I've a card to go pick up my new Exped hyperlite and dry bags from the RM depot this am....

Pretty modest really (but pushing the boat out for me): The Cairngorm Loop (I did the inner loop 3-4 weeks ago, it's 'on the doorstep' and I fancy it. I reckon I've probably done about 50% of it in various guises over the years, be good to do it). Might kick off with doing north and south loops sepa...

Mavis Grind C-to C is a bitch though....m

Used to have to travel round Shetland with work 10-15 years ago. I still remember a night in Baltasound when the rain was getting blown up the roof... Fun times

82% of minimum for go ahead when I checked this am. Pretty good going for less than two days gone live!

they had coffee makers with them?

I'm pretty sure I spotted an aeropress (like you my b/b conn is pretty shonky).

I thought that they definitely looked wanky but they seem to have had fun.

This is a win in my book (the fun bit, in case it's not clear ).

It's all too easy to sneer....

Pledged...

Thought I'd let you see the damage resulting from the two day trip (due to inadequate frame taping and lack of packing experience): https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5798/29912748794_d406012052_c.jpg Front - damage - unwashed by Metalheart-UK , on Flickr https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5339/30507312606_c2...

Jeez Mike, it looks like you'd even more water on Bynack than we had! I didn't think that was possible. Reassuring to find out it wasn't just me & David having to walk it, sounds you did pretty much the same amount :grin: Damn, now I'm thinking I'm going to have to do the whole loop now... Might...

Mike, glad you made it back in one piece. You get new pads or did you have to beg some spare brakes?

As I said, we had dragged the gear around with us and we needed to use it. Trial it out if you like.

Hope to meet you out on the trail again some day soon

Thanks guys. It was good to put theory into practice and experience things for real. I have a lot to learn but I'm pretty pleased with the results. And definitely up for doing more. I'm beginning to develop a lost of routes to do. Something to keep me occupied during those long winter nights... Aye ...

I ran a Trailblazer on the rear of my Solaris for a while (before I sold the wheelset on). The tyre sealant was oozing out of the sidewalls, just as well I kept the bike on laminate and not carpet. Had the spiralling look too. Kept air though (unlike the NN upfront...) Hoping the problem not replica...

REPRISE: It was simply brilliant to finally get out on the route that had nagged at me for 4 years, catch up with an old mate and push ourselves out of the comfort zone a little. Its ironic that I chose this route as being a nice gentle introduction to bikepacking that we should cruise round with pl...

I didn't die.... https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5474/30474948825_98bd421017_c.jpg The tarp rigged in 'anger' by Metalheart-UK , on Flickr But I did have to 'tighten' it up a bit when I got up for early morning pee. Could be material just stretching in use or the pegs moving in the wet peaty soil. Or ...

DAY 2: A night of intermittent sleep meant that morning dribbled in with the light and we didn't really get it together and sorted out until 9.00am. https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5329/30358923142_4ff3e3e1dd_c.jpg Davids palacial tent... by Metalheart-UK , on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5474...

DAY 1: So, this is it, its really happening. No more talk. Met my mate in Ballater the back of 9 (picked up a sandwich from the baker, nothing like planning ahead...) and headed to the Linn of Dee car park. At approx 10.20am we set off. And the first wrong turn was just before the White Bridge. Yup,...

INTERLUDE; Earlier on I mentioned that I'd more or less done the route before but that I'd done the Feshie to Morlich section on the road. Discussions on and off fora lead ScotRoutes to volunteering to 'guide' me through the offroad version. So approx three weeks ago (nursing a suspected broken rib)...

DAY -1: Whilst waiting on my Ortleib stuff to show a lot happened. My parents both passed, my mum to her lymphoma (did I mention #fuckcancer earlier) and my dad followed 12 days later. I was busy and mind was elsewhere. But through all this I had enlisted my oldest mate (we've known each other since...

IiNTRO: First off, this is going to be teaching yer grunnie to suck eggs but it was a bit of a voyage of discovery for me. If that bothers you, please move on... :cool: I'm a fat aul mannie, okay. I've 'let myself go' and sitting round the 17 stone mark, it aint gonna be pretty. I've been on mountai...

Met Mike out on the 'trail', what's the chances of that, eh?

He had options...

Aye it was a cracking day out there. Sadly the water logged conditions were pish...

You should've seen the other side! I was having 'fun' with my knots (pitching hitch?) I was planning on using the first one (with the external pole) as assuming it'd give me a bit more protection. Went up easier than I was expecting tbh. Detached all the surplus guylines now... I'll chuck them in th...

Holy thread reserection batman... But I finally got around to trying to bicycle up my tarp: https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5350/30375306576_589ffef09d_c.jpg Alternate by Metalheart-UK , on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8560/30325312401_680a355854_c.jpg 'Classic' A-frame by Metalheart-UK , on F...

Where are you starting/finishing?

The Linn

ETA: YGM.

Apologies to OP for derailing your thread....

Ii could meet you half-way with a bucket and sponge?

Aye, and I could take them forks for ye an all...

Eh? I take this to mean why am I planning on taking the Solaris? Because I've no idea how the Sherpa is going to fair over a two day outing. Don't fancy finding the position is disagreeing with me after 2-3 hours in.... Or that the rear tyre won't stay up... Or that the seat pin keeps sliding down....