just got email saying its "grand depart is cancele but do it if you want ". i might just do a shorter route with less snow, or a day ride and then go ski touring/ back country the next days tbh . but going up anyway and will see Yep - will still be at the start. I've been in the hills in ...

Also set up a contact form on my tracking page where people can send texts to my phone: http://frasermacbeath.co.uk/tracking/ It'll be live for cairngormsloop this weekend so you can all feel free to send me messages of encouragement/abuse (and directions? :p) That's a cool page Fraser :-bd I'll be...

ScotRoutes wrote: Everybody should be prepared for wet feet.

"Everybody" is now down to just 18 from Steve's email this evening.......

GregMay wrote:Loch Morlich currently:

From a quick look at the elevation profile, 75% of the route is higher than Loch Morlich. Do you get a time bonus for making a snowman?

Not closed to mountain bikes though

Thanks. I'm really looking forward to meeting people at the start. It's the only time I reckon I'll see anybody - and that's not because I expect to be at the front!!

Slightly mundane question to the folk who have done the CL before, prompted because when my wife asked what time I wanted to be dropped off at Blair next Saturday I didn't know. Do people just turn up in the car park for 10 ready to rock - or is there a cafe or somewhere where people gather to have ...

Tri-packing! It's the latest thing don't you know. An individual time trial with elements of swimming, riding and HAB. All self supported of course...

Well my shiny new Trekkertent Stealth arrived this week so I just had to try it in the garden last night (sad I know), and I left the garmin outside to record the temp. It claimed a low of -6 (which I don't believe) - although the cars and grass were frozen. We're only at 500ft (central Scotland) so...

Another thumbs up for Assos. Expensive but I have zero regrets. Happily do 12 hour days and then ride the next day. I do use the creme.

The first 1000 are the hardest ;-) I wish I'd known about this forum years ago!

Not very fun for navigating fast for 100+km though.... Absolutely Greg. Just playing Devil's advocate really ... sometimes it appears that we've almost forgotten about them. err - some of us still have some 1" to the mile OS maps I'll have you know! And a compass. And even used that for real i...

I have a Garmin Edge 800 and bought a separate card from Talky Toaster to get the off-road detail - but I also found that I was more comfortable with OS, the same as Trail-Rat. So I picked up a second hand Garmin 1:50k card on ebay which is routable etc. I also played with Garmin's Birdseye 1:25k th...

Just to say that I plumped for the Shimano XM9 and having now done about 20 hours or so through boggy places that bikes shouldn't ever go (researching routes that weren't!) I am really impressed. They are as comfortable as my walking boots for walking, with the only downside being you can't boulder ...

I use these for a couple of days out. Have a few that I refill.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Muc-Off-C3-Ceramic-Dry-Lube-7-X-5ml-Easy-Use-Tubes-Cycle-Chain-Lubricant-/262332159588?hash=item3d14371664:g:c2oAAOSwoudW5GQb Cool - I got given a sample of the wet lube version in a goody bag at a recent rac...

Ok so this is a bit late for OP, but do people take any lubricant for the chain? And if so what sort? I've done a lot of remote day rides in Scotland where the bike has been up to the axles in bog and rivers but always had the opportunity to give the bike some TLC every evening. What do people do fo...

Got the opportunity to do some training on the John Muir Way on Sunday. There's a nice section of undulating sandy single track - at times as easy as cycling through mud. It's only about 10m from the road and every one of the dozen or so roadies who went past on the tarmac looked at me as if I was ...

Midges! No-ones mentioned them. Fear is the wrong word but I certainly dread them. Was in Fisherfield last August and got caught out. Should be ok in May and yes you can overpack, but my midge net is 23g.

Got the opportunity to do some training on the John Muir Way on Sunday. There's a nice section of undulating sandy single track - at times as easy as cycling through mud. It's only about 10m from the road and every one of the dozen or so roadies who went past on the tarmac looked at me as if I was a...

Hi all - reading all the posts with interest as my previous shoe of choice is now no longer available and with an entry for the Cairngorm Loop (and if that goes well aspirations for an ITT for the HT550), I don't want my current pair to pack in just before the CL and end up with a distress purchase ...

You can buy Spot's for 90 quid. One you hire one you will want it again and again, so it will soon work out cheaper. Otherwise go halves with a mate I guess. The subscription is reasonable, the price of two pints a month. So the safety and security it give you its a no brainer. @dlovett Where is it...

Thanks - I've got one munro left to do, but always, always stuff to learn so just ordered a copy

BTW - sorry that I seem to have hijacked the thread away from frame bags, but I did notice there were deals for different bundles of Wildcat stuff. More decisions!

Ian, Thanks - makes a lot of sense - why didn't I ever think of that!! Brilliant video as well.

@Scattamah - I think that is a technique I'll need to learn! I guess I assumed that shouldering it (as I would on a 'cross bike) would no longer be possible with a frame bag. I must admit I normally try to keep the bike wheels on the river bed to help me balance when it gets deeper. I was thinking b...

I've never ridden with a frame bag and it's great to get such a solid recommendation for Ocelot! I'm a bit concerned about river crossings where the bike is almost being ripped from your hands with the current. I guess a partial bag would have less sideways pull in the water so that seems like a plu...