Already here in Co Clare, just minutes from Co Limerick over the bridge. Another lovely day with a view of Keeper Hill from my window.

Goodwood was actually used for a road race championships about 30 years ago, thing Saronni won, certainly an Italian.

It’s the Morrison’s style logo that always puts me off Mavic clothing

I’m riding what ever gear and tyres are on at the moment.

From recent experience I can certainly vouch for the benefit of base training. I spent the winter and spring mostly riding staedily with a fe faster rides from February onwards. In June / July I did 4,000 miles in Canada / USA carrying the full load so riding was steady (included Tour Divide).

Last Tuesday was my first and last opportunity to do a club time trial this year so went along with no expectation as I was only back home 4 days. The course is really hilly and I usually struggle round and am out of the saddle trying to get a bit more speed on regular basis and grabbong small chainring. On Tuesday I found myself initially not suffering into the wind as much as usual and not being caught on the first hill. I felt really strong and managed to stay in big ring for all but the two biggest climbs which is an achievement for me. Ended up with my best time in years and feeling stronger than I can recall despite no speed work for ~3 months+

Must try and find a couple of months of mega miles next winter.

A comment blanche made earlier reminds me of something I read over 20 years ago when I was a runner. It was suggested you lost endurance after a week and speed after 3/4 days so you should do at least 1 long run and two fast runs. If time was short this was the minimum of what I do with other runs being social or recovery.

Try to do this now that I am riding more frequently as well. Also started using the Joe Friel book earlier this year (one for >50’s) which had some good advice.

s others’s have said don’t neglect the upper body.

Stuart, thanks for link – had missed that one. If I am not away II owe the other half a holiday!) then I will look into it.

Anthony – Kit worked well. Bag was just warm enough in Canada / Montana with a Craft base layer and Patagonia capilene leggings. I do sleep cold though. The TN photon elite tent was excellent. One day while touring it rained for all but 30 mins between 7.30 and 17.30 and was enough room to shelter and kept water out.

A tarp and bivvy bag would have weighed similar, packed up a bit better and might have been more practical for the Tour Divide. As I was touring for a few weeks afterwards (in Oregon) I wanted the extra privacy of a tent. Thought the tent would be warmer and I have limited experience of tarps so did not want to risk something I was unfamiliar with.

I took a few bits I didn’t need and I got lucky with the weather so could have made a few different clothing choices in retrospect. However if I was to do it again would have taken same clothing and a bit less other stuff.

You probably guessed Stuart. Looking for something shorter and nearer next year. Perhaps Wales…

My Western Mountaineering Summer-lite bag at ~11,300 feet and Terra Nova photon tent worked well on recent trip:

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101_0144[/url] by blackhound59[/url], on Flickr

Earlier in the trip at 11,500 feet on Boreas Pass showing a wildcat gear frame bag and Revelate Design harness and seat bag.

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101_0121[/url] by blackhound59[/url], on Flickr

Was looking at one of these myself. Would have liked some rear rack mounts for versatility to go with the eyelets.

Nice build though.

Thanks for the shelter from the rain at about 1430 today. Popped down on my road bike to see the finish.

Men of a certain age remember her well. I am a man of a certain age.

What did Roy Keane say about former players as analysts? Thought it was derogatory but can’t be – just seen him on itv talking to Adrian!

Cheers Stuart. Grum – not done it yet!

100% though lived most of my life over here. No British passport here.

The old Peugeot checker board design was a classic along with the Molteni (above) and simple Bianchi celeste.

From mtb side the Bonty ‘rasta’ one was nice that was was copied / influenced the Brixton Cycles jersey.

Owned all 3 at one time or another.

Some reading material here which might interest you folks. If you can’t ride the Tour Divide a chance to read about the efforts of those who have.

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-cordillera/15659154?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1

Available in paperback or for download.

All profits to the family of Dave Blumenthal who tragically died in last years race.

Sorry to say I have still to read issue one and issue 3 has just turned up. Will probably cancel after next one. Got two issues of The Ride unopened as wel so did not buy the last one.

Ferry booked this week, got the last berth on the trip home!

I have been able to justify it by taking my parents home (too old to hire a car now) to Mayo (where I lived as a little boy) and Limerick. Double whammy is my cousin being ordained a week before SSWC just up the road so will be a good couple of weeks for me.

If the SSWC team are still looking for entertainment ideas what about getting the localish Gemma Hayes to sing a few songs – that would be worth the expense;-)

Terribly sad watching earlier, had to wipe away a tear. Did not see yesterday’s race and do not want to see the incident causing the death of a young man.

Touching moment when the LT team allowed Tyler Farrar to join them for the final kilometers

Another recommendation for Adrian Timmis who is near Burton-on-Trent if that is not too far for you.

Never seen any of them.

Stuart, yes you will, but would rather not say on a public forum. Sure Mark will tell you later this month

It was a rainy night on Saturday but MarkEnduro who is preparing for WRT and Martin and myself preparing for the Tour Divide braved the conditions in the Peak.

Here is a group shot, mine in foreground, Mark’s tarp at the back, Martin in the middle in Alpkit bivvy bag:

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P5080620[/url] by blackhound59[/url], on Flickr

Close up of Mark’s set up – it’s a Decathlon tarp,not been through for a few years but always enjoy it in either direction:

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P5080622[/url] by blackhound59[/url], on Flickr

Riding home through Silly Dale:

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P5080626[/url] by blackhound59[/url], on Flickr

Well at least with the ‘No’ vote no babies are going to die!

Voted yes to AV.
The party i would usually vote for say that if they will get in they would save £25m by scrapping a new velodrome here in Derby. Difficult decision to make!

SSEC in Belgium

It’s working for me.

Velodrome to see VP & Sir CH.
1 athletics finals & 1 early session. Hope to see Usain Bolt in 200m heats.
Beach volleyball & basketball early stages.
Free one’s like marathons and cycling road race.

I’m retired so no day off!

Off racing in Belgium at SSEC. Equal 4th is a realistic target for me.

I found Bonty difficult to fit. Taking off in next week or so and not looking forward to it. I have Bonty tyres as well ans briefly ran them with Bonty tubes until going tubeless.

Will try coatsey’s method in next time

I don’t believe UK could have a race like the TD. For instance

a) TD is 2,750 miles not far off 3 x LEJOG and not through bear country.
b) You could organise a route over say the Sarn Helen route or similar, or a Tour of the Highlands. If it was free the event would be over-run with us lot as it would take a week tops.
c) As the TD is 3 weeks commitment as a minimum it straight away reduces the people who can attend when you add on a few days before and after to get home you are looking close to a month’s commitment for most riders.

I agree with Aidan when he said he would prefer less riders in the TD. Personally I would prefer to line up with say ~30 riders like a fw years ago then 80+ expected in 2011. This is not some sort of elitism for me more being on my own – I get fed up of people after a few days. Likely to be a lot more pressure on facilities.

If you go for an over night ride this weekend through mid Wales you are likely to be on your own. If an event was put through you would have riders and tents round every turn.

WRT is a nice balance. Last year despite 50 or so riders I was on my own after about 45 minutes and remained like that until meeting IanB in a bothy hours later. The next day I saw one rider all day until the finish.

Craft from http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk
Light & packs into a little rear pocket.

I’ll be in Belgium for SSEC.

My mother seems all excited and looking forward to it. She is Irish, but lived here for years, and would have thought she would not be too bothered. The only person I know looking to watch it. Well, my did will have to watch it I suppose.

Second the lomo bags with the window. Only about £7 and they are long and narrow and fit better under the bars. My previous one used to buzz the wheel on bumpy bits. The Lomo one is better.

You are made of sterner stuff than me Stuart – I have just succumbed..

Is worth checking out. I was having £1,095 taken off the basic tax code for taxable benefits from my previous employer. gave them a ring a few days ago and it was changed.

(Wasn’t really sure but as I have retired I keep the benefits but now they are not taxable – don’t understand why not tbh)

And a Roman bridge near Pollenca, Majorca:

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P3090650[/url] by blackhound59[/url], on Flickr

Forth Bridge, one from the top and one from below:

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IMG_0364[/url] by blackhound59[/url], on Flickr

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IMG_0376[/url] by blackhound59[/url], on Flickr

Listening to the arguments above I decided on a tent rather than a bivy for the Tour Divide as weather is unpredictable. Bugs are a problem in some areas and I have not done enough bivying to be confident about it. When the TD is over I will be travelling around a bit and may need some privacy as well.

My thought process was something like ‘what would it take me to leave a town early evening to do another 2/3 hours on the trail?’ A tent I hope will allow me to do this.

I also sleep ‘cold’ and a tent might keep me a bit warmer than a gale blowing around inside bivy. I have an Alpkit pipedream 800 but it proved to big for my set up and bought a smaller, less warm bag.

Excellent thread this. (Did 4 hours with fully loaded bag today in the sun)

Would still go for a bivy if the weather was looking good and just for a weekend.