I’ve had one for a few months and got the 9.8 xt in a sale. So far it’s been good and I’m glad I purchased a ‘lightweight’ ebike. Most of my friends are surprised how light it is and also how quiet it is with the TQ motor.

I’ve not been on that many long rides but have managed in excess of 15 miles and 3000ft running mostly on full power with a few bits of medium power.

I’m in a similar situation and have gone from a 4G router to Starlink. It’s much quicker and more reliable.

The only other option could be a line of sight microwave service if you have any local providers.

It obviously depends on your budget and what you consider high spec but I picked up a new Fuel exe with full xt and Select Plus suspension (so same dampers as Ultimates) for £4600 about 6 weeks ago.

It looks like prices have gone back up a bit but still not far off.

https://mtbmonster.com/trek-fuel-exe-9-8-xt-deep-smoke-2023

If you’re considering spaniel type dogs, perhaps consider a water dog of some form. We have a Spanish water dog who has most of the energy of a spaniel but is traditionally a herding dog so tends to stick with us rather than go disappearing into undergrowth.

There’s so much to choose from it really depends what riding you like. For what it’s worth, I’ve done a couple of trips there and ridden in the bikepark/around Whistler for a week, then done the other week elsewhere.

For a first trip I’d suggest that Squamish/North Shore and ether Vancouver Island or sunshine coast would provide more than enough riding for a week. There are also lots of good non riding things to do for days off.

If you didn’t want to ride in the whistler park for a whole week (or at all) there is more than enough riding around Whistler and Pemberton to fill a lot of time.

For a first trip, I wouldn’t bother going to Kamloops etc. Great riding but there is more than enough around Vancouver and you don’t lose much time travelling between places.

We just used trailforks to decide where/what to ride.

I bought an RTech a couple of years ago and would fully recommend it even though it might be a bit more than you planned to spend. I’d done a bit of arc welding and found it easy and consistent to quickly learn. Most of my welding has been 1.6mm thickness and I’ve had good results.

Although more expensive, I suspect an RTech would hold it’s value better if you were going to sell it after your project. Mine was a discounted ‘shop soiled’ set but I couldn’t see any marks on it so it’s worth looking out for discounts.

I’ve done this on an old set of 26″ lyriks. I just cut down the air shaft and retapped it – easy enough to do as it’s aluminum.

Transfer the v5 together online at the time of sale, then you’re covered.

Get a receipt signed by both of you – there are templates available in the RAC website I think.

If you have a small bit of space between the board and the head of the nut, put a hacksaw blade in there and then use an impact driver to turn the bolt. Assuming you can hold the blade and turn the bolt the right way, it will quickly cut through it.

Chromag pedals have been good in my experience. I’ve currently got a set of Scarabs that I have had for 3-4 years and done nothing to them other than change some pins.

600m for an offshore platform? If only!

More like 4bn upwards based upon costs for Glen Lyon, Clair Ridge etc

I think this topic just goes to show that like bikes, people often get something very different out of the same thing. There’s polishers, upgraders, bimblers, senders and everything between.

I have a fireblade engined Mac#1 (very similar to an MK Indy) that I’ve had about 8 or 9 years. It’s 480Kg, 180whp, aeroscreen, no heater etc so definitely at the more ‘hardcore’ end of the spectrum. I bought it to use on roads and had some great early runs out but then did a couple of trackdays and realised you can’t really use the full potential of the car on the road.

Having said that, it depends where you live. I lived in the highlands for a few years and it was mega there; little traffic and great roads. I also drove it from Hampshire to Inverness and back twice which was a chore but shows that they’re pretty versatile.

You can also be as hardcore as you like, I’ve always driven to trackdays and driven back but would definitely consider a trailer for further afield days. On track, they are the best value for money with low consumables wear and generally as quick as much more expensive cars.

In the time I’ve had it, I’ve upgraded various things including an engine swap for more power and learned to weld, fabricating the mounts etc for that.

It’s a completely different experience to an MX5 and I’d recommend trying it. A friend has a 120hp Caterham which is arguably better on the road as you can use more of the potential and it has a heater etc, but it is considerably slower on track – work out what you want it for and go from there. Also, take someone with you who has experience with these cars; it’d be easy to buy something needing a lot of work if you didn’t know what to look for. I didn’t really know but luckily end up with a well built car.

I’d suggest an Mk Indy or a Sylva. The main thing is that the V5 accurately describes it and it’s not registered as a Sierra or something.

MK still make parts for the various older iterations of the Indy so getting parts is straightforward but might be stretching your budget.

Yes, I remember Ben and you now. I’ve still got the Beta Techno (probably almost a classic now!) and potter around occasionally but haven’t ridden a trial for years. I’d love to ride again but I seem to have too many interests and not enough time…

I’ll mention this to my dad, I’m sure he’ll enjoy this recollection.

Yes, good memory. He’s just retired and relinquished the farm tenancy.

I’m 35 so probably did ride at the same time as your son.

Depending on the age of your son, I might have met you at some point as I used to ride with SSTC when I was younger. We used to have an event a year on the land my Dad farmed – Hall Farm (near Alton).

Tjagain, please have a look at the structure of the NATO Resolute Support mission including the role of CSTC-A, Executive Advisory Group, USACE and the specialists (military and civilian) from each country.

A huge amount of effort and resource went into stabilisation and attempting to establish a sustainable Afghan led solution. This ranged from ministerial level to supporting DABS (Afghan National Grid) and many other areas. To say otherwise is incorrect.

Glenlivet sounds like it would be ideal. Or the Moray Monster trails in Fochabers.

Practice for stage 1 and 2 for the Sport on Saturday afternoon wouldn’t work as that’s when the Sprint happens.

It was my first time there and I really enjoyed doing the Sprint after what felt like a slightly uninspiring practice. Managed a 4th in the Sprint masters so was pleased with that despite washing out twice on Stage 2. The rain on Saturday definitely made some of the stages entertaining!

Jonba – Try 20Twenty in Banchory. Mike builds great wheels, usually has ahis stock of Mavic/Hope and his customer service is fantastic.

Yes. I made my dining room table in this way. Used scaffold boards might be better as they have more character; ours are no where near perfect but prefer it that way.

I used Osmo to seal it and it’s stood up well for a least a year so far.

https://www.easycomposites.co.uk/vm100-black-methyl-methacrylate-adhesive

Almax or Pragmasis.

Although a cordless grinder will still go through even them.

I’ve recently got some coming from XT 2 pots.

The Cura 4s are much more powerful and have a lot more modulation. It’s taken a bit to adjust to losing the on/off feel of XTs but I expected that and am happy with my choice. In comparison to the poster above, I had no issues setting them up and just aligned them.

It’s worth having a spare set of pads on your toolbox if you’re on a trip as not many places stock them.

If it’s a 170 for 650b, I could be interested if you need to sell it.

As per Stevextc, I don’t think there is any reason NOT to wear a full face of you are riding bike park, riding up foreroads to descend trails or sessioning things.

Even not on jumps/drops, there’s a lot of potential to hurt yourself riding fast on singletrack.

I took a CRC bag on LNER from London to Aberdeen last year without booking. I put it in the luggage rack in the carriage but did get a few strange looks. The guard didn’t comment although this was in first if that would have made any difference. I don’t think you’d get away with it with an evoc sized bag.

Just get there early and get it in the rack before anyone else!

Tom – I did wonder who would suggest that… I think i’d want to wait for a few more reviews before considering that.

Stanton; steel is for hardtails in my opinion…

Stewartc – Everything I have read suggest that the firebird is a good all rounder. I think it’s possibly my favourite at the moment but does come at a cost.

Anyone had an experience with Kingdom stuff in terms of durability, service etc? I think TFtuned will be selling the new Hex when it is released, which would be good from a service perspective.

Good options but I think the Ibis is ugly and I’m less keen on the Transition for some intangible reason.

I’d not considered a Liteville and must admit that I find the aesthetics slightly challenging for some reason!

Unparallel? As far as I am aware, the company is primarily ex-5.10 employees – which may be a good or bad thing. I’ve not tried them but a friend has some of their climbing shoes and has been impressed.

https://www.unparallelsports.com/product-category/mountain-biking/

I’m pretty sure bikes are ~£20 each way with transat. I’ve never booked and just rocked up and paid for them at the airport.

I agree with Rubber_Buccaneer. I don’t think Dyfi will be the place for you if you’re put off by Revs/Antur.

Quote from Dan Atherton in a recent interview; “The bike park is all ready to go, it will be a similar business model to Rev’s, focus on higher end riders to start with because that is where we have come from and basing it off that racing heritage.”

Is there enough stuff in Leogang to keep you occupied for a whole week?

Most of the points have been covered:
Airtransat still has flights below £500 for some mid week dates (I think)
Airbnb/booking.com for self catered accommodation
Buy a bike and sell it when you get back? Got to be cheaper than hire…

If you can choose when you go, go early or late in the season and accommodation will be much cheaper

Which bit of Scotland…?

Fly with Transat; £20 per bike each way, no limit on number as far as I recall.

I’ve taken a bike in a bag before; I just booked it as a normal bike. There were no issues with that.

I’ve not used the ‘reclining’ chairs, but on the experience of my girlfriend who has, I’d not want to before a race. They don’t actually recline but are at a semi-reclined fixed angle and the heating alternately varies between freezing and roasting. I doubt you’ll get much sleep and feel knackered for riding the next day.

Again, Bird. I’ve had exceptional experience with them and can confirm their warranty is as good as promised (second hand frame, older Mk1.5 Aeris not the new one).

Buy a fibreglass repair kit and reinforce the inside of the flexing areas. Use carbon fibre if you’re feeling fancy.