Saturday 22nd February - cycling, 'ardist game in the wirld

This week we'll visit reg harris's mate at the costa in shit'n.

Should be nice so bring out your c59s ;-)

If my 'expert cycling knowledge' serves me correctly a C59 is a Colnago isn't it?

You wouldn't catch me on one of those pieces of junk - expecially Chinese ones from Birmingham.

Anyway, I'd have to change my avatar . . .

. . . . heaven forbid!

  

I'm cracking my piggy bank open ready for tomorrows visit to Costa Packet :-)

Not sure if I will be out tomorrow, if I am i'll be rather hungover There might be a new gentleman joining called Simon, I met him on Thurday's evening ride.

Got a new video (well old) for you guys too:




Just recognised the guy you got in your avatar Martin, he got kicked out of the tour by his team just as he was about to win, I like his tan lines though, something to aim towards!

We always welcome new guys - as long as they aren't as good as us :-)

Yes, my avatar is the mighty Michael Rasmussen. When I first started watching the Tour he would do some brilliant climbing little did I know back then he was doped to the eyeballs with cow blood etc.

Love the video - "how much does this weigh.."

I watched the 2007 tour a few months back, probably the best one I have seen, Cancellara winning a sprint finish, Wiggins doing 190km by himself before the peloton flushes him out the back when caught, some random KOM winner who has the worst style ever (or the best depending on the way you look at it) plus he only has one eye now which is a bit random, Cav whining like a little baby at every possible opportunity, then Vinokurov winning 2 stages before being caught doping (what a suprise), then finally the yellow jersey gets kicked out just before the end, way better to watch than recent tours.

For a change the weather was very pleasant and 16 riders assembled at Priory school. It was nice to see some of the vets out - Keith, Carlos, Stewart and some old codger called Nick.
Ivan set a nice easy pace out across Puxton to Sandford where we picked up Paul 'burns the bread'. We were treated to a 1980's one hit wonders pop quiz on the way.
There were plenty of friendly drivers who seemed to know us because the all honked their horns.
Ivan promised us a secret route up to the top of the Mendips which was very pleasent except for the lack of oxygen and the screaming legs (thats what makes it enjoyable).
Most riders took the option of stopping at Rocky Mountain. The remaining six continued on to Shepton Mallet although we got split up at the junction with the A37 as the traffic was particularly busy and we had to make some risky traffic dodging to get across.
They were very busy at Costa Packet and we had to wait in a long line for the pleasure of purchasing over priced coffee and cakes :-)
On leaving Shepton Mallet Paul and Ivan put the hammer down. We regrouped when we got off the main road but when we got to Wells somehow we were split up into two groups. I made my way back with Nick and Ade via Fenny Castle (where Ade got a puncture) and Mudgley hill. As we headed north out of Wedmore we were aided by a nice tail wind and made good progress towards Cheddar then up the bypass on to home.
What a difference good weather makes - great ride.

Stats - http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2262867
OJC - 1?
TTC - 4/10 my gingerbread man was very fat and there wasn't enough ginger :-)
KF - 7/10