Richie Cross

Here's what Lesley Scally had to say about La Marmotte:
http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk/thebunch/index.php?/topic/2624-memoires-of-la-marmotte-4th-july-2009/
 
And Scott Donaldson:
 
http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk/thebunch/index.php?/topic/6121-trophy-doisans/&do=findComment&comment=48023

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!!

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!!

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!!

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!!

Tough day was had, only 5.5 hours sleep didn't help, v warm day, hammies (still playing up) were smashed by the end, finished 31st from 180. Excellent route thoroughly recommended.

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!!

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!!

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

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

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:)

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:)

Charlie could easily be doing the Marmotte still

Very disappointing day. Cycled 60 miles for kilcreggan eggs benedict to discover there's bacon in it. Cycled home again. 122 miles at end of day. Extra 2 miles was spent confusing Kilmalcolm with Kilbarchan.
 
Despite these blows. The company was grand!
 
Andy

Six of us made it to Jacks Café in Stewarton where a unanimous decision was made to head straight home.
Very cold and wet bunch!!
As soon as I got home the rain stopped and the roads dried up - typical!!!!

Yes, great to be back out. Should've done it soon.
More miles would've been good but my legs feel a lot better than they have done recently.
 
As Eric says...a wee crash when I didn't see a horse ahead that the guys were braking for!
 
A small gash on my knee but no damage to the bike or my new Rapha shorts!!!

Think the concencus for most is a great day to be on the bike in beautiful countryside on a very challenging course-BUT NEVER AGAIN.
 
We also won a watch with our hostel & choice of pub on Saturday evening.
 
I felt great up until 90 miles, hills until then were rideable, descents very sketchy-some poor chap was air lifted away.
 
Then we got to Hardknott & Wrynose. Jeezo! Nothing I have ridden comes close. Absolutely brutal and never ending. Most people around me were walking in sections and I joined them as a) it was so hard my front wheel was lifting c) with all the walkers it was difficult to get a line.
 
We were mega lucky with the weather. In all honesty, had it been raining I would have packed as the descents don't bear thinking about in the wet.
 
Paul had a minor off but is ok.
 
Have to say the organisation was 2nd to none and the volunteers were awesome-roaring you on & ringing cowbells on the climbs & rushing up to fill your bottle and give you some great food at the feeds. Even got a free alcohol free pint & pie and beans at the finish.
 
Box ticked. Something different next time.

Yes, great to be back out. Should've done it soon.
More miles would've been good but my legs feel a lot better than they have done recently.
 
As Eric says...a wee crash when I didn't see a horse ahead that the guys were braking for!
 
A small gash on my knee but no damage to the bike or my new Rapha shorts!!!

Cracking day indeed. Cracking photo Richie!!
 
I particularly enjoyed chungs off the cuff lunch order " eh a couple of those pancakes please, thanks"
 
Waitress returns with 2 plates of pancakes covered in syrup....
 
" I only wanted one portion??..."
 
" you asked for two pancakes....."
 
😂 😂
 
Good day all round!

Yes, great to be back out. Should've done it soon.
More miles would've been good but my legs feel a lot better than they have done recently.
 
As Eric says...a wee crash when I didn't see a horse ahead that the guys were braking for!
 
A small gash on my knee but no damage to the bike or my new Rapha shorts!!!

Alex, I thought you'd be in your suite at the Grasmere Raddison Blue & be transported to start by chopper. Or is chopper not coming?

Well, I'll be there with my Dumfries mate but I imagine you'll only see us as you go past!

This is coming ever closer.
 
Time for someone to compile a time schedule that will get us to the foot of the Alpe before the cut off- this is a must as our digs are up there.
 
As Jann "Statto" Ulrich is busy with his Thursday night world champs stuff this challenge falls at the fingertips of "born to logistify, Cross"
 
Richie, over to you....