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didnt do the whw twice then........should he stick to nice southern trails?
does anyone care ?
Harder man than most of us could ever dream of being!
Top bloke too, he wouldn't have jacked without genuine reason.
I know england possibly have a problem this year on the right, but he's way too old I dont think he's playing professionally any more is he ?
Used to ride with Rob a while back. Top chap, super fit, top respect.
he will be back .... if not ill have to have a go 😉 - WHW wouldnt and isnt my first scottish choice for that sort of attempt !
What are your credentials italspark out of interest?
He did do all the 7 Stanes, plus riding in between them, he has been north of the border!
WHWD is a total mega challenge, just going one way in half the time is a mission.
italspark - Considering you have another thread asking about 20t chainrings, you are in no position to question anyones toughness.
true true gary lake - very easy to criticise from behind the keyboard !
at least he is out there breaking the mould - anyone can ride round a field for 24 hours - they might not do many laps they wont win but no matter what anyone says with the right frame of mind ANYONE can do it ...
it takes a really dedicated person to ride a point to point in a time frame - not everyone can do that !
Yeah, I reckon Rob quitting on the WHW would no doubt have been one of the hardest decisions he's ever had to make, and his prep was immensely good in the build up.
Conclusion, WHWD is a mentalistic ride!
I've done it one way, it's baaaaad. Well done Mr Lee for even putting himself up for the attempt. Wild horses couldn't drag me back to the LL stretch!
[b]italspark[/b] your either a troll or a fool.
Which is it? 😉
thought it was a really good article. good effort lad!
Never met him but from what I've seen/read he's just a bloke that really, really likes riding bikes, buggering off into the countryside for long periods of time, isn't up himself and has a nice writing style.
Not sure what else you'd want or expect?
I would be immensely proud of myself if I even completed one leg (south to north) in 14 hours, in daylight, so what he managed was really impressive.
BUT
I don't think he did himself any favours with the write up, came across a bit sort of, whiney...
The WHW is a bitch that's beaten me a few times. He gets boat loads of respect from me for getting as far as he did in the time he did!
aviemoron - MemberI've done it one way, it's baaaaad. Well done Mr Lee for even putting himself up for the attempt. Wild horses couldn't drag me back to the LL stretch!
Yes. I get nightmares about that section myself still. Only got through it by getting drunk on sugar from gels!
Rob lee who?
Hi italspark
I really dont get the personal attack thing on someone you dont know and have most likely never met. However how about we go for a ride then drink some tea/beer or eat some cake and see if you still the same way about me?
I just want to ride bikes and push myself and then given the opportunity I will write for anyone interested in the hope that it does something positive for the sport that I love.
Sorry you have a problem with that
Rob Lee
rOcKeTdOg - MemberRob lee who?
http://www.singletrackworld.com/2010/04/rob-lees-west-highland-way-nowhere-near-double/
http://www.singletrackworld.com/2010/04/west-highland-way-double-attempt-endurance-film-announced/
He attempted to do the WHW both ways in 32 hours. Its 100 miles (roughly) each way and involves a 7 mile section of hike a bike nightmare each way. He did manage to do one way in 14 hours - thats impressive on its own!
He's also the dude that posted up there.
First time I came accross Rob was at an mtb race ,he'd entered 2 races on the same day and won both. Sdw double etc etc. Friendly and approachable too unlike some other riders who are up themselves.
Ignore the OP Rob. Never met you but previously read what you've achieved...anyone who can complete the SDW double has my respect. Keep doing what you're doing...there's lots of people out there who are interested. 🙂
I've known Rob for years and he's a top bloke, not a bad word to say about him.
It's about time that a few of these keyboard jockeys gave a bit of respect to people who get out there and try stuff, not everyone can succeed, if it was that easy everyone would be doing it!
I've been quite a handy racer in my time but would never do a solo 24hr race or undertake some of the madness that Rob does, respect to everyone who has a go.
I think Rob is a top bloke - making a fantastic effort on a super tough ride. He sensibly called it a day when it was no longer safe - that takes real guts. So, in answer to the question posed he should try again, not stay on southern trails and a lot of riders here do care - including me.
italspark - Member
didnt do the whw twice then........should he stick to nice southern trails?
does anyone care ?
utter prick! keyboard jockeys ****in hate em!
Oh no, italspark is...
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Rob seems to come across as a decent bloke who loves bikes and getting out pushing himself. Which would appear to be vastly different the majority of fat boy weekend warriors on singletrack (which may explain the animosity) who'd vomit a lung if they had to actually do any cardio-vascular work, but are happy to slag someone from behind a keyboard.
Robs response to the criticism again shows to him to be a top/honest/straight forward bloke.
STW really can have some silly c*nts on it at times
Not heard of him for a while. I remember getting all fired up by his writings on solo 24s about the time of the first Strathpuffer.
He was there too and I was going solo (sure it was him anyway) anyway sort of inspirational.
And you dropped your Co2 inflator Rob and when I tried to give it back you just shot past.
Which was a bit rude however I didn't wee on it.
As above really, keep doing them, keep writing about them- the 7 deadly spins thing inspired me to try and do a c2c double in under 24hrs... I ended up soaking wet sleeping on the doormat of a public toilet in Garigill!
scu98rkr - Member
I know england possibly have a problem this year on the right, but he's way too old I dont think he's playing professionally any more is he ?
😆
All together now...
"He's got a pine-apple, on his head; He's got a pine-apple, on his head!"
Talkemada - haha! you're thinking of Jason Lee!
I thought that was jason lee ?
Talkemada - haha! you're thinking of Jason Lee!
😳
[img] 
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😆
What an idiot I truly am!
I don't think he did himself any favours with the write up, came across a bit sort of, whiney...
I guess everyone reads things differently but it didn't strike me as whiney. And I hate whingers.
OP: you're a bit of a dick mate.
Well I really enjoyed the article!
Good on him - looks well tough and there is no way I could conceivably do it just the 1 way without mega training.
Where is this article then?
I enjoyed reading that. Huge respect for getting out of your comfort zone and setting yourself these crazy challenges. 😀
First time I came across Rob
s****
good article Rob and a top attempt, look forward to the rematch.
It's a bad thing this thing they call Tall Poppy Syndrome. Hats off to the man for trying but also for knowing when to give up. They kill a lot of Englishmen those hills you know!
[i]Where is this article then? [/i]
http://www.singletrackworld.com/2010/04/rob-lees-west-highland-way-nowhere-near-double/
Front page - there's more to this place than just a forum!
Hats off Rob, well done on what you did, thats pretty epic by itself!
So you can't criticise or pass negative comment on someone who tries but fails (having made a little fuss about it after all...)? Dearie, dearie me.
Having ridden the WHW in both directions (over multiple days, three years apart mind) I was following online last week with interest.
Rob - (if you're still about) what was it that did for you? had you recce'd the whole route beforehand?
Never met the guy. Read what he's done and, like TwinkleyDave, been impressed by his achievements and enjoyed his writing style. Reeespec' to the Leemeister.
Yup, great effort and a great article. A lot of people might have just slunk off after not reaching their goal, but to write such a heartfelt article deserves respect imo.
Rob Lee is a cracking bloke I have ridden with him a few times when I lived in Swindon and he never tried to prove anything ( unlike otheres who race but never put a number on there backs) and just rode with everyone else.
Rob tries and for that he cannot be faulted
Good try
If it was easy, it wouldn't be worth trying 🙂
A fanstastic effort and genuine challenge- bring on round two !
Mate did it North to South on the same day Rob set out and passed him on LochLomond section. Mate said Rob seemed to be pushing on a bit and was into a fairly strong headwind all the way up to Fort William. Well done to the guy for taking it on, think conditions worked against him a bit.
So he's failed on this attempt, not sure we should be rounding on him for that. I just dont see anything worth going at him for every body at every level ***ks up every so often. Yes some of the publicity can be a bit cheesy but it also just seems in the same vein as most cycle challenge types. From everything I've heard about it he's just very very focused on riding and racing.
If Rob Lee has had to bail, that it just proves it's a hard ride.
The Highlands kills idiots just about every week, they're the blokes who don't know when to pull over.
I'm sure he'll be back.
I've ridden the WHW in a day. Way back in the mid 80's when it wasn't the airbrushed trail it is now. We rode it on rigid bikes with cantilevers. We made it without fanfare. None of us were 'extreme' riders.
Had Rob gotten back over the DS he might have stood a chance. I've ridden solo across Rannoch Moor in the dark with no lights to retrieve the car for my knackered mates after an epic ride that left them with the Bonk in the Kingshouse as it was closing.
A vegan friend joined us once to do our first ride of the Devil's Staircase to Fort William section. We drove up from Edinburgh and stayed in the Glencoe youth hostel the night before. The 'Captain' who retroburghers will remember established Claymore Cycles in Newhaven, rode out from Edinburgh to meet us in time for our departure, not at the top of the Glen but the bottom, he rode back up the road, over the DS to Fort William, then rode back to Edinburgh that night. He rode a steel Saracen with cottered cranks. Alloy ones he complained only lasted 50000 miles.
As an extreme Vegan wouldnt wear leather shoes, so rode in canvas plimsoles and Levis. Thats what I call epic!
As for those who have criticised Italspark's riding credentials. I wouldnt even go there. As I've said on the other thread the man is a legend.
Ah, thanks for the links, so Rob Lee is a bloke that rides bikes, sounds ok to me, Why the personal attacks?
I've ridden the WHW in a day. Way back in the mid 80's when it wasn't the airbrushed trail it is now. We rode it on rigid bikes with cantilevers. We made it without fanfare. None of us were 'extreme' riders.
What a hero.
So is the moral of the story: 'Don't bother trying to do anything, because you will justy look silly when you fail'?
Hurrah! 🙄
No - I think the moral of the story is "save your powder until it is dry"
so if im thinking right - italspark is someone who might have done quite well at the puffer ....
either way - threads like this dont exactly do him any favours
italspark: how about apologising to Rob for being so rude?
While I'd never even heard of Rob before this post by some jobnocky (who is most obviously an armchair cyclist) I now take my hat off to the lad.
Trailrat, you are miles out with italspark's identity. Have a look at past winners of the Three Peaks.
He's got a pineapple on 'is 'ead! He's got a pineapple on 'is 'ead! etc etc..... Jason Lee..legend! 8)
So really its about getting on with it quietly or having a pineapple on your head and getting a bit of publicity.
Looking at it that way, I'm in the underplaying and control expectations camp and the only place for pineapple on a ride is in exotic fruit mix.
Wow, talk about reeling em in!
ok so im miles off , just thinking of fast fifers ...
frankly it doesnt matter what he won - unless he is a personal friend of the guy hes slagging(and its in jest) it doesnt give a very nice representation of the type of person he is ..