Went down the central “disputed” right of way /bridleway 2 weeks ago and Bushcraft don’t seem to have set up yet . Nobody was there to stop me although there were signs disputing the public right of way. The ripping up of the wood for felling does seem to be designed to prevent access. As you said some of the way Bushcraft use the wood does not appear to be “conservation” more a policy of obstruction to other users in the name of “safety “. The wrecked aluminium light plane chassis seems to be one of their camp “attractions” too. This is hardly in keeping with conservation.

I found my reverb very slow in the cold in fact so poor that the logical thing was to fit a standard seat post on my hardtail .  . Saved hassle and weight . Did that a few years ago Now I just use the adjustable posts on my full suspension bikes that come out in better weather!

I have used the Shimano AM flat pedal shoes (nonSPD) for years now . I used to waste cash on more expensive five tens etc but The Shimano shoes are much better for me . They have excellent lace covers so I NEVER need to wash them 😊. I very surprised other manufacturers dons do lace covers too , but I guess “cool looks “ are more important for them? The covers are rubberised so you don’t get wet feet riding through the odd puddle . The shoes breath well so dry out and are ok in winter and summer . They grip pedals well and are reasonable price.

Oops double post

The behaviour reported at the event revolts me. I am surprised the attendees are classed as “presidents” when they have shown such little respect for fellow human beings.  Well done FT for putting it in public view.

Just was looking at this thread to see if things have improved with Garmin. I bought a “top of range” edge 8000 about ) 6 yrs ago and was wondering whether to upgrade. I must say that I wouldn’t consider my old unit that good value. The screen sufferers too from being too small and unreadable on many occasions. It also likes to turn itself off on rides occasionally despite being fully charged and locked. My memory card contacts are now corroded so I can’t use the map package it came with . To be honest I should have really bought the basic model as all I have really used it for us recording rides. Shame they don’t seem to be much better now!

My Garmin 800 has been poorly too. Had it a few years now and still not over impressed with it as a riding tool. Hard to read maps on screen. Despite locking the device on a ride it still sometimes turns off on rides. The UK map card it came with now doesn’t work as the contact has corroded. I now just use it to record routes and heart rate, rarely have I used it as a navigation tool as that’s too much faff. I’m not sure what I will finally replace it with. Either a larger more durable device that is actually useful for navigation or a much smaller and lighter route and heart rate recording device. I don’t think I will waste money on the new version of the 800.

Here is the start of the Golspie Black climb

Hi Groundskeeperwilly . The gulley trail is well sign posted no nav required you start at the Ordiequish site and follow the all routs line up and turn into the gulley which is well marked …. It is a daily short one mind you( it took me less than 40mins riding time last time , it iis a 211m descent according to my Garmin and the whole gulley route is 4.13miles long)but makes up for that in terms of tech fun and adrenaline. Very steep in bits and very tight singletrack. When I go to Fochabers I would typically do the freeride trail twice, then drive to the nearby garden centre restaurant for lunch(its a good one) then down the high street to the trailhead. The trail head locations are both on the Forestry commission link above. I do definitely think Fochabers is a box worth ticking in the Highlands.

I too find Learnie a bit on the mild side in terms of features. The climb is fairly boring, but the “freeride downhill trail” is fun but a little short. For me its a bit of a drive considering the amount of fun, and I prefer either to go further afield e.g Balblair Laggan or Golspe. Fochabers is underrated the freeride isn’t a big trail agreed but fun. The gulley monster is definitely worth it! and I would never miss that one out. Its just down the road from the Fochabers trail. By the way a Golden Eagle swooped down near me last year on the Fochabers trail. Thats maybe why I like it too :) Enjoy…

http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/visit/moray-monster-trails

This is Fochabers

The Ordiequish start is the gully one…happy Riding

Good to hear Scotroutes. . To be honest i don’t do Learnie much these days but in my opinion i dont think it is nearly as good as the other two so I would go for Golspie and Balblair first. . Learnie seems to have less features and is fairly small.

Fochabers is also not to be missed either. There are 2 very very different trails to visit there with trail heads about a mile apart(please see the Fochaber website). The orange “freeride extreme” there isn’t that extreme in terms of features, but I’m my opinion is Extreme Fun! The “Gully Monster” trail just down the road from it is an absolutely unique trail. Not long but quite challenging going down tight singletrack on the side of a massive gully with some really very steep sections.

Cheers guys….it left a massive smile on my face …just thought i would encourage a few to give it a try

Horrible tales! Get well soon ! I recall many years ago being on an all inclusive sports holiday in Sardinia. The food was kept warm in an amateurish way and there were many flies around from some local wate tip. Most of the guests in the hotel went down with vomiting and diahhrea. Which lasted for most of our weeks holiday :( When we got home my daughter continued to be ill and after tests at the local doc it was found to be salmonella. One of the most miserable weeks ever!

Please let me know if you find one

Cheers chaps I will try again . Thanks v much for checking Spot

If I was you I would probably try to keep the old mk2 Nomad and keep it set up for the more gnarly rides and get a 5010 for everything else. That’s what I have done. I also have a 456 hardtail for winter and mud. As many said above 5010 is totally capable but I wouldn’t want to wreck it on uplift days, plus I keep it relatively light for trail rides at which it totally excelled . Yes it loves small kickers and some drops but if wouldn’t appreciate constant hammering. You might not get that much for your Mk 2 Nomad and it will probably have more value to you than somebody else making you a lowball bid for it. I love my my 2 Nomad and it’s my bike of choice for big mountain riding.

@ryder

Just move slightly forward on the saddle. The 5010 was designed for 150s up front . Mine climbs almost as well as my ti hardtail

By the way if u get a 5010. I also definitely recommend choosing the pikes rather than some of the other options. Mine has the 150mm pikes on which are superb and complement the frame well as they track very well and are nice and stiff with good damping .

I have a last years 5010 in aluminium and a nomad 2 in carbon. As many said above the 5010 is a superb sharp trail bike and can handle more rough ground than one would imagine on its fairly short travel suspension . I think if you regularly “downhilled” it you would wreck it . Yes it’s a strong bike but doesn’t have the reserve for accidental big landings to flat etc you might do on an DH course. I think the 5010 can be ridden on almost anything but you just have to reign it in a bit whereas the Nomad is much bigger hit. When I took my 5010 up to the highlands where I ride the nomad the same rock garden I motor through on the nomad felt steeper and tougher on the 5010. My nomad is superb going down hill but can still be peddled up, it’s coil shocked each end for ultimate reliability . I love riding the 5010 and it’s my ultimate all round trail bike but the Nomad is much better on gnarly bits. The new Bronson someone mentions above might be a good compromise against the new bigger slacker Nomad. However if DH is very important to you and you have only1 bike I would go nomad. Of course it’s also important to fit in with what your mates are riding too . If you are on a nomad and they are all on short travel extra light trail bikes you might not feel right especially if your fitness isn’t as good as theirs.

If you are getting an uplift full face and pads are a good idea. I would certainly use them if its DH/Shore/Park fun

Its a misconception that pads will “save you” though. They are good at stopping scrapes, but bones can still be broken even with the best padding/full face. Bike skills are the best safety assets to have. With skills you know how far to push yourself before it gets dangerous for you, and a skilled rider can often get himself out of trouble even if he has to “put the bike down”. It can be dangerous with novices padding themselves up and thinking they will be ok and attempting moves beyond their skill set.

@slowoldgit

That’s where local knowledge helps. If you go to a new area and are unsure ask local riders. It’s wrong to assume the whole country is flooded with them . They are found in specific habitats. They can often be found in bracken and damp woods and long grass especially if deer are around. Near sheep is another one. However local knowledge is key. Where I ride I know some parts with loads but others where ticks are very rare. Take appropriate precautions in the way you dress and repellent plus where you ride.

One thing op didn’t mention was whether he was in a tick area and if any other ticks have been seen there. Not all farms and areas are affected would be worth asking or checking whether the animals there actually have ticks. Ticks can be tiny and get knocked off but in my experience once on they hold on tight and don’t just fall off. They like to stay on for days if possible. Obviously the elbow is an exposed part and could be knocked. Generally ticks climb upwards trying to reach the neck or less easily accessible parts to avoid removal by the animal. They like the back of the neck or ears. The bite on your elbow could just be a mosquito.

OP sounds like a troll. 1 post in 6yrs?

“Though research has indicated that the pressure from mountain bikes is buffered by tyres, erosion of trails, and of parts of the Forest floor where cyclists go off the trails, has become significant in some areas as mountain biking has become more popular, with moss banks, stream banks and heather heathlands showing particular damage.” “keep to designated trails”

The actual meaning of the wording above is what concerns me as when I ride Epping I ride singletrack(thats what mountain biking and this site is all about isn’t it?). I rarely ride the bridleways and fire roads which is what I believe they are referring too as “designated trails”. I think we need to find out what they actually class as a “designated trail”.

Santa Cruz 5010 Aluminium is far cheaper than their carbon version, and a real scream to ride. I bought one earlier in the summer. I agree its still not cheap but Iove the SC suspension. Price wise the Aluminium 5010 isn’t much different to many other similar (and good bikes) such as Transition Scout above… I have a Carbon Nomad but often reach for the 5010!

I was put off NT years ago after meeting one of their directors while on holiday. I remember the words mentioned “need to contain mountain biking”. I think sums up their attitude. I do not believe they want to give access to anyone outside their own interest group. In terms of data protection from DVLC number plates, I believe “private car park operators” can buy that information so it is not secure.

I had a big crash in 2003. Smashed my face after rushing into the second run off a big drop without thinking properly. All pretty much recovered now bit still have metal in me. I remember my surgeon when I talked of quitting saying “carry on biking it’s healthy, just be more careful”. That’s what I have done. It has made me realise why I bike ….to have fun !! That means fun for ME. I went to Canada a year after and loved it and had lessons there. I also had lessons with the excellent Jedi. I decided that I like biking but just want to do it within my own risk tolerances. I ride at my own speed. I am certainly not interested in Strava or competitive riding . My fun on the bike is still about developing skills and riding in control. I realise if it gets to much there is no fun in it! I limit my personal fear levels on trails and sections to what I am happy with. I don’t rush ove any jumps until I have seen the landing and feel confident. I also have set myself limits on what I will attempt. I only ride tech bits that I “know I can do” . Going over something scared is not for me . Luckily the guys I ride with now are similar and we respect each other and do not push each other to try inappropriate sections. Speed is always a danger in off road when we get carried away and I try to contain that to what I am happy with, again having riding buddies who are considerate is important. I love the saying maximum smiles for minimum miles. That applies to tech bits too. Maximum fun for minimum exposure! Happy riding ! Do it for the reasons you started riding And don’t let others push you out of your comfort zone, your speed will improve naturally if you don’t push it

My shorter travel air shocked sc solo is way more playful and “pingy ” than the nomad which with long travel coil both ends is almost like a dh bike on the way down. For exploring new trails the Nomad is much more forgiving when things go wrong, but the solo makes even fairly tame trails fun as the short travel encourages you to jump everything .

Bikes are always a compromise. Luckily I have 3 mountain bikes in my collection after many years of riding. A hardtail for mud and larking around on with 140mm revs. Light but fun. Aluminium SC Solo 140mm air shocked bike for playing on dry trails. Carbon Nomad with Ti Coil Dhx rear and 170mm Lyric forks.
The nomad gets used in the mountains and climbs very well too for a long travel bike. I like coil shocks on it as in terms of reliability and maintenance they are a lot better than air and I ride it in remote locations. I agree air forks are much improved in terms of reliability , however still not quite as good as coil shocks in that you tune and forget. I have never broken a coil spring apart from on a pace fork in the bad old days.

I use dropper reverb posts on my full suss bikes but make sure I have spare seat posts handy when away, as I have found reverbs are still far too unreliable especially in very cold weather. No way would I want a reverb stealth and have all the faff of taking that off. Press fit bottom brackets also seem a retro step to me as is internal cable routing which is really a time trial aero thing.

Totally amazing riding and really well filmed and produced…hope it does well

Im very happy with 32 too…just wouldn’t want a 30. Anyway we can all do as we please. One day i’ll be moving to 11 or whatever speed they offer. My first “decent” MTB was a rubbish by today’s standards non indexed 6 speed and each time they have increased block sizes things have got better as they have also improved shifting beyond recognition.

I cannot achieve anything like 120 RPM, and haven’t often witnessed anyone doing that!!(I might add I use flats so maybe I’m not pedal efficient!) . I rarely pedal downhill that much and don’t do competitive downhill. Im just a fun rider and get up to 17-20mph max on what I enjoy. I prefer a “reasonable sized ” 32+ up front so I can still kick on the pedal to help lift the front for manuals and getting over rocks and going off drops. I don’t often do that in the 11t rear sprocket and would be in the middle of the block. Shimano fitted 32t middle rings for years. I guess as lots of people(most?) like that. Therein is the answer.

By the way the problem for me with the above 30t 11-42 ratio Kudos mentioned is not on the climbing its at the other end 30 into 11 is a bit too low for most as a top gear.

I use 2×10 at the moment on two of my bikes 2×9 on the other that gives me an ideal spread of ratios. Im fit enough to enjoy riding, and ride up mountains. Thanks for the advice Kudos but I am happy mountain biking and don’t want to do motorsport. The one thing you should learn is that there are many different styles and opinions in riding MTBs none are wrong. Thats why we have rigids, single speeds fat bikes DH bikes XC bikes Jump Bikes and Trail bikes Trial bikes and others.

@More Cash.. Good to hear we are allowed to ride considerately on the pavement…hadn’t realised that… I really hope the police stick to that guideline and enforce it with proper discretion rather than fining. Considerate pavement use is one of the key needs i believe to enable more use of bikes rather than cars. On my walk to work I often see an old chap riding along the pavement. Forcing people who are not able to safely ride onto roads puts them off cycling and risks lives. I often use the pavement in some parts of rides although I’m careful to go slow and give plenty of space to others. I take my kids on the road in some parts but certainly not on some rural lanes with 50mph plus limits

I think “sensible” pavement riding should be allowed in this country. When I ride with my kids we often use the pavement. One difficulty in the UK is that so many are fixated on their “personal rights”. E.G That idiot in the XC90 who squeezes through the narrow lane leaving 30cm between the mirror and the kids head probably making full use of his “right to do 30mph”, I have also seen some idiots on bikes going at silly speed on crowded pavements. We should be allowed to use common sense, however it seems difficult in the UK especially in towns where people can become quite thoughtless.

Cheers. Was lovely today. Sun came out and I sat on the picnic tables at the end and enjoyed a lovely lunch… there is a picnic table half way round too. Sorry sounds like I’m saying lunch was best bit :-) …it certainly wasn’t. The downhill from the extended black loop is as much fun as Golspie’s downhill(in my opinion). The shame is that it doesn’t go straight into the car park with a high speed finish… after you have done it you have to climb for a few minutes up the fire road the go left down the green/blue that ends in the car park. Overall I rate it highly, and it really gives a rider confidence going over rock slabs…

Blimey that spray paint on your motorbike is bad. Mine was funny rather than spoiling anything. just wasted kitchen roll and had my daughter laughing.

I also have both Deore and XTs. Hardly any difference in stopping or weight.(Excluding rotors).
XT obviously look a bit more trick and have lever and pad adjusters that most people don’t use.
One selling point for XT is that the new ones have “I Spec B ” adaptors meaning that if you have a compatible XT shifter you can clamp the shifter onto the brake and have a single clamp on the bars. That does leave a bit more room on the bars, but is not a massive difference TBH. XT is a luxury but does look nice… The Deore brakes are amazing value.

See you up there. I am going with Ed another local Mtber and have mentioned it to quite a few on my broxbourne ride on Sunday. There is the Farmers Boy pub near the meeting room so should be a pleasant venue to attend. Strikes me as silly that a company called Bushcraft is doing this. I understood bush craft ideals should be appreciation of the outdoors and respect for all users rather than barbed wire and “Gerorf moi land”. C u there.