I did the Hebridean Way as my first 'big' bikepacking trip a few years ago. It rained pretty much the whole time, so I was wet through for most of it. I foolishly did it north to south which was into the wind almost the whole way. I've never tried a poncho but that could be a good idea, aside from t...

Thanks for this Colin - and well done on the ride. I think I saw you as you were getting packed up outside the (full) Lamb Hill bothy, but never noticed your bike until I looked back later. It is a tough old route, covering some very tricky ground, so kudos for pushing on through to the end. I've do...

It was a full SRAM NX Eagle groupset. Everything was trashed thanks to being left in the shed wet all winter after each outing (and letting the chain stretch... rookie error). I've managed to get it now actually, from a place in Spain but I have to pay import tax ... Thanks Brexit.

Well done - good luck with the build. Given how hard it is get a hold of a new bike, doing your own build could be best option.

Re: local shops, yes good point. I just automatically go online because of the price/convenience/delivery but that is no longer a given.

Wow - 2024! That's bonkers.

I think I'm going to have change tack, focus more on maintaining what I have got rather than trashing stuff and replacing. Which is no bad thing actually.

Anyone else struggling to buy SRAM kit? I've been trying for several weeks now to get a hold of new derailleur, cranks, chain... anything basically... and all my usual sites are completely sold out e.g. Wiggle, ChainReaction, Tredz, Decathlon. Not sure if it is SRAM specific or a Brexit thing or Sue...

As per my email, count me in too please for the 350. Looking forward to it.

Cheers folks. You definitely got more and more shell-shocked looking as day 1 goes into days 2 and 3 :lol: Totally!! I can even hear it in my voice when I am at the high point on the Southern Upland Way stretch... the exhaustion is audible. That push up the steep gorge bit was bonkers. Re: speeding ...

Now that we are heading for the depths of winter and summer seems like a distant memory, I thought I would share my film of the Borders 350. Very tough ride but would not have missed it. https://www.donaldmcintosh.net/bike/borders350 First film I've ever put together, hope you enjoy. Had the clips s...

Cheers Ray. The completist part of me is already thinking about next year, but the rational part if extremely satisfied with the experience I had. Interested to see which bikehike stuff you manage to cut out - would certainly be an improvement though. Congrats to Dawn. That is some ride considering ...

That does not surprise me at all. It's a beast of a route and respect for to anyone who makes it through. You had said the route takes 'commitment' - which it certainly does. It felt a long way back when I was unwell at Newcastleton. So relieved I was able to ride on. Enjoyed so much though, views f...

Kudos to Saul - that is a frankly incredible time. I made it to Moffat on day one, then Newcastleton on day two, then I was dragging myself over the Pennine Way section and realised I would not have time to do the extra loop so I turned for home. Made it to just before Jedburgh and pitched up last n...

Good luck man. We can compare notes next week. As you say, I think the ground/terrain is going to be the critical factor. Similar to yourself, I have a time limit, but it's four days for me to get as far as I can and back home for Wed. With the weight of our bikes, I'm just praying there will not be...

Really looking forward to having a crack the 350 over the weekend. Raymond has scouted an improved route that should by-passes some of the hike-a-bike stuff, but means it's even longer now. From the accounts I've read on here of previous attempts, I think my chances of completion are about 50/50. Ei...

Bob! I remember. You are in the before picture: https://www.donaldmcintosh.net/image/428923567-265686-web.jpg Not at all surprised that heat was a problem for you too. It was crazy hot and not suitable for biking. Particularly not suitable for the crazy forests around Verdun with the sun beating dow...

Yes, it is mostly gravel (and a bit of road) for first 3/4 days. Then there is plenty of 'offroad' from there until out of the Massif Central. And then again in the Basque country going through forests etc. There was one single-speeder... the legendary Ben Hudson. As far as I know, he was the first ...

Thank you folks - appreciate the comments.

@htrider enjoyed you blogs too. Now I know what BAM stands for! And read back to some older ones... interesting blog about reverting to rigid. Something I seriously considered for the FD....

Hello.... So this is my last blog for a while... from the French Divide this year. I tried and failed last year so had some unfinished business. https://www.donaldmcintosh.net/bike/frenchdivide2018 The blog is almost as long as the French Divide itself... so congratulations in advance to anyone who ...

Ah yes. I remember we had a quick chat. Well done on doing the "double" all the way down from Inverness... that is well impressive in 21 hours. You probably went down Loch Lomond side in the dark?! Yes I know what you mean about the drainage ditches. A lot of them are that awkward width, t...

Just read this through. Looks like an amazing ride. Definitely on my bucket list, but think I'll tackle it solo rather than with my 13 year old... bit beyond him just now! Was pleased to see Samuel B on the finishers list, he said he was thinking of doing it when we spoke during French Divide last y...

I know the WHW has a long history in this forum, but thought I would add my own experience this weekend. https://www.donaldmcintosh.net/blog/westhighlandway Have been wanting to do it for years, so finally bit the bullet. And yes, the upper Loch Lomond stretch is a nightmare. But actually, and canno...

Nice idea robbie. I don't think that would have been sufficient to free up my seatpost, but I will never know now.

A cautionary tale about what not to do if you find your seatpost is stuck.

Thought I would share the lessons learned!

https://www.donaldmcintosh.net/blog/seizedseatpost

Thanks Borderer, I enjoyed your blog too. That is a serious distance for a 13 year old. Like the wee trailer too.... A very good option.

I am amazed that they managed it. No plans for the next ride yet but you never know.

Thought I would share my blog of cycling the John Muir Way last weekend. For the first time, I took my two sons (11 and 13) on one of my biking adventures. We had some dodgy moments but battled through and finished the whole route. Highly recommend it for a family ride - great way to see the heart o...