Marketing your product line for a Highland winter

Playing with web resources due to the inclement weather. Winter on the way so trying to come up with ways to promote my winter business.  The ubiquitous Google has a useful new-ish resource that might be useful Off Piste Safety Scotland  and of course Facebook plays a vital role as does Blogging to keep folk up to date.  

Winter on the way and several key developments for this winter.  The BCA park at the great Glencoe Mountain ski area and also a new park system to go in at Nevis Range.  I have some great offers for probe, shovel and beacon and as last year will be distributing Dynafit touring and off piste skiing kit which is not cheap, but the lightest available and best performing. I may have a pool of test gear this season (subject to a deposit) and can offer test beacons to teams with intent to buy if they like them.  Also one day avalanche SAR courses and a BASP 2 day course which we missed last season because it was so good, and so busy.

Robbie Dingwal slides "The Spring Run" Feb 2011 Glencoe

Bikes for Sale

Focus "Cayo" Carbon Road 105 size small £600 ono

Shimano 105 Groupset including:

• 11:28 Rear Cassette matched to the compact 50/34 Front
• Easton EA70 Carbon Seatpost
• Shimano RS deep section wheels with new Vittoria Rubino 23 tyres
• Shimano spd pedals included (if wanted)
• 2 Bottle Cages fitted
• San Marco "ponza" saddle (will change for a ladies sportive body geometary if required)
• Will fit someone from 5'6 to 5' 10 (top tube 53.5)

This is a lovely carbon bike being both light and strong and has a nice raw carbon gloss finish.  This bike one several awards for performance and value and although 3 years old is in vgc having a careful owner.  Value new RRP over £1,100

Kona Kikapu Delux Size 17" £450 ono

This lovely full susser has rarely been ridden and is in vgc having had one lady carefull owner.

• Hayes Sole hydraulic dic brakes
• Shimano groupset
• Manitou 100mm travel front forks
• Fox Rear shock
• Trek Ladies body geometary saddle (will change for a gents XC saddle if required)

A nice bike to fit someone 5' 5 to 5' 10".

Appin Show 2011

Wow! It doesnt seem a year since the last Appin agricultural show.  This year again the weather was stunning providing light and sun to the glorious backdrop of Morven and Castle Stalker.  I love this event as it provides a rich seam for taking photographs and there are some great local characters with whom it's nice to catch up and get the craic.  This year I had a good chat with Jack Scorgie for whom I dragged many a Stag of the hill when a young lad.  The pictures speak for themselves and tell the story of a strong vibrant local community pulling together with its roots tapped well into it's past, looking to the future, and with a bond to the land continuing into the next generation.

Tea & Cakes from the Appin ladies

A few cups including best sheep

A sea kyaker going past

Aye - Drams soon methinks!

Duncan Gunn wants a shifting spanner

Egg competition!

Highlander with an itch

A rather nice local woman gets Crankitupgear best in show

A reluctant entrant

Best in show winner 2011

Runner up to best in show but winner of it's class

What a backdrop to sell a tractor

Cona's & Repack Run Again

Fiona runs "Repack" a stiff Red trail

Fiona runs "Cona's Trail" just past the steep rooty gnarl

Cycle Trails

Wow!!!  Have things been changing up in the woods. Two very good  trails that have been out of action for the last couple of years due to timber extraction are now back up and running sweet again.  "Repack" runs again and depending on the weather (wet/dry) is either a slippy red or grippy pink.  The "Cona Trail" was a gnarly black and now runs sweet as a red either from the top of repack or easier from the ramp used to take timber out lower down the road.  A burn crossing at the bottom has a steep drop in/out but is rideable although an easy portage keeps the trail a red. "Blueberry Wood" trail is now nice and open since the bushes have been cleared as well.  Trail maps available to customers.