https://singularcycles.com/products/gryphon-steel?variant=42285088375033 Singular Gryphon V3? Not many drop bar 29ers with that sort of pedigree. A friend of mine who's opinion I'd give plenty of weight to has the V2 and rates it highly. Looks sorted, similar reach and only a bit less stack, as lon...

What happens if you try to ride down it? Presumably at the right speed it would be like like cycling on a treadmill? Even better if gravity would keep you at the right speed

It’s a very common thing for winter use. Known as a magic carpet

Horrendous things!

Reg will be along in a minute to expel the virtues of sandals, with sealskinz when wet

That is excellent. I've not seen anything like that down here. A chap up the road says he has weasels or stoats regularly in his back garden but i've not seen any. He backs onto fields though whereas I back onto more of a wooded area I thought I was close the other day, saw something small jump into...

When you say wait a bit, has the stove ‘bloomed’ properly? Ie blue flames coming out the side

Also, once bloomed, maybe give it 5 seconds before you put your mug

Once it’s on full chat it’s quite hard to put out

Bob, that’s my favourite bird. I could (and have) watch them for ages. I was on the look out for one while on JennRide as we don’t get them down here but sadly no luck. You only get them in good areas! My last two sightings were in the Brecon Beacons and the Forest of Bowland Took the dog for a walk...

That was a very enjoyable JennRide! The weather was absolutely cracking and led to a very social ride involving some riding, lots of stopping and a fair bit of time in the pub. Our group size went up and down over the couple of days as people joined and split off depending on what they were planning...

There's a collaboration between R@pha and Snow Peak but I don't think there's anything actually new, well not of consequence anyway, just extra branding on some existing bits of kit for even more money.

As a fan of both brands it's a little disappointing

I have some paramo Torres arms which combo up with any gilet

Not sure if they’re still made?

I’m pretty good at knots, used to take great pleasure in tying proper knots for either end of a guy line, particularly slippery or adjustable ones These days I use line locs and mini carabiners (or similar), depending on the shelter. It isn’t much weight, it’s a lot easier and quicker with wet, cold...

2 other options Rab Alpha Flash. I have one of these, I really like it. There are stretchy bits under the arms, they don't dry as quick as the Alpha but haven't found it a major issue in normal use Senchi designs top. These are made in a batch and released so tricky to get hold of. You might get luc...

OMM Core is their take on similar products using Polartec Alpha (the direct/raw variant) Reviews report that it's not quite as good as Polartec Alpha, although still pretty good I switched my sleeping base layer from a normal base layer to a Macpac Nitro (a very well regarded top made of Polartec Al...

That 2XL will fit you ok, Ton. I have one, it’s a very decent size inside

I'd probably be looking at the OMM Rotor smock if it was me. Primaloft gold, minimal stitching to keep the insulation in place so warmer in the wind. Rotor jacket also an option but slightly different insulation set up and full length zip I use a rotor vest very regularly, probably the most useful b...

On my hardtail I'm limited because it's an externally routed dropper and the dropper cable stops the Topeak mount from being placed right at the top On my full sus I could do full drop as it's internally routed but I'd limited anyway because of the lack of clearance when the seat has been dropped an...

I’ve been using the Topeka DP Mount for well over a year now, it’s ace

Total drop is limited but doesn’t bother me as it still keeps dropper functionality and is better than the pipe insulation I used to use

Cheers for that pic, Bob

Cracking pics, Dave. I never take enough pics!

Thanks for organising, Andy Nice to meet some new folks and put some names and faces to forum names Weather was a lot better than forecast and it was a lovely route in a fantastic part of the country. Great way to spend the weekend. And no major calamities or mechanicals apart from a brake bolt disa...

I’m aiming to be up in Staveley tomorrow night for a few pints

It's pretty common for munro baggers to do this, sometimes they're quite a distance to get to I do it sometimes. Usually just take a big lock and attach the bike to something. Rarely likely to be a problem if it's left somewhere sensible. I don't really see it as that different for cycling to any ot...

My montane waterproof had good arm length but not great for bike riding

My montane windproof is better in the bike specific cut than the walking cut (I have a few)

Sadly arm length varies between models of the same brand

As Stu says, I have problems with this. It was a very accurate image, maybe need more hair though :grin: It's a genuine irritation for me - the stupid assumption that you get taller/longer as you get wider/larger. It's a nonsense. Have problems with both bottom half and top half I'm 6'3 but have 32&...

Shaf, if you're going to use the bins with your kids then not all will be suitable I actually bought a pair specifically to use with my kids(Kowa YF 6x30), as they fold small enough for a child's inter pupil distance. They were actually designed with kids in mind, although I rate them for normal use...

Optics are expensive. Set your budget first, then choose the bins The Hawke ones won't be as good as Leicas but they'll still be good and a lot cheaper. I have cheap ones and expensive (Leica) ones, the best ones are the ones you have with you. I now leave a set in the van all the time. I rarely tak...