I plumped for an Adidas adzero Pro which was heavily discounted. I’ll see how the brand works for me then there’s a fair few different models at sensible prices to look at in the future.

I know it’s far from a flat btw. It just caught my eye and if the style works for me then there’s other more traditional options available.

Can I ask a shoe question?
Thought I’d have a crack at some road 10k – half marathons.
I’ve done a half when I was new to running 18 months ago and managed 1.30. My current parkrun pb is 17.46.
I like to run on my forefoot but will consciously ‘get lazy’ on longer runs to allow for some heel strike. I supinate slightly.
I’m currently wearing Clifton 8s which are great but they’re getting on a bit and I fancy trying a race day shoe. Are carbon plate shoes the only option these days for a fast shoe? I liked the idea of a simple racing flat but there doesn’t seem to be many out there.

I use Altra lone peak boots. Wear waterproof socks inside them.
Did three days hiking in the Cairngorms this winter with microspikes on them. On bare rock without spikes they felt great. So much more feel underfoot.
Also walked 3 days of the SW coast path in February. 12hr days too.
Absolutely love them.

I’ve currently got a barzo on the rear and xr3 on the front of my Topfuel. Works pretty well in all conditions.

Aliens.
Scare the bejezus out of her.
I think I waited until mine was about 13 and it instantly became her favourite film ever. She still loves it.

I lived in a static caravan for 3 years with no mains power or even running water over the winter when I was young and just starting off living away from home. Lots of jumpers and getting used to being cold and damp helps 😄

The Hylex are superb btw. I’ve had a set on a cx bike for 6 years or so now. Still my favourite hood ergonomics of all time.

I think its hilarious that humans are building the machines that might ultimately wipe them out. Nuclear weapons weren’t enough obviously.
When tasked with solving climate change the logical minds will see an obvious solution I’m sure.
Good riddance I say. Humans are too stupid to have all this power. 😆

Bought some half price Trailflys from them the other day. Arrived promptly.

I don’t know what it is but I’ve always been able to climb well since I was a kid.
I’m only around 4w/kg and on the flat have been outsprinted by 14 year old girls, but on prolonged gradients over 10% I can often drop cat 1/2s. (And they’re on superbikes whilst I’m on my Croix de Fer). I’m happiest out of the saddle and get in a really calm, meditative state during the climb. Absolutely adore hills.

I agree with Nickc. After watching the tory party debase values and ethics, if challenged whilst riding I’ve gone from saying I’m sorry to I don’t care. This it what happens when people like Boris get in power.

Whichever trail shoe you find comfortable. I wouldn’t go for massive lugs, just something moderate like the aforementioned Speedgoat.
Speed doesn’t come from the shoe it comes from the body, so get out and do lots of training then you can smash out sub 20 with ease. I’d suggest seeing if there’s a local running club you can join. Nothing like group training sessions to move you forward.

Despite enjoying a brilliant trip to the Cairngorms with a mate a few weeks ago, this thread plus a few Facebook pages I’ve started following (climbing and hiking), coupled with wintery conditions currently and expected (MWIS and met O), has led me to change my plans for a solo trip to Snowdonia next week.
Whilst I do tend to be a little overcautios, all these stories helped remind me that situations do happen to people just like me.
I always jokingly say I like a bit of ‘mild peril’ on my trips. I decided that spending days in the mountains on my own without a fixed plan thus anyone knowing where I was, on icy ground, pushed the trip into ‘moderate peril’.
At the age of 48 I’ve nothing to prove and everything to lose so I’ve switched destinations to the SW coastal path. Back to challenging conditions for hiking and bivvying, but not dangerous.
Cheers guys.

I think if you dress right, work within your experience and don’t take silly chances then that’s all we can do to mitigate disaster. But it’s the tiny chance of trouble that makes these trips exciting and worth doing. It’s good for the soul.

Our favourite moment was was on that first day when we were on the shallow icy slopes of Coire Raibert and my mate got bodily picked up by a gust. I grabbed his rucksack straps and we clung onto an outcrop of rocks whilst a sea of ice crystals flowed over us. Magic!

These last two comments align with how we went about it. Both my mate and I are very used to being outdoors, having worked in arboriculture/horticulture our whole lives, so we understand weather. We love an adventure so just headed up and learnt on the job. Our first day we had 70mph gusts making walking extremely hard, but we moved slowly and carefully, assessing each risk as we came across it. We stopped regularly to get our bearings, using a Harvey map and compass plus a phone and GPS to help.
Had a wonderful time and it felt so good to do something with consequences. Makes you feel alive.
To learn self arrest, we found a short steep slope and spent a joyous hour throwing ourselves down it. That gave us a ton of confidence.
The Way from Northern Corries to Ben Macdui was marked by cairns every 50m or so. Wouldn’t have attempted it in heavy snowfall but it was just icy freeze/thaw albeit with around 200m visibility, so we took our chances and had a lovely day.

This was exactly me and a mate two weeks ago. First time in the Cairngorms, stayed at Aviemore.
Wore microspikes on our shoes and they were fantastic. After our first day when we walked the two corries route (I believe its called) I.e. around the ridge of the cliffs, we went straight to a shop and bought axes! Plenty of icy snow on the southern slopes and it was wickedly windy.
Had a great time the next day practicing self arrest on a small but steep slope that we found down towards Loch Avon, which reinforced our confidence.
Final day we marched out to Ben Mcdue (sp?), which was in the clouds but marked with regularly cairns.
We really practiced our nav, using paper map and compass but backed up by os app on phone and a garmin etrex.
It was brilliant!

What I don’t understand is when some on here say its a good thing to get more people out onto the hills. It’s very noble and all that but don’t you go riding to get away from everyone? I hate bunches of loud, brash blokes, and ebikes enable them to get to spots that would otherwise be largely inaccessible to them. At least not so frequently.

I gave up trying after a year and bought another shock. This was in 2017 though so maybe they’re wonderful now.

Trek wouldn’t solve an issue with a re:activ shock on a brand new bike because they said it was up to Fox to deal with. Fox said it was Treks responsibility.

Dolan refused to warranty a cx bike because ‘it had been used in mud’.

I have no faith in any big companies full stop. They are professionals at wriggling out of what the rest of us would consider fair.

The genius of the outdry is that because it can not wet out, you never get windchill from evaporative cooling. On a windy day, ten mins after the rain has stopped, all the droplets have blown off and you can put it away dry.
I’d imagine the Gore Shakedry is the ultimate in breathability and the above, but I see the outdry as a more durable companion.

The Endura is a beautifully made jacket btw. The zips, fit and features are top notch. But it’s not waterproof at all after one bikepacking trip.

Yep the Columbia does get hot and sweaty. Thing is, when it’s really howling and chucking it down and you’re heading up and up into the wildness of it all, hot and sweaty is an absolute flippin godsend! The alternative is hypothermia, bad decisions and definitely a thoroughly miserable time. Too hot? Just undo a zip or two.

Save your money. My MT500 jacket is 100% not waterproof. Was good until the dwr wore off so about 30hrs ish. Now it wets out and I freeze. Feel a bit conned by the company and the reviews tbh.
So far my Columbia outdry replacement has been perfect, but I’ve only put about 20hrs of heavy rainfall onto it so far.

I’ve avoided reading this thread as I was enjoying slowly working through the series.
I thought it was absolutely flipping brilliant! Loved it.
First thing since series 1 of Fargo that has captivated me.
Bravo!

My Endura jacket was brilliant whilst the dwr held out, which was for about 10 wet rides.
Beautifully thought out and constructed jacket but completely useless as a waterproof now.

P.S. I ran the marathon in Speedgoats. Whilst I love the feel of Altras, I don’t feel fast in them.

Lots of news from me. Did my first marathon, which was also my first trail race at Beachy Head last weekend. I was so happy as I ran and had a few lovely chats. Partnered up with some dude on the Severn Sisters and we encouraged each other along.
Must play to my strengths as I did it in 3.42 despite having the most incredibly sore muscles by the end. My training has been a couple of short to medium runs a week so this was a huge step up. Hopefully I’ve a lot of room to grow.

To that end I’ve joined my local running club and participated in their track night and club run. Exciting times!

Finally, have just bought some Altra walking boots as I love the feel of their shoes. Am a convert to a wide toe box.

They were talking about it on the Trainerroad podcast once. I think they said it was the valve above the stomach fluttering due to acid something or other. Was quite a relief as at the time I’d experienced it a bit. Caffeine was a real trigger for me.

As you your original dilemma, I’m still working through it on a different direction. Trying to remove every last trace of the racer in me to free me up completely to pursue my dreams of adventure. The fellows over at BB have been a great help today.

Hee hee! Remember that year I went to Menorca the same summer as you? I rented a bike from Son Bou and rode the trail you mentioned. Bike was such a jalopy 🤣.
Middle of one day I took it up that hill to the monastery. Have never been so hot in my life and lousy cafe wouldn’t give me any water.
Fond memories 😁

I think I saw on the mtbr forum that there were a lot of warranty issues with that fork. Be careful.

What about putting a bigger fork on your Spark? I’ve put a 130mm Fox 34 on my Topfuel and its flippin brilliant! Much more fun than with the stock 100mm.

Ahh! Alder, or the ‘tits and willies tree’ as we used to call it on our horticulture course.

Just wanted to pop in to say thanks for the Bob Graham Sounds podcast suggestion. Am on episode 5 now.
What a charming series it is.

In return, can I recommend Adharanand Finn; The Way of the Runner podcast. Great writer with the most lovely calm voice.

A change to my routine.

Well I’ve enjoyed watching it over the last ten years and have raced it nationally too. My favourite course ever was the 2018 nats at Hadleigh which was the 2012 Olympic course.
I’m sure there’s a ton of stuff going on that I’m unaware of though.
DH I just watch and find pretty darn good viewing right now. That mens final at MsA was ace!

I love the xc and think it’s developed well over the years. The shorter, rougher tracks make great viewing.
Am watching the Snowshoe DH right now (belatedly). Their kit is pretty well lycra now too isn’t it 😆? Only their body armour differentiates them from looking like those roadies. Probably time to retire the sport eh?

It does seem to imply there might be decent coverage of the enduro races though doesn’t it?

All sounds good, just do me a favour and don’t pump.your tyres up hard. Run your usual pressures. I guarantee you’ll remember this advice halfway through and smile to yourself.

GCN is streaming thd xco European championships on the 19th. Should give an insight into their plans for the commentary team.
If its that Marty ‘welcome aboard’ cx/women’s road race commentator then its going to kill it for me. Can’t watch either now as his clueless babble is so irritating.