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Chris E, think I've seen your name on there again!
Indeed but since I have not had the road bike out for 9 months it might be a struggle! Boxelder is doing it too and has an offer of a night here beforehand. Are you doing it?
Just off out on the MTB now to Malham, Arncliffe Dale Head etc.
C
Yeah, thought I should! Bought a road bike a few months back, but bought a bigger cassette last week, had a practice run up The Coal Road and was blowing out of every hole I've got.....
H,
Just been talking about you on the off-topic forum,
C
Did you pull it?
No I didnt, but I see it has gone!
Anyway it was to say that last night I was at a meeting that Monica was supposed to attend but couldnt so were told that a stand-in would be there. I thought it might be you however we got a better deal when Sgt Hill came but brought a very much better looking blonde with him. So wasnt sorry it was not you!
Then today meeting with ENWL engineers doing some major diversion work for us at Kendal when he tells me a story from a couple of weeks ago about a pair on bikes who stopped at a farm and ended up with a major find. One at Ingleton one near Settle. That sounded like you?
C
Yeah, I rode past and sniffed it, then a few days later my mate did, we went back a few days later and pulled out a tonne of stuff.
I'll pass on the compliment to Babs!
Any top tips for the etape? I've bought a frickin HUGE cassette and pedalled up a few hills!
Just set off at 6:30 (as I will) so that the cut-off times are not a problem. Then just keep on hurting. Are you doing it alone? I can pair up with you but will probably slow you down.
Dont carry any food, there is tons of it, several snack stations (with gels, bars, bannanas etc) and a major feed station at the Hill Inn (soup, snadwiches etc).
Count the hills (9 I think) and count them off in your head as a means of keeping going.
C
Don't you mean the Tan Hill?
There's about 7 of us, looking for about 9hrs, you're welcome to tag along, nowt fast about us!
Sorry yes, Tan Hill.
7 will be a good group. Not being a roadie I can't get this riding in a group thing, however when you get onto a group it's 50% easier than being on your own. Especially when there is a head wind. The problem I had was being spat out of the back which seemed to happen every time after 3 or 5 mins. Then back to grimming it out on your own.
Learn the map off by heart is good so you know what's next all the time. Seems to make it mentally easier. Wear some good shorts! Road bikes seem much worse than MTBs for being on them and that dull-never-ending-hurt.
Who else is on your group. Are they all 'locals'?
C
Laurence and Dave B are both local, then a few from Skipdale, have done most of the route already, Fleet Moss tomorrow morning! Haven't done the Tan Hill section yet, will recce that next week.
Just take note of the 6:30 thing. We were an hour or even 2 before the cut-off time at the Moorcock when the wind was really bad and it was hard. I can imagine if you set off at 8 it might be a real struggle all day to beat the clock.
C
OK, think we were planning on 7am start, will pass on your advice.
The registration was empty at the start of time but after an hour there was a mega-queue which would delay you 30 mins (we fell foul of that last year).
Also the toilets are queued up for 20+ mins too, so arrive empty!!
I'm sure you will come bazzing past us anyway
C
Chris, crashed on the Ford at Low Row on a training ride on Wednesday, fractured my Metacarpal in my left thumb, that's me out.
Buggerit!