Rob Dean attempts first SDD winter alpine record

What the article doesn't say is that Rob was a regular Peak Midweeker for several years while he was living ooop in New Mills until he moved back to the tropical south. He's scary fast as well as being a lovely bloke and we're all rooting for him. Go Rob, pedal
Posted: 27/02/2009 10:38

C'mon Rob - go for it!

Posted: 27/02/2009 10:50

 GO ROB ! GO ROB !

Posted: 27/02/2009 11:00

do we think he has internet access whilst he is doing this lads?

Hope you do not hurt to much once you have finished.

Posted: 27/02/2009 11:04

Winter? It's like summer today in the cotswolds!

Posted: 27/02/2009 11:05

I'm wearing flip flops down here

But yes, all my encouragement Rob!

Posted: 27/02/2009 11:13

do we think he has internet access whilst he is doing this lads? Erm, nooo, I doubt he's focussed on anything other than riding right now... One of the nice things about Rob is that while he was up here he was actually fast-ish but not extraordinarily quick, then last year did a lot of riding and was transformed into something very, very rapid indeed. He raced Mayhem with us last year and recorded one of the fastest laps of the event, but despite suddenly being properly fast, he's not remotely big headed about it. Winter? It's a calendar thing isn't it? I can't say summer in the Peak last year resembled anything that a rational person would recognise as summer
Posted: 27/02/2009 11:25

actually he has got some good weather, little wind, been dry for a good week or so.

but its going to be one hell of a long night ride, just over 12 hours of darkness.

Posted: 27/02/2009 11:29

Very impressive, hope we manage to get some updates somehow.
Posted: 27/02/2009 11:36

I think Rory's going to be reporting back so that BM can update the site with his progress, leastways that's what the article says. Rob likes the dark btw, his second main interest other than riding bikes is building home-brew LED lights.
Posted: 27/02/2009 11:40

a man after my own heart.

i did wonder what you were going with this, "Rob likes the dark btw, his second main interest other than riding bikes is" ..........

Posted: 27/02/2009 11:52

If the weather on teh South Downs is anything like it is in London today, he's timed it to perfection. Might even get a slight tan!

Rory is going to be keeping us updated as best he can over the weekend, so stay tuned for more. We'll get the post-ride low-down from Rob next week, once he's had suitable time to recover

Posted: 27/02/2009 12:18

I'm told he's going very, very fast...
Posted: 27/02/2009 12:21

hooray for Rob!!!!  if anyone can do it then Rob can...go go go
Posted: 27/02/2009 13:25

Well I hope he is succesful

Alpine though ?

Posted: 27/02/2009 13:29

Awww, this would be great fun to follow if we had the interactive GPS google thingy that we had with Rob lee's attempt.

Go Rob!

Posted: 27/02/2009 13:40

I've just had Rory on the phone. Latest is that Rob is going very well, and should be making the turn soon. Should hopefully get some photos later today, fingers crossed.

Agreed, GPS Live would be great

Posted: 27/02/2009 15:25

Alpine though ?

Doesn't that just refer to take everything you will use whenyou set off

Posted: 27/02/2009 15:55

very inspiring,

not only that he is physically able to do the double, but that he has done it today, been a cracking day, first real one of spring and have hated being at work. i am sure all of use would hev loved doing an all day ride today, hope the night goes well rob!

Posted: 27/02/2009 16:21

He's about to turn - I am going to see him go through the Dyke at I reckon around 11pm if any other brightonians want to join after some pints on route! this will be 13 hours in. He has had a lovely tail wind on the outward and now the wind is dying down.. GO ON!
Posted: 27/02/2009 18:08

think i might be able to make it as far as the Dyke to wave!
Posted: 27/02/2009 19:34

He sure has a lovely night for it.Touch of Spring in the air.Trails are nice and grippy.

Good on ya Rob Dean.Go man go.

Posted: 27/02/2009 19:56

We now have Nigel Foskett, Jenn, Charlie Eustace and myself for the surprise midnight cheering! Rumour has it Rob is going to be turning up the heat through the night with his homemade lights.
Posted: 27/02/2009 20:03

Go Rob......Good luck and bring the SDD Winter Alpine record back to Brighton! BlueSteel will be cheering you on tonight and cutting a few cool dance moves with Jen and Ian at the Dyke...... x
Posted: 27/02/2009 20:08

Hey Irene come too! (we can play Jenga???) xx
Posted: 27/02/2009 20:13

Hi Jennie, I have showed BlueSteel some awesome Jenga moves, so he will take over tonight.  But see u soon .... Irene XX

Posted: 27/02/2009 20:31

I think he'll go number two on the alltime list!
Posted: 27/02/2009 21:15

Just like to say (and I know Rob will agree with me) that without my 'intensive coaching' and me selflessly acting the Hare for Rob to try and chase last summer he would be barely able to reach the end of his road in Hove without stopping. Of course that's complete bollocks. I can't comprehend the mental and physical dedication needed to attempt this kind of lunacy.

Cmon Rob! all your mates at Riccy Doo's are cheering you on!

 Pork Pies and Sausage Rolls eh Rob? The choice of Champions

Posted: 27/02/2009 23:24

I love this sport. You don't get encouragement like this in anything else I've been involved in.

COME ON ROB!

Posted: 27/02/2009 23:34

Is this over yet? any news on the time posted?
Posted: 28/02/2009 09:57

Well the attempt is at the 24 hour mark now so fingers crossed for an update soon.
Posted: 28/02/2009 09:59

Bad news...

 This txt from Rory H: "Bad second leg for Rob. Stomach played up and sick and ran out of steam. Bailed at Rodmel about 125miles."

What a bad stroke of luck. Still, sure he'll be even more determined to have another crack at it now

Posted: 28/02/2009 18:30

Shame, still with over 75 miles still to go he probably did the right thing!
Posted: 28/02/2009 18:39

shame but at least he gave it a bash.
Posted: 28/02/2009 19:14

Bad luck Rob - still a big achievement though.
Posted: 28/02/2009 19:21

Bravo for making the effort and for having the good sense to pull out before it got really nasty for you.

Next year!

Posted: 28/02/2009 19:26

Hi guys, thatnk you all very very much for all your support and encouragement. Rory relayed as many messages to me as he could as I kept an eye on me at the road crossings and they all really did make a difference and helped to make the ride out a truly great and enjoyable ride.

Unfortunaltely, as you read, I had "stomach problems" and after riding the last 3hrs without managing to eat anything, well and truly ran ot of gas (unfortunately it had indeed got well and truly nasty for me!) but for the last hour, the things that kept me riding were the thought of the group of Brighton riders who had gathered at Devil's Dyke to offer yet more support and encourage ment, and not wanting to let everybody down who had helped me along thus far.

There was a lot of positive to take out of the ride, my legs, should they have been fuelled, felt strong. The daylight I got to ride through was amazing, I got comletely lucky on the weather with a beautiful day and shared the trail with only cheerful and friendly people as we all had a nice time on a day the SDW was at its sunny (if not quite baked hard summer) best. As the light faded I was looking forward to sunset, and I was well and truly rewarded with a beautiful sky for 30minutes, and then, expecting quite a ot of cloud cover, I was thrilled to be riding under a great night sky too. The ride back was looking to be a great ride too.

I popped my lights on, lent to my by Exposure Lights who were (luckily for me) very generous in supporting me for this ride. A MaXx-D on the bars and a Joystick on my head saw the trail suddenly re-appear out of the gloom and I was away.

However, this is when my insides started to complain. I took out of the bank some of the time that I'd put in earlier as I slowed, aware I wasn't eating enough, making the turn in 9:35, legs still fresh, but aware I wasn't eating to schedule. The rest, well....

Any regrets? Just one: I'd been saving my Jumbo Cornish Pasty for the ride back, and wish I could have enjoyed it out on the trail and made it a part of my ride experience.

I also saw the truth in some words of wisdom that were passed to me in my preparations for the SDD: "It's not about the ride. It's about the ride back."

Thanks again to everyone for all their support, it really did make a difference. All that's left to do is add one more thing: I'll be back.....

Posted: 01/03/2009 07:58

It's good to take positives away from an effort like that, well done, and better luck next time
Posted: 01/03/2009 09:16

Must have been a tough last few hours for you.Hope you are recovered.Looking forward to the next attempt.Pasties rule
Posted: 01/03/2009 09:40

Expect to see Ivor Dewdneys Sport Pasties on supermarket shelves soon

Posted: 01/03/2009 10:17