Golspie and Balblair would be good.

If it is going to kill you then you may as well have a decent last meal so none of that. Maybe a nice scallop dish for starter, Fillet Steak for mains and then Lemon Merengue pie would be good for me.

If you want to survive then try some proper sports nutrition and some training.

I strongly recommend you get some pedals. You’re bike won’t be much good without them.

In this situation I would explain my regret at pulling out and go buy elsewhere. No one can really take offence.

You will also get people checking you weren’t using an e-bike if it is a climb.

Well done.

Don’t expect it to last.

You will get a notification.

I’ve been using one on the back of my bike all winter and actually I quite like it. Brilliant in the dry and maybe a little sketchy in the wet but by no means lethal.

The only things I would add really is scan the ground more than you are at the moment (the soldiers are usually fairly obvious once you are a few metres into the trail, don’t wear head phones, apologise lots if you do run into them.

Places to be especially careful are Banana Split (top of Seven Eleven), Belgian Bun and Harry’s Game off the small grassy area near the Old Guildford Road. Also on the opposite side of the OGR at the top of the hill there are sometimes harbour areas their but fewer trails go through.

If there are a lot of port loo’s around and the odd vehicle that is usually a good sign to move on.

On Porridge Pot the usual harbour areas are near the plateau at the top. Again fairly obvious.

If you don’t know the area the best bet is to go out with a group that does or ride in daylight when you might be able to see the military better.

Squamish and Whistler both have good single track trails.

I can’t think of much to add.

Dragging a decent mtb through seven sorts of rubbish on a regular basis will mean stuff breaks. I too have a 2015 Camber Evo. This has been generally reliable in my view but has very few original items, my forks are currently in need of replacement, dropper post is still working, cranks and brakes are original.

I am on probably 3rd or 4th drive train, 3rd set of frame bearings, 4th bottom bracket, second set of wheels, you get the picture.

The bike has not had an easy life, BC Bike Race, various xc and marathon events, a host of trail centres, 12 months of neglect in Ireland, trips to Madeira and Italy for uplift riding……. more than 4,500 miles of not easy off road riding.

The bike is great and still puts a smile on my face. Keeping it all running smoothly and efficiently costs time and money.

And to answer the question – have a look at getting a Turner and using the grease ports regularly to keep all the bushings running smoothly through the grot. You will however have the same issues with every other component. Try for Hope of King components (hubs, bottom brackets and headset), SLX running gear and Hope Brakes. Oh and no dropper. Then learn how to maintain and lube your suspension forks and do it.

Wilderness Trail Bikes is one of the oldest names in mountain biking, I don’t believe they ever went out of business but have certainly had a resurgence of late.

I am actually really liking their kit at the moment, tires are good, carbon rims are good, alloy rims are good, saddles are good. What is not to like?

Here you go. February in New Zealand.

You could just accrue the gross amount and take the time to get sorted.

I have a 2015 Revelator Master and love it. Fantastic carbon frame and a decent groupset and reasonable kit.

OK so in the spirit of being helpful rather than disruptive here are some suggestions assuming you are either currently a manager or aspiring to be a manager of people.

Essential Management Skills – this should pretty much do what it says on the tin so: Essential Management skills will support me in understanding and practicing the key skills expected of me in a management role thus allowing me to be more proficient in my role. ** if you can focus on something that you have been struggling with that would be great.

Emotional Intellegence for Business – this is something that is actually pretty useful so shouldn’t be ignored. so: My intention with attending the Emotional intelligence course it that I would like to be able to better understand both myself and others, their behaviours and reactions in order to improve my performance as a manager and my ability to both say the correct things and manage more challenging interpersonal situations effectively, professionally and without causing unnecessary offence.

Improving Professional Confidence – who wouldn’t want this. I would like to improve my confidence to support me in …… * you can make this bit up for yourself.

Hope this helps.

Dogtag is a bit of a go to in this arena.

When you say not down hill you should probably check the small print. With many companies it would seem that uplifted riding means down hill. If you are doing any sort of competition you need to be over towards the more expensive end of the options list. If it is less than £250 for an annual policy you need to triple check the small print.

Fantastic – I need to watch this later. I was there and may well be in the video somewhere on the pipeline.

Those were the days.

My vote would be for Hope. They are re build able and easily fixed.

I have had Mavic Crossmax in the past and have nothing but problems with them. I had to have them re-built. I also had issues with the free hub body and snapped an axle.

I’m two pairs of Next SL’s down. Most recent set have cracks in the carbon on the frame facing side of the crank, on the none drive side the pedal insert was loose as was the axle insert.

This is quite an interesting thread. A couple of years ago there would have been a lot of love for Endura to be fair to them their kit is excellent.

I have been wearing quite a lot of Pearl Izumi kit of late (I am one of their champions) and I really like it so definitely worth a look along with some of the other suggestions. I am also a big fan of Cycology jerseys and don’t get on with Morvelo on the grounds that the pockets come too high up your back and are therefore challenging to access.

I have Readly and will admit I am impressed. I have no idea how anyone makes money though.

I tend to end up with ex Lease cars, typically with no issues, well looked after because people want their deposit back. Even ex Company cars are good. If it was serviced when it should have been and shows no signs of major damage or repair all should be fine.

Obviously there are lemons out there and these can be hard to spot.

I have been spending a lot of time living away from home and have concluded (since spending time in hotels and apartments) that bike washing in the bath is an entirely acceptable thing to do.

Just be careful with the shower screen.

I am all lined up for Singletrack6 at the end of July too. I am trying hard to live the dream somewhere in the middle of the pack!!

that looks good.

Another vote for BC Bike Race – I’m hoping to get back in 2018, it is well organised and great fun.

As to this year I am fresh back from a month in New Zealand where I rode The Pioneer which was very hard and rewarding but just not fun enough for me to want to return for that particular race. Other riding we did around the Port Hills of Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington and best of all Rotorua was amazing.

Events I am currently booked in for in the UK are a little thin at the moment.

I cannot attest to the reliability of the Next SL’s. I have a set that need to go back with the following set of issues.

Driveside (small crack on the inside side of the crank.
Non Drive Side (crack per drive side)
Loose pedal insert.
Loose crank insert.

I have also had a loose crank insert on a previous set.

I cannot say I am entirely impressed. They are light but clearly there is an issue with this. I cannot fathom how so many manufacturers are fitting these even on Enduro and Trail bikes.

This is a very difficult question.

At the moment I have no intention of selling bikes and little intention of buying one.

This doesn’t mean that next week things won’t change for no reason what so ever. I have owned so many I have lost track and always miss a couple when I count up.

I have an aluminium Santa Cruz Highball that could be for sale and a Spesh Singlecross in OK condition that seldom gets ridden.

I don’t like back packs but have been getting on well with USWE recently. So have a look at those.

Via when did I last see it and hunting.

Now recovered.

Racing for 2017 starts tomorrow and keeps going all week. Will also be doing Big Dog, some Gorrick events and anything else that catches my eye.

Hopefully I will be fit enough.

Had a lovely ride yesterday, see no reason why tomorrow’s race shouldn’t be similar. Must remember that Factor50.

From a customer POV I have no problem recommending Transat.

I’ve flown with AirTransat in the past and as has been stated above it is £30 each way for the bike at 32kg as an addition to your regular 23kg bag. They do handle quite a lot of bikes out of Gatwick and their standards and value are excellent.

I am booked with them to Calgary later this year.

Tomorrow morning – I shall mostly be riding my fat bike. The remainder of the weekend is all about preparation to go away with the bike for a month with the bike for a bit of racing, a few trails, a bungee jump etc.

February is going to be awesome.

Clothes straight in the washing machine, helmet, anywhere in the house, shoes (if wet on the radiator) or by the door ready for the next ride.

You’ll be telling us next you aren’t allowed bikes in the house, but children and pets are fine inside.

Yep – spoke holes need to be sealed with tape. Same as Stans or any other side for the Mavic ones that us those PITA double nipple arrangement things.

The Mavic Ksyrium soft-shell is very nice.

Northface Duffle bag. Available in a range of sizes suitable for days out or weekends/weeks away. You may choose to supplement with plastic bags and waterproof sacks to separate out the filth from the clean stuff.

I’m being very adventurous this year with The Pioneer in February and Singletrack6 at the beginning of August.

Around those I would expect to do: Brass Monkey’s this weekend (if the cold goes away), maybe a Gorrick or two, Brighton Big Dog, Gorrick Kawasaki 100, Torq 12:12, maybe Mayhem and potentially a Scott Marathon or two (not the Wantage one because that was boring).