I’d check out Rebound Cycles in Canmore. They definitely used to rent quality MTB’s and their staff did a bit of guiding for us when we were out there. Great trails in the area. About an hour from Calgari I think.

Thanks all. Very helpful. Lookin fwd to it.

Thanks all. Looks like a new cassette is needed. But the old one doesn’t look that worn. Probably got 2000 miles in it.

Wrightyson. What did you do about the sticky link? How did you know which link it was?

I live in Crapstone.

The next village along is Leg O’ Mutton.

Wow – didn’t expect so many responses…and great to see I’m on the brink of starting a bike club (which I’ll definitely join if we move!)

maccruiskeen: you’re spot on about Princetown. Its almost joyously bleak up there – and you can enjoy it all the more when you know you’re about to ride home and its downhill all the way.

The kids will be 3 and 6 when we move. Young enough to pick up the accent I hope (will be actively encouraged by their Scottish mum).

Overall, it seems there are no standout towns, but some do have some good schools, and you can get a lot for your money if you want a rural life. The local MTB-riding’s average but a little travel gets you a lot more, and there is good road riding. Sounds good to me.

I’ll be sure to let those that kindly volunteered to show me some trails / answer Q’s know if I’m coming up for a reccy.

Thanks all. What would the options for secondary school be from West Kilbride? And how does it compare with Troon for schooling and general ‘niceness’?

Def don’t want a city life, so Glasgow’s out. Thinking more of Peterfile’s plan of old farmhouse near a town with a decent school. West Kilbride is on the wife’s list of places. Presumably its smaller than Troon? And what’s wrong with East Kilbride, by the way?

That’s all really helpful. I’m feeling very positive about the area! Greg, will email you when I have a few more specific Q’s. Thanks All.

Agree with most of the replies here. My 5 yr old daughter as a Beinn and its been excellent. The major plus, which is perhaps more important for girls than boys, is the low weight, which has allowed her to gain confidence, improve handling, and not cry when the bike lands on top of her.

I was wondering a similar thing. Were these the kind of singlespeeds you had in mind?

http://www.fixedgearfrenzy.com/single-speed-bikes/quella-trinity-black-55cm-fixed-gear-single-speed-bike-limited-edition

Perhaps someone has some experience of buying one (or similar)?

I don’t know anything about any other brands, but Bromptons are expensive but very reliable, fold up small, and ride very well. I’ve ridden plenty of miles on mine and you’d have no problems doing a 14 mile commute on it. If your commte is hilly you might want to rethink things (because of the gearing) and beware potholes in the dark (because of the size of the wheels.

+1 for booking accommodation as you go, assuming you can get someone to do it for you.

I agree with the others. It depends on whether you are going to go direct or take more scenic options. And whether you are going to take much luggage (even unsupported, you actually need very little; you can send parcels of clean socks/energy powders etc ahead to B&Bs).

If you ride as a big group you probably need to allow more time for mechanicals etc (unless you don’t plan to wait for each other when they occur).

The other consideration is the time of year. Weather is unpredictable all year these days, but daylight hours are not. I did it in early September a few years ago and rode from dawn to dusk each day (or just beyond on the days I got lost). If you go for June you get more time in a day.

Also, if you’re cutting the time fine, think about how you will transfer at each end. I live in Devon, so just got a train to Penzance after work on a Friday night. But getting home from Scotland took one and a half days.

We sent two bikes to NZ when we moved there. They took a long time to arrive (which was fine, we were away travelling) – not one week as was suggested above (which I’m sure is possible, but perhaps more expensive).

Our bikes were in bike bags (so the wheels were removed) and then these were put into a crate, along with our other goods, by the shipping company. In hindsight, this meant we had no control over what was on top of them. One of the bikes was fine but the other one suffered a fork being bent inwards. So I would recommend using those spacers that new bikes come with (you can prob ask your LBS for some) and doing what you can to ensure your bike goes at the top of the crate.

I would agree with hels above – consider selling the bike here and buying new in NZ. Bikes are (or at least were) definitely cheaper out there, and when you factor in the cost of shipping just a bike, plus insurance and the cost of travel to the port at the other end to pick it up etc, you might find you can get a better easier deal this way.

Some great riding to be had in the blue mountains in Jamaica. Have ridden through Cuba too – fantastic place but the riding’s not quite so exciting. Can strongly recommend the Canadian Rockies – spent ten days riding out of Canmore. And, as mentioned above, there is good riding in Peru and Bolivia – nice dusty trails.

CdF. Bit heavy, its true, but reliable, doesn’t feel dead (to me) and genuinely does EVERYTHING. Mines seen me through two winters of commuting similar distances over roads and moorland. If I only had one bike…

I’d think about going for a singlespeed though.

Can recommend the phil&teds buggy. eg http://shop.philandteds.com/push/classic-stroller-buggy-phil-and-teds
Ours has seen us through two kids. Keep re-sale value. Big wheels. Can switch between fixed and flexi front wheel. Fold down fairly well. Easy to use. Adjustable handrail.

We’ve done a fair bit of camping with kids.

We use a wind up lamp like a lantern (£10 from Millets) and put it in the top of the tent. Provides a gentle reassuring light for the nipper that seems to last almost all night.

Two and a bit is prob too old for a travel cot. If junior doesn’t normally sleep in your bed, I’d try and get them to sleep in their own bed in their own bit of the tent, otherwise the novelty of it all will keep waking them up. Get a readybed: (http://www.amazon.co.uk/b?ie=UTF8&node=673271011) – they’re also useful when you stay at friends houses.

The nippers are quite sensitive to the cold. Put them in thermal underwear. Then in a big all in one fleecy thing. Then in a snuggle bag. And have a duvet over the top. At least. And, top tip, get a foil survival blanket and put it under the the bottom of whatever bed they are in – only 99p and make a big difference.

Being outside all the time uses up lots of energy. Take LOADS of food (that they like, and will actually eat) with lots of energy in.

Get them a camping chair (only £3 from argos).

Take their wellies. Grass will be wet in the morning even if it doesn’t rain (which it will).

Camping with kids is great. You’ll have a ball.