How Not to Ride the Badger Divide

[@muzzmacc6411]

Great cornering @ 12.00 And big skies!

[@dukekaboom4105]

Thanks for the video and for showing the reality of cycling alone. When off road and remote I much prefer to have someone else cycling near me even if we don’t talk for a few hours at a time, knowing that when I have the self doubt, negative thoughts etc having someone along side and having a blather can have a positive impact on my mood and allows me to carry on. When I on my own I often find reasons to call it a day and return home. Thanks once again and hope you manage to get to Spain soon.

[@RossFinnie]

I'm usually pretty happy with my own company for long stretches, but it does make it a bit harder when things are getting rough and you're not having a great time. I'd quite often manage to talk someone into joining me, but this was a bit of a last minute effort with very little planning involved!

[@davidcooper8804]

Thanks for sharing Ross. Really hard work when the weather is so miserable. Do it with the sun shining and its a great adventure. Take care.

[@RossFinnie]

Cheers David, hopefully I’ll back for a more successful go at it in the summer when the weather and my legs are better!

[@fionaedwards5750]

Great capture of the descent off the pass, sketchy as..........Also been there when I binned a ride, sometimes if your head's not there, it's best to call it a day. Hope you didn't wait too long for a train!

[@RossFinnie]

@@fionaedwards5750 my head wasn’t there, and my legs weren’t either! Definitely one I’ll need to return to with a bit more preparation next time round. Actually quite enjoyed the descent, despite being sure I was going to bust a rim on the drainage bars lower down!

[@Caroline604]

Really enjoyed this. Although you were obviously suffering with the weather being 'dreich'. The video footage from the bike made me feel like I was doing the descents too - it looked quite scary and very dodgy with the slippery gravel and rocks.. I think I would have fallen off! Hope you complete the Badger in future under blue skies (and you enjoyed the crisps).

[@RossFinnie]

Thanks Caroline! I’ll definitely be back, hopefully with some training and better weather. I was probably just a bit daft for thinking I could get away with just turning up and having a go at short notice!

[@MalkyMcMillan]

When you're not feeling it, you're not feeling it.

[@br5380]

When you said in Inverness that you were aiming for the pass, and it was already midday, I did wonder if you knew there was +4000 ft of climbing just to Fort A.

[@RossFinnie]

Hehe aye, I knew it was going to be a pretty big day for elevation. I think under normal circumstances I'd have been fine, but just the fact that I had done very little training on the bike and was just off the back of a running injury meant my legs didn't quite match my eyes in terms of getting it done.

[@Grandadgreyhair]

It’s one thing pushing it in summer, long days better weather, but everything is tougher this time of the year, I’m sure you will crack it next time

[@RossFinnie]

Aye, I’m sure with a bit of preparation and some better weather it’ll be more fun!

[@markpotts4428]

Hi, Ive been looking at buying the sonder dial, what’s your overall honest opinion of it please? I ride mainly gravel type rides bit I’ve tried a gravel bike and there not for me i prefer an xc mtb, cheers

[@RossFinnie]

@@markpotts4428 I’ll need to get round to doing a proper review video sometime soon actually! But generally pretty positive: tyre clearance is good, ride is nicely balanced and obviously it’s pretty decent value. Downsides are that the paint’s a bit soft, it’s not the lightest frame on Earth, and the Sonder wheels aren’t the best. Would generally recommend though.

[@markpotts4428]

@@RossFinniethanks that’s great

[@SwampyDuckRidesAgain3636]

I think if your not really feeling it then when it’s crap weather like that your as well scratching. Always another day and the Badger is route that deserves to be done in great weather.

[@RossFinnie]

Aye, seemed a shame missing out on what I’m sure are some belter views! Hopefully next year in some better weather.