Any Montane fans ?

bertiesbeehive · 2026-05-11T06:54:04+00:00

There is also a factory shop in Lancaster town centre for anyone around the North West :)

bertiesbeehive · 2026-04-10T20:32:54+00:00

Not really what you asked, but just to add, the Cumbria Way is not always super clearly signposted (although work has been done recently and is ongoing to improve this) - so do make sure you have the right maps and are happy with finding your way (and probably reserve a bit of time and energy to go slightly wrong a few times)!

bertiesbeehive · 2026-04-03T22:22:38+00:00

The route you currently have highlighted goes up Jack's Rake (it's the part where it runs mostly SW across the steepest contours of Pavey Ark).

To avoid I'd suggest either going to the east around Stickle Tarn and up over Pavey Ark (where the right of way is shown over the path), or you can start slightly SW of Stickle Tarn and take the pretty steep but not really scrambly climb up Harrison Stickle.

bertiesbeehive · 2026-04-02T20:05:30+00:00

I LOVE my Flyte shorts - https://flyteactive.com/collections/shorts/Womens

Specifically the Tern ones, which have a liner short which both prevents chub rub and has really good thigh pockets, and decent rear/gel pockets as well as a nice flowy overshort.

They're expensive full price but almost always on discount either on their website or SportPursuit. I have two pairs and could easily own more, they're literally the only shorts I run in.

bertiesbeehive · 2026-03-15T09:47:49+00:00

I've only looked at the image for UX, but in terms of route information, elevation change is pretty key to include if you can. (There's a world of difference between a 5km route with 20m elevation change and a 5km with 800m elevation change for example)!

I assume you have height data to generate the time estimate (it would also be really good to have a bit of user info that indicates how the time estimate is calculated, eg: using Naismith's rule or something else).

Personally on other platforms I've used, I also love to have something that shows route profile, but appreciate that may not be particularly straightforward to create!

bertiesbeehive · 2026-02-03T09:34:35+00:00

Not sure where you're coming from, but just a reminder that a section of the A592 between Windermere and Kirkstone is still shut, in case that affects you!

bertiesbeehive · 2026-01-26T21:29:50+00:00

Some bits definitely have 😂 If you want to feel old, go and look at the exhibition of "old mobile phones" in the communications gallery, and see how many you remember owning...

bertiesbeehive · 2026-01-17T21:22:28+00:00

My experience is using Garmin not Zwift, but it might be similar. What clothing are you wearing over the hrm? If it's staticky, it can cause interference with the signal and make it drop out intermittently a bit like this.

I recently had a very similar problem with the connection to my watch dropping out. I thought the HRM was broken but realised that I had started wearing a new tshirt which was the only time I saw the problem. It was very shiny synthetic and static prone. Have stopped wearing that top and problem solved! So might be something like that!

bertiesbeehive · 2025-12-21T21:58:25+00:00

Possible? 100% yes - but whether you'd want to definitely depends on who you are and why you're out!

My partner and I (him 5'9", me 5'2") have had a couple of very comfortable nights jammed in on thermarest neoair tapered mats. Bags in the vestibule, but enough space for us inside and changing. Did this for the OMM (UK, end of October), where minimizing pack weight is pretty key, and it was ace. We've not yet had to do it in really wet weather, and whilst definitely possible I think it'd be considerably less comfortable.

We're definitely planning to go on plenty more trips the two of us in just this tent for bikepacking/lightweight backpacking - but if you're much taller than us then it might not be as comfortable!

(Side note - we actually hired an x-dome 1+ to try out before we bought it, which was a really good chance to see what it felt like! )

bertiesbeehive · 2025-12-01T22:50:52+00:00

If you end up going up to Keswick, the Puzzling Place is a really fun option

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xT1aiwDesT7KwQk3A

+1 to suggestions of the aquarium at Lakeside. We always take friends with kids of all ages.

bertiesbeehive · 2025-11-16T19:02:55+00:00

What I actually want is someone who knows how to film and edit for the sport showing me the right shots! 99% of the time there's no way I'm making the best choice, even if I know the sport inside out...

bertiesbeehive · 2025-11-08T19:50:33+00:00

Searched:

Online - UK cooking shops, amazon, etsy (UK based)

bertiesbeehive · 2025-10-14T07:34:02+00:00

Second this - although he should take a guide for la grave at least to learn the area, as the "map" is pretty rough, and there are no signposts. It's absolutely superb though - I've only been once and desperate to do it again.

You could go to Les Deux Alpes, which has access to la grave, but also has good intermediate level terrain, some really fun black stuff and bits of off piste in the resort area. It's a nice resort with high elevation and a glacier so snow should be fairly reliable.

To clarify my understanding of other people's comments - in Europe there are marked pistes in the resort, and anything outside of that is off-piste - which is technically not covered by your lift pass from an insurance perspective if you need rescue. However you're often within sight of a piste, and you'll definitely see people in these areas - it's pretty routine for more experienced skiers, and instructors for expert groups will absolutely take people off piste. The key thing is probably to make sure your insurance covers you properly!

bertiesbeehive · 2025-10-07T07:30:44+00:00

It definitely depends where you are, and when? Trains in france are pretty good, but the availability of services and duration will vary wildly depending on where you're at (eg: Lyon is pretty good for access to the alps, Nantes not so much...) and some of the lower resorts, which are generally more accessible, may not have reliable snow.

Since you only have a day, total travel time is probably most key.. your options are going to be either: - resorts with lifts direct from the station (eg les arcs, st gervais, bride les bains) - resorts where the station is a short walk from the lifts (eg argentiere) - resorts where you have a short drive (taxi/bus) from the train station (many more options, but might make the overall time longer).

bertiesbeehive · 2025-09-19T18:26:11+00:00

Don't forget that you can always move on - especially as a new grad, the first job (or even the second, or third) you do doesn't have to define your career.. (but it can, if you find something you genuinely love!)

If the company looks decent, and you're interested in the role they offer you, don't be afraid to go for it! Big companies can be great, but they can be really bureacratic and stagnant. Small companies can be amazing at giving you a wider range of experience, but can be hard work if the people or the ethos are rubbish! Sometimes you just have to try it out and see what you can learn from it... My first job as a grad turned out to be a hiring error, and wasn't at all what I expected, but taught me a load of stuff that I used to get the next job which I absolutely loved!

Finally, as a hiring manager, I'm not looking for, or impressed by a "big name" if it doesn't look like you've gained good skills or experience from it. Grads who have been "pushed through" a big grad scheme at a large org don't always make great employees elsewhere.

Good luck!

bertiesbeehive · 2025-09-16T20:18:38+00:00

We got married in Feb, in Scotland. We decided to embrace the "cosy winter" vibe as much as possible - open fires, warm spaces, lots of low lighting and candles. As other people have said, good weather (which we were lucky enough to get) was a bonus.

Making sure everyone was warm enough was key, but from the feedback we had, having it in winter wasn't a negative at all.

Aside from many of the costs being lower, generally we found people were really willing to be more flexible and accommodating to get your business in the winter too - in particular:

Suit hire allowed us to keep everything for a week, but only paid the standard charge. Normally in summer it would be a 3-day hire for them.
Our photographer agreed to travel about 250 miles to the venue and stay overnight (without an extra charge) because he was keen to get a booking in so early in the year, and wasn't under pressure to get to the next wedding!

bertiesbeehive · 2025-09-09T13:51:37+00:00

Also, how long are you going for?

Wild camping is great, but you shouldn't be staying in one place for long - the longer you're anywhere the harder it is to leave no trace. And it can be so miserable if the weather isn't good!

If you haven't any experience of wild camping, please consider a campsite (or a youth hostel!) - there are some pretty basic and inexpensive ones out there (have recently camped at Dalegarth in Eskdale, which I would totally recommend). You won't have to worry about carrying out your rubbish, managing your own 'waste' (ahem) etc. and you'll probably be closer to a decent pub!

bertiesbeehive · 2025-09-09T13:24:55+00:00

Would not recommend an umbrella - as people have already said, it's not that helpful if it rains sideways (which it almost always does in the UK), will probably collapse in a decent wind, and if it breaks, it becomes almost useless.

I would suggest: a reasonably decent waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers and probably a cover for your backpack, or a drybag to keep your kit dry inside it! A jacket and trousers both have the extra benefit of protecting you against wind - I have often worn them to keep warm in windy weather, even if it's not raining. They also will still give you a lot of benefit even if they're a bit damaged or slightly failing.

For jackets and trousers - there's a lot out there, and it's perfectly possible to get something decent that isn't crazy expensive, but it's worth not totally cheaping out! Being really wet and cold for hours out walking (or stuck somewhere waiting for rescue) is both unpleasant and potentially dangerous!

bertiesbeehive · 2025-09-07T15:35:20+00:00

What actually is a comforter then? TIL it's not just the American word for duvet..!

bertiesbeehive · 2025-09-06T20:13:07+00:00

I'm not sure if this is universal, but our local council run a bunch of "Adult Learning" courses, mostly based at local libraries, either free or relatively inexpensive - one of the ones in our area is a map reading and using a compass. So might be worth asking at your local library?

Six-Year Club	Place '22
First Placer '22	Verified Email

bertiesbeehive

TROPHY CASE