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[lumosandnoxwriting]

Never Let Go || George Weasley

Title: Never Let Go Pairing: George x Reader Summary: Turns out building a family isn’t as easy as George thought it would be. A/N: part 2 to dad!george x nanny!reader! Though it’s not so much nanny!reader anymore as it’s more like stepmom!reader but whatever! Hope you guys enjoy and feedback is always welcome/appreciated! <3

-

It’s no surprise that George finds them in the backyard. 

Summer is finally in full swing in the UK, and he knows Y/N likes to have Remi out in the fresh air as much as possible. The almost two year old has them on their toes, and spending the day out in the garden, running through the grass seems to be the only way to ensure Remi falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow. And George really does mean an actual pillow, since they recently upgraded the crib in her room to a toddler bed. 

He has no idea where the time has gone. 

He had hoped to sneak up on them, considering the fact that it’s the middle of the day on Tuesday and he’s supposed to be at work. But when he steps out onto the back porch he isn’t met with the sight of Y/N and Remi kicking a ball back and forth or blowing bubbles. No, the scene he walks in on is much more precious. 

Y/N is laying in the hammock, one foot on the ground to slowly rock it back and forth while Remi lays on top of her chest, fast asleep. They’ve got matching white sundresses on, a gift for Mother’s Day from Molly. He figures Y/N is asleep too, but when the deck stairs creak under his weight her eyes open and a bright grin takes over her face. 

“George,” she breathes, voice quiet so as to not wake their toddler. “You’re home early.”

“I missed my girls and I’ve been jealous of all the fun you two have been having together,” George explains as he approaches. “Besides, Fred has been having so much fun torturing the interns he won’t even notice that I’m gone.”

Y/N giggles and pats the empty netting beside her. “Here, come join us.” When George gives Remi a weary glance, she waves away his concerns. “She’s out cold and probably will be for another hour, Sandra next door’s St. Bernard chased her around the yard for over an hour this morning.”

George rounds the hammock, carefully easing himself down next to the girls so he doesn’t flip them. He lays down on his side facing Y/N, propping his head up with one hand while the other rests on Remi’s bum, just below where Y/N’s own hand is. He leans in and kisses his daughter’s messy curls, before placing one on his girlfriend’s temple. 

He can’t believe that it’s been almost eighteen months since that day at the brownstone, when he opened up his front door to meet his new nanny only to fall head over heels in love with her instead. It’s hard to believe how much has changed in such a short time. 

For starters he sold that stupid brownstone that he loved so much. As Remi got older it was clear his bachelor pad was not easily converted into a family home, and the pathetic stretch of grass he called a back yard was insufficient for his sweet summer child who loved running barefoot in the grass. Plus with Y/N in their lives, the possibility of someday growing their family was always in the back of George’s mind and a London townhome was barely big enough for the three of them.

So with a great return on his investment and a little dipping into his savings, George was able to buy a large family home in one of the uppity neighborhoods on the outskirts of London. Sure his commute every day is hell, but they’ve got a backyard big enough for them to add a dog or two, the best schools in the country are just a short walk away, and there’s plenty of room in case they decide to add to their family one day. 

Which is something George hopes happens soon, one of the biggest changes that has happened since Y/N came into their lives. Before Remi George had a hard time imagining himself settling down, getting married and having some kids, and whenever he did it was far into the future by at least ten years. Once Remi was dropped into his lap that outlook had changed, but he always figured it would be just him and his daughter, something he was totally okay with. 

Falling in love with Y/N totally changed all of those plans. 

He didn’t want a life that was just him and Remi. He wanted one that included Y/N and the love and light she brings with her, with as many kids as she wants to give him. And he didn’t want that life years from now anymore, he wanted it as soon as she would allow him to stick a ring on her finger. 

Hence the diamond ring tucked away in the safe at work. George doesn’t think she’s quite there yet, but as soon as she is he’ll be down on one knee and making her his wife. 

But by far the biggest change that’s happened is the fact that he no longer has a nanny. Because now Y/N is a stay at home mum. So far that change has certainly been the most difficult, and it’s all thanks to the stubborn girl laying next to him. 

Once their relationship became romantic George knew Y/N could no longer be his nanny. Simply for the fact that it felt wrong to hand her a paycheck on Friday morning only to have her underneath him in bed that night. Besides, once that line had been crossed they both considered Remi to be their daughter, not just George’s and he certainly wouldn’t pay his wife or the mother of his child to take care of them. 

So he had proposed two possible paths to Y/N. 

The first being that he would stop paying her to watch Remi, and in turn George would take over all financial responsibility in their home. His money would become their money, and George would take care of all of their bills while she stayed at home and took care of the house and Remi. 

Y/N had flat out told him no. Which aggravated him and made him fall even more in love with her. But George had understood her response once she had explained that of course she considers Remi her daughter, the fact of the matter is she really isn’t Remi’s mum, and she’d feel weird taking on a role without having felt like she really earned it. Which George thought was total bullshit, he understood her point of view, but he thought it was bullshit. 

Which led him to propose the second path. Y/N would no longer be Remi’s nanny, giving her the ability to seek a new, day time position with another family. She of course would still live at home with them, and George would find a new nanny to look after Remi during the day while they were both at work.

He figured that would be the perfect solution. Y/N would still be making her own money while getting to be with him and Remi, Remi would have still have that one on one care George wanted for her and he no longer had to pay his girlfriend to hang out with their kid. 

Except her response to this proposition was the same as the first. Hell no.

Which had pissed George off to no end. He was trying to find a solution that would make their family work and keep all of them happy, and his sweet, stubborn girl shot him down. Twice. His anger had abated when during one of their arguments Y/N explained that the thought of another woman being in their home taking care of their daughter made her absolutely sick to her stomach. Because how the fuck could George be mad at her for being jealous at the thought of someone else being with Remi. 

So for months George kept signing Y/N’s paychecks and they kept fighting about how best to handle things moving forward. And George uses the term fighting very loosely, considering the fact it was more him trying to convince Y/N to let him take care of her and her saying no. 

It wasn’t until they moved into the new house, and their neighbor Sandra slapped George across the face and yelled about him being a dirty cheater, did they finally come to an agreement. 

Because when Y/N took Remi to the park down the road she’d introduced herself as Remi’s nanny to the neighborhood moms and nannies that were there with their kids. Which normally wouldn’t have been a problem, except for the fact that they started to notice that when Remi called her Mama she never corrected her, and on the weekends it was always George and “the nanny” taking Remi to the park together and they always seemed to be so close. 

So when Sandra saw them kiss in the driveway before George went off to work it seemed to confirm the neighborhood gossip that had been going around for weeks: George Weasley was screwing his nanny and was going to replace Remi’s biological mother with her. 

Which explains why Sandra, a woman George had barely spoken to at that point, assaulted and confronted him on his own property. Thankfully Y/N had been able to calm Sandra down, and after awkwardly explaining to her that Y/N was both Remi’s nanny and George’s girlfriend and that there was no other woman involved, the rumor mill dried up and everything went back to normal.

But Y/N felt so terrible that she agreed to quit her job as Remi’s nanny, with the stipulation that George let her work a job that still allowed her to be home with their little girl during the day. So now she works for a few families in the neighborhood as a nanny part time, that way whether she’s working or not Y/N is still Remi’s full time caretaker and she can contribute to the house with her own money. 

“Whatcha thinking about?” YN murmurs after they’ve been sitting in silence for a bit. 

“You, Remi, life,” George answers simply. 

“I can’t believe she’s almost two,” Y/N says wistfully, slowly rubbing Remi’s back. “I feel like just yesterday she was learning to crawl and asking for more juice by throwing her empty sippy cup at me,” she pauses as they both laugh. “Now she runs circles around me and says please and thank you.”

“It’s hard to believe that she used to be that tiny, fragile baby I found on my doorstep.”

Y/N stiffens next to him, just like she always does whenever Remi’s biological mother or how Remi came to be in George’s life is mentioned. She’s never even met the woman, but Y/N feels nothing but hatred towards her purely because of how carelessly she abandoned her little girl. There’s also a little jealousy there too, because as Remi gets older it is apparent that looks wise, she takes after the woman who provided the other half of her DNA, giving Remi a connection to her that Y/N will never have. She will love Remi with her whole heart until the moment she takes her last breath, but she will never be the woman that gave her life. 

“Even though I hate the way she came into your life,” Y/N starts, tilting her head back so she can look up at George. “I’m really fucking glad she did.”

“Me too, baby,” George agrees, leaning in to kiss Y/N softly. “Me too.”

-

“What are the ethical and legal implications for fucking an intern?” Fred asks suddenly, making all of the men groan. “Hypothetically, of course.”

Every month the Weasley brothers get together for a guys night. They play poker, drink beer and just catch up with each other. They’re at Bill’s tonight, in a shed out in the garden that he converted into a man cave. It’s a full house tonight, with George, Fred, Ron, Bill, Charlie and Ginny’s fiancé Harry all in attendance, and all of them are looking at Fred with disappointment. 

“Fred, you shouldn’t have fucked an intern,” Bill scolds, forever the responsible eldest brother. 

“Hey, I never said I did. I said hypothetically speaking,” Fred points out. “And I’m a little hurt by all of the judgment boys. Georgie over here fucked his employee and all of you congratulated him. Not fair.”

George rolls his eyes, taking a sip from his beer. “First of all, fuck face, if you talk about my future wife like that ever again I’ll knock you on your ass. Second of all, what happened with Y/N and I is completely different than whatever you plan on doing with one of our interns.”

“Oh please brother, enlighten me,” Fred snaps. 

“Well for one I’m not nearly a decade older than her,” George responds, narrowing his eyes as he glares at his brother. “Not to mention the second things turned romantic I tried to fire her, not my fault Y/N is the most stubborn woman on the planet. Any intern you hump and dump will still be our employee for at least two more months. And fraternization in that manner can certainly be construed as sexual harassment, which could end in a horrible, very public lawsuit that will ruin the company we worked so hard to build. Me kissing Y/N ended in a very happy, healthy, romantic relationship. We are not the same.”

Fred is silent for a few moments, and George is almost certain he’s gotten through to his twin. Until the other man opens his mouth. 

“So what you’re saying is I should wait until August, once their internship has ended, to fuck them?”

“I need another fucking drink,” George grumbles, pushing away from the table before he heads towards the little bar Bill has set up in the corner. He drowns out the conversation Ron has started, since it’s mainly focused on which intern Fred has his eye on, so he’s surprised when Bill slides up next to him. 

“Hey. I’ve got that number you asked Fleur for,” Bill murmurs, holding out a piece of paper for George to take. 

He gives it a quick glance, noting it’s nothing but a phone number, no name or identifying information, before he slips it into his pocket. “Thanks man, I appreciate it.” Both the number Bill has given him and his discretion in how he chose to give it to him. 

Because George isn’t one hundred percent certain what he’s doing is legal, and the less people that know about it the better. 

It feels kind of silly, scolding Fred about ethics and legal ramifications when George finds himself in a similar position, but his motivation has nothing to do with getting his dick wet, so he feels like his pursuit is at least a little justified. 

Six months ago he had his lawyer start looking into what’s legally required for Y/N to be able to adopt Remi once they get married. He knows it kills her that the only claim she has to Remi is the one in her heart and George wants to make sure that she has the legal rights to their daughter as well. 

Unfortunately for George, the answer was far from simple. Because when Emily, Remi’s biological mother, dropped her on his doorstep there was no documentation that she was officially terminating her rights. Meaning that even though George has been her sole legal guardian for nearly 24 months at any moment in time Emily can reappear, demand custody and have it granted. It also means that Y/N can’t legally become Remi’s mother. 

His lawyer had spent a few months trying to dig up any information, in the hopes that Emily had filed the paperwork to terminate her rights and they just didn’t know about it. When that search turned up empty their focus pivoted, and George had his attorney find out how to contact Emily, hoping that they could get her to agree to meet and come in to sign her rights away. 

But so far every attempt has failed. Either the numbers his lawyer finds are out of service or no one returns their call. Places of employment claim to have no employees under that name and every address is outdated. It’s been months since their search began and they still have nothing.

Luckily for George his sister-in-law knows some interesting people. He doesn’t want or need to know why Fleur has the number for a private investigator who has a knack for hacking, he’s just thankful that she does. 

Because there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his family. 

But the blurred lines between right and wrong keep him from telling Y/N about the information Bill passed along to him when she asks him how boy’s night went as he slips into bed beside her that night. That way if this all ends up blowing up in his face George will be the only one hurt in the process. 

At least he hopes. 

-

The little family Y/N pulled together started on an unsuspecting Monday morning. 

So it makes sense that it all starts to fall apart on one too.

-

“What did you forget this time?” Y/N teases as she pulls open the front door. George only left for work a few minutes ago, and after a weekend at home with their family it’s pretty typical for him to get on the road only to have to turn around to retrieve something he forgot. But the smile fades from her face when she realizes George isn’t the one who rang the bell, but a beautiful brunette woman. 

A beautiful brunette woman who has soft curls falling down her back and a face shape that she would recognize anywhere considering the fact that she presses a kiss to that same arched brow every single night.

Nope, Remi’s Father is not standing on the porch - her Mother is. 

The woman, Emily, smiles at Y/N either oblivious to the distress on her face or she simply does not care enough to react to it. “Is George home?”

“N-no,” Y/N stutters out, too stunned to say anything else. “He’s at work.”

Emily shakes her head, looking Y/N up and down in a way that’s anything but friendly. “Ah, you must be the nanny then.”

The way she says nanny creates a pit in Y/N’s stomach, and it takes all of her strength not to flinch. Because how fucking dare this woman who abandoned her child show up years later and be anything but thankful and appreciative for the woman who picked up her slack. 

“Is there something I can help you with, Emily?” she asks after taking a moment to compose herself.

Because as much as she wants to give this woman a piece of her mind, Remi is just in the other room, and she has to keep her head on straight to make sure no harm comes to her daughter. No matter what this horrid woman thinks of Y/N, Remi is hers, and she’d do anything to keep that little girl safe.

If Emily is surprised to be recognized it doesn’t show on her face. She pulls a card out of her pocket, offering it to Y/N. “No, George will know why I was here. Have him give me a call.”

Y/N isn’t in control of her body as she reaches a shaky hand out and takes the proffered card, her mind numb. She watches as Emily turns on her heel and walks away without a care in the world. Like she didn’t just blow up Y/N’s life. 

Because why the hell would George know why Emily came by the house?

And why the fuck doesn’t she?

-

George knows something is wrong the second he walks through the door that night. 

Usually the house is filled with noise, Y/N almost always has music playing in the background as she cooks dinner and the sounds of her and Remi laughing echoes off the walls. But tonight when he swings the door open, his mouth opening to shout a greeting he’s met with dead silence. 

He’s immediately on edge, worried something has happened to his girls. 

“Y/N?” he calls out, voice frantic. “Where are you?”

He searches the bottom floor, switching between calling out for Y/N and Remi, his anxiety heightening each time he goes unanswered. His palms are sweating and he feels like he’s on the verge of a panic attack when he heads upstairs, his body moving without really being aware of where it’s going. 

All George knows is that something is wrong and he needs to find Y/N and Remi before he loses his mind. 

Finally he swings open Remi’s bedroom door and he takes his first deep breath in what feels like hours. Because Y/N is standing there, her back to the door as she gazes out the window. Her shoulders stiffen, so George knows she’s aware of his presence, but she doesn’t turn when he murmurs her name. It’s then that he finally notices a lack of their daughter, and the packed duffle bag sitting on the floor next to Y/N.

“Where’s Remi?”

“At Bill and Fleur’s,” Y/N answers, her voice flat as she still refuses to look at George. 

Her lack of emotion and just general shitty behavior does nothing but piss George off, which is why his words come out sharper than he intends them to. “Y/N what the fuck is going on?”

She finally turns to look at George then, and her appearance has him stifling a gasp. While no tears fall from her eyes, they’re rimmed with red and slightly puffy - a tell-tale sign that she’s spent a good chunk of the day crying. Her body is stiff, her arms crossed like she needs to protect herself. And her eyes, those eyes that George loves so much, are filled with one emotion: betrayal.

“Why don’t you tell me?”

That isn’t what George expected her to say, and he feels a little lame that he doesn’t immediately have a response. 

“Maybe you can start by telling me why the fuck, Emily showed up at our house today looking for you, and when I said you weren’t home she just left her number, claiming that you would know exactly why she was here.”

Oh fuck. 

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

George’s stomach is in knots and he feels like he’s going to throw up. He should have told Y/N that he was looking for Emily, he feels like such an idiot for keeping that from her. His lawyer has called several of her friends and family members to try and get a hold of her, of course one of them was sure to tell Emily George was looking for her. So it really isn’t a surprise that she decided to track him down instead.

Well at least, not a surprise to him. And why should Y/N have been expecting Emily to show up at their door after no contact for almost two years? He really, really fucked up. 

“Baby, wait, it’s not what it looks like,” George starts to explain, taking a step towards her. 

But Y/N takes a step back, holding up her hand to cut him off. “Really? Because it looks like you went behind my back and sought out the biological mother of the child you claim to be ours, after she abandoned her on a front porch no less.”

Fuck, it sounds even worse when she puts it like that. 

“Please, just let me explain,” George pleads.

But Y/N just shakes her head. “The time for you to explain would have been before any of this shit started.” She picks her bag up and tears start to well in her eyes. “I need a second George, to think about things. To think about what Emily being back around means for me and us and this family. Fleur and Bill are going to keep Remi for tonight, and Sandra agreed to watch her while you’re at work for the next few days.”

As she walks out of the room Y/N pauses next to George. “Emily’s number is on the counter in the kitchen. You better have a damn good reason for needing it.”

George stands there alone in the middle of Remi’s bedroom until he hears the front door click shut behind Y/N. It’s only when he’s sure he’s alone does he allow himself to break down: tears rolling down his cheeks as he falls to his knees. 

He thought keeping this secret was going to ensure Y/N felt secure in their family, but now it looks like he may have lost her for good.

-

Y/N plasters a fake smile on her face, not needing all of their friends and family to know how torn up her insides are. Because of course, the weekend after George’s betrayal is Remi’s second birthday, and despite the fact that they’re still not speaking and she’s still not sure where her place in their family is anymore Y/N will always show up for Remi. She’s already had one mother walk out, and Y/N is not about to be another. Emily’s reappearance be damned Y/N loves that little girl, and she’ll happily suffer in silence if it keeps a smile on her daughter’s face. 

Despite George’s best efforts, she’s managed to stay away from him so far. Of course they need to have a conversation about what happened, but the middle of their backyard while celebrating their daughter’s birthday is not the time or the place. So she’s kept close to Remi, reveling in the feel of holding her tiny hand as the toddler dragged her around the yard to all of the different activities they have set up. 

She’s standing outside the bounce house, watching Remi tumble around with her friends and her Uncle Fred, chatting with one of the Mum’s when she feels his presence behind her. The warmth of his body seeps into her skin, and Y/N’s eyes flutter shut as the scent of his cologne washes over her. Despite all of her hurt and her anger this week without George has been torture, and she’s afraid to admit how good it feels to be near him again. 

“Hi,” he greets, leaning in to murmur in her ear. “I’m really fucking happy to see you. I was afraid you weren’t going to show up.”

The other Mum gives her a cheeky wink before wandering off, clearly thinking Y/N and George are reconnecting during a quiet moment of a hectic day. Her stomach drops, both in fear and excitement. 

“It’s our daughter’s birthday, George,” Y/N responds once she’s composed herself, eyes reopening as she takes a deep breath. “If you think I’d miss it just because I’m pissed at you, you don’t know anything about me. I’m not Emily.”

Regret slaps George in the face, and he kicks himself for being so stupid. He hasn’t been able to think straight since Monday night, when he came home and his whole world fell apart. Life without Y/N is bleak, and if it weren’t for the little girl giggling wildly as she has fun with her friends, George is sure he would have given up by now.

“I’m sorry, I’m such a fucking idiot,” he apologizes, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Remi hasn’t been sleeping at night because she misses you and I haven’t been sleeping at night because I miss you and I feel so fucking terrible about everything and I can barely breathe let alone think straight.”

He pauses, taking a second to get his shit together.

“Of course I knew you would show up today, your love for Remi has always come first. That’s what I love most about you, how fiercely you love the people you care about.”

Y/N simply nods, to over run with emotion to trust her voice to come out clear and even. Knowing that Remi has been struggling during this time absolutely kills her, and she hates that she has brought her even an ounce of pain. But at least she’s young, and if this really is it for this relationship, Remi will never remember Y/N and the love and loss her brief stint in her  life caused. 

That’s a thought Y/N has had many times over this past week, and it’s just as heart wrenching to think about as it was the first time. Remi will never remember Y/N, but she’ll spend the rest of her life loving and missing that little girl. 

“Can we talk tonight?” George pleads. “I want to explain everything to you, like I should have done on Monday. Or rather even before that night. And if you still want to walk away from this relationship after that I will let you go. But please know that you will always be a part of Remi’s life, whether you and I are together or not. Remi may have come from Emily, but you are her Mother and you always will be.”

George walks away then, and Y/N furiously wipes at the tears leaking down her cheeks before anyone has the chance to notice. 

-

Y/N decides to hear George out. 

Because even though her heart is hurting and she feels like her trust has been broken, just being in his presence today has made her feel the most normal she has all week. Being by his side while they held Remi and everyone gathered around to sing her happy birthday just felt right, like she was just where she was supposed to be. There is no doubt in her mind that George is the love of her life, and Y/N knows deep down that she’ll always regret not fighting for their relationship. And when George had assured her that no matter their relationship status Y/N would always be in Remi’s life, she figured she had nothing to lose by sitting down and hearing George’s side of things. 

Plus, sticking around until the last partygoers made their way out means she gets to put Remi to bed for the first time in almost a week. 

Which is where she is now, laying on her side in Remi’s bed with the little girl snuggled up against her. They’ve just finished reading her favorite book ‘I love you to the moon and back’ and now Y/N is slowly stroking her soft curls as she watches Remi’s eyes flutter open and closed and she fights off sleep. 

“Mama miss me?” Remi’s sweet voice mumbles, and it makes Y/N’s heart break. 

She leans in, pressing her lips against Remi’s forehead. “Mama missed you so much, baby.”

“Miss Mama,” Remi agrees, her lips smacking together as she tries to stay awake. “Love you Mama.”

“I love you too, Rem-Dog. More than you’ll ever know,” Y/N promises. That reassurance must make Remi feel safe enough to fall asleep, and Y/N watches as her eyes finally flutter closed and once her daughter’s breaths have evened out she presses one more kiss to Remi’s forehead before extracting herself from the bed. 

“Goodnight, baby,” she murmurs, taking a second to tuck the covers tightly over Remi’s body. She heads towards the door, taking one more look over her shoulder before she closes it behind her. Taking a deep breath Y/N steals herself, preparing for whatever conversation is awaiting her downstairs. 

George nearly jumps out of his seat when Y/N comes down the stairs, furiously wiping the sweat from his palms on his trousers. He gestures towards the seat across from him, giving her a small smile. “Sit, please.” 

Once she’s seated across from him George sits down too, awkwardly fidgeting in his chair. He crosses and uncrosses his legs several times, his hands wringing together as he tries to figure out where to start. 

“Thank you for staying and agreeing to hear me out.”

Y/N gives a curt nod. “I’m not making any promises here, George. But I at least owe it to myself and our family to sit here and listen to what you have to say.”

She watches as George grabs a thick manilla envelope off the chair next to him, waiting with bated breath as he slides a document out of it. He places it on the table, slowly sliding it towards her so that she can see what it is.

Y/N takes a moment to read, her eyes scanning the words over and over again so there’s no doubt in her mind what she’s looking at. As the information soaks in, tears start to form in the corners of her eyes, and she presses a hand to her trembling lips. 

“George these are,” she starts, eyes finally flicking up to meet him.

“Adoption papers,” George confirms with a nod. “I told you earlier that no matter what happens between us you’ll always be Remi’s Mum, so I figured this would be a good place to start. That way once this conversation is done you can be free to feel however you want to feel, and not make a decision based on your love for Remi. I love you, Y/N, and I want us to be a family. But I understand that you might not feel that way anymore. So all you have to do is sign on the places that are marked, I already did, file these with the court and Remi will legally be yours too.”

“George, I,” Y/N stumbles, unable to find the words. This is the last thing she imagined George would say to her. And she knows now that whatever awful things she thought George was doing behind her back were nothing more than her insecurities speaking out.

When Emily showed up on their porch it surprised Y/N to her core, and all of those negative thoughts she’s had about feeling like she could never measure up to Remi’s biological mother came rushing back to the forefront of her mind; only made worse by the fact that George had seemingly been trying to get in contact with Emily behind her back. 

But sitting here, now, with George offering her a permanent place in Remi’s life even if she doesn’t want one in his - she knows. She knows that this is all just some stupid misunderstanding and she nearly let the best thing that’s ever happened to her slip away. 

“What about Emily?” Y/N asks, voice shaking. “I mean, isn’t she technically still Remi’s Mother like, legally?” she clarifies. She remembers when they had to register Remi at their new pediatrician after they moved, and they needed her birth certificate for her file. Y/N had noticed that Emily was still listed there, and when she googled what that meant that night, she found out it meant Emily hadn’t ever signed her rights away, so she still, legally, had a claim to their daughter.

“She signed her rights away,” George explains, a small smile forming on his face when Y/N’s jaw drops. “That’s why she showed up that day. My lawyer has been trying to hunt her down for months, and she must have heard I was looking for her.”

“And she signed them away?” Y/N asks, still in disbelief. “Just like that?”

George nods before launching into the story of what happened.

-

“You’re a hard woman to track down,” Martin, George’s attorney, jokes as Emily and her attorney take seats at the conference table across from them. But the smile is wiped from his face when George gives him a glare. 

This is not the time for joking. He’s barely been functioning since Y/N walked out two nights ago, and he just wants to get this shit over with so he can come clean to her and get on his knees to beg for forgiveness. And at least with Emily out of the way, even if Y/N doesn’t want to take him back she can still adopt Remi. He will deal with shared custody and watching Y/N fall in love with someone else as long as it means his girls are together and happy. 

“That’s what happens when you don’t want to be found,” Emily replies dryly. Her eyes finally and on George and the smirk that appears on her face makes his stomach turn. “Weasley, long time no see.”

George huffs. “Can we just cut the shit and get this over with? I’d like to get home to my daughter.” 

He can’t help but notice that Emily doesn’t react to him claiming Remi as only his, and it just solidifies that going through all this shit was a good decision. Clearly this woman doesn’t give a shit about the little girl they created together, because if he had said something like that in front of Y/N she would have slapped him upside the head and made him sleep on the couch for a week. 

“I’m sure she’s doing just fine with the nanny.” Emily’s voice drips with condescension, and it pisses George off even more. 

“Don’t talk about her like that,” he seethes. “Y/N is not Remi’s nanny, she’s her mother. And she’s a damn good one, which is something you know nothing about, so I’m not going to let you sit here and talk shit about the woman who has stepped up and done what you never had the balls to do.”

The room is silent, George’s words echoing around the room until Emily’s attorney clears his throat. 

“Well now that we’ve gotten that out of the way,” he drawls. “Why are me and my client here?”

“Oh, right.” Martin grabs the manilla envelope sitting on the table, drawing a document out of it. He hands it to Emily’s attorney, giving him a moment to look it over before he speaks again. “We’d like for Emily to relinquish her rights to Remi. It’s been nearly two years since she abandoned the infant, and George would like for his partner to formally adopt their daughter.”

Every second Emily is silent makes George’s stomach sink further and further, and he can feel the bite of his nails digging into his palm from how hard his fists are clenched. Martin had assured George that even if Emily refuses to sign her rights away there were other ways to have them terminated, but it would be a lengthy process. Which George would absolutely not hesitate to pursue, but he wants this done as quickly as possible, which hinges on this right now going the way he wants. 

“So I just sign and that’s it? The baby isn’t mine anymore?” Emily finally asks after she’s read the document. 

Martin nods in confirmation. “Precisely. If you sign that today I’ll have it filed with the court this afternoon, and you will no longer have any legal rights or ties to Remi.”

“All right, do you have a pen?”

Not even a second of hesitation. The second her attorney puts a pen in her hand Emily is signing, double checking to make sure she hasn’t missed a spot. As soon as she’s satisfied that everything has been taken care of Emily slides the papers back over to Martin, and George feels as if a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders. Emily is finally out of the way, and he and Y/N are free to be a family in every way possible. 

As long as she still wants him, that is. That part of the plan is still up in the air.

-

“So, yeah. That was that,” George trails off as his story comes to an end. He sits back in his chair, just watching Y/N as she takes everything in. There’s a few different emotions flitting across their face, but they’re gone before George can tell what they are. Her eyes look at everything in the room except for his face, and he can’t tell if that’s a good sign or not.

“She just signed them away? Just like that?” Y/N finally says, her voice thick with emotion. 

“Yep. We were ready to file a lawsuit for abandonment to have them involuntarily terminated but she just picked up a pen and signed them away.”

Y/N shakes her head. “Wow. Fuck her.”

George can’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, I was pissed at first too, because Remi is fucking amazing and how dare her Mum not realize that and fight to be in her life. But then I realized it doesn’t matter, because Emily isn’t Remi’s Mum and never has been. From the second you walked into our lives you have been her Mum, and the reason why she’s such an amazing little girl is because of you and the love and attention you have shown her. It doesn’t matter that Emily gave Remi half of her DNA, you’ve given Remi everything a real Mother should and that’s what matters.”

She doesn’t even know she’s crying until a few tears drip off of her chin, and Y/N works to quickly wipe them away. Everything George has said just erased every single doubt she’s ever had in her mind. Y/N always felt like Remi and Emily would have some kind of bond due to the fact that they share DNA, but hearing George just now and knowing Emily signed her rights away as if it were nothing proves that it’s all bullshit. 

The only woman Remi will ever have that bond with is Y/N, and it has nothing to do with blood.

“Why didn’t you just tell me you were looking for Emily, George?” Y/N finally asks. “I would have understood and supported you.”

“Because I’m a fucking idiot, for one,” George admits honestly. “When I first talked to Martin about the steps it would take for you to legally adopt Remi I wanted it to be a surprise. I bought a ring and had this whole plan to ask you to officially be a part of this family. But when we found out that Emily hadn’t signed away her rights I decided to keep it to myself. I didn’t want to get your hopes up if it wasn’t going to go the way we wanted it to.”

Y/N nods that she understands to encourage George to keep going. It’s actually kind of sweet that George had put so much thought into this whole thing, and she understands why he didn’t say anything. Clearly George was aware of the sore spot Y/N had regarding Emily, and she kind of loves him a bit more for trying to be sensitive to that. 

“And then Martin’s search for her was going to shit. Every address we had was old or wrong, every phone number was out of service. Any employer we talked to just said she didn’t work there and any friends or family would ignore us. I was kind of starting to get a little desperate,” he admits sheepishly, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “So I talked to Fleur and got the contact information for a guy with a, um, special set of skills.”

That gets Y/N curious. “What kind of skills?”

“Hacking, mostly,” George mumbles. “And I wasn’t one hundred percent sure that whatever he was going to do was totally legal, and I figured the less you knew about that the better. If it was all going to go to shit we both couldn’t be in jail. Remi would be left to Fred and we all know how that would end up.”

Once it’s clear George has said everything he needs to Y/N takes a deep breath, taking a second to just let everything sink in. Obviously George made a few mistakes in the way he went about things, she can’t deny how full her heart feels at his gestures. And it’s clear he feels absolutely terrible about how things came about and he regrets not being honest with her. 

“That was really the only reason why you didn’t tell me you were looking for Emily? Because it was supposed to be a surprise and you didn’t want me to know about your potentially illegal activities?”

“I swear,” George promises, placing a hand over his heart. “I’m so sorry I kept it from you and I hurt you. I didn’t mean for that to happen and if I could go back and do things differently I would.”

Y/N nods in understanding. She brushes her fingers over the adoption papers, tapping them twice. “And no matter what happens between us you’ll let me sign these papers and legally become Remi’s Mum?”

“Of course. You’re her Mama, and I know how much you love her and she loves you just the same. We can go to court to figure out custody or we can just do it between us, whatever you want. But I will never stop you from being a part of our daughter’s life.”

“Well, I think I’ve heard everything I need to.” Y/N pushes away from the table, biting her lip to keep from grinning at the dejected look on George’s face. She stands, but instead of heading towards the door like he thinks, Y/N rounds the table, plopping herself right down into his lap.

“You got your chance to speak,” she starts, putting a finger to George’s lips to keep him from saying anything. “And now it’s my turn. I’m sorry too, for acting the way I did that night. Emily showing up shocked me, and brought all of these insecurities and negative thoughts to the forefront of my mind and I went spiraling down this dark path. I knew that there was a rational explanation for Emily being on our porch and I didn’t give you a chance to explain things. For that I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted,” George responds once she lets him speak. “But just know I’m only saying that to appease you and not because I really think you owe me an apology.” Y/N finally breaks out into a full smile, and George feels the happiest he has all week. 

“And you’ll never go behind my back ever again?”

“Never,” George answers honestly, his voice firm. 

Before George has the opportunity to realize what’s happening Y/N leans in, pressing their lips together and pouring every emotion she’s felt over their separation into their kiss. George wraps his arms around her waist, absorbing every bit of hurt, pain, anger, longing and love she passes off to him. Even when their kiss breaks he keeps her pressed tightly to his chest, silently telling her that he plans on never letting go again. 

“So,” Y/N starts, her voice teasing. “What’s that you said about buying a ring?”

#george weasley #george weasley fanfiction #George Weasley imagine #george weasley x reader #George Weasley x y/n #george weasley fanfic #harry potter #Harry Potter au #gw #golden

[brooklynbadboys]

An emotional and sporadic Newsies UK description for those unable to watch.

This is going to be a long one.

As you walk in there is theming under the stalls, like 'strike' signs. If you are sitting in Mahatten you walk up a staircase to a pathway. The stage is huge with the scaffolding in the centre. Above the audience, fire escapes span the walls, which are also themed. There is so much on the set from the scaffolding to a Santa Fe sign, hammocks, newspapers, washing lines, and a large window. One newspaper is lying on the stage with a spotlight

ACT ONE

The Overture begins, but the Santa Fe prologue doesn't start the show. Race picks up a pape with a spotlight as he smokes his cigar. He calls the newsies down. The Newsies begin pouring up the stairs into the walkway of Manhatten seating and alongside the stage. Henry ziplines across the audience and onto the stage. The newsies do a dance number and sell papes, trying to sell them to the audience too. A man comes along with a cart of fruit. Buttons steals an apple, as Ike distracts the man, and they give it to Tommy boy. The newsies then fall asleep across the scaffolding and hammocks.

Santa Fe Prologue begins at the top of the scaffolding. Jack's 'penthouse' has a lot more theming from having a little roof he made to small art pieces. The song is done very similarly to Newsies on Broadway.

Carrying the Banner begins and there are Newsies EVERYWHERE. Race gets his cigar which he continues to smoke the entire show. Newsies get ready throughout the audience, grabbing clothes from the washing lines and putting them on across the audience. If you are sat at the front of your section, they sing directly at you, which is amazing until you are crying and make eye contact with them. The choreography is on another level and seeing the newsies running across the audience pathways and staircases is like nothing I've ever seen. The nuns also appear from the stairs in Manhatten and walk down to the stage. They are carrying boxes and handing out coffee and rosary beads. Splasher sits alone on the edge of the stage looking upset and a Newsie hands him food and he cheers up.

When the song ends, after a very long applause, Wiesel comes down from 50+ft above on a platform with his newspapers. The Newsies buy their papers and walk along the pathways, asking the audience who wants a paper and giving them out.

The Bottom Line begins with newsies taking naps across the theatre and stage with their caps over their faces. Pulitzer’s desk comes out and is on a small platform made of stacks of newspapers. They lie there the entire song. A chandelier comes down and hangs above the desk where Pulitzer sits.

After the song, Snyder appears and chases Davey, Les, and Jack who run across the audience and the fire escapes. The chase ends with Jack sliding down a large slide into Medda's theatre. The set has lights that read out her name. Jack shows his paintings and all the paintings are different to the ones on Broadway minus the Pulitzer standing on the newsies painting.

That's Rich is now a dance number with the bowery beauties. One of the Bowery beauties takes a big pink feather from their costume and sticks it to Les’ cap. The Newsies sit on the floor by the stage and watch the show. During the song Medda says “hey baby, I was just talking about you” and points to the newsies on the floor and they argue over who Medda was talking about.

I Never Planned On You/ Don't Come A-knocking has the newsies dancing with spotlights surrounding the bowery beauties as they dance. Again, it has much more dancing than Newsies on Broadway.

Katherine walks across the fire escapes in the audience and watches the entirety of The World Will Know.

In Jacobi's when Jack asks who will take Brooklyn, all the newsies hide and two newsies put their bags over their head and sit there unmoving. Katherine walks down from the fire escape and onto the stage.

Watch What Happens has the newsies bringing out Katherine's desk but not a lot of change happens here. At one point Katherine puts her feet up on the table whilst singing. Having her watch The World Will Know makes a lot more sense for the story and her motivation. Is now the time to mention how incredible Bronté Barbé is?

Katherine also watches Seize The Day, this time as she takes notes. During Jacks speech the newsies face and audience. Crutchie holds onto his rosemary beads necklace and prays to himself. Seize The Day is 2 parts and probably double the length. The choreography and amount of tumbling is insane. Jack and Davey dance too, unlike on Broadway. The talent it took to choreograph and perform the number is phenomenal. Newspapers fall from the sky and also get thrown into the audience by the newsies. In the middle of the song, the Newsies do a role call, shouting out their names. Henry gets thrown into the air and tears a paper in half. Nothing I say can do this number justice. I can't remember a lot of it because I was watching through tears. This number often gets at least one standing ovation.

Newsies rip up papers and throw stacks of them to the ground. The fight with the bulls seemed a lot harsher and involved Les grabbing onto a rope and getting lifted 20+ft into the sky and shouting for help.

Santa Fe is also similar minus, behind Jack, a bright yellow light looking like the sun forming and slowly getting brighter throughout the song. Micheal Aelahomka is so incredibly talented and the ending note was breathtaking.

ACT TWO

The King of New York involves a lot more tables and dancing. Les gets his own tap solo. The newsies use the tables as cars and drive them around with plates as steering wheels. Lights come from the ceiling towards the end and Newsies grab onto them and spin. The lights begin to rise and Newsies swing above the audience. The number ends with Katherine putting on a statue of liberty looking crown made of spoons and holding an apple.

Letter From The Refuge is such a jarring shift from The King Of New York and it works so well. Crutchie is alone on a bed in the middle of the stage with a couple of newsies lying beside him. Mike is one of them and lays with his head on Jojo’s stomach. Crutchie’s eye is covered in a red/black bruise and bruises are visible across his body. As he sings, Snyder and another man watch down on him from both ends of the stage on the scaffolding. It is eery as you may not notice them at first, but they are there the entire time. After the song ends a newsie wakes up and helps to carry Crutchie out.

Watch What Happens Reprise doesn't have a lot of changes and the only thing I recall of The Bottom Line Reprise ends with the newsies pushing out Pulitzer and his desk into darkness and fog.

Brooklyn's Here begins, and a group of girls stand at the stairs of Manhatten. The girls are Brooklyn (!!!!) and they changed lyrics, such as 'That's our cue, girls, it's time to go slummin' and 'we're the girls from the beaches of Brighton'. The Brooklyn newsies go down onto the stage and dance. Spot sang into a little girls face during our perform. The newsies stand with signs of the names of the audience areas, such as the Bronx, Flushing, and Manhatten. After the song, we are introduced to Spot Conlon who is one of the girls we saw.

Something To Believe in didn't have any changes that I noticed.

Once And For All has newsies walking across fire escapes across the walls and on the pathways, carrying lanterns. This is the first time the theatre is ever fully dark. The papers are thrown between the newsies in front of the audience. The slide is used as Newsies slide onto the stage. Toward the end, two newsies swing above the stage (Mike and Mack), throwing newspapers down to the audience. The song ends with the children’s crusade newspaper falling from the sky and hanging in front of the entirety of the scaffolding. A large silhouette of Jack shines behind it.

As the Newsies, including Brooklyn, surround Pulizer's office, they are stood across the fire escapes along the walls. They are everywhere you look and staring down threateningly to Pulitzer as they punch their hands and slam their fists.

Finale seemed to have a lot more dancing too. Crutchie appears wearing a policeman hat and arrests Snyder wearing it. Katherine puts on a Newsies hat that matches her dress and dances alongside the newsies for the number. The show ends with a Brooklyn girl tumbling across the stage as she lays the newspaper that started the show back in the centre.

The show is incredible and the most magical theatre experience I have ever had, and I can't imagine anything will ever beat it.

#newsies uk #newsies #newsies london #newsies uk spoilers #newsies spoilers

[sloggervlogger]

Jambo's Bug Fighting Tactics at Twycross Zoo by SloggerVlogger Jambo, the bald chimpanzee from the Twycross Zoo, thoroughly enjoys his time lounging in the hammock outdoors. However, there's a hiccup – bothersome insects that he shoos away. When the insect buzz becomes overwhelming, he ascends to the top, seeking refuge from the pesky critters. Filmed in Sep 2023 An update from my recent visit at Twycross Zoo. Everyone including myself thought Jambo lost quite a bit of weight as seen in the last week's video. He did look OK this time around and was eating normally from what I saw. His sniffles seem to have gone as well. On a worrying note, I couldn't spot his mother, Coco, during two feeding sessions, and it has been a couple of weeks since I last saw his half-sister, Chimp Holly. This is a bit concerning, and despite my efforts to find out, sadly I've hit some brick walls. #HairlessChimpanzee #HairlessChimp Don't miss a thing—hit Subscribe and Turn on all Notifications to be part of our Great Ape escapades every week. #HairlessChimpanzee #HairlessChimp Watch Jambo videos at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXC1aShJSBiV-oQYoaemapq4zbFELy1FI 🛍️Gear up with exclusive merch from our worldwide delivery shop: 🛍️Biggest collection of T-shirts, stickers, caps and much more rawshutterbug Redbubble @ https://rb-ambassador.pxf.io/HairlessChimp #AD #RedbubbleAmbassador 🛍️Customizable T-shirts, stickers, apparel, homeware and much more rawshutterbug Zazzle: https://www.zazzle.com/collections/hairless_chimp_jambo-119785925986234731?rf=238978496872225031 🛍️Amazon USA 🇺🇲 Store https://www.amazon.com/shop/sloggervlogger #Ad #AmazonAssociate 🛍️Amazon UK 🇬🇧 Store: https://amzn.to/47mDmbA 🌐My website: https://msvrvisual.weebly.com/sloggervlogger.html Hairless Chimp Jambo, the alpha male was born at Twycross Zoo in England. He has had alopecia, a form of hair loss since his youth. He was born on June 9, 1982. In November 2018, Jambo lost his ear, possibly due to an accidental fight with his mother. Attempts to reattach it with skin glue failed as he continued to pick on it. In October 2022, he also lost a toe, with the cause unknown but possibly related to fights and agitation during mating season. In 2018, the chimpanzees received a new habitat called "Chimpanzee Eden." It spans 1,160 square meters and includes two seven-meter-high indoor spaces connected to a large outdoor area with climbing frames and huts. The links are like my sidekicks – affiliated buddies! If you decide to buy something through them, I get a tiny high-five in the form of a percentage. And the best part? Your wallet stays blissfully unaware since there are no additional costs for you to worry about! via YouTube https://youtu.be/uojMUycgaCo

#IFTTT #YouTube #animals #Youtube

[cosyposts1]

Cosy Cat Beds: Your Go-To Destination to Buy Cat Beds Online in the UK

Are you searching for the purr-fect bed for your feline friend? Look no further than CosyPosts.com, your premier destination to buy cat beds online in the UK. With a wide selection of cosy and stylish beds to choose from, you're sure to find the ideal resting place for your beloved cat. Let's explore why CosyPosts.com is the ultimate choice for cat owners in the UK and how you can provide your cat with the ultimate comfort and relaxation.

Why Choose CosyPosts.com for Cat Beds?

Variety of Options: CosyPosts.com offers a diverse range of cat beds to suit every cat's preferences and personality. Whether your cat prefers snuggling up in a plush cave bed, stretching out on a luxurious cushion, or lounging on a hammock-style bed, you'll find the perfect option to cater to their needs.

High-Quality Materials: All cat beds available on CosyPosts.com are made from premium materials that prioritize comfort, durability, and style. From soft faux fur and plush fabrics to sturdy frames and supportive padding, each bed is designed to provide your cat with the ultimate relaxation experience.

Stylish Designs: Who says cat beds have to be boring? At CosyPosts.com, you'll find an array of stylish designs and patterns to complement your home decor while ensuring your cat's comfort. Whether you prefer modern minimalism, classic elegance, or quirky fun, there's a cat bed to suit every taste and style.

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Promotes Relaxation: A comfortable bed provides your cat with a dedicated space to relax and unwind, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Whether they're taking a catnap or enjoying a full night's sleep, a cosy bed ensures your cat gets the rest they need to stay happy and healthy.

Protects Furniture: Providing your cat with their own bed helps to deter them from sleeping on your furniture, reducing the risk of scratches, fur, and accidents. With a designated sleeping spot, your cat will be less inclined to claim your sofa or bed as their own.

Enhances Bonding: Sharing your home with a cat is a special experience, and providing them with a comfortable bed is a way to strengthen your bond. By investing in their comfort and well-being, you show your cat love and appreciation, fostering a deeper connection between you.

Conclusion

Investing in a quality cat bed is essential for providing your feline friend with the comfort and security they deserve. With CosyPosts.com, buying cat beds online in the UK has never been easier or more enjoyable. Explore their collection today and treat your cat to the ultimate in relaxation and style.

#cat bed #cat tower #cat scratching tower online #cats

[hammockheaven]

The Amazonas Barbados Papaya hammock with its vibrant orange shades fits perfectly in your garden or backyard. It is made using soft cotton thread in dense quality (400 grams per square meter) which makes it perfect for two grown ups.

#amazonas #amazonas hammock #amazonas hammocks #amazonas hammocks uk #cheap hammocks uk #cheap hammock #garden hammock #hammock garden #Hammock in garden #hanging garden chair #hammocks for garden #hammocks UK #buy hammock uk #garden hammock uk #uk hammocks #hammock Uk #hammock heaven #double garden hammock #double hammocks #double hammock

[rappsrats]

Nicky over at Spoiled Rat Hammocks reached out to me recently and asked if I’d like to try out one of their hammocks, so of course I said yes! They very kindly sent along a Galaxy double rat hammock! This hammock was gifted to us for free to review.

I LOVE this fabric, it’s gorgeous. Two of my girls, Callista and Europa, are named after moons, so now I totally wanna do a space themed cage, haha. I’m definitely going to pick up the matching galaxy cube at some point!

The hammock is sturdy and well sewn and it came in paper-based recyclable packaging, always a plus.

Spoiled Rat Hammocks are UK based, but they deliver worldwide! You can get a full set of Galaxy hammocks or you can buy them invidually over at their Etsy shop!

#rats #pet rats #fancy rats #ratblr #for sale #rat hammocks #spoiled rat hammocks

[hungryhyena]

a few small updates:

i ordered some very cool dice that will hopefully be here in a couple weeks! theyre shipping from the uk so itll probs be a while, they’re fossilized coral and im very excited to see them aahh

ive decided to do up the mouse cage in just halloween stuff! using some ceramic decor stuff i found, and i found an etsy shop that makes halloween hammocks n stuff ill probably buy from later on. i wanted to give them cheese names but now im considering spooky names hmm

school is... stressful. fun, but stressful. ive been real depressed lately, and stressed abt moving and car stuff, so its sometimes overwhelming. ive been feeling like im not good enough yknow, but im trying real hard. made a lot of potatoes this week.

im just. very tired. stuff with the house has been so weird but im really looking forward to actually moving in. well. im more looking forward to not making a 2hr drive each way every day. also mice! very looking forward to mice

my leg hurts, a lot, all the time. its apparently bursitis? or something? like, inflammation due to overuse? bc i went from sitting all day to on my feet for 5 hrs with no breaks

im trying very hard to stay put together but its hard. im anxious and sad and stressed and just exhausted all the time. i dont think im doing very well but at least im doing something. i just. yeah. super tired super stressed.

#im glad chef is patient with my dumbshit excuses #ive already missed 2 days bc of pain and sads #and ive skipped doing like 3 dishes bc i get slow when i hurt #anyway no ones gonna read this but i wanted to write it down somewhere yknow

[jessiewre]

Day 36

Sun 9th Feb - Safari Day🦒🐆🦁🐒🐗🦛🦓🌳🌲

OMG SAFARI IN MASAI MARA DAY.

Excited...

We'd decided to go for the packed lunch only option so no breakfast to start. It was a risky one but we packed a few snacks for emergencies (an old banana mmm yum, some peanut butter).

Got into our shared safari vehicle with Joffrey our Masai guide plus a couple and their 7 year old daughter. We only had a 3km drive to the park entrance and we were soon in Masai Mara park, what a dream. However, we started to realise that the little girls huge enthusiasm for nature had the strong potential to become rather irritating. Every time she saw a living creature she would go nuts. Like, any living creature. She would squeal (not recommended on safari by the way as apparently wild animals have ears) and she would say the name of the animal repeatedly.

Literally, she saw a vulture, I mean, we ALL saw the vulture, and she was like

‘Vulture! Vulture! Vulture! Vulture! VULTURE!’.

Then we saw some VERY boring birds.

‘Oh look, there’s GUINEA FOWL! THEY ARE SO CUUUUUTE ooooohhhhhh  GUINEA FOWL! GUINEA FOWL! HI THERE GUINEA FOWL! ’

Whenever we saw a warthog, which was maybe 100 times, she jumped up and down shouting ‘Pumba! Pumba! I SEE A PUMBA!!’

Phil looked at me with a very straight face and I’m certain if he’d seen a lion at that moment he’d have thrown her out of the jeep.

BUUUUUTT, eventually her OTT squealing calmed and she became a bearable human being to be around.

We chatted to the parents who were really nice and were on holiday from living in Doha, which from their description, sounds like one of the last places we’d want to live. But each to their own.

We spotted so many things, but the morning highlight was went Joffrey spotted a white dot in the far distance. Yes the white dot cat was a rare type of cat that only has two lets OK FINE only joking. So yeah, we could kind of see this dot, then it disappeared. We waited around and looked through the binoculars, then Joffrey decided to head closer in our vehicle. We reached the dot and somehow ended up about 1 metre away from an ACTUAL cheetah, sat casually next to a tree like a normal cat, pretty much posing for us. Then it just rolled around on its back playfully. Was AMAZING! 😬

Then we saw a mother cheetah with her 3 grown up cubs having a cheeky sleep in the sun. We then saw a massive sleeping male lion tucked hidden behind some bushes!

We had a morning tea & biscuits break under a nice tree where we all got out of the car to stretch our legs (and pee behind the car) taking care to keep a watch out for animals (seemed a little dicey to me but Joffrey was super chill about it so everyone pretended they were too) then 12:30 was lunch (not a moment too soon). Again, it was under a tree but this time we sat on some Masai blankets (uh, in a park with big cats - don’t ask) and had spaghetti noodles, eggs, biscuits, oranges and juice. Joffrey said he could see some hyenas nearby but that we could see them after lunch - how nice of him. If they didn’t come over to eat us before we’d finished that is (a clan of hyenas can devour a whole zebra including bones leaving NO TRACE within 30 minutes).

The afternoon was when we looked for lions mainly, but saw tons of other stuff as we drove. Phil and I had the best seats in the front but boy, was it blasting heat on us. So we used our Masai blankets to creat cloak / hammocks as we stood up through the roof hatch getting toasted. we only bashed our sides a few thousand times as we bumped along. My hat completely flew off and I’m not sure if we were in a dangerous spot, but even Joffrey wouldn’t get out to retrieve it. I managed to open the door and ingeniously swipe it up with my foot so the little girl could catch it. She was growing on me now, she certainly had her uses.

Right at the end, we finally saw female lions! Unfortunately we were quite far away but was cool anyway of course. Joffrey said if the rangers weren’t there at that moment, he could have driven closer, but had to be careful incase they decided to tell him off. The rangers decided to drive up to our vehicle the moment we spotted the lions to ask for everyone’s tickets as a random inspection.

MATE WE ARE TRYING TO LOOK AT ACTUAL LIONS.

Was so annoying, especially as we couldn’t find them for ages..

All in all, we saw:

6 cheetahs

Elephants with baby elephants  

Giraffes

Buffalos

Ostriches

Pumba warthogs

Topi

Gazelle

Jackel

Wildebeest

Hippos

Male sleeping lion

Female lions chilling under bushes 

Hyenas

100 year old Tortoise (spotted by the little girl, credit to her)

And after 10 hours of intense African sun, we headed back.

As we drove through the little town by the entrance, the kids shouted ‘Packed lunch!’ and held their hands out. So the little girl handed out all of our spare food of biscuits and snacks, even the biscuits she LOVED and had put aside for herself. Was sweet.  

We stopped off to buy some bits as had made the tough decision to make our own breakfast the next day (I know, absolute heroes) so I bought a couple of avocados for 10p each.

Came back to the vehicle proudly to show everyone my purchase and it turned out the avocados I’d bought were actually MANGOS so I went back to find a different shop for avocado hunt take 2! Found one ripe one PHEW our breakfast was saved, white middle class crisis over thank GOD. 

Phil bought 4 eggs and some bread and we were good to go ‪for breakfast tomorrow‬ - saving 18.50$ in the process. All the food we bought cost $1.50. 

After the dust and sweat of safari life (I’m not complaining tho) the awesome shower was very welcome and then straight onto dinner. 

Back to Jessie’s food diary.

That dinner was SO GOOD. We had a DELICIOUS dinner of a vege spring roll starter, onion quiche, dauphinoise potatoes and green beans main, and then a choc cake with cream dessert. 

We chatted to the family some more - James from UK & Larissa from Mexico & the little girl Liloosh - and we had totally changed our mind about the little girl. Her biggest crime was her enthusiasm and actually she’d not complained once throughout the whole safari. She wanted to be a vet and loved animals more than anything (she even got excited about the field mice that were by the camp gate when we’d arrived back) and was a really sweet girl who loved drawing. Felt bad for imagining her as lion food...

[numberonestrawberrylikes-blog]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

The post Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard appeared first on Playtab Tech.

#Bikes #direct to consumer #intense cycles #Intense Primer #issue 118 #review #Tech

[sleepyferrets]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

The post Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard appeared first on Playtab Tech.

#Bikes #direct to consumer #intense cycles #Intense Primer #issue 118 #review #Tech

[sourmarame-blog]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

The post Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard appeared first on Playtab Tech.

#Bikes #direct to consumer #intense cycles #Intense Primer #issue 118 #review #Tech

[sloggervlogger]

Mischievous Orangutan Youngster From Budapest Zoo by SloggerVlogger The young Sumatran orangutan has a great character. So playful. She walks upright to the window. Wipes her food across it and then she just lets herself fall backwards. A little later she is eating up the top and bits of food and her spit is falling on the Orangutan below. The orangutan on the ground, just looks at her face looking up at the youngster "What are you playing at? I'm getting covered in all your drool and food bits" She tries to wipe it all off. The youngster plays on the hammock and instead of climbing down she just lets herself fall off, catching herself with her one food. Dankgling there and wiping the floor. She drops to the ground. It doesn't take long for some more shenanigans. She tries to get hold of the other orangutan's feet. When she can't pull them out, she starts biting them. That doesn't work either so she stands up straight to try to pull the legs more. Again she lets herself fall backwards and finally, the other Orangutan shows her feet. The youngster starts to pull and bite her feet. Unfortunately, as you have to stay a meter away from the window, I was unable to cut out the glare a dirt on the window. Don't miss a thing—hit Subscribe and Turn on all Notifications to be part of our Great Ape escapades every week. #sloggervlogger #Orangutans #babyorangutan Travel, Days Out and zoo hyper-lapse YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@MSVRVisualTravel?sub_confirmation=1 🛍️Gear up with exclusive merch from our worldwide delivery shop: 🦧Biggest collection of T-shirts, stickers, apparel, homeware and much more rawshutterbug Redbubble https://rb-ambassador.pxf.io/Orangutans #AD #redbubbleambassador 🦧Customizable T-shirts, stickers, apparel, homeware and much more rawshutterbug Zazzle: Orangutans https://www.zazzle.com/collections/orangutans-119102220200531207?rf=238978496872225031 🦧Amazon USA Store https://www.amazon.com/shop/sloggervlogger #Ad #AmazonAssociate 🦧Amazon UK Store https://amzn.to/3MSIXhO 📷Join the adventure on my travel channel, exploring zoo hyperlapses, walkthroughs, and animal habitats. https://youtube.com/@MSVRVisualTravel?sub_confirmation=1 The links are like my sidekicks – affiliated buddies! If you decide to buy something through them, I get a tiny high-five in the form of a percentage. And the best part? Your wallet stays blissfully unaware since there are no additional costs for you to worry about! via YouTube https://youtu.be/-ue9k3QjbxY

#IFTTT #YouTube #animals #Youtube

[cosyposts1]

Tips to Buy Stylish Cat Furniture Online UK

When shopping for stylish cat furniture online in the UK, consider the following tips:

Design Aesthetics: Look for cat furniture that matches your home's style and color scheme. Many online retailers offer a variety of designs, from modern to traditional, ensuring you can find pieces that seamlessly blend into your interior decor.

Material Quality: Choose cat furniture made from high-quality materials. Sturdy wood or modern materials like acrylic can ensure longevity and durability. You want furniture that looks good and can withstand your cat's playfulness.

Functionality: Before you Buy Stylish Cat Furniture Online UK prioritize the cat furniture that serves multiple purposes. Cat trees with scratching posts, hideaways, and perches provide both style and function, making them an excellent investment.

Size and Space: Measure the available space in your home before purchasing cat furniture. Ensure it fits comfortably and doesn't clutter your living area while offering plenty of room for your cat to play and lounge.

Scratching Surfaces: Cats love to scratch, so opt for furniture with built-in scratching surfaces like sisal or carpet to satisfy their instincts and protect your furniture.

Comfort: Look for plush, comfy cushions or hammocks on cat furniture. Cats enjoy lounging in cozy spots, and this will keep them coming back to their stylish haven.

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Easy Maintenance: Choose furniture that's easy to clean and maintain. Removable, washable covers or wipeable surfaces can save you time and effort.Price Consideration: Stick to your budget, but keep in mind that stylish and durable cat furniture is often a worthy investment in your cat's comfort and your home's aesthetics.

#cat furniture #cat bed #cat tower #cat tree #cat scratching tower online

[hammockheaven]

The Amazonas Barbados Natura hammock is manufactured using a soft cotton thread in dense quality – 400 grams per square meter – holding up to 200 kg, with a large lying surface.

#amazonas #amazonas hammocks #amazonas hammock #amazonas hammocks uk #cheap hammock #cheap hammocks uk #hammock #hammocks #hammocks UK #uk hammocks #buy a hammock #buy hammock uk #garden hammock uk #hammock Uk

[reputationbitch]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

The post Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard appeared first on Playtab Tech.

#Bikes #direct to consumer #intense cycles #Intense Primer #issue 118 #review #Tech

[abisnisonlineshopterlaris]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

The post Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard appeared first on Playtab Tech.

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