Due to family illness, for the next 3 months can folk please book ahead for bike hire or repairs Monday to Friday, or call my mobile so I can be there for you. Walk ins off the street I can't do unless I just happen to be home. You can hire bikes and get repairs and servicing, but in order for me to be there please book in advance especially for morning hires. Afternoon hires will go out at 12.00am to 12.45am. Repairs and spares email or call me so I can open up or arrange for a drop off or pickup of a bike for you. Easter weeks I will be there full time and same during the summer so please bear with me for the short term and if in doubt give me a call and I will try accommodate you. Email crankitupgear@aol.co.uk or phone 07746860023 and I will make sure you get what you need. We are open for business - just juggling time a bit!
Need avalanche safety gear? I supply Ortovox clothing, backpacks, transceivers, shovels and probes. I work as a ski patroler and rescuer providing avalanche training including as the UK Trainer for RECCO
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
Snow Study Tools Part 1
BCA do quite a nice snow study kit although quite pricey. You can easily make one up yourself cheaper and if anyone wants the bits to do so I can supply them at a very good price. Why would someone want a snow study kit? Good question, especially as in Scotland we have such a good avalanche forecast service. Most folk know that knowledge empowers and snow study is one way of getting a handle on what the forecast really means and the implications for under your feet. When on the mountain skiing the mere fact you need to dig a test pit tells you something about your concerns - ie, it's maybe not safe! It's nice to try and confirm this, but even if you can't confirm your gut feeling in a test pit - trust your gut instinct. Somewhere inside that head of yours the cognitive process is trying to stop you making a choice based on what will make you happy and feed that rat inside wanting the ski's to run, not what might bury you. The catch phrase is "Heuristic Traps" but to us folks its just thinking traps. This winter has seen an unprecedented number of experienced skiers killed in North America. Stay safe.