Dolan or leader??

It's quite a lot further than 50miles to Paris.. plus I find that I can ride most bikes 50-60 miles - it's only once you get to 100+ that you start wishing for a more forgiving ride.

I did it last year on plush carbon and was still sore. On alu I would have been in agony.

I also wouldn't do it fixed - just because the wind in Northern France is savage. Personal preference though etc etc.

Very fair response, yeah i understand the problems to the alu frame but my budget dictates and i'm fairly sure i won't be doing too many rides this long fixed. I've done a fair few 70+miles rides on my alu road bike [with carbon fork, bit more forgiving] and been ok. We're doing it fixed as a bit of challenge and most of my friends only have fixed-gear bikes, we'll be going at a slow pace and on sensible gears [hopefully i'll have double fixed by this point for options]. I'm hoping if i go alu frame with carbon forks, that will take some of the brunt. As for the winds in Northern France, i hope it's a mild day aha!