Now up to 22 teams, any more takers?

Just had a peek at the scoring system.

Nice and straightforward eh?

Just pick a team of riders you like, much easier….

Just got an X1 Carbon from Lenovo to replace a T4x, its very nice, but in a price class way above its predecessor and similar to a good Apple. The T4x lasted 3 years and was very good during that time with no issues at all.

The touch screen on the X1 takes a little getting used to, as does Windows 8.1, however so far so good.

Little bump for the evening crowd

And one by CyclingNews:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-top-10-riders-to-watch-at-the-vuelta-a-espana

Nice preview at CyclingTips to help people select their team.

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/08/vuelta-a-espana-preview/

If you’re ever there again TSC give me a shout – I live in Billi, can show you the local riding!

Thank you. That however would have changed the make-up of the holiday quite a lot……

Next trip over in Oct, although without the bike, but I have friends moving to a new build by the station so I’ll be heading that way for sure.

Fishers Farm in Sussex was an absolute hit with my two boys over the summer, despite it being a really hot day.

http://www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk

Well priced and plenty to do, located near Billingshurst

Right back from Philly, what a great city, I had a complete blast, despite flying in Friday, working Saturday and Sunday and then flying back Monday afternoon.

Cheesesteak at Sonny’s – Done
Liberty Bell – Done
Independence Hall – Done
Reading Terminal Market – Done, (best/only good coffee of the trip)
Jazz club – Done
20km run up and down the Schuylkill River – Done
Rocky Steps – Done
Breakaway Bikes – Done

Thanks for the tips folks.

I got the blue trade top when it came out, its very nicely styled, as is all their kit.

At 6.2″ and 73kgs the medium is a little baggy, but for its intended purpose of long rides rather than racing its perfect.

The blue lightweight cap also matches very well for the complete look.

IMO 60 quid is a cracking price.

Now go ride your handmade steel racer down some gavel and look longingly into the distance….

Dang, that’s interesting, will investigate further.

Thanks guys, some great suggestions there.

Thanks, liking the sound of mussels and Belgium beer!

I looked at the modern art museum but none of the Edward Hopper paintings listed were on display, pity. Will google the Barnes.

I’ve only ridden the roads there, but they are very very good, normally plenty of groups if you fancy company too.

Hilly and hot, but great views, nice roads, and good coffee stops.

Any of these frames have XC geometry as apposed to being more more trail orientated?

Something built around 100mm not 120+

Stage 21, the Germans keep winning.

Stage honors to Rusty Bolts, DS Rusty Mac with 330 points.

Overall the top three STW teams are:

Chefs Choice, DS The Swedish Chef with 7625 points, 261st place overall
Colin’s Silly Grinners, DS Colin T with 7384 points, 397th place overall
Crown Jules, DS Jules Jordan with 7233 points, 521st place overall

First place overall amassed a staggering 9807 points!

Stage 20, the tony martin panzerwagen roles on.

Honors to Pataks Immodium Procycling, DS Matthew Stewart, with 445 points.

Overall things are getting really tight, Chefs Choice lead by 29 points from Colin’s Silly Grinners.

If Greipel turns up tomorrow then I’m home and dry, if Renshaw thinks he’s leading out Cav like the old days then Colin might well be in.

Campy is great, I love it and wouldn’t spec a bike without it.

However my Shimano Dura Ace stuff is very nice, and I’m guessing SRAM road gearing is good too.

It seems an expensive exercise to try out, as was said its not that different. You’d most likely get a better cycling experience by upgrading to Ultegra/Dura Ace, than sideways moving to Veloce.

Subs on hold till the cross season ends.

Having too much fun on the road at the moment.

Top effort though!

stage 19, missed it so no summary

honors to **** World Racing, DS Paddy Atkinson, with 208 points. the lowest number of points for a stage win?

overall, business as usual for Chefs Choice

Stage 18, only 2 hills, what’s that all about?

Honors to whippers nappers DS whippersnappers, with a massive 543 points.

Overall Chefs Choice is still there with 558 points.

HR data from two sessions this week:

Cycling intervals 4 * 5:30 off 3, ave per interval 151, max 158
Running intervals: 5 * 4 off 2, ave per interval 165, max 174

Both with the same perceived level of effort.

Running is load bearing so has a higher HR

Nice write up Sumafunk, love the build, did you get that seatpost in the UK?, (assumes Kent Eriksen)

Stage 17, short, steep, decisive?

Honors to Chefs Choice, DS Swedish Chef, with 441 points.

Overall Chefs Choice is still there with 5141 points

I’ve test ridden the new Cannondale FSi, their top of range one, light, agile, very XC.

That should be on your list, available as a frame only option, but at a crippling price I’d imagine.

stage 16, no rainbows today.

Honors to Nomads, DS Stuart Gibson with 382 points.

No change in the overall with Chefs Choice out in front with 4700 points

stage 15, the breakaway almost held on.

Honors to, well the same as yesterday actually. Chefs Choice with 311 points.

Chefs Choice also retains the overall with 4595 points, with the top 10 all over 4000 points.

well this is getting a little embarrassing.

stage 14 honors go to Chefs Choice, DS Swedish Chef with 430 points.

and the overall lead now moves to the shoulders of Swedish Chef too.

A steep ending to stage 13. Today’s honors go to Chefs Choice, DS, err cough cough, The Swedish Chef, with 525 points.

Overall Alan’s team Lampshade is still top of the pile.

stage 12 and the seemingly unstoppable team Lampshade romp away with the stage with 308 points.

Ooh thanks for the Chickens link, not sure they have a shop front though. Could spend/invest some time there.

Yeah rule5 that’s the one.

Rayments, wow that was always a real marmite shop back in the 90’s, glad to see its still going.

Stage 11 honors go to SouthernCiderRiders, DS 40mpg, with 267 points.

Overall Lampshade are still holding on to the lead.

20.5 with 8.5% body fat, measured a few weeks ago.

188 and 73kg, or 6,2″ and 11.5 stone.

About as low as I get as it’s on the border of people thinking I’m ill.

Heading into the rest day, Team Moopi won the stage, DS Simon Abbot, with 539 points.

Alan’s team Lampshade still retains the overall with 3236 points, with 500 points separating the top 10

Rapha out to two mentioned, but mostly Sportful.

TT’ing into stage 9, team RadiBier, DS McGuff stole away and held off the rest with 399 points.

Overall Team Lampshade are stubbornly in the lead with 2976 points.

right, a hilly stage 8. Honors to Pataks Immodium Procycling, DS Matthew Stewart, on 402 points.

overall, well fatigue might be setting in as Lampshades lead is narrowing, 2873 points to second place No Place for Sentimentality on 2610 points.

Love their kit, however the back pockets have gone on the KMP jersey I have. Pity.

Second in today’s stage for Chefs choice, now sitting ninth overall. Hoping Nibbles, Valverde, Bardet, and Dam can doing something in the hilly stages. Although I’ve a gut feeling that I should have gone with Roche.

Pity Frank has left the tour as his form was excellent coming into it.