I think that Skerryvore lighthouse[/url] trumps Bell Rock. A few year later, more exposed, bigger, equally epic effort to build it.

There's also a great little museum on Tiree at Hynish and in summer you can go on boat trips for the 20 mile each way trip to Skerryvore.

In the distance:
http://www.tireeimages.com/detail/surfers-skerryvore-01.html

I did a bit of bivvying in India recently:

Zanskar River in Ladakh

This and the following two pics demonstate kayak bivvying

I like it!

I've found with the squirt that if I apply quite a lot then it will build up on the jockey wheels. but then I'm probably applying too much.

Other than that I've found it to be realy really good in all but the flithiest muddy conditions.

Cleaning is easy too. Just leave the bike to dry, give the chain a wipe down with a rag and then apply.

IMHO definitely worth it after big rides. Especially if you're riding again the next day.

Southern Solar are in the south if you are.

Failing that the Solar Trade Association might be a good source.

Probably best to go for some nice German or Danish panels, they're supposed to be the best, but also the most expensive (in general).

Good recommendation on the Halo rim. Think I'll go for that over the mavics.

It turn's out he's got a 7 speed cassette on his bike, so what half decent shimano hub do I need to get him?

ask kaersae

Hey Ambrose, Swansea on a sunny day isn't so bad. I spent Sunday doing this.[/url]

Glorious sunshine and barely any wind all the way round.

You should have fixed it in front of them in the shop!

I lent a guy a pump on the way home after his (crappy blackburn) broke. Topeak all the way.

Early season innit. Everyone struggles at the first couple of events

I think Jonathan Pugh on the left is always that grumpy. Looked about the same after winning the transwales last year.

Will an MTB hub fit his hybrid frame?

(he rides in Sheffield and Swansea so plenty potholes)

Irn Bru in glass bottles, can't beat the taste

I once gave him a wrapped up jar of own brand sainsbury's marmite to give to my uncle as a joke present (one of many such jars given to my uncle at his birthday party many years ago).

Although initially a bit taken aback by a 13 yr old lad passing him a random joke present he played the part very well.

For activities you could try St Mary's Loch for sailing and windsurfing.

Not a huge drive from there to get to Inners etc. Nice pub at tibbies shiels as well.

For accomodation there is a good bunkhouse at Ettrickbridge, but I'm not sure about self catering cottages. I"m sure there must be some small casteles around somewhere….

There are also hot air balloning options I think.

ok that last post was a bit trollish.

But has anyone got any ideas on how to stop people from tailgaiting you? Really gets on my nerves especially in wet weather on the motorway.

are there any in the uk? :D

oh yeah I've done the selkirk marathon as well, great ride. Gotta love the cheese well / minch moor / three brethern

Rough ride huh, not really crossed my radar that one. i'll have a look.

No buddy, i didn't really get out over christmas as much as i would have liked. The Eildons are great for biking though, especially approached from the Bowden side. Pretty full on sledging I'd imagine.

+ 1 lilliesleaf, that's my home village 8)

Call me a softie but if I was in the Borders, riding the length of the A7 would be well down my list of things to do.

Funnily enough she got me a Pure One Mini for Christmas, but tbh she's pretty happy with R4 and van morrison's back catalogue. She did like the Calexico album I got her a while back.

I might ask for an in car DAB for my birthday.

So there is quite a good argument for not buying the best tyres because if I have to stop really quick, the person behind me might have really bad tyres?

It's easier for me to keep a good distance from the car in front, than it is to stop drivers from tailgaiting me.
:wink:

And I thought that mtb tyres were a bit of a minefield.

I'm on 195/60H15 , so probably looking at £50 min per wheel if I can get on good deal on something half decent…

..so assuming I don't have the time to trawl reviews of car websites, have we got any recommendations for what tyres for my focus?

good advice from falkirk and fivespot there i think

and i meant cheaper as in cheaper than inflated, boomboom, kwik fit prices.

and its spelt tyres not tires :D

Oi prettygreenparrot, do you have a problem with reading?

Just to go over my OP, I said: "As its a focus I'm obviously not looking for anything special but equally I don't want some tat either."

So if you think about that, it means that I don't want to spend loads on a set of tyres, but equally I don't want the cheapest and nastiest either. You know, just some half decent/safe/sensible that doesn't cost a bomb!

Are you an April fool?

Horse trials is a good suggestion, come to think of it, its near perfect. Thanks.

If jedi did horses, i reckon she'd be into it!

Ok i used that kwik fit calculator now and kwik fit tyres that are half decent start at about £50, so can probably get them cheaper if I phone about and get something local (Swansea is Wales answer to Detroit when it comes to cars).

Maybe just go for 2 nice ones on the front for the time being as they seem to be the most worn down, or is it better to shell out for all 4 at the same time?

I dunno TJ, what's cheap when it comes to tyres? £160 sounds like quite a lot but then again I used to £40 for two for the bike….

TBH I can't really be bothered with tubeless, I've had so much hassle on the mtb I'd rather stick with the traditional approach. And don't even think about suggesting ghetto…

You inbred

Buffon or baboon

I always try to borrow someone else's bleed kit. Only need it a couple of times a year and I'm a bit of a tight wad.

Go kayak!

or surf

Brilliant as long as you make it out of edinburgh ok and, as druidh says, you like a good hill or two.

Don't understand why cynic-al is saying that, must be having another inbred moment.

Tattershall castle, Nottinghamshire

Fond childhood memories

Ah memories of grim muddy xc races from about 1994.

Did my first race there on a raleigh outlander. Nick Craig won the main event. After a few years biking I took some time off and made my come back at the Margam Park enduro in 2007 – Nick Craig still winning.

Craik Forest is grim, though that DH course was always good to watch.

nice chainwheel guard

bonus bike ride