Stew – page 5 of this recent thread has some info that the venerable HouseHusband put up, via his etrex H; enough to convince me to have one winging its way right now (£65 off Amazon, + usb cable + bike mount, + map software yet to be decided. Look down below the photos). At the mo' I'm only really looking for recording-type info, & not so much planning routes. I found the Tracklogs website quite helpful.
(look down below the photos!)

I give you… Maynard James Keenan

My ma said my arse would fall off….

It does take a while to acclimatise to the sometimes-mercenary nature of the regular forum users; I first thought it was too vicious for me, but now the generally humourous ribbing amuses me more often than not. Heal soon DStarship & might give you a shout around xmas for a spin round Holcombe Hill, I'll be in Ramsbottom at the SO's folks for a week.

PG – careful, dunno if you've seen TJ's gate.. sorry, bike 🙂

I've an inkling of a route that would take maybe 2 hrs riding time, with a wee detour that avoids part of puke hill… there will be climbing but those ahead always wait on them behind (+ anyone'll toast me on the downs!)

Nice photo epicsteve – had you company or tripod?

Nicely collated Kit – hoping the Balerno collective make a border skirmish through; like the sound of epicsteves 'trails through the woods'

+1 more for Gore 'countdown' – it's like someone turned the draughts off!

Lizard Skins charger grips for me – the mushroom-gill type grips provide decent comfort / less pressure points. Seem slightly wider than the slip-on grips, which stops me thumbs accidentaly hitting the shifters (without a daft big gap between the grip & shift/brake assembly). Not that pricey either.

Thanks, Andy. Need to get this on the wishlist, what with xmas only 2.5 months away!

Sounds a good 'un – have a regular route climbing from Bonaly up to Allermuir, down to Glencorse, (road section) across to Bavelaw, back to & over Black Hill & towards the ranger centre (or the other way round). Good climbing & even some descending! See what the consensus / weather is Sunday..

FAO HouseHusband;

Impressed with your route download info Andy – if I may, which GPS unit / software do you use, & does this automatically use OS maps? I feel a birthday present coming on… 🙂

PG – hey, a birthday buddy! Mine on Saturday too 8)

Will keep an eye on this & see what entertainment will be had.

My sometime riding assassin (kills me every time), who couldn't make Gypsy Glen last week, has asked to go round Gypsy on Saturday.. But if it falls through, definitely be keen. Probably be going up Sunday anyway, if it's of interest.

(minor off-topic q Kit; brilliant landscape clarity on your photos; do you use RAW format by any chance? or solely digital?)

I think the OP is dead right – baaad on wet + hard surfaces. Another 'dodgy MK's' thread. 2.2 chili protections I use(d). Fine if ground conditions are dry, but I got a pair of trailrakers I'm looking forward to comparing.
& I aint making excuses for poor riding – think these tyres + wet multiplies my poor riding!

Examined this thread on Saturday, heart just about slowed to normal by Sunday!

Yes indeed, a fine way to spend a sunny Sunday morning. More kudos to George for bringing it together, and not a stack to be seen (up to Glentress at least??). Reckon that 1st climb through the heather may be THE new challenge. Some photo efforts from the day –

A litle gnarl-stylin'

And a few more here

P.S. is Glentress dust actually the most penetrative substance on the planet?

I wonder if the stories behind these discoveries would be as fascinating? How the hell do you 'just try' baked beans with melted mini mars bars???

Wouldnt you know it, been up half the night while last nights meal deceided whether it liked being in my stomach or not (it didn't btw). Feeling fragile but coming anyway – want to at least see the way out. There's plenty chances to bail, eh?

😯 😆

Kudos George et al – if I hadn't had to work today, still wouldn't have gone out! Hope it's calmer tomorrow.

Excellent, quite similar to Antonio Forcione , prefer your guys track though.

Xclnt – looks like they lifted that from a primary school art class 😀

This thread hits me from a slightly different angle; 37 in a weeks time, we'd found out we (note; modern attitude!) were pregnant back in June. However, a serious condition (Edwards syndrome – severe mental + possible physical abnormalities, & if baby is born alive they rarely make it past 12 months) was spotted at the 13wk scan, & we had to undergo the deliberate-miscarriage route. My angle is of a prospective father; slightly worried I've left it so 'late', now a year older than my own dads age at my birth, but hopefully we'll be happy parents this time next year.
I hold no grudges for my own parents, quite the opposite given some of my teenage behaviour. I wish we were closer than we are but I hope I can remember the profound effect emotional support has.

Once spent many £s buying glasses of Jack D/Baileys for guitar players of a certain band; looked like mud under olive oil.

+1 for Hoegaarden – sure it's fresh nature = less hangover. 'mind the pouring method – 2/3s out, swirl the rest. Still pricey in the pub, but less required. Belhaven Best as 2nd choice.

Haven't seen either but by reviews District 9 sounds by far the better movie; original, interesting, well put together, pleases many genres. Whilst Surrogates sounds like a remake of 'I, Robot' (the recent film).

They had a live show from Edinburgh a few months back, broadcast on nonces-favourite 5-live radio, where a clever audience member tried to embarass Dr. Kermode with the change of surname – said nonce put in his place via simple explanation by the hero Kermode 🙂

Was going to wait till 7pm then mail you a list Goan – if it'll help at all. By the by, have you seen forecast for tomorrow – seems it'll be very windy around midday; BBC 5-day says 35mph around 13.00, which definitely means serious gusts. Be careful out there.

Ouch – I'm not a snob! 🙂

Yeah, quite enjoy the Mayo-show podcasts, Kermode seems less stuffy on there, & his blogs, than the telly shows. Usually agree with his film opinions, and occasionally don't – how he could slag the Coens for 'Burn After Reading' (coming after 'No Country…') and let Del Toro off for 'Hellboy 2' (coming after 'Pans Labyrinth') shows helluva double standard I think.

Have you not fallen over yet? Best done in a crowded trail centre car park

[Agree to meet at the bottom car park]

Good point – I'll be in an orange fabia estate. Think I'll take the pitch pro for a laugh, haven't been really derided for a few days.. the bike's brown btw 🙂

Mesdames et messieurs,
Having read through the above, I've compiled the following for those who have actually confirmed / be possibles (noted with a ?):

Saturday 03-10-09:
Goan
TJ ?
swiss01
stevenmenmuir
jojoA1
PaulGillespie?

Total = 4 (or 6?)

Sunday 04-10-09:
Goan
TJ ?
Grumpystevo
Kit
Raddogair
robgarrioch
PaulGillespie ?
valley + 3
kevonakona

Total = 10 (or 12?)

I've made up a wee list to e-mail to Goan later; any more takers please post up soon… 🙂

There's certainly some technical rocky descents, great when dry, a little sketchy if wet, + a good climb to start off. Like Wors says it's a short but fun lap. Some interesting looking features to explore too, if you've time.

I'm (tentatively) commiting to Sunday, despite being out for dinner Saturday – keen to do Gypsy Glen. Undecided over HT/FS too, not that I have the sick skillz for either. Going from Bonaly in Edinburgh, with roof rack space for 1 bike if anyone's interested in a lift. There for 9.45 'mind!

From an ardent metal-head, one of those cathartic songs (we've all got them). Had it played recently at a cripplingly emotional cremation; means a lot for myself & the other half – she held up way better than me..

Full of Grace – Sarah McLachlan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3sjSnhZJk0

Wish I knew how to make it so you click on the song title – can anyone enlighten me? Not that keen on the video images, but the song keeps its power..
😥

Traveller – Devin Townsend Band – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb3KFD3dkBg&feature=PlayList&p=30969B04FC5BCA12&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
Junkhead – Alice In Chains
Jizzlober – Faith No More
The Grand Conjuration – Opeth
This Is Now – Hatebreed

Not poking exactly, but used to get strings of jellyfish stings on fishing lines, sometimes they'd get blown onto you, dry out then re-apply said sting when you got in the bath later. Ahh summer days

My fave if there's others around; someday this will be the first song played at my wedding…

Though personal favourite is 'New Millenium Cyanide Christ' by the titanic Meshuggah.

If you liked those films, just wait till 'The Hobbit' ones come out – being split into 2 parts, so hopefully they'll be pretty close to the book. Plus Guillermo Del Toro's directing, Peter Jackson producing…
The grip of 'Pans Labyrinth' + budget of 'LOTR'.. as long as Del Toro doesn't take his Hollywood head out (Hellboy 2 anyone?) they ought to be fantastic.