DavieB

Charlie, I am happy enough to act as tour guide if your foray demands access to the deepest parts of deepest, darkest North Ayrshire but others may have other ideas as the roads will invariably be rough and not to everybodys taste or particularly suited to big groups of mixed abilities - can decide on the day. The Trossachs Ton actually sounds like a cracking run but I would prefer to stay reasonably local and keep some bail out options open for myself as last night I felt as if I had the lung capacity of a pygmy hamster due to extended recovery(?) from Flanders Flu aka Subtitlers Syndrome D

Alan, Not a replacement for a casualty of the pave I am pleased to say. Got new 'cross frame and shiny new carbon forks to match..... D

Teams available from the official website: http://www.amstelgoldrace.nl/index.php? ... guageId=12 I'll go for: 1. Gilbert; 2. Cunego; 3. Gesink

Cheers Kenny, Went for the PRO at bargain price out of Fat Birds....agree as just looking at the pics of the TA(t) one don't see how it would actually get the required amount of grip. Charlie - I'm not an expert in this stuff but you learn as you go along - it's only a bike after all. The only time I have put my bike into a shop it was away for 3 months and came back like a bag of bolts with actual physical damage to some of the peripheral stuff, the bolts in the stem were not even tightened so it was actually unsafe to ride as delivered back - never again. Davie

Anybody advise on the best bung / expander for use with carbon steerer? The 2 options I have come up with seem to be have pretty different means of acheiving the interference fit. The PRO one would appear to have more chance of causing internal damage to steerer - though this would be cosmetic only but from a purely subjective opinion would seem to have a better chance of providing a proper grip on the inside of the tube. Ease of removal would also be key factor but both these should be detachable. http://www.parker-international.co.uk/3 ... ander.html http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pro-headset-car ... ander-cap/ Cheers, Davie

If healthy I will be there.....will be cycling along so if anybody else is heading out from the peoples republic of the Garnock Valley post up and I will get you along the track.

Have a sneaking suspision he may get mugged by the other teams ala Flanders but I will stick with Cancellara for the win followed by... 2. Hushovd; 3. Leukemans

Paul, Ian, Have already bought some grub/tea/coffee and have some home made stuff prepared - nothing healthy mind. Will bring it along Saturday morning. Davie

Greg, No problems for me in terms of photos etc... Davie

Paul, Apologies I will not be able to race as my sore throat has now developed into coughing up some pretty funky stuff - hope this gives you enough time to get a reserve organised. Feel reasonable otherwise so no probs bringing the grub/drinks and helping out on the day. Davie

This bit may not be entirely true. Ssssshhh Richard we almost got away with it.....yes certain individuals did indeed bring shame onto the mighty Joansin. Extremely miffed as not a lack of power on my part but poor road positioning and riding like the Pussycat (as opposed to the Lion) of Flanders at that particular moment (sad)....Billy just blames the fat foreigners Highlights for me: >Bouncing along Huisepontweg, Doorn and Paddestraat with a big grin on my face – felt like being a kid again; >Seeing how fresh I was after the unchartered territory of riding 150 mile plus (a big surprise); >Getting a real perspective on the parcour and the speed, skill and bravery the pros have to use to ride it at breakneck speed; >Koppenberg on the Sunday..... Lowlights: >The aforementioned walk (no matter how short) – I plan to come back to complete the mission! >Catching whatever was plaguing some of the group on the ferry back ...feel like I have swallowed razor blades! (An authentic) Paris-Roubaix sportive looks like it is not going to happen as ASO have been left with egg on their faces this year. So Tour of Lombardy / LBL may be better next targets. Would throw in Amstel Gold as a possibility near as dammit a monument, you DO ride the pros course in it’s entirity, cycling mad natives, beer, beer and more beer together with other more exotic local delights for those wishing to partake – what more could you ask for!! D

Here is what 152 miles of fun looks like from my Garmin.... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/77196916 Reckon there may be a faster Garmin route to follow. Great day will be back for more....

I was intending to take along a track pump, wee torque wrench plus hex head fittings and multi-tool kit just in case of emergencies once we get over there. All wee stuff so will be stuffed in my bag. Better safe than sorry.

I'll surely get off the mark with this selection: 1. Cancellara - race reports from Harelbeke would tend to suggest he's got an even bigger electric motor this year with yet another bike change required ; 2. Big Tam Boonen - makes selection but can't quite break Fab; 3. Gilbert - can't complain this parcour is not selective enough, surely must do something. If nil points by next Monday I give up

Guys, Change of plans won't make it as I can't commit to the whole day. Hope to get 3 or so hilly hours in early. Enjoy, Davie

Cheers for the update....let me know when you want to pick up carrier our when (and where) I can drop it off. Will probably be out with the bunch most of the day Sunday but other than that should be a home bound weekend getting the bike ready - I might even clean it!! Cheers, Davie

Gent.. 1. Flecha; 2. Gilbert; 3. Van Avermaet

Sorry Greg .....thought it was just me ...having endured a windswept A78 solo on both Friday and Sunday I don't know if I can face it myself, I always maintain there are tonnes of better roads round this neck of the woods though I have learned from experience they are not to everybodys taste. Kenny, Richard I presume there is a good portion of steady riding suited for a well organised bunch on your run and it is not all KOM stuff. Davie

Paul, I am assuming that this is a good place for those who have not raced before to "give it a go" without taking up a valuable place at the expense of more seasoned racers?? If so I would like to ride but if you are pushed for volunteers am also happy to marshall. Cheers, Davie

Too many Garmin Cervelo's to choose from and torn between Farrar and Hushovd for the win but will go for: 1. Hushovd; 2. Friere; 3. Daniele Bennati - total punt that it is. Davie

I'm going to try and get out and about tomorrow - think slush will turn to rain an be clear by the morning. These intervals at 900 RPM has put me off the turbo.

I am a maybe right now....however a few clarifications, is there a mud guard amnesty to allow Flanders bikes to be used? If Alan's route goes North before dropping into Lochwinnoch I would then (after LochW) tend to take back road to Kilbirnie, GlenG, Highfield, Dalgarven Mill with back roads loop out in Saltcoats direction then back to Dalgarven, rough back roads blast to Barmill, Balgray Bond and then down into Bowfield area where there is an opportunity to go up by the Trout Dam and drop back into Johnstone. Rolling backroads, rough in places with some short, sharp digs and nary a car in sight! About 30 miles of the loop (GlenG to GlenG) as per link: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/71400173

Depending on the day and amount of notice I may be up for it. As for route if you are really feeling mental you could add in a short loop that would ensure 2 ascents of the Fairlie Moor - the loop to get you back down to the coast road also features some good pave. Back (back) roads from Saltcoats to Dalgarven Mill are also recommended and once you get to the Mill some great roads which will lead you onto Bowfield descent - back up hill climb (repeat) then up past Trout Fishing dam and back into Johnstone. Brings back memories... Davie

BTW - I don't know the route.

Getting confusing - bar a relaspe I shall be out on Sunday. Plan on doing the long route but not going to even attempt to "hang on" to the racers even on the flat. Instead (and it depends on my condition) I would be looking at a slightly faster than 09:30 bunch ride in co-ordinated fashion (no stop / start) who knows I may be the first one out the back in which case I will bail and go and lick my wounds ready for another day. Tom / Mark / Ian this may be what you have in mind but would want to keep it moving in decent fashion as the weather does not look too promising. Davie