Search found 251 matches

by JoseMcTavish
Thu Feb 18, 2021 9:57 am
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Strictly Local
Replies: 43
Views: 9061

Re: Strictly Local

Thanks all, it was the first ride I was actually excited to do for a while after all the restrictions and it is fascinating to see what others are doing to mix things up a bit too. Reg, that's right about the access - as long as you are responsible about what you are doing then you are able to go pr...
by JoseMcTavish
Thu Feb 18, 2021 12:34 am
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Strictly Local
Replies: 43
Views: 9061

Strictly Local

Have been meaning to write some words about a ride I did a couple of weeks back before the snow came in, so here they are. After spotting an Instagram post by that nice chap Marcus Stitz where he had followed the boundary of the city of Edinburgh, inspired by the Scottish lockdown directive to stay ...
by JoseMcTavish
Wed Feb 17, 2021 4:29 pm
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Pete & Reg's State Of The Nation Tour - Part 2
Replies: 19
Views: 1869

Re: Pete & Reg's State Of The Nation Tour - Part 2

Loved it again, especially the foresight to lug along some waders in order to capture the exact grid ref!
by JoseMcTavish
Wed Feb 17, 2021 11:35 am
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Today's Run
Replies: 886
Views: 102685

Re: Today's Run

Got out for my what I'm trying to make my usual quick 25 minutes before giving the kids their dinner last night. My watch was telling me to go at 5:45min/km base pace due to poor sleep the previous night so I ignored it and went at my usual non overdoing it pace instead - If I always had to take it ...
by JoseMcTavish
Wed Feb 03, 2021 2:20 pm
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Pete & Reg's State Of The Nation Tour - Part 1
Replies: 25
Views: 2673

Re: Pete & Reg's State Of The Nation Tour - Part 1

Loved it, roll on the next installment!
by JoseMcTavish
Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:39 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: 28 inch tyre question.
Replies: 11
Views: 793

Re: 28 inch tyre question.

I think they'll be fine on the 29er - seems to be commonly designated this way with tyres/tubes from Schwalbe. My Amazon is currently shod in some Marathon Winter tyres marked as 28x35c on a set of DT Swiss rimmed 29er wheels (21mm internal I think).
by JoseMcTavish
Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:38 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Taking a knife to a gunfight.
Replies: 59
Views: 5040

Re: Taking a knife to a gunfight.

I think the gravel bike can also be seen as an entry into road cycling for mountain bikers. When I decided I was going to get a road bike for use in things like duathlons, I couldn't resist looking for something that I could get bigger tyres on for the exact type of riding described above, road ride...
by JoseMcTavish
Wed Jan 13, 2021 5:09 pm
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Today's Run
Replies: 886
Views: 102685

Re: Today's Run

Was back out last night for the first time since November to keep up my 1.5 months per run average. For someone who has always considered himself a runner more than a cyclist I'm finding it really hard to motivate myself for a run these days. It's always about 10pm by the time I'm free and an hour o...
by JoseMcTavish
Wed Jan 13, 2021 4:25 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Gravelwanger - what chainring do you use?
Replies: 12
Views: 834

Re: Gravelwanger - what chainring do you use?

I had been going round on a 44 up front with 11-40 cassette for the last few years on my VN Amazon, but thought a smaller chainring would make sense for steeper stuff off-road. Wanted a 38t but could only find a 36t in my budget and it's been really handy when loaded up. I obviously spin out more of...
by JoseMcTavish
Wed Jan 13, 2021 3:01 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Flat pedal shoe recommendations
Replies: 16
Views: 1935

Re: Flat pedal shoe recommendations

I'm another Adidas/5-10 Trailcross convert here - they are exactly the right balance of pedal and walking grip and comfy in both scenarios. I probably walked for around 70km of the HT550 in them without any issues at all. I bought a backup pair just in case they stopped making them before my first p...
by JoseMcTavish
Mon Jan 11, 2021 1:10 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Simplest/cheapest way to increase the 'cold-temp' of spd boots
Replies: 82
Views: 6930

Re: Simplest/cheapest way to increase the 'cold-temp' of spd boots

This thread has been a fascinating read and just goes to show how many of us are facing the same problems. The feeling of heat disappearing through the cleat is one I experienced as well in my Giro Alpineduro boots. I was riding a lot in temperatures well below what they are designed for and didn't ...
by JoseMcTavish
Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:10 pm
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Bivvy a month 2020.
Replies: 923
Views: 129718

Re: Bivvy a month 2020.

Do you not have an underquilt on the hammock? I'm interested in your set-up as I assume it was cold if the roads were icy. I know the underquilt is supposed to be the way to go, but I feel like the bulk required would make me less inclined to take the hammock on long rides. I just get by with a nor...
by JoseMcTavish
Sun Jan 03, 2021 3:04 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Photo comp We have a Winner!
Replies: 18
Views: 1790

Re: Photo comp We have a Winner!

Definitely the right winner - made me laugh at the time and still brings a smile 😀
by JoseMcTavish
Sun Jan 03, 2021 12:47 am
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Bivvy a month 2020.
Replies: 923
Views: 129718

Re: Bivvy a month 2020.

Really sorry to hear that Ben, but recovery has to come first when you get into that kind of condition. This is a battle I have constantly with my wife when she's feeling similar to what you describe and won't accept that rest is sometimes the only answer, so good luck and hopefully get yourself rec...
by JoseMcTavish
Sat Jan 02, 2021 2:37 am
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Bivvy a month 2020.
Replies: 923
Views: 129718

Re: Bivvy a month 2020.

Sorry, nearly there - November was a pleasant saunter along the coastline and sand dune bivy in cold temperatures. Past the eerily quiet town centre Christmas lights https://highlanddrifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/53227808_Unknown-1280-rotated.jpg Supply boats and turbines from Aberdeen beach...
by JoseMcTavish
Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:09 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: ..... Tubeless ready road spike/ice tires?
Replies: 15
Views: 1531

Re: ..... Tubeless ready road spike/ice tires?

Yeah, if you have something like Marathon Winters then standard punctures are very unlikely to happen, due to the robustness of the tyre. I did try them tubeless one year to lighten things up and it worked for a few weeks. Eventually they needed topping up too often as air and sealant gradually seep...
by JoseMcTavish
Wed Dec 30, 2020 5:53 pm
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Bivvy a month 2020.
Replies: 923
Views: 129718

Re: Bivvy a month 2020.

Love that - I'm expecting a good batch of snowy bivy write-ups to appear. As a contrast here's my October effort! :oops: This was a simple night out from Nethy Bridge where we stay at least once a year, quarantine dependent. I was feeling rough in a non-COVID way all week so I had to manage my ambit...
by JoseMcTavish
Tue Dec 29, 2020 6:53 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: ..... Tubeless ready road spike/ice tires?
Replies: 15
Views: 1531

Re: Experience of spiked road tires anyone?

I'd think of them as a long term investment, as they last ages, due to you only needing them on certain days. I normally put them on a spare set of wheels for the winter so I can do a quick switch if conditions require. If I don't need them I definitely don't leave them on, though I hear plenty of o...
by JoseMcTavish
Tue Dec 29, 2020 6:36 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Gaiters ?
Replies: 16
Views: 1544

Re: Gaiters ?

Yeah, I tried to get another backup pair last year after mine had a rough weekend in the Cairngorms, but could only find the small size. Just one of those things you have to keep an eye out for someone re-inventing at some point!
by JoseMcTavish
Tue Dec 29, 2020 4:24 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Gaiters ?
Replies: 16
Views: 1544

Re: Gaiters ?

These are excellent and also no longer made: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/giro-alpineduro-rain-gaiter I got them to go with my Alpineduro boots but have also used them with flat mid boots for winter mountain biking. If someone else makes something along these lines I'll be first in line, but baggy walki...
by JoseMcTavish
Mon Dec 28, 2020 12:20 pm
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Bivvy a month 2020.
Replies: 923
Views: 129718

Re: Bivvy a month 2020.

Here we are at the end of the year and here I am posting pictures from my September bivy. It was a straightforward one - head out in the middle of the night and come home before everyone gets up. There was some urban singletrack https://highlanddrifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/52694624_Unknown...
by JoseMcTavish
Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:00 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: For those who use Exposure lights.
Replies: 19
Views: 2563

Re: For those who use Exposure lights.

Another Joystick user here and like Bob, I got round the HT550 with over 50% charge left. I never bothered to bring the charging cable as I didn't expect to ride much in the night due to the time of year, but I did use it for longer than expected over 5 nights - though I cheated one night by just ri...
by JoseMcTavish
Sat Dec 12, 2020 11:54 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Any winter under-helmet hat deals spotted?
Replies: 38
Views: 4533

Re: Any winter under-helmet hat deals spotted?

I 've been using these for a few years now and am so pleased with it I bought an extra in case they stopped making them! https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bike-clothing/cycling-caps-headwear/bontrager-thermal-cycling-cap/p/25037/?colorCode=black Works particularly well for me and my big head as it'...
by JoseMcTavish
Mon Dec 07, 2020 1:42 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Let's have a photo competition.
Replies: 67
Views: 5451

Re: Let's have a photo competition.

On the way home from my November BAM, not sure whether it's my final entry...
Image
by JoseMcTavish
Fri Nov 13, 2020 6:41 pm
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Bivvy a month 2020.
Replies: 923
Views: 129718

Re: Bivvy a month 2020.

Snap... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1ds04Rm34dV4JAnapsKTuFzrwqQh886u3WrD61JdfciCAORPgM1ABYwyubEta7pGu_RUaLe9kU1uCN-mGSSpm2c_EmTxvxFQSEcczaJnQqvMfYDinSesHOo5LzOYKITG5eYooYtO7g=w1920-h1080 You didn't lose a pair of black bike mitts on that track did you? A long shot I know, but I have them if y...