Its a lovely ride with little sign of other riders. Two of us did it in early October though we missed off a bit near the end in order to get a train.

Three days preferred, we did not have the time, but hope to return in May and do it completely.

We were OK on the navigation but you could get lost if not careful. The IMBA notes were very useful. Its not a technical ride in the most part, just long but the scenery is great and some of the climbs were tough…

Enjoy!

Really enjoyed the GDR article, I hope to do it next year, as a tour rather than the race, but it makes you think about the preparation required.

Doubt there will be a better written article this year.

Another option for the singleton's is some of the team rides / races. Advertise on here for some mixed teams for Bontrager 12/24 / SITS / MM. Spend the weekend together but opportunity to make yourself scarce as well. Just don't be too competitive!

I was celibate for some time a number of years ago after divorce and unable to get a date. After a couple of years met a lovely woman and we have now been together 16 years. Though I suspect if the relationship comes to a sticky end I will just retire this time….

Midnighthour – Cycling and running clubs are full of men, some single, with few women – you will be fighting them off should you choose to go along. Been on a couple of stw group rides and ladies are a rarity so go along to the next one in your area. And if you can't be good be careful!

A Fistful Of Dollars
50 Dollars More
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Threw a few arrows that Phil TPT won a tournament with yesterday and gave away afterwards to a local player (and PV fan!).

I was crap with them as well….

Lesotho for me
Iran for Mrs B

If women are 'made of sugar and spice and all things nice' why do they smell of anchovies?

My Dad had a Javelin Jowett which I can just remember and then a couple of late 50's early 60's Consuls. In the late 60's 6 of us would go to the West of Ireland in one – seems craazy now.

Manta GTE – I had one in the mid 80's – I feel so old on here sometimes…

The velodrome was still there in the early / mid seventies but was taken down when Moorways was developed iirc.

Would be good and the plans for a 2km road circuit, probably a bit like Eastway stadium used to be would also be useful.

Derby Mercury have been expanding, even young people coming along, in the last 5 years or so and the Notts & Derby cx league is popular. Nice and central in England as well.

Thinking the same think Swampboy. A '94 Kona and an '86 Fat Chance….

Peppermint tea and Stereophonics (on vinyl)

Andy P – There is a book out about Millar – 'Searching for Robert Millar' I think it is called. Have a read. He was a fantastic rider and only Simpson among the Brits was in the same league. KoM in tours of France, Spain and Italy and was 'robbed' of the the Vuelta as well. Genearally considered a bit weird but I did pass him once, briefly!

Sean Kelly – another cycling hero of mine. As ourmaninthenorth says he was a classics rider, not really a tour rider. 4th was an incredible performance, can't imagine Cav winning the green AND finishing 4th. He got (4) green jerseys as well. Think he won the Vuelta once but would need to check my facts on that one.

Believe Button would be a worthy winner over the season, Cav's win at Milan -San Remo was incredible but he is not well known over here unlike Chris Hoy.

Jessica Ennis would get mine though.

Vote I mean;-)

Wiggins will make it easier for them to get in the Grand Tours – no really big names otherwise.

Does that mean Ben Swift is not coming then as he is on the Sky list for TDU despite being contracted with Katusha?

Two riders in our group had them break, one early on his second ride. Put me off a bit really.

Boardman struggled because a lot of his competitors were smacked up to their tits on drugs. Reckon he would get better results these days.

Ritchey do a 'Breakaway' which I recall is about half the price of the tranny. Not sure if available in UK or not.

I have commuted on mine for a few gears (with gears) and agree with the faff with punctures. You could ride slime tubes and schwalbe touring tyres (can't recall model but tough as old boots) to all but eliminate!

Done a lot of towpath type stuff and also HoNC and found very comfy. I like it because I have done a time trial, toured, HoNC, commuted, winter trainer with just a change of wheels. Only down side is the rear wheel faff – overall it saves me having extra bikes though. Certainly recommend.

Thanks for that post – was planning to ride it on Saturday but will stay away now. Plenty over in SV to ride.

50 accountant. Hope to retire next year and become full time rider.

Like JB I am also a bi owner!

I have an mp3 player for traveling. What am I listening to now? Linn LP12 / Naim 72/140 and Naim Credo's. MP3 is shite in comparison as it should be for what I paid for my main set up.

I strted with a Naim Nait 2 / Linn Kan II / Lin Axis many years ago and slowly upgraded.

As said at the outset take some familiar music, your speakers if possible and listen, buy the one YOU like. I only listened to Naim as it was on special offer due to styling changes, Kept Nait 2 for nearly 15 years and lost about £50. Replaced with s/h 72/140 and no intention of spending more. Kan's are hard to drive but the little Nait was fine.

Second Naim does hold its price well and all can be repaired if anything goes wrong. Spend what you can afford and enjoy.

I use some over 50 'Senior' ones from H&B. Used to use Nutritime but they seem to have stopped production.

Problem:

Entered on the original invite where the entry fee was £40. Just spotted the second invite inflation has taken hold and it is now £41. So, pay an extra pound through paypal or pay on the day? [Not sure about fees and things and might cost a lot to send £1]

I'm in – see if I can track down a box of Galtee to bring along:/)

Chris,

Keep as much weight off your back as you can. Keep it on the rack or a bar bag. Its only when you ride without you really appreciate the advantage.

I used some Epic Designs stuff and used a 'race' type camelbak for a few light bits. For a longer tour front panniers may be better – though I have never needed them on my shortish tours.

I was going to suggest a second hand Roadrat!

Mine is excellent and very adaptable. I have done a loaded tour of Ireland, travelled light between Berwick and Derby on Pennine cycle way, HoNC, commuting, winter training and even a time trial. Was going to do a cross race yesterday but was poorly and had to stay at home.

A Singular frame box appeared in our office this morning. Same Christian name as me as well. Not mine though and will be too big. WIll try to get a look when purchaser returns.

Always liked the Singular frames but have to many others to get another one.

I will try not to think of the extra's as items / shots not good enough to go in the mag;-)

Brown alleged to have said something like Mrs Thatcher did a lot for the country when PM. I Worked in 70's & 80's and Labour have just lost my vote next time and I certainly won't vote Tory.

It's reported even Arsene Wenger saw it!

Watched game in a local Irish run bar (I have been here 42 years) and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Gutted. Didn't expect to win beforehand but to lose like that is so disappointing.

markenduro is correct re the national centre – nil cost for facilities.

As coffeeking says NR own the infrastructure so have to pay for rail fares like everybody else does – no discounts. Free travel remains only for those staff who were there before privatisation which was ~15 years ago now.

Imagine the headline and outcry 'of Rail company pay £27k when they could have gone for £2.4k'!

Hope to be there, and I have a non British passport so should be guaranteed an entry;-)

Sid James Park more like :lol:

In Derby you also have Holt's on Nightingale Road. Less high end stock but workshop is super quick and reliable. Especially compared with Samways or Mercian.

As the-muffin-man says it was Cyclone before MA and I bought a Kona and a Sunn from there and loads of bits. Andre's sidekick John was an expert in samurai swords or something! Andre wanted to do something different as he had run the shop for ~10 years. Miss that shop…..

Belper (or Duffield) could be good as reasonable population, east access to Derby / Peak though parking can be an issue in Belper. Something with a cafe? Get people in for an espresso and muffin and sell them some carbon wheels!

The wait at Samways for maintenance has got long, and Mercian is worse so there is space for a good workshop to match Holts. Once people are in the door you always have a chance of a sale.

Catherine wasn't it?

Catherine Wheel…….

IGMC

772 views of postierich at SSWC07

http://kevin-cunniffe.fotopic.net/p46363023.html

Rode from Camden Town to 'Muddy Hell' at Herne Hill and back again. Got lost SOuth of the river both ways and ended up with about 3 hours.

Did it on my mtb ss and it was great fun. No mud though!

http://www.londoncyclesport.com/Gallery_243/Rollapaluza_Halloween_Night_Cross_3683.html

Another one here for Herne Hill, but on my ss mtb.