Well I can get up to 52 going down crowcombe on the road bike and you've seen my mtb skills, im not the fittest out there!

Anyone know when the results outside the top 3 will go up?
Also, can anyone remember the website of the photographer at the 65 mile hot feed? it was something like kielder100 photography i think?

What a day! Back from the 350mile drive now…. legs are a little tired!
Excellent event tho, ok so we started 6 mins late, BIG DEAL!
Very well run event, with excellent marshals, Loved the fact the FC worker had painted not far to go on the floor in paint at about 45ish miles or so.

I dont think I've ever been thru so many states of mind in one day. But so glad I made it back. Fair shout to everyone who got to the end, it bloody hurt.

My figures were 102.84 miles and 11288ft of climbing. Cant believe the Garmin last 13hours!

I said I wouldnt do it again last night, I'm now already planning for next year and how to get a better time! Oooops!

Thanks to the organisers, and I can thoroughly recommend the Grapes hotel in Newcastleton for anyone looking to stay in the area!

I'm traveling up tomorrow, staying with family in York as I have a meeting early doors on Friday then heading over to kielder around lunch time i think. Should be there for 3 ish.
Guess ill be signing on around 5 and handing over my foooood bags, then spending the evening in the pantry eating with the rest of you!

Staying at the Grapes if anyone else is? Will be there Friday and Saturday night.

On race day i'll have nice Pink Cyclescheme Lycra on and be on a white Orange 5 with 36's.

That'll be me on the left…..

I am….. what does it look like climbing wise?

Photos look a little damp!

I've been T Total all month, but may just drink lots of beer on my weekend away… hmmm Dilemmas!

Anyone for a ride there tomorrow mid morning?

I've done 80miles (130k) off road plus 25miles (40k) on road last night.
Have one more ride tomorrow along with a very gentle spin on Tuesday evening next week. Then I've run out of time!
Away this weekend in Cornwall jet skiing so have to get the bike together next week (Luckily I'm off all week! )

Anyone think there would be a problem sticking a tube in with my 'lunch' bag drops just in case I flat the few i'll take in my bag??

Yeah… its set a medium on the sleeve, but i think im runing it a few PSI high at the same time! Will play on thursday when im riding all day.

Was wondering if anyone else had the same, twas all!

Andy…. your useless!

Brass is supposed self lubricate, but it doesnt seem to be that smooth when mega tight. leads me to believe its not the clamping pressure that is the issue.

Certainly can…. think i see that plan too

Ill think of you lot under the stars in my room for 4! Seems ive got a twin with bunkbeds or something silly like that!

Well done Andy…. I've got the finishline version ill give it a try when i wash it in a mo!

Ill probably get some shabby old bed now! Bit of a journey from down south, thats the bit im not looking forward to!

Hope clamp has a nice brass bushing, I thought it would also be better on the leverage front. Still not tight enough tho!

Grapes is one of the recommended hotels on the list. Fancied a bit of comfort before the race!

I've got a 100mm on my orange five. had a 70 on there and it was well short. think I'd like a 90 really.

Hmmm…. its brand new. Cant see its all that dirty tho.
Ill have a look at cleaning it up tho.

Carbon grease going to be a bit grippier?

Oli… just bumped into Sharki in town and he mentioned you and jojo were doing it. Well… Im guessing its you anyway! Would be random for there to be 2 lots of you.
I'll be on a white Five, not a clue how fit I am for it at the moment tho.
Will be fairly obvious in my pink team kit jersey.

Is anyone else staying at the Grapes as suggested?

Im certainly feeling a little tight in the legs today!
Ride into work from the car was interesting, not a comfy saddle.

Probably the hardest I've pushed in a while, we didnt seem to be taking it too easy. Could only just keep upright on ladys edge.

I've just got back from Exmoor (and the quantocks) and I'll tell you now, If you go for the 100Km your mad (AND IM IN THE KIELDER 100!!!!)
We did 23 miles up there today but took in 4500ft of climbing.

Did the explorer too, that took 4.5 hours riding to do 36miles and 5500ft. So you going to be hitting the 10hour mark unless your very fit!

Do it… you'll love it!
I've got the talas too…. means you can drop the front a bit for really steep (or boring) stuff.
Weight is just right to keep it on the ground when going up the good stuff!

Picked up mine a week ago, 18" and I'm about 6ft 1.
It does come with a silly stem for people at the taller end of an 18 but i've changed that and am more than happy.
Put 90 miles on this week and not felt cramped.
Went for an 18 so that I could drop the post and play a bit if i wanted too.

Edit: I went for a Fox 36 Talas in the end.

So has everyone compiled their basic kit list?
I think i may be rather overbiked on an orange 5… comfort should be good tho!

Damo still gets out and about when he can, dont see much of the others tho!
Saw Daz at Glasto. Think Rich has a bike again, but not seen him out for a while.

Shouldnt be a problem! Could be a mix from SS to all sorts.
Lydeard hill CP is around the TA4 3 area on a map!

I struggled with a track pump big time, think its coz they still had the fold lines in them. Half a gas can popped them and i set the pressures with a track pump.

Ill have a play with pressures over the weekend.

I had 2.2 MK's on there as standard and they were skinny and GASH!
Much happier now.

Sounds good to me! Might drop it one or two and see how it goes!

out of the plantation car park!

Im loving Picnic table right now, everyone I take down it thinks its sooo much fun!!

Any news on whether anyone is riding tomo?

10am Lydeard Hill CP on Saturday… 10-10.30ish at Crowcombe CP on sunday for a bit of playing rather than XC.

They seemed good last night, this weekend should give them a thrashing.
Constantly scared that they will deflate, or have gone down on the back!
Think i'll get over that with time.

The 2.2 is quite large, but not as big as I thought it would be from the reviews!
I could easily fit the 2.4's, but maybe that would be total overkill.
Looks like they could roll well enough to do the Kielder on too.

Dez… did the rampages all by track pump. Couldnt get the queens to fit that way tho!
30 actually seems quite high on these, sidewalls are very solid. Has a little bit of squish in it but nothing major

Only one of Exmoor I have is for the Explorer @ 36 miles if you want it?

Its not the soapy water… its all about the bubbles!
found this out last night! Loads of bubbles and they pop on a treat!

I looked at the toro's but there were some bad comments on the ultimate cornering on them…

Think i mentioned another STW ride the other day for the Q's .
Time to pick a new route!

Took it up on sunday evening and it was amazing. Still getting my head around quite how fast it goes!