MacRetro chat and rides thread

[RobMac]

I think I have found Ecks version of a fat bike.....

I want!

PLEASE! He'll have his man size (weenie size more like) tissues out over that :?

 

[clockworkgazz]

Thinking about the touted idea of our 2013 national event being an epic ride.
Thinking that further north we set it less riders we'll get which is a shame but likely outcome.
So what about thinking of epics we could plan in Borders or Dumfries and Galloway possibly linking up 7 Stanes venues and Bothy/Bunkhouse accomodation.
Just a thought

I'm off next week and planning to head down again to dunfries and galloway so will see if I can link up a few trails velo- (If I was planning the national- which I'm not) I would still look at an up north route as the scenery is worth travelling to and bothy/bunkhouses have a natural limit on numbers anyway.

 

[RobMac]

I thought Mr P had half a idea about doing that Glen Etive thing again, was that the one with the boat crossing and the bothy?

 

[clockworkgazz]

yeah that would be a classic and well worth repeating if only to do a dump in jimmy sav's front lawn!

 

[RobMac]

Ive just been in the toilet weighing things :shock:

Charge Ti saddle 246 grms
Flite Ti saddle 226 grms

 

[velomaniac]

Oop north is where the best scenery/terrain lies no question but as many Englandshire types think Southern Scotland is too far ,and to be honest we view Southern England in the same way, then if we want next years Macretro National to be UK national as opposed to only us lot then it needs to be accessible.

Anyhoo I'm still interested in SW Scotland riding of a non trail centre style so good hunting Gaz

 

[kaiser]

The reasoning behind it being further north was that, we only attract a limited number from south of the border anyway so why not make it typical of your shortbread tin Scotland rather than the (still very nice but) quite plain borders. It was kinda felt that we didn't even need to go that far north. East of Loch Lomond or picking up MrP's hell of the glen march. It would also put something a bit different into the national calendar, an overnight wild or bothy trip. Still don't think we'll have hordes knocking on our door but hopefully a small number who say I really need to do that someday. The epic trips do seem to bring out the lurkers. Another reason is to move away from the trail centre bit, admittedly it has been me thats pushed it in the past but this year I had the realisation that we didn't necessarily need to attract the big numbers but put on a quality ride.

This is all still in the fledgling stages mind and the viability of if we'll even attract anybody remains uncertain. But a bit of investigative work and touting about should bring us a bit closer.

As usual it'll only work if everyone's involved so keep the opinions and ideas coming.

 

[velomaniac]

Not got a problem with your reasoning just like seeing the englanders up to see us, the more the merrier and all that. However we have openly spoke of our plans in our sub forum before where anyone in the UK/world could have looked and still no southerners/foreigners joined us. Not sure how making it our national event would entice anyone.
Usual format of one days riding somewhere interesting and not excessively too far over the border in Scotland would get people interested. 2 dayer with bothy is a specialist market, hardcore only, could result in us only and a reputation for insularism.
Just a thought, not a criticism.
Happily will set out a scouting stuff

 

[kaiser]

I'm thinking there has been a slight shift in attendance of meets this year. From my own point of view and I guess I'm applying it across the board is that the cost has gone up for travelling, making to so so stuff less attractive. Flipping it around what would lure me to the south of England for a ride? Mayhem would but apart from that it would need to be something similar (SSUK) or epic. Would I really travel to go riding at Chicksands or similar? Probably not. But if there was say South Downs Way overnighter or some such I'd certainly give it some more thought.

One question is, do we like to see more faces for a day or would it be good to get some quality riding in with a few?

 

[kaiser]

The other thing is we can try it if it sinks like a lead ballon then we move on again...and keep the good stuff too ourselves