It is big but the headtube is extra long which adds to the impression of it being a gate.

The barend shifters got me round the 3 Peaks, and to be honest not had any problems with them (plus the option of friction mode if they get bashed or cables get too dirty, which isn’t a possibility with STis or Ergos).

Interested in the “wants a lift, doesn’t mind a bit of a squeeze, is happy to split costs” option – my e-mail is edDOTviniaATvirginDOTnet if it’s still a possibility.

Finally managed success and although far from technically minded think it may have been due to the browser I was using as after 20+ unsuccessful tries I switched to another and had instant success. No idea what I used though. Which doesn’t exactly help anyone else in the same situation, so a pointless post (again).

Perhaps a little bit more focused, happy to share ferry/travel costs for anyone coming from around Herefordshire (so SW, South Wales, West Midlands I guess). I have a car that could squeeze in two bikes (including mine) if that helps at all.

£300 for a ferry is a sight cheaper than 20 entries as ability to make payment is clearly directly related to ability to negotiate anything with a steeper gradient than 2% 😳

Hmm, confused – I either haven’t paid at all or I have blown a wad of cash on at least 6 entries that I can hand out as late Christmas presents……

Exactly the same here – reads “Please contact the merchant whose goods or services you are purchasing and give the error message below.

Error 501
This transaction (78) has already been processed! If you feel this is incorrect please contact the merchant!”

Is the only way ‘in’ via Facebook as am at work and can’t access

The l’eroica route is signposted/waymarked so reckon there’s plenty that you could do to fit your description. I think there will be a map on the website ( in fact go to http://www.eroica-ciclismo.it/english/home.asp then click on the Roads tab on the left for more details on each route).

Many thanks, some good recommendations.

Guess I should get ordering.

Sorry, should have given a bit more info – previously had an HG chain that came with the bike but it’s worn out as has the chainring so replaced the latter with a Surly stainless. Also using a WI freewheel, no chain tensioner.

Thinking 1 1/8th but that’s about it.

I’m riding 540 to 560mm bars, often with bar ends.

Thank you for this thread, clearly I need to get with the programme – 720mm Spank bars in wet white will look just so on the ’88 Stumpjumper.

Thanks to all for a smashing day out.

Loved the Followthrough at the end, the only time that I felt alive all week.

Fireroad Lite Ed!

Sweet Jesus, been listening to some Timberlake, had a can of Red Bull and my wife declares me incoherent with excitement.

It’s official – I am stoked

Brownies with liver

I’ve always found that the liver gives them a certain heft.

Just over 24 hours to go until mile after mile of sweet, sweet fireroad.

Any idea of numbers likely to attend – want to make sure I pick up enough brownies…..

Top advice, brake levers repositioned and a dramatic improvement, many thanks

Brownies on order from http://www.a2zest.co.uk/

Thanks all, sound advice and the photos are really helpful – looks like i need to move the levers slightly higher up on the bars.

Cheers

Ed

I’ve already fitted mine and at a similar angle to the ones above but find that my hands get tingly/numb very quickly so am wondering about the position of the brake levers (which naturally affects hand position).

My usual approach with aero levers and drops is to have the flat of the drop on the hooks parallel to the ground or slightly pointed up and the aero levers with the tip in line with the bottom of the drop or perhaps 1 cm higher (not sure if this description makes sense!). With these flared drops that of course doesn’t work out so just wondering how high up the bar to mount the levers.

I’m also in Hereford so could help out with the Haugh Woods/West Woods ride.

Paris-Roubaix is great, suggest the ‘Essential’ which is over 100 miles and includes the cobbles, the full route is just a 50 odd mile warm up on flattish roads in northern France and you have to start very early. However it’s only every two years so next in 2012.

The Tour of Flanders also sounds very good but what about one of the other sportive ‘Monuments’?

Fred Whitton?

As above, 3 Peaks?

Trans Cambrian in 2 days?

Doing l’eroica on Sunday so will report back on that one.

Why? Because it makes me feel like a natural woman.

About 100km both on road and also off road if you’re talking one ride.

I did do a 5 days ss road tour of Wales (Cambrian Mountains, Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons. And back) which was stupid.

I hate riding off road, in particular when there is company.

I'm therefore down for whatever.

Nope, it won't affect others but do say 'hi' (or laugh, up to you) – and if you're up on Friday night there will be a Concours and Chips down by the railway station at about 6.30.

Eden Lake is pretty disturbing.

I'll be starting as early as possible on a 90s Merckx Corsa Extra in 7-11 colours with very low gearing and a determined mindset (I'm hoping the latter will drag me through).

A good day out with the weather perfect. The signs were a real help and the marshalls and cake stop were as good as ever.

Feeling a little tired today but not too bad after 100 km on a rigid ss with 15 year old tyres pumped up to 80psi (no problem with punctures but my bottle cage sheared off early on and the rocky edged field wasn't particularly pleasant).

All in all a really great event, unsurprisingly that it's pretty much a classic.

Very nice P7 and the side by side photo is great, really illustrates how things have changed, in particular how much higher and shorter the front end is.

Bit of advice do not ride it off road you will hate it, it is easy to be gooey eyed but things move on.

Not totally sure about that as riding familiar trails on a different bike can make them seem completely new (not dissimilar to riding in the day and at night in that respect).

My great gran was called Fanny Wigley…….

Looks sweet, like the bartape instead of grips

I was there yesterday too, very pleasant once the sun came out but a touch chilly at first.

Apart from at the cycle centre at the beginning and end of the ride saw no one else on a bike.

Yeah, but they do allow me to ponce in a boutique with the best of them

The Rapha Fixed shorts are clearly for wannabe hipster urban fools that have been taken in by Rapha's vaguely homoerotic, mise en scene marketing. They are good for gayers and chumps and probably both. I have a pair. They have not made me cool or a riding god, in fact not even a minor deity although I do look a little fey.

They are good for popping into town to pick up some aspirational bread but I wouldn't want to use them for long rides or offroad. Quality is high and they do seem to stand the test of time but the sizing, as above, can be a little idiosyncratic and you do need them to be a proper fit. Only real issue is the price although that's not a problem if someone is buying them for you.

Really good event, even from the back of the field (hats off to anyone who negotiated the greasy flagstones with regular rim wrecking drainage channels – or did the greasiness get worse later on after the passage of wheels?).

Major credit to the all for an extremely well organised and overwhelmingly friendly event, great that the prize giving was only held once everyone was back.

Now if I can only figure out how to ride downhill…..

Nervous? I should say so!

Don't try shimming with Coke can, I've tried and the amount of shim is far too great. As above, you need a Pace Race Collar, effectively a crown race shim.

I'll be there too, Retrobike kit and orange bike

Thanks for the link, didn't think to look back that far (and too stupid to do a search)…..