Hi there. I strongly advise you pop into your local college (City of Glasgow college?) and have a chat with one of their advisors regarding what options would be open to him.

He could do an National certificate, HNC, HND, Routes to Higher Ed course or suchlike and potentially progress directly into third year of an honours degree if he really wants to when the time comes.

Most colleges have fantastic articulation routes into uni these days and great opportunities for work placement.

With a college course he’s not going to commit himself to 4 years of one thing. He could do a one or two year course thus giving him a bit of time to find out what he really likes

Alterntively there are Foundation Apprenticeships as well as Modern Apprenticeships to consider.

It’s late in the day for applying to college but I am sure there will be some availability in certain courses. Go and speak to CoGC or any other local college as there’s a few down there

I find most people (including school teachers and advisors) aren’t that well informed about what college can offer young people so it doesn’t get explained very well to kids. Particularly in high performing schools where Uni is often the only route presented (as it was to me)

I went to a college (after dropping out of Uni) and ended up with an MSc. I have also now worked in one now for 14 years so I’m quite a fan.

Also City of Glasgow’s new campuses are amazing. I’m well jealous of their facilities. Worth going just for a nosey.

Evasion Sports in Les Gets.

very well equipped shop, been on the go for since I first went there in the 90s (if I recall correctly)

May need to swap brake levers around though.

I was going to say…. just go and watch Earthed etc and your question is answered.

Is it it the beginning of his section on Earthed 5 when he hucks a massive, and I mean massive, gap the camera man just says… “what the ****?”

Totally dumbstruck!

You may wish to investigate “body tempering” and Active Isolated Stretching” (AIS)

Good luck dude..

I am not personally a fan of low carb diets, particularly ones that put you in ketosis. I just really don’t think they are sustainable or necessary. 

You might want to reassess once you up your activity and get on Zwift

I went from over 114kg down to 88kg. Consistency is key

All the best.

I’ve been feeling like that quite a bit recently, trying to cut weight for summer roadie adventures exacerbates the fatigue too but exercise always helps.

Was knackered this afternoon but forced myself out for an after work run and immediately felt much better for it.

Tattoo Artist?

If you shaved your leg below the tattoo it would look awesome. But then you would have to walk around in really short shorts all the time for the full garter effect.

What did you expect?

I travel all over Europe specifically to get tattooed by certain people. I have a clue.

I didn’t actually criticise your design by the way, I just noted that the technical application was poor. I can explain further if you wish.

The actual concept for the tattoo is fun.

Why did you start your initial post with “Hope you like” then?

Nope. Tattoos don’t have to be meaningful.

(I have lots of tattoos)

But I agree that what other people think doesn’t matter, and so long is the wearer is happy then all is groovy.

Hmm. Execution/application not good. Not at all. But if your happy with it then all that’s all that matters.

She should be able to access it through her Glow account at school I think.

This should then enable her to download the apps to her computer as well as accessing the online versions.

I loved Bali. It’s mental busy in the south but the beaches, landscape and people make it worth it.

If you want to go crazy I can thoroughly recommend the 4 Seasons resort in Jimbaran. Amazing beach club with great food. Even if you don’t stay there go rent a daybed and spend a day eating and drinking. Quite good value too (the beach club – Sundara, not the hotel, that’s expensive as ****)

El Kabron is a great bar for a sunset meal/drinks.

Go and eat roast suckling pig at Ibu Oka in Ubud and do a cycle tour from the volcanos. All downhill on road and death trap bikes but it’s a great way to see real Bali.

There are millions of Air B&Bs too. I stayed in an amazing one in Jimbaran that came with a pool and brilliant housekeeper/breakfast chef/host included for not much money.

I would avoid Kuta and Nusa Dua. Very generic faceless resorts.

If returning I would base myself in Ubud and Jimbaran/Ullawatu.

Some fantastic beaches in Ullawatu. Padang Padang and Binging beach are both beautiful but can be very busy.

Getting around is a nightmare by the way. You have to take taxis everywhere. Bluebird taxis have a meter and are cheap and reliable. All other companies (who drive identical blue cars) are rip off merchants that you need to haggle senseless. You can get drivers and private cars for the day for not much cash if you want to do a trip somewhere.

Do not let anyone take you to the Blue Marlin or similar restaurants on Jimbaran beach. Tourist traps. Do some homework on where to eat and you will be rewarded with some amazing food.

Get in touch with Treeline Chalets and tell them what your after.

Low carb diet = low levels of stored glycogen which means significant weight loss from water loss.

If you have a “day off” and eat a lot of carbs you’ll replenish your glycogen stores and get heavier due to the water that you’ll retain (until you burn off all the glycogen again).

I like carbs and believe that there is no need to remove them from your diet or restrict them severely.

If you want to lose weight the most significant criteria is a negative energy balance. The macro nutrient balance is less important.

I just use a regular road tyre and experience no issues.

I use the bike outside too and life is to short for faffing about swapping wheels or tyres. When it wears out it wears out. But the turbo doesn’t seem to be wearing it any worse than the road.

Calories are calories. 1000 cals of cake and biscuits is the same as 1000 cals of marzipan.

I would guess there is twice as many calories per 100g in marzipan than there is in generic cake (without marzipan).

I find them to be a bit hit and miss. Have used them a couple of times recently. One order arrived in a couple of days, the other ended up in me cancelling it due to delay of “in stock” item followed buy poor cons and “stock discrepancies” excuse.

I used XO1 cranks for two years with no issues including Enduro races and multiple trips to the Alps etc.

I am no lightweight either.

Calorie balance (energy in vs energy out) is far more critical than macronutrient balance when it comes to managing body composition (but obviously for optimal living you want a balance of all three macros)

My caveat was “in moderation”. Clearly you don’t want to be hoovering up heaps of refined sugars when you’re sitting on your ass all day inactive. This will inevitably cause a calorie surplus (which is very easy to do).

It’s even less of an issue if your exercising regularly. You need sugar to fuel the body and to help it recover – which I’m sure you know. All carbs are converted to sugar ultimately. I consumed hundreds of grams of sugar last weekend. But I cycled 70km and ran 23km in the same period.

If you’re regularly active (which I’m assuming you are as this is a cycling forum) then fruit and yoghurt seems like a decent brekkie to me (although I prefer higher protein equivalents like quark/skyr).

There’s nothing wrong with sugar if you eat it in moderation. Especially if it’s in the form of vitamin and fibre packed fruit.

My go to breakfast is a small pot of Quark or Skyr, a chopped banana and a drizzle of honey. Protein, carbs and a tiny wee bit of fat (which I get plenty of later in the day) – sometimes add a dod of peanut butter. Tasty and filling.

I keep honey, nut butter and bananas at work and take the quark/skyr with me each morning.

Ive used them a few times recently and it’s been patchy. All the stuff I bought with regular shipping came via Royal Mail within two days. Great! All the stuff I needed quickly, and thus paid for express postage took four/ five days and came via Yodel (and sat in their local-to-me depot all (sunny) weekend as a result – how annoying!)

Still – nae bad but not good enough for my impatient temperament. I will still use them though. I’m sure it will settle down.

I have returned a few things too but that has all gone smoothly.

Also ordered from Evans, Wiggle and Stif and they all arrived bang on schedule – next day.

Yeah there’s a few anodisers in my local area but they are more used to anodising oil rig bits.

I thought someone might have a wee niche business doing motor bike/car/bike bits or suchlike.

Thanks for the Steve the Anodiser tip. Will explore that option.

Oh yes. It’s very, very much a first world problem.

Hanging leg raise
Roll out
Squat (yes it’s a core exercise too).
Deadlift
Back raise

There are variations of all of these

I don’t like “core” exercises that excessively and repeatedly flex the vertebrae

The last bike I bought complete from a LBS was built abysmally.

Bars dropped as soon as weight was put on the hoods (cx bike) as Stem bolts weren’t tight, gear limits weren’t set and various other bolts were not tight.

Shop were adamant that it was pdi’d. Offered to take it back to redo. I said no thanks and did it myself.

If you’re in the market for a small fluffy pet I would suggest a couple of Guinea Pigs.

Yes due to their size they take up more space than gerbils but they are way more sociable with humans and will happily sit on laps, chill out etc. Hamsters and gerbils are often just scatty and timid.

Not overly nocturnal either so awake when you want to interact with them and they tend to be less bitey too.

A power meter is definitely on the cards – probably the new Garmin Vector 3 pedals – have been training using the power readings on the smart trainer and have made excellent progress already.

I can see how knowing your zones etc would be very useful pacing a long and hard ride.

I am planning to do a bunch of climby sportives and the three day tour of the highlands in May so that should be a good build up.

i will be staying in Annecy for the weekend before heading to Provence for more roadie action then on to morzine to see friends and ride the big bike so should be well rested before the big day.

Once again, some really helpful advice here. It is much appreciated

Thanks for the responses and offers of help everyone. Some really useful links and advice there.

I would say the most important thing is to learn to hydrate and get food in you early and use proper electrolyte-based drinks. Thanks

Yes. This and the potential heat worry me. I am very conscious of the importance of eating and drinking enough as I bonked hard on my first 100miler but have been ok since. I just get sick of eating sweet things. I take it there’s no savoury carbs on the feed stations?

Also think about going for an 11-32 rear cassette to make sure you have low enough gearing

I did this for the 3 pistes Sportive and it’s still on my bike. I got too used to having that 34-32 gear

Re proximity to hills. I live in Aberdeen so not far from The Lecht, Glenshee, Cairn o Mount etc. I envisage that I will be spending a lot of time in such places come the spring cycling up and down these hills repeatedly.

Love the colour.

I am just under five ft ten and I ride a large with a 35mm stem and it’s perfect for me. Seatpost has about 2 inches exposed (before dropper)

I would think you want an xl

I have a Wahoo Kickr Snap that I got for £449 with loyalty discount from Sigma Sport.

I am really happy with it. I went for the snap because of its really heavy flywheel which I think gives it excellent feel whilst riding.

It’s rock solid too which is good given my 90kg mass.

Thoroughly recommend.

As with all second hand stuff… Sold. As. Seen

Tell her to jog on.

Kids 6, 8 and 10 plus all their kit. Would be hard work over boggy terrain. Seemed like a convenient solution.

What’s wrong with cash? Last time I bought a car privately that’s what I used. A big brown envelope full of cash.

Quickly knock up a batch of complimentary fruit (I.e. Plum) jam and cut it with the chilli mix.

My advice is not to skimp and be clear on what you’re covered for. You don’t want to give them any reason for not paying out.

I usually use Dog Tag insurance. Extreme level cover for riding in Les Gets etc.

I have year round travel insurance through RBS but it doesn’t cover me for DH riding in Morzine etc.

It was cheaper to take out a separate policy with Dog Tag than paying to upgrade my RBS cover.

Are you eating enough and getting the right balance of nutrients?

If your very active diet is as important, if not more so than rest.

If you don’t refuel post exercise you’ll be playing catchup and running on half empty all week.