Thanks for the write-up James. You've reminded me that once upon a time I did a winter ascent of the N face of the Ailefroide, and that I should do a write up of my summer French trip. It truly is a marvelous place for bike touring.

2.4" would be a good compromise if you are rigid.

We take a spare wheelset to put ice tyres on which some years are useful for a few hours.

You will suffer on the last descent. My tool of choice would be a full susser, or at least something with big tyres.

There are a couple of others in the locale. Similar in as much as no sleeping platforms, and no fireplaces. DM me if you want details

The end of my first week at a new job.

A slight change of direction but still working within the cycling industry.

It's been a good week!

PaulE wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:04 am Have you seen the ridiculously cheap Octanes on chain reaction? https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/o ... -bike-2022

Looks good, but only small left.

Was doing some idle ebay searching and came across this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/355253806608?hash=item52b6c6e610:g:vKkAAOSwWfpla4cs&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwOGUds%2FdJi7wgMk4srAeWHPKqaagyi3UPHmzdiL5g62K%2Bu4xaAWY2aYLvaoLfSHbaho6KtlhKpC8OZxjHmkBosepe3rxBewoF2OVOMdFphEhIdUxOn5hDX%2F6zTRNJhFsIBD...

I'm looking for a steel gravel bike ideally, definitely not a carbon one as a beater for work.

Back in October I had a bash at the HT550 northern loop before storm Babet persuaded me otherwise.

I applied and didn’t get the nod. Rather gutted as it’s been on my to do list for a few years. I hadn’t really considered how popular it’s become. 160 male entrants for 35 places. Assuming that 10 or so places will go those with proven race pedigree, the odds aren’t great for a first timer getting ...

Got a new tent yesterday. Our basecamp for Strathpuffer.

Fitted a jack for the woodburning stove today.

A warranty Neoair Xlite NXT mat and a Seiko Alpinist watch.

I'll take the Das light please.

Please DM me your PayPal. Thanks

Interested - * Patagonia Das Light jacket (medium, worn twice)

Can also be found on ebay if you want a "safe" shopping experience.

I've got some Klite Qube lights that draw such a tiny amount of juice (~20ma) which means a normal powerbank will turn itself off. I found this device which when plugged between the battery and lights keeps the battery awake, and therefore the lights lit. https://lectronz.com/products/power-bank-kee...

AndrewL wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 12:36 pm I have pulled myself together and entered, I will be furtling for the warm camping gear in the back of the cupboards!

Thanks Rich

Great stuff, see you there!

Alan has made an alternative route now which hopefully I'll get to test in the next few weeks.

Any recommendations on routes would be much appreciated. I'd do the TMB anticlockwise then spur off from Orsieres for 2 or 3 days and head further east into Switzerland on the Haute Route - it's stunning and there's some ridiculous riding. You can ride as far east/go over as many cols as time allow...

Bearlegged wrote: ↑Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:14 pm Various Firepot meals on offer at Sport Pursuit:
https://www.sportpursuit.com/search?s=firepot

Flat rate £5 p&p I think, so anything over 2 packs and you'll start making savings?

Bigger discount when buying in multiples of 3.

Thanks for the link.

Bearlegged wrote: ↑Mon Nov 06, 2023 2:18 pm I'm tempted by those 7R bags just for their tagline, "Ride your bike where even wolves are scared to sh*t"!

I'm getting one of their gravel suitcases https://7rbags.com/product/gravel-suitcase/ via Shona and Rich https://keeppedalling.co.uk/

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Mon Nov 06, 2023 11:42 am Found it (well, her name) she's called Rusjan (brand named after her I believe). He mentions it here https://jamesmarkhayden.eu/knowledge/keeping-dry

Thanks haf, 7rBags in Ukraine make what i'm after, just wondering if there was anyone in UK.

Is there anyone who makes custom welded TPU frame bags in the UK?

AndrewL wrote: ↑Sat Nov 04, 2023 11:15 pm Which pub is the planned stopover? I would like to do this but might take the weakling option given the time of year and book a bed half way! (Sorry if this is letting the side down)

If you need to borrow some warmer kit I may be able to lend you something?

We've got a week in the Chamonix area next June on mountain bikes.

The number one goal is to do the TMB. However a bigger loop incorporating that would be even cooler.

Any recommendations on routes would be much appreciated.