DH World Cup Round 3 - Fort William: Highlands, Whisky, Midges and Track Walking

 Midge - A small two-winged fly that is often seen in swarms near water or marshy areas where it breeds.

 I've suffered midgies at WA and NZ think it's same annoying flies

 The midge exists solely to keep out invading Romans and English, it is an incredibly vicious blood sucking fly that is too small to swat away. Also there are trillions upon trillions of them, I have honestly seen swarms that have blocked out the sun. Oh and the bites itch really badly... Enough to make people jump into freezing corrie lochans fully clothed to get away from them If it couldn't get any worse they don't need more than half a second to bite you. Just hope that there is a strong breeze so they stay in the grass

 where we're from theres mosquitoes, and then theres no-see-ums, which are the same as midges.

 They are a f#cking nightmare when you are trying to dig some trails. As soon as you start to sweat they fully go for you.

 "can't see em" in USA and in the
south-east.

 Surely 'no-see-em's'?

They ain't mosquitoes!

 I think the midges referred to here are called sandflys in NZ and are like very small mosquito/fly hybrids, if ever you have been to the South Island of Nz you will have had almost every beautiful view and picturesque moment ruined by being raped senseless by sandflys the moment you step out of your car... if midges are the same thing... I pity the riders! lol

 I think their called midgets here in Canada

 lmao...

 Yeah midges are not the same as mosquitos Bro...

 Ginger beer, secret weapon

 I'd rather a mosquito, sand fly, venomous snake or/and a poisoning spider to standing in a midge inhabited woods.

 a midge is a royal pain in the &$$... nightmare, between them and the ticks (never set your back pack down in the bracken)!

 Avon Skin So Soft. That sorts them out. The only midge repellent that isn't actually a midge repellent but works better than any other midge repellent I know of.

 We're setting off for the race in a few hours and I'm already itching. Me and the missus were almost eaten alive one year. Hey Nojzilla, what do you do with the ginger beer, pour it on them?:-)

 Last year my friends an I did the so soft an jungle formula, I took a beer from badger brewery called blanford flyer. I was the only one that didn't get bit. Apparently biting insects don't like ginger, an they can smell the ginger on your breath/BO
Or so I read online
Might be bullsh*t but, it worked for me

 These aren't any old midges, these are Ginger Midges!! use 'Smidge', the bastards hate it

 Picture Satan but in the body of a tiny fly...

 He rides for Spesh duh! ... oh... wait.... nevermind

 I think someone described them before as teeth with wings. They are incredibly small, and come in swarms and they bite anywhere there is exposed skin, even your eyelids. the bites are sooo flipping itchy too. They are not the same as mosquitos.

 They are found in almost any aquatic or semiaquatic habitat throughout the world, as well as in mountain areas. Females of most species are adapted to suck blood from some kind of host animal. Culicoides, Forcipomyia (Lasiohelea), and Leptoconops suck vertebrate blood. Some Atrichopogon and Forcipomyia species are ectoparasites on larger insects. Dasyhelea species feed exclusively on nectar. Species in other genera are predatory on other small insects. Larvae are always found in some damp location, such as under bark, in rotten wood, compost, mud, stream margins, tree holes, or water-holding plants (i.e., phytotelmata).

Many of the hematophagic (blood-eating) species are pests in beach or mountain habitats. Some other species are important pollinators of tropical crops such as cacao. The blood-sucking species may be vectors of disease-causing viruses, protozoa, or filarial worms. The bite of midges in the genus Culicoides causes an allergic response in equines known as sweet itch. In humans, their bites can cause intensely itchy, red welts that can persist for more than a week. The discomfort arises from a localized allergic reaction to the proteins in their saliva, which can be somewhat alleviated by topical antihistamines.

The smaller members of the family are tiny enough to pass through the apertures in typical window screens. Camping tents are often equipped with extra-fine mesh netting, called no-see-um nets, to keep the pests out.

 fun fact, applying a heat source to a midge bite will denature the proteins that cause you to itch. I don't see why this wouldn't apply to other itchy bites either. just don't burn yourself, and the itching should stop

 Apparently having Vitamin B will keep them away.

 Best way to avoid mossy's and midges that I've found is a teaspoon of cider vinegar before bed and in the morning... I used to get eaten alive whilst the wife looked on chuckling about bloody cider vinegar lol good idea though.

 I skim read that whole things and read midges as midgets.

it was way funnier reading it "keeping the midgets out" I thought I missed some sort of inside joke.
I'm sitting here in australia cold and its only 15degrees C, I feel warmer though looking at those photos.
Love the track bring on the race.

 It's 15 degrees C here too, I'm out mowing the grass in a t shirt!

 On another note: apparently Mick is out with an AC separation. Major bummer

 i always thought the proper term was 'little people'

 its like when they say bugger!

 a midge is basically a set of teeth with wings

 Midges: the worst organism living in the UK

 It's only the female midge that buttes and if they like your personal odour, your basically f€#cked! Cover all exposed skin and wear a net. See the above pics.

 hear hear, bring on the carnage...

 track has still been smoothed out from previous years ( so they say, it still looks bloody rough). Although no doubt it will be destroyed and as rough as ever come finals.

 I was just thinking I hope Ropelato isn't on a 29er again haha

 There's a new demo?!

 almost positive, should see it tomorrow.

 its just the same aluminum demo only with 650b thats all

 no, that's been out for a couple months. I've heard the redesign is supposed to be out this weekend.

 let me guess, single pivot linkage driven...

 ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb11036102/p5pb11036102.jpg

doesnt look very new

 Is it not ohlins upside downy forks?

 Does Ropelato not run a 29er usually? I expect it will just be Brosnon and Gwin on the new DH rigs perhaps.

 www.triridemtb.com/spy-la-nuova-demo-8-650b-di-aaron-gwin

 and that demo color its already out for the 2014..so i dont know whats going on but i would love to see a new redesign demo

 Saw Gwinny on it two weeks ago at the Plattekill Pro Grt, looks to be the same just 27.5

 Probably a brand new Ohlins fork.

 Brad benedict had a taped up proto in Whistler a few days ago with Mitch.
looked like it had 4 chain/seat stays instead of 6.....

 ya i saw that one last year in whistler.. would be this one? ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb9940875/p4pb9940875.jpg

 So a proper design...... that would be a nice change This could be a Gwinny needs to take the W this weekend

 it already is proper...

 Its a shit design, to much unsprung mass

 For being a shit desing its still keeping winning. Everyone seems to forget that brosnan is still putting in very competive times in on the demo and won the aus series on it. Just because gwin had a shit year doesnt mean the frame is a poor design. Pretty sure gwin has already won some early season races on the demo too.

 why does the demo have 6 swingarms tho

 Thats because the bike is only 10% and the rider is 90%, sure you can still can put good times be they will be better on another bike

 @xjrides, the extra set or stays on the demo acts as a floating break and also adds a large amount of stiffness to the rear end.

 How did Ratboys hair fit into that net?

 It didn't, he weaved the net out of his own hair

 They look like they train together.

 You got that right

 www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk
Should be based on BST (British Summer Time), looks like Women's Elite starts at 1:30pm (13:30) followed by Men's at 2pm (14:00).