2023-5 | Can't believe I broke my bike AGAIN | Winter camp | Glen Quoich

Join me for a winter bike camp to Glen Quoich and share some back-country bike-bodging.

[@jacquelinesim9578]

“If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same……” I aspire to do as you do, well done Dave and for another inspiring video, thank you.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Jacqueline, Kipling's words are so relevant in today's world. It is a wonderful compliment to learn that my wee videos inspire. ATB, Dave

[@Jennifer.4]

What a beautiful Glen. Very impressive, repair of your bike.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Thanks Jennifer.

[@owencurley3520]

Gotta say,absolutely stunning videography ,thanks big fella ,magic keep em coming?

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Thanks Owen, such positive comments keep me motivated. ATB, Dave

[@grahamhaines9931]

Good recovery Dave. Thanks for sharing.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Thanks Graham, the irony is that I initially mounted the rack through the rear axle (using an extra-long skewer). However, I didn't like the set up, so decided to use the braze-ons. Seems they are just not up to the job. Contemplating a different set-up, possibly using the seat post and/or rear triangle clamps. ATB, Dave

[@hazetheherd2214]

Great video , really enjoyed it , great improvisation re the bike too !

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Glad you enjoyed it. I saw some lambs in the snow last week when I was hiking in the Lammermuirs. I guess your busy time is coming up and hope the weather settles for you. Fingers crossed you have a good lambing season. ATB, Dave

[@mikeodonovan7325]

its all about the views dave great adventure/trip knocked it out of the park again thanks for putting this up as ever slan mike.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Mike, glad you enjoyed it. That view of the south-eastern Cairngorms never fails to impress. I first set eyes on it as a young lad, very much out of my depth, hiking with a pal towards the distant summits. We didn't make the summit but did retrieve a part eaten salmon from an otter, which we feasted on like kings. Slan, Dave

[@mikeodonovan7325]

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 some man for one man class dave

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

@@mikeodonovan7325 thanks, Mike.

[@mikeodonovan7325]

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 keep it going dave

[@robertchappellsnr.5872]

Keep up the guid work dave... Get that surly oot 4 a trundle soon...!!!!

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Robert, glad you enjoyed the vid. Hah, I'm still saving up for some luggage and a carrying system for the Surly. The price of bike gear has gone nuts. Hope to get it out and about soon though. ATB, Dave

[@voicezful]

A perfect display of knowledge, aptitude and optimism Dave. Could not believe you gave us the courtesy of a camera shot at 20.50, when clearly - after fixing the thing - you had to make up lost time. Classic stuff! Looking forward to more ventures. Thanks again.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Andrew, thanks for the compliments; greatly appreciated. I have to remind myself that the best footage is often captured when I'm least inclined to break out the camera. It is a discipline hard to follow at times but does seem to bring rewards. Hope to get out and about again soon. ATB, Dave

[@smoggiewalks578]

Great scenery as ever Dave. I'd have issues walking that icy track never mind cycling it. Impressed with the remote repairs. Hope Mo gave you some sympathy for the broken bike but probably not. 😂😂😂 ATB stay safe and well Martin

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Martin, the track was lethal in places. It was actually easier cycling than hiking. I was skating about here, there and everywhere when setting up and retrieving the camera. Mo laughed out loud when I told her I'd broken another bike. I did mention that her bike still has a full set of lugs, hinting that she could carry my gear for me. I was politely told to drop that idea :) Stay safe too, Martin. ATB, Dave

[@GOBBYBOY333]

They say necessity is the mother of invention, well that proved to be the case on this trip. As always Dave, I'm impressed by your tenacity, most of us would have done a temporary cable tie lash up and headed back to a warm car and on to home. But not you........ I thought the scenery at 23.50 minutes in, was amazing, I could have looked at that hill all day. Great video as usual and I look forward to the next . D

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi David, glad you enjoyed it. I was determined to get as far as the scenery you mention, so wasn't going to be put off by mechanical problems. I just love that view and knew the big hills were holding a good amount of snow. Views such as that are food for the soul. Milder weather is on the way now and it wont be long before the scenery changes to a patchwork landscape. I now have the challenge of finding a new system for carrying luggage on the rear of the bike. I do have an extra-long QR skewer, so could mount the rack to the axle, but also have some other ideas rattling around in my head. I'll come up with a solution. ATB, Dave

[@GOBBYBOY333]

I'm confident that you will.

[@garyb8528]

Quite a interesting video. The scenery was lovely, as usual. Your ingenuity and perseverance was on full display in this video Dave. Thanks for taking us along with you. I look forward to your next adventure. As always, stay safe, stay healthy and keep the blue side up. Love to Mo.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Gary, glad you enjoyed it. The vid turned out different to the one I planned but I had fun filming it. Sometimes these challenges can add interest to a trip, forcing a different mindset to take charge for a wee while. Stay safe and well too, Gary. Mo and I send our love to you and your wonderful family. Trust they are all well. Keep the blue side up. Dave and Mo

[@colinwellman9480]

Well done Dave, no hint of panic.👍 At least you weren't in the middle of a snowstorm! Thanks for sharing your eventful trip.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Colin, I was pretty sure I'd be able to bodge something or other to get me mobile again. As I'm sure you know, getting agitated in the hills is the surest way of getting hurt. Overall, the weather was pretty kind to me. The track was lethal in places though, with slick ice lurking beneath a thin crust of snow. The hardest part of the trip was running about setting up camera angles. ATB, Dave

[@lifesahobby]

God help you with the bike . An awful time . At least you got it sorted .

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Yes, glad I was able to bodge a repair and keep going. It was worth it for the distant views of the mountains and a peaceful night in the tent. ATB, Dave

[@hikebikescotland9121]

What a nightmare!!! - great to see you got a result moving the rack over to the front... I guess you could have the boss re-welded back on as its a steel frame I believe.. still will be a mess and far from ideal.. - still great persistence, not sure I wouldn't have gone home in some sort of teenager like huff if it was me! 🤣🤣

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hah, yes, my first reaction was not all that positive. But then I thought, "oh well, at least its a good chance to capture the mishap on film". I suppose I've worn out enough gear over the years to be fairly philosophical about breaking, losing and hammering my kit. I definitely have the attitude that I buy my gear to use it. And lets face it, the Scottish terrain and weather can be pretty hard on gear. I see my time in the outdoors as a 3-way contract between myself, my gear and the weather/terrain. Its great when all 3-parts line up; quite common to experience only 2 parts working in harmony; and I really only consider bailing out when all 3 parts are broken. Interestingly, I've bailed a couple of times over the years simply because I got totally fed up with the driving. I remember setting off one morning at about 0300, heading up the motorway. At Kinross services, I took the off ramp north and then the on ramp south, to head for home and be back in my bed by 0400. It was the thought of 4 hours drive each way that caused me to bail. On other occasions, when everything seems to be going pear-shaped, I've powered through and ended up having a different day or trip to the one that I planned. Its often these trips that lodge in the memory and I look back on them with a wry fondness. Over the years, I've discovered that what you think is 'broken' is usually just dented or scuffed and there is seldom the need to bail. Ah, I'm getting too philosophical now! ATB, Dave

[@hikebikescotland9121]

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 Excellent reply!! - I'm the same kit wise.. its all just tools at the end of the day and ultimately consumable.. our bikes are covered in scratches and deep scuffs that would make some squirm but I'm fairly ambivalent about the whole thing.. dont get me wrong things get looked after - I'm regularly tending to the 'oily bits' for example but I'm sure they wouldn't fetch more than a few hundred pounds on the open market due to the lack of paintwork!! And I hear what your saying about the driving.. we live in Ayr so the highlands is a big push in the car and anything bikeable tends to be 3 hours minimum - although we do have the advantage that Galloway forest is much more local of course. On our recent trip up to Glenshee neither of us were feeling it... we got out of the car and debated for 10 minutes whether to even bother or not and just leave the bags in the car, switch the cameras off and go for a half hearted day ride.. in the end we decided to try with a caveat we would bail if it didn't feel right... just 10 minutes in and we knew we made the right decision and had a particularly memorable adventure.. its a funny old thing and proved to me that sometimes you have to push yourself a little to 'get in the mood' - the '3 legs of the triad' did indeed come together for that one.. These trips require a lot of planning and pre-work.. some I love (pouring over the maps) some not so much, packing, driving, trying to find a suitable time amongst work, weather etc etc - but when you're out there, its all worth while... sorry this has turned into a bit of a ramble!! - ATB Tom

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

@@hikebikescotland9121 Morning Tom, I like your attitude and can relate to everything you say. Kindred spirits. ATB, Dave

[@jonmacdiarmid3671]

I've got an old genesis vapour cross bike I've turned it into a tourer/gravel I'll keep an eye out for you out and about this spring/summer Dave👆

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Hi Jon, I'm a big fan of Genesis bikes, despite my apparent ability to break them. Would be good if our paths cross on the tracks. I'm often surprised by how few people are out and about enjoying the hill tracks by bicycle. The network of rideable paths are increasing, aided in part by bikes better suited to the terrain. A tourer/gravel bike sounds perfect for many of the Scottish routes (my gear 'wish list' includes a gravel bike). ATB, Dave

[@vr_gamers8116]

Nice save Dave, it's always good when an unplanned repair turns out well. I'd be interested to know the gear ratio on your bike, I noticed the cassette didn't look that big on the video, I use a 11 to 46 MTB cassette on my MTB, when climbing is tough carrying weight the 46T helps a lot, paired with a small front chainring, 28T or even a 26T is ideal for an easier time in my experience. ATB.

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Sorry for the delay in replying. I've had a busy morning. You raise a really good point about the gearing. The Caribou is, to my mind, pretty poorly set up for big climbs. It is a 1x set up with the climbing gear 24T front and 36 rear. The rear is really way to small for big climbs. By contrast, my Surly has a 50 tooth rear! However, the Caribou is my 'bonus bike', procured on a shoestring budget, yet set up quite nicely as mud-loving klunker. I'm not sure I'd be prepared to invest much more money in to improve the gearing. My green Caribou was on a 2x set up, with a much better climbing gear. I want to hang onto the Caribou though, for thrashing around in the mud and bog. Once I get my Surly kitted out, I suspect the Caribou will be relegated to trips where the bike will be punished (a sacrificial bike if you like). Well done for spotting the limitations of the bike; you clearly know your stuff. ATB, Dave

[@vr_gamers8116]

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 Thanks for the reply Dave, I hope you and Mo are doing well, it's always a pleasure to watch your adventures, I look forward to seeing the Surly when you finish the build, I understand your reluctance to drop more money on the Caribou, one bike build is expensive enough, everything is so expensive these days, especially bikes ATB 👍

[@johnling2919]

I think this was a set-up, as, n+1 is the formula for the number of bikes to own-so now you have a perfect excuse to get ANOTHER bike! :-) (but joking apart-interesting same fault..clearly a weak spot. OR you need to take slightly less dense Bannock mix).

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Good morning John, yes, definitely need another bike. When I built my bike storage system I included space for a 'gravel cum tourer'. That empty space now haunts me, telling me to "get on with it". I really like my Caribou but the gearing is not perfect and, clearly, the carrying capacity is designed only for low calorie bannock mix. I do like the rough and readiness of my old fat bike though and, with some low-cost tweaking, will get it sorted and trail ready again. The gravel-cum-tourer will probably be a Surly, on 700c wheels and maybe even drop bars. Glad you got the lights turned off btw; I might have run a cable from the weir to the workshop for some free power :)

[@argyllexplorer1946]

Well done Dave for coming up with that fix, i’ve been looking at the Genesis Longnitude for sometime to replace my hard tail, now a wee bit concerned re strength. Another question do you use a water filter in fast flowing water in the hills.? Anyway thanks for sharing and just to let you know we got a wee dusting of snow yesterday but gone now. ATB to you and Mo👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

Good morning, let me try and answer your questions, and allay your fears about Genesis bikes. Starting with the water first, I carry a Befree Katadyn water filter for potable water and I simply boil my cooking water. I usually set off with a full water bottle, but on this trip I decided to use up some bottled water I had rolling about in the back of the car. Water safety is very high on my list of priorities and I seldom, if ever, drink directly from a stream, even in Scotland. About the bikes and the breakdowns; well I'm a big fan of Genesis bikes and have found their customer service to be 'second to none'. The failures on my frames both related to braise-on rack mounts. Bear in mind that both bikes are old and have seen some heavy use. However, I was disappointed by these failures and do feel there was a weakness with the braze-ons. In both cases, I mounted my rear rack to the rear triangle braze-ons. With my old bike (the green one), I wouldn't have been able to mount the rack in any other way as it had a through axle on the rear wheel. On the orange bike featured in this vid, I perhaps should have fitted the rack to the axle mounts by using an extra-long QR skewer, thus taking much of the load off the rear triangle. If I had done that, I would not have needed to use the lower braze-ons at all. I did in fact try this set up, but didn't feel very comfortable with it. However, I'm fairly sure it would have proved stronger and prevented damage to the frame. I plan to keep this bike and will investigate other ways of mounting my luggage on the rear. Would I buy another Genesis bike? The short answer is yes. Of course, there are other options out there and I'd encourage you to look at Surly for gravel riding. They are expensive though, and can be difficult to source. Hope this helps. ATB, Dave

[@argyllexplorer1946]

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 thanks for your input re Genesis. Anyway re racks Topeak mtx tetra rack &Thule do pannier racks that do not require eyelets for racks and can be quickly removed. The only downside is they are expensive. Hope this helps.cheers Derek

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

@@argyllexplorer1946 Thanks Derek, I'll check out the racks. ATB, Dave

[@mo9981]

Bike terminator?🤔🤔🤔🤪🤪🤪

[@daveoutdoorsscotland2854]

I have an uncanny knack for breaking Genesis bikes. I mounted the super-duper rack on the axle to begin with, but then had a change of heart and decided to use the lugs. Well, now I only have one lug :).