Only 5 more sleeps…..
Please send a quid or two to the cause. I’ll feel like a failure if I don’t get to £1000:00. You could win something lovely

http://www.justgiving.com/stannsbigbikeride

General timings are:
London 6:00am
Luton 8:00am
Milton Keynes 10:00am
Somwhere else (I can’t remember) 12:00 noon
Leicester 2:00pm
Derby 4:00pm
Buxton 6:00pm (it’s a bit hilly in between Derby and Buxton)
Manchester 7:30pm
Bed: 8:00pm
Lots of people joining in and dropping out along the way. Feel free nay PLEASE come along for a bit and a few people at Manchester at the end for a glass of bubbly. Again, all are welcome for a glass or two.
Oh yes, forgot to say. Mostly A5 to Leicester and then A6 all the way to Manchester.

Not comfier for me.

They look like they’ve been bent on the ends. They should run much more horizontal. Have a look at the shape of these:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/HBPX7075SD/planet_x_anatomic_road_bar_strada_7075
I prefer traditional shallow drop. They’re more curved where as the anatomical that are fitted and the above linked have the squared off sections.
I’d buy the bike for £350. If you can get it for less, you’ll have a very good deal.
Looking at the picture again. Adjusting the handlebars down would get the bar shape right (albeit horrible anatomialc bars) and would put the shifters in the right place. I retract my earlier statement. Apologies

I’d take that for £350 if I was in the market with that much to spend. If the chain and sprockets are showing wear but still run smoothly, live with it for a while. 2nd hand bars for £12 posted but give them a go anyway.
soory. I’ve just had a look at the bars. What the hell is going on with them?
I’d still take it for £350 but it wouldn’t see daylight with those bars.

That didn’t go as well as expected 2 hours riding in total. I’ve got to get better for next weekend.
Yunki – shingles. 2nd time I’ve had them although they didn’t blister this time and they’re fading.

One week to go. The route is sorted. East London to Luton, A5 to Hinckley, cut across to Leicester, A6 to Longsight and straight through Belle Vue, past the Home Of The Champions and turn right for Manchester Velodrome.
Crikey and Fatboyjon are joining in at Midlands’ish. Two lovely guys from London are dragging me up as far as Luton. A few more are hopefully joining in a little nearer Buxton and my neighbour is doing the last 10 miles with us (he’s new to riding 🙂 ).
Anymore?
Now. Time for the gloves to come off. Probably not the right way to do it but with one week to go and £200 to raise to get to the target….
If you or anybody aged 14 years or older that you care about reside in the South Manchester and Stockport area, you may very well, as sad as it is NEED the services of St Ann’s Hospice. Without going in to too much detail (lets keep it nice), these people do stuff at the worst possible time ever and you’d be absolutely desperate without them
They, like all hospices, are wholly, completely and absolutely a charity! No donations, no hospice.
I need to raise £1000 in total to buy a medical double bed. It will make an absolute world of difference for the young family, the married for 50 years couple……..
[/b]Please send some money. Just a quid from 200 people would do. I’ll shut up then[/b]
Thank you. Going for a training ride now. Enjoy your bikes.

Just on my way out for a Stockport to Chester and back 100 miler (or the train back if these shingles things flare up again).

Ozzie bloke is Marc (I thought he’s German).

Sarn Helen if you want to get a move on. If you’re not too bothered about being near the coast, The Pennine Bridleway from Middleton Top to as far as you can or want to get.

I’ve only just seen Wors’ post. Well done Sir!
Any headwind on the 14th and I’m on the train.
Actually, Jon from Bicycle Smithy has volunteered to do 70 miles as a windbreak. What a man!

Nicky has one but as I’ve drowned three in the last 12 months, she’s more than reluctant to let me near it.
Are you still coming out for the ride back from somewhere reasonable?

Thanks guys. I don’t have an iphone. I’ll see what I can come up with before next weekend.

Always something Jane. I’ll be fine. A bit stingy but they’re already clearing up. Thank you for your concern.
James. You shall have email.

..wouldnt have worked on a Garmin either

It’s a good thing that the incompatibility of other HRM straps is only a minor reason why I wish I’d have saved a few more quid and bought a Garmin.
I find the Bryton slow, over complicated and the web based usage annoying.
It’s all a bit….Beta (yes, I know because it actually is Beta)

Thank you Omar. Beautiful.

I’ve got the Rider 50. I wish I’d got a Garmin. My wife’s Polar HRM strap doesn’t work with it.
That is only one small reason why I wish I had bought a Garmin.

Not one bit snobby and very freindly. Usually a route card. On longer audax, you often have to get your card stamped or buy something at a designated shop and keep the receipt for verification. I’ve even done one where you had to make a note of certian things such as the colour of the door of the butchers shop on the high street in Horwich as evidence that you’d completed the ride.
One or two of the old boys may comment if it’s a wet day and you don’t have guards but they’re no longer compulsory.
It is very definitley not a race.
I love them as much as I despise sportives. Which is a lot.

Awww busted. It was a daft idea. I’m going to shut up and stop reading this. It’s all going **very** wrong (and a tad odd).

Would it be really offensive if I took a photo for your opinions on how bad it is? I’m starting to worry now.

Oh dear at the above link. Flippin’ ell.

“Anything other than postponement would be, frankly, stupid”

This thread is not going the way I hoped. I’m going to ask if it can be removed.

Sorry to have bothered you all. Pretend this thread never happened.

I’m liking some of these ideas.
I’m going to have to get it done. No chance of cheating. Camera and website rubbish people are at various points along the way (I’ve still not got the route organised yet. They want big roads, I want The Golden Arches of Happy Food).
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/olympic-park-to-manchester-velodrome-in-1-day-whos-coming-win-a-tv
Just in case somebody, by any chance, hasn’t seen it.
Arse, things are getting worse. My one nice feature, my right ear is getting a rash now.

Crikey! How about you do the first 100, I’ll get a lift down and we’ll make a judgement and you can ride home if you don’t fancy the 2nd half? 🙂

Sorry Zippy. It’s approx. 220miles in 13 hours. Not over 10 days.

I kind of said to a few media people, who have it on record and ready to be publish “If I don’t do it, I’ll refund everybody”. I can’t see St. Ann’s Hospice covering that little pay out.
I don’t dare mention my ride to my GP. She’ll think I’m getting manic again 🙂
I need a stunt double stand in…..Hello Mr Nettles!. Very kind of you sir.

No. In all seriousness. It’d be a massive let down if I couldn’t do it but I’d rather not die unless I have to. My rash started on my upper arm last week. It’s now patching all over my chest, ribs, stomach. lower back and upper thighs. No really sore blistering though. My riding over the last two weeks has been laboured somewhat so I knew something was wrong.
Any tips on what I can do between now and the 14th?

Oh bollcks! A new fork then.

I’d talk to her about how you’re feeling. You are clearly concerned about her and explaining to her that you want to do what she needs you to do but you don’t really know what that is, I reckon, would be a lovely thing.
What do I know. I can’t remember the dates my mum and dad did the human race a favour sadly passed away. I know I was waiting for my Sub 5 to arrive from Orange when it was my dad and I went for a ride with NBT and Bunnyhop the day after my mum’s go at it.
Yeah, talk to her. It will mean a lot.

Can I say for the record, I am a very happily married, hetrosexual man and I love bicycles. There are some lovely bikes in this thread but that ^ tattoo is FIT!

Two of my four:

[/url]
DSC_0002[/url] by nichola.davidson[/url], on Flickr

[/url]
2012-06-27 08.30.14[/url] by nichola.davidson[/url], on Flickr

This one is waiting for me to collect it from the bike shop (blue and white) http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/racelight/t2. just need my c2w voucher.

and a stealth all black langster

Mogrim. My Focus Mares Disc ‘cross bike cost me less than £390.

3 road bikes.
1 cyclocross bike.
0 mountain bikes and no intention of buying another.
I feel all dirty just looking at this website now.

Shoplifting is so underated.
A very short steerer tube meant a comedy angle stem or shifters where they shouldn’t be. I’m going to have to have a think about a new fork but with only £11.75 left of my £399.99 budget, I think I might struggle.
Other than that, I’m really pleased with it.
I’m taking it out for an all day Peak District on and off road ride on Saturday. I’m like an 8 year old at Christmas Eve 🙂

Legal Disclaimer: Shoplifting – Joke etc.

I’m doing 220’ish miles in 13 hours on the 14th July. You should be able to do 221’ish in 24 🙂

That was the size of it aracer. Not an accident. No further interest.

Bikeline won’t help. It wasn’t an accident. I tried them. I’m now in British Cycling.

Steve. Very similar thing happened to me 2 years ago at Portwood roundabout
The driver went from pararell if slightly behind me to shunting me and pinning me against a bus.
I got a police caution for assault. He got a two year ban, £750.00 fine and 80 hours community service. He was told to expect prison.
I gave up trying to get the cost of my bike from his insurance. Direct Line 3rd party claims dept. are very good at sucking the will out of people.

I know of a bike ride where every single penny goes to the charity:

http://www.justgiving.com/stannsbigbikeride

pssst….I think he needs the mileage…..

It’s that big and full of bikes, you’d struggle to see staff in there.
I went in this morning (don’t tell Jon at Bicycle Smithy – I ordered a new bike from the small shop of extreme biking happiness yesterday and Sportive Nation was mentioned. I got curious). Lot’s of nice bikes. Very few price tags. Nice people working there. It feels very strange. Like a well daylight lit warehouse.
I have no cash so I couldn’t spend it if I wanted to. Which I also didn’t.
I think it falls in between the good old enthusiast and family LBS (Bicycle Smithy – Go there! Buy things! -) and a more boutique shop like Royles.

I’d be taking a slow drive around the Cherry looking for that. They’re feckless and idle. It won’t be far away.

I’ve just sold a Trek 1.5 and bought a Cannondale Supersix. I love road riding and I liked the Trek. I completely love my Supersix.
I now find any single excuse I can to go out on the Cannondale.
2k on a bike is a lot of money. You and your family will know if it’s an option but they make lovely bikes at that price. Worlds different than cheap aluminium.

Evans will get any of their stock in for a £50 fully refundable, no quibble deposit and they’ll let you test ride it as well.
I was trying out a Colnago for half an hour on my own. No pressure, no hassle and instant refund of my £50 when I finally decided it wasn’t for me.