A Straggler for all occasions (and 2018 pivot mach 6 carbon)

No, it's a very long story, but the abridged version is: Anna injured her knee, and the shutter on my camera packed-in simultaneously. She flew home early, and I continued solo. She took the camera back as hand luggage, for me, but forgot it on the plane. By the time she realises, the plane is already taxiing; ready to fly straight back to meknes, with the camera aboard. She felt terrible, although I insisted it wasnt a big deal, so she put in some incredible detective work, traced it down to the lost property at meknes airport, and gets them to posr it back to her. So, last week, almost 2 months after it was lost: i get the camera back, with almost all the film. For some reason; the lens hood and two exposed rolls were missing. I'd pretty much written it off, so it was nice to finally get the pictures developed and see them.
Now I need to find somewhere to get the camera repaired, which is proving difficult. Looks like I might have to post it to America.

On the bike front: haven't changed a single thing since i got back from Morocco, just tend to keep the front panniers on for daily running around. Use the rears when I have bigger things to move around. This bike makes me smile every time I ride it, which is several times most days. It's my only transport, and it really ticks every single box. Was perfectly comfortable and capable for 6 weeks of winter gravel/road touring in the atlas mountains, and perfect for daily duties. This is almost precisely my original criteria. I have no need or want for any other bike... Which reminds me- I just bought another bike. It's pretty much my dream trials rig; the bike i lusted after 10 years ago, when i used to ride a bit of trials. It was only £80 on Facebook marketplace! An un-dented mk1 Ashton justice (1040mm wheelbase, 0mm bb rise) with hope xc hubs, middleburn cranks.the universe wanted me to have it. I couldn't not buy it. Going to rebuild it with a few new bits, but it's so nearly perfect already. Unfortunately the lacquer is all peeling, so might have to respray the frame.

Ps- I sold the pivot frame (sadface), but doing another summer as a mechanic, so can ride team bikes at all the races, and maybe build something up in the autumn. I have some parts accumulated.

Edit2: also got my phone repaired, so have almost all my photos from morroco back! I might think about writing a small trip report/ guide based on my experience riding there, if anyone is looking at doing a similar trip.

1 Attachment