Yes, yes, yes!

That’s in the diary now.

I’ll get spreading the word.

My wife and I cycled the Carretera Austral in March this year and loved it. There was a political “situation” in Chile at the time so there was a fuel shortage. We only saw 2 or 3 vehicles on the road each day.

Real “wild” touring with about 3/4 days between the tiny towns. Really recommend it if you’re after big mountain, offroad riding, your own space and freedom.

If you want to encounter high altitudes and culture go to Yunnan or Sichuan in China. The Carretera was pretty devoid of much interesting culturally though we did stumble across a pretty cool rodeo with hundreds of gauchos trying to out macho one another.

Would recommend Bariloche as a place to visit.

Email in profile if anyone wants more chat.

Nice write up. I’m not surprised you weren’t up for riding back to Kinlochleven! It takes serious willpower to turn back and do it again.

Nice one!

If I was riding it again, I’d do it South to North.

The Devil’s Staircase is a quick carry but a rubbish descent (in my mind). It’s far better to be going north there and have that huge long 550m descent into Kinlochleven.
Also the descent into Inveroran is a good one and rideable from Bridge of Orchy but a very tough climb if going south.

If was I doing it in a day again, I’d probably start at 3 or 4 am and that way be reaching the techy stuff in good light. You’d also be finishing in the daylight – and before the pubs close!

Yes I did indeed do this on a Sunday night after a stag weekend! I’m not in Scotland often so had to shoehorn it in.

Regarding the drainage ditches – a 29er makes it a lot easier. Once I was too tired to bunny hop, I was actually able to just wheelie the front wheel over then unweight the back, enough that it didn’t hit the rock edge too hard. Tubeless makes this a lot less stressful.

Here are the only photos I took whilst riding: Link

Oli – yes it was Bob’s Stag. Great weekend and the Friday night was a laugh, though we’ve been accused of acting like the Bullingdon Club! I doubt that lot would shift a table and chairs up a flight of stairs let alone a misty mountain!

Shackleton – I’ve got my eyes on a Surly Grampus – ideal for long distance rides in Sweden. The trail you mention is the Kungsleden. It is on the list. Sept is probably the best month as you say! Hope to see you soon.

Highlandman – Do you know my friend Lucy Downie? She is very into her ultra running. Have a great time in the hills this weekend mate!

Garry – what’s unserious about baggies?!

I like to have my lycra and skin protected during falls and bumps against trees, I like to have pockets, I like the style of baggies. Normally I just wear a good pair of boxers like Finisterre merino pants but wore lycra this time as it was such a long route.

Here are some pre-ride photos. Link. There are more on my phone – will get them up later.

b r: You’d be surprised what can be ridden on a single speed. I believe rider skill dictates how much of a climb can be ridden, as opposed to the number of gears.

Thanks for the compliments!

I definitely recommend taking a light weight pair of trainers as the rock section up Loch Lomond side could result in a twist or trip. I think it’s around 90mins of walking if you’re going for it. I was quite a bit slower than that.

I’d say that the South Downs Way suits singlespeed bikes better because you are almost always riding up or downhill. At night with buddies would be a great laugh! Have fun Tom!

Col

Ben Goldacre to the forum please. These are “Mail-esque” articles based on studies using only a handful of people. The one about stretching gave no guide on how the athletes were asked to stretch – quite likely they overdid it on cold muscles and pulled something.

I agree with ooOOoo – cat’s know what they’re on about.

We bought a Platypus Gravity filter for a cycle trip in China: http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/filtration-and-storage/gravityworks-filter/product

Love it – light, simple, fast and small. Super robust as well. Collect water at or just before camp spot. Hang from tree whilst you pitch tent. 4litres of fresh water ready for you. It even survived the Yangtze fine silt!

If you want to go super light tablets are the way to go.

Depends where you’re going to use it. A filter will never remove viruses so if you’re near settlements it’s safer to filter then pop a tablet in as well. If you’re in Scotland or Patagonia then you can drink straight (after the above mentioned sheep check!)

Have fun!

TJ – I clicked on this smuggly thinkng – I can help here!
Wrong, I have broken the same part. I’ll double check tonight.

If you send me a photo of the broken bit (assuming you’ve got it) I’ll have a look tonight. I’m back in Scotland next week so can get it in the post/hand it to you then if need be.

Take care,
Col
(email in profile)

Mine are getting posted today from Scott of Porcelain Rocket.

http://www.porcelainrocket.com/

Cass Gilbert (whileoutriding.com) uses them and rates them highly.

Thanks Strackbaz!

Great input. Step one is definitely to reduce forklift speed. Let’s see what that does.

Cheers again!

BUTTER.

Smear it all over the bead on both side. You’ll then be able to inflate with a track pump. I do this and it works great – even for light weight 550g 29er tyres.

Some great points!

TooTall – I am with you on the training+management point. I am working in Sweden and confrontation is socially not allowed. As a result the managers are good at managing, but couldn’t lead a team out of a paper bag.

I’ll keep this thread rolling as I get more hard data on the damage and also usage of current kit.

As said above, start from scratch and see what is currently the “best” way to handle our materials.

Have a nice weekend!

Thanks for the responses.

Last year the equivalent of £50k was caused in smashing up doors, pillars and “fences”. I’ve only worked here for 6 months and have almost been run into several times.

My belief is that no matter what training you give someone, after a few weeks they’ll be back to normal. So by giving something which is slower and more manoeuvrable I hope we can reduce the damage and also reduce accidents. I’d also expect the same number of electric pallet forks to cost less to run for a year than a fleet of forklifts.

Biggest question mark for me is: Does this exchange sacrifice material availability at the lineside? If not, why wouldn’t you do it? The factory only needs fork lifts for loading/unloading a few odd loads a month. Most of the loading is done straight into the back of the trailers from a loading bay and so hand truck would be ideal.

More thoughts/experiences welcomed!

I can tell you that plugging an Exposure “piggyback” battery into the light will power it.

I suppose if you rigged up a lower voltage battery to the correct connector you may be able to reduce the output from the Redeye. Maybe you can put two batteries into it and then have a switch making them parallel or series – for when you want it megabright or more “sociable”. When riding with others I just unplug mine, but you’ve got me thinking now!!

I met a guy in London one morning who was using a Strada on the front with the remote control. As a result he couldn’t use the redeye so had it hooked up to a single cell piggyback. He had the whole thing attached to a quick release saddle bag for quick removal.

Hope that helps,
Col

Wow! Thanks for the tip re modem and router. I forgot they were separate bits of equipment!

Argh, sorry wrong forum! Move to chat please.

The guy from Tunnocks (Bob Cunningham) is a legend and a good mate of mine. Taugh me a lot about cycling and also helped me build my first road bike!

Cover yourself and your bike in 3M Scotchlite reflective stuff – Wiggle do A4 page of the stuff for frames and you can also buy iron on. Reflectives are so much better than any 1000lumen torch. Lights are for seeing with but reflectives are for being seen.

Next get yourself some tough tyres. Schwalbe marathon supreme or Continental gatorskin. Supremes have an excellent reflective sidewall – two shiny loops make it obvious you are a bicycle.

Don’t give up on the days you feel tired. Just get an extra hour or two in bed and know that you’ll be fine. But have a proper rest (week to ten days) if you get a cold or illness.

Do it!!

flashes – what kind of lockring is on your crank?

I had a Middleburn with the old pin spanner (two holes) lockring. Changed it for a new lockring which uses a 6 point removal tool – like a campag BB removal tool. The new lockring stood a bit proud so I filed it down. No issues since.

Hope you get riding soon!

I think my knees are stronger for singlespeeding.

I ride SS all the time. My wife and I agree that provided you ride frequently and keep your muscle and cardio strength up, it’s a better way to ride. If you ride twice a month – forget it. The bike will chew you up and spit you out along with your knees!

Don’t go 2:1 either – most people choose to hard a gear. She rides 32×18 and I ride 32×19 29er. We do all our riding on these bikes – buzzing round the woods, West Highland Way, trail centres etc etc.

It is strange but what the above guys are saying is true – it can feel “lonely” and “wild” although London is just over there and there are always people just a few miles away.

When I did it I had a few panic moments of “have I got enough food?” or “what if I rip a sidewall and wreck my last tube?”!! All cured in a minute remembering that you’re not in Alaska but the feeling of being on your own is in your mind a lot. That was part of the enjoyment. It’s also great to turn round on Cheesefoot head, the last hill, and look back along the ridge and know you’ve gone 100miles from Eastbourne. That’s a good feeling.

I did run out of food with 20 miles to go but a really nice man gave me a pack of Dextro energy!!

Graham,

Do it!! It’s not a technical singletrack fest, but it is so pleasing to cover the distance. I did Eastbourne to Winchester earlier this year and agree totally with thomthumb above – scout it first. When you get tired (and in the dark will be worse) it can be easy to get lost. Your average speed will be high due to the smooth and hard surface (if it’s dry!) and so missing a signpost is very easy.

Buy the SDW Harveys map (waterproof and durable) and get familiar with all the main areas.

Beware of taps also as they don’t all work. There are plenty between Amberley and Eastbourne but a lot less in the west.

I’d suggest doing this:[/url]Exposure SDW night enduro[/url]. It’ll get you started in your training and you can tick off that section of scouting. Then in early spring head down and do Winchester to Eastbourne, perhaps starting at lunch time and finishing in the dark?

Then smash it in May when trails are hard packed and dry.

Best of luck – please email if you want more advice or enthusiasm for this challenge!

Sheldon,

I got myself a set of SC-32s and converted to 29er (with home made wooden blocks). After a bit of fettling (the online tuning guide is spot on) they’re sweet. Experienced a bit of an oil leak from one leg, but after opening it up, found a bit of grass in seal. Changed the oil in the damper to 15w to slow the rebound and compression. Trails in Sweden are super sweet just now – like FoD, but with loads of exposed granite, which I’m loving. Give us a shout if you’ve over in Stockholm and we can show you around.

Andy R – the forks are great, but to get the best out of them you need to be prepared to fettle a bit. This involves no major work, but some of it is a bit scary the first time. eg, I’ve never taken a damper to pieces before. Maverick designed them with user service and maintenance in mind – which is sweet, but means you need to get dirty to tune them perfect.

I’m currently learning Swedish. Things I am doing are:

* Weekly class
* Recording all the words I learn and listen back to them later
* Listening to the equivalent of Radio 4 – it doesn’t matter I don’t know what they’re on about, but they speak slowly and clearly and gets my ear in.
* I’ve got a dictionary and a childern’s book (Pippi Longstocking) – I think a newspaper article is probably too much – you’ll be seeing words you won’t use for a long time yet.
* I also use Before You Know It iPhone app – this also helps get your “ear in”. I really rate this.

I live in Sweden so try to use my language at every opportunity.

Hopefully this helps Martin. The bottom line is that you’ll need to want to learn the language and put the effort and time in. I’d say commit yourself to one solid hour twice a week alongside the class.

Best of luck!

Lowey,

Funny you mention Hope as it is an X2 I have on the rear currently. Despite length fettling and help from many, I haven’t been pleased with the stopping power or feel. The SLX on my wife’s bike are impressive and feel great.

Agree about the split pin in the mud bit, but we carry a small pair of pliers.

Cheers all – purchase now made!

Thank Glen.

Sounds like Shimano are asking £30 for black paint and an XT logo!

I repaired the flush handle on our toilet the other week with an old v-brake arm, some spacers that came with something bikey and a bit of an old tent pole.

Friends love it – partner hates it! Joked about fitting a cable brake lever so one can flush in an emergency brake style. The idea makes me chuckle so much I might just do it!! Half a handle bar sticking out of the wall may be an inconvenience though?!

I agree with the “Shock to the system” bit. I used to ride 22 miles a day 5 days a week and when I started that, I was getting really tired on Thursdays and Fridays for the 2nd and 3rd month. Once I was into month 4 I was fine.

I’d have big cereal before going to work. Occasionally 2nd breakfast at 10 of bacon sandwich. Then big lunch with cake and custard and boost home for more food at home.

Since you’re doing 22 miles each way, I’d be having a sandwich or bananas and cereal bars about 90-45mins before leaving work [not realistic in the morning, but food as you get up is a must! BREAK the FAST.

Good on ye mate!

Sweet! Thanks for the info – just hope for this wind to stop and the sun to come out and it’ll be perfect!

Just carry your old pair and only use them in an emergency – which is why they’re on the kit list.

I agree though – running in waterproofs would be sweat-bag central.

Duck went brilliantly. Sainsbury's sell them – £6.99. Made up the sauce, used the hairdryer to dry it out – perfect – yum yum.

Cheers for all input – helpful or otherwise!

Big John!

Thanks a million. Hairdryers at the ready.

Col

For Duck's sake – any serious answers?!

I get this too. I think it's caused by the gear indicator slapping about in the casing. Hacksaw it!

A brilliant ride last night – nice temperature, no wind and the trails are very very dry – it's like living in another country! With regard to the lights. . .

Please bear in mind I am not a lights geek and these comments are about using the light and riding with it, more than how smooth it's beam pattern is or how nicely it's button clicks.

Thoughts:
The Tesla has IMO the best beam pattern – loads of light out wide, but a nice spot which helps you see further down the trail. The Diablo doesn't have quite as wide a throw, probably due to a smaller reflector head, but it lovely and small and I'm a fan of the redeye rear light – great for commuting. The DX is amazing value, but compared to the others, it has more light in the spot but not so much out wide [cheaper reflector?].

In riding terms, theres not much between them. The DX/Bastid and Tesla deliver a wider beam so work excellently on the handlebar http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/3973313117_87d26ba5b8.jpg%5B/img%5D
DX/Bastid:
Tesla:

Medium Power:
Diablo:
DX/Bastid:
Tesla:

Low Power:
Diablo:
DX/Bastid:
Tesla:

Exposure Diablo:

I bought this light because I wanted something small/powerful and reliable. I have had problems with lights that have cables before, so Exposure's design was right up my street. The unit has one P7 LED emitter and a single cell battery. Burn time is 1hr on Maxx [700lumens] 3hrs on "ride" and 10 hours on low. There is also a flashy mode which I really like for a change. It's permanetly on, but with a pulse every .5 of a second or so. RRP is £225

My thoughts: The beam has a very good spread when compared to the Joystick. There is a much more usable wide beam, with most of the power being concenrated in a nicely sized spot. It's without a doubt one of the best beam patterns I've seen, though I am not that picky! When compared to the Lupine Tesla, there is not as much light in the wide beam, but the spot seems to be very similar.

The Diablo fits onto the helmet nicely with the same mount as the joystick and doesn't feel heavy when it's on your head. I have it fitted slightly too far forward, so will move it to the vent further back – it feels like it's tipping the helmet forward the whole time.

I used the light with the Redeye rear light – an 80lumen with 20 degree spread. Although the light was aimed fairly upward [due to the shape of the back of my helmet, rear road users still fell within the beam angle.

I was a little disappointed with the burn time of the light, though to be honest I had it on Maxx with the redeye on most of the time so I'm not surprised! I'm not actually confident it was fully charged either! We were out for more than 3 hours and it ran out of just with just a mile to go.

Magicshine/DX Bastid:
Basically a direct Lupine Tesla copy. This light is 900 lumen on max using the P7 LED, with a 4cell battery and enough cable to the light that you can helmet mount it and put the battery in your bag. There are 5 settings, High, Medium, Low, high flash and SOS [both useless as flashing modes IMO]. Burn time is claimed to be 3hrs on high, 4.5hrs on low. You can get it to your door for £65.

Out of the box it looks very similar and once the light is on it's beam is quite similar to the Lupine. The most noticable thing is that the wide beam does not have as much light compared to the Tesla. Most of the light is concentrated on the spot – which you can see in the photo as the centre is quite burnt out, the Tesla delivers a huge amount of light out wide, but the Bastid doesn't give so much.

Lupine Tesla:
Very nicely crafted light, which also uses the P7 LED and uses a cable, light, battery arrangement. Output is a claimed 700lumen. The Tesla has 4 settings, High, Medium, Low and flash. The burn time is claimed as 3hrs/9hrs/24hrs. The light is mounted on the bars using an o-ring – much nicer than a velcro strap I think. RRP is £250.

Joe,

As you say, burn time is only 1hr on maxx, but that setting is outrageous. I have no idea who needs that much light! I spent most of my time in the middle setting which is a 3 hour burn time [claimed].

The mounting is nice and it is light and very nicely made etc. Doesn't get too warm and comes with bar or helmet mount so you can have one on the road bike too.

I'm keen to see how close to the claimed burn times I can actually get. As I say, I'll keep this thread alive and will post more info as I go along.

Col

I'm no electronics or optics expert, but I'll do my best.

My mate's take on the Magicshine is that it's just like a Lupine Tesla, but you get a free pint after every nightride!