[tlr]

Fred Whitton entry form now available online, and the entry procedure has changed this year so its a lot fairer.

I've not entered anything for 2010 yet, but I need to in order to motivate my arse off the sofa. Might look at that Dragon Ride Yossarian.

Something in July would be good too, and maybe the Legbreaker.

[fatkid2000]

Interesting...

On another note (or quite a few notes probably), I think I've decided on Cervelo over Wilier.  I did the math, and reckon I can get an S2 for around the same price as the special deal Wilier Imperiale.  If I pick the components sensibly.  If and when it's all finished I will have to stick some pics up.

The only problems with a flash bike but especially cervelo's is that you have to ride flat out at all times. I'd have a Wilier for no logical reason - mind that Pinarello that Team Sky are due to be riding looks good!

[SteveM]

Just put my money down for the Cheshire Cat. Unfortunately I've got other commitments for the Fred Whitton and Etape du Dales but I'm looking to do at least one of them on a quieter weekend without the crowds.

[Duma]

Good call Yoss, Cervelo>>Wilier.
The Dogmas do look sweet though. (I do know it's all in the mind really at this level  )
Sadly looks like the 130km and 190km dragon rides are full - looks like fun. Which one you down for?

[Yossarian]

The long one.  I have a friend who's training for the Florida Ironman and he hasn't ridden a bike since he was 10, so he thought it might sort him out, and I thought  i'd come along for the ride.

I quite fancied one of the euro sportives (maybe the Marco Pantani one) but I think they need thinking about quite carefully!

[Duma]

300 more places for the long/medium dragon ride to be released monday 9am - seriously tempted...

[Yossarian]

It's supposed to be a fine ride by all accounts... 

I would still love to do the Eroica.  I was reading about the Tour of Flanders sportive too... 

Anyone doing any of the Euro ones this year?

[Palomides]

I'm hoping to do the medium distance of the Ariegoise.

My faster OH is signed up for the Quebrantahuesos (which looks amazing), and is considering the Dragon ride and Etape, although this covers some of the same ground as the QBH, the col de Marie Blanque.

[Duma]

I'm in for the long dragon. May be a bit much for me, but you can switch to the 130km en route apparently.

gulp.

Still, reckon I can justify some new wheels out of this...

[Duma]

Fuck me, the extra places they released this morning went in 7 minutes!
Good thing I set an alarm.

[Yossarian]

There were some other sportives I fancied that were booked up before Xmas!

I got knackered doing a not particularly hilly 60 yesterday, so there's a fair way to go yet... Certainly couldn't ride anything more exotic that my old Litespeed at the moment. Unless of course I had, "I might be fat but I'm also fucking loaded" tattooed on my arse / forehead, etc.

I like the sound of new wheels. 

[chappers]

pendle pedal is early this year (june) anyone keen? im going to do it with ian (squeek on here).

[Percy B]

I'm struggling a bit to find sportives that don't clash with work, or that I'm too slow/forgetful to grab a place on! Can't believe the extra places on the Dragon ride went so quick - that was one of the few that I could have fitted in! They are just too bloody popular by half. Might be free for the Pendle one tho - you doing the hundred miler chappers? (160kms just sounds wrong, somehow....)

[fatdoc]

judging by the shite weather, my health [poor] and my life I reckon I'll be downgrading my cat entry to the smallest distance... arse.. though i believe i still get to vomit on the mow cop 

[Norton Sharley]

I'm struggling a bit to find sportives that don't clash with work

 

[chappers]

pendle: yeah, im going to do the full 100miles. its a great route.

getting my sportive season off to an early start with the coal road challenge on the 28th feb. 67 miles loop from lancaster over dent way, doing it with this bunch of hardcore OLD men who ride bikes so heavy they could be made of scaffold poles but are still fast as fuck.

i keep saying "this year im going to get really fit", i fucking hope so, then the pyrenees trip will be worthwhile!

[squeek]

pendle: yeah, im going to do the full 100miles. its a great route.

I think I'll have to stick to the 100km because 100 is a nice round number and my bike computer is in km, nothing to do with lack of fitness, miles and training of course. 

[fatdoc]

www.bikeradar.com/news/article/first-look-ashima-prototype-hydraulic-road-brake-24694

about fucking time.

2 rides this winter I've had to get off.. as the descent was going to kill me... one on abeydale road.. not even that steep...

this could well be the answer.. I ride 203mm discs on my MTB.. I want more braking power on the road!!

[chappers]

ive got a tech question.
through the winter i ride the standard blue cheap as chips ribble bike with full mud guards, but, for the first time the mud guards have been causing me problems...

the bike is making loads of "rubbing" noise i guess between the tyre and the inside of the guard. (checked and deffo not the brake blocks).

i even stopped out for a ride on sunday to clear the inside of the guards out as they were full o crap, anone had this problem or is it just because of all the shit weather?

what should i do, doesnt look like i have any more clearance room to push them higher above the tyre...

[webbo]

if your mud guards have not moved or come loose,have you checked their not just covered in dried mud.

[fatkid2000]

http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/gear-news/reynolds-rzr-wheels/4870.html

I've finally found my new wheel-set!

[Yossarian]

That explains why the Lew website has stopped working, and I couldn't find anyone selling Lew rims...

They do look awesome.  But are they better than Lightweights?

[fatdoc]

but unless you but them this weekend yr wife will kill you... you have  a wee nipper to consider.. thats about 20% of it's further education...

[fatkid2000]

but unless you but them this weekend yr wife will kill you... you have  a wee nipper to consider.. thats about 20% of it's further education...

Yeah - my thinks a new boiler will be more in keeping with the Wife's spending plans.

Mind you I also eyed up a R3SL & S2 today at a certain local bike shop/

[Percy B]

I hope you weren't eyeing up tlr's S2 in there - its only a matter of time before he caves in I reckon.....