+1 for Gairloch , Simply the most beautifull scenmery anywhere in Scotland.Couple of decent pubs local and totally quiet and tranquil.

Did penmachno yesterday and was really impressed , Im used to glentress which is my local and really like Laggan but was kinda blown away by Penmachno as Its seems so natural compared with some trail centres . It also has sometricky little climbs and stoney drops . I think Drumlanrig is next on the cards for me at about 60 miles from home its pretty local.

Just a wee follow up to this post . Just back from Wales and had a great weekend . Penmancho was brilliant , I really enjoyed it and the views from the top of loop 2 were stunning .Its was a great change from my usual Glentress and Pentlands riding and surprisingly tricky in parts. Also to any body planning a visit I can thoroughly recommend "The Black Boy" hotel in Carnaefon , great hotel with very friendly staff.

Was at Penmancho today for the first time as Im in Wales for a wedding. Absolutely brilliant , reminds me a bit of Laggan for some reason . Did a mixture of loop 1 and 2 and would love to come back someday . Glad I opted for Penmancho and not the Marin .

Thats brillian t , great music too . Dont fancy his commute back up though.

I was at the Mussleburgh BMX track yesterday on a hardtail , Its ok but nothing special . Wouldnt think it would be much good on a full suss.

Northwind Ill gladly offer my grafting skills if you get a date for any maintenance sorted.

Never seen him before either , Would have to say this has been the best series of Shameless ever and Mickey is by far the best character these days .

Excellent.

Ive got a five year old chocky lab and take him out if its around an hours quick blast through the woods. Last summer I took him out on a hot day for a couple of hours (obviosuly with plenty of water) , It totally **** him for days and I will never do it again . I think labs are like horses they will just keep running , Im also wary as he keeps wanting to get in front which is great fun that I dont end up catching his leg . Im sure he will recover just watch you dont over do it as they obviously are well known for hip problems.

Ive got a five year old chocky lab and take him out if its around an hours quick blast through the woods. Last summer I took him out on a hot day for a couple of hours (obviosuly with plenty of water) , It totally **** him for days and I will never do it again . I think labs are like horses they will just keep running , Im also wary as he keeps wanting to get in front which is great fun that I dont end up catching his leg . Im sure he will recover just watch you dont over do it as they obviously are well known for hip problems.

Thats some deal , decision made.

Bikechain Im just back and your spot on with getting dark at 20.30 . I came down from Bonaly reservoir it was getting dusky but looked superb . Quite a few bikers oot there tonight as well.

I take it your in the RAF then.? Im originally from up there but left in 95 . Nice place though.

Ambrose its the "Black Boy" in Caernafron so maybe just get a bike in Betws and do Penmancho. Wasnt going to go to the wedding until i realised how close it was to some decent trails.

DeVs where about in Moray you from ?. Im originally from Elgin.

Roadie in Denial did you cycle up the landrover path towards the fort at the rifle range around 3.20 ish sunday. Passed a couple of boys on bikes one that didnt look like he had spent the winter in Edinbra . Anyway welcome home .

Never been to Glasto but done the v festivals and TITP a few times. Once got hammered mid afternoon and fell asleep on an inflatable armchair in the middle of the crowd whilst Stereophonics were on. Im not a big fan so wasn't bothered .

Cracking looking dog , has a touch of the ridge back about it me thinks.

Good wee video , Love the song as well . Ive got a china cam also but cant find any good way of mounting it .

Im just back from a wee pootle through the woods of East Lothian which wass kinda cool , Still looking forward to a wee treck down to Penmancho at the end of the month.

Is it closed at weekends also Druidh as i was up during the week.

Is the path open from the farm track to the Harlaw visitor centre yet. Was up a few weeks back and had to cycle past all the diggers and dumpers as didnt fancy turning round and going back the way I had came.

Dogs are indeed ace , Here's my massive chocky lab "Charlie". Best friend Ive ever had.

Thanks for the info folks, Coast kid by the way really enjoy your videos and blogs and seeing as you live close by I might even bump into you one day.

Last time at Gt some young lad came flying past me on a stunningly beautiful Lapierre Zesty . Now im not the jealous type over anything , I can appreciate things of great beauty but dont covet them. Anyway turns out as I got talking to him it was a hub hire bike and he had a basic bike at home although I was in admiration of his skills.
It seems there are a few on this forum who like to diss newbie with there weekend warrior posts. Every one has to start somewhere and the point should be that as long as people are out biking and enjoying the fresh air who cares what they ride or wear.

Ive had mine for 7 months and the lock out failed , Ive just received thme back after 2 weeks at windwave with a new TST unit fitted. Good forks IMO and certainly better than I was used to before.

Tandem Jeremy heres a nice wee photo of Leith Docks for you from yesterday , and its not any better today.

Seriously OP , I wouldnt bother heading up to this neck of the woods as its miserable.

+1 for Gordon and MacPhail from my hometown of Elgin. They are the best whisky merchants in the world.

Might have to look at something like this then druid.

http://www.corrieyairack.org/Pages/Information.html

Thanks for the replies folks , decided upon Druid's option and for C.H.A.S charity but opted for silver option as its my first. Bring it on.

I probably should have added to my post that I was forced into cycling to work as was skint and did Musswell Hill to Kings Cross daily and not being a cyclist hated it at first then got the bug and was transferred to Kilburn which was a cracking cycle from Muzza through Highgate and Hampstead to Kilburn amd Paddington is only a few more miles away if thats where your job is..

I lived in Muswell Hill for four years before moving back to Edinburgh . I can honestly say i dont miss London but do miss Muswell Hill. The place was like Stella streetwith wall to wall tv celebs from Spandau Ballet to phil Mitchell. It is very pricey though but is surrounded by Highgate woods one side and is link by a track to Ally Pally. If its out your price search slightly north to Friern Barnet , east Barnet or even East Finchley. If you are up in "Muzza" as the middle class bohemians like to call it try toffs chip shop on the Broadway.

Not wishing to hijack the OP but Ive seen a Garmin 305 watch for sale locally on gumtree for £60. I just want one for tracking my miles and routes , Is this any good.

I think Ill get the Apollo out as suggested , It'll make me appreciate my own one more when it comes back.

I got a pair of 661's of ebay for £10 and there fine but i think the sizing is on the small side . My large seem quite tight and im not exactly popeye.

I listen to Talk Sport at work and by far the worst presenter on it is the scouse guy that is on with Andy Townsend who is truly awfull. Only to be outdone by The Irish lad "Tommy Smyth" who appears on ESPN . He is an absolute knob and easily the most annoying Sports presenter on Tv.

My daughter has one and it is the dogs danglers as is the wife's Itouch . Ive got a HTC touch 2 which is brilliant but a cheap alternative at only £15 a month , still it does what I need and more.

If you want to have the advantages of living In Edinburgh but cant stretch to it East Lothian has some little hidden gems. Im not talking about the dumps like Prestonpans or Tranent but little villages like Pencaitland or East/ West Saltoun and the likes. Its also surrounded by great little bike tracks and 15 minutes from the city bypass.

If you want to have the advantages of living In Edinburgh but cant stretch to it East Lothian has some little hidden gems. Im not talking about the dumps like Prestonpans or Tranent but little villages like Pencaitland or East/ West Saltoun and the likes. Its also surrounded by great little bike tracks and 15 minutes from the city bypass.

Dosent help you at all but my Zochi 44's are the same and are currently at windwave for repair.