Check out Whympr for a Europe focus too, it has various European maps including IGN, it has 3d topo and some Fatmap elements like slope angle. Seem to be a work in progress at the moment in terms of content.

What is the organiser / rider view of its staying power? It seemed to have been birthed from a time when “Freeride” looked like a significant part of the sport, but over the years the fashion has swung hard in MTB towards formats that looked like the riding people actually do, with the 10-year heavy influence of enduro and more recently a renaissance in actual challenging courses in XC, and DH arguably having an existential crisis. So why, when almost no-one is seeking to recreate cliff-bombing onto scree slopes in their own riding, is Rampage still attracting interest and holding the status as an event that it does?

Is it just death risk, or is it something more nuanced than that?

Quick question, Ive got various MTB knee & elbow pads, but are the hardshell skate pads better?

I think hardshell kneepads if you are riding ramps/transition, as has been mentioned above you want to get into the habit of knee sliding out (yeah you can run out of smaller stuff, but if the board comes back under you while you are running out it is a horrible way to fall). I’m not sure elbows etc need to be any different to mtb stuff. Hand or wrist protection is whatever your preference, but I tend to get more general hand impacts than wrist injuries specifically.

Have a listen to the Uncanny podcasts if you haven’t already.

There’s 100% no ghosts. Having said that, I really enjoy a good ghost/unexplained story as much as the next person.

Uncanny in the first series felt like that, a good set of unexplained stories. But the following series have felt more exploitative to me, of people’s tragedy and ill health, trying to work up an angle to make something sad into something ‘spooky’ as the good stories have dried up (hence the ‘USA’ angle).

Clearly Danny has kids to feed, but it’s pretty uncomfortable listening to people recount a period of their lives following significant trauma, while he still increasingly tries to play up to the whole “ooohh was it a bogeyman” thing.

Plus, the aliens.

Interesting, how did you end up with an SM Mini? It’s a deployable-static type detector, we generally use them in longer term surveys for bat activity where we leave them in place in woodlands etc.

Thing is, they aren’t designed to be that user-friendly compared to the more hand-held detectors that have easy-access apps and auto-identification. That is going to make it harder.

You say it’s old – the WA SM Mini only came out in 2020, if I recall.

I heard that medically, it was more about the genetics of any kids you may have?

EDIT: mis-read thread title

Suburban front garden mini-meadow has come on nicely in its second year, less dominated by clover this June. The yellow rattle has also thrived, so that’s kept some of the grasses back in specific patches. If I can get even one neighbour on the street to also give it a shot, I’ll consider it a bit of a victory!

It was a heavily managed short grass lawn before, but crucially the estate was originally built on chalk grassland (I know!) so there were some nice species in the seed bank to start working with.

Road or off road?

I used to live in Woolhampton. Best off road options are probably to head north to the Kennet and use the towpath to head east or west pretty easily. West takes you to Greenham Common area, then out into west Berkshire. North of the Kennet takes you up towards Upper Bucklebury – heading along towards Cold Ash from there gives you various bits of singletrack.

Or, Tadley has a new skatepark – it is quite fun!

Volunteering? We used to get the “friends of AWE” magazine, which had lots of community reports in it. I’m sure that will have lots of options to give you a healthy glow 😀

As someone who WOULDN’T do this, I’m happy to explain that my reasons are around a complex mix of things. Career jobs for both me and a partner, so taking two employer’s views (and possible future views) into account. Schools for kids and how good they are. Job opportunities after school for said kids (longer term). Proximity to good health care (which we have needed for said kids), that sort of thing.

If it was just me and a job, yeah no worries and lots of flexibility, as there is a general ‘skills shortage’ if you are qualified and experienced. It’s the mishmash of different factors for many people that prevent us taking what might be seen as a more ‘radical’ move. If those don’t apply to you personally, you probably have a lot more flexibility than you are worrying about.

Had a second hand mini as a commuter, bought from a local dealer. They threw in a third party warranty, I think the warranty  company I actually ended up dealing with was called “Assurant” but I recall it was branded as RAC on the leaflet.

Anyway, ended up needing a water pump and brake servo following a few fault codes after 7 months of ownership. The warranty company covered it via an independent garage, to the tune of around £1300. That was for a sub-5k car, and I didn’t have to jump through a load of hoops or deal with any attempts to wriggle out of it. So that was better than the alternative of me footing that bill!

I’ve had a Halfords Exodus mounted on Thule aero bars for over 6 years or so now. It has been faultless, is light and easy to fit singlehanded and still has its glossy finish. No complaints at all.

Consider access to said chalk stream, OP.

The big estates, landowners and fishing clubs like to keep their extensive river sections very private on the classic fishing chalk rivers, which means in many places you are restricted to glimpsing the river at a distance and occasional crossing points. Those managing those areas are absolutely not chilled about sharing their passion and love of the natural environment with casual trespassers – it’s basically their fishy golf course. Test Valley is really not great in this regard, worth bearing in mind.

I’d consider the Itchen upstream of Winchester, middle Hampshire Avon and even wildcards like the upper Kennet and Lambourn being better options than some of the ‘classic’ chalk stream tourist hotshots, unless you are connected 😉

I think the biggest issue with education is the multi-generational disengagement from it by many families in deprived areas. If education is going to be one of the tools we use to tackle deprivation, that’s the big problem we need to solve.

I’m also interested in this, but always worry that it could easily stray into unfair prejudice. It would be interesting to know from education professionals what the experience is here; could we offer an amazing uplift in education scope and quality and still see widespread disengagement in more deprived areas, conversely generating a disproportionate public expenditure benefit for the already ‘better off’, at least in the medium term? Or will the effect of just ‘better schooling’ automatically have a widespread and measurable/significant benefit, even if some remain reluctant to maximise it?

Better schooling and education experience sounds wholeheartedly positive for the UK in general, but as the OP raised it in the context of deprived areas, it is a relevant consideration.

The game won’t work and will give you that error if the World is set up as “multiplayer”.

The way the game works is you can do split screen OR online multiplayer. But not both at the same time. Make sure it’s not set to multiplayer, then as above use the plus button for a second player to join.

I’m not sure you need an account, you don’t on PlayStation. The kids here do have separate accounts, but pretty sure when you join on splitscreen it gives a guest option on our Switch too.

Offcuts from our rambling rose laid on beds has helped us. That stuff is spikier than a spiky thing, I wouldn’t tread on it either.

I think it’s harder when it’s your own cat though, less chance you can convince it that it isn’t the master of its own territory!

You sound like an experienced person, so obviously you don’t need the basic stuff describing, however “CV Type” is definitely a thing, and might vary by your work area. I actually think the Prospects site does a pretty good job describing that and giving examples of different approaches, as it gets you thinking about your own specific industry.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/example-cvs

Obviously plenty of online places threatening to write a CV for you for money or ‘free’, but (maybe I’m a luddite) as someone who is regularly re-writing my CV for work bids etc, i dont think it’s necessary to pay for it if you are happy being reasonably articulate.

Ahh this is great news. Once it clicks and you are having fun, it grows from there.

Enjoy the progress, it’s a long-running learning thing for all of us, so just settle in and enjoy!

That sounds challenging, sorry to hear it has been a tricky start.

The main thing to remember is that it is your holiday. If ski school sucks, or is pushing you uncomfortably, you can chill things out (obviously speak to them and see if they can support you with that) but even if they can’t, ski what you feel comfortable on as a group or family so you have a fun day.

When we take the kids now, we say it is a ‘mountain holiday’. If we ski a load, then that’s cool, but if we enjoy the environment, relax, eat cheese…also all good. Some of my funnest days have been just lapping a super gentle run, trying to learn something slow and technical, or even when we go walking, sledging, the pool, or (my favourite) an early pub 😀

Having returned to more HT riding in 2020, I feel that they are more trail and user-specific experiences, which is also why HTs are so ‘marmite’.

Feeling fit and strong, good solid core and riding confidently? HT is fun. Not ridden in years and been on the sofa? I hate HTs.

Mixed trails of rough and somewhat smooth, sharp technical challenges with some reprieve? HT is fun. Continuous blown-out trail of constant exposed roots and braking bumps? I hate HTs, etc.

If you’ve got the right conditions for a nice hardtail, they are awesome! But I do get why people have bad times with them

Have you planted the crack yet?

One person’s lifestyle decisions may differ from another’s, and that’s OK.

Yep, this is a fair point. I think it’s a “know yourself” thing.

I knew that I’d never get to the point where I’d want to give up a childless happy life, for babies. But, I recognised that me being me, if I didn’t have kids that I could pour my incredible talent and opinions into 😉 I would just spend several decades of my life sort of eating myself from the inside out. I wouldn’t find long-term structure, I could foresee that much.

The kids are awesome now and enrich my life, proper little buddies. But I can absolutely support people coming to other conclusions – my views were in a huge part about me, not any kind of altruism.

We used a macride and it worked for both kids. The quick release and very subtle headset spacer mount are great. I did add the kids ride shotgun mini handlebar as they got older, mainly because the grips are soft & warm!

My kids are too big now…let me know if you are thinking about second hand 😉

I’m a “consultant”, so part of that gig is having the qualifications, letters after your name and important-sounding projects to make people believe you are worth paying for! So yeah, academically / professionally qualified in my field, but it is highly incentivised.

Mostly noted the number of people on this thread who did ecology/biology/biological sciences in training, who abandoned it. Please come back, the salaries aren’t as godawful as they were 20 years ago 😀

I would guess everyone is wondering if you’ve asked her if she’s on board with the towing plan before deciding if it’s a terrible idea?! 😀

Even with an ebike, there’s a challenge in towing a less confident cyclist to the top of a 2000m descent, as it’s a lot of braking and arm pressure on the way down for someone less happy with speed / confidence.

FWIW I have a ‘kids ride shotgun’ tow rope, which is limited at 225kg and feels quite gentle in the stretch and pull, which makes it easier on both riders. Despite the name it is stated for ‘adult towing’ too. No need at all for the bum bag / carabiner kit though.

Worst – any advice or trend on bike geometry and fit that takes no account of your own personal dimensions!

Best – buy a bike for the riding you actually do, not the riding you dream about doing

Or the the macho caravanning brigade in their Marauders, Conquerers, Firestorms.

Oh, this. Way worse / funnier than bike names as they are so prominently displayed, either weidly macho or promising clealry outlandish levels of luxury. Seem to have adopted the style of 6 Star hotels in Dubai, but with a healthy dose of random numbering. The Swift Elegance Grande 845, anyone? Can’t believe the family stuck on the A5 in Wales are experiencing any of those words. Maybe 845.

Interesting, does the park also ban/enforce “sessioning” certain sections of trails? If there is a more laps / more wear and tear argument, you need to take into account non-emtb riders who repeatedly session the same bits of tracks without ever riding, say, the lower third of the trail as they think the ride back up is wasted effort. So the emtb “extra wear” argument only really works if everyone is doing full runs, and then yes – the emtb lot will do more.

Is there a van uplift additional fee? Best argument I can see for emtb extra charges is that they won’t be paying into the uplift service and additional income that creates.

A missed opportunity to name this thread “How Was Your Valentine’s Day?”!

But seriously, all the best resolving it. I think the standard response is along the lines of all relationships take work on both sides, or something like that. Clearly harder when you have other outside pressures.

I seem to remember from the recruiters at my university officer training corps that they mostly send you on ski trips? Is that still policy?

Hmmm possibly at a basic level, my expectations towards aging? Joined in my 20s, now in my 40s.

The forum is an interesting place in that it seems to have aged with me, a unique place online for me where I seem always to feel like young ‘un, whatever age I get to. I presume a bunch of other posters joined around the age I am now, and the years have passed accordingly. 

I can’t imagine it’s all that healthy for STW as  a business, but without a cheeky crop of younger people always showing up to disrupt the flow, it’s a place that i get to watch steadily (and largely gracefully) age ahead of me thanks to the varying stuff people share. It has been genuinely enlightening. 

It’s all going to be fine, you’ll have a great time and most of all, you can relax a bit on the planning!

You are going late March, practically April. Sure, you might get cold weather and snowstorms – but equally you may get sunny warm weather – you won’t know just yet. Don’t make the mistake of thinking sunny will be bad either, sunny spring skiing is the best especially for learning.

In many ways, let yourself think of it as just another ‘outdoor holiday’ and the kit all works the same as if you were walking or taking a bike. You don’t need to worry about stuff like if your jacket has a snow skirt – it won’t matter in your first week.

Look at the weather the week before you go and try and make a call. Looking cold and snowy? Have a think about your taking your goggles. Sunny and warm, or rain? Maybe not the down jacket! Point is – don’t buy a bunch of stuff now and assume the weather, most first timers buy too much ‘harsh winter’ kit and find themselves sweaty and running out of suncream in the Spring.

Being comfortable is key. Dry hands, comfortable feet. Layering works for skiing same as for everything else.

As for after ski socialising – do what YOU like! Same as a holiday anywhere else. All I can suggest is that the reason for ‘apres’ is that after dinner most people feel quite tired, so a late night out is less appealing if you are over 30!

I had a plan to enter, fixed up the XC full sus…and then remembered I had become fat and lazy this year.

But I’m sure I’ll have that sorted for 2025.

It’s not everyone or every driver, but some of the particular stuff I have seen on the roads over the last 12 months does seem a bit more unhinged than before, like the max level of crazy has gone up higher. I’m of the mindset that it’s general life stress, pouring out through a steering wheel.

you reach a set of lights where there are two lanes, you pull up in the right hand lane only for them to floor it when they go green so you have no chance of overtaking

There’s an instructional series of videos out there to help you with this situation, i think Vin Diesel is in them? 😆

Maybe it is a given on this particular thread and the stories being shared, but I’m not hearing much about kids and families, just partners etc- which is interesting.

One of the things that is key in my thinking about retirement is whether I’ll need to support / assist my kids. They’ll be teenagers when I’m 50, young adults when I’m 60. It seems really hard to predict whether they’ll still need me, financially, at that point.

Could be that I’m being too soft, give em a latch key and let them work it out, etc. But getting started in life doesn’t look like it’s getting any easier, so I can conceive of scenarios where I’m still supporting in some way, beyond being a babysitter (and no guarantee they’ll be nearby, so ‘time rich’ only goes so far).

That’s the thing that would keep me in work longer – helping them. If I didn’t have kids, I’d be making changes way earlier. Just interested if all the above (sensible) thoughts also factor that kind of thing in?

Edit – just been mentioned above before I posted!

We’ve been busy with life, work and a young family for the past 7 or so years, which means that things have been pretty practical. This year we got to the point where we were able to take the kids on a nice holiday, so their first time on a plane, ever, was a flight to the Caribbean. They love wildlife, we did lots of nature-themed experience stuff, and how delighted they were for the whole trip has made a lot of (especially work) things feel actually worthwhile. Got to say, I did feel proud to be able to do that for them. 

But now they seem to think we are going back next year 😬

14 places listed within 5 miles of me between 300 and 325k, that’s Winchester. All quite small, but some are pretty charming older terraces needing some work (in the rural village bits) like this:  https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136216997

23 places on for over £2M in the same radius though, clogging up the market. So maybe there are cheeky offers to be made 😆

I have a 2016 full sus Kona and I do like it, from when their geometry was ahead of a lot of mainstream brands. It’s a company I’d like to see do well.

But mine was bought at the time with a major price discount. I am constantly baffled by their prices and spec in the UK, just so uncompetitive even before they took a (bold, but ugly) approach to the look of the full sus bikes. I’m not sure how it is supposed to work, so I just concluded they aren’t fussed about the UK as a place to sell many bikes. This current offer just further adds to my confusion about their approach.

OP, aren’t you broadly south of England?

I’ve skied in Scotland, all the above is true. For those of us in Southern climes, the driving time to the Geneva area is broadly 9 hours. Same as heading to Scotland ski areas, but easier driving.

If I lived further north, the opportunity to access lifts and slopes opportunistically as conditions dictated would be great. But from my location on the South Coast of England, skiing in the UK as a planned trip is insane, compared to hopping on the tunnel.  After some full on Type 2 fun though? Crack on.

This means if you’re rich, you’ll become a bit poorer. If you’re poor, you’ll become a bit richer. If you don’t like it you can go **** yourself.

I seem to recall that one of the fun bits about this was that people always think of themselves as “not rich”, which applies to “someone else”. It might have been around that time where phrases to describe groups like “Just About Managing” were all the rage, because basically everyone thought it applied to them. 

Tony Martin did glue sand paper to his saddle once to make sure he stayed put. Maybe they are into something.

In the context of the slight absurdity of this thread, I did have to check which one you meant