They're doing an Independent Time Trial (ITT), which you can start at any time so they are further round the route at the moment. Only people in Saturday's Group Start get the blue and pink markers. Hope that makes sense!

Yes, I'm glad you got it sorted - I've been one of you regular readers since your Tour Divide account. As Sean said, it was a very honest and original account - you managed to get across the thoughts that go through your mind when at a low ebb, rather than try to dress it up. I've been waiting for y...

I think it depends on the terrain - I think you'd get through fine either way, but you're probably going to come out of it in better condition with a plus tyre setup. I wish I'd had my bike in it's current 29x3" guise for the HT550 rather than the 29x2.35" I did use - my left hand might have retaine...

I've been trying out a similar app for the same purpose called GibbyTrip on the iPhone. The advantage over using this instead of Garmin Live Track or Strava Beacon is that it uses much less battery on the phone and GPS unit, probably due to the polling frequency and no need to have the Bluetooth con...

Looks a grand trip. This was a difficult weekend to be stuck doing on-call for work!

Was a lovely, sunny but cold evening yesterday so I headed out straight from work on a ride I've been meaning to do for years but never got round to: The Seven Hills of Aberdeen First up was Tullos Hill, which is about five minutes from work: http://highlanddrifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG...

I think merino is nice as a layer, just not as a base layer. Most effective for me have been the mesh base layers, which come in various different flavours and make even sweaty oiks like me feel comfortable when working hard.

I enjoyed that - sometimes it would be nice to just go to one spot and hang out, rather than always being pressed for time and distance. Ben Alder Cottage is a great spot to hang about and enjoy the isolation I reckon.

Managed to get my March bivy in a couple of weeks back in the snow to make it 3/3. Plans were made but changed on the fly. Headed out from Blair Atholl on the Saturday morning with the precipitation in full flow. http://highlanddrifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_4102-1280-e1553678913574-768x...

Yep, the Speyside way would be a good way to keep it more offroad, whilst still feeling like it gives you a fast easy stretch of riding. Also avoids the puddle of doom on the way to Tulloch!

Yep, the Fealar Lodge climb was definitely the low point on my ride in September 2017. Took me a lot longer than 3 hours too! Sounds like you were were out the same weekend as me and a buddy. We were planning just one of the loops to give him a taster before a future attempt, but ended up just doing...

I know exactly what you mean! I've been humming and hawing over a set of Whisky No.9 forks which look like they'd be perfect. Do the Van Nic forks have as much clearance as the Kinesis?

Updated mine to 11 speed Di2 a few years back and it's been just the ticket. I stuck with the BB7s as I like the simplicity though.

I think that the Ritchey Swiss Cross is the only thing that could tempt me away from this bad boy:



Going on 10 years old and still looks brand new under all the dirt! #amazonsrule

I've got a similar mark on the left rear of mine that is like a strip of the top material has been shaved away. I assumed it was caused by a seam on some shorts rubbing it. no idea why it's only one side!

Good choice for an overnighter there, am planning to take my wee fella out there in the spring too. Met Prince Phillip there a few years back when we were having a picnic on the lawn outside - he just did a loop round the building in his Range Rover, gave us a wave and drove off. Suppose he's still ...

Hmmm, looks like someone else visited the Rock and Run sleeping bag sale?

February knocked off in my customary last minute style on Tuesday night. I extended my work commute into Durris Forest for a chilly overnight before riding into work bathed in beautiful sunrise light. Clear night for cold temps and stunning starscapes. http://highlanddrifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2...

A few less stylish pictures here: https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11904&p=147209#p147209 We mainly just followed the telegraph poles to keep us right. You could always mix it up a bit and cross the Moor by passing Gorton Bothy and continuing East to cross the bogs of d...

Another late one for me, did my usual head out after getting the kids to bed and went up to a wind farm not far from Aberdeen. Temperatures were very low and my feet were thawed out painfully in the showers at work! Packed up in the morning: http://highlanddrifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_...

9/9 in September with adult company for a change! A short ride out from Dinnet to a hilltop bivy on Cnoc Dubh, which is a lovely spot with views of Loch Kinord one way and Lochnagar the other. http://highlanddrifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_3073-1280-768x576.jpg http://highlanddrifter.com/...

Trying to catch up on my BAMs for the year before it never happens! 8/8 in August with my favourite riding buddy in Glen Quoich: http://highlanddrifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/QuoichCamp_010-1280-768x576.jpg http://highlanddrifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/QuoichCamp_055-1280-768x512.jpg...

It's a great bit of kit and boils the water up very quickly, even when it's properly cold. I've used it on loads of trips without feeling too weighed down - the main issue is the volume it takes up compared to a very lightweight setup. https://i.postimg.cc/FKLV0RGd/Alladale-Loop-0122-1024.jpg https:...

Enjoyed that, thanks. Blackburn bothy is always a good shout - in really good condition and never seems to be busy?

Forsinard? Sure is - was my April executive bivy spot. I went for a mix of mountain and road Di2 to get my 1x setup. I don't think a clutch mech is a necessity if you have a narrow wide up front, so a cheaper alternative might be to use 10 speed road shifters with a 9 speed mountain mech and wide r...