I’m so happy that there seems to be interest in this. I know quite a lot about the mines in the area already but will spend a bit more time talking to some of the old mine experts. I’m keen to try and make sure that thieir knowledge is retained and passed on. Putting this ride together will be an excellent motivator to get it done sooner rather than later.

I’ll post again when I have dates ready and people can ‘book’ themselves on!

Sounds interesting  but 10 -12 miles in 4+ hours is bloody slow. 

Yes, it is slow because there is a lot to see and a lot to talk about in addition to two substantial climbs. The emphasis would be very much on the mining history but the travel between the mines would be fun with the odd technical section thrown in.

I’ll put a few dates out come next year and hopefully we can get a group together.

For what it’s worth, being a mountain rescue volunteer myself, I agree with convert saying:

I can’t blame the folk that needed rescuing though, unless covid meant the MR team approached the incident differently to normal and that increased the likelihood of an accident or covid meant the treatment he received was lessened.

People always want to put blame on the casualties but most of the time they are just unlucky. This time is was one of the rescuers that was unlucky and it’s very sad.

As a sufferer of these symptoms myself, I would also like to thank everyone that has posted on here. Based on the recommendation, I read the book Menopausing last week and it swung my decision to seek help sooner rather than later. Hearing how these symptoms have been improved by HRT on this thread is encouraging and I’m keeping my fingers crossed it will work for me.

My doctor asked what I knew about it and I wanted to say I got all this useful information off the Singletrack World forum, but I knew she wouldn’t understand… 😀

Anyway, patches ordered for next week and I’ll let you know if they have transformed me into a younger happier person in a month or two! 😀

I have lots of harvestman spiders in my house and when I say lots I mean years of unrestricted breeding and no dusting. My house basically looks like it has been decorated for Halloween. The reason for living like this isn’t because I love harvestman spiders but because they eat the house spiders when they start coming inside at the end of the summer. I’m terrified of them. It’s my take on biological pest control. 🙂

I recognise a lot of what the OP describes as I’m going through it myself now. A lot of the comments that other people have added also rings so true. When I’m in that ‘state’ I can remember ALL the times my partner has pissed me off and not apologised and all I want is to finish the relationship. However, apart from seeming sad and slightly cold, I haven’t had any outbursts and instead hidden my feelings. I’m not sure when it started, but in the last couple of months the feelings of wanting to leave became really strong, to then disappear completely a few days later, and I suspected I was entering the unpredictable stage of perimenopause.

What I did was to sit down and explain how I was feeling, about the things that had pissed me off that I couldn’t quite forgive him for, while also acknowledging that the hormones were to blame for overreacting and in my case making the bad thoughts ‘balloon’ in my head. At the time my partner didn’t really help me solve the issues from the past (too stubborn) but what I have noticed is that he’s more caring now and much more positive and I’m hoping this will be something that I can remember once the mist falls again. While inside it, trust me, you don’t see that you are irrational, it is only when you look back you see it. I’ve told him to be patient, that I need lots of hugs and for him not to take my mood swings to indicate that I want to be ignored, but rather supported.

My advice to a partner would be to provide a supportive environment, to be patient, to see if in fact there are genuine things that perhaps you do (or don’t do) that legitimately feeds your partners anger. Maybe you need to swallow your pride and address things that have been small issues that now have become genuine deal breakers, not just blame the menopause. Pouring blame will definitely not work and neither will demanding your partner should change and ‘just’ go back to be the way they were. Addressing the problem objectively and sympathetically while your partner isn’t in the ‘mist’ and if nothing else works there’s always drugs (and riding your bike).

That’s my 10 pence worth, but hey ho, perhaps I’ll be single in a months time! Who knows, it feels like all bets are off when it comes to the menopause.

I once took a photo of a man called Donald Dick in front of a space shuttle.It was in the good old days when you had to have your photos developed and then post it to people in a letter (hence why he told me his name, which coincidentally agreed with his badge for the scientific conference we were attending.)

I have just finished reading Lost Baggage written by me! The last proof-read before hitting the publish button. It is the sequel to His Favourite Hole that our fine Scottish forum members help me with earlier this year.

I am going to keep working from home so that I can sing loudly to Spotify and not hold my farts in all day. I’ll never go back to commuting again. Also I’ll keep writing books. Had no idea how much I enjoyed it until lockdown boredom made me try it.

Maybe take some advice from this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feQyJeJgIw8

Glad you enjoyed it! You’ll be pleased to know I’m halfway through writing the second book where Jack returns. Although he is a bit more quiet in this one as nobody understands a single word he is saying (it being mostly set in Russia). I’ll look forward to getting the forum’s help with the Glaswegian again in a few months time. Might need some Russians to help too!

Oh yes, the title is entirely intentional! 😉

Finally, the book is published! Thank you so much to everyone that helped, some of which have been acknowledged in the book. All the profits for any sales during the next 7 days will go to Swaledale Mountain Rescue that has picked up many injured mountain bikers (especially during Ard Rock!) His Favourite Hole

Actually, could someone give me good alternative to the word Sure that might be more appropriate? As in “Sure, we can…” and similar.

I’ll just pretend Google Translate had Glaswegian as an option. To be honest I wish it did as I’m struggling to read all your replies! You could make me put anything in this book and I wouldn’t know what it said!

I doubt anyone will buy the book when it comes out! 🙂 I will put you in the acknowledgments just in case!

She feels very guilty as she thinks she might have killed Tom’s dad and nearly killed his grandmother by accidentally shutting her inside a walk-in fridge. But you’re right normally they certainly wouldn’t! Midges are accounted for earlier in the story.

Josie is the 22 year old sister of Jack’s. What better way to make sure the kidnappers stop the van and BOTH get out to have a look and she is has a very small waterpistol filled with vinegar. (Well it is fiction after all…) You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens when Josie gets into the hot tub with Tom’s dad. It is truly shocking!

To set the next piece of dialog in context, they have stopped the kidnapper’s van by having Josie lie naked on the track ready to squirt vinegar into the eyes of the kidnappers and Jack has taken out the valves of the van’s tyres to make sure they won’t be able to follow them (actually they loose control and leave the road and die but the kids don’t know that) BTW Tom is the posh kid…

“The valve caps will keep the air in for a few minutes but after that, they won’t go anywhere. Get ready to get on yer bike.” Jack whispered quietly before turning his attention to Josie.

Sorry, only spotted you wanted more to translate. This really could do with some attention. The four youngsters (15-22 in age) have got halfway up a hill towards the reservoirs and are about to get ready to play a trick on the kidnappers to get the ransom money back. Josh has been folded up in one of those trailers you put behind your bike and put your toddler in.

“Tom and Josie wait here. No need for ye to cycle all the way up. I’ll take Josh up and get him in position and then I’ll come back and let ye know what we’re going to do. Tom, the bike please. Not dragging this nugget up the hill.” Jack said and laughed as Josh tried to extract himself from the trailer.

There are so many good suggestions. Thank you very much everyone! It’s given me some ideas. It will not be perfect but hopefully won’t detract too much from the story which is the main thing.

I can’t really explain why the book ended up being set in Glasgow. Just happened. I wanted somewhere big with close access to some hills and with a slightly dodgy area. The character that speak with a broad accent is called Jack and he grew up in Springburn but his family moved to Bearsden and his friend Tom’s stepmum has been kidnapped by some people Tom’s dad (who’s just died) had borrowed money off.

@perchypanther you really have a way with words! How about this one: “Holy shit Josh, we’re not the SAS. Looking like that we’ll get stopped by the Polis before we’ve even got there.

They are trying to find some Eastern European gangsters who might have been involved in the kidnapping of the lad’s stepmother. Any suggestions on how to translate this: “I‘ve got some mates at Croftbank. They’re not eastern European gangsters, but perhaps they might know who might be involved. Get back on the bike and we’ll head over.”

So this is what he says to his mate when it turns out his mate doesn’t want to eat any of the mushrooms they’ve picked: “Great! More for me and someone to make sure I don’t do anything stupid like shag a sheep or something!”

I think I’d have to provide a dictionary with the book if I write that, as nobody apart from Glaswegians would be able understand anything! I’ll take some elements from it though. It is excellent stuff!

@perchypanther Could you improve this one as well: “Anyway, keep hold of the bag for now. I’m a bit spooked ‘cause yesterday two coppers knocked on my door. I nearly shat myself! Turned out they were after Josie.”

So does this seem believable coming from an 18 year old lad: “Awright bawbag! Sorry about yer Dad. Fancy comin’ picking ‘shrooms?”

The cost is currently €795 – €959 depending on accommodation.That includes obviously accommodation, guiding, shuttling and airport transfers. I’m an ok cook so happy to prepare some meals to keep the cost down. Flights are currently selling at £160 return from Manchester.
As far as riding ability goes I’m pretty good on natural terrain both up and down, but you won’t see me do those huge jumps they show on their video! I used to teach skills courses so I am very patient with riders less experienced than me (up to a point!) and will do my absolute best to keep up with riders faster than me. As mentioned by earlier in the thread Freeride will tailor the package to suit the group. I am hoping to do at least 3-4 days of enduro with the shuttling to get the fun out of not having to peddle up and perhaps 1-2 days of cross country if it means finding some stunning remote locations, but I’m happy to compromise. As far as ASL: 45, female, Peak District/Yorkshire Dales (half the week in each).

The dates are rather fixed (although might reconsider if no takers are found!) as my boyfriend is going skiing then but I’d rather spend my money on a mountain biking holiday 🙂

Probably some Madeira wine as well! Although I have a feeling their Madeira cake is nothing like ours.

Thanks to everyone for dragging me out today! Didn’t make it to the end unfortunately but enjoyed it very much never the less.

I know exactly the horrid taste you describe but not everyone seem to be able to taste it. I bought every hydration bladder available and the only ones that haven’t got that taste is the ones from Nalgene that comes with Osprey bags (or buy just the bladders separately).

I think kids are better off having mountain biking mums (due to frame size!) as my son (small 13 year old) has inherited my Lapierre Zesty 714 just in time for a holiday mountain biking in the Alps. Works out great as I had an excuse to buy a new bike and he can have a bike just as good and probably now will enjoy the Alps as much as his parents will!

When I have mountain biked in Italy in rural areas with many farm dogs I found that getting off the bike before the dog has started approaching you (with the bike between you and the dog) and casually walking past ignoring it works easily the best.

It is very difficult to cycle faster than the average dog (mine just unties my shoelaces as I’m going downhill at full speed regardless of how much I try an kick and shout at her….)

Security pulled out a pair of spiky DMR V12 from my hand luggage at Malaga airport asking what they were for? (thinking presumably they looked like knuckle irons!) Thankfully they let me board the plane with them (must be ’cause I’m a girl!)

How about a cantenna?

We have a bully next to us and when we moved in we became the target for complaints which were completely unreasonable. When speaking to other neighbours we were told that unless you stand up to her she will keep picking on you. I tried for a long time to still be polite and reasonable but when I found out that she even had made up stories about us to spread as gossip I thought enough is enough. So when she phoned to complain about my friends getting into a taxi to go to the airport one morning I told her to “get over it” and hung up. Feel a lot better now I’ve given up pleasing her!

Maybe that is your answer if you tried everything else. He obviously doesn’t feel it is unpleasant enough to complain to you.

I slipped on ice cream on the marble floor at the Trafford Centre while pregnant and staff had me immediately sign a disclaimer after a very quick “are you alright?”. Would I really know within less than a minute that I (and baby) would be alright? But they sure didn’t waste any time.