young family and long working hours with long commutes. Finding time to shop and menu plan is hard. We rely on family favourites but realise we want variety. Hello Fresh seem like giving us the direction we need. Maybe after trying their meals we will be inspired to buy the ingredients and widen our cooking repitoire again. We have always cooked from scratch, just at the minute we are stretched but recognise that a good varied balanced diet is essential. I don’t think people use these companies with a view to using it forever, and neither do they as the app is easy to navigate on terms of start/stop deliveries.

Was given a voucher code for 5 days free meals for 2 people . Only stipulation it was the “Classic Box”. Starting after the bank holiday. Silly not to try with that deal.

Sounds good. Which pressure cooker did you purchase out of interest?

Thanks for the review batfink. It sounds as if you really like the company and the link was informative. I’m going to try and find a promotional code/offer and see if it is for us. I like the idea of no contract etc.  Means we can suspend it for holidays etc .

If you want to be warm forget all the Decathlon nonsense and buy PHD. In 20 years you will still be redders.

Husqvarna for balance.

Hmm. A lot of food for thought here. Thinking I might be better sticking to a Landcruiser. I can’t be doing with the hassle of being stuck. Towng bikes in a trailer I’m happy with now as I’ve got used to it .A van would be nice for camping though .Does n+1 apply to cars? Lol.

Tyre wise I was going to put General Grabbers on. Run them for years with no issue on 4×4. I’m in fields a lot cutting trees for firewood and thought I could utilise a van for this too. Attach my trailer if required. (10×5) I only ever take the 4×4 in if I have scouted the ground beforehand and it is to be dry all day. Fell victim once loading up in an already wet field with rain all day. Having to unload all your logs you’ve just loaded to get home did not make me laugh. Would only take a 2wd van in if I thought it could get out.

Land Rover Defender 110 as a first car .No speeding fines .Safe as houses .

I have a 160cc 4 stroke Honda engine Flymo. Effortless in use . Super reliable.