I get the same tingly hands/arms on hard climbs, if I’m pushing hard, and at least one riding mate also does. I’m 25 with low blood pressure so just put it down to this

I’ve had one since last winter, I’m happy with it, but calibration is nigh on impossible without a powermeter, there is no spin-down calibration like with Tacx trainers, so numbers may be off, and it relies on you using similar tyre pressure and pre-load to have consistant readings between sessions. Not that its been a problem for me so far. I’ve only used it with 700c wheels. Connects reliably with ANT+ dongle on a usb extension.
ETA: just remembered I also stick a bit of carpet under one side else it feels like it is leaning over… so build quality not amazing

GF has volunteered to pick me up from Eastbourne, and pick the car up on saturday, so I’m pretty spoilt. Would use the train in normal circumstances. Forecast for wind is looking OK at the mo.

Thanks all, especially Curto80 for the offer of driveway space. I have used the Chesil car park before so will head to that if Petersfield road is not suitable. Yeah I’ll be sure to report back on how it goes…

Nice to see a variety of opinions re choice of bike. Maybe my 10hr time mentioned gave the wrong impression- I would be happy with 12+ hours, so I’m not going to be hurrying along taking risks. Pinch punctures and slices are the concerns for me, I’ve never taken the plunge with tubeless, and I’m not even sure my g-ones are tubeless compatible. Fully expecting 2 or 3 punctures along the way.

The reason for doing it on a CX bike is that the choice is currently that or a road bike… I know, sacrilege. I’m sure I could borrow a MTB but it would be suicide spending 10-12 hours on an unfamiliar bike.

I could take 2 spare tyres, I could change to better tyres, what would you recommend? I’m well aware of the risks to tyres, and agree that its worth doing what I can minimise those risks. Haha, maybe if I succeed in the day, I can think about an overnighter! Thanks for all the pointers

yep I’m probably mad doing it on CX, I’ll be using 40mm G-ones so hopefully manageable. Coped fine doing 70 miles on the ridgeway so there’s some hope. Spare tubes are a definite, got a spare G-one that I will take too. Thanks, ah yes I know the BP garage. I’ll take plenty of food to eat on the go, but always nice to eat something proper that hasn’t been shaken around for 6 hours in your bag

Cheers Cougar

Have been trying to send a PM to a user on the classifieds, can’t find a way to privately message, so either I’m going blind or there’s no option?!
EDIT: …or I’m stupid

Annecy? Went a couple of years ago for road riding, not sure what mtb there is though? Plenty of mountains around there, and a nice lake for swimming.

On a cx bike trying to do some trails near leith hill. White lightening I think? Over the bars on a jump, landed on back of hand and chin 😂. Took a while to mend but nothing major was done.

Anyone else doing the beachy head 10K/marathon at the end of the month?
Ran a 48:57 10K last year, looking to match that at least this year, but I haven’t been doing a lot of training so it could be interesting :/

+1 for the zephyros 2 from me too. Used for both hill walking and cycle touring (wild camping for both). End poles can be taken out to make packing up easier.

It’s got the dsg box, which complicates the clutch job. I actually got the clutch done at a transmission specialist as they on the cheaper end of the scale, and sounded like they knew what they were doing. Will defo get some more quotes tomorrow

Fossy, I edited my comment before I realised you had replied, the quote is from my local independent. Will phone round for some other quotes though.

It definitely has a chain, they are quoting £380 for parts, and 8 hours labour. Eta, that’s my local independent garage rather than VW.

Yup 1.4TSI. Yeah bit gutted about timing chain, although it sounds like it’s more common than you expect with these engines. Wouldn’t mind paying the money if I knew it was going to keep going for a while, but just worried I’m going to keep throwing money at it. Newer polo gti would be lovely, but I can’t really justify it- I’m trying to save for a house!

thanks guys, yeah it was lovely!

ElShalimo, yes it’s a Zephyros 2, probably done 25 nights in it now, with no problems.

I do take the end poles out to make it easier to pack & more compact.

Striding Edge

View from Nethermost Pike

Looking towards Glenridding

Sunset on windermere

Old Man Skiddaw

So things worked out differently, as they normally do! Rejiggled my plans and have had the car with me. Drove up on Monday and did Helvellyn, wild camped on nethermost pike. Tuesday came back down to Glenridding, and walked around the lake a bit. Stayed in YHA at Patterdale as rain was forecast ( that makes me sound like a real softy :D). Drove to ambleside wednesday, hired gravel bike and did a 40 mile loop to coniston. Camped at Wray National trust campsite. Thursday drove in a roundabout way to Bassenthwaite, and walked up to skiddaw, and am currently in my tent on top of old man skiddaw!

Just got 16 popups blocked ON THIS THREAD ABOUT POPUPS. Ridiculous. Oh wait, it’s now up to 53!

Argh, must have been half asleep when I looked at my calendar! It’s actually the 14th to 18/19th May. Thanks for all the replies so far, plenty of good pointers.

yes Youth Hostels are a good idea, never used one before but would be happy to try. Black Sail hut is a good shout.

Jekkyl- It’ll be the 23-28th May.

I have a 2011 caadx, and I fitted a rotor bb30 to 24mm adaptor after having the usual problems. IIRC you do need to watch out for obstructions, I think my cable guide stuck though into the bb area. Mine has been quiet for 2000 miles/18 months, but I have started hearing a creak when pushing hard, although I haven’t investigated it yet. I threadlocked the main thread which screws the two halves together.

Thanks for the replies- I was hoping you would have your say Scotroutes! 😉
TBH, the popularity of the NC500 route was putting me off, I didn’t know the outer hebrides would be busy(ish) so thanks for the heads up. I’m from the south east so it will probably all seem deserted to me, but its definitely something to think about!
The idea of using NCN routes does appeal to me, as they are fairly predictable and normally easy to follow, but occasionally I have found they skirt round the nice bits for whatever reason, but this may not be the case everywhere.

In terms of seeing/doing/eating things, I’m much more into scenery and views than touristy attractions, but I haven’t done a lot of research as of yet, so no pointers there I’m afraid! Good food is a bonus though!

I quite like the idea of going up the west coast- following the NC500 route or not, and then coming down NCR1, and then down NCN78, so I’ll do a bit of research on that- any pointers on this?

All good ideas so far, will look into them all…

I have a 2011 one, has been used for two touring trips, which it handled fine! Has also seen its fair share of bridleways and gravel, and was my only ‘road’ bike for a while.I’ve done about 3k miles on it. Would recommend, don’t know if newer ones have rack mounts though?
Edit: ah yeah, I got rid of bb30 quite promptly too!

Got back on Saturday, weather couldn’t have been better, lovely time. Saw otters, sea eagles, golden eagles, puffins on lunga, Short eared owl, marsh harriers etc etc.
Will update with photos when I have them sorted out.

Thanks for the input all, I shall report back on the busy-ness of the roads! All good suggestions, hadn’t thought of taking the wetsuit though for sure!
Got a boat trip booked, as well as an on-land ‘safari’, and I know a white tailed eagle from a crow so should manage in that respect

Walking boots will hopefully see a lot of use,loch coruisk sounds like a good shout too! I do dabble with mtb’s too, any experience of routes and/or hire companies or is it not worth the hassle?
Cheers for the suggestions so far