I’ve spent all summer riding with an Evoc 16l CC, wishing it had a waistband that would allow the bag to sit on my hips.

That’s a requirement for my next bag, personally, and no Evoc bag has it. (the Evoc was a work-provided bag, and I was doing 160-180km per week with it on my back – certainly enough riding to become familiar!)

Has anyone thought about using a motorbike style chain oiler? There’re ones that just run off gravity, open the ‘tap’ at the beginning of the ride, close it at the end. It’ll slowly drip onto the chain throughout (It’d need to be pointed at the chain as it goes through the rear mech, admittedly, unless you’re 1x)

It’s not a big weight commitment, and should be good over winter. I used chainsaw chain oil in mine on the motorbike, and it works fine. Continual dripping = no buildup of dirt on the chain. I know motorbike chains rotate much faster, but still…!

If you want properly waterproof, I cannot recommend Lomo enough. I’ve got both a backpack and a duffle by them.

http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/drybag-daypack.html

I’ve got MIAS level 1 and 2, and if you are already confident with how to ride and bike and how to maintain a bike, it’s an easy course. What it really does is highlight things that’re common sense – like taking the right spares, considering other people, etc, etc. It’s a good course to do, and I’ll be doing Level 3 very soon.

I didn’t realise I’d need a IML certificate to guide in France,but there’s always Austria, Italy, Slovenia etc!

I’m not a lard arse in any sense of the word, but an ISM Peak – one of those special funky ‘sit on your sitbones’ saddles, but MTB orientated.

There;s a big difference between what you just mentioned – ESF instructors and guides, vs what they’ve traditionally done.

So yes – if you’re going to pay for guiding, of course it’s on! (that was easily cleared up imo)

Where did you go over the summer singletrackmind?

Sprootlet – Neilson don’t do official guiding any more – not since the whole thing blew up in France last year. Maybe Andorra or Italy, if you’re LUCKY. Expect it again over the next few years though, when they move everything in house – own instructors, gear etc

I’m fairly qualified to answer that, as I’ll be in France this winter working for them, and have just spent this summer working for them (as a bike guide, woop, woop!)

Simply:

That Valve still bloody hasn’t done Half Life Episode 3. It’s been what, 8 years? The fans of the original HL have managed to make Black Mesa in that time, how can they not have done HL Ep3?

Has anyone tried the SR Suntour Auron’s yet? Saw a good review in one of the mags, and there’s some good feedback online, but nothing really in the UK…

Could be a reasonable option!