Anyone riding regularly in the Falkirk area? Looking to join up with some guys for a weekly ride after work, been lacking in enthusiasm since I moved through here and have no one to get out with!

Ray Young wrote:Pretty sure it's a 7am start this year.

Blair, why you not doing it?

I had hoped to do it Ray but I have other plans later on Saturday that I can't get out of. 7 is quite early but I'll come and wave you off if I can get through in time.

Is it this weekend? What time does it kick off? I might come down to see everyone heading off

I'm kind of looking forward to it as well actually, as long as I can get properly kitted out. What's a decent set of guards for a hard tail? Been putting it off because back ones look ridiculous! Also has anyone used spiked tyres? Do they actually work?

I'm thinking some sort of woodland green

I can see the photo's in the original link now I'm on a desktop, didn't seem to work on my mobile. Looks like it could do with a paint job but could be the excuse I've been looking for to buy some Spray.Bike!

Can I call first dibs pending seeing photos and checking my bank balance?

I'm on track for 12/12, hoping to keep pushing it beyond that as well. Loving getting out camping more and enjoying solo camps now when I used to hate it. Nothing beats sitting in the woods brewing up by yourself and just listening to the silence! Would love a patch to stick on the frame bag

I had to break out my lights and gloves this morning to get to work, looks like winters on it's way! Last year was my first winter cycle commuting and I spent most of it cold, damp and miserable. What top tips have you guys got to keep me going strong through the bleakest mornings? Any gear that's a...

Do you have pics? May be interested

Check out Charlie the bike monger, he does a prebuilt Stooge for the same money as a vagabond

Yeah it's the Alpkit tapered bag I use, down jacket in first then brukit with my tarp under it and bivvy bag above it to fill the space out and there's still room for some food stuffed in the end before closing it. Not the lightest option but I also have to work to a budget and it does the job nicely

I really like mine, I pack it in my seat pack with my down jacket, tarp and bivvy bag round it and it fits fine. Boils quick enough for my needs, I'm never in a rush and just stick it on before I throw the tarp up and it's boiling by the time I'm done

Great read, I've also just sat and read them all much to my girlfriends annoyance as the dishes still aren't done!

Agreed!

So new plan is 25 miles and pack a couple of beers!

Nae bank holiday in Scotland so it's business as usual for me, just been given an extra 1.5 days holiday for doing a good job though so I'm hatching plans to finish the whw soon!

8/8 A trip to Mark bothy with the Mrs at the weekend got my bivvy in for August. A nice short cycle in, a few cans of lager, a couple of hip flasks and a big plate of chilli made a perfect night out and great first time in a bothy for Gill, she even said she would go again! https://c7.staticflickr.c...

Sounds like a good trip Matt, I've been missing the big hills recently. I'm gonna have to head back up the whw and get it out the way soon!

whonickedmename wrote:A (mostly) new commute / do-it-all bike which arrived in bits....

How is it? Been looking at getting someone to build me one in purple on cycle to work scheme. Struggled to find any reviews on it though and I won't get another bike for a few years so don't want stuck with a rubbish bike!

I fancy a shot at this but don't think I'm fast enough at the minute, something to aim for next year maybe, how would this route fair as a first ITT?

Enjoyed that, bad luck on not finishing bit at least you know what to do to change that next time

A Hunka bivvy bag in Kelp from Scott of the woods. Unfortunately the temptation of copious amounts of alcohol won this weekend so hoping to get out and test it out next weekend.

I've been eyeing up the Genesis Vagabond, it's right at the top end of your budget though. I'm hoping to persuade my misses to get me it on her cycle to work!

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