Alan Fox

Al (Yuille,) So far there are a couple of choices for a 400Km Audax next year ... The Auld Alliance.... http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-93/ The Southern Uplands.... http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/15-43/ Prefer the route of the The Auld Alliance. Not sure of the 21:00 start though, suppose you'll be at your freshest for the night riding!!?? Campbell - any thoughts/comments....

Just a reminder for those looking for an early season Sportive and can't make LBL...entry opens tomorrow (30th) at midnight.

Looks like I'm last up the Bowfield then.....

Sportive Kinross is an alternative for those that can't get an LBL pass.... Planning to enter this popular sportive. Entry opens on Oct 1st at 00:01! Believe that if you want to ride then you need to enter as soon as the entries open! http://www.sportive-kinross.co.uk/index.php

Entered long route...as always, company welcome!

Have BC membership (sportive) and car if u can find another iPad user....

Billy, Can get by on them. However, mine will likely be staying in Dundee this weekend with my daughter!

My weekend plans have changed - now available to help out on Sun. Where is the meeting point?

I'm in.

Heading up to The Highland Perthshire Challenge on Sat 30th... http://cairnomountchallenge.org.uk Company welcome....

Hi Greg, All the best in your new career....give me a shout for some club runs up North...I've just about covered the Borders!

Will meet at bridge.

Ritchie, Sounds like a plan...see you at the start line...

Skye Mor Sportive 23rd Aug 2014 Taking my wife to Skye for the weekend and there just happens to be a 95 mile Sportive on at the same time... http://www.handsonevents.co.uk/?page_id=24 Couldn't resist entering. Company welcome, although car is full and unfortunately can't offer a lift.

Galloway reCycle Sportive - 9th Aug 2014 Have made a late entry into this Sportive ..... http://www.gallowayrecyclesportive.co.uk Company welcome. However, entry closes at 20:00 tonight (Thurs. 7th.) Driving down early Sat am. Room in the car for one and a bike.

Campbell, PBP a stretch too far...was considering a 400 on 9th Aug from Galashiels - "over the hill and back."

Great effort Campbell. No sleep involved during the 600?

I think the 200 may have been a long way off...and I didn't want to have to use lights!!!

Started out with Campbell at 06:00 from Stornoway in glorious sunshine after a night on the gym floor (Campbell went with the luxury bedroom option!) The weather held all day with the exception of a heavy shower whilst enjoying a Stornoway Black Pudding/Egg roll on the Butty Bus. A bonus to have sun and no midges for the whole day. Stunning scenery down the west coast of Harris to Leverburgh at the Southernmost tip was better then I remembered from my last visit. White sandy beaches stretching for miles. A pleasure to cycle. Returned from Leverburgh on The Golden Road on the East of Harris. Different scenery and a roller coaster road. If you're ever on Harris then I recommend a pedal on this road. Returned back to Lewis via the one major climb of the day (covered from the North and South.) Not as bad as I thought it would be...not too steep, but long drag. Scenery on Lewis not as good, long stretches of straight roads through barren landscape. Near the Callanish Stones there was also the matter of a short, sharp 15% climb...not ideal after carrot cake. Last 30 odd miles from the Butt of Lewis lighthouse to Stornoway was hard work into a head wind and on a road that always seemed to be going up. Legs got no reprieve. Garmin reported over 10,000 ft of climbing over the 188.8 miles in 13hr 13min of cycling. In contention for best day on a bike to date for me and rice pudding never tasted so good...

Al, how about 08:00 at bridge?

Planning to be there.

Allan, Will get you guys at the start. We should be there shortly after 07:00 for registration. Cheers

Campbell, Ferry gets in at 20:00.

Have now entered this Audax starting in Stornoway.... http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-119/ Planning to leave car in Ullapool and catch the ferry to Stornoway on the Fri night. Crashing at event HQ gym on Fri and Sat night and returning on the ferry to Ullapool on the Sun. As usual, company welcome. Cheers

Was waiting on Al's detailed Garmin report, but he must be out of internet reach again... Early 05:00 departure was required to make the 07:00 start. However, we missed the main bunch start (comfort break) and ended up on our own. This was the pattern for the rest of the day. Started off in light rain, but this cleared for most of the rest of the day with the exception of two heavy downpours in the afternnoon. Scenery outstanding all the way with several of the roads smooth tarmac to match. No vertical gradients to speak of, but many long drags to sap the strength. In fact, had to suck Al's wheel for several miles on the return leg to Langholm when I was toiling up a 10 mile 'slope' after about 130 miles. I knew I would suffer on this - it was a two up TT at around 25mph on the way out! Eventually recovered with a red bull! Finished the run at 21:23 with 195 miles on the clock. MacDonalds never tasted so good. Probably around 13 hrs in the saddle and I have the backside to prove it. Despite 3 cafe breaks and a couple of 'shop' stops, lesson for me is that I need to take more real food (and red bull) on board. Think my stomach was rejecting gels late on. Great day on the bike and good to hit the milestone. Strange feeling sitting at 100 miles and realising you're just over half way. Dawes Tourer now on order and beard coming along nicely. Planning next trip to Stornoway at start of Jul for the next 300km. All welcome....