Thanks folks. Any views on fabia estates?

Many thanks for links and recommends. Look forward to your photos Nobeer.

I too have some money to invest and really really wish I understood any of the above advice.

Many thanks people, much appreciated. Sounds like plenty scope. I’m staying on caravan site close to Sirmione at the south of the lake. Have a hire car. Marin your suggestion sounds spot on. Will also have a look at Malcesine. A James if youre sure maps/books would be great, would be happy to make a contribution. What do you need me to do?
Thanks again.

Thanks for feedback. Am somewhat over a barrel, as have already paid the £620. On the hourly rate, he has charged me £120 labour to fit master cylinder. Seems a lot. I’ll put it down to experience.

Audi A4, 2001ish model.

Feeling a whole lot better about myself now.

Yip, same section. I think thats the bit where he falls off and breaks his thumb/finger. Double hunter, by fairy hill do you mean Doune hill? Agree that is a good section, there is also a hill behind you can join up with. Sunday ride all joined up quite nicely with a short cylce bach up Dukes Pass after coming off Craigmore, to fet back into Q liz forest and to the top of the mtb routes. Were some other less official mtb routes towards braeval but clear felling seems to have done for them.

Found a route up. Fairly straightforward. ABout quarter of a mile past davie marshal there is an obvious path off to the left of the road that takes you all the way to the top. Bit muddy and slidey on the way back down. Some pretty technical stuff up the top, including one particualrly rocky chute off the summit. Generally worthwhile, be good to do in the dry. Two short official mtb trails in Q Liz. They are in the forest directly above go ape, starting off the main fire road.

Thanks for responses. What a disappointment, will go somewhere else instead. Anyone tried lecket hill cort ma law loop in the campsies? Sunday looks scorchio by the way.

Yip landrover track from main road on glasgow side of killearn. Takes you to saddle at back of dumgoyne. 15 min push up to the top then easy cycling from there to earls seat. Back down same route but then cut off the landrover track to go via woods in killearn. Fast but not that technical. Have cyled same route to top then diverted to cliffs and along to blanefield. Good fun coming down from cliffs but journey along the top was rubbish. Total bog/heather clumps. Was spring so might be better at other times of year.

How is the stumpjumper for jumps and drop offs. Marketed as a XC bike but how does it cope with the less extreme freeride/all mountain type stuff?

Many thanks for your responses. oldgit kind of exeplifies where I want to get to. For the record, and from what I can still make out, my HT is an Orange Evo2- manitou magnum forks; orange supercross 2 bars, Avid AD3? brakes, WTB speed masters wheels, deore hubs, ritchey scuzzy logic headset. Upgrade suggestions welcome. Appreciate probably wont be worth the cost but its about the learning as much as the cost.