big fan of this one. As wholesome as they come….

I’ve done the cairngorm outer loop on our gravel tandem.

The only real hike a bike was glen tilt which was a bit savage with a loaded tandem tbh! But with mtb will be fine.

Otherwise very rideable, great loop. We started and finished in Blair atholl. Started at lunch, 2 nights, finished at lunch.

Take Crocs for the river crossings!

Enjoy!

Great work, did it a few months ago on the tandem. Nice loop

I’ve just finished a 5 week tour using a coros dura. Very impressed, off road navigation was excellent, battery life is ridiculous, charged it once for the whole trip. Bought to replace my old Garmin edge explore and better in every way.

Great advice, thank you. I will make XXL the first stop!

I went last summer for 6 weeks. Took the mtb.

Great decision.

I personally think flying with a bike is not much hassle. Gave it a really good clean before I went – immigration/bio security praised us on how good the bikes were.

Decided that bike bag plus any potential damage (there was none) was cheaper than hiring or buying and selling.

Meant we could ride where and when we wanted.

Great bikes, great ethos.

 

Schwalbe g one all road. Perfect!

We did Norway in our van in 2018. 6week your. Ferry from Hirtshals.
Day and a half drive from Calais.

Great trip, did approx 6000miles or something! Lofoton is amazing, felt like all of Norway in a smaller package, however noticeably much busier than anywhere else, most of the rest of the trip we were on our own everywhere!
Going back this summer on a cycle tour, looking forward to solitude.
So, yes Lofoton is amazing but for some effort you could have the same on your own
1k seems quite cost effective compared with cost of self drive to be honest!

It will be absolutely fine

Grrrrr Bluetooth speakers. I wish they stopped working the moment people left their house! Ruining the outdoors

Top tip no 1 – you can mute groups.

Thank me later….

Thanks for all the advice.

Yes mosquito nets are on the list!

Going to run what we have, probably a silk too liner as it’s the lightest most cost effective way of having something for hot and cold.

Great stuff, thanks everyone, will run what we have with a silk liner for extra warmth / if it’s really warm on its own!

@wbo the route is almost entirely inland, trying to do a lot of the big gravel routes. I do hope you are wrong about the rain ……!

Packing a silk liner is a great suggestion, don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that, this is the new, current, plan A!

The other way round is much worse! I could be wrong but I would syringe out the reservoir first, then a full bleed, ideally from caliper up and then no mineral oil has really gone anywhere….  I think you will be fine.

We did a few days a couple of years ago after months of riding in the alps on the way to Croatia.

We also stayed near Bovec. Rafting the Soca was excellent, really enjoyed it.

We took the cicerone guide for slovenia but only did one short ride out of it, most were pretty big rides and it was very hot so didn’t fancy it!

If riding is the main motivation I feel like there is better places. If you want to go somewhere lovely then Slovenia is definitely that!

Have a look at the gb divide route. We used that for the Scottish section of our jogle a few years ago. Aberfoyle, corrieyairack, forsinard were some highlights for us.

My electrical knowledge is not amazing so I may be misunderstanding your Q

However, my split charge was just connected directly to the battery on my Ducato (big cable with appropriate fuses). I ran a cable under the cover into the battery box.

Now replaced with a dc to dc charger wired the same way. I didn’t locate a switched live.

Split charge won’t draw power without the engine running.

Thanks so much everyone.

Just to clarify, Google doesn’t do it but I’m amazed it doesn’t exist already.

However, as suspected we are talking significant sums of money. I suspected as much but needed people who know stuff to tell me. I am far to risk adverse to plough those sorts or sums in.

Really helpful advice, thanks so much .

its dreadful, don’t go…is what I would like to tell you.

It is slowly getting busier but its a wonderful place to go. A reasonably regular May bank holiday / half term location for me.

You can easily fill a week. I personally think the scillionian (or incoming new boat) is part of the adventure, but can be rough

We always stay on St Marys – logistically the simplest with most accom, co-op, most places to eat and easiest to visit other islands. If its your first time, I would take a ferry each day to visit a different island. They are all very different.

Everyone has their favourite island. Depends what you like.

Great place to enjoy coast walks, snorkelling, pub lunch, pub evening meal etc…

I find it very relaxing.

Hiring a motorboat from Bryher is a great way to have your own explore and visit uninhabited islands.

Accomodation can be difficult as people go every year and advance book. Keep an eye on the facebook for cancellations or be flexible with your dates. We book 12 months in advance or as soon as our favourite accom’s allow us.

DofE leader at school for last 10 years…..

Why are the roll mats not recommended? Nothing wrong with them for DofE.

I wouldn’t bother with a pillow, her bag is already likely to be heavy and bag with clothes on is fine for one night. Most kids seem to get the self inflating mats from go outdoors. Heavy for what they are but probably the best cost to comfort ratio. We see the full range from foam roll mats to top spec thermarests etc…

Ballater region as a base. Heartbreak ridge and then get busy on trailforks. I can’t get enough of Scottish hand built action, drive up for a week from the SW every year.

I am one ride in with the Madison enigma’s. Never used anything else but I am very happy with them. Only used the clear lenses so far….

Local milk from the milkman is as good as ever. If I buy supermarket milk when I’m.on holiday or similar it is always disappointing in comparison.

Good to see an increasing number of milk bending machines for top quality cow juice when away from home

Consider motorhome hire and then staying in all the aires becomes available. France is great for motorhome aires. Cheap or even free sometimes, at that time of year and those locations they will be quiet and almost definitely child free.

Clandestine.cc – I have 2 from him. MTB & tandem.

Can’t remember the model but we have them on our tandem via ryanbuildswheels. Bomb proof for filthy off roading and freehub has handled tandem torque. Can’t fault them

Friend of mine has just bought some selvedge jeans from community clothing.

He is very happy with them, all UK made, good price

Ainsa is too good to delay arrival. Living in SW I get the ferry to roscoff then smash it to Ainsa in a day.

“drink water” would be nice. Horrible seeing kids (and adults!) drinking monster etc….

Great PSA, incredible

Never heard that before and not sure I agree, unless your valve cap is the hose from my lezyne pump…..

The reference to the family stickers on the back of the car was an excellent subtle addition…..

Absolute pandemic of dryrobes here in Devon

I agree with everyone here, no windows would be miserable. Make it nice and you will stay in it more. 

I have a grey Ducato, van tinted windows not motorhome. Roof vent and big solar on the roof. It’s amazing how many people say they didn’t realise it was a camper! I think it’s obvious….

We “stealth” or “wild” camp in it a lot, all over UK and Europe never have any problems. To be honest the sort of places we want to stay no one would care if it’s a van or motorhome. MTB places and woods tend to be particularly easy with Scotland the easiest around UK. 

I would do a good conversion rather than trying to be stealth and then never stay in it be cause it’s miserable.

And please fit a toilet….

I have a scott one, big waist strap with extra loops for waterproof (designed for knee pads) 

Inov8 one for less stuff

Big bum bag fan here

I have a scott one, big waist strap with extra loops for waterproof (designed for knee pads) 

Inov8 one for less stuff

Big bum bag fan here

Yep

Slight hijack….

May half term, no vehicle only bikes. Planning to head to some small islands having done many others with campervan. Tiree, coll, colonsay, jura….

Do we need to book? Would prefer to keep it last minute to consider weather etc…

Yes great thing. We have some large floor to ceiling windows and it means I can keep on top of cleaning them.

Best use,albeit a bit niche, is clearing the campervan windows in the morning, it hoovers all the condensation up very well