Bring it 🙂

I’ve subsituted training for a last minute dynamo wheel build

I’ve substituted training for a last minute cram in a week of commuting to give a semi semblance of fitness!

What time are y’all planning on kicking off from Carlisle?.

Me and a couple of mates from work planning to leave 6, half 6. Will be in Carlisle a bit earlier as we’re cadging a lift. STW meetup anyone?

Looking forward to this.

Setting off from Carlisle at 8. I want to be in Cramond for sunrise, and I don’t want to be rushing!

My preparation has included destroying my legs with the Clennell Colossus on Sunday and spending the rest of the week mainly eating cake.

Folks, the weather is indeed looking good. Fingers crossed.
Last eshot with a bit of timeline coming tomorrow lunchtime.
Sincerely hope you all enjoy it.
Of the two organisers I’m the tall lanky one, please come and say hello. We’ll be at Carlisle from 6.
Do I need to put up a STW sign in Bitts Park for a rendezvous point? 😉
All the best, Fraser

856 as of today, which is pretty cool, though there’s a late flurry of injuries and excuses from a few folk…

Hebden – my plan exactly!

I’ve just started 3 12hr nightshifts in preparation 🙂 should be a scoosh. Body clock will be the right way round. Me and Nobeer will be pedalling back to Glasgow afterwards too……mibee 😆

Hmmmmm… we’ll see…. 👿

Hopefully the first train from Edinburgh to weegie on a Sunday morning will be quiet enough to get bikes on. And a sleep!.

I had half an idea to go down to the coast then ride back up to Carlisle for 8.00 .Make it a proper coast to coast an all that 😉

I did wonder how far away the coast was…

If the mainline is looking dubious for bikes to weege try the helensburgh line it takes longer but a bit more “dump bikes” friendly

I did wonder how far away the coast was…

Silloth is about 25 miles.
Don’t know what it would be like zig zagging on the B roads.
I will see how much time I have once I get to Carlisle.

Bowness on Solway is 13 miles out of Carlisle…or the stretch of the River Eden that you go over is still tidal if that makes life easier?

Fatmax, I’ll take the river eden 🙂

Well having broken my wrist 4 weeks ago today… I’ll be at the start line (and hopefully at the end too!)

Hoping the road surface is quite good.

Oh good, I see there are veggie options at the end. I guess I’d better just HTFU if the wrist plays up then!

Looking forward to it!

Anyone planning on doing the double?

Unsure what the rails will be like to get back to Carlise, so was just planning on a few hours of kip of the Beach before heading back.

Vaguely VERY VAGUELY considering riding from peebles to carlisle.

Having said that I’m just in the sorting office hoping they have my aforementioned rim.

This’ll be fine on fixie, right?

, I see there are veggie options at the end.

I’m guessing there is no vegan option?

Anyway I’ll be there probably on my Brown/Gold Mercian 2 speed

This’ll be fine on fixie, right?

In a word, yes. Devil’s beeftub will drag on a bit and from there it’ll be a bit spinny, depending what gear you’re running.

Oh good, I see there are veggie options at the end

where did you see that?

Difficult to decide on clothing options for tonight.

3/4 bibs, s/s jersey and armwarmers I think.

Wheel built lights tested. Maltloaf and a single serve roija for ‘mergencies.

Short top and bottom with warmers.

Its the additional layer i’m hesitant about. How cold is 8 degrees when you’d rather be in bed…

It’ always colder than you think after midnight. I always add an extra layer for overnight riding.

It looks like it’s going to be relatively warm tonight. Met Office saying about 10-11 degrees. The humidity helps a bit. Don’t think the cold will be bothering anyone too much. Though it is on that tipping point between hot and cold! Arm warmer to be on the safe side, maybe. And a good baselayer.

Not planning on going fast enough to get too hot!

Just given my bike a preparatory once-over. Loads of stuff wrong with it. I wish I’d never bothered 🙂

Oh and 36% chance of precipitation overnight, having checked weather for Lockerbie and Moffatt. The boil-in-the-bag is going in the back pocket

Well that was good.

Not half, wicked route, brilliantly organised. Nice sunrise for a bit and a free beer.

Now in wetherspoons devouring brekkie before getting train home.

Thanks so much Fatmax! Don’t think you could’ve picked a better night!

Well done chaps.

Great night, thanks! More knackered from missing the nights sleep than the ride I think.

Got a puncture at 99 miles so rode the last 2 miles with a flat as I couldn’t be bothered to stop and fix it 🙂

Feeling pretty good now.

Must ride more!

What a great ride. Thoughts:

1. My hands were so cold on the Devil’s Beef Tub descent that I couldn’t change gear.

2. The disco stop was surreal and brilliant. In an Apocalypse Now sort of way. Who was the jester who gave me a banana? Whoever you were, I think I love you.

3. What is with those road surfaces? I’m running 28s next year.

4.

and a free beer.

Where was this? ‘Cos I missed it!

5. What’s the score with the Shand Cycles prize draw? How did we enter? (I must have missed this as well)

6. See you next year