AllanM

Fantastic weekend, immaculately chronicled by Chung and others above. Thank you to... Chung, Peter, Alan (Coatbridge Clarion) and Gavin for your company over the weekend. Mul for the genius suggestion to base ourselves in Bruges, beautiful city, allowing us to breakfast on Saturday at 6.15 and be at the start within 5 mins, and on the Sunday see the Grand Depart entertainment and roll out. Gavin (of Roubaix and LBL fame) for spotting the 4 for the price of 2 offer on Leffe on the ferry. The large American gentleman for falling onto my bike, damaging my shifter and giving me the perfect excuse for being slow(er) on the hills! Alan for navigating faster than the satnav as we chased the race on Sunday morning, managing to see the race twice (almost three times) including the Karnemelkbeekstraat cobbled climb. The event.... Was excellent, The four of us rode as a group, joined by Ritchie for the second half, which is great for encouragement and momentum. Amazingly, the whole thing was easier than I imagined it would, thanks in part to the benign weather and the cobbles being positively smooth compared with the brutal Roubaix pave. Disappointing... The Koppenberg was a pilgrimage of bike walkers when we arrived at the foot, many not even making an effort to climb it and we had no choice but to join in. We did make it up the Paterberg which felt good. That Chung doesn't carry a computer to diagnose and repair Di2 faults on the road!! RIP to the Irish club rider who died (heart attack I think) doing the sportive. Finally... I believe that the five of us on the ferry agreed (4 for the price of 2 talking) that next year is a 10 day trip in camper vans, riding both Flanders and Roubaix with some midweek canal cycling and beer tasting. Fortunately I had my fingers crossed behind my back, so it doesn't count!

Graham I'm in Kilbarchan today and if there are any confirmed entries I'll time my journey home to give you a hand. I might even get out of the car to help! Allan

Good to see you Chung and get back out on the bike, thanks for organising. If you could try and sort the weather next time that would be ideal. See you again soon. Allan

Chung/Paul I will join you Sunday as will AndrewD and Peter. Due to a variety of reasons, none of them very good, we haven't been out much over the winter and are fitness constrained rather than time constrained. In any event we're very unlikely to do the full 80 miles and will turn right at Croftamie and head for home rather than Drymen. A wee detour through Mugdock would give us a café stop. See you Sunday. Allan

Won't now make tonight.

Yes, club turbo please

Stuck at work working on the meaning of life and eating biscuits. Won't make the 'fun night' turbo.

Yes, club turbo please.

If you start at 9pm and finish at 3am you've averaged over 18mph which for that route is not likely. At a more realistic average speed, with a foodstop perhaps two, a puncture and/or a mechanical and you're finishing way later than 3am. Shower, change, leisurely breakfast, can of Tenants Super (it's the summer and we're going on a boat) and we'll be struggling to make the first ferry at 7am! Or you could just stay at home and watch Saturday night summer telly...not even Match of the Day!

I did Accred 1 last night. Good fun and much easier than one of Billy's Tuesday turbo sessions!

Paul/Iain I have entered this as has AndrewD. Went for the boat option. Allan

As long as you can lift your pint with your other hand you'll be fine!

Easy!

I'll be there. Club turbo please.

Manly...Hobart? NSW...Tassie? What were you convicted of Al? On the bright side there's a wee shop south of Hobart that sells real Irn Bru! Hope the move goes well.