AK350Z

Didn't we have an offshore thread a while back? Anyways, I'm offshore but on the windmills, so back in every night. Great job though, loads of time off (nearly 8 months a year), if not the mega bucks you can get on the rigs. The BBC visited us a while back, check out the link in my sig.

Lol, you tart! Would you not have been better off waiting a bit and getting the X01 set for less dosh? What gears did you go for? Just watching the TdF Alp d'Huez highlights, bloody mental! Only two more days to go on the megashift before I can get on the bike again, weather looks great for a while more too, can't wait!

Should probably mention the epic win today from Chris Froome on the daddy of all climbs, Mont Ventoux! Fantastic to see, and less charitably, one in the eye for the cheese eating surrender monkeys on Bastille Day

Well done mate. I used to have my solo glider licence years ago, also did all my JAR66 B2 modules. I worked on light aircraft for a bit, but have ended up on a different path!

Game on! Really hope this goes ahead!

I would say so, you can see the height adjustment rings.

There appear to be some random bints in the way of the engineering!

Keswick Moutain Bikes demo day ride around Borrowdale today, 20 degrees+ and great trails. I borrowed a Giant Anthem 29er, a first on the big wheels for me, and found it overall to be pretty good. Coped really well with rocky descents, although BB clearence isn't all that, and the cockpit would need some sorting out, but overall a positive first impression.

Did you survive the trip back from lakes Chris? While you're busy with the fishy belly, could you post the pics up? Get well soon mate!

Because soft top.

I might be stealing a few potential guests that weekend Mart, including you, but can you remember why.....?

Got my message did you? Costs are virtually the same, of course the tax is in the mega band.

Well that was an excellent weekend messing about in the back yard! I think Martin has the format pretty much dialled now, especially with a decent pub on hand for beers an breakfast. Big thanks to all those who can up here, especially from long distances, it's the people that make it such a good craic. And I guess Liz will have to eat her words now about how a punto can possibly lead a drive out!

Interesting. Would like to see a proper Nissan hot hatch.

Another one here for food on Friday 6.30. Chris and Amanda should be following me down. Nice to see Neil surface again too!

Well, I can't get sunday off work, but will still be there from friday night. Will just leave the tent up and have a couple of bevvies on sunday after work

A little artificial scarcity goes along way in the PR stakes - especially if it's on the run up to Christmas.

Rubbish excuse.

+1 a louvred or vented box made from pallets with some sound deadening would be surprisingly quiet with modern small generators.

Either a small generator or some 12V lead acid batteries, with a solar charger and panels. Powering LED or small fluorescents.

I'm not surprised, very thin pickings. Someone had a subtle thin crescent one that looked quite good I think.

I resemble that remark.

It can be arranged young grasshopper http://www.alpkit.com/hunka

Yey! Found the camera! Think it's about time I posted my wee bivi trip from last week. It' a bit of a photo epic though! It was a full traverse of the Helvellyn ridge from north to south, sleeping out on the top in the great weather. Not a massive ride mileage wise, but plenty of pushing, and a big gnarly ride out first thing in the morning. It was basically from 5pm one evening, round to 9am the next morning back at the car. Brilliant. Not your usual load out Matterdale common, looking forward to the pushing. Not. One hour later... Just came from there A fair bit to go though Progressing along the ridge Met a group of bikers going the other way along the ridge, see if you can make them out: Looking towards Raise Making progress, looking towards the final climb up to Lower Man and Helvellyn Nearly there At the summit! Best find a place to sleep then. Room with a view Time for tea. Late in the hills Heavy morning dew Morning light Downhill all the way back. If only it was that easy! Onwards to Grisedale Very long, and very techy. Climbing hut Nearly back to civilisation Back to Ullswater What better way to spend an early morning? Well this was a good idea....

Wait a minute while I find a gigapixel Picard/Riker facepalm image.....