Richie Cross

Davie, I’m obviously not very involved these days but I pop onto the forum just to see what’s going on. Very sorry to read your news. I can only echo what everyone else has already said and wish you all the very best going forward. Richie

Geo, my tv in my garage is only 22/24 inch or something but it was under £100. Saved money there and splashed out on a 4K Apple TV box. Connects via HDMI to the tv and everything is better compared to when I used my phone with the lightening connector.

Hi. It can be a nightmare. I’ve only ever tried Cat D races that have something like a 2.4wkg max....you can be doing 4.5 to try and keep up! Yes, a good few folk might then be DQ’d but it can be hard to ‘enjoy’ the race when it starts like that.

I was stuck at the start and had to shut down my ATV then restart it. I was then fiddling about with tv cables as I thought something was wrong and didn’t know there was a 1989 theme going on! 😄😄 Thought I could make up time so I then imploded on Box Hill! Couldn’t face going up it a second time!

Hi. My mate Darren, who some of you have ridden with before, has been accepted on the companion app but hasn’t got in invite for tonight. Can someone help please? He’ll try and join if he’s back from work. He’s D GJS on Zwift. Thanks

Good to be on a ride. It definitely helps me being in a group because otherwise I’d have probably dropped right back at some point on the climb. Cooked myself a bit on the main climb without realising the extra one was coming! I thought Eric was in club colours too! A group ride with all in the kit would be nice 😄 cheers and see you soon

Hi folks. i hope you’re all well. Great idea with Zwift. Looks like I’m able to join in tomorrow and I got my invite but it’s disappeared from the companion app. I hadn’t replied either way. Can someone invite me again please or is there another way to find the ride? thanks 😊

Yeah, went well Billy. Great turnout. it was a humanist service so it was more like a story of Alex’s life. It was sad but funny but happy but sad Had to head home after so didn’t make it to the pub after

Great idea Glen I’d hope to make the Friday. Could you possibly ask if it’s a black tie affair? I know some folk like to avoid that so it’s not too sombre on an already difficult day. thanks

Yes Billy...looking back, I kind of rode within myself on the climbs. They were still hard but the times I felt I was going into the red were on the flat in between when I was maybe trying to hang onto a fast group.

Evening all. Well, here's the report from one of the 'also rans' I had been keen for Roubaix this year until Geo talked me into the Marmotte. "11 months to go" I thought....what could go wrong! A combination of work and a 2yr old meant I didn't get as many miles in as I would've liked...I had ridden a couple of 75 milers in the previous couple of months but my last century was at Flanders last April.... but before I knew it, we were flying out to Geneva! As George said, a bit of delay getting to the Alpe but a nice wee ride down the Alpe on Sat, along to Allemont and then a climb up to Villard Reculas and into Huez village. It did made me think about the day to come! The descent to the start wasn't as bad as I feared and we were soon off and blasting through the valley. I was with my friend from Dumfries and we were staying together as he has been on the bike less than me. Up and over the looooonnnnnnggg drag of the Glandon into the cold and mist. Not much hanging about before the neutralised descent. Neutralised because it's dangerous.....it also didn't help that visibility must've been down to 50ft! Interesting!! I had lost sight of my mate and found myself on a wee train along the valley. Hanging on a bit as I didn't fancy being stuck on my own into the headwind. We collected Greg, who was doing exactly that, just before the feed stop and we were joined by my mate before tackling the Telegraphe. The Telegraphe itself isn't too bad a climb but then we were onto the Galibier. At this point my mate said he was chucking it and as Greg and I spoke to Ramsay and Elaine....who had caught us for about an hour!!...I lost of sight of him and we eventually thought he must've turned round. The Galibier was ok to start with but the last 8 or 9km is a pretty hard slog. Think it was about 4 or 5mph all the way up! To surprise and delight, my mate was at the feed station at the top! It was blowing a gale so we headed off down the descent which wasn't too nice in the wind. The Galibier soon turned into the Col du Lautaret and it's fast, majestic sweeping bends that went on for km after km. Good for the morale and the sun had came out by now! We realised we weren't as far ahead of schedule as we had imagined so it was a race on to make the time cut off of 6.15pm at the foot of the Alpe. We dug in and made it with 10 mins to spare. We had dug in because we had decided we weren't going to ride the Alpe after all. Then we decided that that would be daft......so off we went! It was in the 20's by now so off came as many clothes as was decent and we agreed it was every man for himself so I continued on my 4mph slog upwards and got closer and closer....seeing a lot of folk looking in a worse state than yourself is a strange morale boost!! I eventually got to hairpin 1 and had some new found energy so had a good run in to the finish line. Total time from start to finish was 12hrs and 20 mins so a long day in the saddle. I was delighted to have finished because I had my doubts. It was a tough mental battle at times. I was less than delighted to be told that they didn't have any medals left!!! I'll see how the organisers reply to my e-mail! What Ramsay didn't tell you was that he still managed to climb the Alpe in 1hr 10 after everything that came before!! Chapeau As the others have said about the Fred, not sure if I'd do it again but glad to have ticked it off! Thanks for reading....and goodnight

I have read those already. Not entirely sure it was a good idea 😄😄

Cheers guys. I'll be happy to make the time cut off! No record attempts from me (are possible) My fear of my white legs being sunburnt seem to be unfounded as it looks like being unseasonally cold with highs of 17 ....and that's in the valley, not at altitude!!

Decent weather!!??? My first road miles since the end of May and the wind made me feel it! Cheers for the wheels. I literally wouldn't have made it otherwise!! Next ride...Marmotte!! Can't say I'm too optimistic about it but hopefully if we manage our pacing then we'll just about make it!!

Hi, it's about 60 miles from the bridge to Aberfoyle and back

i realised I didn't read the post properly!

Come with us Iain. It'll be like last time. Not full on main bunch charge. All about the miles

After consulting with Greg, it'll be the usual run to Aberfoyle via Dumbarton and Drymen. Up the Dukes to Callander then turn round and back over the Dukes to Aberfoyle. Coffee/food either at Aberfoyle or Callander. Decent hills and fairly quiet roads/track back from Aberfoyle:)

See you at the bridge I'm so excited, I'll definitely see you there!

See you at the bridge

Sounds ideal

Charlie could easily be doing the Marmotte still

North of the bridge for me. Enjoy ðŸ‘😄

Anything happening? Geo tells me he's out on Saturday and not Sunday

Ah....in my fit of rage I didn't see the 2pm bit 😄 I think it was only 20 odd miles to Aberfoyle. I'm adding on the Dukes etc I think your early start takes me out. I could only get to the bridge for 0915-0930