Platypus HQ - Functional Bikes and Trips

Looks fantastic, smiling faces all around

Looks ace, would you share the route?

Thanks both. Yes, I’ll put it up in a week or so when I’m back at a computer, it needs a couple of tweaks before being unleashed on the world.

Looks amazing.
K seems to be enjoying the new bike!

looks like a really fun and joyful ride!

Looks great! Did 2 days gravel'n in Hampshire last weekend (the gf is from there). So many bridleways/byways.

Looking forward to the route...

Is there much difference if you do this trip South - North versus the other way around?

yes, as explained here and here

Here's the route for the Hampshire / New Forest adventure.
As ever, plenty of trail notes in the description when you click through to RideWithGPS.
Additionally, day 1 would be an excellent single day ride to stretch your legs, with trains at both ends.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33393196

Oooops, thanks. Are you any closer to putting a date in? I am looking at doing something along those lines tail end of August. I should add thanks for putting these together. Makes life a whole lot easier

After your 1 sentence review I keep thinking about getting a Solaris to replace my flat bar Vagabond. Is yours a mk1? Do you know the difference between the different revisions?

https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/

All the models are there, scroll to the bottom for the old versions.

Have I seen your vagabond build? thats what im building atm

Ah nice one, yeah I t think the mk2 ticks the boxes.

@spotter probably not in it's current incarnation. Here you go:

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Excellent, good inspiration thanks.

Hey, yes, it is the Solaris 1, Original Model: https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solaris1
Here's a more thorough review.

For a frame designed 9 years ago it rides extremely well to this day.
I use it for a combination of day rides and long bikepacking trips. I can't think of much better for this purpose and certainly nothing at this price point.
The geometry is sweet with a 130mm suspension fork, offering very large frame triangle space for a framebag, a great all-day riding position, and nice handlebar placement.
The upsides: everything basically
The downsides: would be nice if it had another set of bottle cage mounts on the seat tube

If you can't find one, then look out for a Genesis Latitude/High Latitude or Stanton Sherpa from the same era. The closest ideology in a new frameset is a Nordest Sardinha or Marin Pine Mountain.

Thanks for the info sounds like a keeper. I'll take a look at those others too. Sounds like what I'm after, the Genesis is all old standards, which bothers me not, but I'd love the ability to fit a sus fork and dropper in the summer and get a little rad, but probably means at least a different front wheel. Rigid fork and dynamo for winter muckyness is my thinking.

Yes, it is a superb frame, thanks. I honestly don't know why more people aren't riding these exceptional designs.
I've gone for suspension fork and no dropper, year-round. Once you've gone bikepacking or long distance riding with a bouncy fork you never want to go back to rigid. The dropper would be nice but I feel the technology for reliable seatpack compatibility isn't quite there yet.

The dropper would be nice but I feel the technology for reliable seatpack compatibility isn't quite there yet

;-)

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That is a very good looking build!
The silver components suit that colour really well.

@Silly_Savage which mudguard is that pls?

Genesis Latitude

@Silly_Savage here is mine before paint

I can confirm that it is excellent. I would like a bouncy fork for it now.

27.2 post by the looks of it?

@TheShipwright it's this one

Edit: RRP Enduroguard

correcto

More recent adventures: a ride to the best wild swimming spot near London.
River Chelmer, south side, opposite Ulting Church.
30mins train into Chelmsford and a mellow ride down NCN paths takes you to this beautiful spot.
The water temperature is perfect, the river depth is perfect, and it's very clean.

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