Birmingham to Berlin

So we're cycling there or back? Thought we were cycling there? Someone just decide!

Cycling back. What time do you finish work Matt? we'll get the same train as you from yardley wood.

im not 100% as im starting later tomorrow, today i started at 8 and finished at 5 tomorrow im starting at 12 so may not finish till late. may have to skip it til next time

I want to ride at least one other day this week as well as tomorrow Matt so if you can do another day, lemme know. All my mornings are free as well if you're starting later.

Hey Fox, send us an email to brumtoberlin@gmail.com and we'll sort you out. 50 miles was my max until the weekend just gone so don't worry. Next meet is in 3 weeks time, however if you wanna pop to Bike Polo on a weds/sun we're all there too and I'm happy to chat to you.

E-mail sent! I will be showing up on Wednesday evening, so I'll catch you there! ^.^

Hmm....
I think im coming.... I have the time off work any way and more importantly for me its ten years this year since my mother died of cancer, Seems like an apt thing to do.
I am a little worried on a few fronts! My bikes are all old... But I can fix em
Are we camping?
And 50 miles a day.. Over 11 days... 550 Miles?
Emm can you PM Me your number?
I also still wanna come look at your wheels!!

Great news Stu!!! We'll send you some details via the 'secret group'. We will be camping love, maybe a B & B for a treat somewhere along the way. All of our bikes are old too and it's 900 miles over 11 days.

yeah new route going up later this evening so ill put the link up here. im on a 30 year old Dawes. Yes to camping Brugge we have a stopover, but may need to set a tent up in the garden as more are now coming PM sent

Sweet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSpr-lR78Fo

Dear me that is a bonanza. Plenty of 90 mile days but the first leg is actually the longest. So, what sort of average speed are we looking at here? How long, realistically, should we be spending on the move each day?

ok hmm
contacted SiS and they said they will give us a 40% discount on stuff we buy from there. we should get some recovery stuffs from there so we are recharged for the next day of cycling ^-^

got in touch with Owayo too - they make customized cycist jerseys n stuff like that, they say they are already commited to sponsoring other charitys but said they will give a 10-15% sponsoring discount having there logo placed "quite large" in a prominent position :/ boo lol

Hi guys - first post so please do not bite.

Was pointed towards this event and forum by EQ Fox and am VERY keen to take part if that's cool. Not only do i love a) adventure and b) cycling but Cancer Research UK has done alot for my family recently and I would love to give something back by taking part and raising as much money as possible! In a position where i can (and i dont wish to jinx it) raise a fair bit of money for the charity despite joining at this stage.

Am so keen to take part and would say having been told the route/itinerary/general 'jist' of things by Jon/EQ Fox that it feels like I am 6 years old and its christmas again - very excited at the prospect!

Also i just watched 'In Bruges' and whilst its a kind of messed up film, its still looks nice there :)

Have an old work colleague who runs a cycle shop now so can also get on to him for discounts/sponsorship/general freebie stuff :)

so yeah this is just me saying hello and i hope i can be apart of this with you guys. Although i do need a new bike ! perfect excuse i think :)

Bailey

Marvellous to see you've found your way to the forum! Keep your eyes on the Birmingham section and this thread for information on meetings and bike polo meetups which I believe are every Wednesday and Sunday. ^.^

Hi guys, nice to have more people on board. Sorry if I seemed overly serious on Wednesday, I'm just very conscious of the fact we leave in less than two months. It's not a long time to get fit and train properly and I just want everyone to be on equal footing.

Most of us have been out riding at least twice this week and like I said before it's not about how fast you can ride but how far you can ride...this will be an endurance test not a race so let's be seeing you on some rides! You don't have to wait for group rides either, you can be out doing a loop by yourself and start getting used to back to back riding. Let's do it!

Why not log your miles as part of your training?

http://www.bikejournal.com etc

That's what my blogs for! Will give that a whirl too.

Could Neil/Matt do that mapmyride thing for Stratford actually...I couldn't remember the route?

I guess I mean everyone could log their miles, get some friendly competition going :)

That's what my blogs for! Will give that a whirl too.

Could Neil/Matt do that mapmyride thing for Stratford actually...I couldn't remember the route?

Neil?

Neeeeeeeeeilllllllll??

If I were you lot I'd start doing some miles with baggage too. It's one thing doing 50+ miles, but it's another doing 50+ miles with 20kg over your back wheel.

Also, I reckon another big challenge you'll face is technical problems with your vintage bikes, so make sure you've got a shed load of tools between you and know how to use them.

Jeet is right too - 120 laden miles is a big ask, and you need to have your eating/hydration/recovery meals planned if you're going to get up the next day and do 90!

Hello! I'm out most of the day, but I'll do some of that map my ride stuff later on...

That's why we need to do London to Birmingham at least twice before we go to get a feel for the mileage, if it's too much we can adjust the route. London riders are quite keen to do it so I'll organise dates. I'm in London this weekend but on Sunday eve I'll get on with the CTC planning now they've sent me all the information. I'm going to look at my friends Peugeot Triathlon tomorrow which is already racked up and ready to go with brand new parts so hopefully it fits me!

Cheers Neiiiiil.

but it's another doing 50+ miles with 20kg over your back wheel.

20KG??!! Are you carrying your boombox and lino mat with you? Pack light, pack right

I'm going to grill you at the alleycat tomorrow!