Just a quick note to say thanks guys for letting me and my plastic bike come on your ride, had a great day, and the piss taking was no worse than expected.
For a bunch of masochistic luddites, you're not half bad to ride with.
I'll look forward to next year, and possibly a GT Zaskar (maybe with drop bars?)
I've finally had time to gather my thoughts about the weekend...
I know this is not a competitive event and its just for fun but returning home crestfallen last year after being the 'fat bloke at the back that walked most of the route' was a touch soul destroying to say the least and 'The Big Man' Ededwards encouraging shouts last year of "Maximum Attack Neill!!" have been echoing round my head for the last 12 months, so much so that I've been putting the miles in for the last few months doing some 20, 30 and 40 mile road rides in Rutland regularly.
The end result was losing 2 stone and feeling strong and powerful
1. Riding the whole route, fully rigid, with ease.
2. Keeping up with Afro Man (JV 'The Boss') two thirds of the way up the first climb to the radio mast (yes John, that was me panting like a rapist behind you ), even passing a 'spent' Heathy halfway up
3. Banter with Max about the merits of various MTB obscura
4. Meeting the mysterious Dr.S
5. Gus's atrocious dinner that was the same thing off the menu I had (but didn't resemble it in the slightest) :shock:
6. The worst pub in Hope Valley (we were warned....) :roll:
7. Ironman effort from Mr Contagious (Legrandfromage)
8. Getting a pinch flat coming through the singletrack prior to the big Jaggers Clough climb :cry:
9. The odd (short lived) 'Big Mig' bursts putting me amongst the front of the Peloton on the road sections
10. Meeting some great people and coming home dead happy