Just to explain why my apparent poor showing is actually not down to me and my lack of talent and training, but is actually just circumstance and outrageous fortune and anyway I didn't do as badly as it looks.

I know you have some – don't keep them to yourself.

Here you go…

http://stuart-dave-transalp.blogspot.com/2009/04/blame-bike.html

I'm not bottling it (although given the low mileage done this year compared to last year it might be the smart move!), but one of the guys who was coming up with us / splitting B'n'B costs dropped out – late notice Best Man role!

Plausible? I thought so 😉

"I've got a bit of a cold and I forgot my PE kit, sir."

I'm moving house, so I'm out, got my refund today 🙁

Gutted. going to use the money to buy some new kit to cheer me up

'me dog ate me bike'

My car is going to break 300miles from home.

Im helping warton move

covered mine here earlier.

Has it actually been raining that much there?

I've just come back from a week's holiday in Northumberland and it rained just once. The rest of the time it was scorching.

If it stays dry, I would imagine the course will be quite fast. Metcheck has it staying dry until Saturday itself at the moment.

(I hope so anyway, as my training recently has been a bit rubbish, and I'm useless even at the best of times).

"the training was going well, getting in 200 miles a week but unfortunatley I'm getting over {insert illness} and it's really taken a toll on my fitness".

I took viagra instead of my daily glucosamine tablet, which probably explains my better than expected performance.

I forgot to enter.

colnagokid – Member
Im helping warton move

Excellent, van booked for friday pm, I'll mail you my address 😀

if you have to bail just say that you heard your mam calling you in for your tea.

jonb – Member
"the training was going well, getting in 200 miles a week but unfortunatley I'm getting over {insert illness} and it's really taken a toll on my fitness".

I have a prescription from the doctor for real anti-biotics. Does that count? ;p

I did crap last year because I was being a mincer and rode like a girl.

(I also had jetlag and 4 hours shit sleep in a tent)

I am tapering for a bigger event next week and don't want to fail in that!

Just say your too busy drinking beer and eating cake that should do it.