theboxers
TheBoxers on Cycle Sim sw
- Location
- OTC (on the couch)
I think it's Thank You
Team BKool CycleChat
- Thread starter Peteaud
- Start date
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And then the cursing and tourettes on Thursday.I think it's Thank You
Annoyingly my body feels OK. Knees, shoulders, back etc all good. Be happy to cycle again tonight if I could. Clearly I wasn't pushing hard enough on the rideI was suprised I didn't have more pain in my shoulders after so many hours on the bike. Maybe an added bonus of necking sleeping pills all week...
My left knee's been pretty sore the last couple of days too. But I won't go on about it. I'd imagine it gets boring hearing about it after a while
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
My left knee's been pretty sore the last couple of days too. But I won't go on about it. I'd imagine it gets boring hearing about it after a while
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
I was suprised I didn't have more pain in my shoulders after so many hours on the bike. Maybe an added bonus of necking sleeping pills all week...
My left knee's been pretty sore the last couple of days too. But I won't go on about it. I'd imagine it gets boring hearing about it after a while
Hang on a minute! You were dosed up like a frigging '90's Tour d' France cyclist. I am surprised you felt anything. You probably gave a few innocent mamils the lance Armstrong stare before getting lost and banging your knee on something like a road sign
<Tommy>
Illegitimi non carborundum
- Location
- Camden, London
Hang on a minute! You were dosed up like a frigging '90's Tour d' France cyclist. I am surprised you felt anything. You probably gave a few innocent mamils the lance Armstrong stare before getting lost and banging your knee on something like a road sign
I'll have to take that as a complement. Say what you want about those 90's pros, but they were connoisseurs in the art of drug taking!
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
I'll have to take that as a complement. Say what you want about those 90's pros, but they were connoisseurs in the art of drug taking!
Typical middle aged Camden hipster taking a dis at drug use as a compliment
. 
<Tommy>
Illegitimi non carborundum
- Location
- Camden, London
Typical middle aged Camden hipster taking a dis at drug use as a compliment
Haha!
I think if you see my picture in the other thread it'll dispel any notion of my hipster credentials
(I'm the lanky one on the left!
)
AAAC 76C
Large Member
- Location
- LIVING THE DREAM
Haha!
I think if you see my picture in the other thread it'll dispel any notion of my hipster credentials
(I'm the lanky one on the left!
Cyclechat Team Kit next year and then you will all look the same.
I'll see if I can get hold of FDJ's kit when they have finished with it this year.
I do like the the pink detail on the left though.
Add
Guru
- Location
- Powys, Wales
Well Tommy? Where's part II of your DD story? You all drugged up again?
Well my version of events won't really add much, but I will recount my experience, for those who give a flying f....
My weekend started when I got a text from Whorty saying he was at the campsite. I texted back and said I'd be there in 2 minutes as I live just down the road. I threw my reluctant 8 yr old in the car, who considered the whole affair a huge injustice that he had to sacrifice weekend Xbox time to pick up some weirdo dad had been groomed by on the internet.
My first impression of Whorty was, ooh I like your van! But it was raining, just like I said it would, and to have sat in the car, with windows wound up, watching him put up his tent didn't seem terribly fair, so with only a bit of persuasion Whorty accepted my invitation of a roof over his head and a bed for the night.
And what a wonderful guest he turned out to be, if he is an axe murderer, he suppressed his psychotic urges very well. A few cups of tea and some civilized chatting later, it was time to meet the rest of our virtual friends.
Tommy, was easy to spot, same height and looks as Wiggo, and then Breedon and Berty emerged from the bar. Andy soon joined us in the hotel foyer, and the group was complete. And what a pleasant bunch of guys! I lead the way to registration, with Andy's f**k**g ginormous American pick up in hot pursuit.
After registering, where I helped myself to Bobski's free mug and nut bar (thankyou mate, it's in the post, honest) I lead the guys up the first 15 or so miles just so they could get a sleepless night worrying about the ridiculous task ahead. We got back just in time for our evening meal, which was a very enjoyable affair, and once again confirmed that we were most certainly all in great company. We wrapped it up fairly early, mainly because Tommy was going cold turkey, and needed a fix.
So...day of the Devil! I packed Whorty off with some rough directions to the start, and I went to collect our dear Trainspotting hero Tommy. 5 minutes late, the guy that appeared before me, did not look capable of completing a downhill coast to work, never mind a 121 mile epic bike ride over the Welsh countryside. But what really caught my eye was the fantastic piece of machinery he was leaning on. I don't mind saying I was crapping myself putting it on top of my car, not only did it weigh less than a packet of Tyrell's cheese and onion, but his S-Works looked the BOLLOCKS! I did grimace a bit at the sight of his deep carbon rims, but figured there was no point at this stage telling him about Hurricane Katrina he was more than likely going to encounter up on top of the Beacons.
So with everyone assembled at the start, we were exchanging pleasantries, and admiring bikes, mainly Tommy's when Robo turned up, with his mate.
"Wha' the f**ks goin' on by yer boys?"
were pretty much the first words out of his mouth....followed by a string of expletives levelled at Rob, suggesting that he was indeed far too sh*t to even think about doing this ride. Who needs motivation hey when you have friends like that to chivvy you along. I think we all found his barracking of Rob highly amusing, and the fact that Rob managed to finish at all in the face of such constant abuse deserves a cheer on its own.
A quick briefing for the guys on bikes, and one for me on the intricacies of Whorties camera and they were off. No police escort this year Bill, so we can consider ourselves lucky in the past.
I took off ahead of the pack and parked up about 6 miles in, at the top of one of the nice big hills, with a very nice big beware of the sheep sign...very fitting I thought. A few Bianchi boys powered past me, and then only a few riders from the front went Berty, who was gone past before I even knew it was him. Andy, in glorious pink was much easier to spot, and as a result, you will probably have noticed got a lot of photos taken....bit concerned he is now going to think I am like the besotted lad in Love Actually, who only videoed Kiera Knightly at her wedding, but I assure you Andy, lovely chap though you are, it is only your truck I fell in love with!
After I had cheered Whorty on through, I decided to scoot up onto the Epynt, where I knew the view was fantastic, and see if I could get a few shots of the guys with that fantastic backdrop. Suitably situated, and camera at the ready, Berty shot past me before I had any idea who he was, and I hastily got a photo of his backside as he dropped off down the other side....and that was the last time I saw Berty for the whole day.....
Tommy was next through by this stage, and after fiddling with all the buttons, pressing everything wrong on the camera, I too managed to get a photo of the back of Tommy's head. Andy was next through, and I'm sure, much to his annoyance I made him stop, so I could at least get one decent shot of him. So sorry guys for pulling you up for that one shot, but figured I had to at least get a couple of good ones.
Breedon was next through, and was once again forced to stop, for David Bailey to get another epic photo, as was Whorty. Rob and his mate were a different case altogether....long before their heads emerged over the brow, I could hear, "you're f**k*n' sh*t you are boy, come on, I'm not f**kin' waitin' for you all day ya wa*k*r".
So I was able to get my tripod, hide, lighting and boom all set up before they even got anywhere near me. His ability to swear and harass did not diminish with fatigue or distance either, a really quite remarkable talent in itself.
I put on a turn of speed now, to try and get to the front and get a shot of Breedon, but even by this time, at mile 15, Breedon had established such a lead over the boys at the back I wasn't able to catch him up, before the Devil's staircase at 30 miles.
I caught up with Andy, at the food stop, about 7 miles short of the Staircase, and shortly Tommy and Breedon turned in too. I said farewell, and decided to whizz up to the top of the Staircase to get a few more shots, hopefully this time ones that would show their true suffering.
The view down the valley was amazing, and the sun was starting to peak through now, which was nice for me, but was going to make things sticky and tough for the cyclists. After Berty, Andy was the next to make it to the staircase, and it was a pleasure to behold, to see such a big guy, quite literally powering up that horrendous climb. It is an unrelenting 25% gradient, with several ghost summits that do nothing but sap your moral. But Andy didn't put a foot down, and even managed a wry smile as he ground past me. I remember now, telling him not to even talk to me, just keep going, I did not want to be held responsible for him putting a foot down. Especially as several minutes before a rider had unclipped unintentionally, and on the Staircase, that is instant game over. I offered to give him a push so he could remount and get clipped in. Well bloody hell, if I didn't push him 20m up that dam hill, before he EVENTUALLY got clipped in....at the time I thought poor fellow...now, in hindsight...I'm thinking, he was pretty crafty.
I sat on that hill then for about an hour, before off in the distance I heard the faint echoes of foul language. 20 minutes later, Rob's mate (whose name eludes me, but I'm thinking Kevin?) appeared from around one of the hairpins, struggling to get up the steep incline, but still finding the energy to harangue his poor unfortunate friend Rob. Whorty and Rob weren't far behind, and after a harsh scolding from me, they got back on their bikes and cycled up the majority of the Staircase.
Now came the dilemna of where Tommy and Breedon had got to. At this point I should have gone back in search of them, but I had some crazy notion that I must have somehow missed them! It wasn't until I started off for Llandovery that it dawned on me that there was NO WAY 2 cyclists could zip past you unnoticed on the Devil's Staircase.
I was driving fast towards Llandovery and it wasn't until I once again passed Andy that I knew they hadn't yet been up the staircase, and that they must have taken a wrong turn. For all the bling, electronic gears, and oodles of carbon....Tommy's S-Works didn't have sat-nav...and Tommy nor Breedon had the ability to see directional arrows. Once I got to the food stop, I told the officials there that 2 guys had taken a wrong turn, and could even tell them exactly where they had gone wrong too. Luckily a marshall phoned back and confirmed that the two MIA's were once again back on the right track. If we hadn't have got that confirmation I was already thinking that the rest of my day was going to be spent combing the welsh countryside looking for two oblivious cyclists. My biggest fear had been that the sweeper van started taking the signs down in front of them....but luckily they just beat the sweeper van to the turn. I do believe the sweeper van was then given strict instructions to keep the pair firmly in his sights!
I waited at Llandovery just long enough to take the piss out of the pair of them, when they finally turned up, and then took off, to try and catch Andy, having at this stage given up any hope of catching Berty. As the day drew out, it was plain to see there were mental battles being fought as well as physical ones, but it was a very upbeat Andy that I met at Trecastle, at the food stop. There was no doubt in his mind, he was not going to turn left and head home on the 95 miler, he had his heart set on the 121... and fair play to you Andy...RESPECT. The field was so spread out now, it was a logistical impossibility to get from the front to the back of the group, so I decided to head for the Devil's Elbow, and what I thought was the next big test...but as I drove towards it, the road just climbed....and climbed...and climbed...and I had constant flashbacks to last year...it was the big pull that Bridgy, Bill and I had regrouped for...before Bridgy eventually left us, and pulled quietly away. The hills are big, relentless and around every corner....
It was a long, but pleasant wait up on the Devil's Elbow, and once again, Andy...big respect...he powered up that one too. The rest of the pack had split at Trecastle, and headed home on the 96, so it was just a wait for Tommy and Breedon now.....April turned to May....and then, out in the distance, the last two riders....who had already done 16 miles more than anyone else by this point, appeared over the horizon. Tommy dug deep and rode to the top, Breedon got most of the way up, but then had to put a foot down, and on this incline, you can't get back on...as he came round the corner, I threatened to take photographic evidence of him pushing, and he quickly got back on, and cycled the rest. I chatted to the pair for a bit at the top, and Breedon was looking pretty broken by now... I explained that he had about 5 - 6 miles of downhill now, so see how he felt at the bottom and if he wanted to tap out he could always do so then.....pfffft....I took off like a man possessed, with no intention of waiting at the bottom...I wanted to catch Andy at the 25% on the way home, see if a friendly face was any use to him.
Must have missed him, while he was in a food stop, because I made it all the way to back to Builth, where Whorty, Rob and his mate had just finished. I also gave a very bored Berty his keys back, so he could at last go home! Whizzed back to the 25% just in time to see a pretty beat up Andy making his way up it....this was the hill that broke me when I did the DD. I have said to Bill countless times, if my wife and kids hadn't been on it, I would have without question, pushed my bike up it. I am not Andy's wife, nor, as far as I am aware, am I one of his kids, and so for the first time Andy did take a small push, but he was soon back on and on the home straight. HUGE KUDOS Andy....a great achievement. You are a big guy, and to have smashed the 121 DD like you did is nothing short of admirable.....of course, you didn't do the 136 mile Triple Devil that Tommy and Breedon chose to do...but maybe next year.
With Andy safely on his way home now, I sped back to find the sweeper van and the two Ultra Gimme More miles duo. When I eventually found them, they were both smiling, and took great pleasure in telling me they had gone wrong again. The sweeper van was leapfrogging them by this stage, and waiting rather demoralisingly with snips poised, to remove the signs as they went by. But it was a totally different Breedon cycling now, and it was plain to see that the pair of them had worked together to keep their spirits up and their energy levels alight. It was really warming to see the teamwork and camaraderie between these two now, and good friends are made at times like these....it reminded me very fondly of my personal battle to finish that I couldn't possibly have seen through, without Bill by my side.
With one last rousing cheer, they both cycled up the bitch of a hill that stood between them and salvation, and I beeped at them as I headed for the finish. It was quite emotional to see the last two come home, and just pip two guys on the line, so as not to be last in the event.
BLOODY GREAT WORK GUYS!! All of you! Berty, you are a machine, and the pace you attacked the 96 at was nothing short of awesome. You have unfinished business though on that course I feel, and if they run it next year, I would hope to see you on the start line. Whorty, Rob and Swearbox, great effort, a real battle for you guys, but you nailed it, even with chronic Asthma Whorty! Andy....how the f**k did you do that? Brilliant work mate...and I hope your jacket lands safely back with you tomorrow hopefully.
Rob? How the hell did you manage to suffer not just the physical torment, but also the incessant barrage of abuse from your hilarious mate? Great skills fella, and I look forward to trying to catch you when I return to Bkool imminently.
But the top accolade has to go with the 136 mile guys...not content with the organisers choice of hills and distance, feeling compelled to add more distance and climbing....Breedon and Tommy!!
Well done guys, seriously....well done to you all. It was in no a way a chore to have met and spent the day watching you guys all achieve true greatness, it really was a privilege to have met you all. It is a true testament to the Cyclechat group, that all of us got on so well, and that you are all great guys.....so from me, a personal thankyou for a great couple of days.
Next year guys...next year....or maybe the year after for you Bobski, when hopefully the excuses have dried up. And if you come, I'll give you your mug....but I might have eaten your nut bar!
Well my version of events won't really add much, but I will recount my experience, for those who give a flying f....
My weekend started when I got a text from Whorty saying he was at the campsite. I texted back and said I'd be there in 2 minutes as I live just down the road. I threw my reluctant 8 yr old in the car, who considered the whole affair a huge injustice that he had to sacrifice weekend Xbox time to pick up some weirdo dad had been groomed by on the internet.
My first impression of Whorty was, ooh I like your van! But it was raining, just like I said it would, and to have sat in the car, with windows wound up, watching him put up his tent didn't seem terribly fair, so with only a bit of persuasion Whorty accepted my invitation of a roof over his head and a bed for the night.
And what a wonderful guest he turned out to be, if he is an axe murderer, he suppressed his psychotic urges very well. A few cups of tea and some civilized chatting later, it was time to meet the rest of our virtual friends.
Tommy, was easy to spot, same height and looks as Wiggo, and then Breedon and Berty emerged from the bar. Andy soon joined us in the hotel foyer, and the group was complete. And what a pleasant bunch of guys! I lead the way to registration, with Andy's f**k**g ginormous American pick up in hot pursuit.
After registering, where I helped myself to Bobski's free mug and nut bar (thankyou mate, it's in the post, honest) I lead the guys up the first 15 or so miles just so they could get a sleepless night worrying about the ridiculous task ahead. We got back just in time for our evening meal, which was a very enjoyable affair, and once again confirmed that we were most certainly all in great company. We wrapped it up fairly early, mainly because Tommy was going cold turkey, and needed a fix.
So...day of the Devil! I packed Whorty off with some rough directions to the start, and I went to collect our dear Trainspotting hero Tommy. 5 minutes late, the guy that appeared before me, did not look capable of completing a downhill coast to work, never mind a 121 mile epic bike ride over the Welsh countryside. But what really caught my eye was the fantastic piece of machinery he was leaning on. I don't mind saying I was crapping myself putting it on top of my car, not only did it weigh less than a packet of Tyrell's cheese and onion, but his S-Works looked the BOLLOCKS! I did grimace a bit at the sight of his deep carbon rims, but figured there was no point at this stage telling him about Hurricane Katrina he was more than likely going to encounter up on top of the Beacons.
So with everyone assembled at the start, we were exchanging pleasantries, and admiring bikes, mainly Tommy's when Robo turned up, with his mate.
"Wha' the f**ks goin' on by yer boys?"
were pretty much the first words out of his mouth....followed by a string of expletives levelled at Rob, suggesting that he was indeed far too sh*t to even think about doing this ride. Who needs motivation hey when you have friends like that to chivvy you along. I think we all found his barracking of Rob highly amusing, and the fact that Rob managed to finish at all in the face of such constant abuse deserves a cheer on its own.
A quick briefing for the guys on bikes, and one for me on the intricacies of Whorties camera and they were off. No police escort this year Bill, so we can consider ourselves lucky in the past.
I took off ahead of the pack and parked up about 6 miles in, at the top of one of the nice big hills, with a very nice big beware of the sheep sign...very fitting I thought. A few Bianchi boys powered past me, and then only a few riders from the front went Berty, who was gone past before I even knew it was him. Andy, in glorious pink was much easier to spot, and as a result, you will probably have noticed got a lot of photos taken....bit concerned he is now going to think I am like the besotted lad in Love Actually, who only videoed Kiera Knightly at her wedding, but I assure you Andy, lovely chap though you are, it is only your truck I fell in love with!
After I had cheered Whorty on through, I decided to scoot up onto the Epynt, where I knew the view was fantastic, and see if I could get a few shots of the guys with that fantastic backdrop. Suitably situated, and camera at the ready, Berty shot past me before I had any idea who he was, and I hastily got a photo of his backside as he dropped off down the other side....and that was the last time I saw Berty for the whole day.....
Tommy was next through by this stage, and after fiddling with all the buttons, pressing everything wrong on the camera, I too managed to get a photo of the back of Tommy's head. Andy was next through, and I'm sure, much to his annoyance I made him stop, so I could at least get one decent shot of him. So sorry guys for pulling you up for that one shot, but figured I had to at least get a couple of good ones.
Breedon was next through, and was once again forced to stop, for David Bailey to get another epic photo, as was Whorty. Rob and his mate were a different case altogether....long before their heads emerged over the brow, I could hear, "you're f**k*n' sh*t you are boy, come on, I'm not f**kin' waitin' for you all day ya wa*k*r".
So I was able to get my tripod, hide, lighting and boom all set up before they even got anywhere near me. His ability to swear and harass did not diminish with fatigue or distance either, a really quite remarkable talent in itself.
I put on a turn of speed now, to try and get to the front and get a shot of Breedon, but even by this time, at mile 15, Breedon had established such a lead over the boys at the back I wasn't able to catch him up, before the Devil's staircase at 30 miles.
I caught up with Andy, at the food stop, about 7 miles short of the Staircase, and shortly Tommy and Breedon turned in too. I said farewell, and decided to whizz up to the top of the Staircase to get a few more shots, hopefully this time ones that would show their true suffering.
The view down the valley was amazing, and the sun was starting to peak through now, which was nice for me, but was going to make things sticky and tough for the cyclists. After Berty, Andy was the next to make it to the staircase, and it was a pleasure to behold, to see such a big guy, quite literally powering up that horrendous climb. It is an unrelenting 25% gradient, with several ghost summits that do nothing but sap your moral. But Andy didn't put a foot down, and even managed a wry smile as he ground past me. I remember now, telling him not to even talk to me, just keep going, I did not want to be held responsible for him putting a foot down. Especially as several minutes before a rider had unclipped unintentionally, and on the Staircase, that is instant game over. I offered to give him a push so he could remount and get clipped in. Well bloody hell, if I didn't push him 20m up that dam hill, before he EVENTUALLY got clipped in....at the time I thought poor fellow...now, in hindsight...I'm thinking, he was pretty crafty.
I sat on that hill then for about an hour, before off in the distance I heard the faint echoes of foul language. 20 minutes later, Rob's mate (whose name eludes me, but I'm thinking Kevin?) appeared from around one of the hairpins, struggling to get up the steep incline, but still finding the energy to harangue his poor unfortunate friend Rob. Whorty and Rob weren't far behind, and after a harsh scolding from me, they got back on their bikes and cycled up the majority of the Staircase.
Now came the dilemna of where Tommy and Breedon had got to. At this point I should have gone back in search of them, but I had some crazy notion that I must have somehow missed them! It wasn't until I started off for Llandovery that it dawned on me that there was NO WAY 2 cyclists could zip past you unnoticed on the Devil's Staircase.
I was driving fast towards Llandovery and it wasn't until I once again passed Andy that I knew they hadn't yet been up the staircase, and that they must have taken a wrong turn. For all the bling, electronic gears, and oodles of carbon....Tommy's S-Works didn't have sat-nav...and Tommy nor Breedon had the ability to see directional arrows. Once I got to the food stop, I told the officials there that 2 guys had taken a wrong turn, and could even tell them exactly where they had gone wrong too. Luckily a marshall phoned back and confirmed that the two MIA's were once again back on the right track. If we hadn't have got that confirmation I was already thinking that the rest of my day was going to be spent combing the welsh countryside looking for two oblivious cyclists. My biggest fear had been that the sweeper van started taking the signs down in front of them....but luckily they just beat the sweeper van to the turn. I do believe the sweeper van was then given strict instructions to keep the pair firmly in his sights!
I waited at Llandovery just long enough to take the piss out of the pair of them, when they finally turned up, and then took off, to try and catch Andy, having at this stage given up any hope of catching Berty. As the day drew out, it was plain to see there were mental battles being fought as well as physical ones, but it was a very upbeat Andy that I met at Trecastle, at the food stop. There was no doubt in his mind, he was not going to turn left and head home on the 95 miler, he had his heart set on the 121... and fair play to you Andy...RESPECT. The field was so spread out now, it was a logistical impossibility to get from the front to the back of the group, so I decided to head for the Devil's Elbow, and what I thought was the next big test...but as I drove towards it, the road just climbed....and climbed...and climbed...and I had constant flashbacks to last year...it was the big pull that Bridgy, Bill and I had regrouped for...before Bridgy eventually left us, and pulled quietly away. The hills are big, relentless and around every corner....
It was a long, but pleasant wait up on the Devil's Elbow, and once again, Andy...big respect...he powered up that one too. The rest of the pack had split at Trecastle, and headed home on the 96, so it was just a wait for Tommy and Breedon now.....April turned to May....and then, out in the distance, the last two riders....who had already done 16 miles more than anyone else by this point, appeared over the horizon. Tommy dug deep and rode to the top, Breedon got most of the way up, but then had to put a foot down, and on this incline, you can't get back on...as he came round the corner, I threatened to take photographic evidence of him pushing, and he quickly got back on, and cycled the rest. I chatted to the pair for a bit at the top, and Breedon was looking pretty broken by now... I explained that he had about 5 - 6 miles of downhill now, so see how he felt at the bottom and if he wanted to tap out he could always do so then.....pfffft....I took off like a man possessed, with no intention of waiting at the bottom...I wanted to catch Andy at the 25% on the way home, see if a friendly face was any use to him.
Must have missed him, while he was in a food stop, because I made it all the way to back to Builth, where Whorty, Rob and his mate had just finished. I also gave a very bored Berty his keys back, so he could at last go home! Whizzed back to the 25% just in time to see a pretty beat up Andy making his way up it....this was the hill that broke me when I did the DD. I have said to Bill countless times, if my wife and kids hadn't been on it, I would have without question, pushed my bike up it. I am not Andy's wife, nor, as far as I am aware, am I one of his kids, and so for the first time Andy did take a small push, but he was soon back on and on the home straight. HUGE KUDOS Andy....a great achievement. You are a big guy, and to have smashed the 121 DD like you did is nothing short of admirable.....of course, you didn't do the 136 mile Triple Devil that Tommy and Breedon chose to do...but maybe next year.
With Andy safely on his way home now, I sped back to find the sweeper van and the two Ultra Gimme More miles duo. When I eventually found them, they were both smiling, and took great pleasure in telling me they had gone wrong again. The sweeper van was leapfrogging them by this stage, and waiting rather demoralisingly with snips poised, to remove the signs as they went by. But it was a totally different Breedon cycling now, and it was plain to see that the pair of them had worked together to keep their spirits up and their energy levels alight. It was really warming to see the teamwork and camaraderie between these two now, and good friends are made at times like these....it reminded me very fondly of my personal battle to finish that I couldn't possibly have seen through, without Bill by my side.
With one last rousing cheer, they both cycled up the bitch of a hill that stood between them and salvation, and I beeped at them as I headed for the finish. It was quite emotional to see the last two come home, and just pip two guys on the line, so as not to be last in the event.
BLOODY GREAT WORK GUYS!! All of you! Berty, you are a machine, and the pace you attacked the 96 at was nothing short of awesome. You have unfinished business though on that course I feel, and if they run it next year, I would hope to see you on the start line. Whorty, Rob and Swearbox, great effort, a real battle for you guys, but you nailed it, even with chronic Asthma Whorty! Andy....how the f**k did you do that? Brilliant work mate...and I hope your jacket lands safely back with you tomorrow hopefully.
Rob? How the hell did you manage to suffer not just the physical torment, but also the incessant barrage of abuse from your hilarious mate? Great skills fella, and I look forward to trying to catch you when I return to Bkool imminently.
But the top accolade has to go with the 136 mile guys...not content with the organisers choice of hills and distance, feeling compelled to add more distance and climbing....Breedon and Tommy!!
Well done guys, seriously....well done to you all. It was in no a way a chore to have met and spent the day watching you guys all achieve true greatness, it really was a privilege to have met you all. It is a true testament to the Cyclechat group, that all of us got on so well, and that you are all great guys.....so from me, a personal thankyou for a great couple of days.
Next year guys...next year....or maybe the year after for you Bobski, when hopefully the excuses have dried up. And if you come, I'll give you your mug....but I might have eaten your nut bar!
AAAC 76C
Large Member
- Location
- LIVING THE DREAM
Just noticed
Good to see you were all displaying your age on the front of your bikes!
Add
Guru
- Location
- Powys, Wales
OMG...Do you see Tommy's number? We were quite sure it was the real reason for his demise on the day!
<Tommy>
Illegitimi non carborundum
- Location
- Camden, London
Great write up Add! I don't think I can say too many times how much you helped on the day. From your infectious enthusiasm to all your great work. Not only are you a real gent. You also had me in stitches all weekend!
Sorry I didn't complete chapter II mate... I started but work selfishly got in the way. It was all getting a bit 'fear and loathing in Las Vegas' anyways...
I would like to say how much Breedon helped me on the day. Real class act that man and dug very deep when he had to. It's funny but putting the bonus miles in early doors actually strengthened my resolve to do the long ride. But it would of been painful with only the horseflies for company. And 20 miles from the end I went through a real dark patch and Breedon put in a effort at the front I'll never forget. Thanks mate
. I'm actually really glad we did the extra miles because not only is it rediculous it also allowed us to ride a memorable section with Whorty, Rob and Martyn. But the flip side of that is that if we hadn't gone wrong we would of caught up with Andy. I'd of loved to of spent more time on the day with Andy. Not only is he a great bloke, but he's also one of the guys I've spent the most time battling it out with in cyber cycle world. Sometimes he even beats me Every time I think of someone's effort I think that guy had ride of the day. But in truth I think everyone has a shout for ride of the day. Andy doing so many solo miles must of been an epic epic mental battle as much as physical. Berty smashed the 95 to pieces. Just battered it. Rob got round in style, and without launching his bike at Martyn's head! Whorty, well, lion heart. quite simply enough said.
Funnily enough Bill, Add and Bridgy played a big part too for me. Knowing that they'd already been through it was a big help and motivator on the day. And listening to their own experiences helped me prepare mentally.
I'd love for all of us to do this or other rides in the future. And yes @AAAC 76C i do include you in that equation amigo! You might be a bit of a recluse and work in aviation, but you ain't Howard Hughes!!! I'd love it if you came along. I know already I can't do next year unfortunately... but I'd love to get us all in a photo one day. A bunch of weirdos from different countries and even continents. Dressed in Lycra and with big grins on our faces!
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
Adski "blah blah blah... trainspotting Tommy blah blah.."
TT is now officially Trainspotting Tommy- I like it
Excellent write up.
Adds, Keep the cup and the half eaten bar like you say, I can drink from it IF I ever run out of excuses.
TT is now officially Trainspotting Tommy- I like it
Excellent write up.
Adds, Keep the cup and the half eaten bar
like you say, I can drink from it IF I ever run out of excuses.
Great write up Add! I don't think I can say too many times how much you helped on the day. From your infectious enthusiasm to all your great work. Not only are you a real gent. You also had me in stitches all weekend!
Sorry I didn't complete chapter II mate... I started but work selfishly got in the way. It was all getting a bit 'fear and loathing in Las Vegas' anyways...
I would like to say how much Breedon helped me on the day. Real class act that man and dug very deep when he had to. It's funny but putting the bonus miles in early doors actually strengthened my resolve to do the long ride. But it would of been painful with only the horseflies for company. And 20 miles from the end I went through a real dark patch and Breedon put in a effort at the front I'll never forget. Thanks mate
Every time I think of someone's effort I think that guy had ride of the day. But in truth I think everyone has a shout for ride of the day. Andy doing so many solo miles must of been an epic epic mental battle as much as physical. Berty smashed the 95 to pieces. Just battered it. Rob got round in style, and without launching his bike at Martyn's head! Whorty, well, lion heart. quite simply enough said.
Funnily enough Bill, Add and Bridgy played a big part too for me. Knowing that they'd already been through it was a big help and motivator on the day. And listening to their own experiences helped me prepare mentally.
I'd love for all of us to do this or other rides in the future. And yes @AAAC 76C i do include you in that equation amigo! You might be a bit of a recluse and work in aviation, but you ain't Howard Hughes!!! I'd love it if you came along. I know already I can't do next year unfortunately... but I'd love to get us all in a photo one day. A bunch of weirdos from different countries and even continents. Dressed in Lycra and with big grins on our faces!
Adam, great write up of the day matey. I must of looked a sight dragging my fluorescent pink outfit up the hills. I was left for dead by all these lightweights. I had mentally talked myself out of the last big climb,arrgh
Tommy I would of struggled to hold your wheels if you had caught me, You and Dean were more comfortable climbing. Not enough flat or downhill to cancel losses, but hey its all good training
What a great day, weather came good as either side it rained. The views were spectacular and great bunch of fellas. Top work everyone
