Pics look good Claire seems to have a big smile on her face to say she's doing 10 laps solo fair play. I can lead, either a Pudsey, a Woodside, or Headingley meanwood valley trail ride if anyone is up for riding tomorrow unless some else has a ride they want to lead.
Thanks peeps, have to say I really enjoyed it, mud and all! And thanks especially to Dave for doing a fab job as a pit bitch, and his motivational speeches were excellent, particularly up the Kenda climb on my last lap!
I'm a bit tired and achey now I have to say - manged to stay awake till about 6 last night - started dropping off then and finally went to bed at 7!
I'll not be out riding this week, but will be doing a no doubt very slow BA run on Saturday am if anyone wants to come(sorry, I know that should be on the roadie thread)
"rich called it a day after 9 laps, might have started too fast after an early puncture possibly"
First lap - two punctures, only one tube, so had a few miles of walking/running. Got to solo tent and couldn't find the cause of the flat so had to swap the tyre too. I was going fine after a few hours, although now a lap down on those I wanted to compete with. As expected after our Friday pre-ride, the course fell to bits in the rain and I packed in at 4am after 9 laps. I've survived 2 muddy solos before; wasn't having fun; the course was about 50% rideable and 10% unwalkable so didn't really have much reason to carry on.
I really enjoyed seeing Clare doing so well though. 10th out of 17 solo women, but she's have been 50th out of 122 solo men!
think me and kirsty will be in otley for a couple of pints and to see dave return to the bad old days of the bolognese pizza!?!
couple of PSA's you might be interested in. some of you know, or have heard of Jenn Hopkins. she's currently doing the Great Divide Race, from USA/Canadian border to New Mexico. a small matter of 2500 miles in 21 days hopefully, self supported. on a singlespeed. tough is not the word. well, those who have come across her at events and such like can follow her, and the other racers progress here http://greatdividerace.blogspot.com/
other thing is this rather new and lovely publication www.theridejournal.com will be available soon. it's been done by our friends, with contributions from lots of different bike people. no product tests, no news, no race results, just really good writing, photos, illustrations and design about bikes. really recommend it, once they get the website taking orders. a thing of beauty in all senses of the word.
I'll post mine this evening if I get a chance - some good ones of Claire. Well done to claire and rich - the conditions were really nasty for soloing. You sure did go in at the deep end Claire!
Oh and does anyone know where to look for cheap flights to Vancouver - I won the MTB holiday for 2 in Whistler at the weekend ;0)
My wife is even thinking about trying out mountain biking in advance - just so she doesn't look bad on the trails of course! I need to find some very very gentle but fun rides for her to try it out (It's only taken me 10 years to get her to think about coming for a mountain bike ride).
if not, Bad Brains MBC are doing one of my favourites, Newmillerdam & Walton Woods. Start point is the public car park on the A61 opposite the Fox & Hounds, just south of the lake at Newmillerdam, Wakefield (between Wakefield & Barnsley).
can do something from new inn, eccup, ......if there are no other takers ???? wakey just that bit too far for me john, traffic etc, maybe a weekend ride there though ?
