Etape Anglais

wow, david that ride brings back some memories. leith hill, coldharbour lane, box hill. i sometimes wish i was back that way so i could get out there more.

did you find it easy fitting into the dynamo club. are clubs generally quite welcoming??

Dynamo is a bit strange... in that there is no club house, there's no 'place' where there is a geographical centre. You just pay your dues, turn up and ride. It's more a collective, a federation of racers rather than a traditional cycle club.

It's very easy to be social with people, but you won't click until you've got some shared experiences, some rides under your belt, a race or two, or some sportif. The great thing is definitely the social thing, but it's social cycling, not socialising. That's cool.

I like the best of both worlds though, I really don't race and I was crap at it, I like drinking too much and just having a laugh. I take part in club rides, and wear the colours on long charity rides and events... and I ride fixed (ss right now) and get wasted down the pub and ride home without a helmet. So I take the bits I like best to accommodate the riding I like doing and the fun I like to have. I think that's just how everyone does it... you do the stuff you want to.

thanks david, that's kind of what i expected. i thought of joining one for the organised rides etc but i must admit i prefer riding for fun and stopping for cake and stuff.

Then join the 9am lot on Sunday. They stop if someone punctures or chain slips, they rest at the café on Box Hill for cake and tea. It's quite social. Riding is the #1 thing though.

Just received the etape newsletter.. love the opening line..
"With less than a month to go your training should be reaching a peak and no doubt you're in the final preparation zone"
Yes, peaking.. 3 days off my face was good prep, thanks..

There's a Chris F.. doing it fixed.. on here perhaps?
http://www.everydaycycling.com/news.aspx?fid=805

Hehe, I saw that too and laughed very loud.

Er, that was in response to the training peak.

Wey hay! I've blagged a place, one of my mates can't ride so I'm gonna be him for a day :)

I've seen loads of posts with several indicators of people riding this on Sunday. How about everyone signs in here, then posts after the ride on their experiences of the day, times, photos, etc?

If no-one agrees then just shoot me down in flames!

And no, I'm not doing this ride fixed, although I'm sure several are. I've just sold an EAI sprocket on eBay to someone riding it fixed, he picks it up on Friday, I'll point him to this ever expanding forum!

Sam I'll point him to this ever expanding forum!

Already here!!

well, whaddyaknow?

lol

Yeah, I'm riding it.. assuming I'm not in jail for a pinkshirtedcitywanker massacre..

I suppose start times is a, errr, start.

Rider number 1595, off at 6:30am.

Good luck to all!

3984, 7:45 but I'm going to start earlier.

Shite, I'm not sure on my number... off around 6am > 6.15am with all of the London Dynamo's.

I'm sure we have a discussion on this already... I'm going to use that search thing.

Found it :)

2830, 7.15am - Riding a Pomp and wearing gay lycra - say Hi if you see me.

Weather forecast for Sunday is so shit :-(

Not sure of my number here either.

Start is at 6:15

Meant to be doing it with the missus but she is in bed at the mo with the flu. So looks like im on my own.

Hope it isnt too windy.

Should be a good day though.

Ill be in all black (thats sensible if its a sunny day then) and on a Sunday Silk Road (with gears)

Doesn't look like they'll be much wind at all.

We just have light rain to deal with.

Looks like I need to get some overshoes of some kind.

Good luck guys and gals (any girls on this forum doing it?). You will pass by my road (yes it's all mine) road in Plumbstead, if I can drag my ass out of bed I will try and sit at the end with a cup of tea and wave you all on.

Have a blast, wish I was fitter and had sorted myself out for this once in a life time opertunity.

velocity boy Doesn't look like they'll be much wind at all.

We just have light rain to deal with.

Looks like I need to get some overshoes of some kind.

That's the case on weather.co.uk but according to the BBC it's 16mph winds from the SSW!!!

Oh well, there's a few days for it all to change. We all know how crap the weathermen have been lately.

meto.gov.uk are saying 17-19c but heavy rain from the start, occasional sunshine and SSW winds 16-25mp....that's crosswinds for a significant chunk of riding.

yes...I'm really looking forward to it!

Maybe I will leave later then if it means missing the pissing rain.. my chain is already rusty from Sunday..