Hallelujah and amen. Couldn't agree more Mr Wick. Love the philosphy, but aren't you in danger of being assasinated by the sponsors of this site? After all where would they be if everyone realised that spending money was largely a hollow exercis?
Nice photos too, especially as Trackster Man has pulled the Scotland section from his web site.

I have my early 90's alpinestar al-mega frame just waiting in the shed. t'will be fully restored one fine day.

Um, I don't know about that. I was trying to imply that there's a fine line between 'retro chic' and just 'old and a bit crap really'. It's a pretty horrible bike to ride but interesting in its own way.

An old guy at the Durness ferry slipway last Tuesday asked if he could pick it up, assuming it was some super-light device, I guess. He nearly put his back out...

well, it does LOOK light, I reckon its these skeletal steel tubes rather than fat boy Alu

I think it looks great, funny how I've just upgraded to hardtail and now I keep looking at rigids and thinking how great thay look.

Thats some long headtube though? or is it just me.

Neil, There's a couple of those rides on the offroad adventures online website.

I did the Arkle Loop when I was up in far NW Scotland over the Bank Holw\end, mainly walking.

I got totally assinated by midges after making the mistake of wearing 3/4tights on fairly overcast day, some stunning views on the ride though.

You've just inspired me to pen some words about my ugly beauty of a bike, Eldrid. Once upon a time she was a beautiful Marin Eldridge Grade, but a decade of hard use later, and she was mine for a mere 20 quid....

Best bike I've ever owned, so I really must rebuild her after her recent strip down.

Watch this space!

Just noticed she's the bike I'm riding in my profile photo, in singlespeed mode, getting me round Red Bull solo...


Aaah,...I love that bike :-)

Re: Neil fox's comment

Have you seen Mike's bike? If you had then you'd realise he probably started the trend!

Sorry Mike!

I would probably say that bike is more reliable than my Rockhopper.

What trend? Not spending money? You may be right. I haven't got a bike younger than five ;-)

Right on. Great photos, makes me want to move outa London (again)... its brought to my attention riding round here, down south, that everyone seems to be on recent gleeming high end machinery - see 'em all the time on N.Downs, mostly resting or pushing up hills. Its nice to be reminded that riding, and riding hard and well, isnt all about the kit - reading through mags and seeing all the clones on the trail you'd increasingly think it was.

My mates and I all ride old bikes, albeit old nice ones as our main bikes ( some 8 years old and still going strong) - some even with thumbshifters. Most of the most memorable rides I've ever done were in the early days, high level in the Lakes and Alps on 30lb+ full rigid steeds....the sort of stuff we supposedly need 5in travel for!!! go retro go....

Mostly reliable David - you have to kick the chain down onto the smallest chainring with your heel because the crank taper's stretched a bit over the years, moving the spider too far inboard for the front mech. Other than that it's fine - and if it was good enough for the Cranes, it's good enough for me...

Mint condition black (with lime trim) Marin Pallisades (1992?) at the base of the Carn a'Chlamain track in Glen Tilt yesterday.