The Shieldaig one is not bookable, but neither is the Torridon one. Believe me Sheildaig is a million times better in terms of setting, nearby pub and midges.

I concur with IA – just spend the week in Torridon, you won’t regret it. You will however regret camping in Torridon – head to the community campsite in Shieldaig instead, less midges, much better location and a decent pub 5 mins walk away.

Spent 5 weeks in April and May this year travelling around NZ with my bike and a van – 4 weeks in the South Island and a week in the North (ran out of time). I can confirm that its awesome place for biking and agree with above that there is plenty of stuff all over to ride. Get this book and you’ll not be short of stuff to do: http://www.kennett.co.nz/index.php/Books/ClassicNewZealandMountainBikeRides

I think if I had 2 weeks I’d either head to Christchurch, check out the port Hills, up to Hanmer Springs and up the west coast to Nelson. Or head to the North and hit Rotorua, Taupo and some of trails around Wellington which were great. Queenstown and Wanaka are great too but I think would be pretty chilly at that time of year. Also worth checking out some of the Great Ride trails if you get the chance (http://www.nzcycletrail.com/explore/great-rides) I did a couple and although they weren’t the most technical the scenery was stunning and there was some fun singletrack!

Not got time to write much more but feel free to email me if you need more info.

Thanks for the updates guys – might head out to Tress tonight.

Any further update on Glentress conditions today?

Used Kevin Young (KJY Gas Services) for past 6 years and would recommend him – 07736 176283 – also a Glentress regular!

Dates for guided weeks for 2013 here:

http://www.trans-provence.com/guideweek.shtml

The route and trails are stunning – would recommend it to anyone. Just make sure your fit enough to cope (there are some epic ups as well as downs!)

Anyone ridden (up or down) the Coire a’ Cheud-Chnoic path? (the one running behind the Ling Hut) Just wondering if it’d make a better climb to Coire Grannda than the Annat path. I know that the path on the map dies out on the slope of Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine and so doesn’t quite link up with the one from Bealach Ban but it looked like it would be easy enough to link them up when we were there last week.

Oh and would second the Ben Damph route – great loop!

The Dutch did it like this

Unfortunately I think there are going to be a lot more accidents from more people riding bikes before anyone really thinks about building proper cycle infrastructure in this country.

Also doing full distance for both. Jonba – would be up for joining a group on Saturday as everyone else I know who said they might do it have decided not to! :( What time are you thinking of setting off? I managed 5 hrs 40 last year on the road so a 6 hour target would suit me fine!

Rik – that sounds pretty good. I’d be up for it and know a few others that would be keen!

This came up last week – see here: http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/hgv-training-and-working

20″ Alpine 160 should fit your lankyness :lol:

Its your lungs, not your girlfriends or workmates. If your not happy smoking MTFU and stop.

That was a bonkers day out. Glad I’m not the only one who is destroyed today! Thanks to the organisers and all the marshalls for making it happen and for getting the haggis van again!

In! Wouldn’t have thought you’d get too far without lights – its seriously dark in the woods by 4pm! 8O

Simple solution to this one – if you don’t like it don’t buy it. Obviously lots of people do like it and have bought them all. Therefore you are wrong. Simples! :lol:

BP tied and failed with injecting carbon into a North Sea well few years back.

Well, Statoil have been managing to do it since 1996:

http://www.statoil.com/en/TechnologyInnovation/ProtectingTheEnvironment/CarboncaptureAndStorage/Pages/CarbonDioxideInjectionSleipnerVest.aspx

nuclear (which is mega in terms of economics and co2)).

Really? That’s why the last estimate had UK decommissioning costs for existing nuclear facilities to be significantly above £73 billion (in 2008). Unsurprisingly, there isn’t a more up to date estimate as its no doubt risen since then. Remember that’s just for decommissioning – we have no real idea of how much storage will cost or how to do it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7421879.stm

Kit, Please don’t confuse things with actual facts – this thread has kept me amused all afternoon! :lol: All I’ll say is don’t believe everything you read in the press and certainly don’t believe anything an MP says!

We are having a wee ‘do’ next weekend-basically tracy and i will be heading out for a ride at 4pm on Saturday (22nd) and anyone is welcome to join us-it will be easy as more cake has been consumed this summer than riding-then we are gonna have a BBQ at the cafe from about 5.30pm/6pm-its a bit of a farewell get together before we close forever (which is the 27th November)-so customer/friends if you are about come and join us and remember some good times. Emma x

from: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hub/197475380297169?ref=ts&sk=wall

Was a cracking night indeed – very calm at the top of spooky wood for once!

Some not so impressive results of the race… I have never understood the mentality of folk that litter the trails they are riding!

David Spook Munro
This is half the discarded gel wrappers cleared from the Niterider/Relentless course! Come on guys, get a grip!! Is it any wonder we are having trouble getting landowners to allow mountain bike events on their property!!

Should have put some money on that top three! :-) Costly last day for Nico though I got the impression he’ll be back…

Nice! :D

Yay! Not long now :D. Website looks great – good job!

I wouldn’t presume that foxy – think you might be surprised when you see what it actually is… :wink:

Was out in the wetlands last night which was enough slopping about for this week, especially as it wasn’t even raining!

Thanks Steve, was just about to start a thread! I’ll be at the shoppe at 7. Forecast looks decent though I’m sure it’ll be a bit moist under tyre…

Not many happy folk on the BBC blog comments either…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/2011/07/f1_coverage_to_be_shared_betwe.html

Wake up at the back! :wink:

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/so-the-beeb-lose-another-sport

Tom – Do you really need more than 8 hours burn time for doing three laps and chatting to the marshals? :lol:

Aye – top ride! Lovely night for it – must remember to bring some lights and cash next time though! :-)

Aye!

Fantastic as ever! Superb course as usual, only slightly disappointed that we didn’t get to fly down Caddon Bank, though my legs didn’t complain of the shorter climb up to Minch Moor. Thought the waymarking was good, but then I’ve ridden the trails a fair bit and it was my 5th time round the long course!

Pretty happy to get under 5 hours and very glad I took it easy on the sportive the day before (which was also great!) Top weekend overall.

Cake eater – Kielder is a lot longer (easily double Selkirk), but the climbs are a bit more gradual and the descents a fair bit easier (though some are very rough). A LOT more fireroad too. I’d try and get some more long rides in before then if I were you.

Great ride guys – some piccies:

The seatpost bodge:

Sunshine and happy folk:

Do a skid!

Do a wheelie!

Even TJ joined in with this game (no photoshop involved!):

Cheesy sunset at top of Harbour Hill

Beer!! (camera still on sunset mode I think so a bit hazy!)

Few others here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.881422695301.2426047.61016805&l=67b695dcee

Yep – with your completed parental permission forms for Ian! :D

To be honest the eroison caused by riding the trails is sod all compared to what the heavy rain over the weekend will have done on its own. It was similar torrential downpours that carved out the gulley on black hill two years ago and I’m sure a few more will have appeared. Even the armoured track up and over maidens has taken a severe hammering this time.

Cool, will see you at the shop at 7.

Ian – I’m up for it – happy to do some climbing if you want to. Where and when?