howie

Somebody put a load of photos of the hardknott pass online here: http://www.photoboxgallery.com/fredwhittonphotos . I managed to spot most of the wheelers who were there. I actually remember wanting to get off the bike when I've seen folk taking pictures, so I just managed to stay on the bike until I was passed them

It was certainly a ride to remember. I couldn't believe how steep Hardknott and Wrynose are! Cheers Mark and Darryl for keeping me company for a good part of the way. Leaving me for dead on the hills but hanging around at the feed stops long enough for me to catch up. It was nice to start off together and meeting up at various points with everyone from the club as well. I did ride up Honister pass all the way but was defeated by Hardnott and Wrynose at the end. Whoever decided to put those two at the end of the ride must be a complete b****rd! Most of the roads and lanes were nice to ride on, apart from the stretch on the A66 which was a bit scary sitting in a bunch of people you don't know and folk overtaking each other while the traffic is hammering past, and the decents of some of the steeper passes (thank f*** it was dry). There were even people at the roadside handing out water., and loads of folk cheering on top of Whinlatter pass. I thought the whole thing was quite well organised, feed stops, start and finish were excellent but the marshalling and signposts could have been a bit better. Chung might agree with me there (but it makes excellent reading on your second split).

Will be there this evening. see ya, Howie

Most likely I'll be there! Howie

Martin, could I get one ticket please. If you're out on Sunday I'll give you the money then. cheers, Howie

Just entered the white rose classic sportive ride in the Yorkshire Dales on the 10th June. Still places there I think. Looked good to me, 185km and nearly 4000m of climbing. I thought I'd mention it here since in case someone else is thinking of ogng. Quite a long way south, that's the drawback really. For me it seems to fit nicely in between the Fred Whitton (if I get a place) and the Etape. So if there is anybody up for if, geeza shout.

Looks like I'm in too (if the cheque for 25 quid was the one for the strathpeffer guys, but I can't remember writing any other ones). I'd be interested in any accomodation group booking thing (if anyone knows where/what to book) as I haven't been up there overnight before.

Darryl, count me in for the Fred Whitton when you try to get a group booking. cheers, Howie

Martin, yes I'm definitely up for coming along for the day trip! Should be enough time to get round the island and catch the 16:40 boat back. Even if I would miss that one there's another one later anyway. I think the best would be to join up with you guys on the cycle track at Lochwinnoch. See you all then.

Had a look at the Cycling Plus forum this morning and they taken the thread off completely. They posted a statement from wiggle on their site. Another (still) active thread is: http://www.cyclingplus.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=109691. I reckon the magazine must have some kind of strong affiliation with wiggle and they want to keep it under wraps. So I reckon the other thread will be going shortly as well.

Just read this thread in the C+ forum and thought it's worth passing on: http://www.cyclingplus.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=109692

Technically I can't see a difference between giving a pedestrian a wee shout or using a bell. I quite like my wee bell as it saves me shouting but that should be up to the individual. How about enforcing that car drivers use their indicators when they turn? Or use wing mirrors and check the blind spot before changing lanes? Or dog walkers on cycle tracks stop occupying the whole of the track so that bikes can get past!