Do you think it would be better suited to gravel bikes than MTBs, given the tarmac sections which ain’t no fun on knobbly tyres? How many days have you ridden it over? Is it one that can be knocked out in a couple of hard days?

I’ve done 2 long days (2x90km ish), but mostly 3 solid days. One day is for masochists on cross bikes. You can chop a few bits out if you need to.

Light 29er is ideal. While not gnarly the off road is pretty bumpy and hard work on a rigid bike! Depends if you are carrying gear too or using a luggage transfer. In my opinion you want proper offroad tyres.

The Sandstone Way in the North-East is a relatively new 120 mile route and looks interesting. It’s on our list to do, but got bumped by a long mixed-surface route this summer, but it’s definitely on the shortlist for 2019!

Would be interested to hear from anyone who has ridden this.

I’ve done it a dozen or so times with groups….. what would you like to know!! Its a classic old-school MTB touring route with a mixture of surfaces, some great views and country hospitality. It does have some significant tarmac sections though. Ask away!

Giro Alpineduro?

Giro Alpineduro Review: Cold and shoulder…

Going to be cold in the mountains at that time of year. Like riding in the snow cold in places. I was there in late-April this year and there was plenty of snow on the high passes and we had low single figures in the mornings in the valleys!!

At work (Saddle Skedaddle) we start trips from late March, but even these are the lower trips. High Atlas season starts from May.

Tenn shorts cheap on fleaBay at the moment too…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282892279993

I’ve just taken a punt on the Vittoria Goma two pack with free Camelback bottle for £20…. I’ll let you know how I get on.

@matt_outandabout how do these look? Too skinny for the front of a proper trail bike?

Anyone got real world weights….650b flavour in particular?

Define ‘winter’…..?

We (Saddle Skedaddle) have a few trips to Portugal, Spain and Morocco between now and the end of March. WINTER TRIPS

Stif Morf?

Stif Morf

“Progressive, long, low and slack frame designed to mimic the riding position of a modern full-suspension bike.”

Nice one, thanks @daern. Looks ideal if I get the chance to escape!
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Cadet forces helped me a lot (Air Training Corps in my case). Confidence building, camaraderie, and it appealed to my geeky nature at the time. Lots of outdoor stuff and a different bunch of kids to school was all useful. Worth considering 100%.

Not going over into Istria? Loads on Trailforks around Rabac. The Bike centre there is super helpful.

As for Bolivia….

You can do the usual tourist trail and still have a great time. La Paz, Rurrenabaque, Uyuni, Poytosi, Lago Titicaca are all amazing despite not being particularly off the beaten track.

Alternatively you can get very, very remote in the various cordillera. A climb of Hauyna Potosi is the easiest way to get over 6,000m anywhere in the world and a proper mountain experience even if you don’t a lot of climbing experience. Gravity Bolivia to some great proper MTB trips as well as the ‘Worlds Most Dangerous Road / Camino de la Muerte’. I clocked up about 250-300 trips down the WMDR so am well qualified to say that it is certainly worth the trip!

Peru and Bolivia are amazing, I lived out there for almost 3 years. Be wary of trying to do/see too much in a month the distances are HUGE!!

Probably referring to something like this…. https://www.mtblivigno.eu/en/single-track-scale-sts

We get questions like this at work (cycling holidays) all the time, and it seems like a particular underwriter must use this wording. I’d aim for cover for all mountain biking!!

<div class=”bbp-reply-author”>kilo
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Conversely Mrs Kilo since I introduced her to cycling loves biking and now in particular off road. She’s doing singletrack 6 in BC next month ( on her own) for the third time, done Sani2c, broke her hand on PPdeS one year, done 3 peaks cx and has a collection of Ibis bikes. It’s great being able to spend big chunks of time biking together

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@kilo… random…. did I meet your better half at the weekend in Northumberland?!

As an aside I’ve been offered a deal on ordering a small number of these at a little bit of discount and better shipping. Any interest???

http://www.dolittle.co.nz/product

For lightweight/emergency use…..

http://www.xcracer.com/shop/viewproduct.php?productid=269

Came home from a biking trip in Scotland to find a copper in the entrance to our block of 5 flats…. turns out this had happened downstairs while we were away…

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/jesmond-vet-jailed-torturing-man-10829970

Little known fact…. a lot of Shimano screws are JIS not Phillips/Pozi. Most of the time a phillips will work but a specific JIS screwdriver just works more betterer!!

Edit ^^^ too slow!

Aeropress is way to much faff for groups. Perfect for individuals though.

Just thought a bit of flair when catering for groups would be nice!

My better half had a Merida with the same problem. The frame, combined with the Recon Fork and Hayes brakes generated horrible ‘flutter’ or vibration. tried a few remedies including facing the mounts etc. But in the end changing out any one of the brake/fork/frame solved it. All the components on different bikes were fine. Impossible to test every frame/fork/brake/rotor combo in the lab.

Will get interesting from about 3:00pm onwards…

Giro d’Italia 2018 stage 16 time trial start times

Drop Hannah at Flare Clothing a line. Not sure of minimum number but quality is top notch.

Flare Clothing Co

https://flareclothingco.com/pages/custom

Is the package not a reinforced bottle?

Flare Roost jerseys are a good long sleeve heavier option. I use them as a winter jersey…

https://flareclothingco.com/collections/mens-jerseys

http://filme-von-draussen.ch/wordpress/project/trail-tales-episode-10/

https://vimeo.com/filmevondraussen

Filme von Draussen also has a whole series of films about the region. Looks amazing!

You’ll probably find that any responsible coach or guiding organisation will have a permit of some kind when operating in FC land or trails centres unless on a bridleway or other RoW which are fair game.

In many parts of the ‘developed’ world any commercial use of public land needs resource consents / permits and a lot more red tape which tends to stifle small businesses and individual guides/coaches which I think would be a bad thing.

I’ve had a 4-bike 29er version for 3 years and think its great. I regularly have in it a Cross-bike, 26” FS MTB, 27.5” MTB (slack, wide bars) and flat-bar commuter, all size large.

Pluss the pressure washer, pump etc etc.

100% recommended.

Sorry to spoil the fun….

http://www.ibert.bike/replacement-parts/mounting-bar

roxfit

+1

Any idea of time of year and whether you’re after pedally trail riding or uplifted DH? There will be loads of suggestions on here but if you want some ideas drop me an email (in profile) and I can see if I can help (I look after MTB holidays for Saddle Skedaddle).

Matt

Lots of different options depending what you want.

The classic areas not to miss for the best classic mountain biking are

Nth Island: Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington

Sth Island: (Too many to list!!): Nelson, Christchurch (including cragieburn etc), Wanaka, Queenstown

But there are LOADS of lesser known spots with great riding. If you want to any biking in NZ just get your hands on this:

Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides – North and South

Most Kiwi bikers own a copy!

Stand alone single trip policy for Aus would be easiest/simplest I would have thought. That’s what I do when i go home to NZ (have a euro policy with bank).

I think TFTuned has what you are after….

https://www.tftuned.com/shock-mount-hardware/dt-swiss-scott-shock-mount-kits/c216

I’ve used their heavy duty shock hardware before on Maestro suspension with good success.

Thanks but £100 odd is worth exhausting DIY options first!

https://www.cumbriacrack.com/2018/01/15/leeds-man-missing-scafell-pike-climb/

Looks like he’s been located… Must have been reasonably well prepared.

thisisnotaspoon – Member

On that topic, does anyone have any experience with the Carrera/Suntour ones in halfords? The OH wants one, doesn’t need to be a ‘mountain’ bike so the heavy hub isn’t an issue. But I’m a bit concerned by the 38t chainring. Suppose I could swap to an 11-42 cassette but that would mean new mechs, etc as well.

I got overtaken by a chap on a Carrera hybrid on the way home t’other day which was concerning till I heard the motor whine! Cheap hybrids seem to be the perfect use of an eBike to me.

I’m biased but I think there is always another ‘best trip ever’ out there waiting to explore! Lots of places with awesome riding, and also amazing culture to experience as well. Morocco a good shout, Latin America too (Peru or Chile for example). We’ve got a trip in Swaziland next year which is going to be amazing! Closer to home the Sierra Nevada is great, well worth a visit!

onewheelgood – Member
If you go to http://www.downtimepodcast.com/ there’s a big download button. Haven’t looked at the other two, but how have you been listening to them so far?

Tried that on my android but didn’t work, will have a go on the Mac.

Kellies heros – Member
Simplest answer – download itunes, subscribe to podcasts, open podcast folder within the itunes folder, drag and drop files to mp3 player.

Sounds ideal as have a Mac at home. Will give it a go, thanks!