DavieB

That reads a bit sarcastic... but not

A Hangover

Another brute of a course ...think I will be spectating at next years Nationals.
Insult was added to injury as the last lap and a half was rode & trudged in a blizzard. Paul looking a bit fresher than me in the B's in the last couple of laps.
 

I'm expecting a podium and no' for me in the A race.....no pressure 
 
Look out the thermals.

Aye it was good fun again and it is definitely a good course. No excuses with the mechanicals most of them (including yesterday) being the result of my own stupidity more than anything else ...at the end of the day the defining measure of where you end up is how good you are.
Those skin-suits are flattering! Now consider that the large ProVision version is apparently tight on Robbie!
 
 
 

Aye it was good fun again and it is definitely a good course. No excuses with the mechanicals most of them (including yesterday) being the result of my own stupidity more than anything else ...at the end of the day the defining measure of where you end up is how good you are.
Those skin-suits are flattering! Now consider that the large ProVision version is apparently tight on Robbie!
 
 
 

Aye it was good fun again and it is definitely a good course. No excuses with the mechanicals most of them (including yesterday) being the result of my own stupidity more than anything else ...at the end of the day the defining measure of where you end up is how good you are.
Those skin-suits are flattering! Now consider that the large ProVision version is apparently tight on Robbie!
 
 
 

Aye it was good fun again and it is definitely a good course. No excuses with the mechanicals most of them (including yesterday) being the result of my own stupidity more than anything else ...at the end of the day the defining measure of where you end up is how good you are.
Those skin-suits are flattering! Now consider that the large ProVision version is apparently tight on Robbie!
 
 
 

Aye it was good fun again and it is definitely a good course. No excuses with the mechanicals most of them (including yesterday) being the result of my own stupidity more than anything else ...at the end of the day the defining measure of where you end up is how good you are.
Those skin-suits are flattering! Now consider that the large ProVision version is apparently tight on Robbie!
 
 
 

Brutal!
On 1st inspection no damage to rear drop-outs after managing to rip fully tightened rear wheel out of frame on 1st lap, as usual this year calamity on the opening lap put me dead last by some distance. Recovered OK (for me) during the race but absolute inability to run (not ride) on the last lap meant I shed about 8 places which was a bit sole destroying at the time.
60 minutes of this course makes the 3 Peaks look pleasant in comparison.
Great effort by all who raced.
 
 
 
 
 

Paul & Paul, 
l am up for hitting the pave on the Saturday. I will catch up on what I need to book in the next day or so.

Sounds like a cracking trip Chung. I have still to do the real pave of the Hell of the North ....I will look at dates and logistics for this year. Flanders is the one I would actually like to repeat so will see.
just mind and take the panniers off going up the Koppenberg.

Aye I would be up for riding route ...

All sorted...Cheers Martin for the heads up.

Well done to Paul and other assorted amigos who made it up to the castle for the SantaCross. My car made it by the skin of the teeth up the wee hill from the sea front in Tobermory which gave my my 1st sense that I may not make it. That was reinforced by 2 other cars stopped at the roundabout who basically said the road was a no go - he did also have a plug for winter tyres. A couple then passed who said they were going to go for a walk up the road but would not chance the car.
Decision made and I headed along the coast and got the 11 o'clock ferry - the views on a crisp, bright day to the snowy vistas all around were certainly a sight so not a completely wasted morning, drove back home in time for 3 o'clock coffee and unpacked in daylight.
Have spent the last hour coughing up gunk so maybe it was good fate as think I may be coming down with something. Hope it passes quick as training for Strathclyde Park showdown starts NOW!
 
 
 
 
 

"looking strong"  You need to go to Spec Savers......Sporthive never lies.
Though a 6hr drive for a 40 odd minute race is something of bizarre concept I do enjoy it as a day out and would agree it is a good course and well worth the trip.
Hope you got back for the 10 o'clock news with the Space Saver tyre.
Was on holiday today and had planned for an 1 hr long race effort training sesh only to have to ride back from Dalry with a flat front tub, so will still be mince come Saturday.
 

Should be there ....heading up on the Saturday.

Aye...really enjoyed this one with superb fast course.
First time this year I have not sabotaged my own bike so was only held back by my own ineptitude and lack of fitness and was obviously holding a wee back to crush Paul on the last lap.
Usual crap start with people seemingly unable to ride in a straight line without crashing? So a bit of an effort to catch up with Paul's group early on and had some good racing duels through the spirals to keep it interesting throughout.
Volgas.
 
 
 
 

Stuck my name down for this.....life will find a way.

Great stuff Paul and good for you for pushing the boundaries.
i was actually there but had no chance to hook up as I was pretty late there and touch and go to get signed in and ready for the start and had to leave sharp at the end to collect Mollie the dog. The commentator was certainly giving it large over the costume and you obviously gave a lot of people a lot of laughs...chapeau.

Booked flights tonight and taking own bike.
 
Rather than rough it on the floor have booked an apartment through AirBNB - there should be room for one more if anybody is interested. Only £150 for the 4 nights so no probs in terms of costs either way.

Hope your feeling better Paul.
 
If it's any consolation it was probably a good choice if you were going to miss one. Mud everywhere and the usual long running section. I was pretty much nowhere from the off having a poor grid position and no legs. This lack of ability was compounded by figuring out the reason it felt like I was riding the first couple of laps with the brakes on (and selectomatic rear mech) was the rear wheel was misaligned to the extent it was rubbing against the frame, a result of last minute faffing to try and cure some minor brake rub. Now I see the reason for thru' axles!
 
After the finish I figured out why it felt like I was riding with brakes on for the last couple of laps - everything was clogged with mud. I actually had a spare bike in the pits and if I had been a bit smarter I would have changed half way thru'. Focussing on the positive at least my new SRAM Red shifter seems to have survived it's first outing (and impact).
  Didn't see much of the V50's but Alan certainly seemed to be going quite strong through the mud flats.
 
Hung around to watch some of the seniors - the difference in speed between Gary McDonald and co in the top 3 v's the rest is silly.

Paul, Alan - from coaches corner shoulder the bike.
 
Geo - ditch the socks.
 
Mul - a picture speaks a thousand words - concentration, focus, poise.....
 
Borland - photographer must have changed to a fish eye lens or skin suit cut is wrong.......flaming Pactimo. Nice bike! 

Aye I couldn't quite work out how you could not have crossed the line as I met you about 20m past it when I finished it......the comms guy had a wee glint in his eye when he said the reason for DQ and I must admit I had a laugh myself.

Paul, Alan - from coaches corner shoulder the bike.
 
Geo - ditch the socks.
 
Mul - a picture speaks a thousand words - concentration, focus, poise.....
 
Borland - photographer must have changed to a fish eye lens or skin suit cut is wrong.......flaming Pactimo. Nice bike!